12 FEB 09: 18 Wheels and a Dozen Credit Hours

The expansion plans of Columbus Technical College took another step forward Wednesday. CTC now is certifying truck drivers. So instead of being the B.M.O.C., you can be B.W.O.C. - Biggest Wheels on Campus.

West Georgia Technical College in LaGrange has merged its truck driving program with Columbus Tech. This follows the LaGrange school's merger with a Carrollton technical college to save money. So why are the schools for future laborers merging, when the college programs offering M.B.A. degrees aren't?

The truck driver certification program at Columbus Tech is more than simply "shut up and drive." You have to take seven weeks of classes, before driving an 18-wheeler. The class work is probably very challenging - such as the pop quiz on CB radio slang.

Promoters of the truck driving program claim there's plenty of demand for drivers. They say the average age of a trucker is about 58 years old. But isn't that a bit misleading? By age 58, many wives finally don't mind if their husbands leave town for four to six-day hauls.

The Columbus Tech certification promoters also point to the average starting salary for a truck driver, which is about $35,000 a year. They probably didn't bother mentioning how high the price of diesel fuel climbed last summer - and that big rigs don't exactly have the fuel economy of a Kia.

Now this is a topic I know something about. Trucking was the family business for my dad, and my older brother still does it for a living. Yet I've never driven an 18-wheeler in my life. The "biggest rig" I've ever had was the 1966 Impala I drove during college.

My late father and brother aren't really long-distance truckers. Dad moved freight shipments around the Kansas City area for decades, and I rode with him for a few summers. I don't recall any of his trucks having air conditioning - which may explain why he occasionally lost his cool with me.

From my years watching Dad ship freight, I have to wonder if Columbus Technical College teaches students more than simply how to drive a truck. For one thing, there's the fine art of loading trucks. Slicing a pallet in two with a forklift is no fun....

My older brother started his own freight business, doing something similar to Dad. But he gave it up several years ago, and now makes steady runs for a trucking company between Kansas City and St. Joseph, Missouri. Yet Mike remains a bit of a "counterculture" trucker. He has sports-talk shows on his radio, instead of country music.

I attend church with a long-haul (as in out-of-state) truck driver. He tells me his number of weekly runs has dropped due to the tight economy. Either there's a lower demand for goods, or many business owners are buying used pickup trucks and hauling products around themselves.

-> Our other blog starts with poker, then goes in directions you might not expect. Visit "On the Flop!" <--

BLOG UPDATE: More details emerged Wednesday about Columbus's new baseball team. The unnamed team in the college-level Great South League is registered as a nonprofit organization. Wow - does that mean every hot dog you buy at Golden Park will be tax-deductible?

The Columbus Baseball Foundation was set up in part by Bo Callaway, of Callaway Gardens fame. The new team has no nickname yet - but this news makes the Columbus Rhododendrons a possibility.

Bo Callaway told reporters he's "not trying to bring baseball here.... I'm trying to give the community something to do...." Apparently efforts to organize a skateboarding league next door to Golden Park were unsuccessful.

The Columbus Baseball Foundation notes a college-level club costs far less money than a minor-league team like the Catfish. It will cost about $40,000 to field a team in the Great South League. A professional franchise might cost $7 million. So once again, Columbus rewards cheap labor....

Now for other notes from a wet Wednesday:

+ Former Columbus State University President Frank Brown was named interim headmaster of Brookstone School. At long last, the man one blog reader dubbed "Spanky Frankie" years ago actually can live up to that nickname.

+ Chattahoochee Valley Community College held its annual mathematics tournament. I assume the teams were split into several categories - you know, a long division and a short division.

+ Verizon Wireless admitted problems with a cell phone tower caused cell phone and text message interruptions for Columbus customers. To borrow from a blogger in that OTHER Columbus, where is that army of geeky technicians when you need them most?

+ WBOJ-FM "103.7 The Truth" ran several announcements promoting the annual Alzheimer's "Memory Walk." Trouble is, they mentioned the walk was 8 November - as in three months ago. It leaves you wondering if people made pledges last fall, then forgot to pay up.

+ The Georgia Senate approved a bill which will give Georgia Power a slight rate increase in 2011. Opponents of the bill wondered why the state Public Service Commission wasn't handling the matter. Uhhhh -- maybe the P.S.C. members are trying to conserve energy?!

+ The President of Peanut Corp. of America refused to answer Congressional questions about salmonella problems at a Blakely plant. It was almost like he had peanut butter stuck to the roof of his mouth, and didn't dare swallow it.

(An e-mail fragment shown at the Congressional hearing indicates the Peanut Corp. President made an appeal to the Food and Drug Administration, saying he needed to"turn raw peanuts on the floor into money." I fear the staff in Blakely was "working for peanuts" in the first place.)

+ Roundball Night in Dixieland (tm) found Tennessee tearing up Georgia's men 79-48. Maybe the Bulldogs should consider trying to lure away Tennessee's head coach. Not Bruce Pearl, but Pat Summitt....

(Auburn came from behind to beat Arkansas 75-62. But the attendance at Beard-Eaves Coliseum was less than 4,500 - and when the Auburn sports home page is emphasizing baseball, the NCAA selection committee may be more likely to take an extra team from the Atlantic Sun Conference.)

+ Instant Message to Kia Autosport: Let me get this straight. This is the "final week" of your 40-percent discount offer -- yet the fine print at the end of the radio ad says it expires "3/2"? Either your commercial has a misleading date, or you must mean it ends when there are three new cars and two used cars left on the lot.

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The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-09 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

11 FEB 09: Just a Little Taste

Our title today was stated by a beggar we met in Savannah during a vacation in 1993. In fact, he stopped us twice seeking food - on a Sunday night at the riverfront, and the next morning as we toured downtown. He remembered me only when I offered to buy him lunch at the Hyatt Regency hotel, where I was staying. It simply was too nice a place for him....

During our second conversation, the beggar confessed about what he really wanted. "I won't lie to you, sir. I'm trying to get some alcohol.... If I can have just a little taste!" No, I refused to let him have it. He should have selected a restaurant the night before which served beer-battered onion rings.

This 16-year-old incident came to my mind Tuesday, when I heard about a new proposal before Columbus Council. It would change the zoning rules for restaurants, and allow some alcohol sales next to parks and churches. It could be like a progressive "grape juice tasting" on Sundays - first at communion, then at dinner.

Right now Columbus bars disallows restaurants from serving alcohol if they're within 300 feet of a church or park. You KNEW there was a reason why the "Tavern Off Broadway" downtown isn't all the way over at First Avenue, didn't you? The Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches might be tempted to have a traditional Scottish Sunday.

Columbus city officials want to do away with the 300-foot rule, to allow what's being called "traditional restaurants" close to churches and parks. WRBL explained a traditional restaurant primarily sells food, but could sell a little alcohol. Chick-Fil-A and Wendy's simply don't realize what they've been missing.

A "traditional restaurant" would have other restrictions, under this proposed ordinance. If it had a patio or deck, alcohol would be banned there - and so would musical instruments. We don't want any professionals showing up the church organist next door.

City officials admit this proposed rule change has one part of town in mind. The goal is to bring more restaurants to Columbus South - which seems strange, because it has several restaurants now. And I can't believe people stopped dining at the old Denny's on Victory Drive because Fort Benning soldiers couldn't buy beer there.

One current restaurant owner on Victory Drive is rooting for this ordinance to pass. Al's Schnitzel Gasthaus serves German food, but apparently can't serve beer with it. So? Serve those all-American colas, and remind the customers which side won World War II.

But anyway: I didn't realize Columbus South had so many churches, which kept "traditional restaurants" from locating there due to the 300-foot rule. Those congregations certainly haven't kept nightclubs with sexy dancers away....

Besides, I could argue the alcohol trend in Columbus South is downward. The South Commons Package Store on Victory Drive has been boarded up for weeks. So even if the quality of restaurants improves, people still would have to drive to Northlake Parkway to get nice bottles of wine for the rest of the week.

-> Our other blog starts with poker, then heads in directions you might not expect. Visit "On the Flop!" <--

BLOG UPDATE: The Federal Communications Commission issued a complete list Tuesday of which TV stations will make "The Big Switch" next week. It turns out WRBL will not turn off analog broadcasting after all. The station probably had to pull back - else it would only be "on your side" if you're wealthy enough to afford a converter box.

