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MATH TUTORING www.virtualmathtutoring.com • Guaranteed Improvement or Your Money Back www.facebook.com/virtualmathtutoring • Like us on Facebook 1-800-417-0968 3090 Deans Bridge Road • Augusta, GA 30906 No Travel Work From Home Set Your Own Schedule Skills Recovery Targeted Remediation &Interventions Personalized Lessons $9.99 After Free Trial FREE TRIAL SEPT. 27 - OCT. 3, 2012 NEWS • COMMENTARY ARTS ENTERTAINMENT U rban W eekl y Pro Newspaper The CSRA’s FREE WEEKLY VOL.2 NO.4 Land bank deal = obfuscation City still doesn’t control land Obama, Roundtree on ballot will boost local black turnout DONE DEAL: Land bank officials go over details of transfer of parking deck land. Photo by Vincent Hobbs
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Page 1: Urban Pro Weekly, September 27, 2012

Math tutoringwww.virtualmathtutoring.com • Guaranteed Improvement or Your Money Back

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SEPT. 27 - OCT. 3, 2012NEWS • COMMENTARY ARTS ENTERTAINMENT Urban WeeklyPro Newspaper

The CSRA’s

FREEWEEKLY

VOL.2 NO.4

Land bank deal = obfuscation

City still doesn’t control land

Obama, Roundtree on ballot will boost local black turnout

DONE DEAL: Land bank officials go over details of transfer of parking deck land. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Page 2: Urban Pro Weekly, September 27, 2012

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GOP miscues, local races will drive blacks to polls

LOCAL NEWS & Commentary

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR CSRA EMPLOYERS!The Richmond/Burke Job Training Authority

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TRAINING PROGRAMHire our veterans, displaced or unemployed workers and receive up to 90% of their

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PublisherBen Hasan

706-394-9411

Managing EditorFrederick Benjamin Sr.

706-836-2018

Sales & MarketingPhone: 706-394-9411

New Media ConsultantDirector of Photography

Vincent Hobbsemail:

Ben [email protected]

Frederick Benjamin [email protected]

Mailing Address:3529 Monte Carlo DriveAugusta, Georgia 30906

An UrbanProWeekly LLC

Publication

Urban WeeklyPro

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Vote Charter School Amendment

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“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?”

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(UPW) AUGUSTAA few weeks ago Sheriff’s candidate had

trouble raising money. Now, this week’s fundraiser could break all records. Former city commissioner Betty Beard, in charge of the candidate’s most recent “meet & greet” at Julian Smith Casino was ecstatic.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. Money is pouring in,” she said.

There is an excitement in the air and black politicos are aiming to take advantage of it.

The presence of President Barack Obama on the November 6 ballot along with the local excitement caused by the startling Roundtree victory over of the downtown power brokers and a host of African-American candidates running for office have sparked unparalleled optimism on behalf of the local black electorate.

Add in the yearlong series of attacks directed at black voters beginning with the local redistricting battles, the 2012 Georgia General Assembly characterized by GOP dirty tricks of an unprecedented nature, the perceived lack of respect shown the black community by the failure to return any African Americans to the Richmond County Juvenile Court and you have the brewing of a “perfect storm” which could bring out black voters to the polls in record numbers in Richmond County.

Black political leaders and hopefuls feel that the only way they can get a fair shot in the CSRA is to put more blacks in the decision-making positions.

This election cycle, key posts from dis-trict attorney to the sheriff’s office are up for grabs with black candidates having their collective hats in the ring.

Voter Drivesby NAACP

•Sat. Sept. 29, 9am-2pm, Register to vote at IGA Supermarket on Deans Bridge Road.

• Thurs., Oct. 18, 6 pmCandidates Forum and Voter Education Workshop at New Zion Hill Missionary, 3237 Deans Bridge Road.

•Sat. Oct. 20 - All Day -NAACP National This Is My Vote CampaignPaine College Campus

Page 3: Urban Pro Weekly, September 27, 2012

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By Frederick Benjamin Sr.Political Commentary

AUGUSTAThe transfer of the land

underneath the Reynolds Street Parking Deck to the Augusta Georgia Land Bank Authority (AGLBA) on September 19, 2012 hap-pened quietly and without fanfare. And for all parties involved, that’s just the way they wanted it.

Clearly, with the accep-tance of the land, the land bank has signaled to the community that it can be as creative and cavalier with its own policies and procedures as the political pressure war-rants.

Let us make no mistake. The land banking profession-als in Augusta know the deal.

Those individuals that sit on the AGLBA board which includes Maurice Henley, Paul DeCamp, Rob Sherman and deputy admin-istrator Bill Shanahan were obliged to sign anything placed in front of them — no questions asked.

Why, because the attorneys told them it was OK. They all

had to know, on the face of it, that by going along with this charade, the land bank authority gains nothing. So why would the land bank be a party to such a thinly dis-guised shell game.

They had no other choice. After all, the part-time land bank board members are all on the city’s payroll.

