Mayor’s Council of Clergy focuses on communication, partnerships
Mayor Lester Miller discussed several projects, including the Ocmulgee National Park effort, east bank development, a potential VA clinic, the arena and the county jail project.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- Faith leaders across Macon-Bibb County gathered Thursday as part of the Mayor’s Council of Clergy, focusing on strengthening communication and community partnerships.
Mayor Lester Miller says the meetings are an opportunity to keep faith leaders informed about what is happening across the county while also giving them a chance to ask questions and share concerns.
“Each year we have several meetings with the clergy to get them updated on the current events in Macon-Bibb County, all these wonderful projects we have going on, and also a chance for them to ask me questions and answer any concerns they may have,” he said. “We think it’s important to engage our clergy. They have their boots on the ground, so to speak. A lot of people come to see them each and every week, and we want to make sure that they can be a conduit between me and keeping the public knowledgeable about what’s going on.”
Mayor Miller discussed several major projects Thursday, including the Ocmulgee National Park effort, the east bank development, a potential VA clinic, the arena, and the hotel and convention center. He also shared progress on the county jail project, including the completion of phase one and future plans.
“If you don’t let people know what’s happening and you don’t determine the narrative, they determine the narrative, and sometimes it’s not relying on all the facts, and people tend to kind of make up their own stories,” he said. “So it’s important that people have good firsthand knowledge, and we try to get out into the community as much as possible and still be able to do our job.”
Clergy members say the event also gives them a chance to connect with one another and strengthen the work they do in the community.
Dr. Shannon Stafford Amos, director of Family Services at Families of Victory, says her organization supports families through counseling, housing assistance, and community partnerships, and events like this help build those connections.
“It is so important,” she said. “You know Jesus himself connected with the community, and I really love it coming together to collaborate and see collaborative partners.”
