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VOLUME 17 No. 842 LR T ‘,;"‘7"‘ f ] v ik SN ‘ R P - Thomas Hart Benton Exhibition opens this week at the Morris Museum of Art * 1B Gray for mayor? ®Former Fort Gordon commanding general denies that he is in the running for mayor of Augusta, but if enough people begin to clamor for a Gray candidacy — well, he would give it some thought. By Wanda Williams AUGUSTA FOCUS Staff Writer AUGUSTA What does a retired three star army general do after 37 years of service to his country? Looking back over a career that spans three de cades, today retired General Robert Gray is spend ing more time with his family, spoiling his first grandson and trying his green thumb at growing peach trees. “Since my retirement I decide what I'm going to do, and more importantly when I’m going to do it. I haven’t made any permanent commitments and I like it that way.” says Gray. “I have time to read books I haven’t read and time to travel.” Although Gray’s military career has taken him around the globe twice, in the spring, he’ll return to Asia and Africa. The history buff says both conti nents left deep impressions in his mind, stirring emotions that beckon his return. Gray himself is a part of living history, having served in Vietnam, two European tours and Desert Storm. The first African American to command Ft. Gordon, General Gray and his wife Annie have lowered anchors to make Augusta home. A i m many of Gray’s achievements were firsts for any African-American soldier, Gray saysit’s nothing to boast about. “I’ve never wanted anyone to make a big fuss over me. Being the first isn’t a big deal, my success will be measured by my ability to pave the way for others to follow,” declares Gray. Although he has retired physically, his desire to offer leadership and service burns on. Less than a year into retirement, he’s discovered a few local efforts to help meet what Gray considers require ments for citizenship. Since retirement he’s joined the Red Cross, the Augusta Chamber of Commerce and he’s working to help provide computers for a local school. Gray says his experiences during combat and ex posure to world leaders has helped define his views on leadership. “The best leadership today can be found in men and women who understand what it means to build coalitions, helping people find value within themselves. Value and self-worth that every day people can identify in the overall goal of an organization or institution.” _ Gray saysthe days ofleading through intimidation : / : [ - 4*\ A_’ : ‘ \ e & 3‘ S¢N & RY o L : & LN G e v ;{';' Sy ':‘-»'i:.‘A .; ' ” i P 4 [k Ca '- ¢ 4 ¥ ; N G T S Motown Records celebrates its 40th Yeor, See ARTbeat, 1B ®National/International.................cccccuene. 2A ®Local/Regional News............ccoecevvivneeens SA BODOBRE ...l i it gucssinssiobbibirmtsciitas A BIIER ocsiv v omnn b soonbp ek g e Tavs ianb oNS BEditorial/Opinion ..............ccccoervvvvenne.. SA-9A IREAVAINR it TOA=TIA IR RIS ©.c..ciciiiiivins ibtrsaisssnismiisssiiinisr I 8 ®Church News................cccecvervnririvensnns. 48-5 B - BClassifieds/Employment .................... 68-8 B Wi Mandela has new love interest Papdl Nation: Sharpton takes stand in Brawley trial Page2\ Augusta Focus enving Metropolitan Augusta, South Carolina and the Central Savannah River Area - Brig. Gen. : Robert Gray, tet. com manded U.S. ; forces in Europe. : Can he bring leadership to ’ the city of Augusta if : S called to do FEN f j so? and expectations of loyalty in exchange for minimal personal gain are over. When asked if he considered elected office as a possible avenue for leadership. Gray’s facial expres sion changed to a huge smile with a raised brow of surprise. “At this point in my career I have never seriously considered running for an elected office,” claims Gray. So what does he think about Augustans who say they’d like to see the retired general throw his hat into Augusta’s mayoral race? “I’'m flattered, I'm grateful and I’'m humbled. If there are large numbers of people who feel this way then it would certainly deserve some thought on my part.” ) . Gray says Augusta has tremendous potential; he. notes there are several talentéd and competent meén who are capable of providing that léadership. Gray declined comment when asked if he was one of those men. Regardless of his position, Gray says service to the community goes without saying for him. “I want to contribute what I can. I’ll let the citizens determine how to best utilize my skills. I