Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1302805
about equity and inclusion – that black lives matter, not just in reference to killings by police, but in term of neighborhoods, accessibility, inclusion, etc. As a country, we haven't done what we've needed to do since the civil rights movement to ensure equal protection under the law and equal opportunity. All of that is part of this movement. JG: There were a few BLM protests here in the city. How would you characterize Macon-Bibb's response to the national headlines? MAYOR: Peaceful, orderly, expressing empathy in trying to build a more perfect union, looking at how we can be a more equitable, fair, open and inclusive society, much like what King described in his "beloved community" message. JG: With those goals in mind, what constructive steps can we take to embody King's ideals? MAYOR: Something as effective as ordinance changes in procurement. For example, in a competitive bidding process, offering points for minority participation. For several years we've been working with a Washington, D.C., attorney to create a more inclusive and equitable procurement policy. Also, symbolic gestures, like the relocation of Confederate statues, monuments and memorials. JG: Earlier this summer, a resolution was introduced to relocate a Confederate statue in downtown Macon. MAYOR: Commissioner Virgil Watkins' resolution sought the creation of the plaza called for in the Macon Action Plan (MAP) at the intersection of Cotton Avenue and Second Street and to relocate the Confederate statue currently housed there. The resolution was discussed during committee meetings. JG: But you introduced an amendment that expands the resolution and includes additional improvements to the downtown landscape. MAYOR: I spoke to Commissioner Watkins about a substitute to include three improvements in the downtown area, each with a "financial trigger" of funding to be raised for the project to begin: (1) $500,000 for a plaza at Cotton Avenue and Second Street to include sufficient funds to relocate the Confederate Soldier Monument to Whittle Park; (2) $1.5 million for a roundabout at Poplar Avenue and First Street with a median along First, and sufficient funds to relocate the Confederate Women & Children Monument to Whittle Park; and (3) $3 million to renovate Rosa Parks Square. JG: The commission voted 5-4 for the substitute, with Watkins' support. MAYOR: I believe this will set us on a course to build an attractive downtown that unites the community and reflects the image of what we aspire to be. These symbolic gestures, with physical and practical implications, create a win-win. When tied together, we'll have extraordinary downtown beautification and simultaneously a resolution for the issues we're currently confronting. I'm very proud of the commissioners who voted for this. Their decision to move forward with these three downtown improvement projects will be recognized as the point when Macon-Bibb County embraced the future and decided to build a more inclusive and unified community. Regrets JG: What keeps you up at night? Any regrets? MAYOR: Yes. As my time as mayor draws to a close and I see what's no longer possible during my tenure, I have regrets. In some cases, they're big issues and things that are hard to change. Others are more defined and it's easier to get something done. I haven't been able to get the Sardis Church/Sgoda Road Connector done, tying I-16 to I-75 with a new connector to create an industrial logistics complex. That issue was on a T-SPLOST and we lost 49-51. Now, it will have to wait for another day. We've got a good start with Sardis Church Road to Ga. 247, a $53 million project that transformed south Bibb and north Houston counties. If it were to continue across the Ocmulgee River and tie into the Cochran Short Route and I-16 at Sgoda Road, it would, (a) complete the Fall Line Freeway through Bibb County, (b) link I-16 and I-75, (c) provide access for Robins Air Force Base, and (d) create "THEIR DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE THREE DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS THE POINT WHEN MACON-BIBB COUNTY EMBRACED THE FUTURE AND DECIDED TO BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE AND UNIFIED COMMUNITY." -MAYOR ROBERT REICHERT 52 maconmagazine.com | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020