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Sheriff Roundtree’s Drinking Problem

by Metro Spirit May 29, 2019

Insiders say citizens have a level of expectation that the officer in the patrol car next to them is sober. Citizens want to know: Is that too much to ask of our sheriff?

It is a pretty agreeable fact that by the time someone has been caught driving drunk they’ve gotten away with it numerous times. (it is likely that driving while intoxicated is habitual behavior for the offender.) On average, a convicted drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before his or her first arrest according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If that is the case, six law enforcement personnel could easily be the tip of the iceberg for Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree.

A number of law enforcement officers from Richmond County have been arrested over the past two years in alcohol related incidences. In November of last year, Sheriff Roundtree looked terribly uncomfortable addressing the issue in a press conference announcing new initiatives to address the problem.

Today Deputy Travis Clark was fired after having been involved in a drunken brawl.

The incident took place at Benson Estates Apartments off of Deans Bridge Road Monday night. The deputy was working a special and when guests didn’t want to leave the pool at the 9 PM closing time, the ensuing chaos resulted in the deputy scuffling with two females, getting shot at in the process.

Deputies responded to the apartment complex in reference to a fight in progress. There they discovered that Deputy Travis Clark had been involved in an altercation with Quasia Turner and Nilkita Turner after he attempted to close the complex pool at 9 p.m. Monday.

Investigators also found a hole in Clark’s shirt and learned that a single shot was fired by Nilkita Turner, with the bullet possibly grazing Clark’s left rib cage. Clark was already on probation for another off-duty incident where alcohol was listed as a contributing factor.

Alcohol impairs judgement and cognitive ability according to the Mayo Clinic.

Since the beginning of last year, the following officers have been arrested while intoxicated, four for driving while drunk, yet all had driven while intoxicated.

Investigator Ryan Jones was off duty, driving drunk in an unmarked county-owned car when he was arrested. He resigned from his job as a Richmond County investigator in the Narcotics Division after the incident.

Deputy Jason McCall was arrested for battery, aggravated assault and cruelty to children in the third degree. He left his Martinez residence going to several bars before returning home very intoxicated and attacking the mother of one of his children while the child was present. While he was not charged with DUI, he clearly was driving drunk.

Last year off duty Investigator Aaron Hannsz was arrested driving drunk in his patrol car.

Then there was Deputy Adam Wade, who drunkenly ran into two parked cars on Broad Street before fleeing the scene.

“…and ran over a speed limit sign before crashing into a culvert.”

And Deputy Eugene Danner, who drove off the road in Columbia County and ran over a speed limit sign before crashing into a culvert.

It was Danner’s third known alcohol related offense.

It appears the sheriff has a cultural problem on his hands. One where alcohol is having a very negative effect on the department. It is unacceptable for one law enforcement officer to get behind the wheel drunk. To have six employees over two years arrested for drunk driving? It points to a department, obviously, out of control.

May 29, 2019

The Garden on Heath and Wicklow

by Metro Spirit March 7, 2019

By Todd Schafer

It was July 2002 and Bill Jones’ carport was once again filled with bounty from his massive garden. The tomatoes had just been picked that afternoon. He grew many different summer veggies but the tomatoes, with names like Jaune Flame, Abe Lincoln and Riesentraube, made him famous.

Business was always brisk, and Bill was usually in the carport in the late afternoon, after a long day of tending, watering and weeding, talking to friends and customers alike that came for his wonderful tomatoes.

When he wasn’t there, his stand was on the honor system. There was an ancient hanging scale, and a plastic box for a cash register. When I saw that, I couldn’t get over it. Who does that, I thought. After getting to know him, it made sense. He loved what he was doing. The money was just a bonus.

That first summer, I bought over 500 pounds of tomatoes to use at the restaurant, and we peeled every one of them. His house was only about a mile from the Bistro, and I spent many an afternoon in the garden, thinking up specials for dinner service that night as I picked

We transformed baby yellow flame tomatoes, cream and extra virgin olive oil into the most wonderful cold soup. We made a salad with three or four different types of baby tomatoes with white truffle oil vinaigrette and baby herbs. We peeled baby tomatoes and dried them on the rooftop, turning them into sundried tomatoes as sweet as candy. What made these dishes great wasn’t as much as how we prepared them, but rather the incredible flavor of the tomatoes he grew.