But to their credit, no one from the land bank is sug-gesting that this deal is in any covert way remotely connect-ed with their core mission which is community revital-ization.

As a source close to the land bank transaction told UrbanProWeekly, “This is an illusion. No ordinary person would enter into such a deal. This is a deal just to satisfy the whims of the commis-sion. It serves no other pur-pose.”

Actually you cannot fault any land bank personnel in this matter. While they were used like pawns, it’s the com-missioners and the taxpayers who were played like fools.

The real culprits are those Augusta commissioners (TEE Center loyalists from DAY

ONE) who knew that the transaction, at its inception, was bogus and diversionary and designed to sanitize a botched real estate devel-opment deal that left all of them sitting there with egg on their face.

They blew it and then got indignant when they were busted by the alternative media (Thank you CityStink.net).

It was commissioner Jerry Brigham who came up with idea of parking the land in the land bank.

It was a bad idea then and still is.

To this day, no one in city government could point to a single clause or paragraph in the state law governing the creation and operation of land banks that would permit the land bank to warehouse a multimillion dollar development that had nothing to do with afford-able housing or reclaiming blighted areas.

What was offered was obfuscation and double-talk.

Despite the fact that there will be no development plan as regards this property (how can you plan development

for something that is already developed and in use) and despite the fact that there is no community benefit to be derived from the transfer, a majority of the commission, the mayor, the city admin-istrator, the city attorneys, and the attorneys working on behalf of the city all felt that there was nothing wrong with the deal.

Why? Someone told them that there was nothing that prevented them from doing it.

Whether or not it made any sense was not important. If an attorney says it’s OK, that’s all the cover that politi-cians and bureaucrats need.

For months the question concerning the Reynolds Street Parking Deck and the Augusta Land Bank centered on whether or not it would be proper for the land bank to accept the property since its stated objective was to re purpose blighted parcels of land for use that would ben-efit the community with the top priority going to develop-ing affordable housing.

Now, the question becomes, what does this all

mean?The commissioners push-

ing for this will be happy to know now that their “air rights” are safe and sound.

The real “crime” in all of this is that by transferring the property to the land bank, the deal brokers wanted to create the impression that, now, somehow, the city has control of that land.

That couldn’t be further from the truth. The city has no more control of that land that they did a year ago when it was discovered that all the really had was the “air rights.”

All the transfer of the parking deck land to the land bank really did was to remove the property from the tax rolls.

If the city wants to do so much as dig a hole in the ground on that property, they have to get expressed written permission from Billy Morris.

The only entity that benefits from the transfer of the land to the land bank is the one that still controls the use of that property — 933 Broad LLC.

Once the land is in the land bank, no one pays taxes on it.

Nice work, y’all.

Parking deck land transferred

Land Bank Director Norman Michael at last week’s meeting during which the land bank accepted the parcel of land underneath the Reynolds Street Parking Deck. The terms of the transfer ensure that the city of Augusta will never be able to control how that land is used. The land bank was used as a tool to salvage a botched real estate deal between the city and Augusta Chronicle owner William S. Morris III. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Land bank get its name on the papers; 933 Broad still calls the shots

Page 4: Urban Pro Weekly, September 27, 2012

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The voter registration deadline for the November 6, 2012 General Election is Tuesday, October 9, 2012. Residents desiring to register to vote, or change their name or address on the voter registration list may do so at the Richmond County Board of Elections Office located at 530 Greene Street, Room 104 in Augusta, Georgia or at the Board of Elections Office of their county of residence. Office hours for the Richmond County Board of Elections are from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM. Applications for voter registration may also be downloaded from the Board of Elections Website at www.augustaga.gov . The downloaded form must be completely filled out and

postmarked or otherwise delivered to the Board of Elections Office no later than 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 in order to be considered timely. Applications for voter registration will not be accepted via fax or email.

In order to be eligible to register to vote a person must be a citizen of the United States and of the State of Georgia; be at least 17 ½ years of age; be a resident of the county or munici-pality in which he or she seeks to vote; cannot currently be serving a fel-ony conviction; and cannot have been judicially determined to be mentally incompetent for voting purposes.

Mail-out absentee ballots are now available upon written request.

Requests may be accepted by mail, fax, email, or in person. In-person Early Voting will begin on Monday, October 15, 2012 and Saturday Voting will be on Saturday, October 27, 2012. The last day for Voting by mail and Early Voting will be Friday, November 2, 2012.

Precinct Information Cards will be mailed this week to approximately 20,500 voters to inform them of a change in their district assignment for Augusta Commission and Richmond County Board of Education. The white postcards will contain the vot-er’s name and address, their poll-ing location and their new district assignment. The new districts will go

into effect for the November 6, 2012 General Election. No voter’s polling location has been changed as a result of redistricting as the changes are in district assignment only.

