The Blog of Columbus, Georgia

Thursday, December 21, 2006

21 DEC 06: TRUE CONFESSIONS

Wednesday night's news had two items about family responsibility. One person tried to dodge it, and is going to prison. The other person admitted she was wrong, in front of hundreds of people. And no, that second person is NOT the current Miss U.S.A.

If you drove down Crawford Road in Phenix City, you may have seen a girl hold a sign outside a Busy Bee convenience store saying, "I STOLE MY MOM'S CAR." Then again, perhaps you didn't - because the sign was so big, the girl sat behind it attempting to hide.

The car thief holding that sign was 13-year-old Brittany Davis -- and it was her mother's car than she stole. Deborah Davis told WRBL she had to resort to a punishment more drastic than grounding. And I don't think the "Columbus Stockade" monument actually has a working stockade these days.

Deborah Davis says her teenage daughter stole her car last Friday, on a dare from the girl's friends. Brittany Davis is now barred from being around those friends anymore. And somehow, I don't think the movie "Mean Girls" will be allowed in her house.

Deborah Davis says her 13-year-old daughter is NOT really a "problem child" - but when she's around the wrong friends, she "makes some stupid decisions." Do any of her friends or their parents happen to work for the Columbus Revenue Department?

Deborah Davis works at the convenience store where her daughter and the sign were on display all day. She says the girl endured some harassment and laughter from customers. But perhaps most amazingly, it appears no one from the Phenix City Police stopped to arrest her.

One customer interviewed on TV suggested it was good for Brittany Davis to learn a lesson, by being punished with "humiliation." Yet this strikes me as a rather extreme case. Inmates doing community service don't have their crimes pinned on their uniforms - and the only one I've seen followed around by reporters lately was Boy George.

But I noted we had TWO items along this line - and the second news story Wednesday was quite sad. Former Lanett City Councilman Barry Waites was sentenced to 40 years in prison, for murdering his wife in 1998. For eight years he got away with the killing - while not even President Clinton could remain monogamous for that long.

This murder case had a strange twist, as Lanett resident John Spraggins claimed he had a detailed dream about the killing - a dream which led him to accuse Barry Waites of killing his wife at a public campaign forum. It could have been worse, you know -- Spraggins could have accused Waites in a TV attack ad.

I didn't realize until Wednesday that when Charlotte Waites was found murdered in the family home, husband Barry Waites didn't even bother to buy a headstone for her grave. Shouldn't that have been a clue, to someone in Chambers County law enforcement? Or were officers waiting for him to release an "If I Did It" book?

Part of Barry Waites's sentence requires him to repay $5,000 he received after his wife's death. It was money from the Alabama Victim's Compensation Fund. But maybe there's a better solution - to pay the money to his daughter, who seemed as distraught as her mother's relatives. But I doubt she'd buy a headstone reading, "MY DAD STOLE MY MOM'S LIFE."

Barry Waites remarried after his wife's murder - and that woman was heard declaring as she left the Chambers County Courthouse, "You'll hear our side of it." Does this mean an appeal is planned? Or is "48 Hours Mystery" planning a second stop, after updating the death of Fort Benning's Richard Davis?

E-MAIL UPDATE: The discussion continues about last week's apartment fire on Old Cusseta Road - and whether a TV station reported a "rumor," or a survivor's accusation against police:

I agree with reporters suppose to report on the news and not make their onw news,,,

I remember one reporter a few years ago telling me that if a story needs a little ump to it, it is up to the reporter to do it..

I think the comment was something like " There's news all day, every day, and a good reporter will make a story stand out to be notice".

It's not only reporters who do that. So do public relations specialists, who want their story to get special attention. Or have you noticed how somebody supposedly named Santa Claus has shown up all over Columbus in the last couple of weeks?

(In the immortal words that Lucy told Charlie Brown - Christmas is "run by a big Eastern syndicate, you know.")

Now a check of other stories people reported on Wednesday:

+ A child fingerprinting and identification event was held at Carolyn Hugley's insurance office on Buena Vista Road. WRBL interviewed Pat Hugley Green, and labeled her on the air a "concerned parent." So when did she resign from the Muscogee County School Board?

+ WXTX "News at Ten" reported the Chattahoochee County Public Works Director has resigned. This is on top of the police department implosion, and the County Manager's resignation - so it looks like the new county commission's first duty in January should be to schedule a job fair.

+ Aflac announced its famous duck will put on a mask and become a rescuing superhero, in a new January commercial. It's a good thing he's putting that mask on - so he can't be picked out from all those other white ducks in Columbus.

+ The Columbus Cottonmouths signed retired defenseman Tom Wilson to a five-game contract. Wilson racked up 119 penalty minutes in half-a-season last year, then joined the Columbus Fire/EMS Department. I guess we know why he didn't apply for the police force....

+ Albany's new "South Georgia Peanuts" independent baseball team named Wally Backman as its manager. Backman last managed the major league Arizona Diamondbacks - for all of four days. Suddenly the Alabama football coaching job doesn't seem so bad....

(First came the Montgomery Biscuits, then the Columbus Catfish, and now the South Georgia Peanuts. If all these teams were in the same league, their games could be televised on the Food Network.)

+ Georgia Tech quarterback Reggie Ball was disqualified from the Gator Bowl, because he didn't keep his grades up. Apparently Ball forgot about his courses even more than he forgot about wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

+ Instant Message to Victoryland: I'd be a little more thrilled about that "2006 Cadillac Escalade" you're giving away tonight at midnight, except for one thing - the 2007 models have been out for weeks.

2006 IN REVIEW CONTINUED: April brought big developments in the Columbus Mayor's race. Jim Wetherington announced he was running. Bob Poydasheff had a street named in his honor. And Councilor Wayne Anthony turned out to have one of the safest seats in town.

President Bush came close to Columbus in April, by speaking at Tuskegee University. He chose to speak in other parts of Georgia during the fall campaign - which apparently means Rep. Lynn Westmoreland will agree with whatever decision the President makes on Iraq.

A judge ruled in April that Russell County Commissioner Ronnie Reed must vacate his office. But eight months later, he's still there - and with Probate Judge Al Howard leaving his office, there may be no one left to embarrass him at commission meetings.

The troubles at Russell County schools mounted in April, as middle school principal Larry Screws was arrested. The school board was asked to comment, and took two days to issue a written statement - as if the board members are trying to be the next nominee for United Nations ambassador.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed tough new rules in April, restricting state services for illegal immigrants. Yet somehow, El Vaquero and El Carrizo still have two restaurants each - and "Viva 1460" remains on the air in Spanish.

Several Columbus business deals made news in April. Midtown Inc. bought the old Sears building on Macon Road. Circle K stores bought Spectrum. And the District Attorney decided The Fire House wasn't worth anyone buying anything there at all.

A lawsuit was filed in April, accusing managers of the Auburn Hooters restaurant of encouraging women to act like prostitutes. Why DID they put the Columbus location at the opposite end of town from Victory Drive?

(You'd think Hooters would take this Auburn lawsuit seriously. After all, news of that kind of behavior in April led to the Columbus Boys Choir having to reorganize under another name.)

This blog was first to tell you in April about a new low-power radio station from Phenix City. WURY-FM broadcasts a Seventh-Day Adventist radio network - yet amazingly, it's still on the air every Saturday morning when I wake up.

The Columbus Civic Center had some big events in April. First came country star Gretchen Wilson. Then came an ice-skating version of "Finding Nemo." And at the end of the month, a new event began - "Where in the World are the Vipers' Rent Checks?"

Auburn University officials tried floating the need for a new basketball arena in April -- only days after former Auburn star Charles Barkley was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame. I'm not sure Barkley's big ego can be held by either place.

But an even bigger "sports story" emerged in April from Fort Benning. Faith Middle School students claimed three world records in cup-stacking. When this is added to the Best Ranger competition, I'll be a little more impressed....

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Wednesday, December 20, 2006

20 DEC 06: THE TIPPING POINTS

The "missing money mess" involving the Columbus landfill officially turned into a full-blown scandal Tuesday. The amount of missing money doubled, and we learned some documents were destroyed. Maybe outgoing Mayor Bob Poydasheff should take another European vacation - and look for a home in exile.

It all started at the Columbus Council meeting, with a bombshell from City Manager Isaiah Hugley. He said the total amount of missing landfill tipping fees comes to about $2.2 million. If this much money in tips was missing at Hooters, the servers would wear full dresses in protest.

