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Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11:53 AM

Blackshear Council reduction approved

The General Assembly has approved reducing the Blackshear City Council from six seats to five.

The bill will now go to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk for approval.

State Representative Steven Meeks (R-Screven) introduced HB 788. The bill passed the House 162-0 with 16 not voting and passed the Senate 52-0 with four not voting. The bill passed on the last day of this year’s session of the General Assembly.

If signed by Governor Kemp, the measure will become law. If approved, the city’s existing council districts will be re-drawn to ensure each one has a roughly equal number of residents.

According to city officials, using five districts made each district more symmetrical and easier to meet the population requirements of equality.

Currently, the districts have to be drawn in zig-zag and jutting patterns to ensure the populations are roughly equal.  

Effects from the bill would first be seen in qualifying for open council seats later this year.

Previously, Districts 1, 5 and 6 would be up for election.

Under the new charter, District 5 (currently represented by Sharon Komanecky) will be absorbed by other districts to bring each district’s population to roughly 700 citizens.

As a result, Districts 1 (the Jenkins Street area) and 2 (encompassing the Carter Avenue and Grady Street areas) will be voted on in the November municipal elections.

District 6 will not be voted on.

According to Blackshear  Police Chief Chris Wright, Council Member Komanecky has chosen not to pursue re-election due to her increased involvement in coaching activities.  

Elected representatives for Districts 1 and 2 will take office January 2024.

The legislation also requires candidates to have lived in their district at least six months to a year. Previously candidates could move to a district and immediately run to represent it.

It also allows council members to abstain from voting if they have a conflict of interest, which they must announce. Previously, council members could abstain from voting for any reason other than not wishing to appear on the record.

Another significant change includes if a council seat vacancy occurs within 12 months of the end of that seat’s term, the council can appoint a new member without calling a special election. In the past, appointments could only be made if the vacancy occured within six months of end-of-term.


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