As the investigation of Richmond County Commissioner Sammie Sias drags on, Insiders are grumbling he has no business being involved in the city’s business dealings.
“No, he hasn’t been charged or convicted of anything…yet,” said one Marble Palace Insider wishing to remain nameless, not wishing to feel the wrath of the confrontational ex-military man.
Stories of Sias throwing his weight around heavy-handedly and inappropriately are by now legion.
For example, it is no secret Sias was deeply involved in the plot to run off Gold Cross and move the Richmond County EMS services in-house for Fire Chief Chris James to run.
In fact, he had succeeded until the local courts ruled the process was tainted with too many irregularities to be enforceable.
Insiders believe replacing Gold Cross with the Fire Department is just the first step in a larger plan aimed at bringing in yet a third group to tie a bow on Augusta’s ambulance dilemma.
Keep in mind this dilemma was completely self inflicted by Augusta’s government with Commissioner Sias doing most of the heavy lifting.
Insiders say the third group Sias and others are making way for has been identified but … well, they’ll tell you all about it after they get their way.
This is how Sias makes his sausage.
And, inexplicably, Augusta still allows him use of his alleged crime scene (firearms, booze, blow-up mattresses, porn, child abuse, adultery, embezzlement, fraud, etc.) at the Jamestown Community Center.
Just this past Saturday Sias hosted his monthly community breakfast at the Center; and just like always, Augusta provided its top talent to speak to the room full of Sias supporters.
According to Sylvia Cooper’s Sunday Chronicle column, Utilities Director Tom Wiedmeier gave a presentation at this past Saturday’s event.
In fact, the Commissioner, who was served FBI papers before last week’s Commission meeting, thus far hasn’t recused himself from any discussions of the city’s business other than conversations about his predicament.
Insiders are grumbling that Sias is probably still making his sausage as we speak.
Is the Augusta government really sure it’s still a good idea to provide the means and opportunity for this to continue?
Augusta is in the midst of hiring a parking company to manage its downtown area.
Are we comfortable having someone with his proven track record of dishonesty and heavy-handedness (along with FBI and GBI investigations looking to prove so much more) out doing his thing while this highly lucrative contract is being negotiated and awarded?
Many concerned citizens in Augusta think not.