Additional voter information includ-ing confirmation of voter registration status, confirmation of district assign-ment, the location of your polling place, driving directions to your poll-ing place, hours and locations for Early Voting, sample ballots and more is available on the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page at www.sos.ga.gov . Voters seeking information may also contact the Board of Elections Office at (706) 821-2340 or www.augustaga.gov .

If you want to vote on November 6, you may need this info

By Gloria Goodale

Despite a soft housing market nationwide, rents in some of America’s biggest cities are still beyond the means of many families and singles who both want and need to live down-town. So cities from San Francisco and Seattle to Chicago and New York have begun trials of ever-smaller efficiency apartments – dubbed micro-housing – in the hearts of their metropolises, proposing units as tiny as 150 square feet with monthly rents as low as $495.

Recently, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors met to discuss proposed legislation that would allow develop-ers to build units at the 150-square-foot size.

While some applaud efforts to diver-sify these downtowns and give work-ers the opportunity to shorten their commutes to city centers, opponents question whether this move is good for the quality of life – either for the renters or for the nearby neighbor-hoods.

“Everyone agrees we have a hous-ing crisis in San Francisco,” says Supervisor Scott Wiener, who rep-resents District 8 and proposed the legislation under discussion. “A robust discussion about housing needs in the city benefits everyone.”

Many constituencies in San Francisco agree these units would be appropri-ate, Mr. Wiener adds. “We have a dramatic shortage of student housing, senior housing, and other needs such as emancipated foster youth,” he says, noting, “We are talking about doing it as a trial.”

Other cities have similar trials under way, such as New York City, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently approved a 60-unit development of micro-apartments at 275 square feet each.

But Jane Kim, another San Francisco supervisor, says there is little research about these kinds of units in her city and does not support rushing into new regulations that might open a door to developers. “Frankly, I don’t see the crushing need at that end of the spectrum,” she says, pointing to different demands in District 6, which she represents.

“The biggest need we see in San Francisco is in the two- and three-bedroom apartments for low-income families, not the small efficiency

Could you live in 150 square feet? Cities try out micro-housing

Micro-housing aims to diversify downtowns and give workers the chance to shorten their com-mutes.

units,” Supervisor Kim says. Beyond that, she says, “we are not encouraging these kinds of developments because we have no idea how they will further strain our amenities – things such as schools, transportation, and especially open spaces.”

While US cities struggle with a lack of affordable housing in their down-towns, urban areas around the globe, from Paris to Tokyo, have been tack-ling this issue for a long time, points out New York designer and architect Alexander Gendell, whose company Folditure specializes in foldaway furni-ture for compact spaces.

Low quality of life does not have to go hand in hand with limited living space, he says. He points to Tokyo, where the Japanese have figured out how to make every inch of living space count, he says. “It’s entirely possible to live well in 200 square feet of living space,” he says, as long as every func-tion has been well thought out.

“We are certainly not the first ones to deal with this issue,” Mr. Gendell says with a laugh. “We are blessed in this country with more living space,” he says, but many other nations have proved that it is entirely possible to live in a more concentrated living environ-ment – one that would be better for the planet.

Chicago has had success with such micro-housing, says Charles Hoch, professor of urban planning at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Removing social fears is an important first step, he says, explaining that iden-tifying small units exclusively with very low-income people tends to generate fears about concentrations of poor people attracting crime.

Page 5: Urban Pro Weekly, September 27, 2012

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Continued on page 10

Ben Crawford1631 Gordon Hwy (Southgate Plaza next to Terry’s)Suite 4 Augusta Georgia 30906706-305-1698 office [email protected]

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Vote

TURN BALLOT OVER TO CONTINUE VOTING

H. SCOTT ALLEN(Incumbent) Democrat

WRITE-IN

For Presiding Judge,Civil and Magistrate Court

(Vote for One)

CHARLES E. EVANS(Incumbent) Republican

KELLIE KENNER MCINTYREDemocrat

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For Solicitor-General(Vote for One)

MATT AITKEN(Incumbent)

WILLIAM FENNOY

STANLEY HAWES SR

DENICE TRAINA

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ED ENOCH

CLEVELAND A. O'STEEN

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WILLIAM "BILL" LOCKETT(Incumbent)

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DONNIE SMITH

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For Augusta Commission District 7

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HAROLD V. JONES II

MARION WILLIAMS

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For Augusta Commission District 9

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MARION E. BARNES(Incumbent)

LUCIEN WILLIAMS

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For Board of Education District 1

(Vote for One)

BARBARA PULLIAM(Incumbent)

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(Vote for One)

PATSY Y. SCOTT(Incumbent)

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For Board of Education District 5

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JIMMY ATKINS(Incumbent)

ROBERT E. CHEEK

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For Board of Education District 8

(Vote for One)

HELEN MINCHEW(Incumbent)

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For Board of Education District 10(Vote for One)

JOHNNY R. STEVENS(Incumbent)

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For Brier Creek Soil andWater ConservationDistrict Supervisor

(Vote for One)

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL

AMENDMENTS

YES

NO

- 1 -

Provides for improving student achievement and parental involvement through more public charter school options.

