The Rhodes Rewind Podcast

Buddy Rizer is the Executive Director of Economic Development for Loudon County Virginia...also known as the data center capital of the country! He has been working behind the scenes with Columbia County officials to make sure our data center projects are built from the beginning to be the very best they can be, environmentally, aesthetically, and financially! As you will hear on this interview...he believes the "Columbia County standard" is the best in the country...and in fact, something all communities considering data centers should immolate. He joined us Monday to discuss...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Buddy Rizer is the Executive Director of Economic Development for Loudon County Virginia...also known as the data center capital of the country! He has been working behind the scenes with Columbia County officials to make sure our data center projects are built from the beginning to be the very best they can be, environmentally, aesthetically, and financially! As you will hear on this interview...he believes the "Columbia County standard" is the best in the country...and in fact, something all communities considering data centers should immolate. He joined us Monday to discuss...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tanya Kitchings is the former Executive Assistant for Steven Kendrick, when he was Richmond County Tax Commissioner. She has served notice to the City of Augusta that she is seeking damages for alleged sexual harassment and misconduct at the hands of Kendrick, and that it occurred with the knowledge of other employees. Austin's full interview with Kitchings is presented here, and we need to remind you that we came back at the end of the show with an extra two minutes of content, involving a written statement she requested to make.That addition went out over the air shortly after 6pm...and we again, share it here.Kendrick, who is currently running for Mayor of Augusta, is welcome to answer the claims made by Kitchings, and respond in any way he deems necessary. We will certainly accommodate any reasonable response he has, however he feels he needs to deliver it, written or in a live interview.Keep in mind, Ms. Kitchings' claims are shared in the public interest, and represent one side of the story she tells.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson is running for re-election and he stopped by to talk to Austin on the issues and priorities in his race Tuesday afternoon. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Richmond County Tax Commissioner Steven Kendrick brought his campaign for the Augusta Mayor to the Austin Rhodes Show Monday...Kendrick outlines his plans if elected, and discusses why he thinks he can beat the man who bested him in the same race 4 years ago!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our own Ashley Brown talks to former Westside & Duke basketball star Will AverySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore joined Austin today to once again reiterate our state's regulatory control over utility rates, and how the mismanagement of utility billing in other states SHOULD NOT BE USED to doubt Georgia's evolving policies regarding data centers and their legal responsibility to shoulder their own power costs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Columbia County leaders and citizens were all abuzz Monday morning with news that County Manager Scott Johnson is retiring at the end of the year. He sat down Monday at 5pm for his first in-depth live interview on his pending exit with Austin Rhodes...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr called in to discuss his agenda as one of the key GOP candidates for the Governor's mansion...here is a link to his Wednesday afternoon conversation with AustinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Columbia County 4th District Trustee Katie Allen discussing her stand on getting windfall tax revenue back to personal property taxpayers as soon as it is legally and financially possible to do so. She also has some rather serious concerns about what she calls "escalating spending" on behalf of the school board...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listeners demanded and we deliver! Here's the interview Austin did last week with Marcie Wilhelmi of the Charter Committee. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Clark is hoping to become Georgia's next Lieutenant Governor...he visited with Austin Thursday afternoon!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael Cioffi is running for District 8 Augusta City Commission seat currently held by the retiring Brandon Garrett...he spoke with Austin Wednesday afternoon about his hopes and agenda for the City of Augusta...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Deborah Williams is a retired school administrator and a candidate for the Columbia County Board of Education District 2 seat currently held by the retiring Kristi Baker. Dr. Williams joined Austin Tuesday to discuss her vision for the school system.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Absolutely heartbroken with word this morning that our community has lost a truly great man...the greatest athlete I ever shared a school with to be sure...but just a wonderful human being in every aspect...Frank Booker.A father, brother, coach, community leader...a superstar at every level!Westside Class of 1983...one of the best!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Columbia County BOE chairman David Dekle called in to the Austin Rhodes Show Tuesday to talk about the data centerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Columbia County BOE member Judy Teasley came in to the studio with Austin to talk about the expected windfall from the data centerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Austin's take on the ICE shooting of Alex Pretti is likely not what some folks would think it would be...if you missed it "live"....here ya go!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

