By the numbers:
$75,000 – approximate cost of the primary to Bibb County
$55,000 – the approximate cost of the November run-off
30 people running for office with the Bibb Board of Elections
13 candidates “running” without ANY opposition
5 candidates who’ll face no opposition until November

The Fact Is: The County Commissioners and/or Mayor of Macon would need to submit a proposal to our local Legislative Delegation to revert to non-partisan offices, the Delegation would have to agree and submit a legislative change during the next session.
 
Why bother?
For some reason—maybe it’s voter fatigue from the lengthy presidential primary talk, or just the fact that the presidential election overshadows local politics, but—this has been, by all accounts, the quietest election season many can remember. This time a year ago, the city was embroiled in a serious effort to overhaul its government, which had long been considered in need of fresh air. While there was still an official election in November, the vote of real interest came in July, during the Democratic primary when five qualified candidates ran all at once, with the current Mayor, Robert Reichert, emerging from the fray. The same thing is happening this year in the county primary, albeit with a smaller number.

And the same thing is at stake: the future of our city.

Just like 2007, the theme is understandably the future, but like 2007, the talk is real. Macon and Bibb County are at a major crossroads. This is where we grow, going forward to reach our long-discussed potential, or shirk back, forever doomed to be the city that can’t, eventually eclipsed by once-tiny Warner Robins.

There are four contested races in this primary with nine candidates vying for the Bibb County Commissioner seat, the Sheriff, District 3 Commissioner and the Board of Education, District 1 position. While three of these four will face another opponent in November, this is more than just a prelude. It’s practically a gauntlet. Voter apathy could radically change the dynamic of the race.

What really matters about this primary?
One of the biggest issues—if not the biggest—so far has been the way in which the city of Macon government and the Bibb County government cooperate in the future. Mayor Reichert’s talk of annexation, though kicked off the ballot by the Board of Commissioners, has spurred this conversation. It is a certainty that, at some point, the two governments will have to figure out whether it will be consolidation or annexation. As important as which is how and in what ways.

In any case, for the area to truly prosper, the two will have to stop acting like they’re at odds, which has been a feeling fostered so thoroughly that citizens in unincorporated Bibb and those in corporate Macon feel politically acrimonious towards each other. The truth is that Bibb County government represents all of Bibb County, including the city of Macon, and so something better than what we have must be worked out. The course they choose seriously affects other major issues like taxation, crime prevention, education, increasing employment and bringing more business to the area.

The Sheriff’s Race
A touch of the Wild West broke out during the NAACP Political Forum on May 29. This was the first political face-off of the season, but it was obvious that the barbs exchanged between the candidates for Bibb County Sheriff were scratching old wounds. Though the dialogue remained civil—no gunslinger showdowns in the streets—there was a palpable heat beneath the politely framed accusations and responses. And it seems to have continued through.

At the heart of the argument by contenders Bill Lucas and Scotty Shepherd is that the incumbent, Jerry Modena, who was elected in 2000, hasn’t been the leader the BSO needs. Further—and perhaps more inflammatory—is the accusation that there has been some fiddling with the crime statistics to make it look more impressive than it, in actuality, is. Both Lucas and Shepherd seem, for now, to be teaming up on Modena, echoing many of each other’s sentiments. The motto for Lucas’s campaign is “Stop the Bleeding”, and Shepherd, citing 38 years of mutual knowledge, unabashedly attacks Modena’s leadership.

“I also vehemently disagree with his misleading the public by claiming a 39% decrease in crime in the last two years,” Shepherd says. “He is simply manipulating the crime stats to accomplish this. Having known Jerry this long, I have observed him dictate to officers under him to claim crimes one way instead of another to make it appear we had reduced crime in an area.”

It is worth pointing out that Scotty Shepherd switched from the Democratic Party to the Republicans before this race. He faces no one in the primary, but will be the challenger in November. Thus is the beauty of (or problem with) our partisan primary system.

The cost of partisanship
Most people are accustomed to voting in November, thinking that that is when things matter most. However, in Macon and Bibb County, we use a partisan system. Just like we saw in the city elections last year, this system turns the July primary into a gauntlet and can turn the November election into a nearly moot point.

While it *may* matter what political party the mayor or a county commissioner belongs to, it doesn’t seem to apply these days to how the coroner performs his duties. (If you’re curious, the unopposed Leon Jones—our current and apparently future coroner—is a Democrat.) Perhaps it’s time for our county commission and city council to reconsider this issue… if they could just reach across party lines to do it.

Running unopposed:

BOE, District 2 – William Thomas Barnes, III (D)
BOE, District 4 – Susan Yandle Middleton (D)
BOE, District 5 –Thomas Hudson, Sr. (D)
BOE, District 6 – Gary Bechtel (R)
Tax Commissioner – Thomas Tedders (R)
Judge of Probate Court – William Self (D)
State Court Solicitor- General – Otis Scarbary (D)
Superior Court Clerk – Dianne Brannen (D)
Macon Water Authority, District 1 – Dorothy Black (D)
Macon Water Authority, District 4 – Frank Patterson (D)
County Commission, District 1 – Lonzy Edwards (D)
County Commission, District 2 – Bert Bivins (D)
County Coroner – Leon Jones (D)

Candidate profiles

County Commission Chairman

Incumbent:
Charlie Bishop (R) – This retired Macon Police Officer stresses the need for integrity in government, getting the trust of the people (especially on projects like getting a new SPLOST, which would likely need to happen for a new courthouse to be built), and says the county to continue with their present leadership if they are to continue moving forward. He believes the county must work better with the city and that it is vital to increase the tax base without increasing taxes.

