The Blog of Columbus, Georgia

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

7 AUG 07: THE PAY OF LAFAYE

"Is this your first time with a blog?" At least I think that's what LaFaye Dellinger asked, when she called me on her cell phone Monday. After four-and-a-half years of blogging, that's a bit like asking a family with two children if it's their first marriage.

BLOG EXCLUSIVE: Smiths Station Mayor LaFaye Dellinger filled in more details Monday, about a recently-approved raise for elected officials. She confirmed after the next election, the mayor's monthly salary will jump from $750 to $1,875 -- a jump of 150 percent. And that doesn't even include incentive clauses, if the high school football team makes the playoffs.

LaFaye Dellinger explained there's a good reason for that 150 percent pay raise -- because the Smiths Station Mayor doubles as the City Manager, and the city finally will start paying a salary for both titles. What a difference this is, from other area cities! If Jeff Hardin lived in Smiths Station instead of Phenix City, he'd have to fire himself.

"I attend more meetings as City Manager than I do as the Mayor," LaFaye Dellinger told me. This seems to beg a question -- exactly when IS she City Manager, as opposed to being Mayor? Does the mayoral line end, if there's no ground to break or blue ribbon to cut?

So what about the e-mailed claim from Sunday, that Smith Station's founding politicians promised to serve for free? "He probably didn't mention that it was only for the first term," Mayor LaFaye Dellinger answered correctly. So the city council is working a bit like a discount cell phone plan....

"We can afford it," Mayor LaFaye Dellinger said of the upcoming raises for Smiths Station elected officials. I didn't probe any further into the city finances. My mom taught me long ago NOT to ask people how much money they make - but then, she didn't try to keep me out of journalism school.

(Of course, someone else might wind up affording the pay raises in Smiths Station -- all the new soldiers at Fort Benning.)

You may recall LaFaye Dellinger had some recent health problems, which put her in the hospital. But the Smiths Station Mayor admitted to your blog she's thinking about running for re-election next year. Ms. Dellinger may be in the mood to finish what she started - but then again, she started a new city.

"The citizens will make that decision for me," Mayor LaFaye Dellinger said about running for another term. Translation: if people in Smiths Station run against her, she might step aside and let them have the job. But she added if someone ran merely "for the money," that would be different. So you laid-off mill workers should stay in Columbus and forget about it....

It seemed LaFaye Dellinger called me while driving back to Smiths Station from the Lee County Justice Center. We noted she was on jury duty Monday, but the mayor says she was dismissed from a murder trial. At least no critic can accuse her of a conflict of interest, by considering a case of robbery.

LaFaye Dellinger admits as Smiths Station's Mayor, she could have claimed an exemption from Monday's jury duty. But she believes it's important to fulfill such a civic responsibility. Some men wouldn't enter a jury pool if they were promised all the women would wear bikinis.

In a Columbus political note, former Council candidate Jeremy Hobbs is sending e-mails around town suggesting he might run the Muscogee County School Board. He notes Councilor Red McDaniel is among those suggesting he run for school board - which is interesting, since McDaniel had to defeat Hobbs to keep his seat three years ago.

E-MAIL UPDATE: We thank a blog reader for responding to Monday's entry....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY..........I WAS 56 LAST SATURDAY ON THE 28TH OF JULY....GUESS WE HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON...WE BOTH LEO'S

Now hold on here! You can keep that astrological zodiac stuff, because I gave it up long ago. I've actually glanced at newspaper horoscopes two days after the fact, and seen how off-base they were about me.

Let's see what signs of the times were making news Monday:

+ WRBL reported the late-afternoon heat index in Columbus hit 105 degrees F. We especially note this for our Third Brigade soldiers serving in Iraq - so they can dream about how cool and comfortable it is back home.

(But a short afternoon shower cooled things off in my neighborhood. You know that kind of rain - just long enough to make the flowers smell like they're close to being cooked as incense.)

+ The Alabama Department of Education reported Russell County High School and Middle School failed to make "annual yearly progress." How can this be? I don't recall a single teacher being arrested since last fall.

+ Phenix City Police reported vandals left extensive damage at Lakewood Golf Course. Among other things, someone drove two golf carts into a lake. What did these knuckleheads do - sit at home and watch "Caddyshack" all weekend?

(C'mon folks, let's be sensible here! If you don't like Tiger Woods winning all those golf tournaments, stop buying Nike products.)

+ Riverchase Drive in Phenix City closed, for 45 days of construction on a new ramp from U.S. 80. Drivers are advised to use an alternate hospital, while the work is.... no wait, some of them already do that....

+ Talbotton Mayor Tony Lamar held two testy public hearings on increasing property taxes 28 percent. Resident Willie Willis whined (OK, said) the city is "trying to tax its way out of all its problems." Huh?! It certainly doesn't look like spending the way out worked.

(Mayor Tony Lamar told WRBL he'll resist the petitions calling for his resignation, and finish his term. I think I know what this means - Talbotton doesn't even have a pension plan for retired elected officials.)

+ Instant Message to Robert Nardelli: Congratulations on your move from The Home Depot to Chairman and C.E.O. of Chrysler. Do you plan to change the car company's commercial slogan - maybe to "You can paint this car; we can help"?

SCHEDULED WEDNESDAY: Is a love affair at the Government Center about to end?....

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Monday, August 06, 2007

6 AUG 07: FINER 49'ER

"You must have walked here," said the woman behind the counter at a Buena Vista Road restaurant. She was staring at a man with sweat all over his head and T-shirt, shortly before 10:00 on a Saturday night. You'd think people living in that neighborhood actually could afford air conditioning.

"I drove here," the sweaty man responded, "from downtown - where I've just jogged three miles on my 49^th birthday." I should mention this restaurant was a Subway - where the food is more likely to help keep off the weight you left on the running course.

You ask who was this sweaty man, who went for a long run on his birthday? That person happens to be I. Yes, I turned 49 over the weekend - and Someone bigger than I provided the strength to run three miles non-stop on the Riverwalk. Call me weird, but that gift of health means more to me than any version of X-Box.

The weather in Columbus allows me to run outside 12 months a year - but three dates have become annual "measuring stick" runs for me. There's the first run of the calendar year on January 1, my Columbus "anniversary run" on April 29 and the "birthday run" on August 4. If you want to sponsor a fourth run to make it a grand slam, please make me an offer.

The January 1 run this year wasn't too thrilling - 1.2 miles non-stop, about half the distance of 2006. The April 29 run probably should have been canceled, because I was fighting pneumonia. So Saturday night's birthday run was a big moment -- not to mention a test of whether I was pushing 50, or that age was pushing me.

The timing of this birthday run couldn't have been more perfect. It came at the end of the seventh-day Sabbath. So not only I was well rested from the day, but the church snack table can be a hidden source for "carbo-loading."

I felt good starting on the Riverwalk course around 9:00 p.m., and the only distracting moment of the first two miles came after my turnaround point. As I headed under the Trade Center, I passed a group of young people - and one man tossed a large boulder into the small pool of water around a support pillar. Some guys need gym memberships, to show off to their girlfriends.

"Why?" I said aloud while I jogged, just after the boulder's splashdown.

"Why what?" a member of the group said.

"Why do that?" I asked. If they had a good answer, I couldn't understand what they said - and I kept on jogging south, realizing the big guy who tossed the boulder probably couldn't even keep up with my slow pace.

The last half-mile of the three-mile course was a bit wearying, because Columbus had a very hot and sticky weekend. So the sweat on my shirt was my part of the work, to reduce the relative humidity.

But the final score of the run was 3.1 miles - my second three-miler since the pneumonia fight in the spring. A check of the records shows it was my longest birthday run in at least eight years. Maybe next August when I turn 50, a recruiter from the American Association of Retired Persons can join me.

By the way, my 49^th birthday is the answer to a "teaser" question we posted the other day. Charlotte and California's Long Beach State have college sports teams nicknamed the 49'ers. And I've decided for this special year, I'm rooting for the San Francisco 49'ers in pro football. Now if someone will sign Julio Franco to a baseball contract, so I can still feel young....

BLOG CORRECTION: Not everything gets better with age, you know. Sunday's e-mail made that clear about my brain....

The Council member last name I think should be Stringer instead of Stallings.

I thought ESPN would be the one to stir things up with names.

