Director, Building Inspections & Code Enforcement Dept., Columbus Consolidated Government Why is the city putting such an emphasis on blighted properties now? “Since I’ve been over the department the last 3 years, I think it’s always been an issue, and it’s just something that we’re putting a magnifying glass on now. What will the plan to fight blight be like once put into action? The first...
Executive Director, Leadership Institute at Columbus State University Is a leader born? Or is a leader made? “A leader is made. Absolutely. If leaders weren’t made, we’d be out of business. Our whole premise is built on the fact that people can grow. We all have opportunities to do better—to be better—all the time. That’s really what leadership is all about: Being the best version of yourself you...
“Caught Up: Criminal Justice in the Chattahoochee Valley” Vol. 1 Like all other sheriff deputies reporting for duty at Muscogee County Jail, Chaplain Neil Richardson doesn’t carry a gun at work. “It’d just end up getting used against you,” Richardson says during a recent tour of the city facility. He explains matter-of-factly the policy against the 100 or so Muscogee County Sheriff’s...
The brief, big-picture timeline aims to provide a sketch of some of the people, places, and historic events that collectively guided the Columbus, Georgia LGBT community to where it is today. The timeline is broken down by what constitutes four pillars of our culture: Local Pride, Soldier Life, Church, and State. You are encouraged to provide additions, corrections, or reflections in the comments...
Visits the Vietnam and Global War on Terror Memorial sites, National Infantry Museum, Ft. Benning, Georgia What inspired you to come visit this memorial today? “I have relatives who have served and gone before me. My wife had two grandfathers who served in Vietnam. Their prior service is a big part of the reason why I joined—to continue that tradition. So I thought today would be a perfect...
Vice-Chancellor, Troy University-Phenix City Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.) How did your military career help prepare you for becoming the head of a university? “The military spends a lot of time training leaders. That leadership and administration and supervision—which are all parts of higher positions at any organization—benefit from that type of training. I spent 26 years in the military. I got a...
Liberian, American, and (after Friday) Master of Public Administration Paul Yarwaye fled the violence of the Civil War that began 40 years ago in his native country of Liberia, the West African nation with deep historical and cultural ties to the Chattahoochee Valley. On May 17, Paul turns 59. On May 18, the United States citizen will graduate from Columbus State University with a Master of...
Executive Director, Youth Orchestra of Greater ColumbusFounding Member, Wolf & Clover What’s a typical work day like for you? “It all depends on what season I’m in. Right now, I’m in the middle of recruitment season. So yesterday I was in 3 meetings: [Columbus Cultural] Arts Alliance, I had my board meeting, and partners meeting with the RiverCenter and [Columbus] Symphony [Orchestra]. The...
Professor emeritus of history at Columbus State University, Dr. Virginia E. Causey’s book Red Clay, White Water & the Blues: A History of Columbus, Georgia will be published May 15 by University of Georgia Press. A comprehensive 344-page chronicle of the city’s nearly 200-year history, the book’s release will be celebrated at the Columbus Public Library at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 26 This...
A Budding Blues Star and the Destiny of Success Baptized into blues stardom two years ago by the legendary Taj Mahal as “my wonderboy,” Greenville, Georgia native Jontavious Willis has already enjoyed a blockbuster 2019. His music drove the Kia “Just a Small Town in Georgia” commercial aired during the Super Bowl halftime in February. Last week, he dropped the album Sophisticated Class...