How did the amount of missing money soar to the millions? City Manager Isaiah Hugley revealed $1.3 million in landfill tipping fees were "written off" before 2004, without Columbus Council approval. This may sound like a lot, but remember - O.J. Simpson's latest book was written off for much more.

Next question: who wrote off $1.3 million in landfill tipping fees? That was addressed in an afternoon news conference by Muscogee County Sheriff Ralph Johnson. He blames someone in the city Revenue Department, but he won't say whom. Recalling the Kenneth Walker case, we should learn the name of this person sometime in February.

Sheriff Ralph Johnson won't say who wrote off the landfill fees because he's given his investigation to the District Attorney. Gray Conger will decide if charges should be filed - or whether he'll follow the example of the Revenue Department, and write it all off as well.

Sheriff Ralph Johnson revealed some documents involved in the landfill tipping case were shredded, by someone in the Finance Department. This proves either we have a city scandal - or the warm December weather has some gardeners desperate for mulch.

(Come to think of it, there's a way to figure out who shredded the documents. The City Manager's wife is holding a fingerprinting event today - and really, why should we limit this to children?)

City Manager Isaiah Hugley attended the news conference with the sheriff, and promised a "landfill-gate" would NOT happen again. In his words: "The fix is there...." Doesn't he mean the fix WAS there - a little like ticket-fixing?

Isaiah Hugley actually quoted Mayor-Elect Jim Wetherington, telling one reporter in city government "you have to look over their shoulders." Keep repeating the things your new boss says, and your job security is likely to increase.

The City Manager also gave Columbus Council an update on other matters of missing money. When it comes to traffic fines, all the license plates of the accused offenders have been tracked down. So watch how you enter those parking spaces at Columbus Park Crossing over the next few days....

A report on millions of missing dollars was probably NOT the way Mayor Bob Poydasheff wanted to leave office. Tuesday was his final day at Columbus Council, capped with an evening farewell reception at the Trade Center. We're assuming any leftover campaign donations not spent on the party will be given to the landfill fund.

(You don't think extra police officers were on hand, to escort the outgoing mayor from the building....?!)

Bob Poydasheff said he did NOT start from scratch as Columbus Mayor, but merely built on what other mayors had done. Yet I think this reasoning can work in reverse as well -- because when Mayor Poydasheff took office, Bobby Peters was unmarried.

Mayor-Elect Jim Wetherington told WRBL Bob Poydasheff should move out of the mayor's office in the Government Center next Wednesday. The new mayor doesn't take office until January 2 - so Bert Coker has about six days to attempt a coup.

WRBL also tracked down Nathan Suber, at the end of his final Columbus Council meeting. He explained he did NOT need to concede the runoff election to Jerry Barnes, because he congratulated Barnes in a newspaper ad. Suber must have turned off the Little League baseball games before the teams shook hands.

We should note one other item from Tuesday's Columbus Council meeting. Councilors approved $3.5 million to begin renovating the Baker Village apartments. Demolition of the buildings may begin by next summer - giving some residents a few months to unload all their spray paint.

Tuesday turned out to be a busy news day. For example....

+ The high temperature in Columbus was a record 77 degrees F. It was so warm that a couple of insects flew through my computer room. But I didn't think to entrap them, to release them in Friday's predicted cold rain.

+ The Phenix City Council turned down an alcohol license for the former "Club Roc." At least the owner never bothered to put new signs up for The Road House.

+ CB&T posted a banner outside its new Midtown branch, announcing it will open January 8. The original plan was for an opening in the fourth quarter of this year - so maybe bank President Steve Helton should have spent less time building the National Infantry Museum, and more time on Macon Road.

+ WRBL reported Chattahoochee County Manager W. Elvin Hardy resigned. At least the new county commission won't have to vote on phasing out his office, to match the police department.

+ A "Stewart County Crime Summit" was held in Lumpkin, with residents offering ideas to clean up drug-dealing. One proposal is for more public transportation. Huh?! Do they want to put pushers on one-way bus rides to Columbus?

+ A farewell reception was held for Opelika's retiring school superintendent. Philip Raley told WRBL he came to town in 1970, intending to stay only one year. I guess this means he was satisfied with Opelika - as opposed to bigger school systems being unwilling to hire him.

+ ESPN Radio host Colin Cowherd reported Auburn University has NOT sold its ticket allotment for the Cotton Bowl. I'm not sure where all the Tiger fans are - but as empty as Beard-Eaves Coliseum was for Tuesday night's basketball game against Tennessee State, I know where they're not.

+ Georgia head football coach Mark Richt named quarterback coach Mike Bobo the team's new offensive coordinator. Imagine if he makes the wrong call against Georgia Tech next season. Bulldog fans will say: "Oh-oh - a Bobo boo-boo."

+ Instant Message to the driver of a four-by-four who turned left in front of me on Tenth Street, and did it from the right lane: I'm assuming you drive a used car - because that's the only way to explain the Christian fish logo on your trunk.

2006 IN REVIEW CONTINUED: March was a history-making month for our area, as Kia announced it will build a new auto plant in West Point. I'm told crews have been grading land for the plant, even at night - perhaps before Hyundai executives go to prison, and the money dries up.

We had a Big Blog Question during March about possible election challengers for Mayor Bob Poydasheff. The top vote-getter was Randy Robertson of the Fraternal Order of Police -- so Jim Wetherington hopefully won't mind if the F.O.P. looks over HIS shoulder in the next four years.

Mayor Bob Poydasheff declared in March Columbus lacks "first-class hotels." This may explain why his farewell reception Tuesday night was at the Trade Center, and not the Four Points Sheraton.

The Georgia election year took a strange turn in March, as an aide in Mark Taylor's campaign was accused of trying to set fire to the Atlanta campaign office.
Maybe he should have waited to do that in mid-October -- because Taylor's fall campaign had little fire at all.

Phenix City gained a new police chief in March - and Brian McGarr said he had to train himself for the job. I'm a bit surprised former Columbus police chief Willie Dozier didn't cross the river, to pick up a consultant's fee.

In a curious police case, a man was arrested during March on charges of stealing tailgates from East Alabama pickup trucks. It's a good thing he was caught quickly - because it would have looked strange seeing this suspect trying to sell tailgates outside football games in the fall.

Dr. William Howell of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition had a news conference in March about the Kenneth Walker case. He held another news conference in late August - so I think he met his quota for the year.

Russell County High School's Principal was replaced in March, because of problems with student transfers to play baseball. Considering what happened in Russell County after that, this was downright nit-picky....

A teachers' union based in suburban Atlanta came to Columbus in March, and demanded the principal of Carver High School be fired. Several athletic directors probably have contacted the union since then, suggesting the head football coach go with him.

A Columbus ministry's leader had trouble in March, as Samuel Thomas of Hopegivers International was arrested by angry Hindus in India. The Hopegivers web site doesn't even mention him now - and I suppose it wouldn't look right to have a hamburger cookout, to raise money for his bail.

The Columbus Civic Center announced in March it was open to bids to sell the arena's name. But no company wanted to put up the money for it - so there's still a chance it will become the Country's Barbecue Barn.

Port Columbus marked its fifth anniversary in March, with a "River Blast" celebration. Maybe this event should merge with Riverfest, and have people row boats down Broadway in a couple of years.

James Taylor came to Columbus in March, for a RiverCenter concert. But some people complained they didn't know most of the songs, and Taylor stiffed them by only presenting two encores. Imagine if Taylor had performed with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

There were signs of change in the Columbus media during March. The Ledger-Enquirer was sold to new owners. WRBL news anchor Blaine Stewart became a weather forecaster for several weeks. And WHAL AM-1460 changed from gospel to Spanish music - without one Columbus preacher accusing the owners of backsliding.

Auburn University had a victorious month in March, as both the men's and women's swim teams won national championships. Amazingly, we haven't heard yet of any swimmers taking directed studies courses.

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Tuesday, December 19, 2006

19 DEC 06: WAIT TILL THE MIDNIGHT HOUR

Have you made plans yet for the start of 2007? Before you accuse me of trying to rush past Christmas, keep something in mind. Bill Heard started an "after-Christmas sale" more than a week ago.

Some Columbus bar owners aren't sure what to think about the start of this coming year. That's because December 31 is on a Sunday - a day when bars must be closed. In some places, this is called a "blue law." And that's how tavern owners feel about it....

Since bars in Columbus cannot be open on Sunday nights, some downtown clubs are changing their strategy this year. They plan to open at 12:01 a.m. Monday -- one minute after midnight. This is one time when it pays for them to be close to Alabama. They'll probably count down to the new year in Central Time.

