Macon-Bibb County mayoral candidates answer questions about issues important to you.
Macon-Bibb County has five candidates running for mayor in the election currently scheduled for June 9, and all of them have different ideas for Macon’s future.
The Telegraph partnered with the Center for Collaborative Journalism, Georgia Public Broadcasting Macon and 13WMAZ to interview the candidates about six issues that concern the Macon community.
The questions were developed based on 13WMAZ’s Listening Lab sessions, where community members told WMAZ what issues were their top concerns for Macon.
Violent crime, blight, the public education system, traffic and road conditions, first responders’ salaries and race relations were the number one concerns for the majority of people, so the questions were formulates around those issues.
The partners also had each candidate fill out a form to briefly explain who they are and why they are running for office.
From April 6-10, the Telegraph will run in print and online stories highlighting the candidates’ responses. The stories will be published by candidate in alphabetical order.
Here is a brief introduction for each of the candidates and links to their answers.
Lester Miller
Lester Miller, 51, has lived in Macon all of his life, and works as an attorney and a small business owner.
As a member of the Bibb County School Board, Miller was voted board president three times. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and NewTown Macon and on the Council of the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank.
Click here to read more of his credentials and answers to the six questions.
Larry Schlesinger
Larry Schlesinger, 69, has lived in Macon for more than 16 years, and he retired as a rabbi at Temple Beth Israel.
He served as a Macon City Council member from 2007-2013 and continued to serve as the commissioner for District 2 when the city and county governments consolidated in 2014. He is currently serving as the vice chairman on the Operations and Finance Committee and the Economic and Community Development Committee.
Click here to read more of his credentials and answers to the six questions.
Blake Sullivan
Blake Sullivan, 62, has lived in Macon for 19 years and has owned businesses in forestry, real estate and venture investing, according to the partner’s election form.
As a volunteer and business owner, he has won several awards, including the 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Keep Macon Bibb Beautiful Commission and the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Forest Landowners Association.
Click here to read more of his credentials and answers to the six questions.
Cliffard Whitby
Whitby, 57, claims Macon as his hometown and has lived here his entire life. He and his wife, T. Shantel King-Whitby, have six daughters, according to the partner’s election form.
Whitby has served as the Chairman of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, the President of 100 Black Men of Macon-Bibb and the Tri-Chair of OneMacon. He has also been a board member of Star Choices Inc., Boys & Girls Club and BB&T Bank.
Click here to read more of his credentials and answers to the six questions.
Marc Whitfield
Marc Whitfield, of Macon, lived in Warner Robins for 20 years before moving back to Macon for the past 28 years.
Whitfield is a retired banker and has served as a board member for several organizations including the Community Development Block Grant, First Choice Primary Care and Workforce Development.
Click here to read more of his credentials and answers to the six questions.
This story was originally published April 5, 2020 at 2:00 PM.