The annexation proposal of a small portion of Jones County by the mayor of the City of Macon was not warmly received by Jones County’s legislative delegation last week.

Mayor Robert Reichert visited Macon and Jones County’s legislators in Atlanta Feb. 28 to present his annexation plan, which includes an area of Jones County from Shady Road Plaza to New Clinton Road and from Joycliff Road to Whitaker Road.

Jones Countians have the opportunity to hear Reichert’s plan firsthand and voice their opinion about the plan Thursday, March 6, at 6 p.m. at the W.E. Knox Civic Center in Gray. At that time, the mayor will be presenting his proposal to Jones County commissioners.

State Sen. Cecil Staton represents Macon and the majority of Jones County, and the area in question is included in his district. At the conclusion of last week’s meeting with Reichert, Staton said he will not support the plan.

“We heard the mayor respectfully, but I do not believe he has the votes within either the Bibb or Jones delegations to move this forward with our help or support,” the senator said.

Staton said Reichert has the option to ask the Macon City Council to pass a resolution that would place this on the ballot for a vote of those affected, but that is all he can do.

“If he can do that on his own initiative, I fail to see the need for the delegation to get involved. He will have to sell the plan and take responsibility for it,” Staton added. “I have still not heard any clear reason why his plan would involve Jones County.”

The senator said it is possible that some who live in Jones County may think they would receive some services by annexing into Macon that they do not already have.

“That is what the mayor suggested, but I have not been contacted by anyone in Jones County requesting annexation into Macon, and I cannot support that in any way,” he commented.

Sen. Johnny Grant represents a portion of Jones County, which includes Haddock, and would not be affected by the annexation proposal. Grant said, however, as a member of Jones County’s delegation, he agrees the proposal is not a matter for legislation.

“There are provisions in the Georgia Constitution to allow annexation, and it requires a vote by those to be annexed,” the senator explained. “I don’t have a dog in this fight, but the people in Jones County who have contacted me don’t want it.”

Grant said he does not think it would be proper for the entire city of Macon to vote on the proposal.

State Rep. Jim Cole said his main objective is to represent Jones County, and he will not support the annexation proposal as long as it includes Jones County.

Cole shares representation of Jones County with Rep. Allen Freeman, and both representatives are members of the Bibb County delegation. Cole said his portion of Bibb County is a tiny corner of Macon that includes no people.

“Jones County has been very successful, and residents have the feeling that this is the first step and the next step would be a bigger piece,” Cole said. “My constituents have been very vocal, and they are concerned about what happens in the future.”

Cole said if Jones County was taken out of the proposal he would look at it again.

Freeman, too, was adamant in his opposition to the annexation.

“Reichert gave us his proposal, and I oppose the plan in any form,” he stated. “Every elected official in Jones County has called me, and I don’t support it with or without Jones County.”

Freeman said Reichert has the right to go forward without the legislators.

“He can do it on his own, and that is what I advised him to do, without the legislators,” he reiterated. “And only those affected by the legislation should get to vote.”

Freeman said last Thursday was the first time he was shown Reichert’s plan, so it was the first day he could come out publicly about it.

“The mayor has to sell it to the people, and I think he has a hard sell in Jones County. I’ve even had a lot of people from River North call me,” the representative said. “I oppose it all. I think we would be better off talking about consolidation instead of annexation.”

Reichert announced his plan to increase Macon’s area by more than 50 percent Feb. 13. The plan would add about 30 square miles to the 55 square miles the city currently encompasses and approximately 13,300 residents.

At the current millage rate of 10.16, the land involved in the annexation would yield an increase of $4,377,997 in revenue to the City of Macon.

Reichert has said the purpose of his plan is to increase efficiency and service delivery and that people living in that portion of Jones County are so close to Macon they are affected by what happens within its limits. His contention is that actually being part of the city would give them a voice.

Reichert also promotes fire protection by Macon’s class one department as an incentive for Jones County residents to be receptive to the plan. The mayor’s plan has been endorsed by Macon’s city council, but Bibb County commissioners have yet to get on board.