Latest news with #TamekaAllen
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Augusta Riverwalk to close for Hurricane Helene clean-up
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The City of Augusta announced Tuesday that the Augusta Riverwalk will be temporarily closed to the public beginning Wednesday, May 14th. The work is expected to take approximately two weeks to facilitate a comprehensive cleanup operation following the impact of Hurricane Helene. During this time, the Saturday Market will not be closed and will operate during its normal hours. While initial debris removal was completed shortly after the storm, significant remnants—including tree stumps, large limbs, and root balls—remain along the Riverwalk and must be safely removed. This cleanup effort will involve the use of specialized heavy equipment, creating hazardous conditions for pedestrians and visitors in the area. 'We understand the Riverwalk is a beloved destination for residents and visitors alike,' said Tameka Allen, County Administrator. 'However, the safety of our community is our top priority. The scale and nature of this cleanup demand full access to the area without the risk of public interference or injury.' The City asks for the public's patience and cooperation during this necessary closure. Weather permitting, the Riverwalk is expected to reopen to the public the week of May 26th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wall Street Journal
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
A Masters Tradition Unlike Any Other: Gifting Tickets to Government Officials
Augusta, Ga. Everyone knows the one thing that makes the city of Augusta, Ga. famous. For one week every spring, this otherwise sleepy town and its golf club come alive to host the Masters. An event of this magnitude, hosting tens of thousands of fans, staff, players, and guests requires close coordination between the City of Augusta and Augusta National Golf Club. Roads are shut down, cops take over traffic and a tiny regional airport suddenly swells with private jets. But, it turns out that the relationship between the local government and the world renowned private club is even closer than previously known. And those ties, according to an investigation by The Wall Street Journal, test the limits of ethics laws that guide how public officials should interact with businesses within their purview. For years, Augusta National has gifted scores of highly coveted and valuable tickets to high-ranking city employees and elected officials, according to emails reviewed by The Journal in response to public records requests and people familiar with the matter. Some of those tickets—the especially rare Masters Series Badges that grant access to all four rounds of the tournament—can sell for more than $20,000 on the secondary market. Those who have received tickets include top officials in key departments and some of their staff, according to the emails and people familiar with the gifts. Augusta's commissioners also get them, and the mayor's office gets an allotment of tickets for him and more that he can hand out. In the past, even some local judges got them. City administrator Tameka Allen said local government officials were unable to comment on what she described as 'unfounded ethical allegations.' The club's gifting has been going on for decades and is considered so commonplace that it doesn't merit a second thought by city officials, several people familiar with the matter said. Those people spoke on condition of anonymity, because they feared retribution from the city, club or both. The practice raised concern with government ethics experts, who say it puts Augusta's government at high risk for corruption and creates the appearance of a conflict of interest. 'This is a recipe for making sure that this powerful golf club actually controls the city,' said Kathleen Clark, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis who specializes in government ethics. 'This kind of culture is inconsistent with ensuring that we could have any kind of confidence that city officials are only acting in the public interest.' In this city, Augusta National isn't merely another tony golf club. It's the engine of the local economy, bringing droves of tourists to a part of Georgia they would never otherwise visit, and the Masters is the most important week of the entire year for many businesses there. It's no surprise that the city and the club must work hand-in-glove to handle the crowd swells and traffic snarls that come with hosting the first major of the golf season. Barely a day goes by without employees of the city and club exchanging messages about mundane business, according to the internal emails. The topics range from permit applications and tax matters to traffic plans and working with the local airport. But the two entities are also formal business partners. For instance, Augusta National has taken over the local municipal golf course known as the Patch from the city. The club agreed to renovate the near-century-old course as part of a project to promote public golf. As part of that project, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley announced Monday that Tiger Woods will design a new par-3 course on the Patch's grounds. 