The Blog of Columbus, Georgia : my funny motto

30 JUL 06: A SLOW BURN

The talk at work turned to home computers some time back, and a man asked me if I could burn. I told him yes, I could - so that's why I use plenty of sunscreen outside.

As web-smart as I may seem, I didn't really know much about "ripping" and "burning" with computers until recently. I'd be burning inside when web pages came up too slowly - and ripping only seemed to happen when I went jogging too fast downtown.

But the approach of Power Frisbee of Georgia has changed all this. We want the atmosphere at our matches to be fun, so we're looking for appropriate music to play between quarters and games. And because most of the matches are on Sundays, we're not sure if any high school marching bands will be available.

Yet the search for fitting music is like they say during that Time-Life offer on Saturday nights after the 11:00 p.m. news - there's one good song on one CD, and another good one on another CD. And as much as I like that "Soul Ballads" infomercial week after week, I haven't ordered the collection yet.

Since my new more-powerful computer can hold a lot more music, I'm officially prepared to join the 21^st Century and download songs online. In fact, I practiced for this last weekend -- by submitting a song off my CD for possible performance at an upcoming church convention. It was my first time "ripping" music. Some of us can remember when you simply broke vinyl records over your knee.

But it took me two tries to rip the song I wanted to submit - because the first time, the computer saved it as a .wma file. That's a file only Windows Media Players can comprehend. At moments like this, I start to understand why the Justice Department and European Union sued Microsoft.

After a good bit of searching in help directories, I adjusted the software so it would rip an .mp3 file for e-mailing. Yet I still feel a bit lost when it comes to online music - because whatever happened to the MP-1 and MP-2?

So now I'm "rippin' good," but what about burning music onto a CD? Well, first you have to save one onto your computer. For months I've held a card from a package of cookies offering me a free download. With the crumbs all licked off the wrapper, it was time to use it....

"REDEEM YOUR FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD," the card from Wal-Mart promised - "Expires 7/31/06." So this past week I went to its music web site and typed in the special code. Imagine my surprise when the site declared the code was "no longer valid!" This was a "fast forward" which was quite unexpected.

If Wal-Mart is going to do this to me, I said, maybe I should look for music elsewhere. The top contender was "Yahoo Music Unlimited," which promises all the music you want for ONLY five dollars a month. But there are several catches to that package - starting with the drop-dead gorgeous photo of Shakira, which I was unable to save to "My Pictures."

Yahoo Music Unlimited costs five dollars a month IF you buy a full year of it. Otherwise, it costs about seven dollars a month - and a check of the fine print shows it only works with its special "music engine" software, which will NOT let you burn anything onto a CD. I suppose it's nice to find an engine that's burn-proof, but....

A check of Apple's "iTunes" appeared more promising - but much of its web site seems to be built around the iPod, more than the songs. Those devices can be expensive, you know. And unlike the Walkman, you can't tune in a radio to check the weather forecast when you see clouds outside.

Despite the code confusion, it appears I'll use Wal-Mart for music downloads for the time being. Its price is the least expensive, at 88 cents a song -- well, at least without me getting tagged by Internet police and risking arrest....

P.S. Believe it or not, a woman in my church congregation actually burned a copy of my CD to give to another congregation member. I found this out from the woman's husband, who came to me admitting it and paying for an original album. I should pray harder for this woman -- since we keep the commandments, and she tends to watch "American Idol" a lot.

LOOK OUT BELOW FOR MORE....

We'll have NO blog entry Monday, because we'll be in Augusta promoting Power Frisbee of Georgia. Pre-season stops in Columbus and LaGrange are coming August 13. Learn about the new game people are calling "exciting" and "interesting" at the official Power Frisbee web site; then offer your comments about it at the P.F.G. blog.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Speaking of computers, the big local crime story of the weekend brought this one-line comment:

Makes you think...wonder how many Columbus will eventually catch.

Attached to that line was a story from Saturday's Ledger-Enquirer about the arrest of 20 suspected child predators in Harris County. It was one of those sting operations "Dateline NBC" often shows -- which makes you wonder if anyone told that program WLTZ NBC-38 doesn't have a news department.

Dateline NBC rented a vacant house in Harris County, and used it as a bogus meeting place for adults to meet teenagers they encountered online. These men simply can't do this the old-fashioned way, can they? You know - cornering teens at the mall or the football stadium.

The predator sting was suggested by Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley, who worked with a web site called "Perverted Justice." And all this time, you thought that phrase applied to U.S. Supreme Court rulings....

Officers say one suspected predator tried to run from the Harris County house, and was stopped with a Taser. Some of us wonder if the proper punishment for these men shouldn't be a second round with the Taser - aimed (ahem) somewhere below the belt.

Some of the suspected predators traveled to Harris County from southeast Georgia - so Muscogee County Sheriff Ralph Johnson hinted he may set up a similar sting in the future. Indeed, who knows how many could be caught in Columbus? But at least they could help our economy first, by staying overnight in a nice local motel.

We have one other message, from a Lee County contributor:

If you or I made 5 to 6 billion in 2nd quarter profits, there would be millions lined up the next day to do the same thing I was doing.

So why cannot more americans go into the Oil business?????

The same reason why Outsider's are allowed to enter the U S illegally and walk our streets without being arrested !!!!

Am i in the wrong business,,looks that way

Smiths Station Council agreed to allow lot sizes to go smaller again..why in the world in having zoning when all they do is allow what whomever what's to do...cheeezzz

The Smiths couple that was in Israel when the noise started is back,,glad the media kept that one quite......I do not think Smiths Station residents could have gone over their on the own to do a rescue...we would have to have flipped them a burgger or two...

No where in the area can you find the roads being made bigger to handle the over flow of traffic coming to Smiths station area..how are they going to move around...maybe canoe's from the overflow of sewage??? follow the green turd road...follow the green turd road...

I'm not sure if you can get into the oil business in Lee County or not. What are the rules about having slurry pits in your backyard?

During the years I lived in Enid, Oklahoma, the city commission actually approved an ordinance allowing people to drill for oil inside the city limits. But I don't think anyone ever found any. At least, I don't recall driving by any homes dripping with black paint.

What's so bad about Smiths Station having different sizes for lots? After all, some people have Hyundais to park in their driveway while other people have Hummers. Assuming, of course, they're actually being parked IN the driveways....

I never heard about any local effort to go to Lebanon, and pull out the Lee County couple which was stuck there. In fact, I keep waiting for a Columbus synagogue to announce a local recruitment program for the Israeli Defense Force.

And about that "green turd road" - if Weird Al Yankovic turns a Brooks and Dunn song into a parody with that title, you really should sue for damages....

Now let's clear the highway of other leftover weekend items:

+ Columbus had rain on Saturday evening for the third week in a row. If this keeps up, some band at a club on Broadway will start singing, "Saturday night's all right for flooding."

+ My pastor at church preached against 60-month car loans, citing a neighbor's advice to a child. "Do you know how many days that is?" the pastor quoted the neighbor as saying. But hey, look at it another way -- it's almost one month for every book of the Bible.

+ The Columbus Chamber of Commerce announced we're now in an "entrepreneur friendly city," one of 22 in Georgia. In fact, Mayor Bob Poydasheff promises to hug every entrepreneur personally between now and Election Day.

+ The Port Columbus museum hosted an etiquette class for young people, teaching the "social graces." As if Confederate sailors thought about proper dance steps, as they were fighting the Union attackers....

+ Instant Message to WRBL: Huh?!?!? I turn you on for news at 11:00 Saturday night - and instead, you're showing a rerun of "Who's the Boss?" May I assume the boss is not anchor Heather Jensen?

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Gas for $2.85 a gallon at Reese's Marathon on Warm Springs Road.... FREE open house Sunday afternoon at the new Summit Hospital in Phenix City.... but who put egg nog in the Wal-Mart SuperCenter skim milk? It sure tastes strange....

COMING THIS WEEK: Why an e-mailer wants me to get out of bed at 3:00 in the morning....

People across metro Columbus and around the world read this blog every day. 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: 6488 (- 810, 11.1%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 1:43 AM

Friday, July 28, 2006

28 JUL 06: HEADS-UP SHOWDOWN I

The candidates for Columbus Mayor had their first campaign showdown Thursday. Bob Poydasheff and Jim Wetherington came together at 7:30 a.m. - and let's face it: both men are so up in years, they might consider WXTX "News at Ten" past their bedtimes.

The "Jim-Bob" joint appearance occurred during a Columbus Chamber of Commerce "Eye-Opener Breakfast" at the Trade Center. I wasn't able to go, so can anyone tell me if appropriate drinks were served? Did pro-Wetherington Democrats demand some "Red Bull" be displayed?

Mayor Bob Poydasheff told the audience he's running for reelection on his record of "positive effective leadership." I fear some public safety employees would rephrase that a bit - to start with "positively," then a different sort of word with "ef."

Challenger Jim Wetherington told the audience he's prepared to offer "genuine leadership skills" as mayor. I'm not sure how that would make him so different. Perhaps Wetherington will promise to stay inside the U.S. on his summer vacations.

It only figured that public safety would come up at the candidates' forum, since.... oh yeah, that reminds me. Why does the Chamber of Commerce have "forums" instead of debates? Are we simply too courteous and gentle-minded in Columbus to have a debate about something? If Chamber leaders think so, they must not listen to "TalkLine" or read the letters to the newspaper.

But anyway: when it comes to public safety, Mayor Bob Poydasheff says Police Chief R. Boren has received "the extra ammunition he needs" in recent months. That's funny - I thought the budget issue was personnel, not bullets....

Jim Wetherington is unimpressed by the adjustments in the new city budget to benefit public safety. "He had four years," Wetherington told the breakfast. And Mayor Poydasheff may be thankful about that - because in Phenix City he would only have three.

But incumbent Bob Poydasheff dismissed suggestions that businesses are avoiding Columbus because of crime or police problems. He said if the city really was poor, businesses would not be locating here. Simply drive north for proof -- since Krispy Kreme never opened a freestanding doughnut shop for Jim Wetherington's police force.

(By the way: didn't Mayor Poydasheff promise to open his campaign headquarters on 13^th Street by August? Only four days are left in July - so maybe he needs to break away from reprogramming the city paycheck computers for one night....)

Randy Robertson of the Fraternal Order of Police attended the Chamber of Commerce forum, and told one reporter it proved public safety affects all aspects of Columbus. Well, yes - but so do city road crews, and I don't hear any of them lobbying for extra money to fix potholes.

More than 14 weeks remain before Election Day, so we're likely to see "Jim-Bob" come together again. Some people who attended Thursday's breakfast openly wished the candidates would be more specific with their plans. About the only part of city government where you're liable to get such specifics is the lunch menu of a senior center.

LOOK OUT BELOW FOR MORE....

Power Frisbee heads to Augusta this Sunday, for an open tryout to find who will represent that city on opening night! And pre-season stops in Columbus and LaGrange are coming August 13. Find out where and learn all about our new game at the official Power Frisbee web site; then offer your comments about it at the P.F.G. blog.

Now a quick check of other thrilling Thursday subjects:

+ The federal department of Housing and Urban Development presented a grant check for about three million dollars to the Columbus Housing Authority. It occurred at the old Peabody Apartments site, which is being renovated into the new "Ashley Station." How Ashley Nix arranged for this to be named after her before she left town, I have no idea....

+ Glenwood High School became the first team in the area to begin football practice. Well, at least that's what the evening news said. So many high school teams have "passing camps" during the summer now that I wonder if running backs should sue for discrimination.

+ Instant Message to Reginald Pugh: Oh dear - I didn't realize. After reading what the Street Committee reported in "The Courier" Thursday, you really didn't have to leave that meeting of African-American leaders to talk to me. I'm a single guy - so I'm used to waiting a long time for the phone to ring.

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Gas for $2.87 a gallon at Dolly Madison on Victory Drive.... FREE "Summerfest" from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Liberty Theater.... Tim Hudson bobblehead doll night Saturday at the Catfish game, fittingly sponsored by Hughston Orthopedic Hospital....

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 7298 (+ 233, 3.3%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 8:32 AM

Thursday, July 27, 2006

27 JUL 06: OPEN UP, ALREADY

For some parents in Columbus, the countdown today stands at seven. It's seven more weekdays before a new school year opens - and before some teenage babysitters lose a good bit of extra income.

But for some school districts south of Columbus, the summer break already is over. Stewart-Quitman and Chattahoochee County schools opened for a new term this week. The old teen love song "See You in September" sounds more ancient every day - because we've jumped over August and into July.

The evening news visited Stewart-Quitman High School Wednesday, and found quite a change from a few years ago. I recall when some parents protested the school year starting in July. Now they don't - so maybe they all found daytime jobs.

But administrators at Stewart-Quitman High admit some students don't show up for class until the second week, under this early schedule. I guess even in small towns such as Lumpkin and Georgetown, there's such a thing as "fashionably late."

Several Stewart-Quitman High School students admitted they don't mind starting a new school year in July. One actually claimed by starting early, he'll get out faster. I don't know who sold him on that logic -- because the district calendar has him in session through Memorial Day weekend.

The Stewart County schools have spread out the calendar so much that it might as well be on year-round classes. The term lasts almost ten months, instead of the old-style nine. Isn't it amazing what NASCAR racing has inspired in our society?

(The calendar includes a one-week fall break in October, at the time of the Biblical Feast of Tabernacles. That's good to see. But a TWO-WEEK spring break in late March and early April? How many of these students are taking trips to Aruba?)

Other Stewart-Quitman High School students said they were ready for class to start after only a few weeks of summer break. That may sound strange, but keep one thing in mind -- in Stewart and Quitman Counties, there's not much to do even when class is in session.

Administrators will tell you they start the school year earlier nowadays so the first semester ends before winter break. So someone should explain to me why the National Football League has gone in the opposite direction - with regular-season games last season on January 1.

But consider what students south of Columbus are missing, by starting a new school year in July. They're in class more than a week before the Georgia sales tax holiday begins next Thursday. Their parents either have to pay full-price for clothes and supplies -- or the students have to find a clever way to make last year's stuff look new for eight or nine days.

(And this early start occurs in a lower-income area of Georgia, where paying the extra sales tax could be a bit of a burden on families. Hopefully there are Family Dollar stores in these counties to make sure everything evens out -- even though that doesn't sound as impressive as Parisian.)

On top of that, the Chattahoochee Valley Regional Library System's summer reading program only ended a few days ago. How could youngsters go to the "Library Ball" in Marion County Wednesday, when they might be full from eating meatballs in the cafeteria for lunch?

I thought about asking a Big Blog Question about the earlier start of the school year -- but then I remembered we did this last year, and many voters disapproved of it [15 Aug 05]. Some maybe we'll ask it again at an appropriate time next year. Maybe on Independence Day....

LOOK OUT BELOW FOR MORE....

Power Frisbee holds an open tryout in Augusta this weekend, to see who will represent that city on opening night! And pre-season stops in Columbus and LaGrange are coming August 13. Find out where and learn all about our new game at the official Power Frisbee web site; then offer your comments about it at the P.F.G. blog.

Now other short subjects from a nearly-comfortable Wednesday:

+ AFLAC stock dropped to a 52-week low, one day after the company announced its quarterly net income was up 21 percent from a year ago. Who can explain this one? Did someone find out all the people buying insurance are in hospice care?

+ The Ledger-Enquirer reported former Russell County School Superintendent Rebecca Lee is becoming an assistant professor at Troy University. Once again, Russell County is a stepping stone to a nicer job - and I can't wait for Tony Rasmus to become manager of the Columbus Catfish next season.

+ A demolition crew at the old Swift Mills complex caused a natural gas leak, which closed traffic on Second Avenue for a time. But because it happened during mid-afternoon, men couldn't get there in time to fill their propane cans for grilling.

+ Instant Message to former N'Sync singer Lance Bass: No way. I mean, YOU - a homosexual?! I may never listen to the song "Bi Bi Bi" the same way again....

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 7065 (+ 179, 2.6%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 8:03 AM

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

for 26 JUL 06: FOUR, TWO, ZERO

When the Columbus Public Library opened 19 months ago, it moved to a more convenient location for many people. But for others, I suspect it was quite a loss. And it goes beyond the hikers who could practice for the Appalachian Trail, by climbing the hill from the old main library to the Columbus Museum.

BLOGGER BEGGAR #5: The woman stood outside the old Bradley Library after Monday night's school board meeting, waiting for someone. The group of three women who left the school board meeting together were NOT it. I was it -- and no, she was not selling band candy.

"Sir, can you help me?" I'd helped this woman before -- in fact, a couple of times in recent years. I knew this woman from her limp and her artificial leg. Yet she's not so helpless that she can't walk across Wynnton Road to beg -- sometimes even blocking the exit lane to get your attention.

I was trying to walk away from the woman toward my car, but her question called for an answer. "It must be harder for you to beg these days," I said, "since they moved the library." Of course, she could ask for help from the school district personnel now using that building -- but we all know how underpaid teachers are.

But the woman didn't want to discuss the impact of economic changes in her neighborhood. "I'm trying to get some food," she told me. I drove her up Wynn Hill to Wendy's and bought her lunch a couple of years ago - and amazingly, the crew there seemed to recognize her.

Yet on this evening, supper at Wendy's was not the beggar's need. "Can you give me five dollars, so I can buy food at Lewis Jones?" Then the woman looked at a crumpled bill in her left hand. "Four dollars." So I guess I was eligible for a rebate.

"Come on," I told the woman. "I'll take you to Lewis Jones, and buy you four dollars worth of food." I started to walk toward the car, so certain she'd take advantage of this offer that....

"Sir!" The woman called to me, not even budging from her spot in front of the building. An old Wayne Newton song came to mind for a moment -- "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast."

"I have a car parked over there," the woman said when I walked back to her spot. Then she tried to explain a bit of her background - that she's taken college courses, and was let go from some sort of job involving computers. But her voice was a bit weak and dialect-filled, so she might really have been talking about a long-lost daughter.

The woman claimed the Department of Family and Children's Services handles her monthly payments for rent and other necessities, but she has to beg total strangers for groceries. "Can you give me two dollars, so I can go buy some food?" Now the demand had been cut in half. If only this woman was selling me her car.

"Like I said: get in the car with me, and I'll take you to Lewis Jones - and now buy you TWO dollars' worth of food, since your need just dropped."

(Of course, the longer this negotiation process went on, the more likely we'd arrive at Lewis Jones on 13^th Street and find it closed for the night -- leaving the beggar to choose off the menu at Loco's across the street.)

At this point the haggling took a strange turn. "I need money for the bus," the woman claimed. "About two dollars and 50 cents. I can give you my dollar for change." She may not have been a housewife, but she clearly was growing desperate.

"But you just told me you have a car over there," I said pointing in the same general direction the beggar did seconds before. "Why do you need bus fare?"

"It's a long way - across town," the beggar said. For what, I wasn't exactly sure. Perhaps for the job application she said she was making the next day - or perhaps to get as far away from me as possible before crowds came out.

"It has a hand rail," the beggar continued in her bus fare explanation. Yet she'd limped all the way to the front of the old Bradley Library, with no sign of a brace or walker anywhere.

"I'm sorry," I answered, "but you asked for food - and I can't let you change your demand in the middle of the negotiation process." Can beggars be prosecuted for bait-and-switch techniques?

I offered again to drive the limping beggar to Lewis Jones to buy her two dollars' worth of food, marked down from four. "Never mind," she answered. If she suspected I might really give her a ride down the hill to police headquarters for panhandling, she was wrong. The headquarters closes at 7:00 p.m. now, and I don't know where you take people for citizens' arrests after that.

"Keep in mind," I told the woman in a wrap-up reminder, "that if you wind up starving, I offered to take you to Lewis Jones and buy you food." She seemed to begrudgingly admit that as I left. But at least she still had a one-dollar bill in her hand, several more school board meeting attendees to meet - and that Wendy's up the hill still has a 99-cent value menu.