On the steel bridge thing for Alabama - I have not heard of this one on the list in Salem, Alabama

The reader is correct, and we fixed the name of the Smiths Station City Council member after we read it. We talked Friday night with George Stringer Jr. Shame on me! George Stallings hasn't coached Alabama football in more than a decade, and that was back when.... no wait....

The e-mailer included a picture of a bridge - one I admittedly didn't recognize. I didn't download it to my computer, either. If it's structurally deficient, who knows how much of my hard drive might collapse from it?

The person who originally wrote about the Smiths Station city council corrected us as well:

Richard, Maybe the reason George Stallings, Jr. doesn't seem to know much about the Smiths Station council members' salaries is that we don't have a council member by that name. Or maybe you are talking about George Stringer, Jr. Yes he is a city council member and a retired school teacher (Driver's Ed). I can't believe he doesn't know what his monthly paycheck is! I wonder what other city business he can't remember. The city council raised their salaries (beginning next year) from $300. per month to $420. I say "their" salaries because none of them had any opponents the last election and with the apathy which is apparent I doubt they will have any opposition next year. But then again - maybe if the information about their pay increases gets much publicity there might be others wanting that "easy money". Two 15 minute meetings a month for $420. - not bad.

Perhaps that Georgia town that's been bouncing city checks needs to check with Smiths Station and find out how they come up with so much money. It may be that they offer no city services except garbage pick-up and they make a profit on that ($19. per mo for once a wk svc). They let the county do everything else.

I won't have to hire Josh McKoon to prove anything. I have the newspaper articles and the campaign flyers.

Thanks for listening and verifying all information you receive.

Now, now - the Smiths Station City Council has more than two "15-minute meetings" every month. Don't overlook that 30-minute work session, before the regular meeting begins.

Before we start pointing fingers at the Smiths Station City Council and its $300 monthly salary, keep something in mind. Some starting pitchers in major league baseball make hundreds of thousands of dollars, yet only appear in games 35 times a year. Has Tampa Bay's Edwin Jackson given back any paychecks, with his 2-11 record?

By the way, we heard from Smiths Station Mayor LaFaye Dellinger Sunday night. She left a short message while we were dining out, and noted she begins jury duty today. So she could make a little extra money - perhaps even enough to buy her lunch, during a trial.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Now back to Columbus, and what remains the top issue on many minds....

Why has crime increased so much in Columbus this summer? Has the price of drugs gone up with the price of gas? This is really a scarey time in Columbus for the elderly..They are afraid to go shopping and afraid to get out and work in their yards..What a way to spend your golden years,behind locked doors and closed blinds...

It's not only the older people who are facing scary times. I'm hearing a local journalist was carjacked in Midtown over the weekend. It's enough to make you wish the carjackers could be given their own version of Safety Cab.

Sunday's Ledger-Enquirer took an in-depth look at the Columbus murder count. It concluded only four of the 17 homicides so far this year were "random" occurrences. For some reason, it ruled out the "Hispanic home invasion" killings of April - as if the defendants in that case plan to use bad landscaping as a defense?!

It was interesting and sad to read that three of the 17 homicides in Columbus this year are "domestic" cases - with relatives accused of killing each other. Three more were declared "crimes of passion." Perhaps we should blame these killings on people imitating the characters on "Family Guy."

WRBL went on patrol with a Columbus Police "Project Safe Streets" team. The officers corrected one claim by Mayor Jim Wetherington - that while much of the crime surge is in drug-infected neighborhoods, the crimes do NOT involve drugs. So maybe people are fighting over the money, weeks after the deals....

Muhammad's Mosque #96 in Columbus took its own stand against crime Sunday - with members going door-to-door, urging people to come together and pray. This sounds like a good idea. But while we're at it, can we ask the Nation of Islam to send a delegation to Pakistan to do the same thing with Usama bin-Laden?

A big crime-fighting event comes up this week in Columbus - as Tuesday is the "National Night Out." Several neighborhoods will hold special events in the evening. And they're all likely to end by 10:30 p.m., before many of the criminals hit the streets.

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Sunday, August 05, 2007

5 AUG 07: NO HELP WANTED

Suppose they gave away free money, and nobody came to claim any of it. In Georgia, lottery players would pass out in disbelief - while in Alabama, conservatives would call it a victory for hard work and the state's low unemployment rate.

But which is more amazing: a failed money giveaway, or the giver openly admitting no one took advantage of it? I'm startled by what Publisher Wane Hailes writes in the current issue of "The Courier." He admits no one entered his weekly paper's contest offering $4,000 in college scholarships. At some radio stations, a person in the front office would have called and pretended to win.

The rules for claiming college scholarship money were relatively easy. The Courier asked minority high school graduates to submit a 1,000-word essay, and take part in an "oral interview." Maybe that last part threw the teenagers off - because sad to say, many of them nowadays attach something else (ahem) to the word "oral."

Wane Hailes writes three anonymous minority business owners offered the scholarship money - and they're "frustrated with the lack of response." Can you blame them? Now they have to find another way to claim that tax deduction....

(In a rather confusing sentence, Hailes adds the business owners finally gained a response "through their churches." I'm not sure if the church teenagers actually received the scholarship money, or if they suggested the business owners put the money in the collection plate.)

Wane Hailes's column blames minority parents for the lack of response to the scholarship contest. He says they should "insist our children do all they can to lighten the financial load of college." But maybe the high school graduates already have a plan to do that. It's called a part-time job....

There may be other explanations for the lack of response, which Wane Hailes and The Courier are not considering. For instance:

+ HOPE scholarships allow high school graduates across Georgia to get started in public colleges. Maybe minority graduates aren't thrilled about going to Morehouse or Spelman College anymore.

+ If no one applied for the college scholarships from East Alabama, there's an easy way to fix this. Start leaving copies of your paper on the other side of the river.

+ The explanation Wane Hailes doesn't want to hear - that hardly anyone is reading his paper, so they didn't know about the contest in the first place.

There was another way to handle this lack of response from "minority high school graduates." Open the college scholarships to ALL graduates, regardless of skin color. After all, Chamber of Commerce numbers indicate Columbus has NO "majority" ethnic community right now. If some white teenager had written a 1,000-word essay on this, at least some Ku Klux Klan chapter would have come out of hiding to help.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Now for some other people who apparently aren't concerned about money....

Richard, I wonder how many residents of the small town (approximately 5,000 population) of Smiths Station realize that the city council recently voted to increase the part-time mayor's salary from $750. to $1,875. per month. But that's not all - they voted to increase the council members salaries too. Not bad for a little town that incorporated only six years ago (June 2001). I do recall the citizens being told at the time of the incorporation vote not to worry about the cost of city officials - that they could and would work for free. That didn't last long! Don't believe politicians or in this case it was "wanna-be politicians".

I wonder how this salary compares with the salaries of other area small town, part-time mayors. Maybe some of your enlightened readers can let us know.

Answering that last matter first - at $750 per month, Smiths Station's mayor currently tops Talbotton Mayor Tony Lamar by about $750.

We admittedly waited to post this message until we could confirm what it claims. Smiths Station Mayor LaFaye Dellinger did NOT respond to our call, but city councilman George Stringer Jr. confirmed part of it Friday night. The council approved a pay raise at its 10 July meeting. Hmmmm -- could that explain why no agenda or minutes of that meeting are posted on the city web site?

George Stringer Jr. clearly did not expect a call from your blog about this. He couldn't remember the current salaries for the Smiths Station mayor and council, or the new salaries which were approved. And you thought only Bill Gates could forget about something as insignificant as that....

But George Stringer Jr. added a key detail which the e-mail left out. He says the pay raises in Smiths Station don't take effect until after the next city election. So if you don't like what the city council members did, you can vote them out of office next year - but if you run against them, you have to explain why you're not just as greedy.

I asked George Stringer Jr. about the supposed 2001 statement that elected officials in Smiths Station would work for free. He didn't recall anyone saying that. So the e-mailer is going to have to hire Josh McKoon from Columbus -- since he's so good at keeping track of other people's promises.

Our short conversation ended after I suggested to George Stringer Jr. that if the council is approving pay raises, Smiths Station's finances must be in good shape. He told me to call the City Clerk about that - and we all know how well that sort of trust by council members worked recently in Columbus and Talbotton.