We already knew WLTZ was switching to digital TV next Tuesday, no matter what. Only one other local station will join it - as WJSP TV-28 will switch with all the GPB stations across Georgia after midnight. So to keep watching "This Old House," you'll need that newfangled set.

(Speaking of PBS -- when do you think the first old-fashioned analog TV will be appraised on "Antiques Roadshow?")

The four-month delay ordered by Congress means WLGA has had to withdraw its announcements saying "The CW-47" was coming this month. It remains "The CW-66." How I wish the stock market had given me four months' warnings of a big drop in numbers last summer.

Let's see what else made the Tuesday news....

+ Former Columbus Mayor Bob Poydasheff told GPB Radio propane tanks were used to set fire to the Fort Benning JAG building last weekend. With federal agents involved in the investigation, no mobile home park is safe.

+ Russell County Commissioner Ronald Reed offered more details about his proposal to name Broad Street in Phenix City after President Obama. Reed says Phenix City Councilors want to be "patient," and wait to see what the new President accomplishes. After all, winning four elections hasn't earned Mayor Sonny Coulter his own street.

+ The top two executives at Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital in Phenix City resigned. Neither one will be replaced, in a cost-cutting move. Some Republicans heard this and said to themselves, "Why didn't we think of that before the November election?"

+ Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine announced he's taken a five-percent pay cut for several months. Oxendine challenged other top state officials to do the same - but for some reason, he never said which staff member whined loudly enough to pick up that extra money.

+ The Georgia Senate unanimously voted to bar convicted sex offenders from running for school boards. One such offender in Newton County actually ran for the school board last year. So when is he running for county commission, and going on a baby-kissing tour?

+ A teacher at Harris County Carver Middle School was named a finalist for 2010 Georgia Teacher of the Year. Merrill Cheyne teaches drama, English, journalism - and has helped launch the Harris County Community Theatre. So if she cried after hearing the news, ask yourself if those tears were real.

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The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-09 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

10 FEB 09: All Four One, One For All

When a bank calls a news conference nowadays without giving a reason, it's enough to set off alarm bells. Could some executive be under investigation? Are earnings so bad that layoffs are coming? Or are that many bankers closet Democrats, who need a federal bailout?

Columbus Bank and Trust dared to call a mystery news conference Monday. But the reason turned out to be none of the above. President Steve Melton announced a merger with three other regional banks - all of them with CB&T initials. And you thought inter-family marriages like this only happened in the Ozarks.

Columbus Bank and Trust will consolidate with three fellow Synovus banks: CB&T of East Alabama, CB&T of Middle Georgia and Commercial Bank and Trust of LaGrange. There's one big advantage to a merger like this - you don't have to hire an expensive art department to develop a new logo.

Once federal agencies approve, the new four-bank combination will be known as "Columbus Bank and Trust NA." I assume those initials stand for "North America" - instead of executives who are not available.

(And before you scoffers head for the "write me" link - please notice Steve Melton is NOT heading a bank with N.Y. in the name.)

Steve Melton says the merger of four CB&T's will result in a stronger overall bank. Customers will be able to access their accounts across a wider area. It's only about four percent of the area of Wachovia customers, but it's a start....

But CB&T executives deny the consolidation is due to the shaky condition of many U.S. banks. In fact, one executive told WLTZ the merger will provide a "bigger lending limit." Uhhhh - isn't that the sort of thing which led to our money mess in the first place?

Steve Melton says the region served by the combined Columbus Bank and Trust was profitable last year, and should be profitable this year. So don't go into the bank and ask for a home loan this summer - ask to be part of their profit-sharing plan.

Yet as a whole, Synovus Financial lost $637 million last quarter. The company blames most of that on foreclosures in the Atlanta area. The people who lure young Columbus workers away with offers of big money apparently have big imaginations to match.

A check of the stock chart for Synovus Financial shows it hit a high for the day Monday, shortly after the consolidation was announced. But then the price slowly slid, and ended the day slightly lower at $4.05. If any other area bank would like to join the fun, you know what Steve Melton will say - "Thank you."

-> Our poker night last week had a bizarre moment which seems unbelievable, but really happened. Read about it at our other blog, "On the Flop!" <--

THE BIG BLOG QUESTION about Muscogee County schools ended late Monday - and the new superintendent and school board have some work to do. A large-sized 78 percent of our voters are against a one-percent sales tax for construction (14-4). Can we change the college "Habitat for Humanity" project this spring, and make it a grade school?

The main complaint made by voters against the school SPLOST involved the so-called "Taj Mahal" administration building. I can remember the good old days in Columbus, when that title was attached to the main library next door.

A supporter of the one-percent sales tax argued Muscogee County is behind many other Georgia school districts, with schools "in horrible condition." And imagine if the school board decides it has to use the old Baker High School building again....

But one critic wrote if base realignment is bringing thousands of military families to Fort Benning, the new schools should be built on post. But this would raise its own set of issues. Students might spend days on "lockdown," simply because a controlled burning is spreading smoke in the wrong direction.

Some voters brought a laundry list to complaints about Muscogee County schools - including some which raise conspiracy and ethics questions:

+ Did school board member John Wells have a conflict of interest, by having a family business paint schools? Does the paint odor explain in part Wells's desire to run with the bulls in Spain?

+ Are two Muscogee County superintendents dead today because they went against the school board -- including one who was murdered? Why isn't an author pursuing this angle, to write a sequel to "The Big Eddy Club?"

+ Is the school district's attorney making thousands of dollars in fees, because his brother is suing the district in the Education Park Coalition case? If so, which board member is related to the landscaper?

E-MAIL UPDATE: Speaking of that coalition....

Richard,

Here is a picture I took earlier today of the "back yard" of the Library. I have one more I am going to send you. The "Children's Plaza" that has been discussed is within the fenced area. What is planeed for the vast black top nothingness? Well, nothing.

Regards,

Josh

You may have to squint at Josh McKoon's photos to see that fence for the "Children's Garden." The rest of the open space could be put to a lot of creative uses - like making it the new home of "Fiesta Columbus" in May.

(In fact, Columbus tennis organizations missed a golden opportunity here. We could be hosting Davis Cup matches on the asphalt in March, instead of Birmingham.)

The Children's Garden outside the main library is a project of Newt Aaron and Associates. The owner told the library board last September the project should be completed by mid-December. Yet I haven't heard of it being used at all - so maybe the staff is waiting for grant money from Lowe's to grow some flowers.

We called Newt Aaron and Associates Monday to get an update on the Children's Garden, with hopes of learning about plans for the parking lot as well. But our call was not returned, leaving us with - well, vast nothingness.

Now a quick check of other items from a marvelously mild Monday....

+ Why yes, thank you - I am feeling better. The weekend cold disappeared enough for me to run outside Monday night. But then Missouri beat my old school Kansas in basketball, so the sickness might come back.

+ Columbus Police reported someone burglarized Tax 1 on Buena Vista Road by removing cinder blocks from a wall. C'mon folks - just because your finances are in the hole, that does NOT mean you can create a new one.

(A tax office in Opelika was burglarized as well. You know times are tough when people simply can't wait for a rapid refund.)

+ The principal of Drake Middle School in Auburn appeared in a preview clip for the upcoming season of "Survivor." Debra Beebee is a contestant, and she revealed one of her nicknames is "Bubbles." Hmmmm - does this mean children are allowed to chew gum or not?

+ Tim Green of the Columbus Cottonmouths was named S.P.H.L. player of the week. He had one goal and seven assists in three games last weekend. It's too bad WEAM-AM decided they don't matter, because it's broadcasting nothing but pro basketball now.

The number of unique visitors to our blog has doubled since 2006! To advertise to them, offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 1,529 (+ 27, 1.8%)

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-09 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

9 FEB 09: Grappling for Every Fan

The Sunday evening news offered nothing unusual, until a surprise guest showed up - a spokesman for Great Championship Wrestling. And to make things even more surprising, the man didn't threaten to systematically destroy an opponent three times in the next five days.

Taylor McKnight was on the evening news to promote the next Great Championship Wrestling card - only this one will be very different. All the proceeds from Thursday night's matches will help a Smiths Station family, which has a seriously ill seven-year-old child in an Atlanta hospital. For once, the "good guy" wrestlers seem to have the upper hand.

