Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/559232
6 | MACON MAGAZINE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 Editorial Editor's note: As Macon Magazine approaches its 30th anniversary, we wanted to look back to the 2001 issue that introduced what is now a long-standing annual feature, our Five Under 40. Our editorial, which is reprinted in part here, looked at a particular important issue that is still debated today to underscore the importance of leadership. While problems persist, the past 15 years have also been transformative for our city. Many of the people who have been highlighted in our annual Young Leaders feature have played (and continue to play) key roles in making Macon and Bibb County a better place to live, work and play. This year it is our privilege to introduce you to another group of young leaders who are working toward those same goals in a variety of ways. And we have an introduction by one of our former young leaders, Jessica Walden. Lucky us, and lucky Macon, to be able know all these great people. Looking for Leaders A mong the many stories a city the size of Macon produces, a recent one has hit close to home. The church my family and I are members of is involved in a lawsuit. Business owners near the church are trying to block the move of its outreach ministry into a building closer to their businesses. Among their concerns is worrying that homeless people, who would be attracted to the free meals Macon Outreach serves, would harass customers. Obviously, that's bad for business. Because I'm a member of Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, journalistically, it's inappropriate for me to take sides on this issue. However, services such as this one – and Macon has many, from Loaves and Fishes to the Salvation Army – do so much for so many people. It's a gross oversimplification to think the majority of their work centers on homeless people, or that if you do away with the service, the homeless people will go away. At the same time, I'll readily admit I don't like being approached by someone asking me for money while I pump gas at a station on Spring Street. I don't like seeing some guy rooting around in a garbage can inside a fast food restaurant looking for half-eaten food. Our office is in the historic district, which means you'll occasionally run into some pretty shabby looking folks. We usually keep our front door locked because it makes the people working in our office feel a little safer. There is a comfort level that most of us don't like going beyond. I know I should be willing to reach out, but often the first reaction is to pull away from the things that make us uncomfortable. It's unfortunate when attorneys and judges become involved in issues like this. But it's one more example of the many issues that face Macon and its downtown and why such issues can be so thorny. It also underlines why Macon needs leaders with the vision necessary to take us forward, while also having the ability to bring conflicting sides together to find solutions. In this issue we feature a story on just such a group of young community leaders. These five people are not the only young leaders in our city, which means this will be an annual feature of Macon Magazine, highlighting the people who either are or will be city leaders. We think it's important to bring attention to those who are willing to assume so much responsibility.