LOOK OUT BELOW FOR MORE....

Maybe the beggar wasn't driving because of some of the top items in our Tuesday news summary....

+ Gas prices jumped by about 12 cents across Columbus, to a low of $2.89 a gallon in South Commons. Has someone bothered to tell the managers the latest hurricane watch is for Hawaii, not Biloxi?

+ Columbus traffic managers warned backups could occur when school begins in two weeks, as the new Northside Elementary opens. For one thing, left turns no longer will be allowed from Veterans Parkway onto American Way. You can tell the mayor is a Republican when a left turn onto the American Way is illegal.

(To make room for more traffic, Veterans Parkway is being widened from Moon Road to Cooper Creek Road. Maybe someday a bigger project will begin - to extend Cooper Creek Road all the way to Cooper Creek Park.)

+ A police dive team pulled an empty car out of the Chattahoochee River. Someone apparently stole Robert Greathouse's 2003 Malibu from a Victory Drive repair shop, even though Greathouse said he couldn't get it to start. Maybe the thief should have left a calling card, so Greathouse can get the job done right next time.

+ A federal judge in Birmingham refused to order extra water to flow down the Chattahoochee, to protect endangered species in the Florida panhandle. So maybe the state of Florida has flexed its mussels for the last time....

+ Columbus Police shut down Timp's Auto Shine Center on Macon Road. Officers told WRBL they found more than 2,500 counterfeit videos and CD's on sale. Detectives may have become suspicious when they found a rock album spelled "Lincoln Park."

(If an "auto shine center" is selling counterfeit videos, can you really trust anything else this business does? Is the car shampoo nothing more than Head and Shoulders?)

+ Ground was broken for a new four-acre Russell County Recreation Center in Seale. But public contributions are needed to pay for the construction - as apparently not enough convicted teachers are on the list for "hard labor" duty.

+ The evening news reported six-year-old Allison Pierce of Columbus won the "tiny tot" championship of in-line skating. Now she needs to get some friends to join her, so Columbus can become the roller derby capital of the South.

+ Instant Message to OfficeMax: Aw c'mon - 99 cents for a regular-sized Snickers bar?!?! Are you trying to make convenience stores actually look inexpensive?

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: Again this week, our Thursday and Friday post times will be around 8:00 a.m. ET.)

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 6886 (+ 243, 3.7%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 11:51 PM

25 JUL 06: YOUR HYBRID HEADQUARTERS

It all started with a short item in Sunday's Ledger-Enquirer, and led to me visiting the Muscogee County School Board meeting Monday night. In between there was this e-mail:

Sound off said MCSD hired an assistant to new AD Charlie Flowers..and didn't advertise..I guess some coach some where had his feathers ruffled..Who is the new Ass AD? Why hire one at all if the new AD position is only a year old??

First of all, should we be calling athletic directors names like this? Just because the coaches sometimes tell athletes to get theirs in gear....

And second of all, should we trust what people write to the "Sound Off" section of the newspaper? From what I've read there the last few days, the writers can't even agree on whether God supports the separation of religion and state.

There was an overflow crowd at the Muscogee County School Board Monday night, but it had nothing to do with athletics. The group Midtown, Inc. presented the results of several recent forums, on how to develop land around the Columbus Public Library. Some of you will be sad to learn the group did NOT recommend any Albert Paley sculptures go up.

Teresa Tomlinson of Midtown, Inc. said based on four community forums, people want a "hybrid" approach taken to the area around the main library. That means a mix of parkland and residential development. That does NOT mean Jay Toyota should sell hybrid cars there.

Given three options for development the land around the main library, almost 40 percent of the people at the forums preferred the hybrid approach. Commercial development was the second choice, while making the entire area a park came in a weak third. So apparently you skateboarders should stay on the Riverwalk, where you belong....

Teresa Tomlinson told reporters after her school board presentation she was surprised by the response in the forums to making the entire area around the library a park. It had the most negative reaction of any option - which should prove Trees Columbus did NOT pack the meetings with its own members.

If you think it would be cheaper to make the entire library area into a park, consider this: a consultant told Midtown, Inc. developing a park with nothing but green space would cost $200,000 PER ACRE - and it's a 62-acre area. This grass would be more expensive than marijuana after a Metro Narcotics Task Force bust.

Teresa Tomlinson explained to the school board one interesting problem in turning the library area into "all park." She says many people think recreation, when they hear the word "park." Some people want an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Some want an indoor skating rink. Some even want an amphitheater - forgetting there are two on either side of the Chattahoochee River already.

In contrast, the hybrid approach to the library area would have two smaller parks. One would measure about 18 acres behind the library, while another park of about six acres would be in front along Macon Road -- which sounds to me like the green space there now could be named after Mary Sue Polleys.

The hybrid plan would have NO commercial development around the main library - but instead allow for at least 250 residences. That means houses, townhomes and condominiums priced as low as the $100,000 range. And as an added bonus, all the new Fort Benning soldiers living there would keep the library from becoming a terror target.

If you're not aware, the site of the old Columbus Square 8 theatres already is spoken for. A new YMCA is planned there - which makes you wonder why some people want an Olympic-sized swimming pool in a nearby park, since they come standard at most YMCA's.

Teresa Tomlinson also reported on a smaller survey conducted by the Lindsey Creek Neighborhood Association. Most of the residents polled support the idea of a new school administration building being built near the library. But the current one is so well hidden, to guard against upset parents....

When Teresa Tomlinson's presentation was finished, I followed the TV reporters outside the meeting room for follow-up questions. With a note pad and pen in hand, she understandably thought I worked for the Ledger-Enquirer -- and she later explained to someone nearby a blog was "an Internet newspaper." I'll take that as a compliment, although some officials probably would compare it to Mad Magazine.

So what else happened at Monday night's school board meeting? Members approved all sorts of interesting little things, such as:

+ The spending of $280,000 for a new "fire lane and bus loop" outside Johnson Elementary School. The fire department apparently required the fire lane. Short-track bicycle racers may thank the board later for that bus loop.

+ The purchase of several "interactive white boards." I'm not sure what makes them interactive - if they're like Tickle Me Elmo, and they giggle when you write on them.

+ The naming of "Old Guard Road" for a street near a school under construction on the north side of Columbus. Once again, Guy Sims is left ignored....

+ An agenda with items from letters A to Z and AA -- which at times was so dull that I discovered the Muscogee County School Board seal has only 17 of the 26 letters of the alphabet.

The quote of the night from the Muscogee County School Board occurred during a discussion about buying trucks. Member "Fife for Five" Whiteside complained the staff should buy several trucks at one time - because "the school district takes a haircut when we don't." You'd think in a conservative community like Columbus, he'd be in favor of haircuts.

The school board meeting ended with an executive session on discipline cases - but still my original issue had not come up. What about this hiring of an Assistant Athletic Director? Board member Patricia Hugley Green stepped outside during a short break, and told me she knew nothing about it. And no, she assured me she has NOT missed any meetings....

Patricia Hugley Green directed me to a school official who ought to have the answer - and I stopped him in the parking lot before he drove away. Chief Human Resources Officer Don Cooper had NOT seen Sunday's "Sound Off" section, nor had Hugley Green. I should have asked if they even saw the front-page story on "Brother Love" and "Gator Dave."

Don Cooper told me an Assistant Athletic Director has NOT been hired in Muscogee County. But he said someone is on an "extended-days contract," working the equivalent of overtime to appear at some school functions. Who could have guessed Charles Flowers had an early bedtime?

Since there's no official Assistant Athletic Director in Muscogee County schools, there's been no need to advertise for the position. So there you have it - someone spreading misleading information in the "Sound Off" column. These Reginald Pugh supporters don't know when to stop....

In fact, a Google News search we did found the Ledger-Enquirer never even ran a story on the hiring of an Assistant Athletic Director. So this is a bit scary - the newspaper's editorial staff may not be reading "Sound Off," to see if it's accurate.

By the way: Monday night marked my first trip to the old Bradley Library building since the books were removed 20 months ago. It's received a security upgrade, and you can't go inside the building during the day without entering a security code and looking into a camera. As if gangs with knives are going to enter a building with no students, and only office workers?!

But some traces of the old Bradley Library still remain. For instance, a promotional sign outside the school board meeting room mentions "farewell storytimes" for children which took place two years ago. It seems much longer ago than that -- especially when you realize AFLAC didn't sponsor the story hours then.

LOOK OUT BELOW FOR MORE....

Now let's dry the misty water-colored memories from our eyes, and check other Monday news:

+ WRBL reported Columbus had 42 reported car thefts in May, and 60 in June. But thankfully, that public safety pay raise is coming to reverse that trend....

+ Columbus Technical College announced it will offer a new program to train chefs in the "culinary arts." This sounds good to me -- but I have this feeling the students are going to develop weird new versions of catfish.

(But then again, this IS Columbus - so some students may hear "culinary arts" and think they'll be cooking barbecue all semester.)

+ Vice President Cheney appeared at a Republican Party fund-raiser in Dothan. Tickets to the private dinner cost $5,000 a couple - which led me to ask how many couples in Dothan possibly have that much money to spend on a dinner.

+ Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin asked for a federal disaster to be declared, because of drought. I wonder if I can apply for aid - because some of my humor has felt awfully dry lately.

+ Instant Message to WYBU TV-16: OK, I apparently wrote a little too soon. You still have a few more weeks of "Elimidate" to show [11 Jul] - and your Christian viewers certainly wouldn't want to have missed "Geek Week" last week.

SCHEDULED WEDNESDAY: A familiar face who's still standing outside the old library after hours....

Today's entry was in part the result of a blog reader's tip. To offer a story tip, advertise here 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: 6643 (+ 190, 2.9%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 12:00 AM

Monday, July 24, 2006

24 JUL 06: THE UP AND UP

"These gas prices are getting too d**n ridiculous," said the man on the other side of the pump from me Sunday. In recent years, of course, this sentence has become about as creative a conversation-starter as, "It sure is hot out here."

Yet we stood on opposite sides of one of the least expensive gas pumps in south Georgia. The Raceway station on Highway 520 in Tifton was selling regular unleaded for $2.78 a gallon, only three cents above the lowest price in Columbus. The price in Albany was several cents higher - which should teach Rep. Sanford Bishop to lobby harder for the extension of Interstate 185.

The price of gas at this Raceway certainly had jumped from my last trip through Tifton, to promote Power Frisbee of Georgia in Valdosta. On a Friday in late February, regular unleaded cost $2.01. So don't complain now -- because we're on a pace to hit four dollars a gallon next April.

So what did I say in response to the other driver's complaint? Something I'd noted here recently [17 Jul]: "At least the stations showed some resolve the last few days, and didn't raise prices much when world oil prices went above 76 dollars a barrel." At this point, the complainer may have wondered if I worked for ExxonMobil.

The other driver said nothing, but actually seemed to begrudgingly agree with what I said. But then I tried to soften things. "Maybe you can talk to the President of Iran, and convince him to stop causing so much trouble. Maybe he'll listen to you, because he's not listening to anybody else."

"He only wants everybody to hear him," the man replied -- and on that we agreed. Have I mentioned here that I tend to pronounce the Iranian President's last name "A-madman-jihad?"

(No, I do NOT plan to declare war on Iran the way I did on North Korea three years ago. That's because I'm concerned the Iranian President might take me seriously, and move Salman Rushdie's bounty over to me.)

Even though prices have jumped since February, the Raceway station near Interstate 75 in Tifton has no shortage of customers. Practically every pump was occupied when I pulled in shortly before noon Sunday. Perhaps when Valdosta adds an international airport for "Wild Adventure" visitors, that will change.

At times like these, I feel very wise about the car I bought 12 years ago. In the tank of gas that ended in Tifton, my humble Honda made it about 36 miles per gallon. While most of that was on the highway, NONE of it was on interstates - so the fewer traffic lights they put up in Cusseta and Richland, the better.

So what else did we find on the first Sunday of our Power Frisbee pre-season tour? For one thing, a good bit of rain. A thunderstorm poured down for several minutes over the place where we were scheduled to appear in Albany - and with plenty of lightning, I didn't bother checking whether the frisbee I brought had any traces of metal on it.

We handed out Power Frisbee business cards outside Billy Grant Field, the Valdosta State University baseball stadium. A woman told me there was a summer "wooden bat" league underway for college players. Wait until T-ball parents hear about this - so they can add a little "incentive" for children who don't want to run the bases.

For some reason, the most curious discoveries of Sunday's road trip seemed to be centered in Terrell County:

+ The county has a Wilbur Gamble Road - but the signs pointing to it along Highway 520 are misspelled "WLBUR" in BOTH directions. C'mon, Governor Perdue - don't we have a state budget surplus?

+ Not far from there, Highway 520 intersects with a "Chain Gang Road." If Brooks and Dunn can sing a hit song called "Red Dirt Road," some rap group can do a song about this....

(Really now - would YOU want to live on Chain Gang Road? Would you want to be in need of hired help there?)

+ A Subway restaurant combined with a gas station was NOT selling the new bourbon chicken sandwich. No, the sign outside offered simply "chicken bourbon." Those little globs of fat floating on top must make it more nutritious - or is that barbecue sauce?

(I've heard of drinks "on the rocks," but never bourbon on the bone....)

Now let's pull into the driveway, for some quick local notes from Sunday:

+ The Columbus Museum held a "family art" day, which emphasized quilting. Who knows how many children today see their first quilt, and think of those cartoon women putting toilet paper together....

+ The Spirit-Filled Ministries broadcast on WRBL featured Pastor Wayne Baker offering a book on how you can "pull yourself up by your bootstraps." My Pastor maintains that approach simply doesn't work. For one thing, what if the viewer always wears sneakers?

+ Columbus golfer Larry Mize finished sixth at the B.C. Open golf tournament in New York state. The fact that Mize wasn't at the British Open may tell you how much he needed some big money from a top-ten finish.

+ Instant Message to WLTZ NBC-38: Now that's some smart programming - following Sunday night's Miss Universe pageant with a beauty contest for twins. Most of the politically-minded men who expected to see "Meet the Press" at 11:00 p.m. probably didn't mind a bit.

SCHEDULED TUESDAY: E-mail about a "Sound Off".... but should that Sound Off be trusted?....

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 6453 (- 339, 5.0%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 12:13 AM

Sunday, July 23, 2006

23 JUL 06: DAY TRIPPER

Today we begin the next big step toward the launch of Power Frisbee of Georgia. It's the first "Free Frisbee Sunday," showing off our new game in cities around the state. Hopefully people won't misunderstand, and think we're serving free sundaes ON a frisbee.

The Free Frisbee Sunday tour will mean a lot of driving - but at least I had a warmup for it last weekend. I went to our church congregation's annual picnic in Chambers County, about five miles northwest of LaFayette. It was a typical Sunday morning in the South, with few cars on the road because many people were in church -- so I knew where to pull over if trouble developed.

Our Columbus congregation has its annual picnic in Chambers County because a Local Elder has a nice home there, complete with a below-ground swimming pool. So we save money on renting a pavilion in a park - choosing instead to spend it instead on gasoline, driving 75 minutes one-way into the countryside.

Someone asked the Local Elder at our picnic this year how much land he owned - and I think he said nine acres. If he said 90, he's hiding the acreage well - with so many trees he probably could hide the sins of two congregations, along with ours.

Work commitments prevented me from attending the church picnic last year -- but longtime blog readers may recall our last trip two years ago [29 Jun 04]. Some members pulled out guns after lunch and engaged in target shooting in the Local Elder's backyard. I'm still wondering if National Rifle Association chapters do this at their picnics and cookouts....

The shooting session at the 2004 picnic led to this famous quote from a co-worker: "You attend a redneck church, don't you?" I tended to agree with him - but last year, church members told me last year the Pastor told gun-lovers to tone things down. In other words, keep the fire for the large rented grill.

Since I don't own a gun, I didn't pack one for this year's picnic. I carried two-liter bottles of soda and a disc for showing off Power Frisbee. But around the LaFayette city limits, I realized I'd forgotten ear plugs for the shooting. Maybe bottle caps from the soda would cover me a little....

But amazingly, I never saw anyone bring out a gun during about five hours I spent at this year's church picnic. Perhaps they were dissuaded by the fact that the Local Elder allowed big weeds to grow on a large open area where people had fired shots in the past -- but then again, that shouldn't stop real hunters, should it?

Instead, this year's big drama at the church picnic came during the cooking of lunch. A lot of smoke and flames developed on the grill at one point - making me thankful that the cooking team consisted of married men, so I wouldn't be blamed for any of it.

And of course, the "chicken flambee" was prepared on one of the hottest days of the summer. I was prepared to quote the Stevie Wonder album title, "Hotter Than July" - except of course, it WAS July....

After the quick grease fire, the grilled chicken seemed to cook normally - and the two pieces I ate didn't turn out all that black. I should note here our congregation is NOT one of those racially-separated groups. We eat both white and dark meat.

A surprise appearance was made at the church picnic by a member from Troup County who's on kidney dialysis. She's on what doctors say is a five-year waiting list for a kidney transplant - which to me takes the Biblical phrase "patience is a virtue" to quite an extreme.

(But this woman's biggest problem at the picnic was her left arm, which was quite swollen from medical needles. Why the doctors somehow think her kidney area is there, I have no idea....)

As I mentioned, the church picnic occurred on one of the hottest days of the summer. Several men chose to stay against a wall in the shade as much as they could - which was surprising, because we never danced once.

(The hosts prepared for the heat, by purchasing a couple of strips for making watery mists. Yet for some reason, they didn't serve Sierra Mist drinks with it.)

All in all, this year's church picnic was worth the drive. We ate well. We had fun. And the frisbee I brought wound up being tossed around (and into) the swimming pool. That's not really how Power Frisbee works - but given today's rainy forecast for South Georgia, maybe I should reconsider that....

E-MAIL UPDATE: I had not noticed this news, but a blog reader did....

Spencer High's new principal jumped in feet first with his shuffle of coaches..Might be some more shuffling coming soon..He means to put Spencer back on the map and make all teachers,administrators and students accountable..

I'm sorry, but I'm not as impressed by this change. The Spencer baseball team hasn't made "adequate yearly progress" for a long time.

Now from the Green Wave to a lack of waves, as we check headlines from the weekend:

+ Chattahoochee River Keeper George Williams warned against swimming in the river for now, because low levels mean higher levels of bacteria. Swim in it?! Before Saturday night's rain, there were spots in the downtown area where I think you could walk across it without getting wet.

+ A drive downtown found the Burger King on Veterans Parkway has not merely been closed in the last week - it's been bulldozed. Did the thunderstorms cause that much damage? Or do they need a bigger downtown restaurant to handle that king mascot with the big head?

(First the downtown Krystal closed. Now Burger King is "closed for rebuild," as its sign says. If I didn't know better, I'd guess the Mafia was thinking Arby's.)

+ Columbus planning officials confessed it may take four years to widen Whittlesey Boulevard, between Veterans Parkway and Whitesville Road. For one thing, it'll take a long time to remove all the lines of traffic so construction can begin....

(Columbus city officials admit they've been surprised by how popular Columbus Park Crossing has been. Isn't it amazing - that people still like eating at The Olive Garden?)

+ Russell County authorities announced the discovery of a large methamphetamine lab in Hatchechubbee. A suspect reportedly was making meth by buying cold medicine by the case - and when you're doing that in the South during a heat wave with temperatures around 100 degrees F., that's a little bit suspicious.

+ A small plane crashed at the Rome, Georgia airport, as the pilot tried to show a woman a marriage proposal banner from her boyfriend. Thankfully, the couple survived - but I'd suggest keeping the candle-lighting at the wedding to a minimum.

