News 12 at 6 o'clock, Wednesday, February 8, 2012

AUGUSTA,Ga -- There is a commission retreat next week. It will be held on the turf of the operators of the controversial TEE Center Parking deck. The mayor says the main topic at the retreat will be the code of conduct.

"I will not change the way I operate," said commissioner Alvin Mason. "I suspect the mayor will continue with his leadership skills."

Mason's response comes days after mayor Deke Copenhaver released a scathing op-ed on News 12. It slammed commissioners as overzealous bullies in search of media attention.

"How can you have peace when you are being lied to?," questioned Mason.

The TEE Center debate has TEED off commissioners and exposed major divisions.

"We know how to count to six," said commissioner Bill Lockett. "But we haven't figured out how to count to 10."

At least 4 commissioners claim they were left out of alleged 'secret' discussions to close the deal on a project stuck in neutral for months.

"Not just the commissioners but 40 percent of the population," said Mason. "It says you don't matter. So of course there would be some animosity in that."

"I'm sick of being criticized for something that I found out this morning we could do," said mayor pro tem Joe Bowles at Tuesday's commission meeting.

The deal requires that the land for the parking deck be transferred to the city land bank and be free of liens.

"You don't even have assurances from Wells Fargo that they will release the lien," said commissioner Alvin Mason. "There are any number of reasons why you wouldn't vote for that."

Some commissioners say the deal seems to contract the Augusta Land Bank's policy statement.

"The AGLBA is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Georgia for the public purpose of returning non-tax generating properties to a productive use," reads the statement.

The TEE Center operator expressed his "disappointment" with commissioners.

"I'm disappointed," said Simon. "I would hope that when we are putting together a project like this that we would have all ten commissioners approve it."

He took those concerns directly to commissioner Mason.

"You need to support us," said Simon.

"When I see something worth supporting," replied Mason. "I will."

"Look at this. Read this," Simon shot back referencing the city newspaper.

"What you have to remember Mr. Simon is that I have a different take than everybody else up here because there were some things that happened to me that caused this project to be tainted," said Mason.

That something is a failed TEE Center bribery attempt. It only serves to drive up rhetoric over the controversial parking deck.

That commission retreat is scheduled for next Thursday and Friday. The mayor is insisting commissioners revisit the code of conduct. The meeting will be held at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Augusta.