Your donations of money to this blog are always welcome - but before you write a check, consider some weekend news headlines:

+ F.B.I. agents told the Ledger-Enquirer accused Cross Creek killer Michael Registe may have fled to the Virgin Islands. This doesn't seem like a very smart move. Recent history suggests if you want to disappear from the law in the Caribbean, you fly to Aruba.

+ Alabama Governor Bob Riley called for an inspection of the state's "steel deck truss" bridges, including one in Tallapoosa County. After what happened in Minneapolis, officials clearly are spelling "truss" correctly - and not misspelling it "trust."

+ The state of Georgia announced the formation of a "carbon registry," where environmentally-minded people can exchange carbon credits. The Columbus Civic Center could make a fortune from this -- assuming the staff saved all the carbon black which was cleaned off the roof.

+ The Columbus Catfish lashed Lexington 4-2, on the first-ever "Faith Day" at Golden Park. Who knows how many fans misunderstood this -- and were disappointed when Faith Hill didn't sing the national anthem.

(Meanwhile, the Friday night post-game fireworks show at Golden Park increased in length from the last show on 20 July. Compared with six minutes, seven minutes IS a substantial improvement....)

+ Phenix City edged Columbus Northern 4-3 in eight innings, at the Little League regional baseball tournament in Florida. At least I think Phenix City won - but WRBL showed the numbers backwards on the screen. I predict the newsroom phone will stop ringing at about 2:00 this afternoon.

+ The Associated Press pre-season college football rankings put Auburn 13^th, and Georgia 14^th. But when Hawaii is ranked and Alabama is not, it could be time for the Nick Saban supporters to lay off the energy drinks for awhile.

+ Instant Message to City Manager Isaiah Hugley: That's a nice new upright sign at Tenth and Veterans Parkway, marking the Government Center Annex. Hopefully spending money on that sign instead of public safety won't come back to bite you - like if gangs cover it with graffiti.

SCHEDULED MONDAY: Three miles from one major victory....

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NAME CORRECTED 11:43am....

Friday, August 03, 2007

for 4 AUG 07: FEATS OF STRENGTH

(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.)

If you spend an extra dollar to renew your car license plate by mail, you don't know what you're missing. All sorts of amazing things can happen at the east side of the Government Center. You might see old friends, spot familiar TV faces - and even children playing ball games in a corner. Columbus Lions managers may be sad to learn they did NOT play indoor football.

When I renewed my car tag this past week, I waited in line behind a mother of two toddler boys. They wore matching green striped shirts, and they seemed to have matching goals - to dismantle and tear down the padded barriers used to keep people in a line. These children have a great future with S.O.A. Watch.

The toddlers worked like tag-team villains, pulling the padded barriers forward like they doing weight work in a gym. When that didn't work, they unhooked the pads from the metal stands to which they're attached. These children were doing to Columbus city government on a small scale what Paul Olson has dreamed of doing at Council meetings.

(At one point, children farther behind the boys succeeded in knocking down half-a-lane of the padded barriers, including a couple of metal columns. Now you know why restaurants such as Arby's make those things of solid steel.)

I couldn't help watching all of this childish destruction - but I tried as best I could NOT to make eye contact with the toddlers. If their goal was simply to get attention, I didn't want to give them any. They can wait ten years for that - assuming YouTube is still around then.

The mother of the toddlers took a low-key approach to all this. She never raised her voice toward her boys, asking them "please" to calm down -- and actually called one of the boys "sir." If I didn't know better, I would have thought I was standing behind the U.S. Secretary of State.

Some of you may be wondering why this mother didn't punish her children on the spot. She seemed to limit that to gripping one hand of her boys very hard - tight enough that the boys complained about it. Painful lessons can be learned in spots other than the (ahem) derriere.

If the mother had slapped her sons' hands in the line or even spanked them, I would have understood and not objected. And for all I know, she may have done that after the family returned home. The toddlers were making enough of a scene, without their mom multiplying it times two.

The family in front of me finally went to a window to obtain a license tag. Then so did I - and I told the woman behind the glass that I'd received something else with my new silver sticker. "I watched a wrestling match at no extra charge."

As I walked back to my car with my new license sticker, I pondered the family in front of me. The toddlers seemed ready to show how physically strong they were -- yet didn't the mother really exercise more strength? She showed strength in her patience and self-control. And she may have realized she had the last word with her children - for instance, by serving bland lima beans for dinner.

The control shown by this mother is the sort of strength we all really need. The Bible puts it this way in Colossians 3: "Be clothed with compassion, kindliness, humility, gentleness and good temper...." If correction or punishment of children is needed, it can wait until you're away from public display. But then again, Kim Basinger may leak your answering machine message to the media....

While the toddlers didn't want to calm down, their mother (at least outwardly) kept her cool. If only all of us did this in tense situations. That might go a long way to reduce the recent crime surge in Columbus - and I think "Project Safe Thinking" is a far better answer than "Project Safe Streets."

BLOG CORRECTION: I didn't realize until the Friday evening news that this weekend is the "World's Longest Yard Sale" - so as it turns out, it DOES coincide with the Georgia and Alabama sales tax holidays. If you want to drive all the way to Fort Payne to save five dollars on a lamp, it's up to you.

COMING SUNDAY: Is a mayor in our area about to get a 100-percent raise?....

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3 AUG 07: WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PAIR-O-SOCKS?

The annual sales tax holiday began Thursday across Georgia, and begins today in Alabama. So why haven't they moved the date of the "world's longest yard sale" to accommodate this?

All sorts of "back-to-school" items can be purchased this weekend with no sales tax -- from computers to old-fashioned notebooks to clothing. I guess this means teenage girls can buy those T-shirts declaring they're hotties, and use the tax savings on a padded bra to prove it.

Even socks are exempt from sales tax in Georgia through Sunday. I know this because I asked at the checkout aisle of a store. Of course, I asked on Wednesday - which was one day too soon. So be nice to me, Columbus Police Department. I gave a little extra for your raises.

I needed a new pair of navy blue socks, as my current pair had holes in each heel. And I happened to be near Big Lots on Sidney Simons Boulevard, which had a great deal - a two-pack of men's socks for two dollars. Of course, this could mean they're only sturdy enough to last two months....

But as I selected the socks, I noticed something I'd never seen before. Hanes mentions the colors of the socks not only on the package - but actually WITHIN the socks. The word is knit into the toes! As if someone's going to walk up to you and ask?!

I had to double-check the package label - but yes, these are men's socks. They're not for four-year-olds still trying to sort out a blue sky from a green meadow. But they might be people who became strangely addicted to Garanimals clothes years ago.

After pondering this sight for a while, a few theories came to mind for why "navy" was knit into my new socks:

+ Perhaps Hanes did this to help shoppers -- because sometimes the lighting in department stores can make colors look misleading to my eyes. Either that, or they're secretly spiking the soda at the Peachtree Mall food court....

+ Perhaps Hanes did this for the benefit of people who have color blindness. You know, the people who regularly attend "One Columbus" small group meetings.

+ Perhaps Hanes has developed a clever plot to increase sales. When the color fades to the point where it doesn't match the word, you replace them whether they're worn out or not.

You may have a better explanation for these embedded words in my new socks - but is this the start of a strange new fashion trend? Is this how Hanes is responding to all those women's T-shirts with "red" in parenthesis?

Or has Hanes quietly concluded what I'm really fearing -- that many adults today are so stupid that they don't know their colors? Sometimes you see portions of "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader" and start to wonder....

Maybe this color problem has been around for years. I may have mentioned before that my humble Honda was listed on the window sticker as "red" when I bought it 13 years ago. In reality, it's more like a cranberry red-purple. Of course, in recent years the carbon plant in Phenix City has turned it closer to black.

Now without any intentional discrimination on the basis of color, let's review some Thursday news headlines....

+ Which local judge stopped downtown to have a short chat with Columbus NAACP President Bill Madison? Did Madison somehow think that judge can reopen the Kenneth Walker investigation, with a little lobbying?

+ Columbus City Engineer Donna Newman assured TV reporters local bridges are safe, in the wake of the disaster in Minnesota. Newman says local bridges are inspected by the state every two years. And if jogging my overweight body across the Dillingham Street Bridge dozens of times hasn't brought it down, I think it's still OK.