This is obviously a nice gesture by Great Championship Wrestling - but part of me wonders if it's being done for the organization's necessity as well. To be honest, I'd almost forgotten this troupe existed. It's still quietly holding Thursday night matches at a Phenix City roller skating rink - so quietly that I think my Thursday poker nights are getting more local attention.

At least Great Championship Wrestling has updated its web site, since the last time we reviewed it last spring [7 Apr 08]. It's promoting this week's special card, as well as a "babes and body slams" night Wednesday at Hooters. Tip the servers well, or they might have to take second jobs as wrestling divas.

The GCW web site has another surprise - the special guest grappler planned for Thursday's show. It's Buff Bagwell, who appeared in Columbus for the rival Independent Wrestling Network last April. Some of these wrestlers amazingly can change from heels to heroes overnight....

So whatever happened to IWN? One wrestling web site indicates it left Columbus last June, possibly because it couldn't pay the rent. Perhaps GCW celebrated its competitive success by holding a "barred from the building" night.

In recent drives near Burnham Boulevard, I've noticed a sign indicating yet another wrestling troupe has taken over the old "GCW Arena." It's called "Prime Time Pro Wrestling" - but a Google link to its web site wouldn't work when I tried it Sunday night. Some hacker must have put it in the ol' sleeper hold....

A check of other web sites indicates Prime Time Pro Wrestling had a card last Friday night. And one recent night of action had a wrestling promoter in the crowd named Jimmy Oxendine. The candidates for Georgia Governor are looking for voters anywhere they can.

Back at Great Championship Wrestling, Thursday night's main event is a title defense by the champion "J-Rod." After seeing his body on the GCW web site, I'm more likely to suspect him of steroid use than A-Rod.

As we said, the rest of Sunday's news offered nothing unusual - so you'll have to settle for these:

+ WLTZ showed an on-air message warning it will make the "Big Switch" to digital television at 12:00 noon on 17 February. This will allow all the TV reporters to be back at the station at 5:00 p.m., to take calls from angry Oprah Winfrey viewers.

+ Louisiana State lashed Alabama in men's college basketball 76-62. CBS Sports "insider" Seth Davis said Alabama is willing to spend two million dollars or more on a new head coach. Wow - how hard is proration hitting Nick Saban?

+ The Sunday Ledger-Enquirer featured a front-page column by Sonya Sorich on the Grammy Awards. Don't ask me why it was on the front page. I doubt even the newspaper in "Music City U.S.A." would put a Grammy column on page one - especially when they're being presented 2,000 miles away in Los Angeles.

+ Instant Message to whomever votes for the Grammys: You still don't get it, do you? I've heard of the Jonas Brothers. But you gave the Best New Artist award to - Adele?! As in "Dude, you're getting...."?!

SCHEDULED TUESDAY: Why someone sent us photos of an empty parking lot....

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The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-09 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

8 FEB 09: Weekend Warm-Up

Advisory: You might want to sit a little farther from the computer screen today. Your blogger is fighting at least a cold, and maybe something more. Well, check that -- if I really was "fighting" the cold, I wouldn't have driven out to pick up a fried chicken dinner Saturday night.

I've thought a cold was coming for a few days. Usually I feel it in my throat first - and I blamed it this time on eating too much salt from a bag of popcorn. If the artificial butter refuses to come off the side of the bag and stick to the corn, it simply must not go to waste....

But things began to worsen for me during the day Friday. An occasional cough began to grow more frequent. Almost anything I ate led to sneezes. And the dreaded "post-nasal drip" developed at home. I mean, it was expected earlier in the week - when you're working on racquetball outdoors, with temperatures in the thirties.

A Friday afternoon jog outside was modest, at 1.25 miles non-stop. But it was my first outdoor run in ten days, so I didn't expect much. And I only needed to spit out grunge a few times - on the Riverwalk lawn, to avoid possibly polluting the Chattahoochee River.

After a nice dinner and Bible study, it was time for a favorite activity at this time of year - the Friday Night Nap. I'm old enough to remember when those initials stood for the Financial News Network....

The FNN this week lasted two hours 20 minutes. I presumed that was to make up for some ice-cold nights earlier in the week, when sleeping wasn't that easy. I've refused to turn my heater up from a low level all winter, in an attempt to save natural gas money. I didn't think about spending that money for cold medicine instead.

But when I climbed out of bed (sheet, blanket, bedspread knit by Grandma and a comforter), I shivered - shaking for a solid minute. I felt even colder than the Atlanta Hawks' 1-for-11 shooting start Saturday night, in its loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

I turned off the lights and the computer, and went back to bed for the night. In fact, I wound up resting more than 10-and-a-half hours - then snoozed some more Saturday morning and afternoon. Those of you who don't keep a seventh-day Sabbath really should try it. I worship some, read my Bible some, and recover from the week without any trips to a rehabilitation clinic.

A hot midday shower Saturday was perfect for invigorating my weary body, but I still felt stuffy as I went to church. I made the rounds of greeting people with care - but I kept in mind the woman who returned this week from serious lower back pain, and a woman on crutches one year after hurting her knee. What I had was very small. Trouble is, it was more likely to spread.

I awoke from the Saturday afternoon nap a few minutes after sunset. I was ready for a Saturday evening run outside - but I got up shivering again. A minute with the thermometer showed my temperature at 100.8 degrees F. A jog would have left me sweating, all right - and perhaps left me in a puddle besides.

So I took down one of my two reserve cans of chicken noodle soup - although I haven't opened it yet. I relaxed at home, instead of running. And by late evening, my temperature was back down to the 99-degree range. This apparently proves I don't need to plug in my waterbed, to heat it.

Yes, I know - some of you may be putting together clues from this post, and concluding I brought the cold on myself. But isn't exercise good for you? Haven't you read the blogger complaints about people turning their heat up too much, then demanding government energy assistance? And isn't fried chicken the only food that large numbers of homeless people seem able to eat?

E-MAIL UPDATE: We mentioned Friday that the Macon Telegraph now will be printed in Columbus. A reader brings up another newspaper which was printed at the Ledger-Enquirer for a time, after Hurricane Katrina....

My wife and I go to Biloxi several times a year. The Biloxi paper which is also owned by McClatchy is a pleasure to read. It is well organized, has excellent print and picture quality. It seems to be fair and balanced and not left leaning as the LEDGER-ENQUIRER.

I just do not understand how two papers owned by the same company could be so obviously different. Maybe we could get McClatchy to transfer some of the Biloxi management and staff to Columbus to run the 12th Street rag, or at least let Biloxi management team run the L-E from Biloxi.

I would renew my subscription!

Lon Gammage

Isn't this stunning? Apparently there's a media outlet that actually does NOT order everyone to think the same way. McClatchy's top management must have missed those invitations to join the Trilateral Commission supposedly filled with liberal journalists.

Maybe it's a good thing my health is weak, because the weekend news didn't offer much to joke about. But let's do a little, before I go back to bed....

+ The Citizen of East Alabama reported Russell County Commissioner Ronnie Reed wants a section of Broad Street renamed Barack Obama Parkway. Is this really a good idea - making people think the Streetscape mess is due to a President who hasn't been in office three weeks?

+ Phenix City Police reported someone robbed Gil's Auto Sales as it opened for the day. This is what happens when your car lot doesn't have any rebates for customers to keep.

+ The Ledger-Enquirer reported Columbus is gaining a franchise in the "Great South League," a summer baseball league for college players. The league had teams in Macon, LaGrange and Thomasville last summer - not to mention the "East Alabama Big Train" of Oxford. The Big Train?! How much did Amtrak pay for this -- especially when its route stops in Anniston?

+ Instant Message to New Franklin Road Self-Storage in LaGrange: That's the most thought-provoking sign I've seen in a long time. When French people swear, do they say "Pardon my English"?

The number of unique visitors to our blog has doubled since 2006! To advertise to them, offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

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The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-09 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

6 FEB 09: How Low Can We Go?

It's yet another sign of a recession -and maybe other things. I drove up Second Avenue Thursday, and discovered the "Back to the Grind" coffee stand had closed. Ground under by Starbucks, I suppose....

Back to the Grind seemed to have a good location -- on the southbound side of Second Avenue, a little south of Manchester Expressway. It seemed perfect for people who work downtown, and need a cup of coffee on the way. Or do that many Columbus residents remain loyal to Dr. Pemberton, and only drink Coca-Cola?