'One of our core values is contributing to our community,' Ridley said. City officials have said turning over the Patch to Augusta National will save the city millions, and Ridley reiterated that affordability will be a priority when it reopens next year. Still, skeptics view it as an extension of the club's efforts to take over more and more land around town. It's also the type of project that could present a conflict of interest given that it required approval from the same commissioners who have been on the receiving end of Masters tickets. The city's ethics code prohibits employees and public officials of Augusta, Ga. from accepting 'a gift from a lobbyist, vendor, or any other person seeking to influence official action.' A gift is defined as 'anything of value, exceeding the value of $100,' with tickets 'valued at the face value.' There is an exception allowing elected officials to receive 'courtesy tickets' for their own use. Most people who wish to buy Masters tickets at face value need to enter an annual lottery with only a slim chance of winning. Even a practice-round ticket for a single day, which lucky winners can purchase for $100, is selling for more than $2,000 on the secondary market this week. The exceedingly rare Series Badges have a face value of $450, but have floated around the resale market for over $20,000. Not that top local officials need to sweat the results of a lottery. For some in Augusta, the tickets are delivered from the club by chauffeur. In one 2024 email exchange reviewed by the Journal, a club employee told a top Aviation Services official that a driver would drop off sets of Series Badges for them and for Augusta Regional Airport. In both 2023 and 2024, an assistant director for Traffic Engineering organizing the pickup of credentials for the tournament reminded the club that it also 'usually gifts Traffic Engineering some tickets for the practice round days.' Allen, the city administrator, didn't respond to questions about the extent of the ticket-gifting practice, or clarify whether the city believes it is in compliance with the ethics code. The mayor, a spokeswoman for the mayor's office, and most of the city's 10 commissioners didn't respond to several inquiries. Two commissioners declined to comment. Write to Louise Radnofsky at and Andrew Beaton at
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Augusta enforces laws on illegal signs, warns of penalties
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The Augusta Government is acting against the unauthorized placement of signs on public property, utility poles, medians, and rights-of-way. Residents and businesses are reminded that illegal sign postings are not only unsightly but also violate city ordinances that could result in serious penalties. It is illegal to place private signs in the right of way or on a utility pole. This includes advertisements, event promotions, and business signage. Violators could be subject to 60 days in jail, a $1000 fine and the probation, suspension, or revocation of their business license. 'Our goal is to maintain the beauty and safety of our city while ensuring compliance with local laws,' said Tameka Allen, City Administrator of Augusta. 'Illegal signs create visual clutter, distract drivers, and can obstruct pedestrians. We are committed to enforcing regulations to keep our community clean and orderly.' Augusta's Code Enforcement Department will be actively monitoring for violations, and illegally posted signs will be removed. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to use approved methods for advertising, such as permitted signage and designated community boards. Residents who wish to report illegal sign postings may do so by calling 311 or via the MyAugusta 311 app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Richmond County Homestead Exception Public Hearing at Warren Road Park and Community Center to provide information for residents
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A chance for you to sound off on the fate of a local homestead exemption. Richmond County leaders held a public meeting. In November, people voted on House Bill 581. It includes a new floating homestead exemption that is in addition to current homestead exemptions. Sixty-two percent of people in Richmond County voted yes. 'The actual item was very confusing to our taxpayers and to our citizens, and I think this actual public hearing allowed them to state some of their concerns,' said Tameka Allen, County Administrator. The measure puts a cap on property valuations for tax purposes. It's also aimed at limiting tax increases because of growth. 'It's impossible to know what's going on unless you're actually hearing it from the commissioners, from the mayor, from the administrator, and so I've really stepped up trying to come to as many meetings as possible to better understand and make a better judgment and also have my voice heard,' said Paul Wheeler, an attendee. People we talked to said they just wanted to get a better feel for what the exemption entails. 'I have a complete understanding, I really do; I understand what it means to opt in and what it means to opt out, and to be honest, I'd like to opt out,' said Linda Gary, an attendee. Augusta leaders have until March 1st to decide if they will opt out of the exemption. 'Identifying how many folks are impacted by this. Where the cost would be assessed, and who would actually have to carry the burden?' said Don Clark, District 5 Commissioner. For more information and breakdowns on this topic, there will be another meeting on February 18th at the Augusta Municipal Building from 11 am to 1 pm. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
