At the annual Macon-Bibb County Board of Commissioners Strategic Planning Retreat on January 31, District 9 Commissioner Al Tillman was elected Mayor Pro Tem. District 5 Commissioner Bert Bivins held the seat since consolidation in 2014. The duties of Mayor Pro Tem include filling in for the Mayor at events, running the Commission Board Meetings when the Mayor is absent, and serving on the Committee of Committees, which assigns Commissioners to Committees.

At the Board of Commission Meeting on February 6, Commissioner Bivins was recognized for his four years of service as MayorPro Tem with a plaque and standing ovation. Mayor Pro Tem Tillman was recognized as it was his first official meeting, and he has spent the week attending Macon-Bibb County meetings and functions.

Bivins helped bring two governments together to work as one when we consolidated Macon and Bibb County in 2014. Bivins’ leadership didn’t just begin during consolidation though. He was a key figure in the civil rights movement that led to integration in Bibb County Schools. He first became a commissioner here in 1995 where he served as the Chairman of the Committees on Properties and Ordinances and Resolutions, and as the liaison for the Land Bank Authority, Health Department, Regional Commission, and Economic Opportunity Council. He’s also been our representative with the Macon Water Authority and Bibb County Health Department. Bivins has spearheaded our Blight Committee, which has led to hundreds of house demolitions and sparked revitalization in many neighborhoods. He serves as a leader with our Youth Commission, which teaches students about local, state, and federal government through class, programs, trips, and more. We thank Commissioner Bivins for his continued leadership in all parts of our community.

Mayor Pro Tem Al Tillman has been on our Commission Board since consolidation, representing district 9. He’s a veteran, who served in the U.S. Army with the 48th Brigade in Desert Storm and Desert Shield after Training at Fort Jackson. After returning home, he continued his service to others becoming a President of our local NAACP, and a Chairman of the American Red Cross’ Minority Recruitment Board. He grew up in the Unionville neighborhood here in Macon-Bibb, and has lived in the Bloomfield area for more than 20 years. That’s fueled his passion for the youth of those neighborhoods, knowing what can be accomplished when given opportunity. Two different mayors have appointed Tillman to serve on our Housing Authority and Planning and Zoning Commission, aiming to provide affordable, quality housing to those who need it, and secure residential and commercial development in our community. Tillman created the non-profit Unity-N-Community to bridge the generational gap through education and community. His leadership and understanding of the needs of District 9 and Macon-Bibb County led him to ensure SPLOST and Blight Remediation Program funds were allocated to finally create the long-promised Filmore Thomas Park. Tillman also led the effort to Ban the Box, in which we recognize that people that have served their time for crimes committed still can contribute to society and should be given that chance. He frequently holds forums for people in his District on issues the government and community are facing, and he fields questions and calls from people all over the county to assess their needs too. He also works closely with the Workforce Development Board to get people their GED or additional skills that will lead to gainful employment. Tillman was the first Commissioner after consolidation to earn his certification as a commissioner through the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Congratulation to Mayor Pro Tem Tillman on this new position on our consolidated Macon-Bibb County Board of Commissioners.