Then during the evening news, WRBL reported Fat Boys Farmers Market has closed as well. That store on Veterans Parkway always seemed like a contradiction to me - because if you bought the fruits and vegetables they sold, you'd be less likely to become fat.

A late-night news check found even more sobering economic news. The Macon Telegraph will start printing its newspapers in Columbus, while laying off 58 production workers. So if the wrong edition winds up on your front lawn this weekend, don't blame the delivery guy - the problem could be at the press.

(On top of that, the McClatchy newspaper chain which owns the Ledger-Enquirer is freezing its pension plans. Richard Hyatt's career may come full-circle, and he'll need to return to hosting radio talk shows.)

And if that's not enough, Bruno's Supermarkets filed for bankruptcy protection Thursday. Bruno's operates FoodMax -- and the old FoodMax location on U.S. 280 in Phenix City remains empty, eight years after it closed. Someone should put a simple tombstone outside it, saying it was killed by Wal-Mart.

With local businesses closing and layoffs mounting, it was no surprise that the Columbus Trade Center was a busy place Thursday. Clear Channel Radio staged its annual job fair - two weeks after the chain went through national layoffs, including the dismissal of several local salespeople. Why the Georgia Department of Labor didn't order a sponsor change, I have no idea.

GPB Radio reported more than 2,500 people attended the Trade Center job fair. That number actually was down from last year - but if I recall correctly, Kia was hiring workers last year. If Kia can take in all the employees Cessna Aircraft cuts, at least the economy will keep moving. It'll simply roll along, instead of flying....

While the turnout was large, only about 55 employers had booths at Thursday's job fair. That's down from about 90 last year. But let's face it - who can compete with the Columbus Police Department, and its dozens of openings for officers?

The economy admittedly has looked bleak for several months - but after thinking it over, I've concluded things could be worse. You'll know things are REALLY bad when....

+ Columbus and Phenix City officials begin consolidation talks. Maybe then Streetscape on Broad Street will get finished.

+ Bludau's on Broadway adds a one-dollar value menu.

+ The local NAACP and Urban League chapters decide "One Columbus" also applies to them, so they merge.

+ Victory Drive nightclubs follow the example of Uptown Columbus, and offer "pole crawl" nights for one ticket price.

+ Georgia and Georgia Tech combine their football teams to cut costs.

+ The homeless people staying at Valley Rescue Mission announce plans for a union vote.

+ Chick-Fil-A opens its restaurants on Sundays, because it needs the money.

+ The Columbus Lions and Columbus Cottonmouths play each other, in a game combining football and hockey. Oh wait - they did that for charity several months ago.

-> Our poker night Thursday had a bizarre moment which seems unbelievable, but really happened. Read about it at our other blog, "On the Flop!" <--

SONG OF THE DAY: Someone commented at work the other day about the 30-minute infomercials which appear on some stations after the 12:00 noon news. One of them offered a collection of classic country music. Nowadays, of course, you can write a country song about that very thing....

Now a quick spin around other Thursday news:

+ State Senator Seth Harp took a step back from his controversial proposal to merge four Georgia state universities. He's joining Sen. Emanuel Jones in calling for a "study group" to examine the idea. In exchange, watch for Harp to buy his next car at Jones's Legacy Chevrolet.

+ Northside edged Columbus for the combined city high school swimming title. Carver fielded a swim team for the first time, and came in fifth. For the other teams, this sight must remind them of the movie "Cool Runnings."

+ Mobile native and Atlanta baseball legend Hank Aaron marked his 75^th birthday. For some reason, no one dared asked him to submit to a test for steroids.

+ Georgia lost in women's basketball to Tennessee 73-43, giving coach Pat Summit her 1,000^th career victory. Someday we may learn about secret tension involving Lady Vols basketball - you know, about "Rocky Top" having a Summit.

+ Instant Message to the Auburn women's basketball team: I'm glad you won Thursday night. And I don't mean to diminish your great season. But shouldn't a women's sports team have MALE dancers on the court during timeouts?

The number of unique visitors to our blog has doubled since 2006! To advertise to them, offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 1,625 (+ 92, 6.0%)

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-09 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

5 FEB 09: Jarvis Goes to Hollywood

Wednesday was the biggest day of the off-season for college football fans. It was "National Signing Day." Someday I'll figure out why this event isn't sponsored by a billboard company.

It was a day of drama at Carver High School, because all-star linebacker Jarvis Jones had NOT disclosed his college choice. His decision was so enormous that the Ledger-Enquirer promised to show it live on the web. But all I ever saw was a test pattern - as if Jones had hired an agent, and was negotiating for the best deal.

I'm told the Ledger-Enquirer's live streaming plans went awry because the photographer forgot to take one critical cord with him to Carver High School. At least no one in that neighborhood stole it, then offered to sell it back for 50 dollars.

Five ballcaps from different colleges were placed on a table in front of Jarvis Jones. After touching a couple, he picked up and put on the U.S.C. hat - and for perhaps the first time in Columbus history, those initials did NOT refer to South Carolina.

Jarvis Jones decided to play college football at Southern California. Jones told reporters he made the decision Monday night. Hmmmm - did a cold rainy day in the South make him long for California sunshine?

Jarvis Jones added he's not concerned about the move from Columbus to Los Angeles. He explained when you go to college, you're not likely to come home much anyway. That should make Jones's parents feel comfortable - or at least plan a long summer family vacation.

Someone asked me why Jarvis Jones would choose Southern California over Florida and Georgia. For one thing, the Trojans always seem to be in national championship contention. For another thing, some Hollywood producer might give Jones a tryout for a crime show.

Why not give Jarvis Jones a screen test? After all, consider the announcement ceremony itself. Has Jones been watching old reruns of "To Tell the Truth" on the Game Show Network?

(And by the way: what happened to the other four ballcaps? Shouldn't Jarvis Jones autograph them, so another Carver High School student can make money selling them on eBay?)

Jarvis Jones was the biggest star among dozens of high school seniors who signed letters of intent for college football. Carver teammate LeRon Furr signed with Oklahoma State. But he reserves the right to follow the example of his brother, and transfer to Memphis after a couple of practices.

Some of the announcements on signing day were surprising. Spencer High School wide receiver Darren McCray will play at Georgia State, even though he admittedly stands only five-foot-seven and weighs 140 pounds. But Georgia State doesn't play its football game until 2010, so the coaches may not know what they're doing....

And did I hear it right - a Pacelli player signed with the University of Minnesota-Crookston? I never heard of that college before. And I'm not sure I'd want to be associated with a bunch of crooks.

-> Our other blog gets visitors from Columbus to Europe. Read about poker and life at "On the Flop!" <--

BLOG UPDATE: The "DTV Road Show" wraps up a two-day visit to Columbus today. Information about the switch to digital television is set up at local libraries -- a safe distance from the TV stations, which might face pickets from confused viewers.

A couple of items may have increased the digital confusion Wednesday. The U.S. House gave final Congressional approval to a delay in the "big switch," moving the deadline to end analog broadcasting to June. But WLTZ announced it will make the switch in two weeks, anyway - which you can do when your newscast is in last place in the ratings.

This means both WRBL and WLTZ plan to go all-digital on 18 February. Other stations have yet to make official announcements of their plans. But WLGA posted a statement on its web site about what stations in Omaha, Nebraska plan to do - so maybe their "big switch" involves showing the programs of different cities.

E-MAIL UPDATE: The woman who wrote us twice this week about Columbus city government is trying again, after seeing the search results we posted Tuesday....

the first doc has his name in it- i also attached it

assurance to discontinuance with melton's name

OK, Columbus Bank and Trust President Steve Melton's name IS on this document with the New York Attorney General. His signature is at the bottom of it. Does that mean Melton, as Tuesday's e-mail claimed, is "listed like a common criminal"? It's not even on a list - and there's certainly no police mug shot.

We'd also note someone else signed that document, along with Steve Helton -- then-New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. Which one still has his job, and is considered trustworthy enough to appear in TV commercials?

Now let's see what else made news Wednesday....

+ Columbus may have had its coldest day of the winter, with a high temperature of 38 degrees F. and gusty northwest winds. To borrow from an old TV phrase, it does NOT feel great when the high's only 38.

+ The Columbus USO chapter treated Fort Benning Rangers to a party, to mark the program's 68^th anniversary. Yes, you saw it correctly on WLTZ - Robbie Watson is now the local USO Director. She's moved from "Talkline" to lines of soldiers.

