Macon-Bibb Commissioners Bonding Well

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A late night in Athens sounds like an experience a college student may describe.

But some of the Bibb County Commissioners had a late night of their own,

and it’s helped keep the teamwork in their decision-making.

Bibb County Commissioner Al Tillman says folks may not know this, but a few commissioners “were actually up pretty late–at least three or four of us, four or five of us.”

The commissioners recent retreat to Athens, Georgia was more than just good food and fellowship.

“And we had a great conversation,” said Tillman.

“We interacted with each other not only on a government level, shall we say, but also on a personal level,” said District 2 Commissioner Larry Schlesinger.

Commissioner Larry Schlesinger says by getting to know each other better, the newly formed Macon-Bibb government has had smooth sailing.

“So far, so good,” said Schlesinger. “We’ve been able to do things a lot quicker, a lot faster than it’s been done in the past.”

“It’s early and you know we’re kind of feeling each other out. I think we truly get along,” said Tillman.

The commissioners successfully agreed on the mayor’s selections for staff positions, and have passed numerous pieces of legislation that will hopefully benefit the community.

“I think it’s worked out beautifully,” said Tillman. “Although I’m new to the commission, I paid attention to the old system and the way it’s worked, and it seems to be working.”

“We’re not there for ourselves, we’re not there for our own,” said Schlesinger. “We’re there for the people whom we represent–the people throughout this county.”

Both commissioners felt the council had tough decisions coming for it with the 2015 Fiscal Year Budget looming.

But with this sort of cooperation so far, citizens of Bibb County can be confident things will get done.