More on Augusta's Proposed Budget for 2009

Augusta-Richmond County Administrator (yes, we have an administrator and a mayor), Fred Russell, proposes elimination of the Human Relations Commission. Yeah, let's get rid of them. What do they do anyway? Well, here's their mission statement:

To provide a forum to which any person may bring complaints or grievances alleging
discrimination based on race, sex, religion disability, age, creed, or national origin, in which equality of opportunity and equity in employment are advocated and disseminated. This forum will be an instrument that ensures fairness in employment practices and allocation of government resources as far as possible.

To be agents of reconciliation, functioning in the community to resolve conflicts and problems and to promote and maintain harmonious interethnic relations.

To provide citizens, upon request, with training and education on discrimination and on the denial of equal opportunity and/or equal rights.

To research, assess, and publish pertinent data pertaining to minority community problems.

To provide the community with appropriate recommendations for legislative action and
improvements in ethnic, minority, and majority (community) affairs.



What baloney!

On the other hand, the administrator advises a $15,000 payroll increase to the Mayor's Office. Now that makes sense. We all know the mayor is vitally important, but what does he do exactly? Here in Deke's own words:

The mayor is responsible for enforcing all ordinances, running commission meetings, helping to set policy and serving as the lead representative of the city. Basically, from a business perspective it would be comparable to the commission serving as the board of directors, the mayor serving as chairman of the board and the administrator serving as the president of the corporation. However, Fred and I work very closely together as a good working relationship between the mayor and the administrator is definitely a plus.



I imagine that good working relationship is a plus. A $15,000 plus, even. And he must be really busy, because the two commission meetings I've been to, Deke was called away for much of them.

Here are all the questions from the Mayor's Office FAQ page:

How does one get a fishing permit to the Mayor's Fishing Hole?

How does the Mayor's Business Incentive Grant (BIG) work?

What is the procedure for obtaining a parade or street closing permit?

Who do I contact about my trash problems?



Remember, Deke is in charge of enforcing ordinances, so when an ordinance is being broken, call (706) 821-1831.