28 DEC 06: THE BIG CHIEF AND THE "TALIBAN"

If Jim Wetherington's statement on TV last week was accurate, Wednesday was the day Bob Poydasheff moved out of the Government Center's Mayoral office. The good news is that his collectibles from the last four years may wind up at an appropriate place - Uncle Bob's Self-Storage.

Details were announced Wednesday for Jim Wetherington's inauguration as Mayor. We've obtained details about the ceremony, and a few things are interesting. For one thing, Judge Bobby Peters will swear in five Columbus Councilors - but another judge will do the honors for the new mayor. Maybe they're concerned two-term Mayor Peters will get mixed up, and swear himself in.

The program for next Tuesday makes a clear effort to reflect "One Columbus." There's music from singers at Northside High School. There's a color guard from Kendrick High School. And those grandchildren of the new mayor leading the pledge of allegiance - do they go to Calvary Christian?

But the biggest surprise for me on the inauguration program is the minister giving the benediction. It's Pastor Wayne Baker of Spirit-Filled Methodist Church - a man who's been very critical of local law enforcement in the last few years. Perhaps this is the law officers' way of providing equal time.

Wayne Baker was President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance when Kenneth Walker was killed -- and he was scathing in his words about the Muscogee County Sheriff, saying in a pamphlet Ralph Johnson oversaw "Hitlerian acts." [2 Jan 04] Do you think they'll stand on opposite sides of the room at the inaugural reception?

It was Wayne Baker's Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance which accused Sheriff Ralph Johnson of overseeing a "Taliban vigilante approach to law enforcement." I think this refers to deputies going into churches to arrest suspects -- instead of waiting for the pastor's sermon to convict someone.

(And it was Wayne Baker who declared at the large civil rights march downtown in January 2005 a new Columbus was dawning for African-American people -- only to find none of them wanted to run for mayor.)

It could be that Jim Wetherington and his aides don't know about the 2004 pamphlet, and its scalding comments about law enforcement. And it could be that Wayne Baker has calmed down his rhetoric in the last three years - realizing that if former deputy David Glisson lost his cool, that doesn't justify a pastor losing his.

It's even possible that Wayne Baker has taken back what the alliance's pamphlet said in January 2004. Even church pastors can repent of sins - or at least they should, if they want to set a right example....

So it surprises me that a minister with Wayne Baker's record is being included in the inauguration of a "pro-public safety" mayor. But you know, maybe Jim Wetherington is starting to listen to those comments from the public - and this is his way of "loosening up a bit."

Oh yes - there's something missing on the inaugural program, which some people thought might be there. Where are the dancers from the Foxy Lady Lounge?

Let's see if other surprising things happened on a chilly Wednesday....

+ A late-afternoon jog on the Riverwalk found the "Night of Lights" tree is already gone from the Phenix City Amphitheater. Is this disrespectful of Christmas keepers - or simply a statement that the city is trying to save money on its own electric bills?

+ Collins and Aikman warned it may close its Americus auto parts plant, if a buyer cannot be found. You can tell which companies haven't traveled to South Korea, to see the Kia executives.

+ WRBL sportscaster Jack Rodgers declared Monday's Cotton Bowl between Auburn and Nebraska could be seen "right here on News 3." Moments later, another station said you could see it "on Fox 54." The Cotton Bowl's web site says Fox is showing the game - so maybe WRBL has a hookup planned from Canada.

(But then again, the Cotton Bowl home page still has links to quotes from Alabama's football team -- after the 2006 game. So maybe WRBL obtained its information from checking the wrong decade.)

+ ESPN reported Georgia head coach Mark Richt has suspended an offensive lineman from the Peach-Flavored Chick-Fil-A Bowl, for some kind of improper conduct. Richt didn't say what it was -but you can take your pick of several nightclubs on Metropolitan Parkway.

+ Instant Message to the new Fuji Japanese steak house on Veterans Parkway: About that "performing chef" you mention in the TV ad - this is One Columbus, you know. So does he play "Lady of Spain" on the accordion? Or lead a mariachi band in "Rancho Grande?"

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Gas for $2.16 a gallon at Dolly Madison on Victory Drive.... FREE bike helmets for children from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the Airport Thruway Wal-Mart.... and Oklahoma State to beat Alabama, as the Independence Bowl becomes a Dontrell Savage Garden....

2006 IN REVIEW CONTINUED: October opened with the grand opening of a Kohl's store near Columbus Park Crossing. Suddenly Christmas-keepers didn't become scared, at the thought of Kohl's in their stockings.

But the new owners of Parisian announced in October the Peachtree Mall store would close. I saw people standing on street corners last week with giant "quitting business" signs - and the strange thing is, they didn't look like they were from Paris at all.

Road America opened a call center on Victory Drive in October. It was quite a change from some of the businesses down the road - which are more like call-girl centers.

October was also the groundbreaking month for the new Kia plant in West Point. This occurred after Hyundai executives spent time behind bars - and before Governor Sonny Perdue might face time behind bars, for his land deals.

The political campaigns were in full swing during October. But someone may have crossed a line, by cutting a brake line on Alabama House candidate Cindy Irvin's car. I mean, it wasn't wrapped and resealed with the bumper sticker of her opponent....

The candidates for Columbus Mayor had a televised debate in October. Write-in candidate Bert Coker was NOT invited, but somehow gained a ticket to sit in the audience -- an audience I think was larger than his final vote count.

An experiment in Columbus radio ended in October, as Antonio Carter was dropped as a co-host of WRCG's "TalkLine." Carter seemingly can't get a break - because there's a new talk show on WAGH "Magic 98," and he was passed over for Ed Harbison.

A world champion knife thrower visited a Russell County church in October. I was out of town when he was there - so was he for or against circumcision?

A bigger-name visitor to Columbus in October was Sidney Poitier. He attended a private event for Columbus State University - so apparently he doesn't think college students need the public scoldings Bill Cosby gives.

The Columbus concert scene had highs and lows in October. Wayne Newton appeared at the RiverCenter, and apparently did well. But a tenth anniversary concert for the Civic Center couldn't sell tickets, and was canceled. Whoever started the rumor that Bertie Higgins was married to Frederica Von Stade should confess he was lying.

COMING FRIDAY: A review of Columbus's history, that's even older than this one....

Thousands of visitors read this blog every month, in Columbus and around the world. To advertise to them, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 3558 (+ 64, 1.8%)

If you mention this blog in public, please be polite enough to let me know.

© 2003-06 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.