will pay my dues asa citizen, and that could mean serving as a sounding board for politicians who need advice in formulating public policy, working with educators or mentoring young children.” As for the current list of declared and undeclared mayoral candidates, Gray says they all appear to be decent and respectable men. Gray leaves room for a lot of speculation when it comes to the possibility of his own mayoral candidacy. His transition into civilian life was handled with ease. Like the four seasons, everything has its time and for Gray last summer was theright time toretire his stripes and medals. After 37 years, he’s a sea soned veteran who values the lessons he’s learned See GENERAL GRAY, page 3A System fails victims of domestic abuse By Christy Allen AUGUSTA FOCUS Staff Writer AUGUSTA While domesticviolencein Rich mond County escalates to epidemic levels, victims in Richmond County must cope with a judicial system and police department that may be incapable of managing the problem effectively. Domestic vio lence experts are concerned that the county will never be able to handle the problem without sig nificant investment in training and streamlining its court system — neither of which it seems to be prepared todo. . “Law enforcement, prosecutors, solicitors, judges and the entire justice system needs to be edu cated so they understand the dy namics of this cycle,” said Nancy Nelson, director for the Domestic Violence Intervention Center of the CSRA (formerly Safe Homes of Augusta). The number of victims in Rich mond County contacted by the Richmond County solicitors office reached 3,483 in 1997. That’s up FEBRUARY 12, 1998 ‘Would Gen. Robert Gray be aviable candidate for mayor? By Frederick Benjamin Sr. AUGUSTA FOCUS Staff Writer AUGUSTA Although Gen. Robert Grayis not an announced candidate for mayor, there is no shortage of opinions about the impact of a possible Gray candidacy. A sampling of Richmond County vot ers queried this week reveal twc main schools of thought — those who are excited about a possible Gray candidacy and those who feel that home grown candidates are preferable when given a choice. By far, the first school was the more prevalent. “We need some new blood. He would be a good candidate because of his background. I think he knows how to relate to people and play that political game. Perhaps the biggest concern is people [not] knowing him,” said Willie Knox, lecturer and educator. Although positive reaction to a possible Gray candidacy outweighed both negative and indif ferent responses, many who expressed excite ment about the general were wary of their names being used. Wary because of existing political ties and leanings. Being publicly enthusiastic is not an option for many well-known Augustans con tacted; the general would have to first announce his candidacy before any significant show of pub lic support. But privately, it is another matter entirely. . “Ifheentered, he wouldraisethequn%tiom to a different level. Many people, both black and white, would have to rethink their positions,” according to a former city official. “He would be a welcome, refreshing face,” said a current elected official. He seems to be well respected in both communities. I wish we could draft him into running. I would have to find a way to support him.” “I’d love it,” added the official’s wife. There are many unknowns about a Gray candi dacy. Political analyst and Paine College profes sor Mallory Millender said he could not say whether or not Gen. Gray would be a viable political candidate. “I don’t know. Given his experience and train ing, it suggests he would make a good candidate. It remains to be seen how he resonates with the voters,” Mr. Millender said. Former Richmond County Coliseum Authority member Ernie Bowman said he could not sup port any candidate who was not home-grown. See REACTION, page 9A T “Continuous and effective training on how to handle family violence issues would greatly benefit the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department.” — Nancy Nelson Domestic Violence Interven tion Center of the CSRA. from 750 in the previous year. “These are just misdemeanors in which jail time does not exceed 12 months and the fines are under $1,000” according to Amanda Gray, Domestic Violence advocate of the Solicitor General’s office. “Family violence should be taken as seriously as violence among strangers. Either way it is illegal to attack anyone,” she said. Aggressive mates don’t stand much of achance of being