(Donna Newman told WRBL four Columbus bridges rated "poor" in recent inspections. Two of them on Brown Avenue, and aren't scheduled for an upgrade for a few years. So I hope Interstate 185 can handle at least one more car -- mine.)

+ A part-time Russell County SWAT team member told WRBL he's suing Phenix City Manager Bubba Roberts, for ordering him to leave a firing range. Luis Coreano revealed Roberts actually has confronted him twice. So does Coreano still have a "Hardin for Mayor" bumper sticker on his car?

+ The Metro Narcotics Task Force announced a big regional drug bust. Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley said a man was arrested for growing 160 marijuana plants - and claiming they were "for personal use." This is the strangest way to prepare for hurricane season I've ever heard.

+ Auburn University design students dedicated a house in Lee County in honor of Moszell Benson. Benson is known nationwide for her quilting skill - yet I attended church with her for three years after moving to Columbus, and I never heard her bring it up. I thought we had a close-knit group, but apparently you don't knit in quilting.

+ The Columbus Cottonmouths announced league-leading goal scorer Ryan Rutz will return this coming season. It will be his fourth year in Columbus - which makes me wonder if his career is stuck in a Rutz.

+ Instant Message to the driver of a car with Ohio tag ECE 1580: I know, I know -- you rolled down the windows a little, as you left your dog in the back seat outside a library. But if that was a child on an August afternoon, you'd probably be under arrest. The only grilled hot dog I want to see is at Dinglewood's Pharmacy.

COMING SOON: What I'm about to have in common with Charlotte, Long Beach and San Francisco (any guesses?)....

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Thursday, August 02, 2007

2 AUG 07: TONY THE PAPER TIGER?

Readers have asked here for news about Talbot County -- and the TV news helped us out with some Wednesday night. A petition drive is underway, to recall the mayor of Talbotton. Many people in the Columbus area would be challenged simply to recall who IS the mayor of Talbotton.

The petition signers say Talbotton Mayor Tony Lamar should be kicked out of office, because of the city's financial problems. The red ink has been estimated as high as $70,000 - which computes to about 70 dollars per resident. If all the lottery players in town would donate their dollars to City Hall for a couple of months, we could solve this.

The petition holds Mayor Tony Lamar responsible for Talbotton's red ink, because Georgia state law requires him to have a balanced budget. But at least no one's accusing him of wasting city money for personal gain - such as buying his own Tony Award.

A man told me several months ago that Talbotton Mayor Tony Lamar came up to him, and bragged about buying two new police cars on his own. The man seemed sure the mayor had gone around the city council to do it. But unless they're undercover cars for drug investigations, wouldn't someone notice sooner or later?

So should the mayor of Talbotton be recalled and/or fired? Residents seem divided about that. Former city councilman Garry Kring doubts the petition drive will do any good. He must have heard about those petitions passed around Hurtsboro - which still have brought no response from anyone higher up.

But Talbotton resident Horace Williams says Mayor Tony Lamar should leave office, if he can't do the job. He thinks along the line of Cindy Sheehan - but I don't recall Sheehan bringing any impeachment petitions to Columbus a few weeks ago.

My biggest question in all of this is why the petition drive is aimed only at Talbotton's Mayor. Shouldn't the entire City Council share the blame, for approving faulty city budgets? Or is Talbotton so broke that it can't even afford to have copies made at Office Depot?

Until the budget crisis is resolved, Talbotton city employees are on an unusual schedule. They work for one week, then are off for one week - which could be a preview of the upcoming Atlanta Falcons season.

One proposal for balancing the books in Talbotton is a big millage increase. There's talk of increasing property taxes 28 percent -- while some Georgia lawmakers are working on a plan to eliminate property taxes completely. At least this will encourage Talbotton Central students to learn mathematics.

Talbot County made news for another reason Wednesday. WRBL reported it's been added to a federal "disaster area" declaration, due to the drought. Somehow the sun is so powerful in Talbot County that city money evaporates, along with water.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Now let's check how East Alabama is handling tight budgets....

Richard, So the Governor of AL brags that AL fire departments have received $2.4 million dollars in federal Homeland Security money (more than any other state except PA) yet we hear on last night's TV news that two volunteer fire departments in Lee County are complaining about not having enough money. They are even threatening to eliminate services. Some of us residents might ask "what services"?

Many residents/taxpayers I've talked to will only approve of volunteer fire departments receiving more tax dollars when there is accountability of funds (financial statements and audits available to the public), elimination of nepotism (family members being Chief and Assistant Chief, etc.), standards for the firefighters. and elimination of self-perpetuating Boards. And we need to allow the Alabama Department of Public Examiners to audit these departments. (This is not allowed now because they are not state agencies.)

I've been given all kinds of information from firefighters and former firefighters about what goes on within these departments. In Lee County you are assessed on your property tax statement an additional $25. per year for the Volunteer Fire Departments. Last year there was a question on the ballot to increase that fire fee each year for the next five years. Voters defeated the measure overwhelmingly because of the reasons I've mentioned. Almost immediately the volunteer firefighters started complaining.

In addition to local, state and federal tax dollars these fire departments all have annual fundraising events. Why don't they ever publish how much money they make from these events.? And what about the scandal of volunteer firefighters receiving "free" car tags for their POVs but never being able to make it to a fire or dropping out of the department. I could go on about other questionable practices but this is not the time or place.

I'm not against volunteer firefighters Some perform a very valuable service. However when you are dealing with public funds and are asking taxpayers for more you need to be open about how much money you are receiving, how the money is being spent and justify why you need more.

These are "volunteer" fire departments, of course - so if only one family in a community volunteers to serve, is that nepotism or apathy?

The Lee County Commission plans to examine the needs of volunteer fire departments. If the commissioners can do this, why can't they oversee the department finances? And while they're at it, find out how friendly the Friendship Volunteer Fire Department really is.

And uh-oh - this e-mailer is asking for it, by prying into volunteer fire department fund-raising barbecues. If the fire chiefs reveal how much money they raise, before long they're going to have to reveal their secret sauce recipe.

Let's see if any other news from Wednesday will ring alarm bells....

+ The price of gas fell below $2.50 a gallon in parts of Columbus, dropping to $2.45 at two Circle K stores on Manchester Expressway. Ignore OPEC long enough, and it just might go away.

+ Continental Carbon unveiled a new TV commercial, with local plant employees explaining the importance of carbon black. I'm glad they use it in tires, and on the surfaces of race tracks -- but could we please leave it there? Some of us don't want carbon black floating onto our car hoods.

+ Russell County Sheriff's officers ended a two-day sweep with helicopters for marijuana. Lieutenant Heath Taylor told WXTX "News at Ten" the drought has hurt the growth of marijuana plants. This is an edgy new "this is your brain on drugs" ad just waiting to happen....

+ Harris County's Mike Jolley took an oath of office, to become President of the Georgia Association of Sheriffs. I noticed the longer hair on the back of his neck, and thought he might be auditioning for a sequel to "The DaVinci Code."

+ The late-night news showed West Point Police Chief David Kerr hang-gliding from Lookout Mountain. At long last -- we may have found a use for Elena Amos's old penthouse home, atop the Aflac parking garage.

+ Muscogee County schools began a three-day orientation session for new teachers. Lesson #1: Never bring up the Superintendent's salary in class.

+ The New York attorney general has subpoenaed records from Auburn University and Georgia Tech. There's suspicion students may have been directed to a specific loan agency, in a kickback scheme. We all know these schools would oppose kickbacks - otherwise known as punting.

+ Atlanta's baseball team indicated it will waive 48-year-old Julio Franco, in the wake of the Mark Teixeira trade. Is Franco old enough to file an age discrimination suit about this?

+ Instant Message to the driver of a car I saw, with the Alabama license plate "2 SCREWS": Hmmmm - either you install light switches for a living, or you're simply asking to have police follow you home from a bar.

SCHEDULED FRIDAY: What color are your socks? Are you sure you know?....

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Wednesday, August 01, 2007

1 AUG 07: ISRAEL-LY

A group of eight politicians from Israel toured the Columbus area Tuesday. They stopped at the Riverwalk. They visited Fort Benning. But they must have wondered where in town we hid an authentic Jewish deli.

The Israeli politicians and political aides began their day with a visit to Columbus Council. They received "keys to the city" from Mayor Jim Wetherington. Hopefully they're smart enough NOT to try them out at Key Elementary School.

