A group calling itself a "collective body representing every aspect of the black community" held a news conference Monday behind the Municipal Building, at the base of the Lady Justice statue, criticizing Augusta Commission District 1 candidate Matt Aitken for not appearing at three candidate forums last week held by black organizations.
"This is the most important election since consolidation," Antioch Baptist Church pastor K.B. Martin said. "If Matt Aitken is ignoring us now, what is he going to do when he's elected? He is ignoring two-thirds of the district's voters."
The group, which included commissioners Betty Beard, J.R. Hatney and Calvin Holland and former commissioner Marion Williams, also decried the notion of the racial balance on the board tipping 6-4 in favor of whites if Mr. Aitken wins.
They said the city charter intended otherwise, and the Rev. Alexander Smith, a Southern Christian Leadership Conference board member, called it a "constitutional violation:" and said an injunction may be in order.
Asked by a reporter if whites should not, then, be permited to qualify to run for District 1, the Rev. Smith said that's a possibility.
Asked if two black candidates, then, should not have run against Commissioner Joe Bowles in District 3, the group was silent.
"Don't answer," someone muttered.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
SSSUUUUUUURRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE They just want to "CORNER" him on a platform, so they can just do a bunch of "RACE BAITING' How transparent can you get. These are nothing but a bunch of scum-buckets with mouths.
imagine that!
What a flagrant buch of racist idiots!
I hope this backfires on them, crazy stuff. They aren't even pretending to care about the community, only skin color. Dr King is probably spinning in his grave. Stuff like this resets the clock 50 years backwards.
Betty Beard, J.R. Hatney and Calvin Holland and former commissioner Marion Williams... now there's a representative bunch... to heck with an 'election' they say... we know better than the electorate... pleeeeeease... anyone wonder what the legacy of Charles Walker really is... read and weep...
by not answering the question about District 3 is very telling of this groups motives...........race! what a sad exsistence they must live.
Thanks Johnny, for the good info. Your piece has made me definitely decide to vote December 1.
JUSTUS Where are you? Time to insert your usual garbage. No opinion? Still thinking how you can put a spin on it? Everybody is waiting.
how come this group isn't called, collective body representing every aspect of the community". Rev Smith, the message you are sending across, is that white people are not welcome in your "community". I'm sure glad Christ doesn't discriminate. Makes me wonder who ordained the Rev.
Aitken messed himself up with his NO SHOWING self. I will be voting for FENNOY. And they are right.
What a freaking joke. This is a total embarassment to the people of Augusta. Equality can never be achieved with the mentality of this community group. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, I think, would be disappointed in the SCLC. If they want a debate so bad, then get a third party moderator to conduct it.
They can't be serious? Neither should they be taken seriously.
Of course the black leaders' words will be twisted and their message possibly mis-informed, however, they should be a little more sophisticated about the AWM. Speaking with the non-minority media operation requires some savvy about wording your sentences and having a strong defense. U just can't say what is "black & white", but it must be inferred - not actually said, because "they" will do EXACTLY what they are doing; spinning your words...
It's rare for African-Americans to rally FOR segregation. Is this a trend?
A wall. You folks need a wall!!
Black people are the most racist people on this planet. First it was forced bussing, then minority set aside programs, then district gerrymandering, and now when it appears they might actually lose a spot on the commission through a legitimate democratic vote they demand that even further interventions might be necessary to protect their seat, like it's some sort of entitlement. Of course the idea is that no white could ever represent the interests of a black. Hmmm, is that akin to saying that a black could never represent the interest of a white? How on earth did Obama get elected then.
This city is in poor, moral straits with the loud mouthed black race baiters that will stoop to any low in order to advance their political goals. I'm ashamed of my home town.
I have no idea on how the vote will go, but I do know that it would be poetic justice if a black didn't win that seat. Maybe this is just the medicine local blacks need to reconile their racial bias with a new world view. Who knows, you may actually fine Mr. Aitken a capable leader able to provide equal representation to every ethic group in his district
Fennoy just picked up 1,000 more votes today..Mr. Aiken has to do some serious 'damage control'.....my 2 cents
I don't blame him for not showing up for that group of misfits. Marrion Williams should be barred from such events. He may have outsmarted them again.
Anything to get Fennoy elected so the "balance" of 5-5 will continue to stifle the county commissioners. Politics as we love it.
And these idiots have the nerve to call whites racist? What a joke--this group of buffoons!
"because "they" will do EXACTLY what they are doing" publishing the truth? Reporting what was actually said? How do you twist a quote?
'Ol Marion Williams, according to his interview, wants the economics "spreaded" out for all the black "peoples". He is a disgrace to Augusta.
Aitken messed himself up simple as that and again they are telling the truth, and how many screen names you have blackjack if you so racist why do you have black in your screen name LOL.
"If you so racist", typical getto speak, notreally?
whah, whah,, whah, is that all you people have to do is look for something to complain about??? now, honestly how stupid is this??? well frankly i dont blame him because whatever he does you will find fault another way with him. its all about skin color to you stupid idiots..get a life and stop whining because something does not go your stankin way..as i always say imagine that...YOU STUPID FOOLS
Pastor Martin and Rev Smith are calling for some sort of 21st Century reverse discrimination in the name of their definition of equality. This is nothing but a desperate grab for “power”. The quest of Afro-Americans through generations of struggle wasn’t one for separate-but-equal status. We fought for a system where everyone’s vote would be counted equally (one person/one vote) and every qualified individual could aspire to a position of leadership regardless of his/her race. The election next week all about putting the MOST qualified person in office; it seems that the ministers are afraid that their candidate may not be up to the task.
"Constitutional Violation", shows the intellect of these buffoons. Now tell me again who they are representing?
It should have been clear at the outset that the only reason most people were voting for Aitken was because they wanted to make sure Palmer wouldn't win. Too much at stake, right justus4? And I'm not talking about black representation. Their plan was to let the least viable white candidate win the initial race and dump him in the runoff, so they could get Holland and Beard's choice the commissioner's spot. If Fennoy wins, they are going to get the least qualified person for the job, just what they are used to and deserve. Fennoy will then be able to continue his regular visits to Charles Walker in the Federal Pen with the blessing of his supporters.
Yosemite, if you think blacks are the most racist people on the planet, just read these posts. I'll bet most of them, including you, aren't black. Just read this site daily and you will probably wake up. These comments just prove these folks fears about Mr. Aitken.
What say you RCR? "Asked if two black candidates, then, should not have run against Commissioner Joe Bowles in District 3, the group was silent.
"Don't answer," someone muttered."