Challengers:
Theron Ussery (R) – The former Macon city council member currently serves as a Network Manager for AT&T. In addition to his local political experience, he cites his work in a corporate setting as an example of his ability to lead, calling himself a workaholic that likes to delegate even as he stays involved. He says building a new courthouse and implementing a pay scale are two of the biggest issues facing the county, as is a better working relationship with the Macon city government.

David Cousino (R) – Last year, Cousino was a candidate for mayor, running as a representative of Regular Joes everywhere. By day, he works as security systems manager, which puts him in touch with people everyday—something he calls a strength. Occasionally too effusive and theatrical for his own good, Cousino is a really well intentioned guy, who desperately wants to deliver on his promises to focus on the needs of The People.

This race hinges on… In my humble opinion, in the primary, it depends on whether the people of Bibb County still want Charlie Bishop or not. He’s been on the board of commissioners for eight years, which provides an ample sample to draw from. Right now, this seems to be his race to lose. He hasn’t been as divisive an official as someone like C. Jack Ellis, but he has rubbed some folks the wrong way. Regardless, he is experienced and has been serving the public in one form or another for almost 40 years. Of his two primary opponents, Ussery seems to have the most support and is therefore most likely to put up the biggest challenge.

In November:
Sam Hart (D) – Last year, Hart moved out of his district and resigned from the county commission seat that Lonzy Edwards now occupies. He’s a former dean at Mercer and one of the most intelligent men to have served on commission in recent memory. He will pose a serious threat to whoever the Republican candidate is.

County Sheriff

Incumbent:
Jerry Modena (D) – Laid back, deliberate and good-natured, Sheriff Modena’s public presence is practically the living embodiment of TV’s Andy Griffith. He has a long track record in law enforcement locally, with the past eight years as Sheriff during which time he’s overseen the $30 million jail expansion and lead to a well-reported drop in crime. He believes the city and county are at a point where each is “holding the line” against crime and should now do more work together, specifically mentioning work on a joint gang squad and a joint drug squad.

Challenger:
William “Bill” Lucas (D) – A son of Javors Lucas and brother to City Council President Miriam Paris, Bill Lucas has significant blood ties to local public service. A Department of Corrections employee, Lucas has campaigned with “Stop the Bleeding” because he feels that the children and the elderly of the community have been neglected. He says that much more work must be done before the area can be considered safe, and that more planning must be done to accommodate the county’s growth in businesses.

This race hinges on… Though experienced in some regards, Lucas doesn’t have the law enforcement resume to match Modena, making it tough for him to seriously challenge the sitting sheriff. Like the commission chairman’s race, this one—in the primary, at least—depends on whether or not the people want Sheriff Modena. Right now, the debate seems to be more about how personality types address somewhat nebulous issues like crime prevention and leadership than concrete concerns.

In November:
Scotty Shepherd (R) – This is where it gets really interesting. The very personable Shepherd flips into an aggressive mode in debate with Modena. If the two of them face each other in November, expect sparks because there is no love lost between them—though each concedes respect for the other. If Lucas comes out of the primary, Shepherd will be faced with the task of finding a new angle because thus far, he’s mostly beat up on Sheriff Modena, which is mostly what Lucas has done.

County Commission, District 3

Incumbent:
Elmo Richardson (R)

Challenger:
James Allen (R)

This race hinges on… In most respects, it depends on how concerned District 3 constituents are about the Forest Hill Road Project and all its many entanglements because that’s mostly what James Allen—commissioner Joe Allen’s brother—is pushing as the big difference between he and Richardson, a former Stantec employee.

In November:
No one, barring a write-in or independent candidate

Board of Education, District 1

Incumbent:
Kenny Rodgers (D)

Challenger:
Ella Carter (D)

This race hinges on… how you define experience. Kenny Rodgers entered the District 1 seat last year as a special appointee, so he has the actual experience of sitting on the Board of Education. However, Ella Carter is the retired principle of Northeast High School and Walter P. Jones Elementary, so she certainly has experience in education and administration. Carter is immensely charismatic, but that doesn’t necessarily make her the best for this post, a fact that might not immediately register with some. Rodgers is among the city’s most energetic and loyal young leaders, constantly getting involved to improve the city. He’s the sort of person who would continue working in the community regardless of this election.

In November:
No one, barring a write-in or independent candidate

Great Job!

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Great Article!!! I'm so glad this issue is being publicized in the Macon area, it is a HUGE problem that needs to be stopped! I wish we could do more legally, please don't stop writing about this issue, something needs to be done!

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