But restaurants which serve food and alcohol have an advantage this year. They can open in the afternoon, and stay open well after midnight -- so you can have two or three last fattening burgers, before starting on that resolution to lose weight.

(Of course, if you REALLY have a resolution to lose weight, you won't be drinking at midnight. You'll order a pitcher of fruit juice or diet cola, right?!)

Terri Hogg of the Uptown Tap said Monday she hoped Columbus city officials would make an exception, and let bars be open that Sunday night. Of course, smokers are liable to show up around 9:00 p.m. -- and puff away on the sidewalk as usual.

Columbus city officials are showing a bit of mercy on bars and clubs, with New Year's Eve falling on a Sunday night. They'll be allowed to stay open extra-late, until 4:00 a.m. Let's hope Waffle Houses serve the SafetyCab drivers free coffee all night....

In a way, I can see an advantage to bars not opening for business until after midnight. The staff will be able to check for fireworks at the door - and no one will have a reason to bring any inside to light them.

But the places which are most likely to hit the jackpot December 31 are Phenix City stores which sell alcohol. They can do that legally on Sunday, while Columbus stores can't. So when will the police checkpoint on the 13^th Street Bridge start - 3:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.?

Some people might be tempted to go "whole-hog Alabama" on that Sunday - picking up not only alcohol for New Year's, but fireworks as well. My latest American Town Marketing envelope actually had a coupon for a free pack of fireworks, at a store just outside Phenix City. That should outdo my neighbors' Christmas lights once and for all....

Big Mama's Fireworks SuperCenter promises in its mailing to be open until midnight from December 28-31. They're open extra-late four days - as if people are going to wrap bottle rockets, and give them as Kwanza presents.

The coupon mailing also informs you that Big Mama's Fireworks is the "closest fireworks store to the GA. state line." We all know you can't set off fireworks in Georgia except for small sparklers - so what's the point of mentioning that? Do Auburn football fans plan to get even for that loss a few weeks ago?

E-MAIL UPDATE: A reader wants us to head back to the Luverne Apartments on Old Cusseta Road:

Dick,

Why no mention [15 Dec] that it was WTVM that reported the rumor the CPD caused the fire? Conflict of interest maybe??? Maybe the "News Leader" (and i used the term loosely) should have better oversight in the newsroom. I thought journalism was based on fact, not opinion. Did Iler not learn that in J-school? What am I saying? She thinks the GBI is in Greenville, SC. Good to talk to you again. Cheers!

Well, hold on here. Was it really a "rumor?" The woman I saw on WTVM's evening news last week actually was making an accusation - and claiming police did it directly to her. That's like Jim Wetherington spreading a "rumor" outside the Government Center that he's running for mayor.

I agree that journalism should be "based on fact, not opinion." But there are many times when people have different opinions about what the facts are. Or have we forgotten the "facts" about Iraq having hidden weapons of mass destruction?

Sometimes it takes time to sort out facts from opinion - and that well could happen with this fire on Old Cusseta Road. If you never hear about it again, I suppose that means there really was a grease fire on a stove. But if Al Sharpton shows up at the complex with Kenneth Walker's mother complaining about police recklessness, maybe not....

Our Monday reference to a Ledger-Enquirer columnist and something she wrote over the weekend also brought a response:

After her Soundoff column I wrote the L-E suggesting they create a new position for her as "CENSOR" or 'THOUGHT POLICE" over the SOUNDOFF or LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, sections of the paper. That way she could eliminate all the letters that she does not agree with and end all this controversy.

Do you think they will print my SOUNDOFF?

A few years ago the L-E ran some television ads featuring, Kaffie, Sandra Okamoto, Billy Winn and one other reporter whos name escapes me.

After watching those commercials it was evident why they are print rather than TV journalists.

Whether newspapers want to admit it or not, they all engage in censorship to some extent. For instance, they only publish one person's view of the horoscope every day.

This writer may not be aware that the Ledger-Enquirer has been running TV commercials over the last few weeks. Several staff members talk on+ camera. Others look like they're cardboard cutouts - and I hope those aren't being used to inflate the paper's circulation.

But here's what struck me about Kaffie Sledge's column. She complained about the Sound Off feature, which appears in her own newspaper. The amazing thing to me is -- as far as I know, she still has a job with the Ledger-Enquirer today.

Really now -- if you complained about a decision at your workplace to tens of thousands of customers, as Kaffie Sledge did last Saturday, would YOU still be on your boss's payroll? Well, unless you're a professional athlete who's not touching the ball enough....

We left our sound ON during the day Monday, and here's what we learned:

+ The high temperature in Columbus was a near-record 76 degrees F. Some shoppers complained to WRBL it doesn't feel like Christmas. So? They still celebrate it in Australia, and it's the start of summer there.

+ Post offices across Columbus had long lines, on the busiest mailing day of the year. The lines were SO LONG that customers had time to compare everyone around them with the F.B.I. "wanted posters."

+ Stewart County Manager Mac Moye told WRBL there's a new threat to close the Lumpkin Public Library. A drug deal reportedly took place there in recent weeks. So isn't there an easy solution to this? Arrest the suspects when the drugs are up for renewal.

+ Jack Fisher pitched a tent inside a cage outside the Auburn Kroger store. It's an annual stunt to raise money for the Lee County Humane Society. We hope no pro wrestlers show up, and challenge him to a Texas Death Match.

+ ESPN Radio host Colin Cowherd declared Jim Mora "done" as Atlanta Falcons head coach. The last straw may have come Friday, when Mora told a Seattle radio station he'd like to coach at the University of Washington someday. Hey coach! Alabama's open right now, with a smaller moving bill.

+ Meanwhile, the National Football League fined Dallas's Terrell Owens $35,000 for spitting on an Atlanta player Saturday night. Compared to the $10,000 "finger fine" Michael Vick received in November, there's an obvious lesson here for all ages. It's what comes from inside you that really counts.

+ Atlanta radio station WLTM-FM switched from "light rock" music to country, and started calling itself "The Bull." The station at FM-95 used to be WPCH, doing wonderful features about "this Peach of a city." Now Atlanta has become.... well, you know....

2006 IN REVIEW CONTINUED: February began with a big party at Auburn University, making the campus's 150^th anniversary. To be honest, I don't think trustee Bobby Lowder looks a day over 60....

But the Auburn city council made a change in February, deciding to release City Manager David Watkins. Watkins was making $70,000 more in salary than Isaiah Hugley in Columbus - so at least THEIR traffic fines were collected.

The Russell County Jail had a shakeup in February, after several inmates escaped for days. Two jailers were fired. Three jailers resigned. And who knows how many of them called county commissioners, to lobby against that big pay raise?!

Meanwhile, the Russell County Constable warned in February Hurtsboro was becoming a "disaster area" due to crime. Since then, the only grocery store in town has closed in the wake of a robbery. And if anyone tries to reopen "Big Town Foods," he or she might have to remove the "big" part.

Members of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals staged a protest in Columbus in February. They stood outside a KFC restaurant, and handed out fliers while wearing yellow bikinis. I'm not sure if they were more concerned about the handling of chickens, or global warming.

February was a big month in Phenix City, as a section of 13^th Street and Crawford Road was renamed "Freddie Hart Parkway." Only a day later, Brad Paisley and Sara Evans performed at the Columbus Civic Center - and I suspect most of the country music fans there had no idea who Freddie Hart is.

(Local country music fans can tell their grandchildren someday: Sara Evans was in Columbus, long before ballroom dancing ruined her marriage.)

A longtime religious store announced plans to close in February - but then something happened to the Mustard Seed. It gained new owners, moved to the other side of Airport Thruway and reopened as "The Sanctuary." The people who ran Que Pasa Burrito Company must have been real sinners....

On the other hand, the Georgia Lottery ended the "Lotto South" game in February. It's been replaced by one called "Win for Life" - and considering WRBL never shows the twice-weekly drawings, it may be on life-support.

State legislatures were in session during February, doing all sorts of important things. For instance, Georgia lawmakers discussed creating an official "state dirt." Republican efforts to pin this title on Mark Taylor were defeated.

African-American History Month took a sad turn in February, with the death of Coretta Scott King. Her memorial service in metro Atlanta lasted nearly six hours - and imagine how long it would have lasted if Bill Clinton hadn't trimmed his speech.

The Columbus radio team "Duke and the Doctor" did a week of programs from Israel during February. At last, they justified having their daily program on a "Southern gospel" music station.

A new pro sports team premiered in Columbus during February, as the Chattahoochee Valley Vipers played indoor football. Too bad the accounting staff was too busy playing paper football, and not paying their bills....

