Former Augusta Mayor shares response after local group opposes a change to Augusta charter

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- The debate continues on whether Augusta’s mayor should vote on commission matters.

In April 2023, Governor Brian Kemp signed a bill that would allow Augusta voters to decide whether Mayor Garnett Johnson should have the chance to vote.

Currently, the mayor can only vote in the case of a 5-to-5 tie.

Prior to Tuesday’s commission meeting, a local group known as Help Our People Excel (HOPE) held a press conference outside of the municipal building.

Group members told the press that they were against that referendum, with some strong allegations against the commission.

“Hope believes there was a lack of integrity of the Mayor and commissioners who signed the document–the so-called resolution–and sent it to the legislative delegation,” said Reverend James Williams. “They violated their own procedures by sending this to the delegation without having a full discussion and a public meeting.”

District 6 Commissioner Tony Lewis says the referendum sent to Atlanta was signed by only 5 of the 10 commissioners, and it was the wrong way to go.

“I think if we’re going to do the city and government justice, we cannot leave anyone from around the table of conversations when it comes down to changing the format of our government,” Lewis said. “There is room for change in the format, but it has to be done in a holistic way–and this is not the way that it should be done.”

Former Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver was asked about the allegations against Mayor Johnson and the commission, and he says they are bogus.

“There is no procedure in place–and I would just ask him (Williams) to show me in writing where that procedure is, because it does not exist. Any citizen can go to the state legislature and say ‘Hey, we’d like you to act on this’. So I think it’s great that he got the support of five commissioners, but why would you be against letting the people decide,” said Copenhaver.

The former mayor served from 2005-2015, and has shown support for Mayor Johnson since he took office.

“I helped plant the seeds to help him run for office in the first place. He’s a good man, he came from humble beginnings, built a multi-million dollar business, but he loves the city too,” Copenhaver said.

He has been running a campaign in an effort for Augusta voters to say “Yes” to Mayor Johnson getting to vote–which Copenhaver says he deserves.

“It’s not giving him hiring and firing authority, not creating a strong mayor form of government, but the next step is a charter review committee, which is something we need,” said Copenhaver. “That is our business plan, and if you don’t update your business plan in 28 years, you don’t have a business to update your plan for.”

He took to social media the day before that press conference, saying if voters say yes, it would be a major step towards fixing a government that’s been broken for nearly 30 years.

“There are citizens locally that were born when I was first elected in 2005, and now they’re eligible to vote. It’s time we ask the next generation, because they’ve had no say so in how this government functions,” said Copenhaver.

HOPE organizers have said in the past that they will file litigation–if needed–to keep people’s interest in mind.

Copenhaver says if they did, they would not have a strong case.

“Absolutely not. I ran for mayor in a city that’s predominantly African-American in all three of my elections. And by not doing politics as usual, I won with an average of 64% of the vote. I know that the people support moving forward, so there is no way–and I just say bring it.”

The former mayor adds that the primary election is crucial for the future of Augusta government.

“Every other government in Georgia that has consolidated has a Charter-review committee except for Augusta. It’s time that we review that Charter, make recommendations, and run this place professionally,” said Copenhaver.

Mayor Johnson and Reverend Williams declined to comment at this time.

The primary election for Augusta voters is Tuesday, May 21st.

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