It was Bill Jones who inspired me to grow my own produce, and to seek out the best local ingredients available. My love of gardening is, in part, because of him. When Bill died, his family kept up the garden for a couple of years until the Augusta National bought his house and so many others around it and turned it into a giant parking lot. Not having any more of Jones’ tomatoes spurred me to put in my own garden for the restaurant. Bill’s grandson, David, helped me with the tiller, the tractor and all the logistics of building a large garden.

That summer I spent an obscene amount of money on dirt, irrigation and 12 new toilets for The Vue (but that is another story).

What I learned from that experience is, one, use a licensed plumber instead of a buddy who says he knows about sprinklers, and, two, there is no substitute for locally grown produce.

What I learned from Jones is that, for him, it was more than just growing vegetables. It was about family, community and fellowship with his neighbors.

While working in my own garden, my thoughts sometimes turn those great days of summer and the garden on Heath and Wicklow, and I know that he was right.

Todd is the owner of Abel Brown’s Southern Kitchen in Surrey Center. He formerly owned Bistro 491 in the same location.

491 Highland Ave

Augusta, Ga

706-738-6491

March 7, 2019

Doug Duncan is winning in endorsements

by The Insider April 18, 2018

While the race for Columbia County Commission Chair is entering into its final month, the endorsements are pouring in for candidate Doug Duncan.

Just this week, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens and Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced that they all endorsed Duncan as chairman.

“I’m grateful for Doug Duncan’s strong support over the years and know he will make Columbia County citizens proud as their next Chairman,” Isakson stated in a news release.

“Doug Duncan has the right experience and knowledge to lead Columbia County forward,” added Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “With experience in starting and growing businesses in the private sector, Doug Duncan knows how to spur job creation and investment. Under his leadership, Columbia County will be a hub of economic opportunity and growth.”

“Doug Duncan is a successful businessman and proven conservative leader,” Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens stated. “He’s respected throughout Georgia and will make a great chairman. Doug loves his community and will work hard to keep Columbia County moving in the right direction.”

These endorsements can be added to the growing list of those who support Duncan including Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle and Grovetown Mayor Gary Jones.

In fact, Whittle was extremely specific in his endorsement of Duncan earlier this month.

Not only did he lend his voice to a radio ad supporting Duncan, but he also sat down with WJBF News Channel 6 reporter Ashley Campbell and specifically spelled out his reasons for choosing Duncan.

“I normally don’t get involved in races like this when somebody is new in the races unless it’s someone I think very highly of and someone who’s perfect for the job,” Whittle told WJBF about Duncan, who the sheriff says he’s known for more than 25 years. “I know him personally, I know his character, I know what he stands for.”

Specifically, Whittle said he appreciated Duncan’s support for pay increases to the sheriff’s department following the state’s announcement that Georgia State Patrol would be getting a 20 percent boost in salary.

“With this new coming budget, we’re expected to be on parity with the state employees,” Whittle told Campbell earlier this month. “I haven’t had any of my employees wanting to leave yet because they know what’s coming, they’ve seen their pay increase.”

The sheriff also took a bit of a dig at former EMA Director Pam Tucker’s campaign for chair of Columbia County.

“When I start seeing people downgrading the county, and make it appear to the voters that things are messed up and they need a ‘change,’ and I know that’s not true, again, I’m an elected official and it’s incumbent of me to tell them that’s not true,” Whittle told News Channel 6.

Needless to say, that didn’t sit well with Tucker.

On the same day that Channel 6’s interview with Whittle aired, Tucker posted a message to her campaign’s Facebook page thanking her supporters for their commitment.

She also sent Whittle her own message.

“It is not incumbent upon any elected official or anyone else to tell you who to vote for,” Tucker posted. “You already know. #ItsTuckerTime.”

But Tucker has been on the defense for the past several weeks, even pointing out “untruths” in Duncan’s campaign ads, including the radio spot recorded by Whittle.

