Political Notebook: Macon-Bibb leaders may update street renaming policy

Macon-Bibb County officials may examine enforcing stricter requirements for renaming a street after someone.

The discussions have taken place since the latest proposal drew concern from residents who live in the area of Courtland Avenue.

The Macon-Bibb County Commission approved a compromise Tuesday: Two signs recognizing a longtime pastor will be posted at Courtland Avenue intersections while allowing the street to retain its name.

But for several county leaders, it's surfaced the question of whether they must mandate people no longer alive in order to have streets renamed in their honor.

The request to rename Courtland Avenue after the Rev. Walter Glover was the latest example of the controversy.

"I do not think we should change any more street signs for anyone, regardless of if they're a wonderful person like we know Dr. Glover is," Commissioner Mallory Jones said Tuesday. "What I see is people lining up to name them after their preacher, whomever, and I don't think that's a good precedent."

SHAHEEN PUSHES FOR WARNER ROBINS TO BECOME A CITY OF ETHICS

City Councilman Chuck Shaheen is pushing for the city of Warner Robins to become a Certified City of Ethics.

Shaheen said he added the item to the council's pre-council agenda in response to Councilman Mike Davis's remarks in a recent political forum.

"I heard last week that Mike Davis said ... that the City of Ethics is a joke," Shaheen said. "I wasn't there (and) I don't know how he meant it in context, but I personally don't feel that the City of Ethics is a joke."

Perry, Centerville, Fort Valley, Forsyth and Macon-Bibb County all have a City of Ethics certification from the Georgia Municipal Association. The certification is "an attempt to raise awareness about ethics issues at the local level and provide a local forum for the airing and resolution of legitimate concerns," according to GMA's website.

City Attorney Jim Elliott told the council Monday that the certification creates a way for "citizens and other people to file charges of ethical violations and a panel of some sort hears those findings and ... makes a final decision."

"There's a lot of work involved with the city of Ethics," Councilman Clifford Holmes said. "This is nothing to play with. ... Ten years ago, I wanted a City of Ethics, and it didn't happen."

Councilman Tim Thomas asked, "Are y'all sure we're ready to do that?"

"I think the people deserve it," Shaheen replied.

Holmes said he'd like to get the process started.

Davis said the council was told by GMA three years ago that "we were not ready for it."

Shaheen said he'd like to have someone from GMA make a presentation about the designation and "ask them if we're ready or not."

BASEBALL LEAGUE OFFICIAL TO VISIT MACON

At least one representative from a collegiate summer baseball league is scheduled be in town next week to speak with the Macon-Bibb County Commission.

Tuesday's visit before the commission's Economic and Community Development Committee stems from interest from officials in the Coastal Plain League about bringing a team to Macon to play at Luther Williams Field.

This comes as work will soon begin on a $50,000 feasibility study to examine the impact of having minor league baseball in Macon.

Mayor Robert Reichert, who pushed for the feasibility study, has been a proponent of building a new stadium as part of a mixed-used development at the former Bibb Mill site.

Telegraph writers Stanley Dunlap and Laura Corley contributed to this report.

This story was originally published October 23, 2015 at 9:44 PM with the headline "Political Notebook: Macon-Bibb leaders may update street renaming policy ."