+ The final weekend of "Midnight Basketball" was played at Shirley Winston Park, with the championship game starting at 9:00 p.m. I think I've finally figured this out - the organizers teach the players world geography, by playing games at midnight Central European Time.

+ Auburn University Interim President Ed Richardson promised new rules concerning "Directed Reading" courses. Among other things, they'll become more "academically rigorous." Of course, that could mean football players read two books a semester instead of one.

+ Instant Message to the Georgia Department of Revenue: I don't get it. How can the "Auburn Club" have a Georgia specialty license plate, while Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus does not? Is this the result of a lost Auburn-Georgia football bet or something?

COMING SOON: A downtown repair job which I hope the Streetscape crews aren't overlooking....

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 6792 (- 1111, 14.1%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 12:29 AM

Friday, July 21, 2006

21 JUL 06: DAY OF VICTORIES

Mark your calendar: Thursday at 1:45 p.m. If you need to renew your car tag in Columbus, this is the perfect time to do it. I know, because that's when I did it Thursday - with hardly any waiting in line. Maybe the staff quietly wants Mayor Bob Poydasheff to win reelection.

Several errands were on my Thursday afternoon schedule, with the top two occurring at the Government Center. First was my annual car tag renewal - and again this year, I was given a sticker instead of a brand new plate. Do I have to wait until my humble Honda qualifies as an antique?

The security team at the East Wing of the Government Center was quick and polite while checking me. When I told them I was trying to keep cool, one man said, "You can't do it." I can't?! He should be thankful I didn't have a small gun hidden in my case....

After retrieving my case and metal items, I was so stunned by what I saw that I did a double-take. The car tag "waiting area" in the East Wing had NO people waiting. What could have caused this? Did someone spread sugar on the floor, which led to a fearful evacuation?

A woman entered the car tag area with me, and I let her go first. "What did we do to deserve this?" I asked her as we hurried through the barriers to the front of the line - acting a bit like teenagers trying to ride the roller coaster as many times as they can before closing time.

The woman was able to go to a counter almost right away - and I only had to stand for about a minute, watching United Nations Ambassador John Bolton give live comments to reporters on CNN. The wait was so short, the words on the screen never even told me what the developing story was.

By renewing my car tag at the Government Center, I saved the one dollar "mail fee." Years ago in suburban Atlanta, I waited nearly an hour for a car tag sticker - but I kept trying to impress people around me in line by saying, "I'm saving a dollar doing this."

With my new red sticker secured, we walked around the underground parking area to the West Wing of the Government Center. It was time to pay a city occupation tax for Power Frisbee of Georgia - which begins its introductory "Free Frisbee Sundays" this weekend in Albany and Valdosta. But under Columbus city rules, there are NO free home businesses....

The wait to pay the occupation tax wasn't that long, either - only a minute or two, while the cashier took care of a METRA employee. He walked away with what appeared to be a small bag full of money. I didn't think METRA bus drivers were able to make change for riders -- but then again, maybe those are his personal tokens for getting to work next week.

"That was too easy," I told myself as I finished my two tasks at the Government Center. But there was one more thing I wanted to check - so I exited through the tower entrance, looking around the security station from a distance. A man had told me there are pictures on the wall of everyone who's been barred from the building -- but I didn't even see Usama bin-Laden's picture anywhere.

Next stop: Cross Country Plaza - and this also was a doubleheader trip. I needed to make a few copies of a Power Frisbee sign-up sheet at OfficeMax. At the checkout, the woman asked me: "Did you find everything you wanted?"

"Oh yes," I answered. "The copying machines were right where I expected them."

Task two: go to Publix to buy postage stamps. Yes, I know you can buy them at any post office -- but how many post offices offer free samples of nacho chips and donut holes in the lobby?

But the big question at a store such as Publix is what to buy WITH the postage stamps. On this Thursday, the top contender was a bakery box of three dozen chocolate chip cookies on sale for $3.49. These tend to be "special event" cookies for me - but having no waiting line at the tag office didn't seem to qualify.

Yet the other snack candidates at Publix seemed too expensive. Even the packaged store-brand chocolate chip cookies in the aisle with Oreos had gone up to $2.19. These are NOT special event cookies, because -- uhhhh, welllll -- because they weren't on sale like the higher-priced ones were.

Using that inexplicably sound logic, I carried the bakery box of cookies to the fast lane of Publix and asked for stamps at the checkout with them. But then came trouble -- as the fancy new checkout computer screen showed the box costing $4.39. I didn't think my eyesight was failing that badly.

"I thought I saw a sign, showing that for $3.49," I said matter-of-factly. The checkout woman had someone, well, check out the bakery section -- and when that second woman came back singing "Everything's Coming Up Roses," I didn't know if I was right or she was newly engaged.

Both women stared at the electronic cash register keyboard, in what turned out to be my longest wait of the day. I finally half-whispered to one of them: "Does this mean I was right?" She nodded yes -- which was about as far as Publix went admitting a mistake.

The box of cookies was scanned a second time, to cancel the $4.39 price. The final total: $7.80 for stamps. "But I still want the cookies," I said.

"They're no charge. That's our policy." Wow -- catch Publix in a scanner error, and the item is FREE?! It was tempting to go to a second store and try it again.

"I'm shocked," I told the checkout pair. "And I didn't have to wait in line at the car tag office a while ago, either."

"This is your day!" encouraged a woman behind me in line. "Take advantage of it." Well, sorry -- I still don't play the lottery.

If all this was not enough, I got home from a 7:15 p.m. jog in time to beat the second thunderstorm of the evening by about ten minutes. I didn't get wet - well, except for stepping in puddles from the first thunderstorm, and sweating all over my T-shirt.

So all in all, I felt quite blessed Thursday. Events went much faster than planned. I wound up with a free box of expensive cookies. But I'm left wondering - should I have bought some roses for the Publix employee who was singing that song? Would my winning streak have stretched (ahem) into the weekend?

BLOG UPDATE: All the guesses about WRBL's next Chief Meteorologist apparently were wrong. Your blog has learned former Columbus weathercaster Bob Jeswald is returning to town, to replace Jeff Donald. Mitzi Oxford may have to plead with the Weather Channel, to get back on the air presenting forecasts.

Bob Jeswald currently is a weekend TV meteorologist in Phoenix. But he lists Columbus on his resume, from around 15 years ago. We'll see how long it takes Jeswald to learn how to spell it "Phenix" again.

The local weather made news Thursday, among other things....

+ A pair of afternoon thunderstorms left thousands of Columbus residents without power, and scattered debris downtown. I went running between the storms, and found large panels of what looked like insulation along the Riverwalk. Either the first storm was stronger than I thought, or the construction crew on Front Avenue is sliding down the embankment for fun like children do.

+ South Girard School in Phenix City held an annual "teen summit." WRBL reported one big issue was self-esteem. Why, of course - I found a church magazine article online saying young people have too much of it, and they really may be dumber than they think.

(Another topic at the teen summit was "dressing for success." Wear one of those Abercrombie and Fitch T-shirts with a sarcastic message to the job interview, and you probably will NOT be hired.)

+ The evening news showed how Eastway Christian School in Opelika is using "bio-fuel" for its buses, by processing vegetable oil. Take that, you nutritionists! Serving fatty foods at lunch can keep OPEC countries from overpowering us.

+ The Georgia Department of Revenue reported the state wound up the last fiscal year with a surplus of more than $500 million. Be thankful Sonny Perdue and Mark Taylor can't touch that money for campaign commercials -- because it might all be gone by November.

+ Instant Message to Lady Nana's Restaurant in Phenix City: The ad in the mail says you're open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The sign outside your front door says you're open from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. I'm glad I drove by when you locked the door at 9:00 p.m., to settle this - but has the sign maker driven by yet?

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 7903 (+ 225, 2.9%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 7:43 AM

Thursday, July 20, 2006

20 JUL 06: RETIRED IN NAME ONLY

"Blog competition" warned the title of an e-mail I received the other day. Uh-oh - who could be taking me on now? Doesn't The Loft still change its Thursday night stand-up comics every week?

The advisory came from WRBL's new full-time webmaster - and directed me to quite a surprise. Longtime Columbus TV news anchor Dick McMichael is blogging now. But don't worry - he hasn't gone all the way over the edge, and put his profile on Myspace.com .

The web site Dick McMichael set up to promote his memoirs now doubles as his blog. Its perspective reflects his decades as "The Newsman" -- only when he offers commentary, you're expected to understand that without a label being posted.

Since he started his blog earlier this month, Dick McMichael has focused often on journalistic issues. For instance, Wednesday's entry compared the news coverage on BBC International with U.S. network morning shows. He noted the BBC had no cake-baking segments. OK, but does it show live outdoor concerts by former "American Idol" contestants?

Dick McMichael's blog isn't really a competitor for this one right now, because he takes more of a national and world view. For instance, for the last three days he's examined how the news media have covered events in Lebanon. I'm more inclined to quote a classic gag where someone called Atlanta radio host Gary McKee: "What about Beirut, Gary? Best baseball player ever was, Bei Rut."

But Dick McMichael has addressed some local topics -- and the other day, he took "the media" to task for not keeping close watch on local members of Congress. Maybe those lawmakers should get part of the blame. They're too scared to have offices in Columbus, where reporters at least could talk to the aides on Secretary's Day.

While other people might consider him over the hill, Dick McMichael keeps impressing me with how sharp his thinking is -- as well as how current he is online. If you think he's behind the blogging curve, consider this: Al Fleming doesn't seem to even have his own web site yet.

Now for another former TV anchor who's turned blogger. I didn't realize until the other day that State Senator (and still champion) Ed Harbison had a "legislative blog." He kept it during this year's legislative session. But apparently Harbison has been too busy campaigning to add that "wrap-up" entry he promised way back in March.

I also didn't realize until reading Wednesday's Ledger-Enquirer that Ed Harbison was a TV news anchor at NBC-38 years ago. That explains his interview show of recent years, "Public Agenda." If WYBU TV-16 still shows it, I don't know when it's on - and I don't know if it has the same warning label that "Extra" and "Elimidate" have.

LOOK OUT BELOW FOR MORE....

Free Frisbee Sundays begin this weekend, introducing Power Frisbee in Valdosta and Albany! A Columbus pre-season stop is planned August 13. Find out where and learn all about our new game at the official Power Frisbee web site; then offer your comments about it at the P.F.G. blog.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Now for some growing pains in Lee County:

Word around has many wondering on where the people are going to go when Phenix City starts the River Clean out of Citizens and some Businesses.

With Phenix City taking over area's in Lee county and some area's that would normally be called Smiths Station,,what service's have been provided to the Citizens,

What has Phenix City Done to help those that have been Annexed Voluntary or Forced into the City by means of Signing up for the Sewage lines other than take their money???

Does the Phenix city fire Department respond to calls that have been annexed into the City???

State Farm Insurance goes by zip codes for Rating your Homeowners Insurance - by far, Phenix City Fire Rating is one of the lowest in the area

-Smiths Fire Department which is called Friendship Fire Ass. has one of the Highest Ratings in the County

- Friendship fire ass. covers the entire southeast area corner of Lee County (other than what Phenix City does not cover)

- Will Phenix City Leaders find ways to Dump the Citizens from the River Front housing in Smiths Station - that's the word going around

-Is there a Housing Project in the works to Dump the Citizens from the Phenix City remodeling effort on to Smiths Station or just outside the current City limits ???

It's so hot that the rest of this post has melted away

Oh, so many questions! First of all, I thought I heard somewhere that some of the people leaving the Riverview Apartments might move to Ladonia. Trouble is, that area needs a Dollar General store to go with its Fred's.

What is Phenix City doing about all these topics concerning southern Lee County? Well, Mayor Jeff Hardin told WRBL Wednesday he's invited two South Korean auto parts suppliers to visit the area. Those companies could pay for improved sewage and fire service - or then again, the "Kia payoff" could be going in the other direction.

So why would the Friendship Fire, ahem, DEPARTMENT rate higher with insurance companies than the Phenix City crew? Could the hidden answer lie in the name - since Phenix City firefighters haven't been all that friendly with each other at times in recent years?

(And oh yes, I thought fire departments had mascot dogs. If Friendship Fire has changed to a different animal, I don't quite understand why - unless perhaps donkeys carry fire ladders more easily.)

Now for other things which flared up Wednesday:

+ Which "Sky Watcher" told WRBL during an afternoon thunderstorm that the wind was "blowing every which way?" Is this person hurting his or her chances of becoming an official meteorologist?

+ That afternoon storm knocked out power for a moment at my home, and apparently shorted out the electric cord for my computer. Thankfully it was the cord from my OLD computer, which died last month. Now not only is my new computer's cord in place, I've discovered another offer from America Online for rejecting.

+ Not one political ad appeared on local television - and wow, did that feel strange! I kept waiting for someone else to run an attack ad. How about the Columbus Convention and Visitors' Bureau declaring: "Montgomery - too boring to waste your gas on."

+ The manager of the Opelika Sonic Drive-In was kidnapped at closing time, and forced to drive to Auburn. The fact that he's safe and well may be nothing more than the "Luck of the Straw."

+ A spokesperson for Summit Hospital told the evening news the new Phenix City medical center will open during the first week of August. Hopefully it will open in time to handle all the shoppers passing out from the savings, during the sales tax holiday.

(The new Summit Hospital will have 70 beds, but also will have room to grow as the need arises. Has Fort Benning already warned those new incoming soldiers to avoid fishing from the Phenix City side of the river?)

+ The Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus finished its two-day run at the Columbus Civic Center. If you're hungry early today, there could be plenty of leftover peanuts sitting around near the back doors.

+ Instant Message to the person who sent e-mail about possible corruption in a Lee County board: I'm told it happened years ago. The accused person is now dead. But if you want to dig up the grave and point a finger at it, that's up to you....

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 7678 (+ 200, 2.7%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 7:56 AM

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

19 JUL 06: ED IN

The Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus began a two-day stand at the Columbus Civic Center Tuesday. Yet somehow, the presence of all those elephants did NOT increase the Muscogee County turnout in the Georgia Republican Primary....

Columbus-area Democrats gave State Senator Ed Harbison an overwhelming win over Reginald Pugh, by a margin of more than two to one. Pugh must have been surprised to turn on WXTX "News at Ten," and see Harbison actually standing in Columbus to thank supporters.

"All negative" was how an aide to Ed Harbison described Reginald Pugh, when I tried to arrange an interview with the incumbent last week. Perhaps if Pugh had declared himself a "really, REALLY good man...."

Ed Harbison actually ran a campaign commercial in Spanish, on WHAL "Viva 1460." Well, someone else spoke in Spanish - then Harbison added a few words in English at the end. Next time, Mimi Woodson should give him some lessons.

Reginald Pugh took the loss to Ed Harbison rather hard. He told one reporter the incumbent will represent only a select group of voters. C'mon now - is that really fair? Big donor AFLAC seems to hire a wide range of people....

Reginald Pugh says he had a busy election day, visiting at least 16 polling places. Pugh's on a 30-day leave of absence from the Columbus Urban League -- so either that, or sit at home and watch soap operas all day.

The evening news climbed inside the Urban League's "ride to the polls" van - and what do you know? There were NO political statements or name-dropping by the driver. In fact, they didn't even put a glossy photo of Reginald Pugh on the dashboard as a hint.

The Ed Harbison win could be seen as another blow against Columbus civil rights groups. William Howell of Rainbow/PUSH may still be sitting outside Senator Arlen Specter's office in Washington, waiting for a meeting. But at least Bill Madison of the NAACP isn't talking about pretend bombings anymore.

At the top of the ticket, Mark Taylor held a firm lead at our deadline in the Democratic primary for Governor. Did anyone dare ask at Taylor's victory party whether the caterers were prison inmates?

Did you see the tape of Mark Taylor waving a campaign sign, along the side of an Albany street? Do that enough times in the summer heat, and he might not be "The Big Guy" much longer.

The apparent loss by Cathy Cox in the Democratic primary will disappoint some local lawmakers. Cox was backed by Rep. Debbie Buckner and Rep. Carolyn Hugley -- so if I was Hugley's husband (ahem), I'd send Mark Taylor a Columbus city government wish list in a hurry.

(How many journalists quitely are thrilled to see Cathy Cox lose -- so they won't confuse her with the Georgia School Superintendent anymore?)

Incumbent Sonny Perdue coasted to an easy win in the Republican primary for Governor, over Ray McBerry. McBerry tried to run on Perdue breaking his promise about the state flag - but when everyone pretends you don't exist, it's very hard.

Back at Burkard Awards time [1 Jan], I declared Sonny Perdue the incumbent LEAST likely to win re-election. Now I'm not so sure about that. He's been given more clues for beating the Democratic nominee than the detectives usually see on "Law and Order."

The Lieutenant Governor's race in Georgia may have received more national attention - and former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed lost the Republican primary to Casey Cagle. Maybe evangelical voters really want Reed to go on the revival circuit with Roy Moore.

Casey Cagle warned in one Republican debate that Ralph Reed's connections with lobbyist Jack Abramoff might get Reed indicted or arrested by November. At least Reed doesn't have anything else on his mind now....

(Of course, Cagle could be arrested by November as well. All it takes is one lead foot in the wrong small town.)

And how about the Republican runoff for Lieutenant Governor in Alabama? Luther Strange defeated George Wallace Jr. - but maybe that shouldn't be considered so, well, strange a result. After all, Wallace changed parties faster than his dad changed his mind about school integration.

Back at the local level, results from the Talbot County Commission races seemed to come in very slowly Tuesday night. That's what happens when you put some of the polls inside a locked-up recreation center....

Sher'Londa Walker knocked off Talbot County Commissioner Vernon Allen Jr. But Commissioner Robert Lanier won his primary race easily - so in his district, voters seemed to pooh-pooh the "poo-poo pots."

Other things happened on Georgia Primary Day as well. For instance....

+ The mother of Kenneth Walker went before Columbus Council, claiming she received no help from the Public Safety Advisory Commission. Emily Walker sounds like a desperate woman, who's knocking on any door she can seeking help. We'll know she's desperate if she asks the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to try a second recall of the Sheriff.

+ WRBL showed plans for renovating the old Eagle & Phenix Mill along the Chattahoochee River. W.C. Bradley plans four floors of loft homes and two restaurants - which means one more restaurant will fail there, than did at Johnson Mill.

+ The Columbus Catfish lost to Augusta 7-4, in a special 11:00 a.m. "Youth Day" game at Golden Park. We're waiting to hear about many youngsters gave their parents away as cheaters, by showing up at the game wearing "I voted" stickers.

+ Instant Message to the owners of Hickory House Bar-B-Q at U.S. 80 and 280 in Phenix City: "Thanks for the memories," indeed. I didn't know you had shut down. Please don't tell me that intersection is going to have pharmacies on THREE corners now.

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: Our post time will change for the next couple of days, to around 8:00 a.m. ET. So you late-night blog readers really should get some rest....)

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 7478 (+ 208, 2.9%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 12:02 AM

Monday, July 17, 2006

for 18 JUL 06: LEE OVER

The Russell County School Board accepted the resignation of Superintendent Rebecca Lee Monday. So based on recent East Alabama superintendents, where do you think Lee is going now - Glenwood School or Columbus State University?

Dr. Rebecca Lee was superintendent in Russell County a bit more than two years. It may say something noteworthy about her tenure that her two biggest accomplishments were keeping the school district off the state intervention list - and the high school baseball team winning a national title.

(But we'll remember Rebecca Lee for something else - the TV announcement in which she said, "Russell County Schools IS...." Maybe this is why John Phillips hasn't done something similar in Muscogee County.)

Dr. Rebecca Lee is leaving Russell County's school district quickly. In fact, Monday was her last day on the job. I don't even think Jim Wetherington supporters want Mayor Bob Poydasheff to leave office that fast.