“It is so predictable that the other candidate for Commission Chair would have a radio spot saying that there would be ‘no drama’ in his administration,” Tucker posted on April 9. “And I agree with him — because when the election is over, he goes right back to his job and everything is business as usual as it has been for the past three years and four months that he’s been in office. Continued problems with nobody caring about the citizens.”

“And don’t worry too much about endorsements from elected officials for the other guy,” Tucker added. “That just means that they are buddies and they sure don’t want an honest person that they have been envious of and that they now are fearful of coming in and shaking things up.”

Yikes. Tucker does realize if she wins the May 22 election and becomes chair she’ll have to work with the sheriff, right?

After all, he’s an elected official, too. She can’t fire him.

Tucker even criticized her old pal, WGAC Radio Talk Show Host Austin Rhodes, after he announced that he supported Duncan in the race.

“I don’t have the key to the country club,” Tucker posted after hearing that Rhodes supported Duncan.

It’s clear that Tucker is going on the attack, even though she is claiming to take the high road.

Getting ugly this close to an election is a risky gamble.

“I helped people for 39 years. Night and day, holidays, weekends, vacation, whatever. Doug has been on the commission for three years and four months and has done nothing,” Tucker recently posted. “If you like how things are now, then vote for Doug. Because nothing will change. I’m offering myself as an honest person who just wants to do right by our citizens. I am not a politician trying to use this as a steppingstone to a state election.”

One of her supporters responded that it was just “those good ‘ole boys” trying to smear Tucker.

“It’s not up to them … it’s up to the voters,” Tucker wrote. “People know what they get with me. I’ve been serving them for four decades. I have stayed away from the negative, hateful posts being written and let them marinate in them. I simply want to get my message out without any of that. High Road is My Road.”

Right now, her road is actually kicking up a lot of mud.

It’s not pretty.

April 18, 2018

Please Don’t Break the Ice

by Jenny Wright June 28, 2017

Editor’s Note: Please enjoy this oldie but a goody from Jenny while she is on vacation this week.

Tell something unusual or memorable about yourself.

What’s your favorite color?

If you were stranded on an island with just one thing, what would it be?

Would you rather drink sour milk or eat rancid meat?

Ice breakers. I think the only people who like them are seminar coordinators and orientation leaders, and that’s only because they’ll fill up time in a required day-long meeting. I’m pretty sure the intention isn’t to make people uncomfortable, but it’s an all too frequent side effect. I’m dying to know if said coordinators and leaders mind participating, or if they feel our pain.

The other day I was in a meeting, and upon glancing ahead at the agenda, snuggled right between the morning break and lunch, I saw it. The dreaded and still unnamed “Get-To-Know-You” activity.

Crap.

Really, just the thought gave me butterflies. I can fake it, but I’m a little shy when meeting new people. Small talk is awful. The awkward silence following small talk is the worst. Usually there’s a bunch of hand shaking, too. Based on the number of sweaty hands, I wasn’t the only nervous one in the room.

We played Get to Know You Bingo. The squares were labeled with things like “I have three dogs,” “I love the mountains” and “I’m not a morning person.” We had to approach everyone and ask on which square their name belonged and write it in. I didn’t see an “I hate ice breakers square.” It’s too bad, because I would’ve been all over that.

We had to be reminded not to hurry the game along by cheating. If such a disclaimer is necessary, that might be red flag. People will cheat to get ice breakers over with because they don’t like them.

In all honesty, everyone in this meeting was very friendly. We were running a bit behind, so the organizers imposed a time limit. Bingo was short-lived. Darn. The whistle blew after just a few minutes. It wasn’t so bad after all. Time for lunch!

You know the most interesting part of it all? Ice breakers work.

In spite of the painful process, the room felt more familiar after it was all over. We chatted while we ate. People remembered the interesting things about one another and colors, nodding with familiarity when any were mentioned in the lecture. Although I won’t likely interact with anyone in that class again, we all wished each other luck in future endeavors. Okay, ice breakers. You win.

