Allen takes a stand against Mayor’s declaration of solidarity with Hugo Chavez.
Over the last eight years, many of us have grown accustomed to unusual comments and actions from our current mayor, C. Jack Ellis. Most of the anecdotes just caused us to cringe in embarrassment for our city. But now the mayor has crossed the line. His declaration of solidarity with Venezuelan military dictator Hugo Chavez cannot go without challenge. This action has created not only embarrassment for our city, but has potentially hurt the economic well-being of the community that we all, very much, care about. City council has been inundated with emails like “I will never stop in Macon again,” and My response to your mayor’s comments is to boycott your city” and “I will encourage others to discontinue spending monies in your city and county.” these responses cannot be ignored. So let me make it perfectly clear, that Mayor Jack Ellis does not speak on behalf of the City of Macon and our community regarding the support of Hugo Chavez. The vast majority of our good citizens do not support Chavez in any way, shape or form, and we never, ever will. The mayor was speaking only for himself, and we are outraged at his actions. We hope that people throughout the State of Georgia, and folks all over the country, will recognize this fact and continue to visit our wonderful city. He will only be mayor for three more months, and then there will a new day in Macon with a new administration. Please do not avoid our city, or boycott our community, based on the absurd actions of an outgoing mayor. I was born and raised in Macon, have lived my entire adult life here, and will probably die and be buried here. I want people to recognize that Macon is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. That is what people need to know about our city.