After lunch, the Israeli guests went to Fort Benning. WRBL showed a couple of them trying out rocket launchers on their shoulders. This revealed one difference between the U.S. and Israel - because in Israel, politicians actually are expected to operate such things.

Superior Court Judge Bobby Peters served as host for the visitors from Israel. And I noticed on the evening news that former Mayor Pro Tem Jack Rodgers joined the group for lunch. But something seemed to be missing - and what HAS Nathan Suber been doing since he left Columbus Council, anyway?

Judge Aaron Cohn joined Bobby Peters at a news conference with the Israeli politicians. And I thought I saw Rabbi Tom Friedman with the group at the Columbus Council meeting. The most powerful Jewish woman in Columbus was not visible - but Laurie Bernstein seemed to be busy with another story on the 11:00 p.m. news, anyway.

The delegation from Israel came to Columbus thanks to an organization called the "American Council of Young Political Leaders." It's an international exchange program of sorts, for people younger than 40. After age 40, of course, politicians go overseas mainly to beg business executives for new factories.

The group included what I heard one person describe as Israel's "answer to Tony Snow." Political party spokesman Gil Messing said Columbus showed hospitality unlike any other U.S. city. There's a good reason for this - we need something to take our minds off the recent surge in crime.

A City Council member who is part of the Israeli delegation said his country wants to hear, and wants to learn. That sounds nice - but somehow I think he'd draw the line at learning how to speak Arabic and bow toward Mecca.

(Alon Rozen added Israel is a "very young country." It turns 60 next spring - but too many rocket attacks from Gaza can make you feel a lot older in a hurry.)

"Columbus Day" for the Israeli delegation actually ended outside Columbus, as the group went to Atlanta's Turner Field for a baseball game. I'm not sure why they had to make this trip. The Catfish had a home game, and the group could have had a section of seats at Golden Park all to themselves.

I'm told the local hosts were a bit concerned about taking the Israeli guests to a baseball game. Baseball isn't commonly played there, the country started its first professional league only this year - and in Israel, a "double play" can mean fighting both the Palestinians and Hezbollah at the same time.

(A few Israelis may know the phrase "home run" - but they did it by quickly building settlements in the West Bank.)

With the Columbus International Festival less than two weeks away, will any other delegations from other countries pay our city a visit? Will a Palestinian group ask for the same special attention? And if such a group comes, will it be guarded by merely a couple of Columbus police officers - or the entire SWAT team?

E-MAIL UPDATE: Let's make this an international day, and move on to something German....

Hi, Just wanted to comment on the email you received about the German Restaurant, Al's Schnitzel Gasthaus. [30 Jul] Me, being German and immigrated here 24 years ago, this place is the best and most authentic German food you can get in Columbus. The food is cooked to order and a very good price (5.95 for lunch and 9.95 for a dinner, respectively). I have tried the Bavarian House and have to say that The Bavarian House is awful. I mean, if you wanted wilted lettuce and cold food, then by all means, go to The Bavarian House. But for great food and good prices, Al's is the place to go. Yes, the place is small and it might need to be painted, but there is no odor and German people cooking the food. The waitress takes your money and DOES NOT cook the food. Sure, you can see behind the counter into the kitchen, but I mean, you know what's going on. You hear some of the horror stories of restaurants and this can not and does not happen. Please post this up for all the people to see, so they will know that this is Authentic and Great German Food and have them all give it a try and you'll be hooked, JUST LIKE ME!!!

Tina Covington

Uh-oh - this rivalry could become as tense as the old East and West Germany. Where shall we build the wall, along West Britt David Road?

We've noted here before how the Bavarian House at Whittlesey and Weems has occasional live music. But the pairing of "Wally and Mike" may be a thing of the past, as the outdoor signs show Mike performing with others these days. Maybe Wally's preparing for yet another "Leave It to Beaver" reunion.

Now let's stop the world, and check Tuesday items which seemed a bit closer to home:

+ The PBS NewsHour interviewed the author of a new memoir called "Warm Springs." Susan Shreve went there for rehabilitation as a child, and she noted the clinic campus was laid out the same way Thomas Jefferson planned the University of Virginia. So all Warm Springs apparently lacks today is a 60,000-seat football stadium.

+ WRBL reported the Coca-Cola Bottling plant in Opelika will merge with the West Point plant in October, and be based in West Point. You probably won't notice any difference - unless you're one of the few people who still check the bottoms of glass Coke bottles.

+ An East Point, Georgia car dealer was arrested on charges of killing two employees. Police say the employees irritated their boss by constantly asking for a raise. Let's all learn a lesson from this - and never EVER ask a Saturn manager for a better deal on a car.

+ Atlanta's baseball team beat the trading deadline, to obtain Kansas City relief pitcher Octavio Dotel. The next two months will show if that rhymes with "hotel," as in penthouse - or "no till," as in basic farm soil.

+ Instant Message to Hardee's: Aw, c'mon! What do you mean by that new commercial saying "Guys don't bake?" What do you call it when men work all day in the summer sun without a shirt - broiling?

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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

31 JUL 07: THE BUCK STOPS SOMEWHERE

The Monday news seemed to be filled with stories about money. Columbus agencies are asking for a lot of it, from a number of different places. Yet none of them seem to be following the lead of the late Russell County School Superintendent Jack Russell - by going to Biloxi to gamble.

The city of Columbus is looking to the federal government, to help pay for cleanup from the March 1 storms. Emergency Management Deputy Director Riley Land told WRBL the city's cost is about $770,000 - so I suppose he's seeking a Land grant.

The federal government recently provided about $500,000 to the city, to cover part of the storm cleanup cost. If Washington doesn't come up with the rest of the money, I'm not sure what the city will do. Perhaps the prison inmates who help with trash disposal will have to drop down to two meals a day for a while.

Meanwhile, Congressman Sanford Bishop is promoting the benefits Columbus will receive from a House appropriations bill. If it's approved, tens of thousands of dollars would be provided for an after-school program at the Liberty Theatre. If you're turned down for the leading role, you go help train future understudies.

The House spending bill also includes money for the Muscogee County Junior Marshals program. The Marshal's Department explains this helps young people see the positive side of law enforcement. How many lollipops does this agency have to buy?

The evening news suggested the Junior Marshals program can keep young people away from crime during summer, especially after the recent surge of murder cases in Columbus. But did I miss something here? I thought the prime suspect in the Cross Creek killings was 24 years old....

Then there's Alabama Governor Bob Riley, who bragged Monday about his state's fire departments have obtained $2.4 million in federal Homeland Security grants. You have to admit the money's been effective - because we have yet to hear a single report of a terrorist attacking rural Chambers County.

Governor Bob Riley reports Alabama is second only to Pennsylvania, in the amount of federal Homeland Security money for fire departments. Is this really something to brag about? Couldn't it really mean some Alabama fire crews are risking fiery eruptions inside their own trucks?

For all this praising and wishing about federal money, I have to ask a potentially silly question. Why not give that cash directly to the local governments and agencies? Why send the money via Washington - especially since some mutual funds in this area might offer a higher rate of return?

Awhile back, one Congress-watching group declared federal money for the Junior Marshals Program an example of wasteful "pork-barrel" spending. Supporters said that wasn't really true - but I didn't hear any of them announce a fund-raising "buy a badge" drive. Maybe they're still waiting for backers of former Marshal Ken Suddeth to turn their badges in.

It seems many governments and agencies are so tight on money, they're looking to Washington to bail them out. ABC News likes to say of such projects, "It's your money." But maybe not - because the "national debt" and borrowing limit is ridiculously high.

If these agencies asked the community for the money they're seeking from Washington, generous local residents might see the need for their projects and provide the financial support. But then, that support could have some strings attached -- and before you know it, we'll have the "Striffler-Hamby Mortuary Liberty Theatre."

On the other hand, the agencies might get a big surprise - and one they don't want to see. The community might choose NOT to fund their projects, considering them not worth the effort. Even Circle K has had to deal with that - so we're down to about 80 stores in Columbus, instead of 85.

My point of all this is to suggest we do what Geico Insurance claims it's done - eliminate the middleman. Keep the tax money at home for needy projects, instead of sending it to Washington and waiting for Congress to send it back. Just because the project is "OUR pork" doesn't mean it's any better - and it certainly doesn't mean it's become Lean Cuisine chicken.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Sorry, there's nothing here about restaurants today....