I played many instruments growing up, including piano, violin, flute, clarinet and French horn. My friend Ashley taught me how to play the clarinet on Friday nights while we watched Full House and 20/20 (nerds). I learned the flute for “fun” in my spare time.

I love just about anything orange.

I’d bring my family. You said one thing. That’s one unit, and one I’d rather not live without.

Neither. That’s disgusting. I’ll take wine, thanks.

Cheers!

June 28, 2017

Requesting Bids

by Metro Spirit June 12, 2016

The Lane Construction Corporation (Lane) is requesting bids from certified LDBE/MBE/WBE firms on Travis Field WRF (SW-524-10) Savannah, GA 31401

· Erosion Control

· Clearing and Grubbing

· Sitework

· Demolition

· Fencing

· Landscaping

· Paving

· Flatwork Concrete

· Reinforcing Steel Installation

· Masonry

· Waterproofing

· Painting

· Insulation

· Flooring

· Hauling

· Micropiles

· HVAC

· Electrical

· Plumbing

Quotes must be received in our office by no later than 10:00 A.M. on July 1, 2019. These can be sent via email to dkgooden@laneconstruct.com or via fax to 678.762.1801. Phone quotes will be accepted at 770.274.1489. Documents can be reviewed at The Lane Construction Corporation Alpharetta office; Savannah Entrepreneurial Center, 801 E. Gwinnett Stree, Dodge Global Network; ISQFT.com project # 6241893.

June 12, 2016

2004 Jeep Wrangler LS V8 engine FOR SALE

by Joe White June 12, 2016

Jeep was purchased and delivered to Trucks and Moore, who did all the structural work listed below. New LS V8 dropped in. This Jeep has never seen the mud, and the owner needs room for grandkids.

CONTACT PAT 706.533.4751

Customized Items:

Front Bumper
Rear Bumper
Customized Step Bars/Rails
Front & Tail Light Guards
Gas Cap Guard
Wide Fenders
*All of the previous items were Rhino Sprayed including following items:
GOBI Rack with Ladder
Mirrors
Front Grill
Rear Door
Interior
Custom Hood Design

Also Added:

Warn VR 8000 Winch
4″ Suspension Lift
1″ Body Lift
5 Wheels
5 37″ Tires

4 Speed Transmission W/Overdrive
Tuffy Law Enforcement Security Box
Alpine Stereo with Speakers
Alpine Booster AMP
Sirius XM Tuner
New Soft Top
Water-Proof Seat Liners
50″ Front Light Bar
20″ Rear Light Bar

June 12, 2016

CAUTION: Selfie Stick In Use

by Gregory A. Baker July 15, 2015

One of the more interesting realizations I had a parent is that you have to tell your kids everything. I mean EVERYTHING. Those little minds come home from the store full of mush. If you don’t start shaping their behavior right from the start, you will be astonished by what actions (or inactions) are deemed appropriate.

I’m not talking about the stuff we can still hear our parents say — brush your teeth before bed, don’t stay up too late, be nice to your friends. No, this is on a different level. When you start with an empty head, there is no action that defies possibility. Eventually, you find yourself uttering crazy statements like, “What do you mean you didn’t think it would hurt if you hit your sister with a bat?” and “How is the poop going to get into the potty if you don’t raise the lid?”

Parenting provides the perfect case study for the lesson “Not everything is obvious to everyone.”

Of course, kids get older, develop into teenagers and eventually take their place in society as adult citizens. Notice that I did not use the phrase “mature adults.” This was intentional.

You see, even after 20-or-so years of existence, a good portion of the mind mush still remains. On the positive side, I believe it’s beneficial for young and energetic individuals to aspire to a limitless future. Where would we be today if previous generations didn’t push beyond the conventional wisdom and do the impossible?

However, the complete disregard of common sense often yields negative consequences. To illustrate this point, one need only look as far as the selfie stick.

The very first selfie stick appeared in the early 1980s. An engineer at Minolta, Hiroshi Ueda, developed the concept after vacationing in Europe. While in the Louvre, he asked a passerby, a child, to take a picture of him and his wife. The child ran off with the camera. Almost accidently, Ueda discovered that people need the ability to take a picture of themselves whenever and wherever they desire.