But even though Rebecca Lee left the superintendent's office Monday, a severance agreement with Russell County Schools means she'll be paid through October. That should make for an interesting discussion, at the high school's next Future Business Leaders of America meeting....

So why did Rebecca Lee suddenly flee? Interim Superintendent Lillian Baker said there was "tension" between the former leader and the Russell County school board. We're left wondering if it was similar to the tension between some parents and the school board - only the superintendent left faster than the board could prepare a news release about it.

One Russell County school board member told WRBL the board refused to extend Superintendent Rebecca Lee's contract two extra years. So she apparently wanted leeway, and the response was more like "Lee-away."

There was a big cloud hanging over Monday's vote which no one really wanted to talk about - the recent convictions in court of four Russell County teachers. Did Superintendent Rebecca Lee hold the school board responsible for that? Did the board hold Lee responsible? And did they notify each other within seven days, like they're supposed to do under Alabama law?

(One Russell County parent dared to tell WXTX "News at Ten" an outsider may need to clean up the schools, similar to the "Sin City" era in Phenix City. It's as if all the notorious families of 50 years ago are hiding in Pittsview and Hurtsboro now.)

Yet school board members say Rebecca Lee picked an unusual time to resign as Russell County Superintendent. After all, the new school year starts in a few weeks. The principal's position at Russell County Middle School is still open. And someone has to help Tony Rasmus recruit more baseball players over from Muscogee County schools.

Rebecca Lee's departure means Russell County has lost four school superintendents in ten years to resignations. And Interim Superintendent Lillian Baker had plans to retire in September. So much for putting a whoopie cushion in the administrators' chairs -- they may already have ejection seats.

BLOG UPDATE: We made a trip to the Columbus Public Library Monday, primarily to check on the air-conditioning system. We never thought we'd have to make such a trip - but then again, a couple of years ago we didn't think we'd make special trips to the library for deluxe brownies.

We wanted to feel for ourselves whether Monday's e-mail about the air conditioning at the main library was accurate. Yes, the CD/DVD area at mid-morning was a bit warmer than the "great circle" walkway on the second floor. But maybe the library board is about to make a deal for Energy Savers to sponsor it.

All in all, the main library is a lot more comfortable than the place where I write this blog. I depend on a floor fan redirecting cool air from a window air conditioner two rooms away. Someday I'll have to reenact a web site from the "good old days" of the mid-nineties Internet - and have a web-cam record how fast my ice cream melts.

E-MAIL UPDATE: While we're talking about libraries, let's head back to the Mildred Terry....

Richard: King o' the 'Blog:

Reason I mentioned the library, not because of modest expansion plans, but because the expansion plans seem to have gotten out of hand--from 10,000 Square feet to 18,000 square feet.

In a Tuesday, November 29, 2005 story, on page C-1, Ledger reporter Pat Gillespie reported that Claudya Mueller, Library System Director, said the Muscogee County School Board is planning a 10,000 square foot library on the same site, more than twice the of the its current 4,200 square foot facility.

How does 10,000 square feet match up with 18,000 square feet which I believe was reported recently in the Ledger. Which is correct?

It would also be interesting to know, how much "estimates for increased population are factored into the planned library".

Anyone?

Oh, now you're making me blush. KING of the Blog? I'm more the Jack of all topics - and the master of none....

Could it be that the new improved Mildred Terry Library will have two floors? That could explain all the extra space. Or then again, maybe something happened that would come as a surprise to many people in Columbus. Maybe the Ledger-Enquirer typed in the wrong number.

Let's check some other numbers, as we look quickly at Monday's other news:

+ Columbus gas prices did some strange switching. Stations which held firm at $2.71 a gallon all weekend went up to around $2.77 - but the Citgo at Fifth and Veterans Parkway actually dropped to $2.70. Which place do you think has more trouble with its fax machine?

+ WRBL reported a feasibility study for Columbus South Inc. recommends the old Baker High School be turned into a fine arts academy. This sounds like a cost-cutting move to me - with students sculpting their own sheet-rock for the walls.

+ Mike Vee returned to Columbus radio, hosting a midday sports talk show on WEAM-AM. He's on the air from 10:00 to 1:00 - but it would sound a lot cooler if the show started earlier, to be a Vee-8.

+ The University of Alabama announced the home football opener against Hawaii is sold out. I honestly never realized so many native Hawaiians live around Birmingham and Tuscaloosa....

+ Instant Message to the Georgia Lottery: What kind of a "Cash 3 Double Drop" was that? There's only about a one-in-seven chance that the "peach ball" will come up, to have a second drawing. I'm more likely to drop a peach in the produce section of the supermarket.

COMING WEDNESDAY: The winners, losers and funny stuff from Georgia Primary day (and maybe the Alabama Primary runoff, too)....

Your PayPal donations can help build a better blog, and keep it independent-minded. To make a donation, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 7270 (+ 157, 2.2%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 11:00 PM

17 JUL 06: A TIME OF TESTING

The Democratic candidates for Georgia Governor had their final debate before the primary Sunday night - and I'll confess, I did NOT tune in. I wondered what could be said which was new or different from last Wednesday's debate. Well, other than some new one-liners from Mac McCarley....

It's our custom here to NOT bring up politics on election days - and instead use election eve to quiz you on your knowledge of the races and contenders. Ready?

1. Which candidate calls himself "The Big Guy?" Does he get in trouble with children during December, for claiming this title?

2. Which candidate for Lieutenant Governor used to oversee the Christian Coalition? Why has he seemingly forgotten the Bible verse about turning the other cheek, based on his commercials?

3. Why have the candidates for Columbus Mayor been reluctant to endorse anyone in the State Senate race? Are they afraid the wrong endorsement might prevent future sales taxes from getting on the ballot?

4. Which candidate for Secretary of State came to Columbus and held a "Rally for the Receipts?" How many people misunderstood this, and showed up with receipts from the old Rally's restaurant?

5. Name the candidate challenging Sonny Perdue in the Republican primary for Governor. Is the real reason why he can't get a debate scheduled with Perdue based on the flag he wants to drape around his lectern?

6. Which candidate urged voters to sign his web site petition against high gas prices? Did he pass it on to the President of Iran, so the Middle East tension driving up world oil prices would stop?

7. Where do the candidates in the State Senate race really live? Should they have thrown housewarming parties for voters, to prove it?

8. Name all the candidates running for Georgia Agriculture Commissioner. Explain why some of them have posted campaign signs in the middle of Columbus, where there are no farms.

9. Why hasn't Cathy Cox simply called herself "The Little Gal?"

10. Which candidate for Lieutenant Governor sounds like he should be operating a poultry plant in Pine Mountain - except he apparently doesn't?

11. Which county commission candidate seems deeply worried about people seeing seven-month-old pictures of bathrooms?

12. If you have trouble getting a ride to the polls, should you call the old "Georgia RideShare" number?

13. Name the candidate for Governor who's charging admission to his Primary Night party -- even though he reportedly has millions of campaign dollars left to spend.

14. Which candidate is tugging at people's emotions, with his commercials describing a recovery from polio? Should his doctors be running for office instead?

15. Where has Dylan Glenn gone - and for that matter, where is he living now? Could it be that he rented his house to Ed Harbison?

16 Who is posting signs in Chambers County saying, "Chuck in November?" Don't they realize Chuck Leonard lives in Columbus?

17. Should politicians be punished for talking about "sins of your fathers and grandfathers" - especially if they aren't ministers?

18. How many candidates stood just outside the campaigning boundary line around the Columbus Public Library during advance voting and yelled, "Vote for me?"

19. Which local candidate is described in ads as "a really good man?" Does this mean his opponent is just fair, or excellent?

20. Which morning radio newscaster has said on the air Georgia School Superintendent Kathy Cox is running for Governor -- when she's not?

E-MAIL UPDATE: While you ponder those questions, some of our readers have other things to consider. Our first message is about two places in Columbus:

Q1. Have any muskrats been found, dead or alive, in the vicinity of Cherokee Ave?

Q2. Anyone been to the second floor of the Taj Mahal -I mean the library-in early evening? The temperature, at least in the CD/DVD/Talking Books Section, was many degrees HOTTER. Not Hot as Hell, you understand, but hotter than other parts of the library. $40 million should provide for a proper air conditioning system. Right?

Remember, if the excesses represented by the Taj are 51% the responsibility of the Library Committee and the School Board, they are 49% the responsibility of Mssrs Burdeshaw and company and his Architectural Mafiosi.

Speaking of the library, apparently one of the so called Friends of the Library (definitely not friends of the citizen or taxpayer) was quoted in the Ledger as saying we will need a library building in the next 10 years devoted to (I guess) changes in learning technology. Maybe she should go ahead and lobby to have Burdeshaw working on a retrofit inside the existing Taj Mahal, cause there's no way in H**l I will vote for more library space at this time.

You should know that our fancy schmancy library board is planning for a 18,000 square foot facility to replace the Terry Library on Veterans Parkway. Maybe they can generate some extra funds to pay for good air conditioning by leasing out part of the building to Backyard Burgers or Starbucks.

LMAO

I must admit I'm puzzled by Question 1. If anything, I'd think the construction work on Cherokee Avenue would have found some dead fish in the canal.

I visited the Columbus Public Library last week, but did NOT go up the stairs. Maybe the CD section is set aside for women -- since they're more likely to turn up thermostats, while men turn them down.

And I never realized an "Architectural Mafiosi" built the main library. Every time I drove by the construction site, I don't recall seeing anyone wearing sunglasses and a trench coat.

Yes, I DID know about the plans for a new Mildred Terry Library on Veterans Parkway. All that extra space will beat the cramped conditions there now. The public access computers are so packed together that you can help the person next to you win at online poker.

It might be nice to have a Backyard Burgers at the new Mildred Terry Library. After all, the only one in the area right now is on Airport Thruway -- and it's blocks from anyone's backyard.

Our next letter has to be edited a bit, because we're still trying to verify part of it:

Regarding your Lee County correspondents comments about the Mayor and the Smiths Station Water Authority [14 Jul]: The mayor of Smiths Station is not a member of the Board of the Smiths Water and Sewage Authority. The SWSA does not come under the control of the mayor or the city of Smiths Station. The Board members are appointed by the Lee County Commission. The SWSA serves a very large area outside of the city of Smiths Station. The original incorporation documents of the SWSA state that the subscribers are the owners of the system. That's really odd since the subscribers (customers) do not get to elect their own Board. Lee County commisioners who live in Auburn, Opelika, etc. get to appoint the board members.... Smiths Station Resident

Thanks for clarifying that, Mr./Ms. Resident. Of course, the way Smiths Station is growing, it soon could conquer everything in the authority's territory - and then that missing "Station" in the name will have to be added.

Our review of Sunday news found people needed to use plenty of water because....

+ The high temperature in Columbus hit 100 degrees F. for the second day in a row. If it hits 101.3, I'm going to feel "Da Beat" - well, make that just plain beat.

+ Several Columbus gas stations showed surprising resolve, and kept their prices at around $2.71 a gallon. Maybe the managers think the reports of Iranian weapons hitting Israel are simply disinformation.

+ The Associated Press reported the state of Alabama will start issuing identification numbers to all public school students. To some people, this will sound like a George Orwell novel come to life. To some teachers, this will sound like a great math problem waiting to happen.

+ Instant Message to the Tiger Station convenience store on U.S. 431 between LaFayette and Opelika: You're kidding, right? I mean, that sign offering fried bologna sandwiches. Do you also sell funnel cakes covered with chocolate chips?

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Half-gallons of ice cream for $1.99 at the Opelika Kroger.... FactCheck.org for unbiased analysis of campaign attack ads.... and any walkway where trees offer shade....

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 7113 (- 544, 7.1%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 12:00 AM

Sunday, July 16, 2006

16 JUL 06: THE SOLDIER ATTACKS

"He's not gonna call you back." So predicted Reginald Pugh, when I told him I'd asked his State Senate opponent Ed Harbison for an interview. It turns out Harbison did NOT, but one of his aides did. Does that earn him half-credit?

It actually was Reginald Pugh's campaign which contacted us first, saying the State Senate challenger was willing to be interviewed for your blog. This meant one of two things. Either this blog has "arrived" as an established news source and influential voice in the Columbus area - or somebody's campaign is desperate for any attention it can get.

This is Reginald Pugh's first attempt for public office - and he admitted to me he's been struck by how some powerful people want to "hurt you professionally, they want to hurt your family...." Pugh refused to name any names. But if your church pastor has Ed Harbison fliers in the bulletin today, he's probably one of them.

My first big question for Reginald Pugh was based on last week's front-page newspaper quote from his opponent. Had Pugh stopped harassing Ed Harbison - and if so, when did he stop?

"I haven't been harassing him," Pugh told me. But perhaps Harbison feels that way, because Pugh and his campaign staff have brought up all sorts of negative things about the incumbent. To hear the Pugh team talk, Harbison taught Danae Roberts all about pretending to live in the district you represent.

"He's living in Atlanta more than he lives in Columbus," Pugh claimed. Yet a check of the phone book shows not one, but two home listings for an Ed or Edward Harbison. The one who's NOT a State Senator must really feel harassed....

The Reginald Pugh campaign has attempted to challenge the entire life story of Ed Harbison in recent days. One e-mail to the blog, clearly from a Pugh supporter, accused Harbison of claiming five tours of duty in Vietnam despite only serving four years in the Marines. Not even Marshal Greg Countryman brought up the military issue, when he ousted record-padder Ken Suddeth.

In contrast, Reginald Pugh was a "Vietnam-era veteran" - although he never actually served there. He also says he had orders to go to Kuwait in 1991, but the fighting there ended so quickly that he wasn't needed there. What DID the former President Bush do right then, that his son isn't doing now?

But I digress: then there's the ethics complaint which was filed this past week, involving Ed Harbison's campaign contributions. Harbison suggested in a Friday night TV interview someone in the Reginald Pugh campaign filed that complaint. He should be thankful Pugh's campaign doesn't have his college transcript.

"He tells a lot of lies," Reginald Pugh told me about Ed Harbison - going on to say the veteran State Senator "doesn't have any integrity." So it was a bit surprising to read Pugh's campaign finance report, and not see Cathy Cox's name on it.

We interviewed Reginald Pugh before we learned from The Courier that Reginald Pugh was late in filing a "personal finance disclosure statement" with the state. In fact, he's several months late - as if he's waiting for that big lottery check to come, and change everything.

The Courier also reported Reginald Pugh was late in filing a campaign finance report for the second quarter - but Friday's Ledger-Enquirer had the numbers. When you've raised about $10,000, a $75 fine for late filing is no big deal. It's a bit like pro football players hiding cell phones behind the goal post.

Ed Harbison's campaign has received about three times more donations than Reginald Pugh's - and the Harbison donors read like a roll call of corporate Columbus. AFLAC has given. Synovus has given. Yet the scoffers say Pugh's the one who's been hob-nobbing with Republicans....

Reginald Pugh explained that issue by saying his board at the Urban League has both Democrats and Republicans on it. "I deal with people. I don't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat." Maybe Pugh should have cared when he filed for State Senate - because a lot of Republicans might have voted for him.

(Pugh went on to say he has no problems with Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. It almost leaves you wondering why Zell Miller hasn't come to Columbus, to give Pugh a personal endorsement.)

Yet Reginald Pugh's position at the Urban League became a campaign issue this past week, when Ed Harbison complained to the Election Board about the group's "free rides to the polls." You know, I'm starting to see Harbison's point on this. Civil rights groups are known for demanding contributions at times like that....

Reginald Pugh responded by saying the Columbus Urban League has been providing free rides to the polls for 35 years, as a community service. But he admitted he said "100 years" to the Ledger-Enquirer, admitting that was an "exaggeration." Pugh should learn the Miranda rule of campaigns - anything you say can and will be used against you.

Reginald Pugh went on to say voters are NOT told which candidates to select during the free rides to polls. Pugh added he's offered to let Ed Harbison's campaign cooperate with the service, and even ride along - but "no one's called me back." Oh, so THAT'S where the harassment started....

Beyond the personal pokes, Reginald Pugh says you should compare his record with Ed Harbison's before you vote on Tuesday. So I asked Pugh about education - and his main answer involved spending more on schools, and less on imprisoning the "mentally ill." How more money will keep students from becoming mentally ill, he didn't exactly say.

Reginald Pugh also said Georgia's lottery for education program needs to be reviewed, to see if the money is being used for the best purposes. When 30 percent of the state's students fail to graduate from high school, maybe the HOPE scholarship needs to start a few years earlier.

By comparison, Reginald Pugh says Ed Harbison boasts of sponsoring a lot of legislation - but "anybody can sponsor something." Yes, absolutely. And if someone would like to become an advertising sponsor for this blog, please write me....

Ed Harbison told the Friday night interview he's been a "work horse" for District 15. For instance, he said he "put the call boxes on I-185." Harbison did not explain why that experiment hasn't been adopted anywhere else in the state -- or if it's a subtle hint to the Harris County Sheriff to spend more time patrolling the interstate.

Reginald Pugh's attacks have failed to persuade some people and groups in Columbus. This week's edition of The Courier endorses Ed Harbison for reelection, lists several areas of service and grant-winning - and faults Pugh for not returning ITS phone calls.

"We view Pugh as uninformed," The Courier says in its editorial endorsement. I'm not so sure about that. Reginald Pugh seems to know an awful lot - and it's about Ed Harbison, and it's not very complimentary.

P.S. The aide from "Friends of Ed Harbison" who returned our call apparently wanted to check our blog, before Harbison decided whether or not to submit to an interview. He made sure of the Internet address - but when we mentioned we'd talked with Pugh "about 90 minutes ago," he somehow thought it was a 90-minute interview. Normally I don't have time to write THAT many jokes.

THE BIG BLOG QUESTION on the State Senate race ended Saturday night, with Reginald Pugh receiving 81 percent of the vote over Ed Harbison (13-3). We'd like to thank everyone at the Urban League office who have been reading our blog in the last few days....

(We should take pains to note this is a nonscientific survey. One of these days, we're going to ask voters how many of them actually are scientists.)

Now a quick check of other items from the weekend:

+ The evening news returned to Talbot County, and found a rundown recreation center remains locked seven months after a cleanup was promised. Commissioner Robert Lanier actually said on camera: "I've got an election coming up, and I'm asking you: please, please don't show those ugly poo-poo pots again." How shocking - to hear an elected official not say "commode."

+ The soul group Pretty Ricky performed at the Columbus Civic Center. The members appeared live on WRBL - and they puzzled me, because none of them looked like Ricky Martin at all.

(When you're doing a live interview in a TV studio and your entire group is wearing sunglasses, does this mean you look cool? Or are you hiding your identity from someone in law enforcement?)

+ Prosecutors in the Coca-Cola trade secret case revealed they used wiretaps, and the three suspects used code names. I'll assume the female suspect used the name "Wild Cherry."

+ The Columbus Catfish lost to Augusta 8-5, before Golden Park's biggest crowd in years. The attendance of 4,838 was so big the Catfish actually may put an attendance figure on the official box score - because I've seen several recently where they didn't.

(When you can hear a Golden Park crowd cheering the Catfish from blocks away, you can usually guess the reason for it. My guess was right Saturday night - the stands were filled with Fort Benning soldiers.)

+ Instant Message to the children who rode their bicycles east on Macon Road in the westbound lanes: You're in the wrong lanes of traffic, with one of you sitting on another biker's handlebars, you're heading toward Cross Country Plaza a bit before sundown -- and then you tell ME to shut up? Which SUV driver on the J.R. Allen Parkway taught you that one?

COMING MONDAY: E-mail about air conditioning and water departments....

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 7657 (+ 197, 2.6%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 2:00 AM

Friday, July 14, 2006

for 15 JUL 06: A SONG LEFT UNSUNG

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: You may find this item humorous, serious, or a little of both - but we offer these thoughts from time to time, as we keep a seventh-day Sabbath.)

