District 7 incumbent faces two challengers for Macon-Bibb Commission seat. Who are they?

Political challengers Chris Barfield and Michael McKeever will face incumbent Bill Howell for the Macon-Bibb County District 7 seat in Tuesday’s election.

Howell has been in office since 2020 and is seeking a second four-year term.

Barfield previously served as a union representative with the Georgia Division Train Dispatchers. McKeever is a program manager at Warner Robins Air Force Base, and has degrees from Georgia State University and Middle Georgia State University. Howell is the founder and former operator of Billy Bob’s towing, and previously worked as a general contractor.

Early voting ends Friday, and Election Day takes place on Tuesday. Because the race is non-partisan, it will be decided in May instead of during the General Election in November. In the event of a runoff, an election will be held on June 18. The winner’s term will begin Jan. 1.

The answers below are from the candidates in their own words, but slight edits have been made for clarity and writing style.

Chris Barfield

What makes you qualified to run for office?

I have more than 23 years management experience with a working knowledge of organizational leadership and relationship building with clients and team members alike. I utilize excellent organizational and interpersonal skills to communicate on various levels. I adapt quickly to changing environments and processes. Additionally, I hold two degrees.

How do you plan on connecting with Macon residents on the campaign trail and while in office?

I plan on being truthful and transparent with all the citizens of Macon-Bibb County while out on the campaign trail and once I am in office. I will respect the voter’s of Macon-Bibb County, understanding that they are my boss, I will be managing their money, and I can’t pass any law, build any structure, or purchase any piece of land or property without first asking their consent in the form of a yes or no vote. I will never go along with the mayor on any major spending decision without first making sure the citizens of my district want their tax dollars spent in such a manner. I will restore the role of commissioner to that of a true REPRESENTATIVE of the people

What are the three biggest issues you see in Macon-Bibb County?

Crime due to lack of sheriff deputies is an issue. Together, we will find a way to make being a Bibb County Deputy a respectable occupation again while ensuring these officers are paid an acceptable wage with a retirement pension that will allow them to live comfortably in their later years. If a person risks their lives keeping us safe everyday, they deserve a competitive wage. When much smaller governments can afford to pay their deputies a decent living and we decide to spend money on unnecessary items first, we risk turning Macon-Bibb into a place where no one feels safe.

The majority of streets and roads in Macon-Bibb County are in need of repair. Yet we still pay for legacy projects, such as a building named after a mayor, first. We should focus on obvious issues first and focus leftover money on these kinds of projects.

Storm water drainage and the required $4.99 fee are issues. If you ask the citizens to pay a fee or another tax then they should see results. Draining one ditch here and there is not showing citizens that their extra five dollars a month is being put to good use. With how many households in Macon-Bibb County pay the $4.99 a month, we should see a lot more progress than we are seeing.

How do you plan to solve these issues while in office?

Reduce wasteful spending and stop putting the cart before the horse. Every dime that we as a city and/or county take in must be spent wisely.

Is there anything else you would like to add that you feel is important for voters to know?

If elected, I promise to always be your representative. If you come to me with a problem and I don’t know the answer, I promise I will not rest until I find someone that can provide an answer. I will always be transparent, accountable for how I spend your money, and respectful of constituents. I work for you. You tell me what we need and together we will work on getting just that. I will focus on what citizens need first, not what I want or think would be best.

Michael McKeever

What makes you qualified to run for office?

I am qualified to run for office because I was born and raised here in Macon-Bibb County. I have a master’s degree in business administration, and being a program manager at Robins Air Force Base I have experience eliminating wasteful spending and reducing costs. I will ultimately do the same as it pertains to the budget of Macon-Bibb County to ensure all tax dollars are spent with the utmost efficiency while having a full investment into public safety for Macon-Bibb County. I want to provide public safety an increased budget, which will in turn provide them with more resources to serve our citizens when they have an emergency.

How do you plan on connecting with Macon residents on the campaign trail and while in office?

While in office I will I will be readily available for my constituents and have open forums in my district where I will communicate key issues that will affect District 7 and Macon-Bibb County as a whole. Also, I will be available for any of my constituents to send me a message via text or Facebook Messenger to discuss key issues.

What are the three biggest issues you see in Macon-Bibb County?

Public safety is the biggest issue facing Macon-Bibb County as we have deputies whose salaries aren’t on-par with our neighbors, including the Warner Robins Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff Department. Both of those departments are responsible for serving and protecting fewer citizens than the Macon-Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Smaller salaries is the key reason the Macon-Bibb County Sheriff’s Office continues to operate with a shortage of deputies and can’t retain its current deputies as well.

Bringing more industry and jobs to Macon-Bibb County is important. That will increase the citizens of Bibb county’s household income, reduce the county poverty rate and reduce the crime rate as well.

Specifically in District 7 in South-Bibb County, infrastructure is an issue including stormwater drainage issues and a need for road repairs.

How do you plan to solve these issues while in office?

I want to give the Macon-Bibb County Sheriff’s Office a salary increase to over $50,000 a year starting salary. With this, the Macon-Bibb County Sheriff Department will at least have a salary equal to that of our neighbors at the Warner Robins Police Department.

I want to create industry initiatives for companies who are looking to set up headquarters, manufacturing plants and business hubs across Georgia. This will give us an opportunity to pitch why Macon-Bibb County will be attractive for job creation. I will also give companies incentives for creating new jobs and employing individuals who reside in Macon-Bibb County.

I want to install more storm water drains in South Bibb County and get storm drains cleaned to prevent flooding when it rains. Also, I want to ensure roads get repaired. There are roads across South Bibb that are driven on everyday that are in poor condition with potholes.

Is there anything else you would like to add that you feel is important for voters to know?

I just wanted everyone to know I am the candidate focused on our future and having a better Macon-Bibb County. I hope to earn the vote of the citizens of District 7 to serve Macon-Bibb County.

Bill Howell

Bill Howell is the incumbent candidate for District 7. He did not respond to requests for comment from The Telegraph. He was first elected in 2020 on a platform seeking to tackle public safety, crime and infrastructure. Howell was especially committed to solving staffing issues at the sheriff’s office, not raising taxes and cutting excess spending in the county budget.

Howell has been endorsed by Mayor Lester Miller—who is also running for re-election. While in office, Howell hosted forums to find solutions to drainage issues in the county, helped expand the airport and worked to increase public safety investments.

If he wins a second term, Howell said he plans to continue improving infrastructure, with a focus on stormwater flooding in South Bibb.