By popular demand here is Richmond County Sheriff Gino "Rock" Brantley...interviewed by Greg Rickabaugh of The Jail Report/Augusta Press...as he filled in for Austin Jan 2ndSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Austin's 2-5-26 interview with former Richmond County Deputy Quincy CannonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With the Gainesville fiasco bringing up lots of memories, last week AB recounted what it was like to be an athlete at Evans High in 1987.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Resident "naysayer" Lee Muns clearly lost his $1000 dollar bet with Austin, and when he called in Tuesday he admitted he will likely pay up. AFTER he insults the winner, and then carefully examines the paperwork...of course....See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Georgia District 1 Congressman Buddy Carter is hoping to be the next Senator from the Peachtree State. He visited with Austin Monday afternoon...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grovetown's Police Chief Jamey Kitchens and Captain Will Loomer came in to the studio on Tuesday to talk about their Child Predator Task Force and Operation Fowl Play that nabbed 9 child predators in and around the CSRA.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You know Aaron Clements from his award winning C & C Automotive Show every Saturday on WGAC...but he has more than car advice for Downtown Augusta and it's elected leadership! Aaron joined Austin to discuss the challenges facing Downtown, and what can be done to make life and business better there!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fellow Pittsburgh Steelers fan and beloved morning television anchor Barclay Bishop has announced her retirement from WJBF as she steps down to focus on her two very small children. She came in to the studio Tuesday to talk about her decision with Austin See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An enormous loss in Augusta's artistic community this weekend with the passing of Augusta Players Executive Director Scott Seidl. Austin was joined in the studio by former Augusta Chronicle Fine Arts Editor Steven Uhles, and former Augusta Players Board President Ryan Abel to discuss Scott's contributions...and his legacy...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cheryl Bowman has a stepson that we all know, and some of us even love...the Vice President of the United States, J.D.Vance. She is being hosted in the CSRA by our friends the Johnsons, owners of Drive Crescent, and we discussed on Wednesday the purpose of her visit... and what life has been like since her late husband's son became "Hollywood famous" first, and later, one of the most important men in the world...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Austin sat down with downtown restaurant owners to talk about how the ongoing construction has affected their businesses and what their hopes are for the future once it's all doneSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Tuesday Executive Director of Development Authority of Columbia County Chaney Eldridge joined Austin for some clarity on the continuing concerns of residents of Columbia County about the proposed data center.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Columbia County School Board Trustee Philip Kent joined us, with great news on huge potential tax savings for homestead residential property tax payers in the county! He believes the majority of the 5 member school board would vote to eliminate property taxes if the windfall promised by the construction of the proposed Appling Data Center goes through as planned...Philip and Austin discussed that, and other topical (and tragic) BOE business Wednesday afternoon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Austin and Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT on the MYTH that the proposed data center project in Columbia County could somehow cause a "rate increase" for Georgia consumers...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our Friday conversation with Columbia County commission chairman Doug Duncan...he gives us a status report on the proposed data center project. He also discusses his future hope for Columbia County as he enters his final year of leadership.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Friday Austin's comments about the date center got very misconstrued, hear what he actually said here:See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It is a complicated process, and it has been complicated for decades.  Attempting to balance capitalism and open government, while honoring legal business confidences. Toss in community and environmental concerns...and it gets even more difficult to easily understand, much less explain to the uninitiated. And that is where we are in the ongoing "DATA CENTER" proposal/project in Columbia County. We are at a point now where retroactive full disclosure won't hurt the plans of the project investor. Most importantly...we are slowly dismantling the erroneous claims assailing this project that have been carelessly tossed about by detractors.  Here is my broadcast conversation with activist/critic Lee Muns, from our 09/03/2025 show.  Lots still to cover...but I think the air is beginning to clear....See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Derrick Dooley is challenging several veteran Republican lawmakers in the quest to take on Georgia Senator John Ossoff in the upcoming midterms. The former college and NFL coach, who is also the son of late UGA legend Vince Dooley, checked in with The Austin Rhodes Show Tuesday afternoon.

