On Saturday, April 16th, C. Jack Ellis is holding an “Official Opening and Community Engagement Day” at his campaign headquarters located on Hardeman Avenue here in Macon.
Ellis had been out of politics for a few years, but now he is re-energized and poised to make an unprecedented third run for mayor of the city of Macon.
The city of Macon is going through changes and has felt the effects of the economic downturn, fluctuating local unemployemnt figures hovering around 10 percent along with various conservative initiatives on the state and national level which have made things more difficult for the residents of Macon and Bibb County.
Additionally, new Census figures have shown Macon and Bibb County's growth have stagnated. In 2000, Macon was approaching 100,000 in regard to population with approximately 97,000 residents. However, according to the latest Census figures, Macon has a population of approximately 91,000.
Some city residents had moved to unincorporated Bibb County over the past decade and overall had a slight uptick in total population. In 2000, it was 153.887. In 2010, it is 155,547.
Macon is still Central Georgia’s largest population center, but Houston County and its county seat Warner Robins have closed the gap in regard to population.
One additional fact is that Bibb County has become a majority-minority county for the first time with African-Americans representing 51 percent of the total county population.
Ellis has a lot of unfinished business and wants to attack poverty along with renovating local neighborhoods and downtown, including dealing with rebuilding infrastructure.
The former two-term mayor has his supporters and critics, but Ellis maintains an optimistic message that says a “new beginning for a new Macon”.
The city’s first and only African-American mayor of Macon first ran for the position over a decade ago, back in 1999.
Ellis did make history becoming the first black mayor, but had to deal with various obstacles and for the most part had success in his first term and that garnered him another opportunity as he won re-election in 2003 after overcoming multiple challengers in the Democratic primary along with a write-in opposition candidate in the general election.
Ellis's administration was also responsible for approximately $1 million in loans to disadvantaged businesses.
During Ellis’ tenure as mayor from 1999 through 2007, the city successfully won a federal Hope VI grant to improve public housing along with other grants and federal aid.
His administration took on the task of dealing with run-down and abandoned houses and improved the sidewalks in city neighborhoods. All in all, Ellis was responsible for helping to construct over 200 new affordable housing units and eliminated over 2000 sub-standard houses.
The city of Macon was designated as a city of excellence by the Georgia Municipal Association and awarded the City Livability Award by the US Conference of Mayors. First Lady Laura Bush designated Macon as a "Preserve American Community."
If Ellis becomes mayor, his role as mayor would be critical if legislation is successfully approved and passed for Macon and Bibb County to consolidate.
If this consolidation plan passes the General Assembly, a transition task force would be chaired by the Bibb County Commission chairman and the mayor of Macon. This task force would be created in early January of 2013.
