Macon Magazine

DECLINED WHILE TAXES CONTINUE TO GO UP? MAYOR: The OLOST will get us back to what we're supposed to be doing. If we cut taxes by 6 or 7 mils, in a year or two it will enable people to recover. I'm going to be intentional about helping all parts of the community. I love downtown, which will continue to thrive, but I've identified five other areas for community resource centers: Houston Avenue, Payne City, Pleasant Hill, East Macon and Bloomfield. We can focus on multiple areas and do it well with the right people and mindset. We're going to concentrate on the business aspect of government. I've owned successful businesses and know what works, and have had unsuccessful businesses and know what doesn't work. We'll increase efficiency by creating a standalone procurement department with a new director and staff, which will lighten the load for finance and human resources and enable us to hold people accountable. Small business affairs will monitor the items our charter requires rather than just filling positions. We will return departments to city buildings. It makes no sense to have 42 vacant offices in the Government Center while paying to rent space elsewhere. It will cost money to renovate space, but it's a one-time cost as opposed to ongoing rental fees, and we have several buildings that we can rent, sell or lease. It adds up. THE MILLER WAY JG: WHAT'S YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE? MAYOR: I listen and build consensus. Very few people will outwork me. I got that from my father, who worked several jobs to provide for our family. I'm going get my hands dirty and people will see me with regular people like myself. We're a strong mayor form of government and I'm going to use that to the advantage of our residents. I do research and due diligence before giving an opinion, and if I don't know the answer, I'm not going to give an opinion. I surround myself with people who know what they're doing and I accept their advice. I'm not afraid to change some things, even if it's the way we've always done it. But if we're doing something right, the last thing I want to do is undo it. I know my tenure will be shorter than Mayor Reichert's, so I'll have to do bigger things more quickly and that's why I wanted to start the transition as soon as possible and hit the ground running. I'm used to doing multiple things. When I was operating my baseball organizations, I was running my law practice and was a father and a husband. And I still have the beauty shop that I've had for 20 years. JG: WHAT? YOU OWN A BEAUTY SHOP? MAYOR: The Gallery of Styles in the Bloomfield Shopping Center, where I get my hair cut. They were going to close because the owner had become disabled and everyone was going to be out of jobs, so I bought the business and have owned it since 1999. JG: YOU WERE A BORN ENTREPRENEUR. MAYOR: You can do a lot of projects if you surround yourself with good people and choose quality over just relationships. In the end, you'll get both. JG: WHEN YOU NEED ADVICE AND COUNSEL, WHO ARE YOUR GO-TO PEOPLE? MAYOR: It depends on the issue, but I'm going to hire Henry Ficklin for a new job as director of community affairs. He was my teacher at Southwest and has always given me sound advice, even though politically we don't always agree. He knows city council and consolidation. He's well respected and has a history in the community. I call Thelma Dillard my spiritual advisor and accountability partner. We met on the school board and have been best friends ever since. She traveled with me to school board conferences and we supported each other's campaigns. Jason Downey was a good friend on the school board. I talk to Duke Groover, our interim county attorney. He's smart and politically knowledgably. Daryl Morton is a good friend. We're on different sides on national issues, but agree on a lot of other things. JG: DID THE FORMER MAYOR GIVE YOU ANY PARTING ADVICE? MAYOR: You can't do everything for everybody. He suggested that I pace myself, but I've never taken that advice very well. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 | maconmagazine.com 39

• Cover