+ The local Girl Scout council reported to WRBL it made its goal, and increased cookie sales three percent this year. I regret to report no one walks through my neighborhood selling cookies - although I've had people show up after midnight, selling steaks and beer. [True!]

+ A student at Fort Middle School won this year's Muscogee County spelling bee. One teacher noted some students tap their hands to help them spell words. Hmmmm - could some of them be exchanging Morse code messages with a friend in the audience?

+ Instant Message to the rock band Widespread Panic: What a nice surprise! I see you donated about $10,000 in musical instruments and computers to Muscogee County schools. But c'mon now - 40 xylophones?! I don't think even Cyndi Lauper used those things in her weird rock songs.

The number of unique visitors to our blog has doubled since 2006! To advertise to them, offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 1,533 (+ 51, 3.4%)

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-09 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

4 FEB 09: A Fuller Life

For awhile Tuesday, I thought I'd have to write something I never expected to write -- shame on Habitat for Humanity. For several hours.... oh wait. I went ahead and wrote that, didn't I?

But anyway: for several hours Tuesday, the Habitat for Humanity web site had nothing on the death of Millard Fuller. After awhile, the silence raised some questions. Was Habitat shunning its cofounder - the man who was kicked out the door four years ago, and practically barred from installing a new one?

But by late Tuesday, the Habitat home page had changed - and now things seemed proper. The organization expressed "deep sorrow" at Millard Fuller's death in the middle of the night. The tribute didn't even mention the 2005 spat with the Habitat board - so at least the charity didn't wallpaper over the matter.

Millard Fuller was born in Lanett, and became a millionaire attorney before he turned 30. But to save his marriage, Fuller sold his business fortune and gave the proceeds to needy people. Several New York bank executives probably need to read Fuller's books right now.

Through contacts at Sumter County's Koinonia Farm, Millard Fuller began home building projects for low-income people. That led to the founding of Habitat for Humanity in 1976 -- and you might say his calling in life was nailed down from there.

After the Habitat board made Millard Fuller walk the plank leave, he founded the "Fuller Center for Housing." It's involved in similar projects, and has scheduled a "Blitz Build" for this summer in Lanett to mark Fuller's 50^th anniversary. And you thought a "Blitz Build" was something college football coaches plan to do today at high schools....

Millard Fuller died around 3:00 a.m. Tuesday, but the memorial plans developed very quickly. A funeral and burial will be held at Koinonia Farm today -- and I'm hearing it's so sudden because Fuller did NOT want his body embalmed. Did he know something about chemicals in farm soil that the rest of us don't?

Millard Fuller reportedly asked to be buried in a "simple pine box." This is surprising, because you don't need a full crew of volunteer construction workers to build one of those.

There's much to admire in the Millard Fuller story. It's a story of seeking fulfillment in something other than money, and offering real help to needy people. Thanks to his vision, hundreds of thousands of families have homes. One man hasn't had that much impact on so many since.... well, since Santonio Holmes satisfied everyone who bet on Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.

CLASSIC BLOG: We followed Millard Fuller's final years here. Here's a sampling of what we wrote about him, and you can search our site for "Millard" to find more....

18 JAN 04: "People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals" wrote a letter to Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller in Americus, demanding he promise not to harm wildlife during construction projects. How strange is this?!?! We can't recall ever seeing wildlife along Cusseta Road or 30th Avenue.

1 FEB 05: The Habitat for Humanity board fired founder Millard Fuller. I'd say they're putting Fuller out to pasture - but I think Koinonia in Sumter County really is more like a farm.

2 FEB 05: Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller hinted he might file legal action, in the wake of the Habitat board in Americus firing him and his wife. After about 30 years with Habitat projects, we can be sure Fuller knows how to build a case.

6 FEB 05: Habitat for Humanity chapters showed their support for fired founder Millard Fuller by staging "Lay Down Your Hammer" day. Or as some future homeowners might have called it: "Increase My Sweat Equity Day."

(Some Habitat for Humanity leaders believe if former President Carter backs Millard Fuller, work on homes will slow down. They forget one thing -- support for Habitat from Republicans probably would go up.)

12 MAY 05: Habitat for Humanity filed suit against founder Millard Fuller, to keep him from calling his new ministry "Building Habitat." If the Americus organization wins its suit, all the PBS nature shows about creatures "in their natural habitat" may have to be redone.

7 AUG 05: Habitat for Humanity revealed it's thinking about moving its headquarters from Americus to Atlanta. Wow -- this board wants to get as far away from Millard Fuller as it can.

11 JUN 06: The Fuller Center held a fund-raising event in Americus, and director Millard Fuller told WRBL some people donated their wedding rings to his cause. Wasn't this part of Fuller's problem in the first place - accusations that he was a bit too magnetic with the ladies?

BLOG UPDATE: "Happy Slam Day to you," I said to a man on the other side of the lunch counter Tuesday. I should have expected his response.

"I feel slammed, all right."

This man was part of the crew at Denny's on Macon Road, which had quite a challenge. It was part of a nationwide promotion offering free "Grand Slam" breakfasts to all comers. The Columbus manager decided to extend the deadline to 4:00 p.m. - so even DJ's at clubs on Broadway could get up in time for it.

I pondered whether to go early or late to Denny's for a free breakfast. The answer turned out to be late, at about 1:30 p.m. That was good, because a 6:00 a.m. arrival would have put me in a very long line - and early would have made me late for work.

The line after the official lunch hour stretched only one-fourth of the way around Denny's. It moved forward relatively quickly, perhaps because the restaurant offered "rain checks" to people who couldn't wait for a Grand Slam. Sometimes it seems the only people in Columbus who get two-hour lunch breaks are members of the Rotary Club.

But the line allowed me to chat a little with the people around me. For instance, I noted to the man behind me that if this many people lined up for Columbus Catfish tickets, the baseball team still might be in town.

Once we were inside, a Denny's employee walked by with samples of tasty "pancake puppies." They're like hush puppies, only apparently made with pancake batter. If Denny's had restaurants in Britain, I suppose they'd be called Pound Puppies.

I was inside Denny's after about 20 minutes of waiting, and was allowed to take a counter seat. This was one day when being a single guy with no children definitely was an advantage....

In fact, I wasn't the only single guy to take advantage of Grand Slam Day. Several Fort Benning soldiers were spotted at Denny's -- and right down the counter from me was former TV sportscaster Chris Hudgison. But it wasn't quite a "meat market" atmosphere for me. For one thing, I don't eat pork bacon or sausage.

Since I don't eat pork products and I realized Denny's had no alternatives, I asked for a meatless Grand Slam. Does that make it something out of a bridge game - you know, a small slam?

As I enjoyed two pancakes and scrambled eggs minutes later, the waiting line to my right dwindled a good bit. Then a woman sat down next to me and started talking about the Grand Slam promotion. I only learned from watching TV news that it was local Denny's owner Jeanne Muller. She must have thought I was a dashing TV star or something.

"I think some people had a misunderstanding," Jeanne Muller said of the Slam Day promotion. "They thought they were going to get the breakfast" - as in drinks and side orders. The Denny's web site did NOT say drinks were included, so it was no surprise to me. But I wonder how big the restaurant's next water bill is going to be.

Jeanne Muller says the Slam Day promotion took two weeks of preparation. "We've never been on the Super Bowl before," she told me. So that explained the long lines. I thought "Good Morning America" had record numbers of viewers Monday morning.

"We've had some people today who are very appreciative," Jeanne Muller added. Hopefully all the customers went easy on the staff, which worked non-stop for about nine hours. The only "break time" apparently occurred when cooks cracked eggs.

But I wonder how many Columbus Denny's customers really did appreciate the Grand Slam special. I'm hearing the amount left in tips Tuesday was abysmal. And that's ridiculous, considering Tuesday was the Social Security check deposit day....

I'd already decided to leave a tip on my credit card, for the soft drink I purchased with the meal. And given what Jeanne Muller said, I practically doubled what the drink cost. I think that made my total lunch bill match the price of one dessert at a higher-priced restaurant.

WRBL reports the Columbus Denny's wound up serving about 900 Grand Slam plates. The people who picked up rain checks have until 13 February to claim their free breakfasts. So there may be lines outside on Macon Road for a few mornings to come - not to mention jealous employees nearby at Firehouse Subs, plotting to get even with free cookie packs.

