"That in 2012, we still have people who are not just stuck in the past ... But stuck on stupid so to speak."
Folks at Mercer University are still talking today about the controversial flier that popped up on campus this week.
Hello everyone...Thanks for joining us..
I'm Leah Johnson.
I'm Frank Malloy.
This is Eyewitness News at Six..
We broke that story last night... and Tom George went back to campus today to hear what people were saying.
"it was really a kind of deep sadness ... That in 2012, we still have people who are not just stuck in the past ... But stuck on stupid so to speak. "
Mercer students and staff are speaking out after a controversial flier promoting "white History Month" was distributed on campus.
"You know we want to it to be known everyone here supports everyone else and the fact that we can all come together when something's put up that not everyone agrees with is awesome."
The fliers had a picture of Thomas Jefferson and questioned the need for Black History Month and that the issue of race in the election is quote "another example of unfairness towards white people."
"Many here on campus say the fliers and the coverage that followed portrayed the school in a negative light, but they say that's not what their school is about."
"A lot of people from the North still look down on us because of what happened in the Civil War and everything about us being racist and bigotous, and that's not the case at all., I mean it is with some people, but for the most part everyone here at Mercer loves each other and we're here as a family."
Students held a rally Tuesday night protesting the fliers ..
We found one student who said he understands the reasoning behind them..
"You know on one side .. Why do we need a Black History month .. And on the other period, on the other side, why do we need to celebrate one race and not the other?"
Officials still don't know who put up the fliers...
"This flier simply comes out of nowhere, you might say, except for a small group, perhaps, or maybe just a couple of individuals who hold on to some opinions that could be better left silent."
.... but students say they have a message for whoever did it....
"You ended up hurting a lot of people, not just African Americans, you hurt all kinds of cultures, and there were other white people that did not think that was acceptable, so I think you need to go back, rethink it and apologize."
In Macon, Tom George, 13WMAZ Eyewitness News.
Mercer administrators say they have no further comment and want to move on.
Black History month started out in 19-26 as one week in February..to recognize the contributions of black people throughout history..
In 19-76..the federal government decided to make it a whole month.
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We first brought you the story of conditions at the Macon Garden Apartments a few weeks ago... and it looks like some tenants there might be seeing change.
According to a HUD spokesman.. federal inspectors are scheduled to visit the apartments tomorrow.
Judy Le has more.
That's one way to patch up a ceiling torn apart by water damage. But it's only a temporary solution...
He says they told him to fix it this way...
Ambling Management Company is based in Valdosta...but manages Macon Gardens Apartment in west Macon. The complex is a HUD Section 8 subsidized housing complex for low-income tenants. Some say...they're finally seeing improvements.
"(Kristi Yaughn) After the second time ya'll came, the very next day there was people on the property walking in different apartments inspecting. Shortly after that they had ambling associates, workers out here. They're all out here working now."
"(Stephanie Davis)They just filled in the potholes and threw hay out. That's it really. They're starting to put up windows in the abandoned apartments."
Some tenants live in cockroach infested homes and under ceilings that rain toilet water.
"Most of the problems in this apartment happen in the upstairs bathroom.... This bowl to catch all of the water."
HUD agency spokesman... Joseph Phillips....a federal inspector will stop by the complex Thursday to randomly select apartments to inspect. The report will be based on cleanliness and the quality of life. But some tenants are still have their doubts
"(yaugn)I don't think it's going to happen. I think they're really just trying to pass inspection."
"(davis)something to be...make it look like they're doing something. But they're really not. They're just trying to put a front on for everybody."
Others hope for lasting change...
"( cocker) They're trying to get things taken care of. Thumbs up to them because it's long been overdue."
"(Pat gregory) I hope this is a wake up call."
Judy Le 13wmaz eyewitness news.
The inspectors were scheduled come today... but now HUD says they'll visit the complex tomorrow.
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When you head out to vote...you'll see more than political offices on the ballot....there are also two proposed changes in the state Constitution.
We've told you about the first one...which would change how charter schools are approved.
But the second hasn't gotten much attention..it would allow the state to handle lease agreements in a different way.
Brittiny Barber breaks down what you need to know.
Both questions have passed both the state house and Senate... But for the changes to the Constitution to take effect... The majority of Georgia voters also must approve.
Amendment question number two asks...
If the Constitution should be changed to allow the General Assembly to authorize certain state agencies to enter into multi-year rental agreements.
" When any agency of the state government goes out to lease property, they have previously only been able to do one year leases. So when you do a one year lease you're obviously not going to get as favorable of a rate as if you can do a multiyear lease."
