EDITORIAL: Is it time to fold 'em and walk away?
The border battle between Monroe County and Macon-Bibb County entered a new stage with the Georgia Supreme Court decision Monday. If it seems as if this dispute has been going on forever — it has. While this phase of it — the legal wrangling had its beginnings in 2005 with the announcement of Bass Pro Shops — the border controversy is much older than that, dating back to the 19th century. But let's just deal with modern history.
In 2001, LandSouth Development wanted to build an office park near the Monroe/Bibb line. According to surveys, 15 acres of the 24 acres for the project called Perimeter Crossing was in Monroe County. Residents in the Trotter's Ridge subdivision who were against the development, wanted the Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning Commission to defer its decision until the border issue was settled. Wishful thinking.
Fast forward to 2005. The Bibb County chairman was Charlie Bishop. The Monroe County chairman was Harold Carlisle. The governor was Sonny Perdue. All three played important roles in this dispute. Gov. Perdue issued an executive order to appoint a surveyor to find the line at a cost of $465,000 split between the two counties. Bishop and Carlisle asked and received permission to try to resolve the matter and save the taxpayer that fee. They came to an agreement in 2006 that adjusted the line just around Bass Pro, but the attorney general said counties must correct the entire line or do nothing at all.
In October of 2006, after talks between the two counties proved unproductive, a deal was struck that shifted the line some, but avoided moving Bass Pro or any of the disputed areas into Monroe County. The Bibb County Commission quickly approved it. In November, the Monroe County Commission rejected the deal. There's much more to this horror story, but back to the present: Will this dispute ever end?
The Georgia Supreme Court in its decision, told Fulton Superior Court that it erred when it ruled that Secretary of State Brian Kemp could not accept new evidence in the case when he desired to hold another hearing. So it is not over. The border between the two counties still has to be established.
The question that should be asked by Monroe County taxpayers is simple: Is it worth it? Both counties have already paid $232,000 each for a survey that Kemp hasn't accepted. It's estimated Monroe County's legal bills are approaching or exceeded $3 million. Let's say Monroe County is eventually victorious, its taxpayers will be on the hook for still more legal fees as Bibb County will obviously want repayment of the $7.9 million expended for infrastructure improvements in roads, water and sewer lines to accommodate Bass Pro.
In the words of the Gambler:
"You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run."
After 10 years and millions of dollars in expense, it's time for Monroe County to fold 'em and walk away. Or commissioners can double-down on a bad hand that could very well cost them their jobs when the next election rolls into the county.
This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 10:29 PM with the headline "EDITORIAL: Is it time to fold 'em and walk away? ."