One commissioner represents District 1 with 6,067 voters in that district. One commissioner represents District 3 with 6,093 voters. And three Commissioners represent District 2 with 17,134 voters. To run or serve as a commissioner you must live in the district you represent. 

Mr. John Shearl has proposed changing this to one commissioner for District 2 and two commissioners at large. That would mean the one designated District 2 commissioner ­­would represent 17,134 voters. This dilutes or could possibly take away representation on the county commission for almost two thirds of Macon County voters. If you live in Iotla, Millshoal, North Franklin, East Franklin, South Franklin, Union or Smithbridge, this affects your representation on the Macon County Board of Commissioners. You could still run for the county commissioner seats at large but so could someone from District 1 or 3. It could lead to District 1 or 3 having two or three seats on the county commission and still representing around 6,000 people. 

Indeed, Mr. Shearl says he wants this change so a friend of his from his District 1 can run in 2028. (Mr. Shearl’s seat is up for election this year and will be up for election again in 2030, but evidently the friend didn’t want to run against him this year.)

There will be a public hearing on this issue on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. before the commission meeting at 6:30. p.m. I urge you to speak out against this proposal to take away fair and equal representation for Macon County voters of District 2 on the Macon County Board of Commissioners. 

Kim Leister
Franklin