Augusta commissioner issues apology for remarks

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Augusta commissioner issues apology for remarks

By NBC Augusta Staff

Story Published: Aug 20, 2008 at 3:21 PM EDT

Story Updated: Aug 20, 2008 at 4:48 PM EDT

An Augusta commissioner is apologizing for comments he says may have offended people who are mentally challenged.

Wednesday NBC Augusta received a statement from Commissioner Corey Johnson.

Johnson says he's sorry for "words" he used to describe the mentally challenged at Tuesday's commission meeting.

During the meeting, members from the Highland Park neighborhood voiced concerns about what they thought was an unlicensed behavioral group home.

Johnson says he was supporting the community and did not intend to discriminate against anyone.

Click here to read Johnson's letter of apology.

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Thursday, Aug 21 at 6:55 PM stacy wrote ...

I think commissioner Johnson was wrong for his comment; & no matter how much you don't like a group, whether it is the mentally challenged or people on section 8, you cannot discriminate against them because of "who" they are. I understand people would like to place constraints on who lives in their area to protect the people living there and their property value, but that doesn't constitute saying someone can't live in a certain place just because they were deemed mentally challenged

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Thursday, Aug 21 at 3:57 PM ignorance must be bliss wrote ...

I am a professional who works with adults with developmental disabilities. I can personally inform you that the adults I work with have different functioning levels. These adults are guaranteed the same rights as any other person. Some of the adults work, live on their own, drive, pay bills and yes vote. The next time the commissioner makes an ignorant statement he should remember his comments may include people who voted for him. You cannot judge nor limit a persons ability based on a diagnosis

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Wednesday, Aug 20 at 7:27 PM Travis wrote ...

I hope this is a good lesson to him to think before he speaks. I hope his zest to support his community gets more focused and his words show his ability to be not only a commisioner but a public figure who will be critiqued at every turn. Augusta needs his young enthusiasm to lead them into the future. Tighten up,be smart. TRB

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Wednesday, Aug 20 at 5:27 PM tal wrote ...

that why you should think before you speak and me my self personally i dont like the word retarded

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Wednesday, Aug 20 at 3:35 PM concerned wrote ...

I don't think Commissioner Johnson should be apoligizing for doing what his constituants want. What would be interesting is a map laydown of where these halfway or "group" homes are being located in the consolidated city. In fact I would add the section 8 to the laydown also. This laydown, if it shows that every district is evenly represented, would prove that we are not unloading burdens on only some parts of the city. Then again, it might show something we want to keep very quiet about.

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