Power Frisbee was announced in February -- but the web site is scheduled to expire Wednesday. Click here for a last look.

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Monday, December 18, 2006

18 DEC 06: VICTORY IS MINE

It was only after we posted Sunday's blog entry that we learned the news - and what tremendous news it was! I've been honored by a prestigious national magazine! And this is even BEFORE I got mentioned in "Columbus and the Valley."

If you haven't heard yet -- I've been named Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2006! I haven't received an honor like this since I was named the "Most Dependable" employee at a workplace. And that was even more amazing, because I was only a part-time worker at the time.

The Time cover story about my Person of the Year award says, "You. Yes, you.... control the Information Age." At last, someone recognizes the power I possess with this blog. Especially since I don't have broadband, so I can hang up my dial-up Internet access anytime a hacker shows up.

Do you realize the company I'm keeping right now? As Time's Person of the Year, I join a group which includes several U.S. Presidents, rock singer Bono - and I'm only about 23 years behind the computer winning the honor, so it's better late than never.

For years and years, I've been wondering when this day would come. I'd check at supermarkets to see if I made one of those other major magazine lists....

+ The "50 Most Beautiful People" list. So what if I wear glasses? So does Ugly Betty, and look at how popular she's become.

+ The Forbes 400 list. If all of those billionaires suddenly lose their fortunes, as I hear so many preachers so they will someday....

+ "Sportsman of the Year." I always let speeding drivers go around me on the highway - not to mention cyclists, when I'm jogging on the Riverwalk.

+ The "Sexiest Man Alive." Admittedly, this one has become frustrating for me - should I shave regularly, or shouldn't I?

What I don't understand is how Time magazine kept the Person of the Year award so secret from me. It was absolutely a surprise! Not even my friends and relatives dropped any hints - perhaps because I don't think a financial reward comes with it.

Another thing I don't understand is why the news media absolutely did NOT call me Sunday - to interview either me, or offer congratulations for being Person of the Year. I didn't even hear from the Fox publishing woman about ghostwriting, "If I Won It, Here's How It Happened."

Of course, my selection as Person of the Year has to include the obligatory thank-you list, scribbled on the slip of paper in my pocket. There are so MANY little people I'd like to thank for this honor....

+ The makers of eMachines, which provided my first Windows-era computer in 1999. I had to replace it this year -- and while the new version is SO much better, the old one holds stacks of magazines very well.

+ Blogger, the branch of Google which hosts my blog. Please direct those millions of Chinese Internet users this way, through your filters.

+ Several other Columbus bloggers, who gave up the fight this year for various reasons. There are no hard feelings, really - but I'm still not naming you.

+ All of you who read the blog, whether every day or a little less often. I'm nowhere near as upset with you as Kaffie Sledge is with the "Sound Off" writers in the Ledger-Enquirer.

It would be SO wrong of me to go on and on and gloat about this award, but.... what? What's that you're saying?! You say you checked the Time magazine cover, and thought YOU had been named Person of the Year?!?! Oh please -- don't deny me this moment. This is my best chance to attract babes in at least a couple of months....

And don't you dare say the President of Iran deserves the title "Person of the Year" more from Time magazine, for how he influenced world events in 2006. I mean, when was the last time you read HIS blog?

But I suppose I should focus on things other than myself - so here are some notes from a very slow news weekend:

+ The high temperature in Columbus soared above 70 degrees F. again. But sadly, the Columbus city budget remains tight - and all outdoor swimming pools remain closed for now.

+ Which Sumter County woman reportedly is keeping hundreds of bats in her home? I'm told authorities actually are calling her "Batwoman" - but no, I don't think Halle Berry has called her yet about doing a movie.

+ Former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr bolted from the Republican Party, and joined the Libertarians. He's already been invited to be a "regional representative" on the party's national committee - showing this party is free from the big-party bondage of playing political favorites.

+ WRBL reported the Columbus Lions held open scouting drills for the new World Indoor Football League. In light of the weekend news, extra spittoons were spotted around the end zones.

+ Instant Message to TV preacher Peter Popoff: I saw you on cable TV the other night, offering "new larger miracle spring water." Why does the spring water have to be larger? Can't God perform great miracles through small vials anymore?

2006 BLOG YEAR IN REVIEW: This year has brought several new and different things to Columbus and Georgia. For instance, license tag offices across the state began selling NASCAR tags. To this date, I haven't seen any on cars - unless those are the ones racing by me in a blur on the freeway.

Columbus Council began 2006 by approving an expanded rock quarry in Fortson. Little did we know how foreboding that would be - as the city finance department was on rocky ground months later.

But some Columbus Councilors claimed they were blindsided in January, when the Muscogee County School Board took a surprise vote for a new sales tax. Councilors were unhappy because they weren't told about it. Political activist Paul Olson was unhappy because he said his idea was stolen. Other area bloggers were unhappy because - well, that's really not all that unusual....

The Georgia NAACP announced a new project at the start of January: removing two World War II memorial plaques from the Taylor County Courthouse. This issue took 61 years to set up -- so the civil rights group has only 60 years to go to achieve its goal.

But January had happy times in our area, as the Third Brigade came home from its second tour of duty in Iraq. A third tour probably will begin early next year - and we hope it's three "quick strikes" and they're out for good.

Former President Jimmy Carter admitted to CBS News in January he makes wine at his home in Sumter County. This is different from his latest book - where critics claim he makes whine, in behalf of the Palestinians.

Columbus Police faced a challenge in mid-January, when several animals being used for pro bull riding broke out of their pen and scattered around South Commons. This pointed out yet another glaring omission for South Columbus - the lack of a good meat market.

The Georgia Office of Consumer Affairs fined a Buena Vista Road gas station $2,000 in January, for pumping up its gas price to five dollars a gallon during 2005. No one ever did go back there, to see how high cigarette prices were jacked up to pay off that fine.

Several local teams marked sports milestones in January. Randolph-Clay High School set a Georgia record, by winning 77 boys' basketball games in a row. Herbert Greene at Columbus State won his 500^th college basketball game. And Auburn University basketball marked its centennial - and officials were happy when more than 500 fans showed up.

The Miss Georgia pageant had its best Miss America contestant in decades, as Monica Pang finished second. But when last we heard, Pang was moving to Malaysia - so this may be the worst reaction to grits in recorded history.

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: Our year-end review of 2006 will continue over the next several days....)

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Sunday, December 17, 2006

17 DEC 06: YOU HAS-BIN

The view outside my bedroom window changed Saturday. It happened when a road tractor backed into the driveway, hooked up a giant dumpster and hauled it away. At least it all made plenty of noise, so I could wish it good riddance....

A construction company has its office next door to my apartment complex, and the staff apparently decided to do some major renovation this past week. It started when a dirt driveway on the far side of their building was covered with gravel. If dirt isn't good enough, you know they're serious.

Gravel covered the open space behind the construction company's building as well. Then a small Caterpillar front-end loader was brought in. For all I knew, they were going to build a giant Christmas tree in the pack - and videotape it, to show off to prospective clients.

The reconstruction work came as a surprise to me. It was also jarring, since I working an overnight shift and trying to sleep during the day. I mean, have you ever considered the people who have to live next door to an "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" house for a week?

While I kept my bedroom window closed during sleep time, the sound of the shifting construction equipment kept me awake one day. I don't normally set an alarm clock when I work overnights - but with neighbors like these, I didn't have to.

The good news was that the next day, the construction noise stopped. The bad news was that it was replaced by banging, as if someone was filling a giant dumpster. At my scheduled wake-up time, I climbed out of bed - and when I looked out my window, my guess was right. A giant dumpster was close enough for me to add my own garbage. And it was so full, I doubt the staff would have noticed.

How ironic it was to discover the giant black dumpster had "Sandman" on the side. I certainly wasn't sleeping as a result of it. In fact, Mr. Sandman had brought me a nightmare - sort of like an overnight shift I worked in suburban Atlanta years ago. On one memorable Friday, a next-door neighbor just HAD to turn up rock music outside while he worked on his car....

Once my short stint on overnights ended, I walked by the Sandman dumpster to take a close look at its contents. It was filled to overflowing, with what looked like wooden tables and shelving. I had no room for any of it - but couldn't they have sold that stuff in a yard sale, or on the Internet? Or was all the throwing the staff's way of getting daily exercise?

The best news so far is that the renovation seems to be over. The Sandman dumpster was loaded onto the back of a road tractor Saturday, and driven away. But we're sad to say trash piled next to the dumpster was NOT picked up. It's still there as I write this, late on Saturday night. "In the neighborhood" usually is close enough for the prison inmates who pick up trash....