removed from the scene immediately and that leaves many women at risk. The police must “take a stand and arrest theseguys,” Ms. Nelson said. Richmond County officers may be severely handicapped by lack of training in dealing with domestic violence situations, Ms. Nelson fears. Handling the situation in correctly could have serious con sequences for the victims of do mestic violence, she said. For example, in Richmond County, she reports that officers responding to a domestic violence situation often tell women that she, as well as the aggressor, could bearrested. Toa woman with chil dren, the fearis that the children could be removed from the home. “The lady who callsin fear of her life today may not call back tomor row,” Ms. Nelson said. A woman who feels that she would not be able to care for her children might rule out contacting the law as an option, Ms. Nelson said. Such po lice behavior is not only poor policy but may be outside the bounds of what is legal, she suggests. See RICHMOND COUNTY, 3A Numbers not available for medical school applicants By Wanda Williams AUGUSTA FOCUS Staff Writer AUGUSTA The School of Dentistry has accepted one African- American student out of a current total of 41 stu dents accepted for the Medical College of Georgia’s 1998 class. “It’s still too early to confirm if all the students accepted will make MCG their final choice. They still have time to accept other offers,” says Dr. Mike Miller, director of admissions for the MCG School of Dentistry. November Ist was the application deadline for students accepted to the School of Medicine and Dentistry’s fall 1998 classes. In the School of Den tistry, 171 students have applied to date and fifteen applicants are African Americans. In 1997, the school was criticized after accepting only two African-Ameri can students. MCG could not provide any information on the the number of African-American applicants or any pre liminary information on the status of the School of Medicine’s admission process which is currently‘ underway for fall 1998 classes. According to MCG’s News Bureau Chief Toni Baker, the School oq Medicine’s admissions director, Dr. Mary Ella Lo gan was out of town and attempts to reach her were unsucessful. Meanwhile, according to Dr. Miller, the School of Dentistry hopes to officially announce its 1998 enrollment by the first week in April. Many African Americans were outraged over the low number of African-American students accepted into the Medical College of Georgia’s 1997 classes. In a state where blacks make up a large percentage of health care users, many blacks say they expect MCG to play a leading role in producing black physcians. Months after a statewide meeting to discuss the issue, MCG is in the middle of its admission process for 1998 classes and a lot people are watching and waiting. In the School of Medicine, two African-American students were accepted in the 1997 class. One stu dent decided to attend Emory in Atlanta and the other student withdrew for personal reasons but is expected to return to MCG in September. In response, MCG President Dr. Francis Tedesco See MCG enroliment, page 10A | & aeg e Women, minorities get tiny slice of state business pie By Joan Kirchner ASSOCIATED PRESS Writer ATLANTA Businesses owned by white males win 95 percent of Georgia’s state contracts, despite incentives such as a tax break and a longstanding order from the governor to beefup the number of contracts awarded to minority-owned businesses. Although blatant and not-so-blatant affirmative action contracting policies have had little effect, they are a lightning rod in the Legislature this year. Affirmative action supporters warn that businesses owned by women and minorities would win an even smaller share of state dollars if not for laws and directives to state agencies to seek out minority business. “Affirmative action has not been very affirma tive,” said Rep. Calvin Smyre, a black Columbus Democrat who wants an even stronger law support ing affirmative action. Opponents say the tax break and other incentives are illegal and unfair, even if they haven’t given much of a leg up to minorities. “Contracts should be awarded based on the qual ity of your work, not just because your skin is darker,” said House Minority Whip Earl Ehrhart, a white Cobb County Republican pushing for a state wide ban on affirmative action. “We can’t get to the point where everything has to See MINORITIES, WOMEN, page 9A Sunshine in Forecast - 2A U.B. POSTAGE PAID NO. 302 AUGUSTA, GA