EDITORIAL: Commissioners need to back away from the cliff

When the state Legislature voted on HB 1171, the bill to consolidate Macon and Bibb County, the entire local delegation voted for it. Surely they knew they were voting for a strong-mayor system of local government. Fifteen days later, when the state Senate voted on HB 1171, there was only one no vote, that of state Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta. Sen. Cecil Staton, R-Macon, voted for it; Sen. Miriam Paris, D-Macon, was excused and didn't vote, but surely she had to know what was in the bill.

Now comes the consolidated commission. They want to stick their nose into crevices where the charter says it does not belong.

They want to have final say about whether the mayor can discharge a department head. In essence, giving them veto power over the person the charter says is the chief executive officer of Macon-Bibb County.

While the commission voted 7-2 to ask the local delegation to make the charter change -- something the mayor quickly vetoed -- it might be possible through home rule for the commission to fashion the legislation themselves, but that would probably have to be decided in court. Tuesday, the commission is supposed to decide if it wants to override the mayor's veto. But to what end? The commissioners wanting this ill-advised change are now pointing fingers at the mayor for creating this brouhaha when all they need do is look in the mirror. Here's the reality: The General Assembly isn't going to do their dirty work and the mayor isn't going to roll over and play dead.

It's best the seven commissioners back away from the cliff. The department heads have just been appointed. Obviously the mayor has confidence in each of them. Their work makes him look good. However, each employee needs to know the line of accountability. It's as plain as day now. No need to muddy the waters, and for what? Every time the former Macon City Council -- a legislative body department heads could appeal to -- intervened it cost taxpayers money.

This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 7:39 PM with the headline "EDITORIAL: Commissioners need to back away from the cliff ."