The dumpster was right next to the construction company building, and I suppose it's on their property. But people in my apartment complex have used that spot to park cars over the years, including me. Who knows what stray junk may be left there now -- although it's probably an improvement from the bullet I found in the driveway one afternoon.

I thought about walking over to the construction company, to ask exactly what was going on. But I haven't -- since it's probably not really my business. If they decide to pile up the gravel next and leave my window looking like snow flurries fell, that could change....

E-MAIL UPDATE: It's always nice to hear from readers like you:

Thanks for an entertaining year...hope next yr is the same...

You're welcome - but we're not quite through with 2006 yet. In fact, on Monday we'll start our annual review of the year's most important and most unusual stories. Maybe all the big stories will converge somehow - and we'll learn Jim Wetherington tried out to be a Little League pitcher.

Now for news headlines from a weekend which feels more like mid-March than mid-December:

+ Columbus city officials held a public hearing about drainage problems on Effingham Way. New development near the Ginger Creek subdivision apparently has caused occasional flooding, but the city lacked the funds to buy out necessary property. And at this time of year, a lack of "Ginger bread" can be embarrassing.

+ Muscogee County schools began an extra-long winter break. Counting weekends, there's no class for 18 days -- which makes that "12 Days of Christmas" stuff look pretty old-fashioned and out-of-date.

+ WRBL reported a Phenix City man won $250,000 in the Georgia Lottery "Slots of Luck" game. Maybe he can donate some of that money to the Don Siegelman defense fund....

+ Two Columbus radio stations held dueling "holiday help" missions. WAGH-FM provided dinner and clothes to the "98 neediest" families. WFXE-FM gave away toys at the Civic Center. And perhaps "Viva 1460" will hand out free Spanish-English dictionaries.

+ Tickets went on sale at the Columbus Civic Center for a Toby Keith concert in February. I walked by the main entrance Friday afternoon and saw a man with a folding chair, talking on a cell phone. Does this make him a bigger loser than the guys who waited all night for PlayStation 3 systems?

+ Peach County pounded Shaw 28-7, to win the AAA high school football title. Somewhere the Northern Little League All-Stars raised a toast with soda cups - because for now, they may be the only major sports champions in town.

(Peach County's nickname is the Trojans - which I guess makes more sense than calling yourselves the Fighting Peaches....)

+ The Atlanta Falcons hurt their playoff chances by losing to Dallas 38-28. The Falcons ran several plays with Matt Schaub at quarterback and Michael Vick at running back. Now if Vick can teach some of his receivers how to catch passes more often....

(Atlanta kicker Morten Andersen kicked four extra points, and set a National Football League record for most career points. And WDAK radio set a local record for the longest "ten-second pause for station identification" - thus missing a tie-breaking Dallas touchdown by Terrell Owens.)

+ Instant Message to the Dairy Queen on Macon Road: Huh?! You're selling two chili dogs for $2.23? Why not $2.22? Are you already figuring in a higher minimum wage?

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Gas for $2.08 a gallon at Fuel Tech on Milgen Road.... "Celtic Woman: The New Journey" at 7:00 p.m. ET on GPB.... and a full parking lot at Peachtree Mall around 3:00 p.m....

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Friday, December 15, 2006

for 16 DEC 06: CAN YOU CANDLE IT?

(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.)

Friday night marked the start of an eight-day event which large numbers of people celebrate across the country, and around the world. Before you jump to conclusions - no, the start of college bowl season isn't until next Tuesday.

It's the event passionate Christmas keepers seem to forget, when they rage against people who say "Happy Holidays." You know, the group which declared last December, "We almost lost Christmas!" -- somehow ignoring all those movies, animated cartoons and music specials on television.

Do you know what eight-day event I'm talking about? Ask most people in Columbus, and they'd probably be stumped. That's because this event doesn't receive the attention here that it does in other cities -- and there's no big local publicity stunt to promote it. So it's different from the charities which want TV crews at their gift giveaways, so show how wonderful they are.

The event I'm talking about is Hanukkah, the "festival of lights" kept by many Jews. The lights are kept on a candelabra called a "menorah" - which should prove this religion is NOT for women only.

As best I remember, I was first introduced to Hanukkah in fourth grade. Another fourth grade teacher who happened to be Jewish came to our class and talked about it. I don't think she won any conversions that day. Maybe if she had talked more about the eight days of presents....

When I lived in the Atlanta area, a co-worker who was the daughter of a rabbi invited several of us to her home for a Saturday night Hanukkah party. A group of grownups spun dreidels for candy - and I wound up taking home a tall cup full of Tootsie Roll miniatures. You poker players in Columbus had better get ready....

But you don't hear much about Hanukkah in Columbus, mainly because the two local rabbis tend to play it down. They call it a "minor holiday," and actually seem to discourage synagogue members from having big celebrations of it. The less money spent on gifts, the more can go in the offering plates.

Perhaps they're wise to tone down Hanukkah this year, after the fuss a Seattle rabbi caused this past week. He threatened a lawsuit against the airport, because Christmas trees were displayed without a menorah. The trees were put away for a while - and who knows, some travelers with allergies might have been thankful.

When something like the Seattle controversy occurs, you see the undercurrent below the seasonal surface. You see, "'tis the season" for occasional emotional name-calling. If you don't celebrate Christmas, you're labeled a "Grinch" or a "Scrooge" - sometimes by the very people who condemn profiling the rest of the year.

But it's unfair to label people grinches, simply because they aren't as enthusiastic about Christmas as you are. Maybe they're keeping Hanukkah. Or maybe they've read their Bibles - where there's more evidence a Jew named Jesus kept Hanukkah than Christmas. In fact, do you notice the New Testament never talks about Christmas parties?

If you haven't guessed by now, I don't keep Christmas. I stopped keeping it years ago, persuaded otherwise by the evidence in my Bible and history. But the pressure certainly mounts from all sides when December comes. That's why I tend to avoid the mall in December - and I'm thankful GPB hasn't brought out the "Three Tenors Christmas" show yet to annoy me.

(And at the risk of stepping on toes: I also avoid all Santa Clauses. I get close enough to lies and frauds when it's campaign season.)

So do I keep Hanukkah, you ask? No - although from time to time it's crossed my mind. I went to a workplace "holiday party" several years ago, prepared to declare Hanukkah my holiday. But so much Christmas stuff filled the room that the other event was nowhere in sight. I might have been better off marking Jerry Seinfeld's Festivus.

While I've never driven there to see it, I understand Fort Benning displays a Hanukkah menorah along with a Christmas tree. Perhaps Columbus doesn't do this because the rabbis are laying low about the event. But in the spirit of "One Columbus," wouldn't it be accommodating to put a menorah somewhere? Or would the candle lights be "borrowed" to display in someone's front yard?

The other day I heard on the radio news about how Bainbridge, Georgia is considering a "free speech" area in a city park. It was suggested so a nativity scene can be set up - but some city officials are concerned such a free speech zone might invite controversy. Imagine the people waving Confederate flags in that child's face....

But if you're going to have "free speech," you should be evenhanded for all faiths. Chicago radio announcer Steve Dahl made a great suggestion about this years ago. Rope off one area for Christmas keepers, with trees and nativities. Rope off one area for Jews, with a Hanukkah menorah. Then rope off a third empty area, and post a sign - saying it's for everybody else. Even if it lumps me in with the atheists.

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15 DEC 06: SOUTHSIDE STAREDOWN

It should be one of the first nice restaurants you pass in Columbus, driving into town from Cusseta. It used to be exactly that. But based on what I heard Thursday, the old Denny's restaurant on Victory Drive now has become a wide-open building for thieves. I assume that means there's no food left at the salad bar....

Reggie Richards of Columbus South Inc. admitted on WRCG's "TalkLine" the old Denny's on Victory Drive has its giant front windows broken, and the building's owner refuses to board them up. How nice of her, to tell homeless people about another place where they can stay this winter.

Thieves reportedly broke the windows at the old Denny's to steal copper wiring inside. That's become a valuable metal for recycling - so valuable that the U.S. Mint wants a new rule making it illegal to melt pennies. It's a wonder my next-door neighbor hasn't lost all the pennies he spread on the porch for good luck.

So why is the front of the restaurant as wide-open as Providence Canyon? Reggie Richards says the owner in Florida doesn't want to spend one copper (or I suppose zinc) penny on the property right now. This could be a great new opportunity, for Habitat for Humanity to open a business division.