House Resolution No. 1162Act No. 762Ga. L. 2012, p. 1364

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?”

YES

NO

- 2 -

Allows the state to save taxpayer funds through multi-year real estate rental agreements.

Senate Resolution No. 84Act No. 761Ga. L. 2012, p. 1363

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide for a reduction in the state's operating costs by allowing the General Assembly to authorize certain state agencies to enter into multiyear rental agreements?”

Charter School Amendment

NO

NO

TURN BALLOT OVER TO CONTINUE VOTING

H. SCOTT ALLEN(Incumbent) Democrat

WRITE-IN

For Presiding Judge,Civil and Magistrate Court

(Vote for One)

CHARLES E. EVANS(Incumbent) Republican

KELLIE KENNER MCINTYREDemocrat

WRITE-IN

For Solicitor-General(Vote for One)

MATT AITKEN(Incumbent)

WILLIAM FENNOY

STANLEY HAWES SR

DENICE TRAINA

WRITE-IN

For Augusta Commission District 1

(Vote for One)

MARY DAVIS

ED ENOCH

CLEVELAND A. O'STEEN

WRITE-IN

For Augusta Commission District 3

(Vote for One)

WILLIAM "BILL" LOCKETT(Incumbent)

WRITE-IN

For Augusta Commission District 5

(Vote for One)

KENNETH J. ECHOLS SR

DONNIE SMITH

WRITE-IN

For Augusta Commission District 7

(Vote for One)

HAROLD V. JONES II

MARION WILLIAMS

WRITE-IN

For Augusta Commission District 9

(Vote for One)

MARION E. BARNES(Incumbent)

LUCIEN WILLIAMS

WRITE-IN

For Board of Education District 1

(Vote for One)

BARBARA PULLIAM(Incumbent)

WRITE-IN

For Board of Education District 4

(Vote for One)

PATSY Y. SCOTT(Incumbent)

WRITE-IN

For Board of Education District 5

(Vote for One)

JIMMY ATKINS(Incumbent)

ROBERT E. CHEEK

WRITE-IN

For Board of Education District 8

(Vote for One)

HELEN MINCHEW(Incumbent)

WRITE-IN

For Board of Education District 10(Vote for One)

JOHNNY R. STEVENS(Incumbent)

WRITE-IN

For Brier Creek Soil andWater ConservationDistrict Supervisor

(Vote for One)

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL

AMENDMENTS

YES

NO

- 1 -

Provides for improving student achievement and parental involvement through more public charter school options.

House Resolution No. 1162Act No. 762Ga. L. 2012, p. 1364

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?”

YES

NO

- 2 -

Allows the state to save taxpayer funds through multi-year real estate rental agreements.

Senate Resolution No. 84Act No. 761Ga. L. 2012, p. 1363

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide for a reduction in the state's operating costs by allowing the General Assembly to authorize certain state agencies to enter into multiyear rental agreements?”

-1-

By Brenda Brown

As small business owners, the need for financial assistance may arise for various reasons. Some of the reasons may be growth, to purchase equip-ment, and as working capital for expenditures. This article is meant to serve as an informational tool where small business owners can find money resources. It also gives the small business owner some informa-tion they need prior to seeing a lend-er and provides alternative resource ideas for financing. The information below may not be an all inclusive list-ing, but will assist a small business owner with some money resources.

Augusta Georgia Loan Programs Economic Development Loan

ProgramThe Economic Development Loan

Program, also known as the Small Business Development Loan Program (SBDLP) was created to provide financial and technical assistance to all entrepreneurs seeking to establish new businesses or to expand exist-ing ones. Their program satisfies the “low/moderate income benefit” objec-tive of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Augusta Housing and Community Development Department (AHCDD) wants to see businesses develop and flourish in the City of Augusta and that is why they encourage business development and strongly believe that small businesses are the back-bone of Augusta’s economy.

Additionally, the City of Augusta recognizes that there are many obsta-cles that impede the success of small businesses. Their program recog-nizes that and offers products and services to help small businesses and entrepreneurs get started and remain in business.

Financial and technical assistance is offered to small businesses and entre-preneurs located and operating with-in Augusta – Richmond County of Augusta, Georgia. Each client receiv-ing financial assistance through the Small Business Development Loan Program will agree to accept required technical assistance upon the recom-mendation of the Augusta Housing and Community Development Department (AHCDD).

For additional information please contact the Assistant Director-Housing at (706) 821-1797.

Small Business Administration (SBA) Program

The SBA provides a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses that have been spe-cifically designed to meet key financ-ing needs, including debt financing, surety bonds, and equity financing.

