Shouldn't we follow the rev's advice and exclude aitken since he is white?
The racial balance of Augusta's civic politics could change after Tuesday's runoff election for a new District 1 commissioner.
Matt Aitken, a newcomer who is white, came in first in the Nov. 3 election, with 40.19 percent of the vote in a district that is 65 percent black. William "Bill" Fennoy, who is black, finished second with 32.39 percent. To win the seat, each must appeal to voters in very different sections of the district, ranging from the poorest in Laney-Walker to the most affluent in the Hill section of Summerville.
If Mr. Aitken wins, the Augusta Commission's 5-5 racial balance changes to a 6-4 white majority. Such prospects attracted criticism from many in Augusta's black community who say the longtime black-white balance was carefully crafted in consolidation's beginnings as a way to make commissioners work together.
But one man's balance is another man's gridlock, and over the years white commissioners have fumed that the arrangement led to too many stalemates and not enough progress.
That might change depending in part on what voters in District 1 decide Tuesday.
Time to vote
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday in 13 precincts in District 1. If you are not sure what district you live in, call the Board of Elections office at (706) 821-2340. Eligible voters can cast a ballot even if they did not vote in the Nov. 3 general election.
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Diverse District 1 areas agree on progress
Q & A with Matt Aitken [Video]
Q & A with Bill Fennoy [Video]
Comments
Shouldn't we follow the rev's advice and exclude aitken since he is white?
Agree wizzardx1. No white person should be allowed to run. And no one of Asian descent or Native American descent or ... But what the heck are we going to do about the problem of mixed ethnicity people?!?! Well, maybe they can run if they're mixed 50/50 and their disctrict is mixed 50/50, but what if they're mixed 40/60 and their disctrict is 64.6/35.4? Oh, I've got it, need to put a color meter on them and if their COLOR is within a certain range, they'd be allowed to run. If not, so sorry charlie ...
Tired of this race thing.
I see the "embers of May 1970" glowing in Disgustia. Let the "AA's" have the city/county/sink hole/government welfare center. Don't build a "justice center", build a "free everything to everybody center". What is the issue? Oh, history is not a required subject in Disgustia. Betty Beard remembers. It is the law? It is what THEY were promised in exchange for not torching the Watts/Disgustia neighborhood. THEY must always have equal or greater numbers in political jobs/power to assure they are not relegated to some plantation in Hephzibah. Or forced to ride in the back of an empty "trolley car". Or attend Lucy Laney High. This is the substance of what is spewed from the pulpits each and every Sunday. Social Justice must come from the people. No Old WHITE Bearded God can change their circumstances. Community Organization begins in the pulpit. It is the responsibility of the "shepherd of the sheep" to lead his "lost sheep into the fold". I'm redeemed by God's love divine ain't on the program no mo.
hummmmmmmm - I hear celebrations in all Greater Augusta's regional competitive communities when we get stuck on the black-white issues -- Macon, Charleston, Greenville, Savannah, Columbus, Chattanooga, etc -- economic opportunity goes to those smart enough to realize that green is the color of success -- not black or white -- if Augusta keeps it racist by voting based on skin texture the poor will stay poor and the rich will take their resources elsewhere -- back to the future -- economic segregation and slavery -- yes, Fennoy promises us more of the same -- Aitken promises us a change -- but then so did Obama -- pick you man/woman and pick the future of you, your children and your grandchildren -- "but as for me & my house I will serve the Lord -- and not the God of Race."
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