July 15 is a milestone day for me, for a couple of reasons. It's my late father's birthday (he would have been 86). And on a July 15 Saturday six years ago, I left the church denomination that I attended for close to 20 years. I didn't really leave my congregation hanging - because the ministers sort of did that themselves.

I happened to be Worship Leader of the church service on that final Saturday morning, and had everything in order -- with some of my favorite Christian songs, including one or two which were personal tear-jerkers for me. If I was going to go, It wouldn't look right to leave with a proud smile on my face.

The pastor of our congregation had been on shaky ground for some time -- suspended once for not supporting doctrinal changes in the denomination. The biggest question involved whether we keep meeting on the Saturday "Sabbath," or switch to Sunday. It was one time when denomination leaders actually said "everybody's doing it" was a good thing.

Our congregation had adopted several of the denomination's changes - including hymns and recordings with more modern music. The Pastor-General said old-style songs and a traditional format screamed to newcomers, "Not welcome!" Yet for some reason, that denomination's membership count has kept dropping ever since....

I disagreed with some of the doctrinal changes, so I e-mailed the local pastor Friday night to inform him of my plans to leave. He replied Saturday morning before the service, revealing he was being fired that day! It turned out that old inspirational song was right - "You'll Never Walk Alone."

A couple of Regional Pastors were on hand, to announce the change of leadership - yet my Pastor was undaunted, not only showing up but sitting in the front row. He could have played on the congregation's emotions, but the wife and seven children were left at home in Montgomery.

But the big announcement wound up interrupting my grand plan for my final service in the old denomination. The Regional Pastors declared the pastor would be replaced - then led the congregation in a prayer, and canceled the final song on their own. They apparently realized I'm a fairly good public speaker, and feared I'd turn into a loose cannon.

One of the Regional Pastors came to me after the service and asked if I could lead songs again next week. That's when he learned the news about my departure - personally from me. If he had let me come back up to the speaking stand, everyone might have been doubly shocked together.

The last song I'd planned to lead that day is still as applicable today as it was on July 15, 2000. I offer it to my old congregation and denomination now - and if you're a Christian, I offer it to you as well:

God be with you till we meet again.

When life's perils thick confound you,

Put His arms unfailing 'round you.

God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet -- till we meet at Jesus's feet.

Till we meet, till we meet -- God be with you till we meet again.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 7460 (- 1576, 17.4%; should we blame Hezbollah for this?!)

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

-- posted by Richard at 11:30 PM

14 JUL 06: POSTAGE UNPAID

"There will be a little surprise at the end of this," the woman on the phone told me Thursday. Uh-oh - are these phone sex lines so desperate for business that they're calling ME now, instead of the other way around?

The woman was calling from something called Publishers' Business Services, and wanted to speak to the "head of the business." The response to our launch of Power Frisbee truly has been overwhelming - from the telemarketers and junk mail companies, at least.

The woman claimed to be doing a brief survey, and wanted to know if I do a lot of reading in my free time. While I make time for Bible study every day, I really don't read a lot of other things - except for the other local blogs, to see if they beat me to any big stories. You know, about Florida fishing trips....

Then the woman wanted to know what magazine subscriptions I have. At the moment I have only one - and it's a free magazine from the church denomination I attend. When "Entertainment Weekly" put "Queer Eyes for the Straight Guy" on its cover instead of the death of Bob Hope, it lost me.

Those answers seemed to short-circuit the survey - but then the woman offered her little surprise. Through some kind of special deal with publishers, I would get 60 issues of five or six different magazines. And I'd get them all FREE! If only the city of Columbus were offered this - local illiteracy might drop dramatically.

The woman on the phone named a few of the magazines I'd get - and they covered a wide range, from "Christianity Today" to "Hot Rod." This contrast seems a bit strange. How many churches have lost tithe money, because guys bought extra chrome for their cars?

I couldn't believe this little surprise I was hearing. "I'll get the next five years of several different magazines - free?!"

"Yes," the woman answered. "All we ask is that you help pay for the postage." So Time/Life wouldn't get any of my money - but I'd make a helpful contribution to the Postal Service.

"How much is that?" I asked, suspecting the big catch was about to come.

"Two dollars, 76 cents a week," the woman said. A week?! At least Georgia Power lets me pay one month at a time.

That weekly postage price, by the way, was for each magazine. "So that's two dollars, 76 cents," I said calling up the calculator on my computer near the phone, "times six magazines, times 52 weeks, times five years." And what you have is a great practice math question for next year's CRCT exam....

"That comes to 717 dollars, 60 cents," I told the woman on the phone. "But they're free magazines!?!"

"They're free from the publishers," the woman tried to explain, "but they're simply asking for your help with the postage." As if these publishers need my help?! It's like me asking blog readers for their help with the.... oh wait, I already do that, don't I?

"Paying 718 dollars for magazines is NOT free," I said as I turned the telemarketer down. It may be less than the price of freedom they talk about at Fort Benning, but it's still not free....

A check online Thursday night found Publishers Business Services has its own web site, apparently providing customer support and answering questions. But it also has plenty of critics, who claim the company coerced them into binding contracts for magazines they didn't want. Just because your car has a rear spoiler nowadays does NOT automatically mean it's a hot rod.

OVERHEARD OVER HERE: One man is talking to another man downtown about the high price of gasoline -- and offers his own unique solution:

"We've got all that oil in Alaska, and Congress is too nice to drill it. We should nuke the capital of Alaska, nuke Washington, D.C. -- and while we're at it, Iran and North Korea."

E-MAIL UPDATE: We hear again from our occasional Smiths Station correspondent:

Did someone forget to turn off the Fireworks switch, - What a display of fireworks Uniroyal announced Tuesday.

Around half the Opelika work force to be laid off later this year which some are Smiths Station residents, Let me guess, that management told employees not to worry about anything before the 4th Holiday session and go out and spend and have an great vacation,,.

Half the work force people are not going to make Union wages for awhile - until they can find other Unions around here that need that many people...

And some of you are worrying on how to pay for your power bill this summer, is this just bad timing - Also announced by Uniroyal/Michelin/Goodrich that the Mexico plants will be increased for more production of Passenger tires...

Wait a minute here -- Uniroyal says that Passenger tires sales are way down and have to lay off american workers and also a Plant in Ontario -- but -- at the same time announced that the Mexican Plants are increasing for the demand of Passenger tires...sounds like that Burrito and Bowl of chilly has some loaded beans in it..

Also

Mandatory trash pickup is closer to making it's way onto the Streets..

Talk around the area has someone saying false claims on that Radio talk show in the Mornings about Smiths Water and Sewage Authority in Smtihs Station - seems that some one from the Radio station has talked to Smiths Station's Mayor and would like the Mayor to come on to the Show to set comments correct.. --

Is the Mayor on the board of Smiths Water and Sewage ,, - Does the Mayor oversee daily duties of the Smiths Water and Sewage, - Is Smiths Water and Sewage their own Authority????

No one to answer outside the Board memebers...!

Can we have some measurable rain....Please

I'll start with that last item - and I'm afraid I can't offer you any. For one thing, the scattered showers missed downtown Columbus Thursday. For another thing, Blaine Stewart has stopped presenting the weather on WRBL for a few days.

You have to wonder where laid-off employees from BF Goodrich will find "union wages" anywhere. After all, they're in Alabama -- where the union has been held in skepticism for about 145 years.

Mandatory trash pickup doesn't necessarily have to head "onto the streets," you know. All it takes are some alleyways behind those nice Smiths Station homes....

I can't speak for Smiths Water and Sewage, but the Columbus Mayor has a seat on the Water Works board. In fact, Bob Poydasheff has a seat on so many boards around town that it's no wonder he hasn't had time to campaign for reelection.

Now for drips and drabs from the Thursday news:

+ Environmental Protection Agency experts held a meeting in Columbus, and made a surprising announcement. The E.P.A. has concluded Columbus's air pollution comes from the east, not the west. OK, how much did Continental Carbon donate to the Republican Party?

(Do you realize what this finding means? It could allow Continental Carbon to get out of those lawsuits filed by South Columbus residents. And since the E.P.A. blames most of the pollution on wood burning, it could lead to a big lawsuit against Fort Benning.)

+ The Columbus Urban League held its annual "Equal Opportunity Day" banquet. Can anyone who attended tell me if this event lived up to its name - with both Reginald Pugh and Ed Harbison giving speeches?

+ The U.S. House voted to extend sections of the Voting Rights Act. Georgia Congressman Lynn Westmoreland argued Southern states should NOT continue to require Justice Department approval of election changes, 40 years after the act was adopted. Maybe he hasn't noticed how many Southern churches still look segregated.

+ Columbus State University held its orientation day for new students. They learned about all sorts of C.S.U. traditions - hopefully including Scott Miller's top five "lucky spots" for basketball games.

+ The New York Times reported 18 Auburn football players from the 2004 undefeated season may have taken a "soft" sociology course called Directed Reading. Well, at least they WERE reading. They didn't hire tutors to do it for them, as someone in Georgia football did years ago.

+ Meanwhile, the Opelika-Auburn News reported Auburn linebacker Kevin Sears was convicted on three drunk driving counts. The Tigers have had so many D.U.I. cases lately that they could play in next winter's Bud Bowl.

+ Columbus native Frank Thomas sued two Chicago White Sox doctors, claiming they misdiagnosed his foot injury last season. Somehow, I doubt we'll see the same sort of lawsuit from Barry Bonds about THIS season....

+ WRBL presented a report on Internet safety, including a 14-year-old girl whose Myspace page says she lives in "a name you can't pronounce, Alabama." They traveled all the way to Arab to do this story?!

+ The Associated Press reported the federal government's list of potential terrorist targets includes a kangaroo conservation farm in Dawsonville, Georgia. You may think this sounds silly - but remember, kangaroos can hide all sorts of things in their pouches.

+ Instant Message to Casey Cagle and Ralph Reed: Why aren't you running any TV commercials promoting your Lieutenant Governor campaigns in Columbus? Have you two decided this area is too strongly Democratic? Or are you laughing at the "Give 'em Hecht" ads?

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Gas for $2.69 a gallon (as of Thursday afternoon) at Dolly Madison on Victory Drive.... Watch batteries changed for two to four dollars at Lane Jewelers on Broadway.... Tryouts for "America's Next Top Model" Saturday at the RiverCenter (but arrrgh, I have commitments)....

COMING THIS WEEKEND: Which local candidate says his opponent lacks integrity and tells "a lot of lies?" It's a Blog Exclusive....

Your PayPal donations (as we noted above) can help build a better blog, and keep it independent-minded. To make a donation, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 9036 (+ 209, 2.4%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 12:00 AM

Thursday, July 13, 2006

13 JUL 06: NOW IN 4-D!

All the Democrats running for Georgia Governor finally had a showdown debate Wednesday night. Doesn't this simply figure? While they debated, all the conservative Christians were in Wednesday night prayer meetings lobbying God for Sonny Perdue.

The four Democrats running for Georgia Governor were together at Albany's Municipal Auditorium. This must have shocked some viewers, who thought only Cathy Cox and Mark Taylor were running. You mean there are two other choices - who have NOT run attack ads, or trashed their opponents as liars?

(For the record, the two other choices are Bill Bolton and Mac McCarley - and they drove to the debate TOGETHER from metro Atlanta! Maybe they should have run as a ticket, and made fuel conservation a big campaign issue.)

The Democrats showed their differences right away in the televised debate. Mac McCarley declared in his opening statement Albany was in "almost South Georgia" - then Cathy Cox said she was "here in Southwest Georgia." Which candidate is more likely to pass a geography test?

I'd never heard of Mac McCarley before -- but it quickly became clear that he was the "comedy relief" in the debate. He's 78 years old, a native of Alabama, and had trouble hearing some of the reporters' questions. If he becomes Governor, McCarley could be the Democratic reincarnation of Ronald Reagan.

Mac McCarley made for memorable moments (say that three times fast), with several debate one-liners....

+ He wants an added sales tax, to help military personnel who come home from Iraq "with their heads not put on straight." Thankfully, he did NOT mean a grotesque scene from a CSI show.

+ He called Lieutenant Governor candidate Ralph Reed a "Christian right-wing Republican who shouldn't even be on the ballot." That's the closest anyone came all night to naming Sonny Perdue.

+ He said teachers should receive a ten-percent raise - then asked: "Where will we get the money? Who knows?" That's just what we need, a Governor with a vision for the future.

+ The World War II veteran declared, "The good Lord saved my life one time...." Then he turned around and threw away Christian voters, by calling school courses involving the Bible a "snake in the grass."

But Mac McCarley may have made the most profound point of the debate in his closing statement, when the self-proclaimed "alternate to the big three" noted Georgia remains near the bottom in education. "What have they done?" he asked viewers and voters. Well, they've made dozens of parents lottery millionaires....

Then there was Cobb County's Bill Bolton, who made a distinction between "the God nation" and "the J.J. Nation." Many viewers probably breathed a sigh of relief when Bolton explained J.J. stands for Jefferson-Jackson - NOT Jesse Jackson.

Bill Bolton boldly broadcast his belief (wow, another one!) that the "God nation" of churchgoers should focus locally on community issues, instead of trying "to take over the world." He doesn't get it, does he? That's the grand plan - win enough local issues to take over the world eventually.

Now that we've given some equal time to the Democratic underdogs, let's get to the main event. Mark Taylor said in his opening statement the debate was a time to "leave personal attacks at the door." Thankfully for bloggers like me, one of the journalists asking questions did not....

At the 26-minute mark of the debate, Mark Taylor was asked about all the attack ads in the Governor's race. He admitted there have been "too many negative ads." But Taylor didn't admit airing the first one [27 Jun] - and for all we know, he may have meant his first attack ad should have been enough.

Mark Taylor declared his ads attacking Cathy Cox are "well documented" - and accused the Cox campaign of issuing news releases attacking his mother. If Mac McCarley hadn't been standing between them, we could have seen that World Cup final head butt all over again.

Cathy Cox explained her own attack ads against Mark Taylor by saying, "I don't pick fights, but I don't run from them, either." These days, I'm thinking the running part is left to Attorney General Thurbert Baker....

Cathy Cox complained Mark Taylor had smeared her record in public service, while her attack ads about the Taylor family trucking business "make up the kind of person he is." Someone who tries to save money every chance he can is bad?!

(And what's the big deal about the Taylor family trucking business using "free prison labor?" Former Governor Roy Barnes promised in a 1998 campaign ad to have prison inmates build prisons -- and they never did.)

Yet Cathy Cox never explained those investment fraud messages, and her taped denial that she ever stated her name in them. So you might understand next Tuesday, if some investors show protection DIS-trust....

Cathy Cox's comments of condemnation continued at the close. (Hey, there's another one!) In her closing statement, she asked: "Do we want an old-style politician who's benefitted himself, his family and his friends?" Does this mean if Cox loses the primary, she'll surrender her state pension?

Amidst all of this, the debate actually had some enlightening explanations of several issues. Take education - where Cathy Cox says technical college courses should be combined with high school instruction. I had something like this when I was in junior high. It was called "General Shop."

Mac McCarley proposes a new one-cent sales tax on everything except prescription drugs, with much of the money going to school districts which have the least money. The Muscogee County School Board is going to have to hurry, and beat him to this one....

Bill Bolton is promoting what he called "hybrid high schools" in grades 11 and 12. This should please many parents, who can't afford to buy their graduates a sports car.

Mark Taylor didn't offer many specifics during the debate on improving Georgia education, except to say he'll stop state spending cuts. Who knows - maybe he can use free prison labor to teach children. Linda Schrenko was sentenced to prison Wednesday, you know....

Related to this was a surprising question about Georgia's new law allowing the Bible to be used as a school textbook. Mark Taylor responded by declaring the Bible "the greatest book ever written." That may not sit well with the national Democratic Party - who might put Bill Clinton's memoirs on top.

Bill Bolton followed that by warning Mark Taylor's Bible-based values in school classrooms would be tantamount to "abusing our children." Well, we certainly don't want young people learning that "thou shalt not steal" stuff now, do we?

Cathy Cox dared to say Georgia students should study ALL world religions, to be prepared for a global economy. Somewhere, Usama bin-Laden may smile when he hears that one....

Away from the debate, Georgia's Supreme Court refused to intervene Wednesday over the primary election rules. That means the old forms of identification are acceptable in the primary - and a spokesperson for Governor Sonny Perdue told GPB Radio this will mean "dead people" vote. So? Have more Georgians died as Democrats or Republicans?

E-MAIL UPDATE: Aren't we all happy about Columbus city workers getting pay raises? Well, maybe not....

Have you heard that the city's pay plan implementation will be staggered?? I cannot believe that this city can't come up with a way of getting this done in a timely manner. In this day and age computers do so much of the work it is nearly ridiculous. If they have to go in to raise your health insurane premium deduction individually based on your coverage, then how much harder can it be to change your pay? Sit down and get it done!!!

By the way, when it comes to the insurance they plan to charge you an additional $28 monthly for your spouse on top of the going rate if they choose to use be on your policy versus their own employer's if available. (But note: there is no "extra" fee if your spouses company doesn't offer insurance. I already questioned Mr. Barron on this and cannot get a decent response as to how this is legal. He seemed to have gotten an email attitude with me, unless of course I just read it wrong.)

Anyway, if the city can't adjust the employee's pay quickly then something is wrong with the system in general. We need people running this government that can stay on top of something this minor because if they can't handle this how will they handle something major.

Thanks for your time. Love your blog.

Thank YOU for the nice words -- but first of all, I suspect some city workers are still staggering over the fact that they're getting raises at all....

WRBL explained the other night the Columbus city pay raises are being staggered to guard against computer glitches. Would you be willing to vote for a new sales tax, if a good chunk of the money goes to IBM for an upgrade?

Besides, imagine if something actually goes wrong with the Columbus city computer system. City employees might have to go without a check for two weeks -- and who knows how many police officers would overwhelm food pantries?

I think I see the writer's point when it comes to health insurance for city employees' spouses. If the spouses have no coverage, the city realizes they're desperate. If the spouses are choosing city health insurance over a nice private plan, they must be REALLY desperate.

Another e-mailer updates the transition we spotted Tuesday at a big convenience store chain:

The Spectrum Website has been removed from its host - http://www.spectrumstores.com/ ....

Also, Each time I buy gas at Spectrum/Circle K with my debit/credit card it has been showing up as "CIRCLE K" on the bank statements for a month or two.

So if you have a Spectrum grocery bag lying around, it soon could be a collector's item. Put it inside your Service Merchandise bag, that's inside your Montgomery Ward bag.

Now let's wrap up the remaining news items of note from Wednesday:

+ The Ledger-Enquirer reported State Senator Ed Harbison filed a complaint with the Muscogee County Election Board, over the Urban League's "free ride to the polls" program [11 Jul]. Aw, c'mon - if the Urban League can offer rides for Reginald Pugh supporters, can't Davis Broadcasting organize something for Harbison?

+ Former Oliver Elementary School teacher Tanya Boring was found guilty of harassing a troublesome student, by stepping on his hand for several minutes. She was found NOT guilty of a stronger assault charge. So which teacher do you think will try that French soccer player's head butt first?

+ Michelin confirmed it will lay off hundreds of employees at its BF Goodrich tire plant in Opelika. The company explains U.S. tire sales are down - which seems strange, since gas consumption is slightly higher. The amount of shredded tread along Interstate 185 may jump dramatically.

(While the Opelika tire plant will lose hundreds of jobs, Michelin plans a major upgrade of a plant in Mexico. If that Michelin man starts wearing a sombrero, it may be time to worry.)

+ Alabama Power announced it will NOT close Acapulco Rock on Lake Martin to the public, despite a recent jumper's death. Instead, the company may go to Fox Sports South and offer to sponsor the Alabama International Cliff-Diving Championship.

