Allen, DeFore ready for County Commission showdown

The two veteran politicians vying for Macon-Bibb County Commission District 6 post have been spending the last few weeks urging voters not to skip Tuesday’s runoff.

Since Commissioner Ed DeFore and former Bibb County Commissioner Joe Allen have such widespread name recognition, they’ve spend much of their effort since May’s election focused on getting supporters out Tuesday. Allen drew about 49 percent of the May vote, falling just short of an outright win, while DeFore had 41 percent.

The two candidates combined have more than 60 years in politics, which they say provides them valuable experience in being able to resolve issues.

“They know who I am and see me on the streets,” DeFore said. “When I get out there in Lizella and around other areas, people say ‘you’re doing your job well.”

Leading up to Tuesday’s runoff, Allen has been putting campaign signs and fliers in businesses. He has also received the support of Don Druitt, the former Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency director who came in third in the May vote.

“This is a new experience for me going into a runoff with someone I admire as much as Ed DeFore,” Allen said. “People say ‘tell me his negatives,’ but I’m not talking about the past. I’m talking about the future. He was a good commissioner in the past and now it’s time to talk about future.”

DeFore said he lives by the same watchwords he’s followed since becoming a public official more than 40 years ago.

“I ask myself what can I do to make (the community) better,” he said. “Not only out here in my district but for all citizens. I’m going to continue taking care of my citizens like I have all these years.

DeFore said he’d like to see if a sheriff’s office station could be built in Lizella and continue to focus on improving the services offered to young people.

Allen said he continues to push for improvements on road paving and blight. He also said he plans to see that money is put toward improving the Lake Tobesokee Recreation Area, which county commissioners discussed before consolidation.

Allen also said he was upset that DeFore has offered to spend a significant chunk of $1 million in blight bond proceeds on projects outside the district. DeFore counters that he has not neglected his district and continues to serve the entire community.

“I have worked myself ragged to help all the people out in Bloomfied, southwest Macon and Lizella, and Joe knows this,” DeFore said.

The two candidates also have different views on how many people will turn out to vote.

DeFore said that despite low early voting numbers, many people may be waiting until Tuesday before coming out to vote.

Allen said the turnout is trending to perhaps fall below 10 percent of eligible voters, much lower than the May election, when about about 30 percent of registered voters cast ballots.

“I’m running scared. I’m running as fast as I did when I first stated running for office years ago,” Allen said. “Mr. DeFore’s name is a household name, but I feel I have the same type of name. I’ve been involved in the community a long time, and people know what I can get done.”

This story was originally published July 22, 2016 at 2:07 PM with the headline "Allen, DeFore ready for County Commission showdown."