Please take a moment to view a news video of "The Search For a Soldier, parts 1 and 2 at www.wtvm.com As you will see, this Foundation is striving to become a headquarters for family members who have found themselves in similar situations the Davises faced upon the disappearance of Richard. Please feel free to forward this information to anyone you feel may be interested in protecting the well being of our military families.

Sincerely,

The Richard T. Davis Foundation for Peace

**Information regarding a forthcoming Benefit for the Foundation is being compiled at this writing.

The special report on TV last week focused on a Fort Benning soldier who vanished in 2005. The Army considers him a deserter. The family fears he's been harmed in some way. And thankfully, some terrorist group hasn't posted a tape of him on YouTube.

But as you consider this soldier, keep in mind what happened to a minister's wife from Baldwin County, Alabama. She went to a women's religious conference in Louisiana, disappeared after stepping away for something to eat - and months later, police announced Monday the woman had pawned her wedding ring and moved to New York. I don't think the Lord moves in ways quite THAT mysterious....

Now a quick check of other Monday headlines:

+ The Lee County School Board named two "short-term interim" superintendents. Before you say the words "short-term" and "interim" are redundant, remember one thing - Ed Richardson.

+ The evening news climbed aboard the rolling CharBroil grill, attending the restaurant's grand opening in Phenix City. The manager said his goal is to use as many local vendors as possible. So somebody apparently learned a lesson, from all those plant layoffs....

+ Georgia NAACP President Ed DuBose called a news conference in Atlanta, urging people NOT to presume Michael Vick is guilty before he stands trial. That's true, of course - and don't we remember how well DuBose applied that standard to David Glisson?!

+ Wire service reports indicated Atlanta's baseball team will trade young catcher Brian Saltalamacchia to Texas, for first baseman Mark Teixeira. This seems like an even trade - as both players have names which are practically impossible to spell.

(You can tell the Texas Rangers are a desperate team when they trade away a player which all the fans can call "Tex.')

+ Instant Message to "Mr. Opportunity": I already own a Honda. So please knock a little gentler on my TV screen, OK? It's more than ten years old - and I might have to buy a new set before I buy a new car.

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Sunday, July 29, 2007

for 30 JUL 07: SATISFACTION GUARANTEED?

"Trust but verify," my Pastor said at church over the weekend. He was talking about rearing children, and quoting President Reagan's favorite Russian proverb (I didn't ask if he knew that last part). But one local group is showing it doesn't even trust local government - well, unless the officer wields a gavel and wears a robe.

The Education Park Coalition has filed suit, over the big agreement finalized earlier this month on land around the Columbus Public Library. It's a 75-page lawsuit -- so all those pages could be shredded into very nice mulch, for whatever "green" item winds up on that land.

It appeared the city of Columbus had a firm agreement with the Muscogee County School District and the Library Board for those 23 acres or so around the main library. But the Education Park Coalition's lawsuit wants the "memorandum of understanding" toughened, to have certain things guaranteed. Come to think of it, the cans of chili I just threw out had no guarantees on the labels. [True!]

The Education Park Coalition wants a court to guarantee those disputed 23 acres will be turned into landscaped greenspace. Leader Josh McKoon fears the memorandum of understanding has a loophole, allowing the Muscogee County Schools to sell their part of the land. As if businesses are clamoring to open along that part of Macon Road now?!

(In fact, if Josh McKoon needs any help with his lawsuit - why doesn't the city of Columbus put its midtown "Service Center" in Cross Country Plaza, instead of near the library? After all these years, I really don't think Service Merchandise is going to make a comeback.)

When the library land deal was approved two weeks ago, Muscogee County School Board President James Walker suggested there was no thought of selling the district's part of the property right now. But the Education Park Coalition clearly is skeptical about that. Why, it could change its mind faster than John Wells can run from a charging bull.

(At least one thing seems certain about the school district's share of the library land deal. I think it's pretty hard to build a Wal-Mart SuperCenter on seven or eight acres.)

City and school district officials warn the Education Park Coalition's lawsuit threatens to hold up other planned improvements around the central library. For instance, a new natatorium could be delayed - and imagine how all the overflowing pool water could help the nearby meadows grow.

As I thought about this lawsuit over the weekend, I wondered if it might have been filed too soon. Wouldn't the right time to make a court challenge be after library land actually is sold? After all, the Michael Vick picket signs didn't start appearing until after he was indicted.

A man told me the other day the Education Park Coalition should be careful about what it's wishing for. He said a park around the main library could become a hangout for gangs and criminals. Of course, the library has security guards - so maybe their uniforms should change to "landscape green," for doing undercover work.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Now we KNOW we have a first - as we're getting replies to a restaurant critique, and the restaurant still hasn't officially opened! This one reached us first:

If my weak memory serves me correctly the CharBroil restaurant was started by two company employees who lost their jobs when CharBroil moved out of the country..Thanks for the review,I'll have to give it a go...An interesting idea ..Get restaurants to give you a meal in return for an honest review on the blog...You could have us readers review them,but then you never know when the restaurant owner is actually the reviewer..

Let's answer the question of journalistic ethics first. Sunday's e-mail came from someone who reads this blog, and writes us often. As far as we know, that person doesn't own the CharBroil restaurant. Given the praise of Ritz crackers, maybe that person owns Nabisco stock.

We're open to your comments about local restaurants, whether good or bad. So if you go to today's grand opening of the CharBroil restaurant and find the steaks aren't sufficiently blackened, please let us know.

I don't know who's actually operating the new CharBroil restaurant - but if former employees are doing it, I would think they'd have to pay W.C. Bradley for the use of the CharBroil name. You wouldn't want to anger a company which is skilled in making gas-fired products.

And speaking of restaurant reviews....

Richard, I was glad to read the review about the new CharBroil restaurant. Unfortunately, however, their prices will probably exclude some. The newspaper reported that the cheapest item on the menu would be hamburger at $9.95. Phenix City definitely needs some new good eateries!

And speaking of an area that needs new eating establishments - I was in South Columbus recently and decided to try the new Al's Schnitzel Gasthaus on Victory Dr. If you like good German good - don't bother to stop there. To begin with there is a strong odor in the place. It smells musty - like perhaps the roof has been leaking. (It is a very old building) When you pay your bill, the cash register is right in front of the kitchen. There is no wall and you get to look at the old equipment. The one employee takes your money, does the cooking, cleaning, etc. The place is very small and needs painting. And the food was not very good either. I have eaten at Al's on Warm Springs Rd several times in the past and it was not bad. This is sad news for those who live, work or visit the South Columbus/Victory Dr. area.

A musty odor and a leaky roof, eh?! Maybe this new German restaurant is seeking an authentic post-World War II atmosphere.

This may seem strange considering my last name, but I've never been a big fan of German cuisine. I wasn't thrilled by sauerkraut when I was a boy. And the weight-watching side of me tends to walk past German chocolate cake, for something without coconut in the icing -- as if coconuts grow in Germany, anyway.

. At least there's one bit of good news for diners along Victory Drive. Have you noticed that new state-of-the-art Burger King is about to open, near Fort Benning Road?

The person who originally wrote us about CharBroil on Sunday offered this P.S., based on our comments:

CharBroil grills of course and some of the employees as well....

So the new Phenix City restaurant will be authentic, in that way. But that $9.95 hamburger - will that start a price war with Applebee's down the highway, or only drive prices higher?

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29 JUL 07: BUSINESS AS USUAL

The Saturday night run began at 8:55 p.m. ET - about 15 minutes after sunset. I wait until the Sabbath is over to even begin stretching for my jogs. So don't even bother checking my medicine cabinet for illegal steroids.

I prayed for safety before my Saturday night activities. That's not really unusual, but four homicides in Columbus in a seven-day span certainly will put it on a praying person's mind. Besides, carrying a gun in my pocket while I'm running would weigh me down - and leave me concerned about it falling out and discharging toward someone fishing along the river.

Given the recent "surge in crime," as Mayor Jim Wetherington is calling it, I could have stayed indoors Saturday night. But I chose to run, as I normally do. After all, even a slow jogger becomes a moving target - and a bit harder to shoot.