+ The Atlanta Hawks signed free agent point guard Speedy Claxton. Not only will he get to start with Atlanta next season -- he can make extra money endorsing Claxton, Georgia fruitcakes.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 8827 (+ 231, 2.7%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 12:18 AM

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

for 12 JUL 06: SCHOOLS FAR OUT

Year-round school returned to session in Muscogee County Tuesday. If you wanted to read good news about our schools, there it is. Now are you ready for the rest?

There was mixed news concerning schools on both sides of the river Tuesday. It started in Russell County court, where three middle school teachers were convicted of not reporting a student's allegation of sexual abuse soon enough. They were SO SLOW that they made the World Cup referee's red card for that head butt look fast.

The trial of the three middle school teachers revealed a contradiction between Russell County rules and Alabama state rules. Russell County gives teachers 30 days to report a student's allegation Alabama's time limit is much shorter -- not allowing time for any revival tour to show up.

The charges against the three middle school teachers were misdemeanors, so they will NOT face jail time. But Russell County Judge Michael Bellamy sentenced them to fines and "community service." For some parents, the best service they could provide is a move to Dothan.

Judge Michael Bellamy also sentenced the teachers to "hard labor." Someone in my office Tuesday wondered what that could mean....

+ Will they have to beat erasers on the blacktop, instead of assigning it to students?

+ Might they swap jobs for a week with the cafeteria crew -- especially in the first weeks of class?

+ Will they get to use that money from Governor Bob Riley's office for building expansion, and work on the construction themselves?

In a separate court appearance, former Russell County Middle School Principal Larry Screws was acquitted of a similar charge of not reporting a sex abuse allegation. Screws already had been moved for this coming term to an elementary school -- so perhaps the judge decided that was punishment enough.

An attorney for Larry Screws argued he reported the allegation of misconduct about 90 minutes after receiving it. I never realized Middle School Principals had so many forms to fill out, in the course of a school day....

Lt. Heath Taylor of the Russell County Sheriff's Department seemed disappointed to see "Screws loose" (my words) on the judge's acquittal. Taylor told a TV reporter the alleged misconduct should have been reported to authorities immediately, not 90 minutes later. Hopefully the reporter reminded him you sometimes have to wait six hours between TV reports in Columbus.

While Larry Screws is off the hook, the three convicted middle school teachers plan to appeal and seek a jury trial. The guilty verdicts could cost them their Alabama teaching licenses - which is no big deal, considering Muscogee County needs to hire about 200 new teachers by early August.

Later in the day, it was Muscogee County's turn to learn some mixed news. The Georgia Department of Education released the list of which schools failed to make "adequate yearly progress." If your child's school made the failure, I can understand why you'd go AYP.

Five of the eight high schools in Muscogee County failed to make adequate yearly progress. The three which DID make A.Y.P. are Columbus High, Northside and Shaw. Who could have guessed some of the smartest students in our area are baseball players and golfers?

(People in Harris County can't gloat about this - because the high school there also failed to make A.Y.P. Maybe that's why Kia is confident about filling those auto factory jobs....)

While most Muscogee County schools achieved adequate yearly progress, 11 of them did not. One of them was Baker Middle School, which is moving away from year-round classes to the more traditional calendar. Maybe some students DO learn better after a few extra weeks in front of video games.

What struck me about the "failure list" is that several schools are located in so-called "nice areas" of Columbus. Take River Road Elementary. If I'm reading the map correctly, that's the neighborhood school for Green Island Hills. But then again, if you live in Green Island Hills, you probably can afford to send your children to Brookstone....

Double Churches Middle School also failed to make adequate yearly progress -- even though Double Churches Elementary won all sorts of prizes and awards in recent years. If this trend continues, they both may be demoted to "Single Churches."

One principal noted the report on "adequate yearly progress" is based not only on test scores, but student attendance. So simply showing up on test day and passing the exam isn't good enough?! It seems to work when you're getting a driver's license....

Now let's ring the bell to end this session, and recess with some other Tuesday topics:

+ St. Francis Hospital announced an agreement to accept Blue Cross insurance coverage, after a three-year dispute where it was disallowed. Somehow you knew these two sides would settle things -- because the blue cross in the middle of the St. Francis logo never changed colors.

+ The Marion County Commission approved plans for a new 50-home subdivision. Families relocating to Fort Benning are expected to live there - and they will, as long as the low-price gas stations move out there with them.

+ Members of the Columbus Catfish visited two local libraries to promote reading. After all, how else can a hitter know "the book" on a pitcher?

+ The Atlanta Falcons revealed tight end Alge Crumpler had shoulder surgery - in February. The Falcon managers can expect a call from the Bush administration today, asking how they kept that hidden from The New York Times for so long.

+ The Ledger-Enquirer printed a front-page quote from State Senator Ed Harbison, in which he accused the newspaper and opponent Reginald Pugh of "harassing" him. Why do I have this funny feeling my request for a blog-exclusive interview is going to be turned down....

+ Campaign finance reports filed in Atlanta showed Cathy Cox and Mark Taylor have spent more than $8 million on their gubernatorial campaigns in the last three months. Now you know why they haven't made economic growth a big issue - because they've personally been working on it.

+ Instant Message to the man who wrote the Albany Herald, claiming Governor Sonny Perdue has failed to bring automotive manufacturing jobs to Georgia: I thought the Kia site in West Point was on the Georgia side of the line. What state map are you reading?

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 8596 (+ 207, 2.5%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 11:56 PM

11 JUL 06: THE 3-6-10 MAFIA

Special Olympics Georgia brings its annual "Masters Bowling Tournament" to Columbus this weekend. But after several years at Peach Lanes, the event is moving to another city next year. If the Miss Georgia contestants had accepted their challenge to a showdown, the crowds would have been much bigger.

The big bowling center in Phenix City has given some people a jolt recently. Bama Lanes has turned Monday night into a "twilight night," which seems aimed at a younger crowd. When there's a sign at the front table warning against shooting off firecrackers, you know it's different....

Someone actually DID shoot off a firecracker inside Bama Lanes last week. Supervisor T. Jones admitted that to your blog Monday night, confirming reports being spread online. As if the sound of falling pins isn't loud enough for some people?!

A visitor to Bama Lanes on Monday night last week was repulsed by what she saw and heard. She spread e-mail claiming "twilight night" sets a bad example for teenagers -- not only with the firecracker going off, but loud rap music and dance contests. Oh, for the good old days when all these bowling centers had was karaoke.

The e-mailer declared Bama Lanes was so filled with loud music, dark lighting and teenagers that it wasn't a proper place for families. So what's going on here on Monday nights? Is there trouble with a capital T, which rhymes with B and stands for bowling?

T. Jones has a capital T as well, but he says what Bama Lanes is doing actually IS a "family night" with bowling. The Monday night specials began about six months ago - on a night which probably isn't that busy with bowling leagues. People who want collisions on Monday nights don't need bowling pins, when they have football and pro wrestling.

The e-mailer complained the Monday night special had a two-dollar cover charge, which she'd never seen a bowling center do before. She would have been more unhappy this week - because the price has jumped to three.

Yet that's not keeping people away from Bama Lanes. "The lowest number we've had is 320," T. Jones told me. Now that's impressive - considering the highest number I usually have at a bowling center is around 100.

The e-mailer also alleged Bama Lanes sold alcohol to high school students, without checking their identification. Yet I was left with the impression the ID was checked and customers were stamped when they paid their cover charge. Maybe the dark lighting makes those driver's licenses hard to read.

T. Jones denied any alcohol is served to minors. In fact, he notes the Russell County Sheriff's Department is at Bama Lanes to help keep order -- along with "the Y.D.C." As in the Columbus Youth Detention Centers?! Is the staff displaying bright orange bowling shirts?

T. Jones confirmed the e-mailer's claim that Phenix City Police showed up at Bama Lanes on Monday night last week. But he said HE called police for crowd control, after someone shot off the firecracker. In fact, I wondered a bit if this whole atmosphere isn't a set-up for a Metro Narcotics Task Force sting.

T. Jones says the Monday night crowd has been younger during the summer break from school -- but says before that, Bama Lanes attracted mostly families. The groups in the parking lot certainly looked like teenagers to me. But then again, none of them seemed to carry iPods or Blackberrys.

T. Jones told me some of the activities are different on Monday nights, including a dance and step contest. This shocked the e-mailer - who I assume never gets emotional about bowling two strikes in a row.

On top of that, T. Jones says visitors to Bama Lanes on Monday nights can win $100 prizes. When my Dad bowled in leagues two nights a week years ago, he was happy simply to escape paying in the beer frame.

I was unable to stay at Bama Lanes, to hear the alleged loud and dirty rap music that DJ's play late on Monday nights. T. Jones invited me to stay awhile to see what happens, but I explained I had to go home to blog this story on the night of July 10^th. Yes, bowling fans - I had to do a 7-10 split.

BLOG UPDATE: There's a new sign that Spectrum signs are on the way out. Circle K logos are now on the doors of at least one Spectrum store near downtown Columbus. So before long, use a charge card for your gas and it'll be K-owed.

Now some quick stops at the Monday headlines:

+ Which woman has filed a complaint with the Georgia Ethics Commission against State Senator Ed Harbison, based on his credit card records? Should Mr. Harbison be concerned about this woman stealing his identity?

+ Advance voting began for the Georgia Primary election. The Columbus Urban League announced it's offering free rides to the polls, so you.... hey, wait a minute! You mean the Urban League, as in State Senate candidate Reginald Pugh?! What sort of a script are the drivers required to read?

+ The Cathy Cox campaign released one more TV attack ad, claiming Mark Taylor has told "too many lies to be trusted as Governor." After Cox's denial about stating her name in the Investor Protection Trust messages, apparently she's now arguing the candidate with the fewest lies should win.

+ Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Steve Earles of Pine Mountain to the "Georgia Board of Massage Therapy." Wouldn't you love to attend one of these meetings?! Instead of pounding a gavel, the chairperson probably slaps other members on their bare backs.

+ Phenix City Mayor Jeff Hardin began a trade trip to Asia with Alabama Governor Bob Riley. If the Mayor can't find a company in China or South Korea to fulfill his movie theater promise, he might have to surrender.

+ Fort Benning posted signs warning hand-held cell phones no longer can be used while driving. Uh-oh - yet another tempting reason for soldiers to park their cars on Victory Drive....

+ The Columbus Catfish lost to Rome 7-3, in a game interrupted by a bench-clearing stare-down. At one point, a Muscogee County Sheriff's Deputy was on the field - and any Rome player who's heard of the Kenneth Walker case probably returned to the dugout in a hurry.

+ My Monday night dating instruction course "How to Get the Guy" did NOT appear at its usual time on ABC. The last two episodes are missing, pulled from the network web site - and the network showed "Supernanny" instead. But isn't this switch a bit of a jump? Shouldn't there be a celebrity wedding show first?

+ Instant Message to WYBU TV-16: Are you happy to finally have "Elimidate" off the air, so you can show 24-hour Christian programming? What are single guys like I supposed to do - when the female preachers you show such as Paula White are all married?

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Gas for $2.73 a gallon at Dolly Madison on Victory Drive (c'mon WRBL, drive around a little).... 2-liter sodas for 50 cents at Wal-Mart on Airport Thruway (higher in Phenix City).... and head-butting to make a comeback in pro wrestling, after what Zidane did at the World Cup....

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 8389 (+ 155, 1.6%)

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

-- posted by Richard at 12:07 AM

Sunday, July 09, 2006

for 10 JUL 06: PREACHER'S PET?

So have you made up your mind yet, in the Georgia Primary races? One e-mail to us over the weekend wondered if the persuasion was going too far:

Last Sunday, a very close friend of mine came home from church outraged! She told me how disappointed she was in pastor Carter of the Cannon Baptist church. After introducing Ed Harbison to his congregation, Pastor Carter told his congregation that it doesn't matter who else is on the ballot, because as far as he is concern there isn't anyone else. " You will vote for Ed Harbison". I couldn't believe my ears, so I called another of my friends to verify this story. Sadly, it was confirmed.

Let's keep the politics out the pulpits. Pastor Carter, wasn't you in the newspaper a while back for another inappropriate act?

I'm sorry to inform this writer that Pastor Carter may have committed yet another "inappropriate act" Sunday. He took the weekend off, and had a guest preacher....

This e-mail about the Columbus State Senate race demanded a personal investigation on my part. Is a church pastor endorsing candidates? Could the pastor or the candidate be victims of bogus rumors? And why isn't "Cannon Baptist Church" located near the Cannon Brew Pub?

A quick check of the phone book led to the conclusion (confirmed by the writer in a Sunday correction) he really meant CANAAN Baptist Church, across the street from Fort Middle School. So we drove there Sunday morning, sacrificing a fairly good Wimbledon men's tennis final - and realizing the service might last long enough to make us miss the World Cup soccer final as well.

The parking lot was full at Canaan Baptist Church. So if Pastor J. Harold Carter had endorsed Ed Harbison for State Senate the prior Sunday, it had NOT sparked a noticeable protest. In fact, the only fliers on car windshields as I walked in promoted another slate of candidates - dishes from the China First buffet.

(I should note I saw NO cannons on the grounds of Canaan Baptist Church - so as religious scholars would say, that makes it non-cannonical.)

The sanctuary was full, so I stood in the lobby of Canaan Baptist Church as the guest minister from Alabama began his message. I could have sat on the edge of the empty baptismal pool in the lobby - but some of the ushers were sitting there, and it felt a bit like the 1950's all over again.

Canaan Baptist Church apparently had no printed bulletin for the service, so I had to ask several people who the speaker was. Trouble was, a couple of the ushers didn't know. They're too busy helping people find seats to hear what anyone at the pulpit is saying.

A church hostess in red informed me the speaker was NOT Pastor Carter. It was Sam Cyrus, possibly from Tuskegee. I'll take her word for it - even though he borrowed from an old Three Stooges cartoon a couple of times, and called himself "Get Out of Town by Sundown Brown."

Sam Cyrus's Sunday sermon (say that three times fast) was about the "Highway to Holiness." But before that as I walked in, he mentioned something about how "crop rotation saved the South." Maybe this explained the change of preachers for the day....

Sam Cyrus wondered aloud how two groups of people can read the same Bible, yet "one group prospers" while "one group is oppressed." He seemed to conclude the answer lies in having dignity. Some people would have declared the answer is pure and simple money.

Was it only coincidence that a light went out above the pulpit when Sam Cyrus made a comment against African Methodist Episcopal churches? He said they only want 15-minute sermons -- but it seemed to me Cyrus didn't go much beyond 25.

Sam Cyrus never mentioned any names of politicians during his message - but he did bring up the Kenneth Walker shooting, saying people should demand justice. "If it happens to Walker today, tomorrow it could be you," Cyrus said. Hopefully someone told him more has happened to the Sheriff's son since the Walker shooting than to anyone else.

But the Highway to Holiness made a curious detour, when Sam Cyrus told worshipers they should be unashamed of their skin color. He suggested the Garden of Eden was located in Africa, and God put something in the skin of people living near the equator to protect them from the sun. How he explains people in the Philippines and Venezuela, I'm not sure....

"The DARKER! YOU!! ARE!!!" Sam Cyrus emphasized, jumping with a stomp on the platform as he said each word. It was almost enough to make an audience of white teenagers head for the pool with no suntan lotion.

The Canaan Baptist Church service ended with no mention of any political candidates, and no Pastor to question about the prior week. So I asked a few random worshipers if J. Harold Carter had ordered people to vote for Ed Harbison -- and everyone said he did NOT. But if these are the same people who couldn't name the guest preacher....

State Senator Ed Harbison shows up frequently at Canaan Baptist Church, I was told. But one worshiper said when it comes to ordering people in how to vote, Pastor J. Harold Carter "doesn't make comments like that." There are probably dozens of Baptist ministers who wish they could - but they'd risk losing tax-exempt status.

A couple more brochures were on windshields, as I returned to my car. One was paid for by the Mark Taylor for Governor campaign, "Taylor for One Georgia." It noted Taylor has endorsements from all sorts of African-American lawmakers and leaders - which almost makes you wonder why a man who wants "One Georgia" would bring up their ethnicity.

I'm sensitive to this issue of ministers endorsing candidates from the pulpit. The Pastor in the congregation I attend said during an October 2000 service, "Let's all hope George W. Bush wins the election." I stayed away the next week, because of that comment - which means fellow members would call me just another Protestant.

But based on what Canaan Baptist Church members told me Sunday, this may well be a case where people are spreading election rumors which are WRONG. That would NEVER happen in a Columbus campaign, of course - or as Mayor Bob Poydasheff and Judge Bobby Peters would tell you, at least not successfully.

We noted here two years ago the campaign of Pastor Joseph Roberson for the Muscogee County School Board. He was elected - but the candidate for Sheriff which he semi-supported on the day we attended was not. So perhaps there's too much concern about ministerial endorsements. After all, their preaching hasn't stopped all sinning yet.

(And as for "politics in the pulpit" - do Pastor Prather Powell's opponents for Columbus Council plan to attend his services with hidden tape recorders?)

THE BIG BLOG QUESTION is doing what I haven't seen anyone else do - take a poll on the State Senate race. Are you for incumbent Ed Harbison, challenger Reginald Pugh or "none of the above?" And before you ask: no, I'm too busy blogging to start a write-in campaign for me.

Our most recent B.B.Q. (no, we never planned it that way) closed Sunday night, with 62.5 percent of you in favor of fire trucks parking in fire lanes on non-emergency calls (5-3). So be thankful those lanes in front of the supermarket entrances aren't reserved for organized crime bosses.

One person left a comment during this question asking, "If my cause is good enough can I park in the fire lane too???" I've seen a few drivers who already do this - it's called a rainy day.

The commenter continued: "Their [fire] trucks will be noticed if it is in a parking space. It does not have to be up there blocking the store." But what if a real emergency breaks out, while firefighters are collecting money or buying groceries for chili night at the firehouse? The seconds spent moving around the truck could mean the difference between medium and blackened steaks.

Now other things which blocked our view momentarily on Sunday:

+ Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah revealed he helped gain the release of Columbus-born music producer Dallas Austin in the United Arab Emirates. We never would have imagined it - hip-hop down the Hatch.

+ Oxbow Meadows held its eighth annual live insect show, featuring a cricket-eating contest. These wireless phone companies will do anything for publicity....

+ East Dublin, Georgia hosted the 11^th annual Redneck Games. If you can hurl a hubcap a long way there, you might be a Power Frisbee candidate....

+ Instant Message to Captain D's on Macon Road: What is this new dish you're offering on your sign - a "PERMUIM Catfish?" Is that how they say it in Vietnam?

Today's main topic was the result of a blog reader's tip. (Whether is was the most accurate one is debatable.) To offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail and offer a reply.

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-- posted by Richard at 11:20 PM

9 JUL 06: HISTORIC HISTRIONICS

Perhaps I should be thankful to post this blog entry. I went jogging on Broadway through the Historic District around 9:30 Saturday night -- and no Columbus Police car stopped me on suspicion of ruining the neighborhood. If I had spat on the lawn, it might have been even worse....

There's concern in the Columbus Historic District right now that criminals might be moving in. A recent e-mail sent around the neighborhood cited several reasons for concern -- including littering. No wonder no Jehovah's Witnesses have knocked on my door during their summer convention. They might have dropped some copies of "The Watchtower," and risked arrest.

WRBL interviewed the President of the Historic District Preservation Society about the crime concern -- and much to my surprise, that leader is Richard Hagler. You know, the attorney for David Glisson. Hagler's home and office are in the same neighborhood as the NAACP and Urban League office -- yet those groups don't seem to be complaining about it.

It was Richard Hagler who made the now-infamous statement that the late Kenneth Walker should have been home with his family after 9:00 on a weeknight. So as President of the Historic District Preservation Society, why isn't Hagler demanding Riverfest weekend concerts stop running until 10:00 or later?