CDC/504 Loan ProgramThe SBA 504 Loan program is a

powerful economic development loan program that offers small busi-nesses another avenue for business financing, while promoting business growth, and job creation. As of February 15, 2012, the $50 Billion in 504 loans has created over 2 million jobs. This program is a proven suc-cess and win-win-win for the small business, the community and par-ticipating lenders. The 504 Loan

Special Report: SMALL BUSINESS FUNDING OPTIONSProgram provides approved small businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing used to acquire fixed assets for expansion or modernization. 504 loans are made available through Certified Development Companies (CDCs), SBA’s community based part-ners for providing 504 Loans.

7(a) Loan ProgramThe 7(a) Loan Program includes

financial help for businesses with special requirements. For example, funds are available for loans to busi-nesses that handle exports to foreign countries, businesses that operate in rural areas, and for other very spe-

cific purposes. Guaranteed Loan Programs (Debt

Financing)SBA does not make direct loans to

small businesses. Rather, SBA sets the guidelines for loans, which are then made by its partners (lenders, com-munity development organizations, and micro-lending institutions). The SBA guarantees that these loans will be repaid, thus eliminating some of the risk to the lending partners. So when a business applies for an SBA loan, it is actually applying for a com-mercial loan, structured according to SBA requirements with an SBA

guaranty. SBA-guaranteed loans may not be made to a small business if the borrower has access to other financ-ing on reasonable terms.

Bonding Program (Surety Bonds)SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee

(SBG) Program helps small business contractors who cannot obtain surety bonds through regular commercial channels.

A surety bond is a three-party instrument between a surety (some-one who agrees to be responsible for the debt or obligation of another), a

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Laney vs. Westside 9.20.12

(Below) Priscilla Alexander (2nd from left), assistant volleyball coach at Laney High School, gives instructions to her players during a game against Westside at the Laney gym.Photos by Vincent Hobbs

(Above) Westside High school volleyball player Kendra Broadbent (center) motivates her teammates before a game against the Laney Lady Wildcats at the Laney gym. The Lady Patriots won 2-0.

(Left) Teiarea Sellers takes the ball to the net for the Laney Lady Wildcats dur-ing a game against Westsde at the Laney gym.

Page 7: Urban Pro Weekly, September 27, 2012

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Harold V. Jones IIATTORNEY AT LAW

SHEPARD, PLUNKETT, HAMILTON & BOUDREAUX, LLP

429 Walker StreetUpper Level

Augusta, GA 30901

Phone 706-722-6200Fax 706 722-4817

[email protected]

Criminal Law • Divorce • Personal Injury • Employment Law

Butterfly McQueen FestivalOn Friday, September 28, at 2 p.m.,

the Augusta-Richmond County Public Library will be celebrating the life of one of Augusta’s most famous celebri-ties – Butterfly McQueen!

Don Rhodes, from The Augusta Chronicle, will share an inside glimpse into the life of the actress whose role in Gone With The Wind brought her national acclaim. A 1989

audio taped interview with the actress by former library director Gary Swint will also be presented.

The movie Gone With The Wind will be shown in the auditorium of the library at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Georgia Room at 706-826-1511.

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History is set to host The Annual Quilt Exhibition starting on October 1, 2012.

African American quilting is as old as the history of America. Slave women learned to spin, weave, sew, and quilt on plantations and in other wealthy households. As the years passed, quilting became a source of enjoyment for individuals and small groups. This eclectic presentation will

allow the viewer to enjoy many dif-ferent examples of quilting from the early 19th century until today.

The exhibit will run through December 31, 2012.

An Opening Reception will be on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012 at 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Regular museum admission fees apply.

The Quilt Exhibition will feature the quilting work of the Brown Sugar Stitchers!

Annual Quilt Exhibition set for Oct 1

Page 8: Urban Pro Weekly, September 27, 2012

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Tender Care Training School

Certified Nurse Asst. TrainingPhlebotomy Training

Pharmacy Tech. Training

1140 Druid Park Ave.Augusta, GA 30904

OFFICE HOURS

TUES-FRI. 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM

State Approved

Phone: (706)736-9225Fax: (706)736-0995

Jennifer Norman-DixonIndependent Cruise

& Vacation Specialist

Hephzibah, GA 30815Phone 706-925-2929

Toll Free (877-790-6082Fax 404-601-4492

Email:[email protected]/jdixon

SOUTH AUGUSTADUI/DEF DRIVING SCHOOL

CLEVELAND JONESCertified Addiction CounselorDUI/DEF Driving Instruction

706-792-1608706-589-0160

[email protected]

2857-1 Tobacco RoadHephzibah, Ga. 30815

S & T Development & Learning Center LLC

Where Caring, Learning, & Sharing Come Together in A Loving Environment

Tasha Marrow, Owner

2115 Windsor Spring Rd.Ste. 150 (Next to SITEL)

(706)790-3911 or (706)790-3959Fax (706)790/0008

Universal Wealth Management Group

Leroy Stokes IIIPresident/C.E.O. C.S.F.P.

Chartered Senior Financial Planner401 K - I.R.A. Rollover Specialist

T.S.A. Rollover Specialist2918 Professional Parkway

Augusta, GA 30907

Are you making 14% on your investment?Are your investments guaranteed to never

go down due to market downturn?Does your investments guarantee you an

income for the rest of your life?If you answered, No, to any of these

questions, please give us a call.

