1 DEC 05: HIT THE AIR RUNNING

Columbus Mayor Bob Poydasheff seemed to send a coded message Wednesday. Here's what he said: "I'd love to have every member of the City Council return...." Translation: he doesn't want any Councilors running against him for reelection.

Mayor Bob Poydasheff told WRCG's "Talkline" he's taking nothing for granted, when it comes to next year's election. Yet he again talked of putting a one-cent city sales tax on the ballot in 2007. Why not add it to next year's city ballot - so the critics can get all the steam out of their system at once?

Mayor Bob Poydasheff sounded a good bit like a candidate in his half-hour phone interview. For instance, he declared he's the "first mayor in history" to recognize the special role of Columbus public safety within city government. Now if we can only find descendants of 19^th-century mayors to confirm this....

The Mayor admitted the process of adding new Columbus Police officers can be challenging. For instance, only three officers were hired from a recent group of 88 applicants. If you're going clubbing downtown this weekend, be careful - the rejects may be serving drinks.

Mayor Poydasheff also addressed complaints about the city buying land on South Lumpkin Road, near the new National Infantry Museum. What do these critics want, after all? Kohl's chose to build its new store somewhere else....

The Mayor disagrees with Mayor Pro Tem Jack Rodgers, about the city investing in land on South Lumpkin Road. Mayor Poydasheff noted the value of his property on Mountainview Drive has quadrupled since he bought it in 1979. So homes near Cusseta Road really are mansions -- only when you sell them.

Mayor Poydasheff declared he wants "no garbage" built near the new National Infantry Museum - then revised those words to mean he doesn't want any bars there. You tell them, Mr. Mayor! Leave the garbage on Broadway near the RiverCenter, where it belongs.

The Mayor went on to explain South Lumpkin Road currently is "horribly blighted," by things such as junk cars. I've done my laundry at a laundromat on that street for years - and come to think of it, several towels HAVE worn out.

Mayor Poydasheff offered an update on the National Infantry Museum project. It has a fundraising goal of $70 million, and currently has $48 million. We can count on another million bucks - depending on whether AFLAC tax attorneys think it's better to donate in December or January.

I didn't realize until Wednesday's interview that Mayor Poydasheff is on the board of the National Infantry Museum. He's also on the board of Columbus Water Works - so if the museum grounds include a lake for small-scale naval battles, that's why.

Asked about the proposed five-percent rate increase for Columbus Water Works, Mayor Poydasheff justified it in part on a wet 2005. Someone call Milli Vanilli -- an elected official actually dares to blame it on the rain.

Mayor Poydasheff explained a rainy year has meant less water usage, and less operating income for Columbus Water Works. Come to think of it, I can't recall the Mayor calling for days of prayer during droughts....

Later in the day, Mayor Poydasheff attended a retirement party for Columbus Fire Chief Roy Waters. Waters told WRBL his biggest challenge was merging the fire and EMS departments, because they're "two very different cultures." I guess this means EMS workers warn firefighters about how chili suppers can lead to heart attacks.

BLOG UPDATE: The proverbial tables turned Wednesday, in the case of the bounty hunter on Old Cusseta Road. Columbus Police charged hunter Richard Ward with aggravated assault -- while the man Ward tried to capture disappeared! Next time, take some handcuffs with those sidearms....

Richard Ward was charged with shooting Scott Goodwin, at a mobile home park on Old Cusseta Road. He's now out on bond, and presumably back in Russell County - where a bounty hunter may be needed to ensure HE shows up in court.

Meanwhile, Scott Goodwin apparently checked out of the Medical Center on his own despite a gunshot wound in the shoulder. Well, let's face it: Columbus IS in West Georgia -- as in wild west.

So who hired the bounty hunter to go after Scott Goodwin? The Wednesday evening news revealed it was bail bond company owner Rod Costello, who didn't want to lose $7,500 in bail. He's one of those rare people who can say money IS the "principal thing."

Rod Costello says he probably never should have called in a bounty hunter, to track down a bail jumper. After all, an off-duty Columbus police officer could do this job for the right price....

If all this isn't enough, friends of Scott Goodwin say he called police several times in the last couple of months - and invited officers to come get him on Old Cusseta Road. Goodwin must not realize how tight the Columbus city budget is. You're supposed to turn yourself in now, and during office hours.

THE BIG BLOG QUESTION wants to hear from you about this. Should bounty hunters be allowed to go after missing and wanted people in Columbus? And should they be allowed to borrow Junior Marshals badges, to look more impressive?

Now other items from a day with several interesting developments:

+ Third Brigade Commander Stephen Salazar confirmed soldiers will return to Fort Benning, beginning in late December. Salazar couldn't give many details, citing security reasons - but President Bush is learning that excuse only works for a little while.

(Colonel Stephen Salazar says after Third Brigade soldiers return to Fort Benning, they'll go through a ten-day "reintegration" process. How many "One Columbus" discussion groups will we need for this?)

+ WCGT TV-16 ran on-air announcements revealing it's being sold to the Christian Television Network of Tampa. Why do I have a funny feeling Jerry Laquire's days on this station are numbered....

(WCGT actually ran on-air apologies during "Extra" and "Elimidate," explaining the Christian Television Network has to keep showing those programs because of contracts. And why did a day-old WRBL newscast appear at 7:00 p.m.?)

+ Kellogg's announced it will consolidate three factories in Columbus, to make Keebler graham crackers on Victory Drive. The combining should add 32 local jobs. Now we're waiting to hear how many jobs are set aside for elves.

(Columbus will become the only place in the world where Keebler graham crackers are made. Oh no - the "Georgia cracker" name-calling is about to start all over again....)

+ The Opelika-Auburn News broke ground for a new building, so it can publish larger newspapers. I'm hearing WRBL will have a bureau in that building as well - so as newspapers go out of style, channel 3 eventually will have new studio space.

+ Forbes magazine declared Eufaula a "happy Hooterville" city. OK, which part of town is Petticoat Junction - with the girls leaving their dresses atop the fence?

+ The Alabama Public Service Commission staff recommended Alabama Power receive a 7.5 percent rate increase. The utility wants a 10.6 percent increase - so those talking birds may have to find a smaller billboard.

+ Columbus State's mens' basketball team was ranked 19^th in the Division II national poll - then went out and lost to Georgia College and State University 77-62. We're now waiting for WDAK sportscaster Scott Miller to announce a recall of all "lucky spots."

+ Instant Message to Bulldog Bait and Tackle, near the Rotary Park boat dock: Aw c'mon -- you're selling cappuccino?! I've never seen any yuppie yachts go down that ramp into the river.

SCHEDULED FRIDAY: The startling billboard Columbus seems to be overlooking....

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