EndorsementDistrict 2, county commission

Macon-Bibb County Commission District 2 is a sprawling district that encompasses part of east Macon, downtown, south Macon-Bibb and runs on both sides of Interstate 75. Representing this area since consolidation is Commissioner Larry Schlesinger.

Two years ago, the District 2 race was one of the more interesting races on the ballot. Not because it was a three-person race — Schlesinger, Henry Ficklin and Paul Bronson — but after the runoff between Schlesinger and Ficklin, a third election had to be held because some residents were given the wrong ballot.

Schlesinger served on Macon’s City Council for seven years before consolidation in 2014 and was an active supporter of the measure. Earlier this year, Schlesinger announced his retirement as Rabbi of Temple Beth Israel, though he will remain until the temple can find a replacement.

Though he said he’s retiring to spend more time with family and on county business, it’s hard to imagine him spending more time on county business than he does now. If there is a meeting almost anywhere in the county Schlesinger is usually in attendance.

Schlesinger looks to jobs to help the county’s overall situation and would want to put the extension of the runway at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport as one of the projects on the next special purpose local option sales tax list. Larger planes means Bombardier and TIMCO could increase their workforce. Schlesinger wants commissioners to have more input in what goes on the SPLOST list, but believes getting input from the public is vital to its passage.

This time around Schlesinger is challenged by Stanley Brown, an IT consultant who ran against him for City Council in 2011. We attempted repeatedly to arrange an interview with Brown but were unsuccessful.

Larry Schlesinger was a good city councilman and is a good commissioner, we see no reason why he shouldn’t continue to represent the residents of District 2.

This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 9:01 PM with the headline "EndorsementDistrict 2, county commission."