BLOG SPECIAL EVENT: We've been asking for words and phrases which are distinctive to the Columbus area. One reader sent us several....

cathead=biscuit

tee-niny=very small

itsy-bitsy=very very small

scrambled dog=hotdog in dish with lots of chile and oyster crackers

supper=last meal of the day

A couple of these were no surprise to me. But "cathead" is a word I've never heard in Columbus before -- not even when I see people from PAWS Humane.

We've had a busy day here, so let's quickly wrap up other news highlights:

+ The midday news revealed Columbus attorney James Elkins was disbarred last week by the Georgia Supreme Court. State records show Elkins admitted lying to a client about a civil case. Well, at least he wasn't lying in any TV commercials....

+ The Phenix City Council voted to spend more than $200,000 to finish the Streetscape project downtown. Officials now promise it will be completed by April - assuming no one shows up with a tape measure, and decides Broad Street still isn't broad enough.

+ A promotional team from Six Flags Over Georgia came to Columbus to hype the coming season. The theme park will open earlier than ever in March, and begin with a weekend "blanket drive." This makes a big assumption. If it's cold in early March, customers may not want to donate the blankets until they leave.

+ Valley city officials reported an animal control officer was bruised in the leg, when a loose goat attacked. And this was a real goat - not an older man visiting from rural Chambers County.

+ The CBS Evening News talked with an employee of the Peanut Corp. of America plant in Blakely. He said sanitation was so bad that "a rat was roasted along with the peanuts." I pity the worker who had to separate the shells that day....

+ Columbus State men's basketball coach Doug Branson told WRBL that losing games "is not normal." It's not? On a typical night, 50 percent of all basketball teams do it.

+ Alabama Athletic Director Mal Moore announced plans to expand an end zone at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This would increase the seating capacity to 101,000 people - and maybe then the Crimson Tide would be allowed to host a Bowl Championship Series game, so they can win one.

+ Instant Message to the Columbus Cottonmouths: That looked like fun Tuesday - having children put paint-coated hands on your white shirts. In fact, it reminded me of a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. The mark was messy, eh?

The number of unique visitors to our blog has doubled since 2006! To advertise to them, offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 1,482 (+ 57, 4.0%)

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-09 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

3 FEB 09: Another Year, Another Penny

The weather Monday afternoon was perfect for our new Muscogee County school superintendent. Rain fell for several hours. You know, a splish-splash SPLOST sort of rain....

Dr. Susan Andrews wasted little time in her new job as Muscogee County Superintendent in setting the foundation for a school sales tax vote. In a series of TV interviews, she said it was the most logical way to bring more revenue to the school district. It's either that, or persuade a native tribe to move to Bibb City and set up a casino.

Dr. Susan Andrews said the weekend school board retreat at the Cunningham Center led to a "consensus" for a one-percent school sales tax vote. If she can gain a consensus from the board after the last couple of years, she doesn't belong in Muscogee County. She should join George Mitchell in Middle East diplomacy.

The new superintendent addressed concerns about the Muscogee County School Board. Susan Andrews borrowed one of President Obama's favorite words about government -- transparency. So many officials are using this word that they must hold stock in the company which makes Scotch tape.

Dr. Susan Andrews says a one-percent sales tax is the best moneymaking option because Columbus is a "retail center." There, you see? Someone else refuses to believe those rumors about Peachtree Mall.

Dr. Susan Andrews noted two main reasons why Muscogee County schools need sales tax money. One reason is the tight Georgia state budget. The Muscogee County school budget already has been trimmed two percent - so hopefully you won't mind if grade-school students walk to a couple of field trips this spring.

The other big concern for Dr. Susan Andrews is base realignment. She told WLTZ it's unclear how many students will move to Columbus - and how many will be high school students, as opposed to grade school students. The Muscogee County schools may have to rent some "portable classrooms" which actually are on wheels.

As we noted here Sunday, the Muscogee County School Board is considering September as the date for the one-percent sales tax vote. The official thinking behind that date is that it falls shortly after the new school year begins. The unofficial thinking is that Mike Gaymon is right, the recession will be over and Columbus will climb out first.

As for that other potential trouble spot in a school sales tax vote: WRBL reported Monday the Muscogee County Administration Building should be finished by July. That way, angry voters in September can't demand construction stop any more.

THE BIG BLOG QUESTION comes out of hibernation, to see if you accept Dr. Susan Andrews's arguments. Would you vote for a one-percent sales tax for Muscogee County schools? Or does the recession have you pinching pennies so much that you can't even spare one for education?

-> Our other blog gets visitors from Columbus to Europe. Read about poker and life at "On the Flop!" <--

E-MAIL UPDATE: The woman who wrote us about Columbus Tax Assessors has a follow-up to what we posted Monday....

The conflict of interest with the Board of Equalization and a person appealing the tax increase, Linda George, in this case, is that the Board of Equalization Chair has a competitive property across the street from Linda. They are in competition for renters. He signed a statement saying he had no conflict of interest, prior to the hearing- which is always required to prevent conflict of interest. Was that a conflict of interest for him to advise the Tax Assessors Board on her tax increase appeal?

1. There is a Tax Assessors Board that assesses taxes,

2. An Equalization Board, which reviews appeals for tax increases,

3. Development Authority Board which allows=advises The Tax Assessors Board on tax breaks (abatements) for businesses that bring enough business to Columbus to warrant a tax break

The Tax Assessors Board also approves Development Authority Tax (breaks) Abatements like those for Councilman Glenn Davis, which was $20$ Million$ or so and large landlords, like Will White, who got $180 Million in tax abatements for his rental apts, though he only employs a few people per apt. location. Tax abatements were not meant to be applied to companies which only employ 2-3 people particularly when these large landlords get $100- $180 Million in total abatements across town. All of that while the small landlord can have yearly increases in taxes for simply repairing an air conditioner (triggering a new tax assessment-which can be done yearly on landlords-such as in the case of Linda George-whose taxes increased about $1000 per year). Multiplied out, as is done in abatements that would be a $20,000 increase over 20 years as compared to the $20 Million dollar abatement Councilman Davis gave himself on his business.

The Boards in Columbus are fraught with Conflict of Interest= Billy Blanchard is on the Development Authority and he is a big part of CB&T, Synovus, etc, while getting money in tax breaks to the tune of millions from that same Board. Same is true for that board's Attorney of record- the city employs him to advise the Development Authority and his vested concerns get money from the Development Authority as well.

The City uses CB&T to house money, you know the city takes in tax money, and the city has reserves of about $50 Million, and there was even more during the Poydasheff years. I would ask you to find out the percentage of interest the city is paid by CB&T but I know that would take a miracle worker. CB& T was thrown out of NY state and the CEO was listed on the NY Attorney General website like a common criminal, in a complaint which names him and the bank in simple language. Here is the link

http://www.oag.state.ny.us/

All one needs to do is go to the website and type in Columbus Bank and Trust in the search window on the website--many links will appear on the NY Attorney General website on CB&T. CB&T cannot practice their predatory lending on Hispanics there in NY now--but they can and do house money for the city of Columbus as well as have an employee as a City Councilman.

Is it a Conflict of Interest to have:

1. A City Councilman who is also a bank officer of the bank that houses city money while that institution simultaneously receives money from tax breaks from the city

2. A Development Authority Board member get money for his own company, which is also the bank that houses city money and has an officer as a city councilman who is over that board?

Small landlords get the shaft with potentially yearly increases of taxes- while large apt owners get millions in tax breaks from the Development Authority's advice to the Tax Assessors Board.

In Last week's council meeting Linda George, who owns ONE triplex, presented information on the conflict of interest, in her case, and afterwards Councilman Pops Barnes stated they have never had any trouble with board members- When the City Manager suggested that the Cunningham Leadership Center would train board members for $30 in materials, etc., Pops Barnes stated there was no problem ever with board members. What a joke!

This state needs Conflict of Interest Laws that are meaningful, and the city needs to stop the genetic bottleneck of board members who are on the boards to profit from their "service" to the community.

Deborah Owens

First of all - what do you mean, "competition for renters?" I've lived in the same apartment nearly 12 years, and no one's knocked on my door yet offering lower rent and a free moving truck.

We went to the web site of the New York Attorney General, and a search for Columbus Bank and Trust found 11 different items. But put the phrase "Columbus Bank and Trust" in quotes, and only one comes up -- without the name of the bank's chief executive officer. Lumping this bank with the Knights of Columbus doesn't seem very fair.

