29 DEC 05: RUN RONNIE RUN

Yes, I know this is supposed to be The Blog of "Columbus." But this week, the most interesting stories seem to be coming from Phenix City -- as if people want the 1954 state intervention all over again....

Wednesday's main event involved Russell County Commissioner Ronnie Reed. An attorney announced Reed has received permission to hold his office by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles -- so once again Georgia residents have a reason to feel superior.

Ronnie Reed has been serving on the Russell County Commission despite a felony conviction for burglary in Columbus 30 years ago. Under Alabama law, the conviction disqualified him from political office - though Don Siegelman may be trying to prove he's an exception to the rule....

Attorney Jim McKoon told reporters Wednesday the Georgia Parole Board restored Ronnie Reed's rights last Wednesday. And it took him a week to announce this?! Did Reed decide to hold a spur-of-the-moment celebration in Destin, or something?

Jim McKoon's announcement happened to occur on the day the Ledger-Enquirer reported a complaint had been filed by Fort Mitchell residents, in Ronnie Reed's commission district. It's like these people are trumping each other and playing bridge - only without a honeymoon.

Jim McKoon tried to minimize the 1975 burglary conviction. In his words: "Mr. Reed was 20 years old - it was so serious, he got not one day in jail." Isn't this amazing? Prison overcrowding in Columbus was a problem way back then.

Jim McKoon claimed the probation revelation is part of a plot to attack African-American members of the Russell County Commission. That's strange - because earlier in the year, Tillman Pugh joined Ronnie Reed in getting arrested for campaign violations....

(So where is the Phenix City NAACP chapter, coming to the defense of the African-American commissioners? If it's had a meeting this year, everyone seemed to have missed it....)

Jim McKoon argues now that Ronnie Reed has his rights restored, the petition against him holding office should be dropped. This is a bit like arguing a serial killer should be let off the hook, if he can get a "concealed carry" permit.

One question left unresolved Wednesday night was whether Ronnie Reed knew his probation conviction disqualified him from running for Russell County Commissioner. But then again, Jim McKoon didn't dare argue ignorance of the law is an excuse....

Former Russell Commission Chair Cattie Epps attended Wednesday's news conference, and said it's time for political conflicts to stop. Yeah, right - that's a sensible appeal to make, on the eve of an election year.

So what about this talk of a conspiracy against African-American commissioners? Russell County Probate Judge Al Howard told WRBL Wednesday that's not true, because "I didn't make those laws." He also didn't make it easy for the commission to move his office....

E-MAIL UPDATE: Apparently we have company coming this weekend:

Will there be fireworks in Columbus this New Year's Eve????

Thanks.

Charlotte Ray

Birmingham, Alabama

Yes, Charlotte, I'm expecting some. In fact, you might not to have to drive all the way into Columbus - as a trip to the Russell County Courthouse might be good enough right now.

But seriously: I checked an online events calendar Wednesday night, and found NO big fireworks show planned for Columbus Saturday. You may have to settle for the unannounced shows - for instance, with teens shooting smuggled fireworks at the Wilson Apartments.

Columbus tried to have big New Year's fireworks shows for a couple of years, around the turn of the millennium. Some of you may remember December 31, 1999 - and the party billed for months as the "last sunset in Georgia." Thankfully, the Y-2-K bug was NOT that powerful....

The big year-end fireworks show in the area these days tends to be at the "Night of Lights" along the Chattahoochee River - but that was three weeks ago. We tend to rerun big events like that only when more soldiers come home from Iraq.

Now for more assorted explosive items from the Wednesday's news:

+ WRBL talked with the owner of a Phenix City ice cream shop, who's been wearing a pistol on the job for several months. If he says that's chocolate and not fudge marble, that's good enough for me....

+ A line of severe storms dropped hail in parts of the area. One report claimed the hail in Cottonton was the size of lemons. Do they mean the fruit in the store, or the old cars on concrete blocks?

(Yet the high temperature was 68 degrees F., and some of my neighbors had an evening cookout. I'm starting to think they're addicted to propane gas....)

+ The MEA Federal Credit Union admitted it's had computer problems since Saturday night. It's been hard for people to withdraw money from ATM's or do online banking -- but those tellers on Macon Road had better not start asking for tips.

+ An Albany TV station reported the Atkinson County, Georgia High School boys' basketball coach has resigned, after kicking a student in the thigh. I presume this coach already has sent his resume to Bob Knight at Texas Tech....

+ Georgia Tech's men's basketball team was embarrassed, losing 54-46 to Air Force. The Jackets must have been distracted by that Air Force slogan - "aim high."

+ Instant Message to the Chattahoochee County Probate Court: Why do you need a consultant? That's one of the points listed on the interim county manager's resume. [True/Tri-County Journal] Are there hot new trends for dividing wills among family members?

2005 IN REVIEW: October brought a newspaper report claiming Columbus was short 50 police officers. Yet unlike earlier in the year, this did NOT bring any e-mail to your blog from "Is Our City Safe" - so maybe now he's safely hiding in Talbotton.

The Chattahoochee County Sheriff was accused in October of pocketing warrants issued by judges, and not arresting people. So? Isn't he setting a nice example for those Muscogee County deputies, who tried to arrest people in churches?

Columbus firefighters had a busy night in October, when the Jordan Mills complex went up in flames. Detectives declared the fire was "set," but NOT an arson. Of all the places to hold a Sunday evening hot dog roast....

October was rocked by a truck which blew up outside a Phenix City restaurant. It was a pleasant change of pace -- an explosion in Russell County which had nothing to do with the county commission.

The political bandwagons started rolling in October, as both Roy Moore and Bob Riley announced they're running for Alabama Governor. We hope Mr. Moore reviews the Ten Commandments before his campaign stops -- and doesn't covet Mr. Riley's office.

History was made in Columbus during October, when the city's first Hindu temple opened. Who knows how many misguided residents were disappointed, when they stopped by to shop for an Elantra....

Country music legend Loretta Lynn was supposed to appear at the RiverCenter in October, but the concert was called off when Lynn broke her foot. I didn't quite understand that - since Jerry Lewis never dances around when he sings at his telethon.

October ended with Columbus State University announcing the end of a four-year fundraising drive. It brought in more than $100 million - so next year, President Frank Brown had better give the faculty gold bars instead of trees.

SCHEDULED FRIDAY: The review of the Columbus area in 2005 concludes....

Your PayPal donations can keep this blog ad-free and independent-minded. To make a donation, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post a reply.

If you quote from this in public somewhere, please be polite enough to let me know.

© 2003-05 Richard Burkard, All Rights Reserved.