As unceremoniously as Jones County was included in an annexation plan by Macon Mayor Robert Reichert, it was excluded last week.

Andrew Blascovich, director of External Affairs for the City of Macon, said this past Friday that Jones County would probably not receive official notice about the change because it was never more than a proposal.

Reichert announced a plan Feb. 13 to add about 30 square miles to the 55 square miles Macon currently encompasses. His proposal would add 13,300 residents and included two small areas of Jones County.

The portions of Jones County included are bordered by Shady Road Plaza, New Clinton Road, and Joycliff Road.

Commissioner Bert Liston said he received 37 calls within 48 hours of Reichert’s Feb. 13 announcement and each was someone against being annexed. Liston represents Jones County’s District Four, which includes the portion of the county included in Reichert’s plan.

Reichert came to Jones County March 6 to talk to the Board of Commissioners about the plan, and the commissioners invited the citizens and turned it into a public hearing at the W.E. Knox Civic Center.

The civic center, which seats 300, had standing room only, and more than 30 Jones County residents, most of whom live in the area in question, personally told Reichert they were not interested in the advantages he was offering them as residents of Macon.

No one other than Reichert spoke in favor of the annexation, and when asked for a show of hands in opposition of the proposal, it appeared every hand in the house was raised.

Following the meeting, Reichert said he understood the feelings of the people of Jones County.

Blascovich said the mayor’s office is working under the original proposal that Reichert made to the legislative delegation and a formal resolution for annexation from City Council has not been created.

“When the Jones County commissioners passed a resolution opposing annexation, they essentially withdrew the Jones County portion under the resolution and referendum process of annexation,” he noted.

The resolution Blascovich is referring to was adopted March 11 following the public hearing and sent to the City of Macon. The resolution stated that Jones County residents were overwhelmingly against annexation by Macon.

The document pointed out that the River North Communities Association conveyed its opposition to future annexation by the City of Macon in a resolution dated Feb. 21 that was forwarded to the county, and the commissioners sent a letter to its legislative delegation Dec. 21 stating their opposition to any annexation of Jones County.

Commission Chairman Preston Hawkins said he is glad that the annexation issue is closed.

“I’m relieved it’s over with, and the people in the lower part of the county can rest easy. I think we put some teeth in it when we sent the resolution saying we weren’t going to support it,” Hawkins said.

The chairman said the commissioners are still getting calls asking them not to forget about the annexation.

“Nobody in the county wanted it,” he stated. “I appreciate people having faith in us and telling us how satisfied they are with Jones County services. I’m proud it went the way it did, and people don’t have to worry that they will be in Macon tomorrow.”

Liston said he is overjoyed with the news.

“The citizens are happy and relieved, and I’m glad it didn’t go to a vote. It would have been a wasted effort,” he said.



“I talked to members of the Macon City Council, and I think they realized it was an uphill battle,” Liston added. “I think Mayor Reichert is being progressive, and I wish him luck. I just don’t think including Jones County in the plan was the way to do it.”