But after looking over the list of names on Columbus city boards, I can understand the argument about conflicts of interest. For instance, the Board of Health has four doctors on it. Where are the lawyers, to set these kings of malpractice straight?

By the way, we DID call the city finance department last year to ask about the interest rate Columbus Bank and Trust pays on city bank accounts. In fact, Deborah Owens asked us to do that [10 Sep 08]. But the department director never returned our phone call -- and that was way back when economic times were good.

Let's take one more e-mail, which goes back to a 21 January topic:

Do you think that perhaps Mike Patrick was removed as CEO of Carmike because his mother recently died? His parents were founders of Carmike after purchasing the chain from her Martin relatives. I wonder if the Board of Trustees could not remove him until both parents were deceased..Just a left field guess...Carl (Pat) and Frances Patrick were really a class act.

If this guess is true, it would seem to show a little disrespect by the Carmike Cinemas board. After all, Frances Patrick only died in late December. Pushing son Mike out the door only weeks later would be like.... well, it's a little better than hurrying the crowds outside after a Saturday night movie ends.

By the way, Carmike Cinemas opened a new 12-screen theatre this past weekend in Dalton, Georgia. Carmike used to have theatres inside Walnut Square Mall. The new location is behind it - which makes it even more amazing that the movies are first-run.

Be here Wednesday for the latest entry in our Blog Special Event. But for now, let's wrap up other Monday news:

+ Aflac reported its 2008 revenue was up six percent from the year before. Some local stock-watchers declared a Morgan Stanley analyst was "out of line" in issuing a warning on Aflac stock recently. But really now - any child at an amusement park knows you can only ride a duck for so long.

+ WRBL put messages on the air declaring it "intends to cease analog broadcasting" 17 February. So what if Congress postpones the digital TV deadline to June? Will the station provide bus service to sports bars, so people in low-income neighborhood can watch the NCAA basketball tournament?

+ Augusta State and Columbus State split a college basketball doubleheader. The Augusta men opened with a 14-0 run, then coasted to an 82-73 win. So when WDAK's Scott Miller said it's "good to see Dr. Mescon here," I wondered if Cougar coach Doug Branson really felt the same way.

+ ESPN college basketball analyst Bob Knight admitted he'd be willing to coach Georgia, if the university wants him. Do the Bulldogs really want to hire a Hall of Fame coach, who's 68 years old? Why, he probably can throw a chair only halfway across the court now.

+ Instant Message to Denny's restaurants: Wow - you're offering FREE Grand Slam breakfasts for eight hours today!?! It's nice to see someone celebrating the start of college baseball season around here.

The number of unique visitors to our blog has doubled since 2006! To advertise to them, offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 1,425 (+ 52, 3.8%)

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-09 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

2 FEB 09: Up and Down the Dial

As I write this, I have no idea who won Sunday's Super Bowl. Yes, I'm writing early - but I don't even have the game on TV. Playing football in February simply is silly. That's why Auburn and Georgia don't do it anymore, after meeting twice in February in the 1800's.

But we can report on a local champion today - a repeat champion at that. The new Columbus radio ratings are out, and WFXE-FM "Foxie 105" has the most listeners again. The day this changes may be the day every comment in the "Sound Off" column of the Ledger-Enquirer is friendly and positive.

Foxie 105's fall rating was down about 20 percent from last spring, but the loss apparently was divided among three other "urban" radio stations. Hey, wait a minute - why is a station playing mostly African-American artists called "urban?" Green Island Hills is still inside the Columbus city limits....

But anyway: WVRK-FM "Rock 103" was second in total listeners in the fall. Rock music fans apparently were not swayed by WRLD-FM becoming "95.3 The Ride." They actually believed their parents' warnings about accepting rides from strangers.

Clear Channel Radio had four of the top five stations in the fall ratings. That might mean a big crowd at the Clear Channel job fair this week - although I suppose the recently laid-off salespeople probably will be stopped at the door.

Most Columbus radio stations seemed to enjoy rating gains from spring to fall. Besides Foxie 105, the most notable exception was WGSY-FM "Sunny 100" with a drop of about 12 percent. Could it be that people finally are tired of hearing Xmas music in mid-November? Or is it John Tesh in general?

The biggest gainer in the fall ratings literally came out of nowhere. WEAM-AM "1580 The Zone" jumped from no number at all, to finish above WRCG. I assume this is because of large numbers listening to Alabama football - because there couldn't have been that many native New Yorkers demanding the return of Arnie Spanier in the evenings.

Another big gainer was WBOJ-FM "103.7 The Truth," which has doubled its ratings number since debuting last May. This Christian station is gaining listeners so quickly that midday voice Al Haynes may start evening tent meetings in the parking lot.

Every radio ratings report seems to have a couple of puzzling details. The fall numbers again show no listeners for WHAL-AM "Viva 1460." Perhaps immigrants in Columbus think the ratings diary will be passed along to federal agents....

And don't be surprised if Davis Broadcasting challenges part of the fall ratings report. It shows listener numbers for WMXA-FM in Opelika, which is "Mix 96.7" - but nothing for WIOL-FM, which is "Mix 95.7." This could be the biggest mix-up in the history of Columbus radio.

-> Our other blog gets visitors from Columbus to Europe. Read about poker and life at "On the Flop!" <--

E-MAIL UPDATE: Last week's Columbus Council meeting didn't make much news, but one reader apparently thinks it should have....

Dear Council;

This week's Council meeting was very informative- did I msunderstand?

Just after Linda George presented information/evidence regarding the conflict of interest of a board member, who sat as judge and jury on her tax appeal- did not many of you say that you have never had a problem with board members, in response to the city manager's request for training for board members?

Council! What were you thinking!

Some board members need to be tried on charges of conflict of interest!

PAY FOR PLAY IS ILLEGAL> How many of you got funds from CB&T? REMEMBER THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND ITS BOARD MEMBERS' INTEREST IN THEIR OWN TAX ABATEMENTS?

The Development Authority has members who are on the board to get the money the board provides in abatements. Even the Development Authority Attorney is involved in the conflict of interest with tax abatement money provided for his vested concerns from the Development Authority.

Then, of course, there is the council member who has authority over the Development Authority Board that grants HIM millions of dollars in tax abatements. He is well known for his conflict of interest, and his attempts to explain it away. He makes everyone look bad!

No problems with board members? I guess not, not as long as they serve vested interests!

Some activists have been threatened by a board member, who had zero provocation to threaten. The board member was outrageous and had the board member proceeded with threats there would have been serious legal ramifications. Reports will be made for any future incidents. Some of the board members are more like thugs!

Linda George presented information on The Equalization Board Chair. The Equalization Board is not just an advisory board, but a body that makes decisions that impact those citizens before it.

Linda George presented information that the Chair of The Equalization Board, the tax assessors tax appeal board, information that the chair was a landlord who had a competitive property for rent across the street from the address for which she was appealing the new $51,000 increase in tax assessment. He also told her that he had paid $80K in property taxes last year, asked her what she charged for rents in her triplex and then proceeded with his approval of the tax increase. He and others serving on the tax appeal board have signed statements to the effect that they have no conflicts of interest. Of his 50+ properties listed in the tax assessors site there are 47 properties without amounts of purchase and purchase dates. How does it happen that the Chair of the Equalization Board, the tax assessors appeal board, has no property purchase amounts and no date of purchase for 47 of his listed properties?

ARE YOU DISCONNECTED FROM THIS PROBLEM? DO YOU THINK THER IS NEED FOR A REMEDY?

Activists have complained for years that the council has chosen the same people over and over for different boards, without a whit of concern from council. No amount of public posturing by council will change that.

Is council listening? I must wonder why Pops Barnes has the audacity to say there have never been problems with board members-is he awake in council meetings? The public looks at such disingenuousness with disdain!

Please review your policy regarding board members as you have need to change your method of selecting the same old people over and over again, and you have need of feeling connected to what the board members do.

DO you employ Pay for Play ethics? It appears you do, when you choose from a select elite pool of people with serious conflicts of interest.

Please review your policies on boards, your public re-writing of history and your apparently Pay- For- Play ethics.

Deborah Owens

You may remember Arkansas resident Linda George, from her one-woman picket outside the Government Center last summer [10 Jul 08]. She apparently believes in the "if you lose, they're out to get you" theory.

