Macon Councilman Files Appeal Over District 9 Candidate Residency Decision

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Macon City Councilman Henry Gibson is asking a Bibb County Superior Court Judge to decide if Al Tillman should be allowed to remain in the District 9 commission race.

A couple of weeks ago, Gibson filed a complaint with the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections. It said based on Al Tillman’s homestead exemption tax, he is resident of District 8, and should not be allowed to run in District 9.

At a hearing regarding the residency claim, the board of elections voted unanimously allow Tillman to remain in the race, saying he proved he was a legal resident of District 9.

Gibson, who’s not a candidate in the race, filed an appeal to that decision in superior court Thursday afternoon.

His appeal says that the board did not follow the proper procedures at that hearing.

He’s claiming one board member lacked understanding of how to interpret the law, the board did not keep a record of the meeting, and several other charges (click here to read the appeal in full).

He says many of his constiuents and other residents of District 9 have asked him to pursue the issue further.

“A vast majority of the people in District 9 do not like what’s going on… and as far as the hearing at the board of elections. It was a joke,” said Gibson.

Tillman said Thursday night, he was surprised that Gibson is appealing the board’s decision.

“I think this is what people see when we talk about pulling each other down and fighting each other… It’s just another distraction in trying to slow down our campaign. We’re legal. We’re in this race and we look forward to serving the people,” said Tillman.