706-650-7012 (o)706-832-5973 (c)

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Insurance Professionals

Congratulations to George Cummings our 2nd winner!

Receive an entry form with the purchase of a

15pc or 21 pc meal. Next drawing is October 7th.

Who wants to see Carson Palmer and the Oakland

Raiders take on Matt Ryan and the Falcons?

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Falcons Ticket Give-Away

Maryland Fried Chicken12 Broad Street, Augusta, GA 30906

706-722-2051 • [email protected]

The last customer Oct. 7th, will draw the winner. You do not have to be present to win. The game is on Oct. 14th

vPersonal and Business Income Tax PreparationvAccounting/BookkeepingvIRS & State Problem ResolutionvIRS & State Audit RepresentationvLevy/Lien/Garnishment ReleasevOffers-In-CompromisevAnd More

The Wise Choice

2664 Tobacco Rd., Ste A,Hephzibah, GA 30815www.taxwize.net

Got Skills?

UrbanProWeekly

is looking for

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Page 9: Urban Pro Weekly, September 27, 2012

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AQUA-CHI FOOT BATH Our cells lose energy due to age, illness and injury.

Does your body have enough energy to detoxify and heal itself?

$30 per session. Energize and Cleanse today!

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Essential Cleansing Center

2045 Central Ave.Augusta, Ga 30904

essentialcleansingcenter.com

706-733-5000

Urban WeeklyPro CommentaryReport: “Counterproductive” US Drone program “terrorizes” innocent civilians

Rejecting the dominant narrative that insulates most Americans from the reality of the US drone program in Pakistan—a narrative that says drones are a surgical-ly precise and effective tool that makes the US safer from “global terrorism” with minimal downsides—a new reportby researchers at the Stanford and NYU schools of law says that the program itself is “terrorizing” and that its overall impact is “counterproductive” when it comes to addressing international law, security, and human rights.

The newly released report, Living Under Drones, follows nine months of intensive research—including two investigations in Pakistan, more than 130 interviews with victims, witnesses, and experts, and review of thousands of pages of documentation and media reporting—and presents evidence of the damaging and terrorizing effects of cur-rent US drone strike policy. The study provides new and firsthand testimony about the negative impacts the ongoing program is having on the civilians liv-ing under drones in Pakistan and seeks to foster a public debate about how to challenge the program and change its current course.

Clive Stafford Smith, director of the UK-based human rights group Reprieve (also a sponsor of the report’s research) said: “An entire region is being terror-ized by the constant threat of death from the skies. Their way of life is collapsing: kids are too terrified to go to school, adults are afraid to attend weddings, funerals, business meetings, or anything that involves gathering in groups.”

And added: “George Bush wanted to create a global ‘war on terror’ without borders, but it has taken Obama’s drone war to achieve his dream.”

“Real people are suffering real harm” but are largely ignored in government

Joint study by Stanford and NYU law schools casts doubt on the legality of drone strikes; Says secre-tive program fosters anti-American sentiment across wide regions of Asia, Middle East

or news media discussions of drone attacks, said James Cavallaro of Stanford, one of the study’s authors.

The report looks at four areas of main concern and calls for a public debate in both the US and international commu-nity to address them.

First, while civilian casualties are rare-ly acknowledged by the US government, there is significant evidence that US drone strikes have injured and killed civilians. The report admits the dif-ficulty of finding exact numbers, but says the “best currently available public aggregate data on drone strikes are provided by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ), an independent jour-nalist organization. TBIJ reports that from June 2004 through mid-Septem-ber 2012, available data indicate that drone strikes killed 2,562-3,325 people in Pakistan, of whom 474-881 were civil-ians, including 176 children.”

In addition, the report continues, “the US drone strikes cause considerable and under-accounted-for harm” in the daily lives of ordinary civilians that go beyond

death and physical injury.“Drones hover twenty-four hours a

day over communities in northwest Pakistan, striking homes, vehicles, and public spaces without warning. Their presence terrorizes men, women, and children, giving rise to anxiety and psy-chological trauma among civilian com-munities. Those living under drones have to face the constant worry that a deadly strike may be fired at any moment, and the knowledge that they are powerless to protect themselves. These fears have affected behavior.”

Some parents in Pakistan now choose to keep their children home, and the report says many children injured or traumatized by strikes have dropped out of school completely. Waziris told the researchers “that the strikes have undermined cultural and religious prac-tices related to burial, and made family members afraid to attend funerals. In addition, families who lost loved ones or their homes in drone strikes now struggle to support themselves.”

Compounding the insidiousness of

the program is the lack of real evidence that the drones actually make the US “safer”.

“The strikes have certainly killed alleged combatants and disrupted armed actor networks. However, serious concerns about the efficacy and counter-productive nature of drone strikes have been raised. The number of “high-level” targets killed as a percentage of total casualties is extremely low—estimated at just 2%,” says the report.