The realtor over the restaurant apparently can't do anything about the property - and Reggie Richards said the city of Columbus lacks enough people to enforce building codes. People outside Victory Drive might not mind that, of course. It may be keeping construction from starting on the Midland Wal-Mart.

(Reggie Richards says she's gone so far as to talk with City Manager Isaiah Hugley about what to do with the former Denny's. Do you think he offered her the name of a good property insurance agent - like his wife?)

Reggie Richards explained the restaurant owner is holding on to the property until BRAC happens. He presumes property values near Fort Benning will increase with the arrival of all the new soldiers, and he'll then sell the building for more money. Of course, that income might cover all the fines he should pay Environmental Court....

What's happening at the old Denny's may reflect what other property owners are doing near Fort Benning. They're waiting for the right moment in the base realignment process to make a sale, and get the most for their investment. In this case, the phrase "timing is everything" may refer to the middle of 2008.

Columbus South Inc. wants to spark growth in that part of town. But it appears some property owners want the growth on their terms. It sounds like a clash of neighborhood responsibility and improvement, versus money. So for the woman who called TalkLine suggesting something similar to the purple-shirted people downtown - maybe Columbus South people should wear dollar-bill green.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Speaking of "open houses," we received an update Thursday on that attempted "drive-in robbery" at a convenience store on Warm Springs Road:

I had lunch at Chick Filet on Wynnton Rd today..I heard a policeman tell a sheriff's deputy about the attempt to steal the ATM..He said last night a thief went into the boarded up store by removing a piece of plywood over the broken window and wiped out the store..Took $5000 in merchandise..The policeman said the manager should have hired a security guard until he could get the glass replaced or stayed there himself..Guess the manager was cheap and scared...

From watching WRBL's interviews with the store manager, I can understand why he was scared. But c'mon now -- cheap?! Maybe he thought other criminals would consider the place cursed, and stay away.

(Besides, I suspect it is NOT cheap to replace glass doors on a business. It's probably a real pane in the wallet....)

But hold on here - are we talking about the same ATM robbery attempt? WRBL showed video Wednesday of the broken glass doors being replaced. So how would someone have removed plywood on Wednesday night? Why didn't the criminal use the other side of the hammer, and break the replaced glass again?

Now let's clean up the damage from other Thursday news items:

+ A Columbus woman accused police of burning down several apartments on Old Cusseta Road by firing tear gas, while trying to serve a search warrant. Police say they never shot any tear gas, and the fire started from food on a stove. But the woman was crying after she lost her belongings - so that should settle everything, shouldn't it?

+ The Fraternal Order of Police took about 80 selected children shopping at Kmart on Airport Thruway. It's the annual "Shop with a Cop" event. Maybe losing political candidates should do the same thing - and call it "Shop with a Flop."

+ The Columbus State University Fine Arts Department began moving into the new RiverPark campus downtown. Hopefully the students will treat the newly renovated buildings properly - and not draw any graffiti on the bathroom walls.

+ The main Columbus Library hosted a launch party for a new set of fashion design classes at Columbus State University. It's called "Project Off-Runway" - so related to this, I'd like to offer my services and personally judge the search for "Columbus's Next Top Model."

+ A Phenix City blog reported WKCN-FM's "Wild Bill" made some listeners angry, by declaring artificial Christmas trees "suck." I don't put up a tree at all anymore - but if he enjoys stabbing his bare feet with hidden pine needles in mid-January, that's his choice.

+ WRBL reported Phenix City Central High competed in its first wrestling meet in almost 30 years - and was humbled by Hardaway 71-6. Obviously the move to Phenix City by that pro wrestling troupe needs some time to take effect.

+ The Auburn football team began practicing for the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. It was the Tigers' first practice in almost four weeks - since way back when Alabama had a head coach.

+ Instant Message to Vivia's Bakery on Crawford Road in Phenix City: I stopped by for a snack, and saw the sign on the door. I sincerely hope you get well soon. And I hope you didn't buy some low-priced lettuce from Taco Bell, to put on your sandwiches.

COMING THIS WEEKEND: The big year-end event hardly anyone here wants to talk about....

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Thursday, December 14, 2006

14 DEC 06: KICKS ARE FOR KIDS

Here we go again - another attempt to bring a pro sports team to Columbus. But this time, there are plans for both men's and women's teams. So there could be twice as much for local fans to ignore....

A meeting at the Columbus Civic Center Wednesday focused on bringing pro indoor soccer back to town. We could be part of the new "International Indoor Soccer League," which plans to start in 2008. Considering it's only looking at putting teams in five Southeastern states, "interstate" might be more like it.

WRBL reported a key test for whether Columbus can have an indoor soccer franchise will come next spring. An indoor youth soccer tournament is planned at the Civic Center, apparently at the time of "Fiesta Columbus" in early May. How many children heard that, and started kicking a ball all over their bedrooms?

The purpose statement of the International Indoor Soccer League actually mentions children. It hopes to have a "positive influence" on them. I think that means there won't be as many fights as the Cottonmouths have.

The IISL web site explains the "international" part of the name could come from British soccer clubs, which would come to the U.S. to play indoor exhibition games. That sounds nice - as long as the drunken fans don't follow them.

The organizer of the International Indoor Soccer League is a familiar name. Graham Tutt lives in Atlanta, and was a star for the Atlanta Chiefs of outdoor soccer years ago. If he doesn't succeed with this project, it could be "Tutt-Tutt-Tuttsie, goodbye."

If you remember the last time Columbus had a pro indoor soccer team, you have a long and good memory. The Columbus Comets played in the Eastern Indoor Soccer League in the summer of 1997. The team won three out of 24 games, had terrible attendance, then moved to Biloxi. But you couldn't call them carpetbaggers -- because I vaguely recall they left the field behind.

(Wikipedia notes the Eastern Indoor Soccer League went out of business after two years. Maybe if they had had real "eastern" teams, besides Savannah....)

If you REALLY have a good memory, the name "International Indoor Soccer League" might ring a bell. A Google search revealed there was talk of starting a league with that name in 1978 - but it never played a game. And that was back when something "international" didn't make the Minuteman Project nervous.

Given what happened in 1997, why should we expect a new indoor soccer team to do any better? Civic Center manager Dale Hester says about 1500 youngsters play in local leagues now. Someone needs to remind him about how big Little League baseball is - yet the Catfish still have trouble drawing crowds.

Much of the International Indoor Soccer League is in the planning stages right now. It's not even clear when the season would run. It might be in the summer, or it might run from August to November - and we all know how starved Columbus fans are for "football" in the fall.

The one thing which gives this proposed league a good chance at success is having separate men's and women's teams, providing two games a night. But is that really the right approach? Roller derby had its biggest success having the genders play together, alternating in a game. That way, the women never missed their periods....

A women's pro soccer team might even do better in Columbus than the men. Remember, the Civic Center is down the street from Victory Drive - so if goal-scorers imitate Brandi Chastain and take off their jerseys, Fort Benning soldiers in the crowd might throw money at them.

BLOG UPDATE: More details emerged Wednesday about the man accused of robbing a CB&T branch in the Bibb City area. It turns out Derreck Meadows also was arrested for bank robbery four years ago. Some people should NOT be told, "If at first you don't succeed, try try again."

A former girlfriend of Derreck Meadows informed me of the earlier arrest. She's glad she dumped him -- and she can't believe he's accused of trying to flee on foot from this week's bank robbery. But then again, maybe he needed the money from the bank to make a down payment on a car.

E-MAIL UPDATE: You say you want more? This e-mailer warns: maybe you shouldn't....

mo for garbage

mo for property taxes

mo for lunch

mo for gas

mo for clothes

mo done run me broke

I think a Broadway show was made about this problem -- "Mo Better Blues."

(But what can you do to fight a trend like this? The forces of life simply have Mo-mentum.)

Now for mo' of the news from the last day or two....

+ Columbus had a high temperature of 70 degrees F. - mild enough for me to take a nice three-mile evening run. But at 10:00 p.m. with the temperature in my home at 69, the heater kicked on. OK, which meter reader broke in from Atmos Energy?

(It was so mild that I spotted a couple of drivers during the afternoon with tops down on their convertibles. And even more impressive than that - they still had hair, for the wind to blow through.)

+ Columbus resident Lillie Harris went on a shopping spree against the clock, at Rack Room Shoes in Columbus Park Crossing. She selected seven pairs of shoes in 86 seconds, worth almost 500 dollars. I've heard of women who couldn't choose one pair of shoes in 86 minutes, much less seconds....

(Lillie Harris won a contest, to go on this short shoe shopping spree. Well, actually her 14-year-old relative won the contest - but the teen was too young to participate. One of those seven pairs had better be for her. Otherwise, some of Harris's Christmas gifts might show up on eBay.)