I'm glad to see Richard Hagler is concerned about crime in the Historic District -- but let's be honest here. I've lived in "The District" for nine years, and it's had scofflaws all along. For instance, the neighborhood has at least two halfway houses for people recovering from various things -- matching the number of restaurants open for lunch there.

Maybe Richard Hagler is at home with his family when the late crowd shows up at Little Joe's package store at Sixth Street and Third Avenue. The "preservation" which interests those people usually does NOT include their livers....

I should note I did NOT receive Richard Hagler's e-mail about crime in the Historic District. That's probably because I'm not a member of the Preservation Society - and I'm not sure the people in the historic homes really want to see apartment-dwellers like me preserved, anyway.

This blog has documented some of the curious people who come through the Historic District -- from people selling "fine china" after midnight, to homeless people living in crawl spaces. If Richard Hagler only now is concerned about crime in the neighborhood, I'm wondering which direction he drives when he leaves home to go shopping.

Please don't misunderstand: I'm very happy to live in the Historic District. I live within walking distance of the Government Center, the Trade Center, the RiverCenter, the Civic Center - and maybe someday the Phenix City Amphitheater will be renamed the Jeff Hardin Center.

(And for awhile there, I was even able to drive by Judge Bobby Peters's house on First Avenue every day, hoping to get a glimpse of the current woman he was dating.)

But those of us who have lived in the Historic District for awhile know it's not exactly paradise. I was reminded of that on Independence Day, when I looked out my window toward the Dillingham Street Bridge. There should NOT have been two fireworks shows going, but there were....

So if Richard Hagler considers me a suspect in the recent rise of littering and vandalism in the Historic District, I apologize. I'm NOT the one to blame - but I'm also not going to lock my door at dark and huddle in front of the computer all night. Besides, a Saturday night run might end with me tripping over the real criminal.

E-MAIL UPDATE: "Pro-Poydasheff" is the title of this message to us -- edited slightly for content:

I'm pretty sure few if no one here has met Bob Poydasheff. The budget passed to where police get paid more; everyone was screaming for that weren't they? Yes they were. Beyond his Greek and free living lifestyle, he loves this city more so than anyone I've ever met. he is a great man…he was a colonel of your army, a d**n fine mayor for 4 years (how bad is your life now than it was in 2002? Answer me that with a good response and then we'll talk.) He's trying his best to let everyone do they're part…I don't want another police chief telling my police chief what to do…that's stupid. Shotgun the campaign, also not smart, Wetherington will peak early as he has now. And they're using the same Jed Harris technique of telling people he's a democrat (in a non partisan election) I mean…Jims a great guy, I know his family and love them to death. He's a good ole boy from Columbus and most would rather see a Columbus boy than a Bronx man….but in the end, it's not what you want to see, it's who will do the better job. And that's why I'm going to vote for "paupoo" (Greek for grandfather)

So this race for mayor seems to come down to one basic question -- will voters pooh-pooh paupoo?

What's this business about Mayor Bob Poydasheff having a "free living lifestyle?" I've seen him at the opera, I've seen him at Ashley Nix's house - but I've never thought to look for him at some of those clubs on Victory Drive.

The writer raises an interesting scenario about Jim Wetherington becoming mayor. He would become Public Safety Director, just as Bob Poydasheff is now -- but would a former police chief nit-pick over everything the current chief does? Or would the current chief show up the former one, by showing how DNA research is conducted?

Someone will have to explain to me the phrase, "Shotgun the campaign." I haven't heard the National Rifle Association come up in the mayor's race at all....

Yes, Jim Wetherington is a Democrat in this nonpartisan mayor's race - but keep in mind not every Democrat is for him. Judge Bobby Peters wrote the Ledger-Enquirer endorsing Bob Poydasheff for a second term, one or two years ago. Which reminds me -- who IS Roxann Daniel backing in this race, anyway?

Now for other notes from a practically-comfortable July weekend:

+ Many Columbus gas stations lowered their prices eight cents a gallon, only a couple of days after going up 12 cents. Perhaps owners heard the midweek warning of NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams about three-dollar gas by the weekend - then realized few people in Columbus watched him and panicked.

+ Someone fired a shot through the window of the Fort Mitchell Post Office. C'mon, folks - don't blame the letter carrier for delivering the high electric bill....

+ WRBL reported a driver crashed a car through the front window of Fat Freddie's Bar-B-Q on Hamilton Road. Some people act like they have a constitutional right to a drive-through lane.

(Let's all be thankful the restaurant staff was in the back, when the car crashed through the front window. Someone named "Fat Freddie" probably couldn't have jumped away in time.)

+ The Columbus Catfish held a "Halloween Night" game at Golden Park - on July 7! I must have missed the "Back to School Night" in the middle of May....

SCHEDULED MONDAY: An e-mail sends us to a Baptist Church.... and it's about politics....

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-- posted by Richard at 1:41 AM

Friday, July 07, 2006

for 8 JUL 06: LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: You may find this item humorous, serious, or a little of both - but we offer these thoughts from time to time, as we keep a seventh-day Sabbath.)

The big number of the week seems to be 60. President Bush turned 60 on Thursday. Former President Carter marked his 60^th wedding anniversary Friday. And at the church congregation I attend on Saturdays, the "over and under" for the sermon length is 60 minutes.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter marked their 60^th anniversary with what aides called a "quiet day" in Plains. I think the only time Plains has anything other than a quiet day is during the Peanut Festival in September....

I didn't realize until Friday that when Jimmy Carter wed in 1946, he was 21 and wife Rosalynn was 18. Maybe it wasn't quite robbing the cradle - but his bride was barely old enough to be denied admission to some college departments.

The idea of a marriage lasting 60 years may seem strange to some people in 2006. After all, the U.S. divorce rate is somewhere between 40 and 45 percent. And imagine how much higher it would be if Larry King hadn't found a long-term wife....

Someone told me Friday the "baby boom" generation looks at marriage differently than the generation before it. That's why younger adults divorce more often. It started with throwaway ink pens and paper plates -- then the concept spread like a cancer from there.

I know from personal experience about the struggles of keeping a marriage going in the long term. My parents divorced after 27 years of marriage - and I've read evidence that they stayed together for the last five years solely because I was a teenager. So my father cared about me a little bit, even if relatives say he never cared enough to help me pay for college.

Yet my older brother has a marriage which seems to still be going strong, after more than 35 years - and two of the three daughters are happily hitched to this point. The third daughter is one year out of college, and isn't married yet. Yeow - compared to Rosalynn Carter, she's almost an old maid.

Regular blog readers know of my long search for romance - yet to borrow from an old song: "When I Fall in Love/It will be completely - or I'll never fall in love." I never quite expected the second half of that tune to become reality, but....

I believe true love and marriage are supposed to be long-term things. So I found it strange when some people wondered during the 1990's why Hillary Rodham Clinton didn't divorce the President, or why Marion Barry's wife stayed by him despite his crimes as Washington Mayor. When you almost want a marriage to collapse, it's.... well.... like women lusting after Brad Pitt the last few years.

To borrow from a marriage counselor on religious radio, romance and marriage are supposed to be "for better, for worse and for keeps." I believe God meant for it to be that way - so you see, the Georgia General Assembly's definition of marriage actually wimped out a bit.

So I congratulate Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter of Plains on having a 60-year marriage. I still dream of having a marriage that lasts so long. Of course, after 40 years my wife may have to feed me with intravenous bags - but that needle would still get me racing a little....

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-- posted by Richard at 8:30 PM

7 JUL 06: JIM-BOREE

The Jim Wetherington public relations drive continued Thursday evening, with the opening of his campaign headquarters on Wynnton Road. By comparison, Mayor Bob Poydasheff might as well be running his campaign from a fallout shelter.

No, your blog did NOT attend the grand opening of Jim Wetherington's campaign headquarters. There's one big reason for that - I wasn't invited, and I usually don't go to places where I'm not invited. Of course, this hasn't stopped me from e-mailing Power Frisbee news releases to total strangers....

Jim Wetherington promised to offer more details on his campaign platform when he opened his headquarters. The evening news mentioned where he stands on several issues. But one very big, important topic somehow was overlooked - is Wetherington for or against flag burning?

We already knew Jim Wetherington is concerned about public safety. After all, he's a former police chief - so he has blue genes....

Jim Wetherington promised when he becomes mayor, all the open police department positions will be filled. He didn't say how he'll do this - but after watching a "CBS Evening News" report on the F.B.I. losing agents to a mandatory retirement age of 55, I may have found his answer.

So what else is on Jim Wetherington's agenda? Here are some of the things which came up:

+ Growth and development. Uh-oh - he seems to be for it! So those of you who oppose condos on Rigdon Road might want to flee farther south, toward Cusseta Road.

+ Better communication between the mayor, Columbus Council and the Muscogee County School Board. For starters, the "IsOurCitySafe" guy could add all of them to his mailing list.

+ Improving pay for city workers overall. We don't want those Columbus Water Works employees running off, to bottle Callaway Blue.

So what is Mayor Bob Poydasheff doing about all these media "Jim-nastics?" Not much so far. Thursday night's late news found him relaxing at home - as if he's waiting for Governor Sonny Perdue to tape his first reelection commercial.

Mayor Bob Poydasheff says his reelection headquarters will be open by August, at The Villages on 13^th Street. So he'll be down the hill from Jim Wetherington in geography, as well as the polls....

(Isn't it interesting that neither candidate put a campaign headquarters on the north side of Columbus? Donations to city races must be down this year, because they can't afford to rent the space.)

Mayor Bob Poydasheff says the open police positions will be filled under the latest city budget, because Police Chief R. Boren (to dodge THAT issue) now has a way to "market" those jobs. Marketing?! Is Columbus finally going to get its own season of "COPS?"

Mayor Bob Poydasheff also says he'll emphasize cooperation with "the Governor and the Chamber of Commerce." So the School Board can mind its own business, thank you - and send students to Columbus Technical College, to work on all those new homes for soldiers.

I didn't realize until qualifying week for city offices that incumbent Mayor Bob Poydasheff is 76 years old. The way he's approached reelection so far, he's acting his age - not getting out there and campaigning until he's good and ready.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Another big Columbus race comes first on the election calendar - the contest for State Senate:

Reginald Pugh was in my neighborhood knocking on doors and meeting the people in the community. Why hasn't Harbinson been knocking on doors? Only the one who knows my concerns can speak for me.

Maybe Ed Harbison is being courteous, and letting Reginald Pugh go first. Then he'll knock on doors last, and presume your memory is very short-term.

(But then again, if Ed Harbison DID knock on doors now, the people writing us would know how to properly spell his name....)

At 11 days to go before the Georgia Primary, no candidate has knocked on MY door yet. They haven't called me to offer Blog Exclusive interviews or advertising. We may be in 2006, but sometimes it still feels like 1996 around here.

Now other items which jumped out to grab our attention on Thursday:

+ Gas prices jumped about 12 cents a gallon in parts of Columbus, to $2.83 at South Commons. Some experts blame this in part on this week's missile tests by North Korea, while.... hey, there's an idea! The U.S. military should conduct some missile tests over Saudi Arabia and Venezuela....

+ People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals staged a stunt on a downtown street corner, to protest the upcoming Ringling Brothers Circus. WRBL showed a man sitting in a metal cage at 13^th and Veterans Parkway. So PETA may be soft on animals, but at least it's tough on crime.

(Of all the places to hold an animal rights stunt, PETA chose 13^th and Veterans Parkway? Is this group trying to show up the beggars who sit in this area already?)

+ The Georgia Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the constitutional amendment defining marriage is legal. This ruling didn't take long at all - so maybe the justices fear a special session of the state legislature as much as everyone else.

+ Three suspects appeared in an Atlanta courtroom, on charges of attempting to sell Coca-Cola trade secrets to Pepsi. What a shame - the secrets weren't revealed. So now we may never know the difference between Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Zero.

(Prosecutors say Pepsi executives actually tipped off Coca-Cola to the alleged effort to sell trade secrets. Now that we know there's a racket going on between these companies, countless Columbus residents can drink RC Cola with new satisfaction.)

+ Instant Message to Hibbert Sports at Peachtree Mall: Wow - you're selling dumbbells for 99 cents a pound? Could you please make them out of ground beef, so I can save money compared with the supermarket?

POEM OF THE DAY: Remembering a controversial executive, who died suddenly this week....

Here lies Ken Lay.

Did Ken Lay lie?

Did he drive Enron's price too high?

What Ken Lay knew

And Ken Lay said

Is left to court,

For now he's dead.

You've just read "free verse," because you didn't pay for it. To make a PayPal donation, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail message and offer a reply.

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-- posted by Richard at 12:04 AM

Thursday, July 06, 2006

6 JUL 06: STEAK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU

It's a bit hard to believe the place has any visitors at all. It's a restaurant pinned against Interstate 185, and hidden behind a motel next to Cross Country Plaza. Who knows how many people have taken one wrong turn, given up and settled for Firehouse Subs?

Yet Longhorn Steakhouse has resisted the trend to move to the north side of Columbus - and it still can draw a big crowd in the middle of town on a weekend evening. I found that out a few Saturday nights ago, when I drove there for dinner. This sort of "Longhorn drive" seemed all right to me - although the Texas Longhorns driving on Kansas in football probably wouldn't be.

I arrived at Longhorn Steakhouse a bit after 8:30 on a Saturday night - and found not only a practically-full parking lot, but a couple of families waiting on the restaurant's long front porch. We would have had a lovely view of I-185 traffic, but some Texas-sized vegetation was in the way.

Even at 8:30 p.m. on a Saturday, there was a 30-minute wait for a table at Longhorn Steakhouse. I'm not sure if it speaks to the high quality of the restaurant - or the fact that there aren't many other steakhouses south of Manchester Expressway.

Thankfully I brought a magazine to read while I waited for a table - but a big dog in the front parking lot distracted me. First it was in the bed of a parked pickup truck. A few minutes later, I looked up and saw it wandering around near the front porch. I assume this dog's owner did NOT use the currently popular phrase, "to-go box...."

When it grew too dark to read the magazine, I walked inside Longhorn Steakhouse with my strobe-light pager to continue the wait. It was a bit surprising to see NO peanuts on the floor anywhere. People in Midtown Columbus are much neater than some people realize....

Since it's a steak house, I ordered steak - an eight-ounce "Renegade," which the menu promised would be served with "prairie dust." I couldn't really tell the difference between prairie dust and the ordinary Southern kind in my kitchen.

My side dish with the Renegade steak was Longhorn's "brandied cinnamon apples." The taste didn't seem that unusual to me -- but then, I don't drink brandy. I'm not even watching Brandy on "America's Got Talent."

(The brandy makes Longhorn seem a little like an upscale steak house. At some Columbus barbecue restaurants, the only fancy extra for cinnamon apples might be a dab of bottled water.)

The Renegade was a nice, tasty steak - but the eight-ounce size seemed small to me. Hardee's seems to spread out its half-pound burger a bit wider, somehow....

Since I had a pie waiting at home, I skipped the dessert menu at Longhorn Steakhouse. So I can't tell you about the items with "decadence" in their names -- and the top-dollar decadent prices to match.

With a coupon I'd come across, I had a steak dinner with salad and a soda at Longhorn Steakhouse for less than 13 dollars. And yes, that included a standard tip. Now that's a meal which reminds me of Texas - a small town in Texas, about 20 years ago.

And dinner moved right along, once I was seated at Longhorn Steakhouse. I was finished and out the door in about 50 minutes. But one thing left me disappointed about this midtown survivor. When I went to Longhorn Steakhouse, I didn't see any relatives eating dinner with Alice Cooper or Lou Ferrigno.

BLOG UPDATE: Speaking of food, we've finally prepared the "Famous Pumpkin Pie" we mentioned here a few weeks ago [11 Jun]. The recipe is designed to make you feel like a real chef - except I blew it, and used one mixing bowl instead of two.

This was a "progressive dessert" like none other, as the spices were so expensive that we bought them on TWO grocery trips to stay within budget. Thankfully the little containers of ground ginger and ground cloves were well-sealed, so nothing spilled when we measured them for the pumpkin pie. If they had, I suppose I could have experimented in making a new cologne.

The Famous Pumpkin Pie recipe on the famous-name company's can of pumpkin revealed something missing in my kitchen. It required 3/4 cup of sugar - and I haven't had any plain white sugar in the house for many years. The churches I've attended actually agree with the Nation of Islam on this. If it's white, avoid it - at least when it comes to cooking.

I have well-wrapped boxes of light brown and dark brown sugar in the pantry, as alternatives. Going light for the pumpkin pie seemed to be the right choice -- and the pie wound up with a deep orange tint, without my even burning it.

The recipe called for a nine-inch pie shell to hold the pumpkin mixture. Trouble is, I didn't guess right at the supermarket -- and apparently wound up with an eight-inch graham cracker shell, which was filled with a good bit of mixture to spare. By "good bit," I mean it was more than this single guy can lick from the bowl in one sitting.

Thankfully I bought a glass pie plate at a yard sale several months ago for one dollar. It easily held the rest of the pumpkin mixture, and without a shell came out of the oven a bit like pudding. It was like the test run for the main event - and since I didn't keel over, I think I passed.

The Famous Pumpkin Pie wound up with a slightly blackened pie shell, but tasted right and overall turned out well. If I can make pumpkin pie in June when no one is expecting it, maybe I'll be able to sneak it into the church Thanksgiving dinner in November - and maybe people actually will try some.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Now that we've had dinner and dessert, let's get down to more substantial things - and what one blog reader calls some "random thoughts:"

I was quite surprised to see the Cols Ledger-Enquirer publish a Letter to the Editor signed "Brother Love" [30 Jun]. I thought one of their rules was you have to sign your name. Or is that his legal name?

You stated that Paul Olson "lost" the complaint he brought before the state Ethics Commission [30 Jun]. I think whoever paid those high-priced Atlanta attorneys who represented the city officials were the real losers. Would that happen to be.... the taxpayers? And how many thousand dollars was that?

I read that Paul Olson did not hire an attorney. I guess the city officials either didn't feel comfortable representing themselves or saw no need for that if they could have others pick up the tab for their attorneys.

And finally - ref: David Glisson. I understand his wife has a high paid position with the city of Columbus so maybe he doesn't need to work. The newspaper indicated that he was now disabled so maybe he's drawing a disability check.

I'm assuming there really is a person with the name Brother Love. The Columbus phone book lists two lines for a "B Love" - and don't you wonder about the comments "Poppy Love" has received over the years.

Keep in mind the late-June letter from Brother Love also was "endorsed" by other familiar names - such as Bill Madison and Edward DuBose of the NAACP. Maybe they're recruiting new leaders from the hip-hop circuit....

Were those really Atlanta attorneys at the ethics commission hearing last week, with Mayor Bob Poydasheff and former City Manager Carmen Cavezza? Did the Columbus attorneys have to stay behind, because the shuttle bus was full?

But you know, maybe Paul Olson could have used an attorney at that ethics commission hearing last week. Maybe the complaints would have moved forward. And certainly the attorney would have found a way to prevent Olson from claiming victory, after all his arguments were dismissed.

It's true that as of two years ago, David Glisson's wife was working for the city of Columbus. I don't know if it's a "high-paid position" or not. Haven't the recent budget hearings taught us that no one in city government is overpaid - at least in their own eyes?

We have one more e-mail, which drives us back toward Longhorn Steakhouse. It's titled "Library Condos":

Who is going to want to live at the corner of Macon Rd and Rigdon Rd?..When that land was purchased with my tax dollars I thought some of that was to be left as a park. Guess I was wrong.....Now the city wants to sell it to developers to pay the city manager's new raise..Hey,maybe he will get his teeth fixed..