Minolta, to their credit, actually manufactured the device Ueda developed. The “Extender Stick” was not a commercial success. Interestingly, women of the 1980s were embarrassed by the idea of taking pictures of themselves.

The modern selfie stick can be traced to Canadian inventor Wayne Fromm. In the early 2000s, after various struggles with getting strangers to take his picture while travelling, Fromm developed the Quik Pod. He has actively promoted it over the last 10 years. Needless to say, the Quik Pod, along with the many hundreds of different knock offs, continues to sell well.

And why wouldn’t it? Social media sites like Instagram and Snapchat urge users to share the current moment. Even if your besties can be with you, that’s no excuse for them to not know what top or shoes you’re wearing. The selfie stick adds to the experience by allowing the viewer to step back and see the full context — everything from “Here I am! Aren’t you jealous?” to “Can’t you see that this really sucks?” Social media broadcasts the play-by-play of our lives, and the selfie stick simply provides a better view of the action.

However, the selfie stick is subject to misuse, and many would suggest that the selfie stick is a nuisance and a danger.

While most adults would agree that one shouldn’t use a selfie stick in a moving roller coaster, a non-trivial segment of our society doesn’t arrive at that conclusion. Likewise, selfies while driving also seem to pass through the common sense filter of some. Even in “safe” environments such as museums and parks, the selfie stick user doesn’t always act with respect to others, often blocking views or possibly delivering an inadvertent thwack.

Sad to say, but the misuse has created a backlash.

The backlash against selfie sticks is gaining momentum. Selfie sticks have been banned at Lollapalooza, the Forbidden City, the Smithsonian and a host of other venues. Walt Disney World started banning selfie sticks due to safety concerns. The city of Pamplona banned selfies during the running of the bulls. South Korea now regulates selfie sticks as a communication device. The war against the selfie stick is well underway.

Is this backlash undeserved? Probably not. A quick search of the internet provides many examples of unsafe, inadvisable and fatal selfies. As a matter of fact, the selfie problem has become so significant, Russia created a public service announcement providing instruction on the appropriate use of selfie sticks.

While I doubt that any readers of the Spirit (and certainly not any readers of this column) would require this instruction, for the benefit of any mush minds that happen to be reading, I’ve provided the translation below.

Selfies on train tracks are a bad idea.
Selfies on the water — It’s hard to keep you balance.
Selfies with animals — They are not always cute.
Selfies with guns kill.
Selfies on the roof — You can fall far.
Selfies on train cars — You can get electrocuted.
Selfies near high voltage? Don’t bother.

BTW — It’s great to be back from vacation. Check out this selfie! Stay safe as you enjoy the rest of your summer! @gregory_a_baker

July 15, 2015

Twenty Two Arrested in Richmond County Over Four Days

by Metro Spirit May 18, 2015

“Operation Mayday” was a four day proactive effort centered in Richmond County, GA. The operation took months of planning. The arrestees, ranging in age from 19 to 52, traveled from areas around Augusta and from South Carolina with the intent to meet a child for sex. Some of their occupations included actor, funeral home director, tire salesman, electrician, software programmer, correctional officer, pharmacy tech, student and Deputy Jailer.

The purpose of “Operation Mayday” was to arrest persons who communicate with children on-line and then travel to meet them for the purpose of having sex. On-line child predators visit chat rooms and websites on the internet, find children, begin conversations with them, introduce sexual content and arrange a meeting with the children for the purpose of having sex. The children these predators target are both boys and girls. In addition, the operation targeted those that are willing to exploit children by purchasing sex with a minor, and the recruitment of victims of child sex trafficking. The proactive on-line investigation was a coordinated effort among all the law enforcement agencies to combat this activity.

The following were arrested and charged in Richmond County as part of “Operation Mayday”

Six (6) of those arrested also admitted to previous sexual contact with children. One offender arrived with two firearms in his vehicle. Additionally, multiple phones and digital devices were seized. Those devices will be processed and analyzed and additional charges may be filed after reviewing the results of that analysis.

