Drag show, fire-free smoke, learning to govern: This week in Augusta government

As LGBTQ Pride Month comes to a close, a tapas bar in Columbia County will host the county’s first-ever drag show this week. But attendees may encounter protestors and road construction closures on their way to the venue.

Many residents will see smoke Tuesday and Wednesday but shouldn't be alarmed.

Augusta Commission committees, meanwhile, won't meet until Thursday because all members are attending a Georgia Municipal Association conference in Savannah.

Here's what's happening in local government this week.

First-ever drag show in Columbia County

The upcoming drag show “Drag me to dinner” has gotten so much attention that Renee Hajek, who runs Stay. Social Tap & Table added a second show but also closed her patio for safety during the show.

Hajek’s tapas bar is in the Evans Town Center complex developed by Columbia County. But her problems hosting the county's first publicized drag show, where performers emulate different genders, aren't coming from county government, Hajek said.

"Everything we do is family friendly. The uproar is being caused because I'm hosting the show and this group is taking it to the extreme, saying that I am inviting children, and it's my goal to groom children for pedophilia and homosexuality and perversion," she said.

Hajek said she's had to speak with county officials and has shown them the agreements each performer will sign detailing the county's strict restrictions on adult entertainment.

The reaction has prompted Hajek to close the venue's patio and cover the windows, so attendees can enjoy the show without distraction from the outside, she said.

Tickets for second show, added after the first sold out, were selling rapidly Friday.

Learning to govern in Savannah

Mayor Hardie Davis and the 10-member Augusta Commission arrived in Savannah Friday for the Georgia Municipal Association's 2022 convention, which runs through Tuesday.

In addition to taking courses such as "lobbying 101," ethics in public life and mental illness and the law, participating city officials will hear speeches from Gov. Brian Kemp and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams.

The event, which is closed to media, has more than 150 exhibitors such as lobbying groups, associations and companies that provide services to local governments. Those with Augusta ties include ESG Operations Inc., which runs Augusta's wastewater treatment facilities. The convention also includes meetings for city attorneys and city administrators and managers.

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Monday, Davis and council members from Grantville and Douglas will present at a session on "conducting productive and orderly meetings."

Davis is a director-at-large for the group while Harlem Mayor Roxanne Whitaker is a district director.

New stop signs, lane closures ahead

The ongoing Appling-Harlem Road interchange, Exit 183 in Columbia County, will get all-way stop signs at each exit ramp Monday as workers continue to replace the overpass bridge and build roundabouts, according to a notice from the Georgia Department of Transportation.

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On Monday, the county and contractor Gearig Inc. will close a lane of Blackstone Camp Road near River Island Parkway, according to a news release. The county and contractor Southeastern Connections will close a lane of Furys Ferry Road at North Belair Road for utility work Tuesday.

Monday through Friday, Columbia County and contractor E.R. Snell will close a lane on Furys Ferry Road at Oleander Trail. The county and Snell will close a lane on Lewiston Road at Columbia Road Monday through Friday for the Lewiston Road widening project.

Tuesday through Thursday, the county and Reeves Construction will close a lane of William Few Parkway for paving.

Martinez neighborhood may see smoke

Smoke will not mean fire when Columbia County Water Utility conducts smoke testing Tuesday and Wednesday in the Heritage Hills area.

Smoke testing is a common test in the utility industry in which smoke is pumped through sanitary sewer lines to determine if problems exist.

The tests are hoped to identify sewer defects, reduce the occurrence of backups and the need for cleaning and gain a better understanding of the underground system, according to a news release.

Smoke may emerge from vent stacks on homes or businesses or from the ground. The smoke isn't created by heat or flame, is nontoxic and has no odor. To limit the potential for smoke to enter a home, residents can pour 24 ounces of water in drains that aren't regularly used.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: First-ever drag show and smoke but no fire: This week in Augusta