+ The Hurtsboro Volunteer Fire Department was awarded a homeland security grant of more than $51,000. The news came on the same day Russell County Sheriff Tommy Boswell announced two deputies will patrol Hurtsboro on weekends - so someone in the homeland security office must not watch TV newscasts.

(On top of that, Russell County's emergency management director told WRBL 11 Hurtsboro homes in a flood plain will be demolished. Hurtsboro had so much news in one day, it probably won't be removed from official Alabama state maps for years.)

+ Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue warned House Republicans this is NOT a good time to abolish the state income tax. Given his recent land deals, abolishing property taxes might bring a different response....

+ A federal judge denied a new trial for former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman. Siegelman says the jury which convicted him was influenced by e-mails and the Internet. There's an easy way to determine this - ask the jury how many penny stocks they bought during the trial.

+ The Southern Professional Hockey League suspended Darryl Moor of the Cottonmouths eight games, for his scuffle with a fan in Huntsville last weekend. Brother Jeff Moor was suspended five games. How many Huntsville fans heard this and sang, "Moor, Moor, Moor - how do you like it?"

+ Instant Message to the man named T.J., who keeps saying during GPB fundraisers that you can't hear doo-wop classics on the radio anymore: Have you ever heard of "Boomer 95.3?"

COMING SOON: The "sandman" outside my window....

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Tuesday, December 12, 2006

for 13 DEC 06: MONEY MAD

Did you hear about the strange robbery attempt on Warm Springs Road? Someone apparently drove through the glass doors of a convenience store, simply to steal the automated teller. You KNOW it's a strange case when the driver doesn't even try to steal cigarettes or beer.

The manager of the Shell station at Warm Springs and Billings told WRBL Tuesday a driver smashed through one glass door, drove to the ATM - but when he found he couldn't remove the ATM, he smashed a second glass door as he drove away. You're left wondering if the guy was smashed to begin with....

Tuesday's news also brought word of a bank robbery at the CB&T Bibb City branch. Reporters often say during bank robberies that the suspect took "an undisclosed amount of cash." We don't want robbers repeating what's happened to major league baseball, from free agency.

While robberies happen throughout the year, you can probably guess why they would increase during December. In fact, the reason should be obvious. These are people who ate black-eyed peas back on January 1, and they still haven't had any good luck.

But Tuesday's news also included another story about money and the law, which struck me as strange. The Alabama State Patrol announced it seized more than one million dollars in cash, from two recent traffic stops. The Associated Press story gave few other details -- leaving me to wonder if a car salesman was caught keeping too many rebates from customers.

The biggest find occurred Sunday in Baldwin County, Alabama. Officers say a pickup truck was stopped for speeding, and about one million dollars in cash was found. So?! Why do you THINK the driver was speeding?! He wanted to get home before his friends learned about the cash, and hit him up for a free dinner.

Officers confiscated the million dollars they found in Baldwin County, as well as the pickup truck. The story doesn't tell us why -- but this may go down as the biggest fine for speeding in U.S. history.

If law officers are holding the million dollars to make sure the speeding driver shows up in court and pays his fine, I guess I can understand it. But the A.P. story goes on to say authorities are seeking "forfeiture" of the cash -- so the driver would lose it for good. You try to buy a house without taking out a loan, and look at what can happen....

This story leaves me begging for details, and baffled for an explanation. Is there some sort of law in Alabama against carrying one million dollars cash in a pickup truck? Are you supposed to rent a limousine, to drive around with that much money?

Without more details, it's easy to accuse the Alabama State Patrol of being as greedy for money as those robbers in Columbus. I mean, why seek a million-dollar forfeiture for a speeding ticket? Did someone find there was no money in the budget for year-end bonuses?

I know, I know - some of you are saying drivers would only carry that much cash if they were doing something wrong. It probably was drug money, you say?! Well, that's an easy accusation on your part. For all we know, maybe they ran out of giant checks at a casino in Biloxi.

Where have we come in these great United States, when people are held in suspicion for carrying large amounts of cash on them -- and could lose all that cash for something as small as a speeding ticket? And keep in mind, this was the Alabama State Patrol's announcement. It wasn't some small-town police chief south of Phenix City....

Had my sports business been a big success this fall, I could have driven home from matches with thousands of dollars in receipts from ticket sales. And yes, I would have hidden them somewhere in my car. In fact, I had an empty box of detergent ready for the cash - so I probably would have been charged in Alabama with money laundering, too.

So here's my point -- have we reached the point in our country where credit cards have become more trusted and accepted than large amounts of cash? And is that a good thing? Maybe this is all a plot with Alabama banks, to get people to finally pull the money out from their mattresses.

And have we reached the point where law officers are jumping to conclusions about people with big bankrolls, and seeking a big jackpot? Have the police become addicted to that new game show - and are yelling at everyone they pull over, "Show me the money?!"

E-MAIL UPDATE: Well, what you do know - our Instant Message from Monday brought a reply:

Sounds like splatters on hand ball court were from a paint ball gun...someone fired them at houses in my neighborhood...I guess the kids are no longer using BB guns..They have advanced to paint ball...

Indeed, that could be how they did it at Benning Park - but the evidence I saw the other day suggests the splatters were too small to be from paintball. The marks on the wall were brown and sticky, with tiny pieces of small red shells on the court. It's as if someone asked Grandma for cookies, and received only M&M's.

Now that we've had our fill of mysteries, let's check other Tuesday news:

+ Our best wishes to Northern Little League player Kyle Carter, who's recovering from brain surgery. A device was put in his brain at an early age, and it apparently broke recently playing middle school basketball. Big-time sports teams would have contract stipulations against off-season games like that....

+ The Columbus RiverCenter hosted a farewell reception for Mayor Pro Tem Jack Rodgers. The tribute was nice, but one detail was missing. Did he go to the box office first, to get two-for-one tickets to Friday night's Blake Shelton concert?

+ A new Manpower survey showed 10 percent of Columbus businesses plan to add workers in the next three months, while 13 percent plan to cut staff. If the survey-takers were nice, they'd have these businesses swap phone numbers - but then again, I guess that would cost Manpower some business....

+ The historian for the Tuskegee Airmen declared there's new evidence showing some bombers actually were lost in combat, during World War Two. The historian has yet to present this evidence - so we can see whether it was provided by the President of Iran.

+ GPB Radio played a recording of a soprano singing in its Atlanta studio -- and included a part where she stopped after one line, coughed and cleared her throat for about half-a-minute. Why was this included? Is it a matter of giving classical singers the same treatment as Jessica Simpson?

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Monday, December 11, 2006

for 12 DEC 06: TRASHY TRUCKS

Some people complained for years that the Columbus area lacked a real truck stop. Now some people are complaining about how a Phenix City truck stop looks - perhaps because it actually looks like a real truck stop.

If you've driven from Columbus to Eufaula or Panama City, you've probably passed the big Citgo truck stop on U.S. 431 near the 280 Bypass. Now "Keep Phenix City Beautiful" complains it's turned into a trashy mess -- as if most drivers hurrying by at 50 miles per hour or faster are taking time to notice.

Georgia Langingham of Keep Phenix City Beautiful said Monday the trash along U.S. 431 is terrible, especially around the truck stop. She wants city officials to enforce litter laws there. Either that, or adjust those safety barrels in the construction zone around Seale so people can throw garbage inside them.

The Phenix City rules state trashy-looking businesses can be fined 290 dollars. We don't know how many of them have been assessed that fine over the years - or how many used car lots on 14^th Street have jacked up their prices as a result.

And did you know if you're caught littering in Phenix City, you can be fined 350 dollars? Teach this to youngsters at an early age, and you ought to develop some very good basketball players....

But, of course, there's a catch here. While Phenix City imposes strict rules and fines for being trashy, it has only one person assigned to enforce them. So the chances of being arrested for dumping a plastic bottle along the side of U.S. 431 is slim - which only encourages drivers to try to bounce them off the windshield of the car behind them.

The person in charge of Phenix City litter said Monday from what he's seen, the Citgo truck stop tries to keep the trash to a minimum. In fact, the owners say they pick up trash daily. Perhaps the problem is that the truck stop is too popular - and after all, big rigs can hold a lot of garbage in the back.

But to be fair, that Phenix City truck stop is used by much more than truck drivers. Apartment complexes are located nearby, along U.S. 431. And it's become a meeting place for transients. I know, because two strangers have asked me to drive them there over the years - and neither of them carried clipboards for their loads.