On this week's Thursday Sports Huddle AB welcomes the new United States Jr Amateur Golf Champion... and Lakeside Panther... Hamilton Coleman! And later... he meets the man tasked with rebuilding the football team at Augusta Christian, new head coach Brandon Compton

THE END OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAX IN COLUMBIA COUNTY?!?!?!?! That is the plan Commission Chairman Doug Duncan announced Thursday afternoon on The Austin Rhodes Show... If the tax revenue from Columbia County's new Data Center, currently under development next to the Amazon Center in the CC Industrial Park, comes in as expected...it could very well happen! Here is the interview...HUGE NEWS!!!

Our old friend RNC Chairman Michael Whatley called in today to discuss the latest news with the Trump administration and the latest developments with "The Big Beautiful Bill", the Russia/Ukraine standoff, and Georgia's electoral future!

He is one of the biggest talents in stand up...and if you don't know that, then clearly you need to get out more! Brad Williams will be at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center THURSDAY NIGHT! Seats still available, but not for long! Here is my conversation with Brad from Tuesday afternoon... the link for online tickets is in the first comment!

Intelligence defense and cyber-security policy professor from Augusta University Dr Craig Albert joined the show this week with a fascinating conversation about our nations current cyber challenges and recent headlines regarding our capabilities. Check it out here:

Tori Branum has made a name for herself in social media as a 2nd Amendment advocate, and now the Dublin Ga resident wants to be your next 12th district Congressional representative. She intends to run against incumbent Rick Allen, and appeared this week to make her case.

While Austin was out on vacation, The Richmond County Sheriff's Department took over the Austin Rhodes Show for a day! District 5's Commissioner Don Clark hosted some of Richmond County's finest for 3 hours of a very interesting and informative look into the ongoing work of the Sheriff's department. In hour 3, Sheriff Eugene Brantley joined the program and answered calls and questions from our text line. Thanks to the sheriff and all the sheriff's deputies who took time out to keep the community aware and informed of the new administrations' goals and thanks to Commissioner Don Clark for hosting the show!

While Austin was out on vacation, The Richmond County Sheriff's Department took over the Austin Rhodes Show for a day! District 5's Commissioner Don Clark hosted some of Richmond County's finest for 3 hours of a very interesting and informative look into the ongoing work of the Sheriff's department. In hour 2, DC spoke with Lieutenant Michelle Thomas of the Traffic Division about the H.E.A.T. team (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) and Deputy Shawn Rhodes about the H.O.T. team (Homeless Outreach Team)

While Austin was out on vacation, The Richmond County Sheriff's Department took over the Austin Rhodes Show for a day! District 5's Commissioner Don Clark hosted some of Richmond County's finest for 3 hours of a very interesting and informative look into the ongoing work of the Sheriff's department. In hour 1, DC focused on the Violent Crimes Division and the Crimes Against Children and Trafficking Division. Listen here to find out what all they are doing to protect our community.

This week we said goodbye to our General Manager of Beasley Broadcasting Augusta Kent Dunn...after more than 30 years of service to our listeners. We were able to catch up with him on his way out the door...for one last conversation. A great broadcaster and a better friend!

Incumbent Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols needs your vote in the upcoming Republican primary...both he and his challenger, Columbia County resident Lee Muns were in studio in separate interviews last week. Here are both conversations....

Congressman Buddy Carter is hoping to become Georgia's next US Senator! He stopped by the studio this week to talk to Austin and make his case!

Captain Andy Shedd of the Columbia County Sheriff's Department called in to the show Monday to discuss this weekend's events and clear up the falsehoods floating around the internet about what really happened at Thunder Under Evans

Two members of a group challenging local efforts to keep library books off limits to "unsupervised" children in the Columbia County Library joined us Thursday...Many points we agree on, many points we do not...but I always appreciate folks who are willing to come in and articulate their differences and concerns!

Wednesday at 3:07pm the world got "the rest of the story" on the strange case of the McDonald's Dad Chris Louis, and the well meaning but ultimately misguided charity that has been directed his way. The truth ain't as cool as the fairy tale that turned into a huge national "feel good" story...but the world needed to know the truth...and they heard it FIRST right here!