29 JAN 09: Combo for Harp

So GPB Television's "Lawmakers" did an online poll on tobacco taxes -- and only 11 people voted in it. Isn't this a program shown throughout the state? Does this blog have more readers than GPB does viewers?

But it was thanks to "Lawmakers" that we heard State Senator Seth Harp introduce a controversial proposal Wednesday. Harp wants to merge four state colleges into two - only two of the four are HBCU's. No, that does NOT refer to universities with high book counts....

Seth Harp says two "historically black colleges and universities" should be combined with more diverse state colleges, to save money. One pairing would merge Armstrong Atlantic State with Savannah State -- but I'm not sure how many students would want to wear sweatshirts with the initials for Armstrong Savannah State.

The other proposed college merger would bring together Albany State University and Darton College. This is a bit personal for Seth Harp, since he says he lived in Albany in the late 1960s. As we all know, he moved to a city that's much more sophisticated and cultured -- you know, Midland.

Seth Harp recalls when state universities began in southwest Georgia, Darton was put in a "white area" of Albany. But Albany State was "relegated to a river bottom." Why a rowing team didn't develop to take advantage of this, I have no idea.

(The placement of Albany State led to extensive damage when the Flint River flooded during the 1990s. But the last time I was in Albany, the campus was overflowing with something else - so many cars that I couldn't find a place to park anywhere on campus.)

Seth Harp says two universities obviously were created in Albany to "perpetuate segregation." You may not realize Columbus has something similar to this - as Columbus State University is secular, while Beacon Seminary isn't.

Seth Harp explained a merger of four colleges into two will make African-American schools more likely to survive. But critics of his proposal fear the history of those schools will be.... well, uhhhh.... they can't quite bring themselves to say it'll be whitewashed.

Seth Harp added he's motivated by money, as well as the mixing of ethnic communities. He says the Georgia Board of Regents don't seem to grasp the state's budget problems. For instance, they could have saved the state money by canceling the lousy Georgia and Georgia Tech basketball seasons.

But uh-oh - I can hear the critics of Seth Harp now, suggesting he start the "merger-mania" in his own backyard. They would note he's NOT calling for a merger of Columbus State University's two campuses. Bring the downtown artists back to University Avenue where the business majors are, and end the left wing-right wing separatism.

The critics also might say Seth Harp should practice what he's preaching. They would point to his two-attorney law practice in downtown Columbus, and ask why he hasn't merged it with an African-American law firm nearby. The way law offices divide and expand, you'd think every attorney in Columbus handled divorces.

But Seth Harp says his college merger proposal will "make lemonade out of lemons." Calling Albany State University a lemon doesn't sound like much of a compliment - and if he's not careful, the Fountain City Classic football game will decide Macon is a sweet peach of a city.

BLOG UPDATE: We strolled around Peachtree Mall Wednesday - and sure enough, it is NOT closed. But there are two new noteworthy departures. The Jewelers Touch has shut down, to move to Columbus Park Crossing. The story I'm hearing is that the mall rent touches too hard in the wallet.

But I didn't realize until Wednesday that the Taco Bell stand has closed in the Peachtree Mall food court. I suppose the owner is making one of those "runs for the border" - in this case the Harris County border.

-> Our other blog is getting visits from downtown Columbus to the Middle East. Read about poker and life at "On the Flop!" <--

E-MAIL UPDATE: One good mention of Hurtsboro apparently deserves another....

"Sir" Richard:

I'm miffed!! It seems you converse often with others in "Hurt'sboro; but you never call me!! My phone number is - (334) XXX-XXXX

Furthermore I would like to remind you of some things about our working relationship.

#1- I deal in facts not allegations. #2 - I'm not camera shy or hesitant about signing my name to my media submissions. #3 - I refuse to rebut the ridiculous claims made against me.#4 - I avoid any reference to race or religion. So be it!

As to your run down on the impossibility of providing police protection in "Hurt'sboro. Let me remind you that; it was Tapley - not I - who promised 24/7 security. You would think they would be intelligent enough to cover the "hot" spots like the stores and bank when they open and at closing time. That's when the danger is greatest.

As to the assumptions made by the City Clerk - they are erronious. But, they have resulted in a physical confrontation between myself and her father and grandfather. This is nothing new. - They have meddled in my personal affairs before.

Oh Yes! About the question marks? You will just have to wait and see.

Constable R.J. Schweiger????

We are NOT posting Robert Schweiger's phone number, because it is NOT listed in the Hurtsboro phone book and we want to protect him from harassing calls. But really now - we don't have to call Schweiger. He e-mails us so often....

Mayor Rayford Tapley may have promised "24/7 security" in Hurtsboro, but surely Robert Schweiger realizes a small police department cannot be at all businesses at all key times of the day. Hasn't he seen that movie about the "Mall Cop?"

It somehow doesn't surprise me that Robert Schweiger has had "physical confrontations" with some residents of Hurtsboro. Who knows, there could be more - if the Hurtsboro Book Club can arrange for a pro wrestling troupe to visit for some fund-raising matches.

Before we tap out for the day, let's check other news items of interest....

+ Radio web sites reported the Columbus Clear Channel stations fired their Operations Manager and several salespeople last week. Apparently no on-air personalities were dropped - so Richard Hyatt won't have to go spinning CD's on Rock 103, after appearing on the WDAK Morning Show.

+ Emanuel Jones of Legacy Chevrolet told WXTX "News at Ten" new car sales in his first month beat the goal of 150. There's an easy explanation for this. Die-hard Chevy drivers had a few weeks to save money for a down payment.

+ Arnold Middle School was closed, due to what the Muscogee County School District web site called "major sewage problems." Someone simply must teach our children to dispose of their gum in trash cans....

+ The Georgia men's basketball team was flattened by Florida 83-57. Somewhere in Alabama, Mike Gottfried prepared a resume to mail to Athens -- and a cover letter pointing out his moving expenses would be relatively small.

+ Instant Message to Columbus High School: Isn't that going to be hard this year? I mean, what your sign on Cherokee Avenue says - the "Open House February 29."

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