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jWb mISA * G ■ the PEOPLE’S PAPER ( 20C)) IklßjMy nation; \\ JJ Vol. 3 Mays And Mayor Clash Over Inmate’s Death By R.L. Oliver Augusta City Councilwoman Carrie J. Mays was at odds with Mayor Lewis A. Newman and the Stockade Recorders Court Committee over the manner that two guards have been “moved up the ladder”, she said, since the admitted negligent death of inmate Henry O’Bryant. One of the guards admitted being asleep and the other was reported outside while Hamilton Replaces Scott On Civil Service Commission Former city councilman C.S. Hamilton was elected to a five year term on the Augusta Civil Service Commission Monday. Hamilton, the pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church and chairman of the Law Dr. Pitts Meets With President Nixon Dr. Lucius Pitts President of Paine College was one of a group of Black college and university presidents representing the National Association For Equal Opportunity In Higher Education, who met with President Richard M. Nixon, in a special conference November 29th. The Association, composed of more than 100 institutions with a student enrollment of over 200,000, expressed their concern in a letter out-lining several recommendations to the President. According to Dr. Pitts, the meeting was arranged by Special Presidential Assistant Stanley Scott so the group could state their appreciation for the expressed positive posture taken by the President on behalf of Black higher education. However, they felt the pronounced intentions for Black institutions have not Augusta’s First Black Postal Supervisor By Robert Bell Robert Elgin Job on, of 2717 Hazel Street fee his new job as Foreman of Mails with the U.S. Postal Service “is a step forward for Blacks”. Johnson, who has been employed at the Postal Service for the past 7!6 years said: “I feel honored in being the first Black Augustan to hold this position. “I will do my best to succeed,” the former distribution clerk promised “hoping that it will give incentive to other Blacks in the Postal Service.” The former Benedict College student said: “I owe a great deal of credit to the people 1 work with at the Peach Orchard annex; especially the inmates were yelling for help an hour prior to O’Bryant’s death. Walter Faircloth has been transferred to the Public Works Dept, as a complaint coordinator at $396 per month. At Monday’s council meeting, a visibly disturbed Mrs. Mays said, “As chief of the city administration you admit fault in this matter, but you vote not to change the system that caused this Enforcement Committee of the Augusta Human Relations Commission, was confirmed by a unanimous vote by the city council following his nomination by Mayor Lewis A. Newman. been met by officials charged with carrying them out. “We were warmly and cordially received. He reconsidered his committment and his concern for Black colleges,” Pitts said. Pitts also said, “He rendered a hopeful and heartening response to our recommen dations. However we will not know how productive all of this is until certain actions we recommended become operable.” The recommendations included: 1) The establishment of an Advisory Council of Black Colleges and Universities composed of selected Black college presidents. 2) Establishment of a liaison mechanism involving more Blacks in the formulation of educational policies. 3) Immediate and comprehensive review of the budget proposal for Fiscal Year 1975, and that presidential executive orders by executed. ones in Parcel Post, E.M. Click, J. Izlar and W. Lewis. The father of Guy and Cheryl Johnson said he received much inspiration from his wife, the former Mary Alice Ford and his two children, Guy and Cheryl. The Army veteran said his father, B.T. Johnson and his two sisters were “persistent” in motivating him. N.B. Brown, Manager-Post master recently performed initiation activities at the main postal building. Johnson, when not supervising postal operation finds time for the American Veterans Association. Other interests include football and basketball. “I would like to inspire other Blacks to do their best and for them to seek other accomplishments,” he said. P.O. Box 953 deplorable negligence. Instead you reward those guilty by moving them up the ladder. The system has always done this and I cannot go along with a system admitting its fault and transferring those responsible for the problem to another position.” Mayor Newman replied, “Do you think firing these men will revise things? We need to correct the situation that caused the problem not just In making the nomination Newman said, “members of council, I would like to nominate someone you all know to a five year term replacing the outgoing H.R. Scott on the Augusta Civil ? T W i X"' DR. LUCIUS PITTS ROBERT JOHNSON single out two under paid employes that were a part of it.” Mrs. Mays retorted,“Mr. Mayor, 1 agree. Let’s correct the situation, but you cannot correct it by transferring people who are wrong