May 18, 2015

Joey Brush killed in motorcycle accident

by Metro Spirit May 7, 2015

Former state Sen. Joey Brush was killed in a motorcycle accident this morning in Columbia County, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

Brush, 59, died from his injuries following the accident that occurred on Columbia Road near Louisville Road. The other driver was at fault.

The former state senator, who spent more than 10 years in the Legislature, was reportedly on his way to attend a Columbia County event featuring Gov. Nathan Deal, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

May 7, 2015

Resolutions That Stick

by Marin Rose January 9, 2015

Happy New Year, dear readers! What are your hopes for 2015? ‘Tis the time for resolutions and I’m here to help you realize yours this year.

There is a faction of people who reject the concept of the New Year’s resolution — and for good reason. We all know that gyms stock up on new members in January but that the crowds dissipate by June. Most resolutions simply fizzle out. And why participate in a tradition so wrought with failure it’s practically a cliché?

There are several inherent flaws in the “resolution” tradition. For one, the arbitrary timing. With a change in calendar, we presume to think that we can change ourselves. But whether you call them resolutions or goals, and whether you made them on the first of the year or on a more random date, we all have things we’d like to accomplish. Here’s how to avoid the common pitfalls.

Choose the right goal.

There’s a tendency in January to take on a lot more than is reasonable. Chances are, you’re not going to lose weight, get organized, write a novel and quit smoking all at once. Not without also losing your job, alienating your spouse and perhaps tearing out your hair, anyway.

The first step in effective goal setting is to identify your top goal or goals, meaning the goals that are most important, most urgent or most attainable. If health is your first priority, then choose one behavior on which to focus. And take into consideration your own history and personality. Is it necessary to run a marathon this year or is it enough to go running twice a week? Are you even the marathon type? Starting a new year is automatic but becoming a “new you” is a choice and a process. Choose wisely and remember who you are and what’s important to you.

Start small.

With the exception of some “all or nothing” types, it’s best to start with baby steps and gradually increase your efforts to achieve a new goal. Let’s stick with our health example. Rather than committing to changing all your habits at once, ask yourself: what is the smallest possible change I could possibly make to start? Set yourself up for success by making the smallest possible commitment. Rather than cutting out all soda, perhaps replace one soda with one glass of water each week. After a month, replace a second. Gradual change means building new habits slowly, thoughtfully and with purpose. Gradual change is more lasting than a sudden shock to the system.

Anticipate obstacles.

It’s easy to be gung-ho on January 4, envisioning the great results of the work we’ve taken on for a whole four days. To stand the test of time, though, it’s crucial to anticipate the obstacles to our success — and plan how to overcome them.

Fresh off the holidays and surrounded by people dutifully pursuing their brand new resolutions, it may not be too challenging to stick to the healthy eating plan you’ve designed. What happens in a few months, when your honeymoon phase with 2015 is over and your friends have fallen off the wagon? How will you handle Valentine’s Day and its proffering of candies and chocolates? What will you tell coworkers pushing birthday cake? What will you order when you go out for dinner?

Temptation is the downfall of many a resolution. What are your temptations? The more accurately you can anticipate them, the better you can avoid or arm yourself against them. Ensure that when the times get tough, you get tougher.

I argue that personal growth is the most important, most rewarding pursuit in life. But it requires self-knowledge and a strategy for incremental change. As with anything, ongoing reflection and planning are critical for success in any endeavor worth making. Since January is GO (Get Organized) Month (learn more about GO Month at napo.net), I’ll put forth that getting organized in 2015 is a most worthy goal. Getting organized means committing to honesty with oneself, intentional living and reaping the deep rewards of both, which can spill into all aspects of life.

Whatever your hopes — and plans — for 2015, may they be realized.

Questions for Marin? Inquire at info@libraorganizing.com for a response in next month’s column.

Marin Rose owns Libra Organizing. She helps people de-clutter their spaces and their lives to help them become happier and more productive – and less stressed. Marin serves clients throughout the CSRA, as well as in her hometown of Washington, DC, New York and beyond. For more information, including notices of free seminars and community events, or to hire Marin to speak at your event or organization, visit libraorganizing.com.

January 9, 2015