Macon Mayor Disappointed in Decision to Bring Back Powell as Public Works Director

Tonight, Richard Powell is just days away from returning to his job as Macon’s Public Works Director.

After nine months of back and forth in the appeals process, council finally decided to reinstate him late last night.

“I am still dumbfounded,” says Macon Mayor Robert Reichert.

The moderating judge Rusty Gunn sat through seven hours of testimony with council. He recommended council uphold the mayor’s decision, but in a 10-4 vote they went against the city’s leader.

“The weight on the side of the defendant was the greatest weight,” says Henry Ficklin, Macon City Council.

Mayor Reichert says the outcome was unexpected. When asked if he thought council would reinstate Powell, the mayor replied, “No. No I did not.”