But I took steps to make Saturday night's run a bit different. Whenever I passed someone on the Riverwalk or they approached me, I put up my empty hands. That way, I showed I was no harm to anyone. In five weeks, I'll do this again - when a college football team scores a touchdown on my radio headphones.

Other people were out along the Riverwalk Saturday night as well. A large family was wrapping up some fishing along the Chattahoochee, and a man rode a bicycle with blinking red lights in front. For a moment, I thought that man might be pulling a wheelbarrow behind him - to use as a makeshift ambulance.

The Saturday night course took me around South Commons and past Port Columbus. Between the softball fields and the naval museum, the Riverwalk has a wooden bridge which only seems to be lit at night when there's a full moon. I ran across it before complete darkness fell - and you have to start feeling the air ahead of you like a blinded man.

The course went beyond Rotary Park, toward RoadAmerica - and I approached a couple slowly walking in the same direction I was running. They were embracing, and seemingly loving a Saturday night stroll. I never like to scare people, so I clapped my hands a few times to make them aware of me. If they wanted to join in, I might actually try singing.

After the hand claps, my hands went up - and I told the couple as I jogged by them: "Too many shootings in this town the last two weeks."

That's when the strangest event of the night happened for me. The man in the couple started laughing. It wasn't like I was wearing a "humor blogger" T-shirt, either.

"I'm glad you can laugh at people dying, sir. But I can't." The man laughed some more, as I jogged away. Thankfully, he didn't pull out something and attack me from behind.

I turned the course around at RoadAmerica, running less than two miles non-stop on a steamy night. The couple vanished as I jogged toward home - so maybe they thought about what I said, concluded I could be dangerous and bailed out.

A side path off the Riverwalk led up an incline to Port Columbus, and from there to the South Commons softball fields. A couple of fields were busy with teams in the ASA softball classic. I even heard fans chanting and cheering - something you'd only hear at Golden Park on military appreciation nights.

Two men in bright blue outfits crossed in front of me on the sidewalk at the South Commons softball fields. I was all set to ask one of them if there had been any arrests - but then one said: "Did you have a scouting report on 'em?" Nope, they weren't bicycle police officers after all.

The softball players showed no fear of the surge in crime, even though their fields were practically across the highway from the Booker T. Washington Apartments. And to make matters worse, they were playing slow-pitch - not with 90-mile-per-hour fastballs which could hit criminals in the head.

The rest of the route was quiet, except for a couple of men who walked in front of me as I returned to my car. They also were out on a Saturday night, as if nothing has happened in the last week or so. That's really how it ought to be - even though in a city of more than 180,000 people, you're more likely to be the next murder victim than a Mega Millions winner.

After the run, I drove to pick up dinner - and noticed one other slightly concerning thing. The McDonald's drive-through area on Macon Road had a Muscogee County Sheriff's Deputy inside, talking with a cashier. Had someone named this place as a target? Was someone THAT upset with the new iced coffee?

While I handled my night with care, Columbus Police were busy with the opening night of "Project Safe Streets." WRBL identified several police cars as stopping at a "Cusseta Road laundry." Those washers must be really effective, at removing blood stains....

The new "Project Safe Streets" followed a 7:30 a.m. Friday meeting between Mayor Wetherington and Police Chief Ricky Boren. It's either get up extra-early to attack the crime problem, or stay up extra-late to clean up the damage.

Chief Ricky Boren told reporters Friday afternoon that the crime rate fluctuates up and down. He admitted right now it's going up. May it go down as quickly as the stock market did, over the last few days.

BLOG EXCLUSIVE: From our e-mail comes what could be a first - a restaurant review, before a restaurant officially opens:

Well.....got to eat at the "Friends and Family" practice session for Charbroil Restuarant.......FANTASTIC!!!

The Carribean Shrimp is the best I have ever had!!! Worth the try is Mrs. Turner's recipe for an appetizer....Ritz Crackers/homemade pimento spread, and Smoked Sausages which is wonderful dipped in the special sauce!!.

My better half had the prime rib of which he is extremely picky about and it "melts" in your mouth.!!

Before I go any further and you start making comments....no there is no chinese on the menu. I think the restaurant will be a hit and the menu items don't taste like every other restaurant in the Columbus /Phenix City area.Prices are great as well........check it out..grand opening ribbon cutting is Monday and business to the public starts at lunch immediately following!!

Great Job Charbroil!!! Finally a unique restaurant that can be claimed for this area that is not bar-b-que(which in truth is more famous for it's Friday Turkey and Dressing Day anyway)

Thank you for defusing the most obvious punch line in this review. But one question remains unanswered - were all those items actually cooked on Charbroil grills?

It will be interesting to see how forgiving local diners are, when the Charbroil Restaurant opens on U.S. 280 in Phenix City. I've read some comments from people who don't exactly use the word "boycott," but still plan to stay away. I somehow doubt those people will go to Chinese buffets as an alternative.

Let's see what else is cooking, on this hot and humid weekend:

+ The Liberty Theatre hosted a "Hip-Hop Summit," attempting to emphasize a less criminal approach to the music. Maybe entertainment business owner Jay Hud is learning to do the same thing - because he was called "Jay" on one TV newscast and "Jihad" on another.

+ The Fairfax neighborhood of Valley lost power for eight hours. Alabama Power scheduled a planned night of service improvements for a Saturday night - on perhaps the muggiest night of the summer. Do customers get to run their air conditioners all day today, for half-price?

+ Fox News Channel reported one of Michael Vick's co-defendants is expected to enter a plea-bargained guilty plea Monday. You'll know things are getting bad when Atlanta Falcon wide receivers start denying they dropped any passes from Vick last season.

+ Instant Message to Hank Aaron: Keep one thing in mind - some people wanted to put an asterisk on YOUR home run record 33 years ago. You rode planes, not trains. You played plenty of games at night. And have you noticed the "Babe Ruth Baseball" program never has changed its name?

COMING MONDAY: The land fight which refuses to go away....

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Friday, July 27, 2007

27 JUL 07: I.D. OUR VICK

To borrow some police detective slang, Michael Vick was easy to identify Thursday. He was the one wearing a nice suit to federal court in Richmond, Virginia - but without his usual hair braids. And for some odd reason, Vick was NOT wearing the Nike shoes he usually endorses.

(The lack of braids probably shouldn't be a surprise - because without Vick, the chances of the Atlanta Falcons making a long playoff run will go way down.)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick pleaded NOT guilty to federal dogfighting charges. He's free without bond, and his trial was scheduled for the Monday after Thanksgiving - giving him time to make amends to animal rights groups, by organizing a benefit turkey shoot.

Michael Vick's big salary means he can afford big-name attorneys, and a couple were with him in court Thursday. One of them was Billy Martin, who once was a lawyer for Monica Lewinsky. How ironic -- this is another case where stains on the clothing could be critical evidence.

Billy Martin pointed out to reporters that none of the accusations against Michael Vick have been proven in court yet. Of course, he'd probably say the same thing after a ruling by a federal appeals court....

The federal court hearing attracted a big crowd Animal rights groups declared Michael Vick "sick." Supporters said he should be given a chance. And journalists wondered if some other famous Atlantans would show up as character witnesses - such as Bobby Brown or Whitney Houston.

As if the scene outside the courthouse wasn't strange enough, a Richmond radio station handed out dog treats to the spectators. I don't think some of the animal rights protesters will be satisfied until they can chew personally on Michael Vick.

Michael Vick's arraignment happened to occur on the day the Atlanta Falcons opened training camp. Supporters and opponents of Vick were outside that complex as well - but you'll understand if some of the opponents happened to wear New Orleans Saints jerseys.

ESPN football insider Chris Mortensen said Thursday he expects Michael Vick to miss the entire N.F.L. season. If he's acquitted of the charges, he could return next year - and claim the biggest "Vick-tory" he's ever had.

Chris Mortensen also says the Atlanta Falcons have ruled out signing free agent quarterback Dante Culpepper, to replace Michael Vick. If you're familiar with Culpepper, you know he would force the team management's thinking to change a bit. Instead of watching dog kennels, they'd be keeping Culpepper away from West Point Lake.

Have you noticed how some sports announcers have slipped up with their cliches, while talking about the Michael Vick case? I heard one ESPN Radio host describe a similar case in the courts, and actually say: "I'm not going near that puppy."

(At least Michael Vick's attorneys aren't promising to fight the federal charges with "dogged determination....")

