There is no incumbent in the Macon-Bibb County District 3 commission seat as long-time elected official Elaine Lucas is at her term limit and not able to run again. District 3 covers parts of south and east Macon.

Three candidates —  Melvin Flowers, Stanley Stewart and Everett Slay — are vying for the seat. The Murphy Center for Collaborative Journalism and its partners the Georgia Trust for Local News, GPB and 13WMAZ contacted the candidates to share their platforms and reasons for seeking elected office.

Below is an edited version of what we received. Flowers did not respond to a request for information.

Everett Slay

Everett Slay, 58, is a “Paraprofessional” at Lamar County High School, and he also serves as the Pastor for Gilead Ministries. He was born in Macon but was stationed in other areas while working in the U.S. Air Force.

He claims that District 3, where he is running for Commissioner, has not “had a seat at the table for much of the simple things that are needed in our communities,” and he believes local economic development is the best way to move the community forward.

He said he would also work closely with school boards to “revitalize the Spirit of Family within” while also promoting academic excellence.

Q: Why are you running for office?

A: To forge a shared vision for our District 3 and the Macon-Bibb vicinity.

Q: What are your plans and ideas for improving Macon/Bibb if elected?

A: My plans to help with improving the Macon-Bibb Community is first by building trust within the ranks of our communities. Many communities, such as District 3, have not had a seat at the table for much of the simple things that are needed in our communities. With that being said, I stand on Local Economic Development. It is time to harness the potentials of our community’s economics.

Secondly, promote Community Safety, Togetherness, and Communication. Safety and unity are paramount. Empowering others in our communities to help renew our sense of urgency by hosting regular Town Hall Meetings and asking for full community support to help forge a collaborative effort on effective strategies to meet the growing needs of our communities.

Lastly, Community celebrations and youth empowerment. Whereas our schools are the heart of our community for today and our future, I would work closely with school board representatives to revitalize the Spirit of Family within, as well as, promoting academic excellence. Celebrate each person’s successes, regardless of how small it may seem.

Stanley Stewart

Stanley Stewart, 52, is running against two opponents in the sans-incumbent District Three Commissioner Race in Macon. Stewart has lived 47 years in Macon and was a Northside High School graduate.

Stewart said his plans for east Macon center around “economic development, public safety and infrastructure,” but did not elaborate on any specific plans. In a written statement to the Center for Collaborative Journalism at Mercer University he did say that he, “Looked forward to discussing these issues with the Center for Collaborative Journalism and all of our fellow Maconites.”

Stewart has served as an elder at Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church, Vice President of the Belvedere manor and Weaver Heights neighborhood association, chairman of the Macon film commission and in the mayor’s office of workforce development.

Q: Why are you running for office?

A: To improve the lives of my neighbors in east Macon and to improve the quality of life for the city I love overall!

Q: Why are you running for office?

A: I am truly concerned about the well-being of the city I love; Macon, Georgia. I care tremendously about the overall city; however, I proudly embark upon the effort to be the next district 3 commissioner for Macon-Bibb’s easternmost district.

My plans for east macon center around three crucial components that will help our city across the board; they are (1) economic development (2) public safety and (3) infrastructure…
I have started working on these three measures as a citizen and if elected, my efforts will intensify for the betterment of east Macon and all of her citizens.

I look forward to discussing these issues with the center for collaborative journalism and all of our fellow Maconites.”