Macon mayoral candidates Miller, Whitby discuss runoff election

Macon-Bibb County will have to decide on a new mayor in a run-off election.

Early voting starts on July 20 and Election Day is August 11th.

Has a preview... c1 3 b13 coming up in sports... in high definition this is the 41nbc news at six... macon-bibb county will have to decide on a new mayor in a run-off election.

Early voting starts on july 20th... and election day is august 11th.

41nbc's jatrissa wooten checked-in with both candidates to hear what's at the top of their agendas, as they head into the final stretch of the campaign.

Lester miller is endorsed by the fraternal order of police and other local public safety agencies.

He says public safety is one of his top priorities.

To reduce crime within the county--miller says if elected he wants to strengthen local law enforcement agencies right now the county is 150 officers short "get more people out there working so we can relieve those officers working these shifts, have a better trained and qualified officer and a better paid officer" candidate cliffard whitby says hiring more officers doesnt solve the issue--he says thats being reactive and not proactive whitby says he created a six point plan that includes reducing gun violence and expanding foot patrol officers in certain areas "we completed six months of the year, we had 31 murders in macon bibb county which is totally unacceptable " however both men agree when it comes to policing--- education is extremely important for prevention.

Another main concern---the impact of the coronavirus and recovery effort miller says--one of the problems he sees from the current local administration is leaders aren't acting quickly and don't have a task force to better inform residents.

Miller says he has experience in making quick-effective decisions as a member of the bibb county school board---he says they problem solve daily.

"look forward to having a good task force put in place to do that involving everybody from all parts of the community as well as from health officials we got to rely on the data from officials that know what they are doing" whitby says--if elected--he will study what was done--evaluate it--then put plans and steps in place to keep citizens safe--he says in an outbreak situation that would be priority "the number one priority has got to be as a top elected offic isal in this community to make sure we provide the valuable information this community needs to keep themselves and their families safe" both men say they are excited about the august 11th election c1 3 b13 and want to remind all to go out and vote ' in macon also, if you haven't registered