The Candidates Deemed Best for Consolidation
The Candidates Deemed Worst for Consolidation
Each respondent was asked to choose the three candidates they think are “best” for the consolidated government. Here’s who finished on the greatest number of surveys.
Each respondent was asked to name the three candidates they think are worst for the consolidated government. Here’s who finished on the greatest number of surveys.
1.) Robert Reichert (45%)
1.) Elaine Lucas (45%)
2.) Sam Hart (30%)
2.) C. Jack Ellis (33%)
3.) Al Tillman - tie (25%)
3.) James Timley (25%)
3.) Terry Tripp - tie (25%)
4.) Anthony Harris – (21%)
5.) Adah Roberts (21%) Others receiving votes: Gary Bechtel, C. Jack Ellis, Larry Schlesinger, Charlie Bishop, Eric Arnold, Regina Davis, Mallory Jones, Virgil Watkins, Theron Ussery and Paul Bronson
4.) Charles Bishop – (21%)
Others receiving votes: Henry Ficklin, Al Tillman, Joe Allen, David Cousino, Charles Jones, Virgil Watkins, Beverly Olson
ANTHONY HARRIS
Status: Frontrunner.
Status: Costumed, anarchist write-in candidate.
Verdict: H.W. Bush had Ross Perot. Al Gore had Ralph Nader. Reichert has Allen, Bishop and Hart chipping away at his voter block. While it shouldn’t cost him the election entirely, there’s virtually no way the two-term mayor of Macon wins the election outright the way he did in a similarly crowded field in 2007. Most of the experts—supporters and opponents alike—put him in a runoff against Ellis. The Question: Will Reichert lose enough votes to the other contenders to fall out of the runoff altogether, forcing a match-up between either Ellis, Hart or Bishop?
Three different respondents explained why they didn’t put Elaine Lucas on their list of candidates “worst for the consolidated government” “There’s a necessity for Elaine Lucas. Not that Terry Tripp can’t, but there has to be someone to call people out when they violate agreements the way the Republicans did with the initial deal on partisan/nonpartisan elections.” “…sometimes, antagonists in new governments help us see the cracks. That doesn't mean I want her to win, don't get me wrong—Terry Tripp all the way—but I don't think she'll be the worst thing to happen to the new consolidated government.” “I don't believe any candidate is that strong to upset the government on their own – even Mrs Lucas. We need to allow them to wallow in their own.
5.) Robert Reichert –(12%)
ROBERT REICHERT Analysis: Opinions about Reichert varied the most among the candidates—and did so without inspiring much enthusiasm from his supporters. He’s described by some as “a good man” with “vision and passion” who can bridge “the divide” – but by others as “timid,” representative of the “status quo,” “politics as usual” and “a big disappointment” who isn’t working to improve the whole city, just “certain parts.”
The Argument for Electing Elaine Lucas
Analysis: Best-known as an outspoken and eccentric leader of the “Justice for Junebug” protests, Harris has transformed himself into an outspoken and eccentric write-in candidate described as both “smart” and “volatile” but has “shown a lack of understanding of the role of government.” Verdict: An actor by trade, he will undoubtedly be in character on Election Day as the “loud ass” outsider. The Question: Can he unseat Cousino—and Mickey Mouse—as the reigning write-in champ?
Point-Counterpoint: If it comes down to… ert Ellis v s. Reich Ellis - “If it came down to Reichert or
H art v s. Ellis Hart - “(Ellis) is a part of the past;
Ellis for me and Reichert's response to the Sammie Davis, Jr. shooting was the tipping point. …As Mayor, Reichert fired Kevin Dubose, he fired Barbara Yancey, he fired Richard Powell – all black cabinet members – for failure to perform, but he refused to fire (Macon police officer Clayton) Sutton. None of those others he fired killed anybody.”
he could not bring the community together then and he cannot today. I really believe only Sam Hart can do that.”
Reichert - “There’s no doubt in my mind he’s the better choice. Robert is smart, a cheerleader for the community and he won’t embarrass us. He understands state and local issues, which is underrated, and he can reach across to both sides. Jack can’t do that.”
art Reichert v s. H Reichert – “This new government is going to need a cheerleader, someone to rally the troops and Robert is best for that. … Sam lacks the drive and vision.”
Ellis - “Jack is loved in the hood, bro. He’s loved on Houston Avenue and in Fort Hill. Hart doesn’t connect with the people there.”
INSIDER
PREDICTIONS Mayor’s Race: Robert Reichert wins a runoff with C. Jack Ellis. District 1: Gary Bechtel beats Harold Young District 2: Larry Schlesinger wins, potentially in a runoff against Henry Ficklin.
Hart – “He is a consensus builder and can defeat Ellis. Reichert can't.” And… “Sam has the temperament to heal and bring people together. We will need a good dose of that.”
The BIGGEST CHALLENGES facing the CONSOLIDATED government #1) Healing the community’s racial divide and the distrust that has followed. #2) Managing the budget cuts required by the consolidation charter. #3) Facing the layoffs that will come with the merger of city and county departments. Honorable mention: Addressing crime/the perception of crime, especially in light of merging the Macon Police Department with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.
District 3: Terry Tripp beats Elaine Lucas in a squeaker. District 4: In the hardest race to call, Mallory Jones wins, potentially in a runoff with Beverly Olson. District 5: Frank Thompkins gets just enough to beat Bert Bivins. Jon Carson finishes third. District 6: Adah Roberts beats Ed DeFore in a runoff. District 7: Eric Arnold takes the seat. Scotty Shepherd finishes 2nd. Barry Bell finishes 3rd. District 8: Charles Jones wins a runoff with Virgil Watkins. District 9: Al Tillman beats James Timley.
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