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'That's where state law stops': Bibb commissioner confirms he lives outside his district, cites state law

Mayor Lester Miller emailed Commissioner Virgil Watkins Feb. 7 asking him to confirm his residence in District 8.

MACON, Ga. — Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller is questioning whether one of the county's commissioners actually lives in his district.

Virgil Watkins has represented west Macon's District 8 for about 10 years; but in May, he sold his Canterbury Road home. 

On Thursday, he confirmed to 13WMAZ that most of the time, he's living in a downtown Macon apartment. That's outside his district, and according to Miller, not allowed per the county charter.

According to a Feb. 7 email from Miller to Watkins, Maconites emailed Miller alleging some commissioners lived outside the districts they represent.

"Therefore, it was necessary to conduct a cursory review of the addresses of each commissioner," the email reads.

It says May 31, Watkins sold his Canterbury Road home, and Miller asks Watkins to confirm he lives in District 8. Watkins says he rents property in his district but doesn't live in it, spending most of his time in his downtown apartment.

He says it's allowed because of a principle called 'preemption.'

It essentially means counties can't make stricter requirements than state law.

 In this case, Watkins is arguing a set of guidelines published in 2013 say he doesn't need to live in his district after election. 

In particular, he cites an attorney general's office opinion: "A candidate for the office of county commissioner must be a resident for a period of 12 months prior to his or her election, but does not have to reside in the commission district from which he or she seeks election for that period."

"State law states that you have to have a one-year residential requirement prior to running, and that's where state law stops," Watkins explained. "There have been several clarifications from the secretary of state's and attorney general's office to this matter, and claims to county commissioners that the only thing is that you have to live in the county."

In short, Watkins believes he only had to live in the county to be elected, and not for his entire term.

Miller says it's an outdated law. He says it was updated in 2016 and now allows counties to make their own rules requiring candidates to live in their districts. 

In Macon-Bibb County, the charter requires a candidate for county commission to live in their district a year before they run. It also requires them to live in their district during their term.

Watkins says he believes his interpretation is correct, and still thinks the county's requirement is too strict to be enforceable. He does not plan to resign. Watkins says he's still heavily involved in the District 8 community and owns a business on Eisenhower Parkway.

He's one of four commissioners term-limited out of office at the end of the year, serving since 2014 when Macon and Bibb County consolidated.

Miller sent 13WMAZ a statement explaining why he sent Watkins the email:

"It's important for every citizen in Macon-Bibb to be represented by a commissioner who resides in the district, which is why the law requires it. However, after checking the addresses of all Commissioners, it appears Commissioner Watkins has moved out of his district and away from the people who asked him to represent him. That is why we have asked Commissioner Watkins to verify where he lives, and that he remains a resident of District 8."

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