Macon-Bibb commissioners provide goals for 2016
A new year means new goals for Macon-Bibb County commissioners.
The Telegraph asked commissioners some of their ideas, aside from blight, that they'd like to see accomplished in the third year of a consolidated city-county government. Blight already has been designated as a priority this year.
Commissioners' suggestions for 2016 ranged from road repairs to progress with recreation projects.
GARY BECHTEL, DISTRICT 1
Bechtel said he wants to continue to see progress made on the various projects paid for by the special purpose local option sales tax, including the Second Street Corridor that helps connect Mercer University with downtown Macon.
He also would like to see some money from the $1 billion Georgia transportation bill passed last year go toward various road improvements.
"Hopefully we can take advantage of that and take care of our bridges and roads like Log Cabin Drive," Bechtel said.
LARRY SCHLESINGER, DISTRICT 2
While the county focuses on blight, another component to the solution is making those neighborhoods economically viable once they're cleaned up, Schlesinger said.
"I think we have to concentrate on bringing jobs into the area and find ways to encourage small businesses to serve the needs of our most depressed neighborhoods outside of predatory businesses," he said.
ELAINE LUCAS, DISTRICT 3
The progress made in 2016 on the multiple recreation projects will play a role in whether voters approve a future SPLOST, Lucas said.
"I think that will have a tremendous impact throughout the community and show people their SPLOST dollars are being spent on them and improving their areas," she said.
The county also must focus more on street and storm drain repairs.
"Where the downtown area and Mercer area and Second Street have seen a lot of money being used there for upgrades, the rest of the county has not," Lucas said.
MALLORY JONES, DISTRICT 4
The north Macon commissioner is advocating for improved lighting and better road striping, because on too many streets it's tough to see the lanes after dark.
"The striping on the road is so bad on so many prominent and not so prominent streets," Jones said.
He also would like to see local elected officials get control of the regulation of fireworks after state legislators passed an ordinance in 2015. Jones said he's bothered that the law permits fireworks to be fired from 10 a.m. until midnight every day of the year and even longer -- 2 a.m. -- on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, July 3 and July 4.
"I think the way to solve (issues) with fireworks is to give the local municipalities the right to set their own parameters," Jones said.
BERT BIVINS, DISTRICT 5
Bivins wants to see a focus on setting more consequences for parents when their children get in trouble in school.
"I'd like to see us working in a cooperative manner with the school system to do something about discipline," he said.
Macon-Bibb officials also can play a role in advancing race relations.
"I think for the most part people never think about the fact that anything needs to be done," Bivins said. "When there's a crisis, people realize there's a problem underlying that we don't talk about."
ED DEFORE, DISTRICT 6
DeFore said he wants to see the Macon-Bibb County government continue to collaborate with other agencies throughout the area. Relationships with those various boards and organizations is instrumental in being able to have a positive impact on residents, DeFore said.
"They are and we are trying to work together for what is best for the people in Macon and Bibb County," he said.
SCOTTY SHEPHERD, DISTRICT 7
Shepherd said he'd like to see construction begin on the new Sub-South Recreation Center being built in his district. He also would like to see voters OK another SPLOST so various recreation projects and other needed work can be completed.
"I'd like us to do a really good job of publicizing this next SPLOST attempt, and if we can accomplish this it would be a major help because we have so many things we have to finish," Shepherd said.
VIRGIL WATKINS, DISTRICT 8
Several efforts by The Telegraph to reach Watkins for comment were unsuccessful.
AL TILLMAN, DISTRICT 9
There needs to be a better emphasis on educating people though media and social media about new laws and job resources throughout the county, Tillman said.
"We're not educating (people) on what we have to offer and things we can do with our workforce development," he said.
There also should be a separate attorney who works strictly for commissioners and another for the mayor, since there are situations where each needs someone advocating for them, Tillman said.
"I'd like our own attorney and two staff members to get some things (accomplished)," he said.
To contact writer Stanley Dunlap, call 744-4623 or find him on Twitter@stan_telegraph.
This story was originally published January 9, 2016 at 12:56 PM with the headline "Macon-Bibb commissioners provide goals for 2016 ."