“Evidence suggests that US strikes have facilitated recruitment to violent non-state armed groups, and motivat-ed further violent attacks. As the New York Times has reported, ‘drones have replaced Guantánamo as the recruit-ing tool of choice for militants.’ Drone strikes have also soured many Pakistanis on cooperation with the US and under-mined US-Pakistani rel¬ations. One major study shows that 74% of Pakistanis now consider the US an enemy.”

The report also casts doubt on the legality of strikes on individuals or groups not linked to the terrorist attacks of September 11th and who could not possibly pose “imminent threats” to the US.

And finally, addressing the Obama administration’s continued secrecy surrounding its global drone and tar-geted killing program, the report offered a rebuke and warned that if left unchecked, US policies in these areas would only further establish dangerous precedents for other countries to follow.

“A significant rethinking of current US targeted killing and drone strike policies is long overdue. US policy-makers, and the American public, cannot continue to ignore evidence of the civilian harm and counter-productive impacts of US targeted killings and drone strikes in Pakistan,” the report said.

US drones do not just kill ‘terrorists’ says new report. They kill innocent people, including women and children, and they sow deep and long-lasting instability. Pictured is U.S. Predator drone firing Hellfire missle.

Page 10: Urban Pro Weekly, September 27, 2012

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RICHMOND COUNTY STATE COURTACCOUNTABILITY COURT PROGRAM

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Richmond County State Court Accountability Court Program announces it was awarded a $25,000 grant from Governor Nathan Deals’ Office of Highway Safety for implementation of its Accountability Court Drug and DUI Programs for the year 2012. The grant award is for the period of October 1, 2011 – September 30, 2012. These programs have seen tremendous growth since it enrolled its first participant on March 22, 2012. As of September 4, 2012, the Accountability Court has a combined enrollment of 94 participants, with 10 of those participants completing Phase 1 of the program.

Through the support of the Court, counseling sessions,

and accepting individual accountability, participants are expressing their gratitude for the availability of this alternative to traditional sentencing in drug and alcohol related offenses. We again thank the Governor for his continued support of Accountability Court programs and the generous grant award that has allowed us to develop and implement this program in Richmond County State Court.

Notice to Lower Income Families

Augusta Housing Authority

Public Housing Program

Effective Monday, October 8, 2012 the Augusta Housing Authority will be accepting online applications for the Public Housing Program waiting list. The waiting list will be opened for all applicants 18 years and older. However, applicants who qualify for a preference will receive a priority in the housing selection process. Applications will only be accepted by completing the on-line application at www.augustapha.org.

The preferences are as follows: (1) Head of household or spouse has been employed full-time (at least 20 hours per week) for a continuous period of six (6) months at the time of application; (2) Elderly or Families with a Head of Household that is handicapped or disabled who are receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits as a result of their inability to work; (3) Homeless families; and (4) Families that have been involuntarily displaced due to a government action. The Augusta Housing Authority will accept an applicant’s certification that they qualify for a preference. However, before selection for participation in the Public Housing Program, the applicant must provide written verification that he or she qualifies for a preference. Applicants will be placed on the waiting list and notified in writing for a scheduled appointment to bring relevant information to qualify for assistance. The wait time to receive public housing assistance may take six (6) months to five (5) years.

Walk-in applications will be accepted from Elderly/Disabled families for the Public Housing Program on Thursdays only between the hours of 8:00 am and 12 noon at the J. Madden Reid Building located at 1435 Walton Way, Augusta, Georgia 30901. Please bring photo identification.

The Augusta Housing Authority does not discriminate in admission or access to its federally assisted programs. Any potentially eligible individual who has a visual or hearing impairment will be provided with information necessary to understand and participate in the Augusta Housing Authority’s programs. Richard Arfman has been designated as the responsible employee to coordinate the Augusta Housing Authority’s efforts to comply with the nondiscrimination based on handicap regulations.

Equal Housing Opportunity

The Housing Authority of the City of Augusta, Georgia

By: Jacob Oglesby, Executive Director

contractor and a project owner. The agreement binds the contractor to comply with the terms and condi-tions of a contract. If the contractor is unable to successfully perform the contract, the surety assumes the con-tractor’s responsibilities and ensures that the project is completed.

Through the SBG Program, the SBA makes an agreement with a surety guaranteeing that SBA will assume a percentage of loss in the event the contractor should breach the terms of the contract. The SBA’s guarantee gives sureties an incentive to pro-vide bonding for eligible contractors, thereby strengthening a contractor’s ability to obtain bonding and greater access to contracting opportunities for small businesses. SBA can guaran-tee bonds for contracts up to $5 mil-lion, covering bid, performance and payment bonds, and in some cases up to $10 million for certain contracts.

