Monthly Archives: January 2012

So now what?

. Life view points

It’s been a week since I got the phone call from my husband with a broken voice telling me once again our properties in Augusta (Ga.) were broken into, robbed and vandalized. I’m still reeling over hearing excuses from RCSD (Richmond Co. Sheriff’s Dept) about how they are sorry to hear that we once again were victimized but there is nothing they can do to protect our properties.

I blogged earlier this week about questioning why we pay property taxes if the city takes the stance that they are not responsible for how they choose to prioritize what is important for the greater good. Some people suggest I would have better luck winning the lottery than I would to get the city commissioners to care about our plight. I just can’t help but question that line of thinking. I mean, if you are a responsible property owner in the city and a law-abiding citizen…why wouldn’t  the Commission/Mayor care about the crime?

Last year Augusta had 27 murders and we were told to congratulate ourselves that it was better than last year. Okay, so what about other crimes that are up like metal thefts or burglaries? Why not concentrate on those? Oh yeah, that’s right you did appoint one token officer to be on a “task force” of one to handle those thefts. Gee, how special of you Augusta to think so highly of your citizens that you would appoint one person!

What about the task force you told us about a year and a half ago?  We were told you were going to start because of all the thefts? Is this it? I mean the word “force” would not imply one person? In physics, a force is any influence that causes an object to undergo a change in speed, a change in direction, or a change in shape. Dictionary says force is power or strength exerted, but I don’t think one investigator can really make a change in the thefts needed unless he is a super hero?

Augusta’s attempt to show a token effort against crime is a joke and insult to those of us who are tired of the ignorance. The case number for our recent incident will just be filed away and no one in leadership in Augusta cares unless it has something to do with a base-ball stadium or Laney Walker/Bethlehem projects. I guess this is because certain “people” in town benefit greatly financially from those two projects. Everyone else not associated will just have to fend for themselves I guess.

Well, I know a group of people who are making a difference. Making their voices heard even if it seems small to the city of Augusta leadership. However, I think the leaderships and cabals in the area need to re-think that concept and pay attention. Because that group grew by one more person last week. I don’t speak for the others, but I assure you I am not stupid, nor should you (Augusta leadership) blow me off as non-important.

You see huge changes have been made because one person stepped forward and said “enough”! I believe Augusta you have a good number of those “one” who are mad enough to bring about changes. Seems to me the group is growing and that starts a revolution for change and from what I’ve heard so far….a lot of those people who benefit from the “good ole boy” mentality will be seeing things unravel soon!

Well, I guess I need to go get that lottery ticket since my odds improved!

What am I paying property taxes for?

. Life view points

So…property taxes are paid to finance services in the city of which you own property. Services includes maintaining roads, bridges, parks and schools just to name a few. Property taxes are also supposed to help fund law enforcement that provide services to the community. Well what happens if your property is continually attacked by vandals, gangs and thieves? What does a property owner expect from the city when they pay those taxes?

If crime has become rampant in the area of which the property owner owns property and law enforcement agrees that there is nothing they can do to protect those properties, can the owner ask for a refund of a portion of their taxes that were applied to providing police protection?

The city of Augusta, Georgia is home of the Masters golf tournament. Yet, every day for most who reside in Augusta, it is nothing like the pomp and circumstance that is displayed during the first week of April each year. I moved to Augusta in 1976 and attended public schools here. I gave birth to two children in Augusta and watch Augusta change for the worst. Sure there are pockets of Augusta that flourish, but not many.

Downtown Augusta is a hot spot if you take Broad Street and weed out the other streets that surround it. My properties are just a few blocks away from the LEC (law enforcement center) and just across from the large Bell South complex. Another block away is the Department of Family and Children Services and in the other direction are attorney offices. You would think with those neighbors our buildings would actually fair pretty well right? Instead, we have had 12 incidents at our property but only 7 of them were actually reported to the Sheriff’s Department. The latest attacks on our buildings were discovered the first week of January 2012. An estimated $8,000 to $12,000 in damages were projected and the best response we could get from the Sheriff (Ronnie Strength) was “I hate to admit it, but I can’t protect your properties. I am 32 deputies short of what I had back in the year 2000″. So as a property owner and tax payer, what do I do with this admission?

The Mayor and Augusta Commission has their priorities backwards. Instead of trying to waste money on items such as the TEE center and studies for a base-ball park that Cal Ripken and the Mayor Deke Copenhavor want to bring to the river, they should focus their attention on the out of control crime in Augusta. The blight of areas where crime has taken over can be viewed with just a simple car ride through the city. Why are there only certain sections of Augusta that is focused on and not the community as a whole? Why is crime and law enforcement not the most important issue for the city?

As a property owner whose buildings can not be leased or sold because of the crime that has been allowed to flourish, I want a redo, a Mulligan for those Master’s golf fanatics…a refund! Mr. Mayor and Augusta Commission, I have two buildings located on 5th street I want to sell you for the value of what I put in it! Call me with the details of how you want to pay for it since you obviously feel by your lack of concern for the crime, that they are gems to be owned! Oh and by the way, I figure you also needed some advertisement to go along with the sales contract I’ll present to you in the next week or two when I show up at the commission meeting. Maybe you can take thousands of dollars out of your pockets, put hours upon hours of free time putting sweat equity in the buildings, and then use them for your “retreats” to have better relations with each other. I figure at the rate your going with the constant banter and “ya-ya” you might actually make improvements in your relationships and as a good citizen, I will even throw in a couple of anger management sessions for the hell of it!