This e-mail does not name the chair of the Equalization Board, and the Columbus city web site only lists the names of members. Three of them are males -- and William Braxton and Lawton Grantham are both real estate appraisers. Perhaps there should be a swap with one of the ministers on the Golf Course Authority board.

Deborah Owens has expressed her displeasure with the Columbus Development Authority here before [13 Jul 08, et al] -- but her "Ginger Lake" web site which had minutes of authority meetings has been out of service for weeks. These critics of Columbus government have to stay one step ahead of the law, you know....

We shouldn't overlook one question in this e-mail - how many Columbus Councilors "got funds from CB&T." You can check city records online for the answer. For instance, Gary Allen received a $150 donation during last year's campaign from a couple connection with Columbus Bank and Trust. That much money won't buy a flat-screen TV, much less influence with City Hall.

By the way: if "pay for play" really is illegal in Columbus, Deborah Owens needs to send a copy of this e-mail to the Springer Opera House - because they're not letting you watch "Hamlet" without a paid ticket.

While we wait for YOU to send a payment for reading this blog, let's check other Sunday notes....

+ Which South Georgia preschool has been teaching youngsters about outhouses? Is this some kind of threat, to make sure children are well-trained at home in this area?

+ Columbus Police reported someone broke into a hair salon on 17^th Street to steal a TV, refrigerator - and four dollars. He needed to keep hot dogs in the refrigerator before watching the Super Bowl, I suppose....

+ Georgia state officials reported requests for gun permits have jumped 80 percent. Gun owners are thankful the economy's in rough shape, because otherwise President Obama surely would have signed that widespread weapons ban by now.

+ Instant Message to George Beverly Shea: Congratulations on turning 100 years old Sunday! I think you've reached this milestone because you haven't overworked your body. For all those years, you only had to sing one song before Billy Graham preached.

The number of unique visitors to our blog has doubled since 2006! To advertise to them, offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 1,373 (- 82, 5.6%)

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-09 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

1 FEB 09: Super Dupe'rs

What IS the deal about Columbus running groups? They schedule races on some of the coldest weekends of the year. If they really expect crowds of loyal fans, they should follow the example of New York track clubs and move them indoors - maybe by finally clearing away the shelves at the old Parisian store.

Saturday was another example of this trend. The Columbus Roadrunners held what was billed as a "Super Bowl 5K Run" downtown, after a morning low of 28 degrees F. About 100 runners showed up -- as many more apparently agreed with my longtime church pastor, that you're foolish to run outside in cold weather.

But something else about this race seemed surprising to me - the name of it. This was the 12^th annual "Super Bowl" run. Is that legal? I mean, no one seemed to serve the traditional Muscogee County school "Super Bowl of Chili" after the race....

I bring this up because "Super Bowl" is a trademarked phrase by the National Football League. You're not supposed to use that term without permission - much as the International Olympic Committee has a trademark on "Olympic." And if President Obama had any smarts, he'd get a trademark for his name and likeness as well.

Sports teams and leagues tend to be picky in how their name is used. For instance, you have to pay the league a fee to be the "official Super Bowl" something-or-other. There's probably a reason why Tampa doesn't have an official Super Bowl strip club this weekend.

A little research on this showed the National Football League even holds a trademark on the phrase "Super Sunday." Yet that hasn't stopped two Columbus realty firms from holding "Super Sunday" drawings for $1,000 several times a year. Why, that's almost as much as the price of one Super Bowl ticket these days.

This is why many advertisements at Super Bowl times refer to "The Big Game." A couple of years ago, the National Football League even tried to trademark that phrase. But that was abandoned - perhaps because Auburn football fans told the N.F.L. their rivalry game with Alabama was even bigger.

Yet a Google search Saturday found several cities besides Columbus hold "Super Bowl runs" on this weekend every year. I'm not sure how they get away with it. Maybe the organizers run too fast for the National Football League's corporate lawyers.

Some Columbus locations holding Super Bowl events today may not know about the trademark rules. For instance, a "Super Bowl Dollarmania" special is planned at Peach Bowl Lanes on Bradley Park Drive - and the flier clearly shows a football, not a set of bowling pins.

The Super Bowl XLIII logo actually appears on one Columbus church's bulletin this weekend. Rivertown Church is throwing a viewing party, complete with pre-game tailgating in the parking lot. But you have to bring your own grill and food. The church pantry apparently is being kept locked until the truly needy show up.

It appears WLTZ will NOT do anything special, in terms of showing a Sunday night newscast after the Super Bowl. Nothing special was done during last summer's Olympic Games, either -- so the staff apparently is happy with fighting reruns on WXTX for third place in the TV ratings.

By the way, Saturday marked ten years since the Atlanta Falcons played in the Super Bowl. Those were the good old days - back when the game was played in January.

You may remember Robbie Watson covering Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami for Columbus television, including a rain-soaked live report after the Falcons lost to Denver. She brought me back an official program and lapel pin as souvenirs - something she didn't have to do, but I'm thankful for. Now if former coach Dan Reeves would come to town with a pen, so its value can triple....

-> Our other blog gets visitors from Columbus to Europe. Read about poker and life at "On the Flop!" <--

E-MAIL UPDATE: I think there's a word for this message, which reached us Thursday night....

Dear Richard,

Consider this a "Dear John", from one of your avid fans, unless you come on over to In Town Columbus and join up!

Starting tomorrow, or maybe Saturday or perhaps even Sunday, I will no longer read your blog until you join!

So....there!

Mimi

We haven't read or heard something like this about our blog in some time. In fact, the last threat came from the president of Pioneer Little League -- but that involved a lawsuit.

Let the record show I have nothing against Intown Columbus. (See, I even linked to it.) But for me to "join" a site like this implies a commitment on my part, and I'm so busy with other things that I can't really commit to being a regular participant. That's also why I steer clear of Facebook - because my face might be barred from too many books.

Besides, we've been relatively independent in our blogging since the start. We don't belong to political parties. We aren't on the membership rolls of fancy local clubs. And we're not even sure any local church would take us, if they knew we blog about their pastors' sermons.

We'll hold one other e-mail until Monday, and move on to check other weekend headlines:

+ Our condolences to the family of former Alabama Governor Guy Hunt. At least Hunt lived long enough to see Rod Blagojevich replace him, as the most unethical sitting Governor in U.S. history.

+ The Muscogee County School Board held a retreat at Columbus State University. The Ledger-Enquirer reports plans are in the works for a September vote on a new one-percent school sales tax -- which tells me the new administration building will be open and occupied well before then.

+ A substitute Muscogee County school bus driver appeared in court. He's accused of telling Edgewood School parents he shot the regular bus driver, and might shoot them as well. Someone should tell this man you can't tell the same jokes at bars that you do outside schools.

+ Columbus Police held an auction of confiscated merchandise, including a collection of 23 cars taken in a single drug bust. Shame on all of you who think they were impounded from Bill Heard's old mansion....

+ Lanett Police reported someone stole a 42-inch flat-screen TV from a home. I have a television set available for stealing right now. It's the old-school TV on the floor - the one that becomes obsolete in two weeks without a converter box.

+ A late-night fire damaged Clegg's Fireworks Supermarket in Ladonia. Nearby residents heard fireworks going off, thought the manager was taping a commercial for the Fourth of July and considered it nothing unusual.

+ The RiverCenter presented a stage version of the movie "Drumline," complete with area marching bands. If your co-workers have trouble hearing you Monday, they probably attended this show and heard the big finish.

+ Former pro wrestling champion Lex Lugar appeared at Victory Independent Baptist Church. Lugar is a Christian minister these days - so if you don't repent of all your sins, he might put you in a spinning toe hold until you do.

+ Instant Message to T-Hat on Broad: Whenever you open your new restaurant downtown, I assume you'll be showing the WXTX DT-2 movie channel. You'll certainly want to be known for having "This" at T-Hat.

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Gas for $1.68 a gallon at Summit, 15^th and Veterans Parkway.... Market Pantry chocolate chip cookies for $1.99 a package at Target.... and Super Bowl commercials being more interesting than the game....

SCHEDULED MONDAY: Who's number one.... and we don't mean in football....

The number of unique visitors to our blog has doubled since 2006! To advertise to them, offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 1,455 (- 100, 6.4%)

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-09 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.