Ouch -- what IS it with some of our readers? They can't stare at Candice Cook's hair anymore, so now they're fixated on Isaiah Hugley's teeth.

There's plenty of area around the Columbus Public Library for development - so why can't there be room for both condominiums AND a park? If you build the condos ten stories high like they're doing along Panama City Beach, it's possible....

And why wouldn't someone want to live at Macon and Rigdon Roads? You'd be within walking distance of a library, Denny's, a Publix store, a K mart - and the sign outside Action Buildings across the street claims business is great right now.

Now some final thoughts from another hot July day in Columbus:

+ The heat reached 98 degrees F. again. It was SO HOT that the group "98 Degrees" refuses to perform here until it cools off.

+ Columbus Water Works began a one-month project to install 24-inch sewer pipes around Baker Middle School. That'll teach those students! Now they'll have to use giant rolls of toilet paper to stop things up....

+ Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Synovus Chairman Richard Anthony to the Georgia Board of Economic Development. Maybe he'll find a way to persuade the Army to relocate soldiers at places other than Fort Benning.

+ The Phenix City Council held its first budget work session of the year. WRBL reported to balance the city budget, the pay for school crossing guards may have to be cut. We're now waiting for the first e-mail from "AreOurCitiesSafe."

+ Atlanta firefighters staged a march on City Hall, because the mayor vetoed a budget giving them a pay raise. Quick, somebody check the tape - did Columbus Fire Chief Jeff Myer show up in time, with open contracts?

+ Instant Message to Columbus Police detectives: One bottle rocket is at Fifth Street and First Avenue. Another is on the Chattahoochee Promenade, around Sixth Street. Run the DNA samples on them, and you can arrest a couple of those Thunder on the Hooch wanna-bes.

COMING SOON: A poem about a surprising death (the time's not right for it now)....

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-- posted by Richard at 12:56 AM

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

for 5 JUL 06: ASPIRE UNINSPIRED

Tuesday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on a messy situation involving Columbus Bank and Trust. CB&T offered credit cards with hefty activation fees, but never told customers in advance about the fees. Is this what Phil Carter was selling, before Bill Heard Chevrolet hired him?

The problem involved "Aspire" credit cards, which CompuCredit Corporation issued through CB&T. The cards were offered to people who already had troubled credit histories. This may explain why my computer thesaurus shows a synonym for "aspire" is covet....

CB&T and CompuCredit apparently didn't tell applicants that Aspire cards would cost as much as $179 in "activation fees." For many people, credit cards are available with no such fee. Only the card companies stick you in the "back side," if you miss a payment.

The newspaper article says some Aspire customers also accused CB&T and CompuCredit of using "improper tactics to collect debts." For instance, if the collection agents are wearing trench coats in the 99-degree heat....

Another complaint was that CB&T and CompuCredit signed up Aspire customers for outside programs they didn't want, then charged the customers to renew their memberships in those programs. At least the telemarketers from the Ledger-Enquirer stay on the phone long enough to let you say no.

The complaints involving Aspire cards have been settled, with CompuCredit of Atlanta paying $11 million - NOT through Georgia's Attorney General, but New York's. It begs the question of why Thurbert Baker didn't take the lead in this case. Was he too busy counting on CB&T and Synovus Financial for something else -- like a reelection donation?

CB&T apparently will NOT pay anything, in this settlement with New York's Attorney General. Bank President Steve Melton told the Atlanta newspaper it never meant to harm any customers. Besides, how many more hand-crafted board room tables does this bank need to buy?

CB&T President Steve Melton says because of the Aspire card case, the bank has added new phone equipment so customer service agents can be reached more easily. Does that bank ever need this! I took a call from a CB&T staffer last week - in response to a voice mail message I left in late May. [True!]

But Steve Melton says CB&T will continue a nine-year working relationship with CompuCredit, which includes issuing credit cards for the company. This only proves what many people already knew -- card games can be a tough addiction to break.

BLOG UPDATE: "Thunder on the Hooch" was alcohol-free - and at least while I was there Tuesday, it was politics-free. But I was there during the mid-afternoon. Perhaps candidates waited until later to show up - so they could "press the flesh," without sticking to it in the humidity.

Mayoral candidate Jim Wetherington plans to open his campaign headquarters Thursday night - but your blog has learned in the process, he's encouraging the violation of a new Columbus city rule. No, Bob Poydasheff has NOT banned all opponents from holding rallies....

Several weeks ago, Columbus Police began a crackdown on parking vehicles on sidewalks. Finally officers are starting to cleaning up a big issue of mine - because if walkers use the street instead of the sidewalk, it only encourages drivers to do exactly the opposite.

The Columbus Police sent a notice to the news media, warning they also would be subject to ticketing if they parked vehicles on city sidewalks. If they "get the story," they should get it legally - though it probably isn't grounds for defense attorneys to appeal, as it is with law officers.

But I'm told Jim Wetherington's invitations to his campaign headquarters opening says the news media can park on the sidewalk, along Wynnton Road. So this former police chief is inviting reporters to break city regulations?! Maybe this is a sneaky way of adding money to the police department budget....

Back to Thunder on the Hooch for a moment: the public address announcer said during the afternoon the fireworks would start at 9:30 p.m. - but they started exploding at 9:17 p.m. Was the crowd along the Chattahoochee River growing restless? Or did someone pull out one of those legal Georgia sparklers, and throw the professionals off?

E-MAIL UPDATE: Now back to the race for mayor - well, at least we think it's a message about that:

Nah...Nah...Nah...Nah, Nah...Nah...Nah...Nah, Heeaaayyy.....Goodbye Bob!

The writer asked us to guess which song had its lyrics changed for this. I assume this writer only prepares the $100 questions on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

Now let's change blog categories from "Name That Tune" to "Odds and Ends":

+ Columbus had a record high temperature for Independence Day, reaching 99 degrees F. As brilliant as we like to think the founding fathers were, couldn't they have founded our country in mid-April or early October?

+ Westville held its annual 1850-style Independence Day celebration, by setting off explosives under anvils. I'm sorry -- but if those anvils aren't landing on the heads of coyotes, it simply doesn't look right to me.

+ WRBL reported Columbus fire station #6 on Brown Avenue is one of the 50 busiest stations in the country. Its crew went on more than 8,000 calls last year. And then scoffers say nothing's happening in midtown Columbus....

+ The Ledger-Enquirer reported Columbus songwriter Willie Denson died over the weekend. He helped write the classic soul tune, "Mama Said/There'd be days like this...." Is anyone going to dare sing that at Denson's funeral?

+ Atlanta baseball manager Bobby Cox was grand marshal of that city's "Salute 2 America Parade." Some people were surprised that Cox did NOT get ejected, for arguing with a police officer about the route.

+ Instant Message to North Korea (assuming you have IM technology): This blog declared war on you more than three years ago. Now you've fired missiles in response - and none of them even reached Japan?! I'm feeling more victorious than ever....

COMING THURSDAY: Second thoughts about that ethics complaint against the mayor....

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-- posted by Richard at 11:40 PM

4 JUL 06: FREEDOM FROM PUPPETS

On this U.S. holiday, we have some fairly big news to report - a new "acting Commander in Chief" is on duty. In Columbus. And no, this title has not been seized by Jim Wetherington.

"I am now acting Commander in Chief of this 'Operation Independence Day,'" says the flier I received from retired Sgt. Raymond Johnson. We introduced you to him last month [12 Jun] - the Purple Heart soldier turned Pastor, who battles post-traumatic stress disorder. I'm not sure why he'd take on a new title like this. Unless, of course, no one else would claim it....

"The time to attack is right now!" Raymond Johnson's flier declares. With Operation Independence Day, he means - a mission to ensure all veterans receive full medical attention and respectful treatment. He urges people to write state lawmakers, governors and U.S. Senators. Write the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the letter might be stolen from an employee's home.

"It's time to stop the puppets!" says the bottom of Raymond Johnson's flier. He says some V.A. employees "spend more time in red tape than in doing the right thing by you and me." But let's be fair here -- maybe these employees are simply shy, and fell more comfortable filling out forms all day.

(Hmmmm - stop the puppets?! Fort Benning's top officers might join this campaign, if it keeps the S.O.A. Watch protesters away....)

The flier from Raymond Johnson talks of his plan to go to Washington, and speak "directly to the President of the United States." If he could simply raise enough money to make a substantial donation to the Republican Party, this might actually happen.

But before he goes to Washington, Raymond Johnson has to stay out of trouble at home - and that leads me to another document Johnson left me the other day. It was a "formal apology" letter, for blowing his top while visiting his psychiatrist at Martin Army Hospital. Is it really good for a church pastor to have a fuse that's shorter than his sermons?

Raymond Johnson reportedly took two letters to the psychiatrist's office 16 June. One of them was signed by Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson. But he admittedly did NOT have an appointment to see the psychiatrist - so apparently lawmakers have to show up at Fort Benning in person to have any clout.

Raymond Johnson writes the Martin Army Hospital psychiatrist kept asking if he intended to harm anyone. Johnson denied it -- but then things "escalated," and he claims before long, "there were over 30 people demanding me to stay in the hospital...." Don't you wish all walk-in patients received this sort of personal attention?

"Thirty people restrained me," Raymond Johnson writes, "and injected me with substances...." In Europe, I believe some people have called this the Tour de France....

Raymond Johnson somehow thought the Friday night fight at Martin Army Hospital was going to kill him. He says he was left so injured, he had to go to St. Francis Hospital the following Sunday for treatment. Since Johnson has so many injuries from his military years, it's amazing he can point out any new ones.

Raymond Johnson's letter formally apologizes for his 16 June behavior - but he also wants Fort Benning and the F.B.I. to investigate how he was treated that night. After all, should it take 30 people to restrain this retired and already-aching soldier? How badly does the Martin Army Hospital staff need to visit a health club?

With a salute to current military personnel and all our veterans, let's check other things we spotted on the Third of July:

+ The high temperature in Columbus hit 98 degrees F. for the third day in a row. "Magic 98," this is not....

+ WRBL visited the Phenix City shopping center where Don's Fine Foods used to be - and discovered it's practically deserted. City Council member John Storey claimed crime is "a small reason" for this. That sign reminding people of the two shootings at Don's Fine Foods must be the big reason.

+ The jury foreman in the corruption trial of Don Siegelman and Richard Scrushy told the Montgomery Advertiser jurors held hands and prayed every day, during deliberations. Scrushy was convicted on every count - so maybe he found a group that's more "born again" than he is.

(Would Don Siegelman's attorney use the jury room prayers as grounds for an appeal? The 1999 lottery vote showed Siegelman doesn't care much for conservative Christians. Will he dare to claim God exerted undue influence?)

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: FREE children's games and fireworks at "Thunder on the Hooch" along the Chattahoochee.... FREE music and games for the holiday at Duck Samford Park in Auburn (fireworks iffy).... FREE prison labor from - no wait, that's a Cathy Cox attack ad....

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-- posted by Richard at 12:00 AM

Sunday, July 02, 2006

for 3 JUL 06: PUT OUT OR GET OUT

"Quint 3" was on display in downtown Phenix City Sunday afternoon. Before you get the wrong idea - Quint 3 is NOT the middle child of five, promoting her debut pop album.

"Quint 3" was on the side of a Phenix City Fire/Rescue truck, which filled the fire lane outside a downtown grocery store. I'd mention the name of this store - but then again, there's really only one grocery store in downtown Phenix City now, isn't there?

Four members of the Quint 3 company were standing at the grocery store exit, when I walked inside to buy a couple of items. One seemed to ask another if he wanted a boy or a girl - and no, they were NOT discussing which child to rescue.

The Quint 3 company was at the Phenix City grocery store taking donations, to fight muscular dystrophy. But isn't it two months before the Labor Day weekend telethon? Did we sleep through all of July and August? The way Atlanta's playing baseball, it might be possible....

But more to the point: is it appropriate for fire trucks to be in fire lanes, for assignments which are NOT emergencies? Is it an abuse of the fire lane privilege? Shouldn't they be required to park with the rest of us - even if a big truck takes about four parking spaces in the process?

Someone complained to me a few weeks ago about this fire lane issue. He told me big Columbus fire trucks park at supermarket doors near Columbus Park Crossing merely for grocery shopping. The man considered it an abuse of privilege -- but just imagine if someone brought in Cheetos which were too "flaming hot."

Are Columbus firefighters buying so many groceries at one time that they have to drive big fire trucks to the supermarket and park in fire lanes? Are there smaller vehicles available for errands like that? You know, maybe the size of ambulances....

Admittedly, I don't know the background of this complaint. Perhaps the man wanted to park near the supermarket door himself, in violation of the fire lane rule. We had a name for this years ago in Atlanta: "Deion Sanders parking rules" - because police cited him for that late one night.

People with disabilities already should have spaces set aside for them, near the front doors of supermarkets. In fact, a few stores also have reserved spots for mothers of babies. So when are shopping carts going to conform with state laws, and offer rear-facing or booster seats?

THE BIG BLOG QUESTION parks this debate right in front of you. Should big fire trucks stop blocking fire lanes, when they're being used for non-emergencies? Or do we need them there, to remind people of how underpaid the firefighters are?

BLOG UPDATE: Perhaps we should have seen this coming - an "attack ad" in the Georgia Governor's race challenging Cathy Cox's messages on investment fraud. Using the logic of the commercials in this race, this could mean Mark Taylor is in favor of scam artists ripping off older women.

In a new ad which we saw for the first time Sunday night, candidate Mark Taylor accuses opponent Cathy Cox of spending four million dollars with those announcements last year about the "Investor Protection Trust." The ad claims Cox used trust fund announcements "on her campaign." As if Taylor's campaign didn't benefit from him appearing on "Lawmakers," presiding over the Georgia Senate.

Mark Taylor snaps the trap by including an interview with Cathy Cox, in which she denies ever saying her name in the Investor Protection Trust ads. Then two clips from the ads are shown - and she does! Cox certainly named herself in the radio messages, perhaps to explain why she doesn't sound as professional and polished as Robbie Watson.

The Mark Taylor ad claims the Securities and Exchange Commission looked into the Investor Protection Trust messages, and concluded they crossed a legal line. Yet the messages still were playing on Columbus radio stations early this year - but then again, I think they were on WKZJ-FM during "Love, Lust and Lies."

Regular blog readers will recall we asked here two years ago [20 Oct 04] if the Investors Protection Trust ads were a "test drive" for a Cathy Cox campaign for Governor. Now Mark Taylor is saying yes, they were - and Taylor is smart enough NOT to quote our blog as a source.

Yet when Cathy Cox was asked about the investment fraud messages last year, she indicated they were due to some kind of legal settlement. If she runs a commercial saying it was a settlement with a large trucking company....

By the way -- uhhhh, well -- you know how Cathy Cox says she's "not the Big Guy?" I think I found a woman Sunday who could match Mark Taylor for "Big Guy" status. You can see her on TV today -- as Pat Hurst is in a playoff for the U.S. Women's Open golf title.

Now let's sort out other items from a steamy Sunday:

+ The high temperature in Columbus was 98 degrees F. for the second day in a row. With the main public library closed for the holiday weekend, the crowd of people standing in the aisles at Books-A-Million probably set a record high.

(The atomic clock in my apartment showed the temperature at 96.8 degrees, when I turned on the air conditioner in the late afternoon. Maybe it was a "dry heat," but I still was sticking to one of my lounge chairs.)

+ Georgia state officials announced the state gasoline tax will be reset 2.6 cents higher. How many local stations do you think will round this up to ten?

+ Instant Message to the Street Committee at "The Courier": OK, I'll give you credit - you're probably right with your statement that some people are unhappy with "a Black man as City Manager and making $100,000." This is the deep South, after all. Some people probably would be upset if Isaiah Hugley made only $100.

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

-- posted by Richard at 11:30 PM

2 JUL 06: WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE?

The field now appears set for the Columbus city election in November -- and it has only two candidates for Mayor. This shows how our city is different from Atlanta. In Atlanta, at least one college student would run as a political science project.

Regular blog readers know we've received plenty of e-mails in the last couple of years critical of Columbus Council, and calling for candidates who support public safety. Yet when Friday's qualifying deadline passed, two incumbent Councilors stood unopposed. These e-mailers may have about as much clout as the callers on WRCG's "TalkLine."

Wayne Anthony turned down suggestions that he run for mayor - and now he's unopposed for another term on Columbus Council. Are there any banks which offer four-year certificates of deposits, for his campaign donations?

What makes this lack of opposition interesting is that Wayne Anthony has an "at-large" Columbus Council seat. Anyone in the city could have run against him - but not even "IsOurCitySafe" writer Brent Rollins filed for the job. Perhaps he's too busy finding new internal police records to send us.

The other Columbus Councilor who will be unopposed in November is Mimi Woodson. Make enough shopping trips to Brito's and Millie's Markets, and you keep potential challengers at bay....

It appeared Councilor Julius Hunter also would be unopposed for another term, but he received a challenger Friday from William Wright. I suppose the challenger has a chance to win District 3 - if he runs attack ads calling the race a choice between Wright and Wrong.

Two other Council races shape up to be quite competitive. In fact, Nathan Suber in District 1 has several challengers for the first time in a long while. I can't wait to see how many of them received donations from Doug Kellett, to enter the race.

(Your office pool can start now, about which candidate in District 1 will be first to bring up the arrest of Nathan Suber's daughter....)

It's probably not surprising that several people are running in District 5, the seat of the retiring Jack Rodgers. One last-minute entry was church pastor Prather Powell. He could turn that race negative, simply by saying his opponents are sinners.

The same "Street Committee" at The Courier which we took to task Saturday claims school board Fife Whiteside resisted suggestions to run for Columbus Council. Assuming the committee is right this time, this is quite a missed opportunity. All Whiteside had to do was change his old signs to say "Fife for District Five."

The Mary Sue Polleys era officially will end on the Muscogee County School Board. She did NOT pull a repeat of four years ago, by changing her mind at the last minute and running again. Apparently she'll be too busy tracking down her husband, who's off climbing hiking trials. [True!]

Cathy Williams of "NeighborWorks Columbus" will be challenged for the at-large School Board seat by Rickey Davis. The Ledger-Enquirer endorsed the then-Cathy Vaughan over Mary Sue Polleys four years ago - so she may be rooting for the newspaper to endorse Davis now

Now for some other items from a long holiday weekend - and we hope our Canadian readers (we know of at least one) had a nice Canada Day:

+ The Chattahoochee County Sheriff went to court, demanding the county commission provide him more money. He says commissioners took necessary funds from his office to start a new Cusseta-Chattahoochee County police department. That'll teach his staff not to have ticket quotas....

+ A new law took effect in Georgia, setting a minimum age for marriage of 16. The pool of possible guests for The Maury Povich Show just dropped about five percent.

+ Officials in Alabama, Florida and Georgia announced an interim agreement to share water from regional lakes and rivers. There's no word yet about which two days a week are set aside for Georgia residents to open their taps.

+ Former Auburn running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams appeared in Columbus, signing autographs at a Nextel store. Huh?! Doesn't Bill Heard Cadillac want anything to do with him? Williams is probably much more respected than Phil Carter with those loud jackets.

+ Auburn High School hosted a celebrity basketball game with several pro football players. WRBL showed Terrell Owens making a slam-dunk -- but then for some odd reason, he didn't pull out a Sharpie pen and sign the ball.

+ Former Georgia Tech men's basketball coach Bobby Cremins told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he's becoming the head coach at College of Charleston. So will Tech change the name of "Cremins Court?" Will Paul Hewitt be fired, so it can be named after him?

+ Instant Message to Skipper's Seafood on Buena Vista Road: Are you kidding - you're selling frog leg baskets?! Did someone there lose a bet, when France beat Brazil in the World Cup?

COMING THIS WEEK: We finally make that "Famous Pumpkin Pie"....

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