Since Phenix City has no mall or bus station, the Citgo truck stop is a crossroads in a way. Whether locals or travelers, people stop there and drop off various things. So while I'm quite the "anti-litterbug," we really shouldn't be surprised if trash builds up there. Until they build the Chattahoochee Valley Community College student union a bit closer to the highway....

E-MAIL UPDATE: Here's more on that fictional movie being planned, based on the murder of Fort Benning soldier Richard Davis:

There is a website for anyone interested in auditioning for the movie In the Valley of Elah: www.finnhiller.com The site even contains a script sample. The cast has expanded considerably too. Also, I can't get anyone to say for sure but what I'm hearing from several people is that the fictional character of Detective Sanders is being modeled after writer Cilla McCain. I left Cilla a message but she's been out of town and hasn't called me back yet.

We posted that link a couple of weeks ago [29 Nov], and noted at the time you really need to go to New Mexico if you want to be part of the movie. For all we know, Cilla McCain may be there now -- gaining a nice "consulting fee."

With an early deadline, we must quickly wrap the other news of Monday:

+ The return of the 988^th Military Police Company to Fort Benning was postponed until early Tuesday, after first being scheduled for Sunday night. Yeow -- how many MP's tried to carry 12-ounce bottles of juice aboard the flight?

+ WRBL online producer Chris Sweigart showed off his Christmas tree on the evening news - not once, but twice. What next?! Will he sell his couch, in a story on spring cleaning?

+ The Comcast Sports cable announced it will show Saturday's AAA high school football final between Shaw and Peach County. GPB is only showing the two biggest classes of high school football - so the only "peach" you might see there is a chef preparing preserves.

+ A University of South Alabama poll found a majority of Alabama Crimson Tide supporters opposed the firing of football coach Mike Shula. I keep waiting for a TV or radio station to hire Ted Koppel, and begin daily updates on the search -- something like, "Crisis at the Capstone, Day 15."

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Sunday, December 10, 2006

for 11 DEC 06: LEGENDS OF THE THAW

The Columbus area warmed back up Sunday, with highs around 60 degrees F. It was good to walk around outside in a T-shirt and running shorts again - thereby showing the world I'm from the northern states.

Here's hoping you handled the coldest weekend of the season well. If I heard correctly, Columbus had record low temperatures both Friday and Saturday mornings - down in the low 20's. Why, I have nieces older than those temperatures....

We could put logs on the fire because it's so cold - but instead we kept an unofficial log of how Columbus (and I) dealt with the big chill:

Thursday night: A strong north wind blows in, making a tall bush in my apartment courtyard swing and sway. Someone has strung holiday lights all over the bush - and with visions of the Holly Hills Apartments in my head, I think about where my garden hose is.

I take a step to warm up the apartment, by heating a frozen dinner the old-fashioned way - in the oven, instead of the microwave. That little half-cup of mashed potatoes winds up a whole lot hotter.

Friday morning: A doctor's office on Talbotton Road leaves its sprinkler system on -- and the result is such an icy mess, sales of tinsel "tree icicles" probably drop all weekend.

Of course, hundreds of people in Columbus woke up extra early to attend the Carver-Shaw football game. If you're one of the students from other high schools who were spotted at the Georgia Dome, be advised -- you no longer are entitled to a senior skip day in April.

Friday midday: After blogging the Carver-Shaw game, I run some errands -- but I still feel a need to get out for some exercise. So after the errands are run, I head for the outdoor racquetball court in a sweatshirt and togs. It felt a bit like the old home ground of Kansas -- having drips from your runny nose go around your mouth.

(This reminds of a joke someone told on a Rivertown Ford infomercial a couple of weeks ago. If you find your nose is runny, don't stop and think it's funny - 'cause it'-snot.)

Friday afternoon: Another wave of coldness suddenly sweeps across Alabama - as Rich Rodriguez announces he'll remain the head football coach at West Virginia.

The 5:00 p.m. news talks to people who work outside, and have to "bundle up" for the cold weather. Six months from now, those same workers will be interviewed about how they're dealing with the hot weather. But at least right now, they're not at risk of skin cancer and heatstroke.

Friday evening: The cold weather and wind may have affected the signal of WFRC-FM. The "Family Radio" station is broadcasting the same instrumental music over and over, repeating every 30 minutes. That's good news for me - because none of it is Christmas music, and I'm not tempted to come up with parody lyrics.

Saturday morning: Some weekends have distinctive flavors. For me, this weekend is cinnamon-y - as I heat the house around sunrise, by baking a can of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. It takes considerable discipline on my part to only eat four of eight, and hold the rest for Sunday morning.

Saturday midday: As I prepare for church, it's still on the chilly side - as the water in my shower takes its good sweet time warming up. The bathroom mirror winds up steamy. But when the wrinkles on my shirt collar don't flatten out, it's not considered a victory.

Saturday afternoon: The cinnamon flavor of the weekend is reinforced at church, as a woman brought cinnamon pull-apart "monkey bread" for the snack table. I don't think to ask if this makes her one of the Iraq "surrender monkeys."

After church, I watch the electronic signs driving home. I'm checking the temperature for a possible jog just after sunset. I've heard church ministers say it's foolish to run outside in cold weather - but the thing is, they've never defined what "cold weather" is. So you set the definition, and become guilty of legalism.

My "over and under" temperature is 50 degrees, and the three business signs I pass are above it. They average 53 - so I'll look smarter than the children who went on that "Reindeer Run" downtown in the morning. Besides, I'll probably have the Riverwalk all to myself.

Saturday evening: I stretch in the apartment, dressed for the run -- but hold on. At the start of the 6:00 p.m. news, WRBL's Elissia Wilson says temperatures across the area are "in the forties." By my rules, the jog is off. I suppose I could still go out in a sweatshirt and togs, but those things can be so confining.

But an e-mailer to the blog apparently discovers something interesting, while keeping warm indoors:

The weather was cold out and made for some TV watchin
and time on the internet.

Flippin around on the net I was watchin the NASA TV and heard that the shuttle launch could be seen through much of the southeast, So, I stayed tuned in waitin for the moment, then I realized that NASA TV on the net is delayed.

At around 40 to 30 seconds before launch I went out to see, lookin southeast Nothing was there,,,,so I waited, and waited , then- just like what others have said about it, there it was - a redish/orangish glow risin up above the tree line and goin in and out of the clouds until too many clouds. I did pick a small bright blue glow a little later on up in ther sky which was just the Shuttle engines.

Some of the Military described the glow like some of the Missliles used in the Iraq war, but, way smaller and not as bright - but - close enough.

I have seen a few launched in person and would recommend it to anyone to go and watch one there..

I knew a shuttle launch was coming, but didn't think to look outside for it. Even if I had, it sounds like a pretty disappointing fireworks show for this area.

Sunday: The temperature quickly rises above freezing, and is comfortable enough by afternoon that four guys in my apartment complex are outside in the courtyard, sitting around a card table. They're wearing jackets - so if they're playing bid whist, they can hide cards rather easily.

As I walk to a convenience store for a soda, I pass an empty package on the street. It's a pack of "Hothands hand and body warmer." Wimps....

Since everybody talks about the weather, let's talk now about other things:

+ WRBL suddenly went off the air for a couple of hours in mid-afternoon, during a pro football game. I know this station tries to match the competition, but this was ridiculous....

(With both Columbus VHF stations off the air and no late football game on WXTX, for awhile it felt like old times at my house -- with only a radio on, and pretending it was 1951. Well, except I was checking e-mail....)

+ National Public Radio called "Hope You Like It, Georgia," about its removal from the official state map. Rand McNally apparently never did like it -- because my four-year-old road atlas doesn't show it, either.

+ Shaw High School's football team began practicing for the AAA state finals. Next Saturday's title game is at Peach County - so will the people at Chik-fil-A object if we call it the Peach Bowl?

+ The Atlanta Falcons proved my fears wrong by toppling Tampa Bay 17-6. The Fox sports team revealed the last book read by Falcons head coach Jim Mora was "Webster's Dictionary." Maybe that explains why the team has been putting defense ahead of offense the last few weeks.

(The Falcons radio team noted at one point, Tampa Bay's quarterback called the signal "lazy San Diego." Either he doesn't know the Chargers are 11-2 on the season - or we now know new street language for an illegal drug.)

+ Instant Message to whomever left sticky splatters all over the handball/racquetball wall at Benning Park: Never mind why -- HOW did you do that? I mean, it looks like you fired Skittles from a slingshot....

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: Schedule commitments will require us to post earlier than usual for the next few days.)

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