to newly created positions. We are not helping the people or the system by doing this. I cannot be a part of a system that maintains this type of thing.” Newman countered by explaining, “I transferred the Service Commission. He has served six vears on council, and has been an outstanding citizen for a long time. 1 think it is only fair to say that he was a supporter of mine last year. 1 nominate C.S. Hamilton to the post on that commission.” Augusta, Georgia man you are referring to at the request of the Stockade supervisor to the job in the Public Works Dept. He is making the same salary $396. We have been needing a position like that for a long time.” Eighth Ward city councilman C. Thomas Huggins made a motion to censure the guards for “neglative duty” which received support from the full council. A' \ Z \ \ ■/ M S '■ I X | ...... .•: V Jr •' REV. C.S. HAMILTON Ralph Stone Mutual Black News -GM WRDW Radio Station’s former news director and editorialist, Ralph Stone, has been appointed general manager of Mutual Black News. He joined radio station WRDW in 1970 as news director-editorialist, and in less than one year moved to station Mrs. Mays was asked just what does the censure mean and how will it affect Faircloth’s present job? She replied, “The censure means nothing, he still maintains his job mainly because the mayor doesn’t know what the word censure means.” During the heated session, Charles Walker, director of the local Human Relations Commission read several recommendations to city manager of WJBE radio, another James Brown station, in Knoxville, Tenn. As general manager of Mutual Black News (NBN) Stone will concentrate on public relations with radio stations across the nation. He is a native of Montgomery, Ala. council in regards to the troubled city stockade. The following is a summary of HRC’s investigation and recommendations; After careful review of the Stockade and Recorder’s Court Report, we recognized some conspicous weaknesses on the part of the entire Recorder’s Court System, in that there are no clear cut guidelines governing the activities of second and third line employees. As a result of this inequity, we recommend the following: 1) That written instructions be given to all guards and supervisors explaining the various duties and responsibilities. 2) That clear cut procedures be outlined concerning emergency procedures to all employees. 3) That a city vehicle be assigned to the Stockade on a twenty-four hour basis for emergency purposes and that a qualified dirver be on duty at all times. Approximately 80% of those persons incarcerated at the City Stockade could be considered social problems and should be treated as such. Therefore, we make the following recommendations: 1) That methods be devised to identify chronic alcoholic repeaters and a reciprocal agreement be worked out between the Georgia Regional Hospital and/or other agencies Walker Elected State HRC Head I ' H CHARLES WALKER The Director of the Augusta Human Relations Commission, Charles Walker, was recently elected chairman of the 159 body Georgia Association of Human Relations Commissions. Walker is the first Black to hold this post. “I was not anticipating being elected, but 1 knew they had me up for consideration,” Walker said. The Association’s Human Relations Commissions are set up basically the same as the Augusta HRC “As a matter December 6, 1973 No. 38 dealing specially with alcholism. 2) That records be kept for at least three (3) years at the City Stockade so chronic repeaters and other persons of known ill health could be identified by the supervisors. The Recorder’s Court Committee's Report indicated that certain employees have been sleeping and engaging in other activities during working hours. The Commission recommends the following: 1) That the bunk located in the front entrance of the Stockade be removed. 2) That sleeping during working hours become a condition for on-the-spot dismissal. 3) That a ranking officer from the Augusta Police Department be responsible for night checks to insure that item No. 2 above becomes a reality. 4) That members of the Stockade and Recorder’s Court Committee make periodical visits to the Stockade for the purpose of inspection and investigation. 5) That in the event of severly cold weather it become mandatory that inmates be transferred to a facility with adequate housing conditions. In reference to those persons on duty during the time of Mr. Henry O’Bryant’s death, the Commission recommends that corrective actions be taken by the appropriate body. of fact,” Walker said, “The Augusta branch was used as a model for the entire state.” It was noted that the function of the statewide group was to operate as a communications network for all local agencies. “We will be able to utilize the governor’s influence to get things achieved. As a statewide organization we will operate out of Governor Carter’s office.” he added. Walker is the Augusta HRC’s only director in its two and one half years existence.