State Senator Cecil Staton.. Who's a sponsor of the legislation... says the goal is to save the state money.
He says the government has dozens of leases across the state.
One example is the Georgia College location in downtown Macon.
By extending the lease .. He says it can help save money in an already strapped budget.
"It's really an initiative that comes from good business sense. If you're in business you're going to try to negotiate the best lease the cheapest lease you possibly can for your space. Whether it's a retail space or an office building. We want to the state to be able to have a little bit more flexibility so it to can negotiate better lease rates."
Staton says there's also a provision that says the state can terminate the lease agreement... in case they don't have the money in the budget t pay for it.
So far...there's no organized opposition to Question 2.
For both of the ballot questions... you will either vote yes for the amendment or no if you're against it.
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Last night... President Obama and Mitt Romney met in the second of three presidential debates...
Today's web poll asks...Who do you believe won the debate?
71 percent of you say Romney..
29 percent say President Obama..
To vote now... Visit 13WMAZ.com.
Look for the question on the right side of the homepage.
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Last night's debate certainly sparked a flame in the continuous political debate on our Facebook page..
We asked if you got enough facts from the debate, and if you had already made up your mind..
Darren Love's comments got 16 likes: He wrote "ROMNEY all the way!! Fix this economy! I'm sick of diesel fuel taking half of everything I earn. Fire those drills up and get after it!
Leave the 2nd amendment alone! Get this country back on track instead of tearing it down any farther!!"
But Juke Glenn-Maxwell supports the President: saying "Obama all the way, he is still fixing Bush mess and as he stated before he said he would do things and he has proven it.
Some things are not only his choice, Congress has to approve things as well...I recall when Bush was in office we were going through tough times and Obama made a U-Turn for America."
And Sean Williams expressed the frustration many share: "Either way, they are not going to do what they say they're going to do."
As always, thank you for sharing your comments.
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Historic Macon is getting ready for its 35th Annual Flea Market fundraiser.
The event is one of the biggest fundraisers for Historic Macon..
It helps continue their mission in the community of buying and revitalizing historic homes... then selling them to homeowners.
Video Journalist Kimberly Burden caught up with some of the volunteers as they set up for the huge event.
This year's flea market has expanded to 2 areas...including a furniture showroom.
The Flea Market opens to the public this Saturday from 8am to 3pm on Shurling Drive next to Roses and The Macon Police Precinct.
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An estimated five point four million Americans have Alzheimer's disease.
To raise awareness... The Blair House in Macon is trying to get the word out by offering a program that simulates the effects of Dementia.
Jennifer Moulliet found out how it works.
It's an opportunity to step into the shoes of someone with Dementia
[TAKE SOT
AT: 1:01
TO: 1:06
DURATION:0:05]
{***SOT FULL***}
<dementia is a disease that affects every single part of the brain>
[TAKE VO]
{***VO***}
Executive Director Jean Govoni says it's the first time they've offered the virtual tour.
[TAKE SOT
AT: 1:14
TO: 1:22
DURATION:0:08]
{***SOT FULL***}
<until you go through an experience like this you don't have any idea what they go through in their daily lives.>
At the beginning you're given a list of tasks and... To take part you have to wear the complete garb.
"The gloves signify a loss of touch either through arthritis or neuropathy."
"The goggles signify a loss of vision."
"I was having to move the papers back and forth to be able to see the directions so if you want to do pictures make sure they're big so they can see them."
Participants also wear earphones with distracting sounds.
"They hear a noise and they're frightened by just a loud everyday noise that we take for granted because I did I was folding the clothes and I literally jumped."
"Iif you stop and listen to the sounds they cannot discern what those things mean anymore so it's just a lot of confusion."
"I was turned loose in the room I didn't have any idea where to begin."
Like... I signed up for the tour too.
My biggest challenge... Matching socks.
Of course... After the tour we I could take the equipment off... But the understanding stays.
Jennifer Moulliet 13wmaz eyewitness news
Govoni hopes the simulation will give people a better understanding of Alzheimers and other forms of dementia.
For more information on the tour.. visit our website 13WMAZ dot com and look for this story on the homepage.
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It was the talk of the Georgia National Fair In the art department.
And It won three ribbons... including best of show for sculptures.
Salvador Is the name of the iron horse sculpture shown here.
Donnie Wright of Cochran... says it took almost four months for him to complete the piece.
He created it by using items found in a scrap iron yard.
Wright says this year's success has inspired him to start working on another piece... and he looks forward to next year's contest at
the Georgia National Fair.