Payne City Residents Worry About Future of Their Community

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — As Macon and Bibb County consolidate into one government, residents in Payne City feel uncertain about the future of their community.

There’s less than 200 residents in this tiny town within a city but Payne City resident Phil Martin says that’s no reason to forget about it.

“There’s nothing ever mentioned about Payne City. It’s like we don’t matter but we really do,” says Martin.

Martin says he didn’t vote on the consolidation charter in July because he only heard talk about how it would impact Macon and Bibb County.

“Nobody’s every mentioned Payne City, what our standings will be, what our benefits will be,” says Martin.

However, 16 people did know they had a say in the decision. Nine said no to consolidation and seven said yes,but those no votes may not be enough to keep Payne City’s government separate.

“The general assembly can actually abolish the charter,” says State Representative James Beverly, (D) District 143.

Beverly says he spoke with dozens of residents and the majority don’t want to consolidate. When the bill that would abolish the city charter is voted on in the house, he will back his constituents

“It still is the right thing to do to support what people voted for, now if we can find a compromise and work through it then we will,” says Beverly.

Payne City Mayor Grace McCrimmons fears if the charter is abolished, so is Payne City’s identity.

“We have a lot of history out here, we would like to know that it’s not going to be forgotten,” says McCrimmons.

Resident Kathy McDermon isn’t sure how the merger would impact her home.

“I can’t say for the worse, and I can’t say for the better, but yea it will change,” says McDermon.

Martin doesn’t want to see this city dissolved, and a town forgotten.

“There are very few other mill communities that are out there, and I think it’s something we need to take pride in and really cherish our little area,” says Martin.