Consolidation Meeting

City of Macon - County of Bibb Georgia

Sponsored by the Douglass Theatre

It was my good fortune to be able to attend the Consolidation Meeting tonight at 7:00 P.M. sponsored by the Douglass Theatre in Downtown Macon, Georgia.

The meeting a moderated event with Representative Peake, City Mayor Reichert, County Commission Chair Hart, City Council Person Lucas and County Commissioner Allen on the panel.

The meeting commenced on time and a brief discussion followed where the panel expressed their thoughts on the Consolidation issue. Everyone was in favor of the Consolidation, but the major problem appeared to be the time frame for execution and a lack of time to educate the citizens about the Charter of the Consolidated Government.

After the Panel concluded their brief remarks the meeting was open to the citizens in attendance to ask their questions.

I addressed the Panel and opened by discussing my situation and my concerns:

• I choose to live in Macon and currently live in the County of Bibb.
• I reminded the Panel that the Charter Study Group of the late 1990s was chaired by two individuals who were both well respected and regarded Citizens. I recalled that Mr. Albert Billingslea and Mr. George Israel let the Charter Study Group. I attended one of the meetings which was held at Westside High School. My major concern was the cost savings that would be the outcome of the Consolidation. I informed the Panel tonight that a successful business man Named Mr. Kruger took all of us who were concerned about cost and potential savings into a room and educated us. The initial action of Consolidation might result in the expenditure of additional funds; but that the long term benefits would be savings in tax dollars by having fewer elected lawmakers, fewer staff personel in a Consolidated Government as well as other efficiencies. In summary the cost of government would increase at a slower rate than operating with two governing bodies.
• To refute the comment I heard about Consolidation being in appropriate because the Citizens of Macon would suffer because of racial concerns I pointed out that my former employer, Brown and Williamson did more than any government has in the past or will do in the future to improve the lifestyles of all citizens in Macon and/or Bibb County. This company did more to level the playing field for the common person, be they white boys, males; white females, black boys, males; and black girls, females.

I then asked my question: Given our current economy, decreasing sales tax revenue and decreasing home values; do we have ten years to complete a City of Macon - County of Bibb Consolidation?

Several on the panel answered the question but the one that stands out in my mind as I compose this Blog Post is a concern that we should not hasten into this Vote on a Charter. We need time to study it and to also educate the Citizens.

The most dynamic comment I recall is the following which I quote: "We are not clear on what we will be voting on!!!"

From my point of view if we have six months to study this proposal after it is enacted by our Georgia General Assembly consisting of both the House of Representatives and our own Georgia Senate that this is adequate time to study the proposal which we would be voting on this November. I also understood that the Consolidation would be effective no earlier than 2012 if it is approved by "We The People" referring to the voters of Bibb County - All Of Us.

Representative Peake also reminded us that we could read the text of the entire proposal online by citing HB 1161. I am confident that this Bill is available.

As I departed the meeting I had to ask my self why anyone would make such a statement such as: "We are not clear on what we will be voting on!!!!"

At this point in my life I am more concerned with this question: "What are our U. S. Senators voting on as regards Health Care for all the Citizens of the United States of America?" What have our Congressmen and Congresswomen submitted to our U. S. Senate for our common good as regards Health Care?

Maybe I have understood this all incorrectly, but I think that ten years is adequate time to Study the Consolidation Charter which was developed in the late 1990s.

Just think, we have been taking about Health Care Reform for all the Citizens of the U. S. A. for less than two years. So what is the rush at the National level on a major proposal that will have impact on all U. S. A. Citizens forever.

Everyone on tonights Panel agreed that Consolidation must be done. The problem was, just how fast. From my point of view if we can enact a Health Care Reform Bill in less than two years why do we need to add more time on a Charter Proposal that has been around for at least ten years.

We need another ten years to implement it? Meanwhile, as my question to the Panel informed them, Our Sales Tax Revenue is Decreasing, as well as our Home Values have also recently decreased.

Where will our duly elected leaders go to acquire the tax dollars to continue two governments here in Macon, Georgia and Bibb County? We all know that the State of Georgia is also suffering from a lack of Sales Tax Revenue.

Or to reflect back on History, Who is fiddling in Macon/Bibb while we Burn? O, forget, that was the City of Rome, Italy.