Edwards announces intent to run for Macon-Bibb County mayor

Lonzy Edwards, a Macon attorney and minister who previously served on the Bibb County Commission, announced Thursday his intention to become the next Macon-Bibb County mayor.

In a statement, Edwards said he was a "leader in the effort to force the county's government to live within its means." He said he never voted to raise property taxes.

Edwards, who served on the commission from 2007-2013, said he was proud to be part of a commission that prepared Robins Air Force Base for the next round of BRAC by solving encroachment issues in south Bibb.

"I was a leader not only in solving this problem, but also a consistent supporter of economic development, downtown revitalization projects, neighborhood improvement measures and public safety programs," he said. "Among other things, I also led the effort to locate the site for our new animal shelter and helped establish a drug/alcohol rehabilitation facility."

Edwards' announcement comes three days after current Mayor Robert Reichert's formal announcement that he would seek a fourth term.

In his statement announcing his candidacy, Edwards said that during the past eight years Macon-Bibb has not had enough growth, economic opportunity, good-paying jobs or efforts to make local government work for everyone. He also said there has been too much hopelessness and blight.

"I believe that through the right kind of political leadership, we can begin to change the climate in our community," Edwards told The Telegraph on Thursday.

During his time in office, Edwards said county officials were able to create new jobs.

"We promoted economic development very aggressively and had a fair amount of success," he said. "We had the money to invest and incentivize companies to come to our community."

In the past couple of years, too many of the jobs that have come to Macon, such as hotel and restaurants positions, don't pay good living wages, Edwards said.

"We have all this poverty and income inequality, and I'm absolutely convinced if we get our economy moving in the right direction and recruit the right jobs, we'll solve a lot of these problems," said Edwards, who pastors Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church.

Edwards also said that too often entire sections of Bibb County have been left on the back burner as attention was focused on development in places like College Hill and Second Street. He said he would fight to "make government work for all of our people -- regardless of who they are or the side of town on which they live."

There are "too few people who can truthfully say our community is better off now than it was when the incumbent took office," he said in his statement. "Despite all of the serious problems we face, I still believe Macon has a future that is worth fighting for."

Edwards said he will run an aggressive campaign.

"We will not concede a single vote. We will not concede a single neighborhood across this community," he said.

Telegraph writer Andy M. Drury contributed to this report. To contact writer Stanley Dunlap, call 744-4623 or find him on Twitter@stan_telegraph.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Edwards announces intent to run for Macon-Bibb County mayor ."