Venture Capital ProgramSBA’s Small Business Investment

Company (SBIC) Program is a public-private investment partnership cre-ated to help fill the gap between the availability of growth capital and the needs of small businesses. The SBA does not invest directly in small busi-nesses, relying instead on the exper-tise of qualified private investment funds. The SBA licenses these funds as SBICs and supplements the capital they raise from private investors with access to low-cost, government-guar-anteed debt.

With these two sources of capital backing them, SBICs search across

the United States for promising busi-nesses in need of debt or equity financing. SBICs are similar to other investment funds in terms of how they operate and their pursuit of high returns. However, unlike other funds, SBICs limit their investments to qualified small business concerns as defined by SBA regulations.

Additional SBA information can be obtained from the following local offices:

Georgia District Office 233 Peachtree Street, NE Suite 1900 Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: 404-331-0100

Augusta SCORE 3140 Augusta Tech Drive Augusta, GA 30906 Phone: 706-793-9998

The University of Georgia SBDC - Augusta Office

1450 Greene Street Suite 3500Augusta, GA 30907 Phone: 806-721-4545

CSRA Local Development Corporation

3023 Riverwatch Parkway Suite A Augusta, GA 30907 Phone: 706-210-2000

University of South Carolina-Aiken SBDC

471 University Parkway Box 9Aiken, SC 29801 Phone: 803-641-3646

Local BanksThere are a variety of banks in the

local area that small business own-ers can utilize, but the information below is to provide some valuable guidance before seeking assistance.

•Business Plan

•Credit Analysis – 5 C’s which include Capacity, Capital, Collateral, Conditions, and Character

•Financial Analysis – Personal Financial Statement, Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Statement and etc.

A banking representative can give

additional information with actual requirements to secure a business loan.

As stated above, this information is meant to be a starting point and not to be used as an exclusive source for financial needs.

Mrs. Brenda Brown is the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Coordinator for Augusta Regional Airport. She has a Master of Business Administration degree from Southern Wesleyan University and has been in the diversity indus-try for nearly 10 years. She can be reached at 706-798-3236.

Small business financing from page 5

Get Urban Pro Weekly at your local Circle K

store In Augusta

Page 11: Urban Pro Weekly, September 27, 2012

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THE LAW OFFICE OF

Frails & WilsonATTORNEYS AT LAW

EXPERIENCED REPRESENTATION

Real Estate TransactionsPersonal Injury • Bankruptcy

Social Security DisabilityProbate • Domestic • Criminal Defenses

706-855-6715211 Pleasant Home Road

Suite A1Augusta, GA

Randolph Frails Edwin Wilson

DESIGN - BUILD LLC“One-Stop Construction”

2016 Highland AvenueAugusta, Georgia

30904-5352Office: (760) 733-2931

Cell (706) 267-7998 Email: [email protected]

LARRY L McCORD LLC

Our Office Provides:Architectural Drafting & Construction

House Plans • Church PlansRenovation Projects • Metal Buildings

Larry L. McCord Can Provide All Your Design and Construction

Needs All Under One Roof

“Making Your Feet Feel Like Your First Steps”

Fyne Foot Care CenterIngrown ToenailsCornsCallusesSpursInjuriesHammertoesDiabetic Foot CareFoot Ulcer/Wound Care Other Foot/Ankle Conditions

Most major insurance accepted Including Medicare

& GA Medicaid All Major Credit Cards Accepted

1710 Central AvenueAugusta, GA 30904

[email protected]

1 blk from Family Dollar2 blks from Druid Park Ave.

Dr. Latanya P. FynePodiatrist

706-373-4402

Fax: (706) 364-8628

NEW LOCATION

Debra H. McCord

CALL NOW . . . TAX TIME IS NEAR!Small Business / Individual

23 Years Experience

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Email: [email protected]: www.dollarsandsense-augusta.com

2016 Highland Avenue; Suite C Augusta, GA 30904-5352

Dollars $ Sense Bookkeeping LLC

Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

706/564-4898

Page 12: Urban Pro Weekly, September 27, 2012

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Government Open House

City of Augusta’s

Government Open House

For more information call (706) 821-2398

Taxpayers with questions about their tax bill or our tax systemSeniors seeking information on age based exemptionsHomeowners with questions on home values or appraisalsTaxpayers with questions about garbage pickupTaxpayers with questions about their utilities serviceTaxpayers wishing to register to voteTaxpayers with questions about their Fire and Sheriff’s DepartmentsTaxpayers with questions about their Fire and Sheriff’s DepartmentsTaxpayers with questions about code enforcementsTaxpayers wanting information about recreation facilities and programsTaxpayers with questions about streets, drains, sidewalks and streetlights

Guests Include: Mayor - Augusta Commission - Tax CommissionerGuests Include: Mayor - Augusta Commission - Tax CommissionerDepartments Represented:

Utilities - Environmental Services - Tag Office - License & InspectionsEngineering - Tax Assessor’s - Sheriff’s Office - Fire Department - Recreation

Board of Elections - Property Tax

When: Saturday, September 29, 20129:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

When: Saturday, September 29, 20129:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.


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