Amidst all this, another football team opened training camp Thursday - Glenwood School in Phenix City. It's already time to prepare for the Alabama high school season. Only at Glenwood, the main concern involving dogs is keeping them from (ahem) piddling on the field.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Here's a thank-you note (of sorts) based on Thursday's topic:

Hi Richard,

Glad you could join us at my going away dinner. It was really fun. I was so happy to see so many co-workers. . .made me smile.

I just read your blog. . .you really remembered 98% of our conversation, I am impressed. But I have one minor correction. . .I'm actually going to be volunteering with an Amsterdam mission organization, not YWAM. When I mentioned YWAM, I was just saying that they too do a separate outreach in the red light district....

Take care,

Your favorite redheaded jew-ta-rican

Admittedly, I did NOT take a notepad to write down the words of Deborah Singer at her farewell dinner. For one thing, the tables at Chili's can get so filled with food that there's no room for even a napkin.

OVERHEARD OVER HERE: It's poker night in one corner of Columbus - and when it's time to turn three cards over for "the flop," three aces show up.

The dealer who turned over the cards turns to the woman on his right. "You cut those cards pretty well, didn't you?"

As you might have guessed by now, not much Columbus news inspired us Thursday - but here's what we noticed:

+ An afternoon thunderstorm dropped more than an inch of rain on the Columbus Airport - while the downtown area barely had a drop. It's time the candidates for President addressed this inequality! Someone should propose a "no neighborhood left behind" program.

+ Columbus Police officially named Michael Registe as a suspect in last Friday night's Cross Creek killings. If Registe wants an apology from Chief Ricky Boren at this point, he's going to have to surrender first.

+ WRBL reported the Georgia Ethics Commission voted unanimously to investigate State Senator Ed Harbison. He's accused of improperly reporting campaign donations - and if all five members found cause to hold a hearing, they may have found something "stinky-Pugh" here.

(It's been about a year since a woman challenged Ed Harbison's campaign ethics, based on a check of his credit card records. It now appears that listing a donor's name as simply "Master Card" isn't good enough.)

+ WXTX "News at Ten" reported Muscogee County schools are three choral teachers short. Thinking back to my high school choir director, this seems like an easy job. Simply wave your arms to the beat all day - and if one section can't get in tune in an hour, throw the baton at them and complain.

+ A new children's park was constructed on the grounds of the Salvation Army center on Warm Springs Road. It was made possible by a nonprofit organization called "Kaboom!" With a name like that, you'd think the park would be built at Fort Benning....

+ An annual competition in aerial robotics began at Fort Benning. WRBL showed scale-model helicopters being flown around by remote control - which is going to make "R-C cars" look like a really ordinary gift come December.

+ Instant Message to Tyler's Restaurant in downtown Phenix City: I saw your sign - "AC EGG CHEESE COM 3.19." Personally, I prefer to keep my eggs and cheese refrigerated and not air-conditioned.

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Thursday, July 26, 2007

26 JUL 07: SINGER'S NEW SONG

When Roszell Gadson left WXTX "News at Ten," he received a farewell dinner at Olive Garden. When co-anchor Deborah Singer left, she was honored at Chili's. So if you stand somewhere around the Staples store, you still can envision Gadson sitting on the left and Singer on the right.

Deborah Singer received a going-away dinner Wednesday night - and the first place she's going is quite surprising. She'll leave soon on a one-month Christian mission trip to Amsterdam. So much for the people who argue all TV news anchors are left-wing atheistic liberals....

Deborah Singer told me she'll help run a Christian-owned youth hostel during the mission trip. Even in the largest city in the Netherlands, you can run into a hostel environment.

Deborah Singer's work will be part of an overall campaign to minister to prostitutes, in the notorious "red light district" of Amsterdam. This raised an obvious question for me. Why travel all the way to the Netherlands to do this, when Victory Drive is less than 30 minutes away?

Deborah Singer explained the Netherlands has been on her heart, since she attended a Christian youth camp there 11 years ago. She's wanted to go back, and this mission trip is a perfect opportunity. Here's hoping she doesn't get run over by all the bicyclists which dominate that city....

I've been to the Netherlands twice, and seen the red light district of Amsterdam. In fact, a bus line takes you past it - a street with women sitting in open basement windows with actual red lights, barely wearing anything. If my pastor is reading this blog: don't worry, I stayed on the bus all the way to the end.

Deborah Singer told me many of the prostitutes in the red light district are brought to Amsterdam from Latin America. They might as well be sex slaves, because Singer says they're not educated in skills and can't speak Dutch or English. But at least one Dutch word should be familiar - as "voetbal" looks and sounds a lot like football.

(Don't ask me why, but the Dutch word for baseball is "honkbal." Someday Jesse Jackson will find that out, and make a smart remark about the small number of African-American players for Atlanta.)

The ministry Deborah Singer will assist is designed to teach Amsterdam prostitutes usable skills, and possibly lead them to salvation. She'll be part of "Youth With a Mission" - which Family Radio calls "Y-WAM" for short. To which I'd add: why NOT Wam, even without George Michael?

This mission trip will only add to an amazing life story for Deborah Singer. She's a cancer survivor and devoted Christian, whose father is a Russian Jew and whose mother is half-Puerto Rican. Singer jokes about how she sometimes describes herself as a "Judi-Rican."

Once the work in Amsterdam is finished, Deborah Singer will search for new work in television news. She came to WXTX from Charlotte, and might be looking to return there - but maybe she'd have more success in the "Pennsylvania Dutch" country.

So what's happened to Deborah Singer's original co-anchor on WXTX "News at Ten?" I'm told Roszell Gadson had another commitment Wednesday night - and that he recently turned down a TV news job in Mississippi. Perhaps he wants to work in a place where the audience will be as smart as he is.

BLOG UPDATE: After we posted Wednesday's edition, the Ledger-Enquirer splashed a suspect in the Cross Creek Apartments killings across the front page. WDAK Radio mentioned his name and described him, but the TV stations did not. C'mon now - his last name can't be THAT hard to pronounce.

The TV newscasts indicated the Ledger-Enquirer released the suspect's name and picture before Columbus Police were ready. Running a red light is a misdemeanor - so the reporter who did it could have to appear in Traffic Court.

Police Chief Ricky Boren told WRBL detectives are waiting to release the murder suspect's name until they develop a timeline of what happened. Authorities think they know what happened before the double homicide last Friday night, but NOT what happened after the shootings. By the time detectives find the "smoking gun," it might become simply a cold case.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Sometimes it's our job to stop rumors before they start....

Have you noticed in the real estate sales that a frequent buyer is "American Lebanese Syrian Association"..in fact they just purchased the St. Jude home ....page 27 Northland Neighbors.....

I have searched tax records to no avail so I am not sure what is up but I have seen this LLC on occasion as the purchaser of property......hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Uhhhh - have you done a Google search for this association? I did Wednesday, and discovered its main office is on "St. Jude Place" in Memphis. So this group appears ready to launch a hostile takeover of the Children's Hospital at any time....

But check the St. Jude web site, and you'll discover the American Lebanese Syrian Association is the fund-raising arm of the hospital. So there's probably no need to worry here. Besides, the "Dream Homes" are located on the other side of town from Fort Benning.

I haven't checked the real estate listings in Northland Neighbors - but if the American Lebanese Syrian Association actually is purchasing a St. Jude Dream Home, it makes me wonder if a prior winner was unable to pay the taxes on it. It also makes me wonder if the house will be given away again, as a "fixed-upped."

Now let's track down other odds and ends from Wednesday:

+ Which person was the client inside a black stretch limousine, which was parked at the front door of the Columbus Public Library? Is this REALLY how Claudya Muller would go shopping for landscaping supplies?

+ A Columbus Health Department official told WRBL it's guarding against West Nile Virus in a new way this year. It's using a "mosquito surveillance program." So if you see the Geico gecko wearing sunglasses and carrying a walkie-talkie, he could be doing undercover work.

+ Sumter County Schools held a "welcome back" event for teachers - and the program included the Superintendent wearing a tie-dyed outfit, and pretending to be a rock star. So much for this school district adopting a dress code for the new term....

+ Instant Message to Cody Road Trophies and Jewelry: Congratulations on marking your 22^nd anniversary. Do you plan to celebrate it by finally changing your name to University Avenue?

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