BIBB COUNTY SHERIFF

The Democratic runoff election for Bibb County sheriff will decide the
race, since there is no Republican candidate for the general election
in November. Voter turnout is the key to this race.

Both candidates are career law enforcement professionals. They are
former sheriff's department Maj. Jerry Modena, 58, and incumbent
sheriff Robbie Johnson, 66.

In general terms, Modena maintains that a change is appropriate in the
sheriff's office. Johnson is running on his record and promises a
steady but similar course. One consistent criticism of Johnson is that
he delegates too much of his authority to subordinates.

Indeed, there is evidence that a change may be appropriate.

For example, during this year's Father's Day events at Lake
Tobesofkee, Johnson ordered but was not personally present when
deputies searched participants' coolers for alcoholic beverages, which
are forbidden in the park. The event is attended mainly by Bibb
County's minority community. The event organizers were critical of the
sheriff's department for targeting their event and not a similar one
attended by a mostly white crowd on July 4.

In a discussion with the editorial board, Modena was critical of the
blanket searches, saying he would have handled the event more
diplomatically and that he would have been present. While we agree
with the need to control alcoholic beverages at the event, it is so
large and has such a history of controversy, that the sheriff should
have been present.

In a letter dated May 16, 2000, to Macon Police Chief John Vasquez,
outgoing District Attorney Charles Weston expressed serious misgivings
about the investigative capability of the Sheriff's Office. Weston
made his remarks in light of his request of county commissioners for
additional investigators who would work exclusively for the DA's office.

In describing his presentation to the commissioners, Weston wrote:
"The truth is the MPD Detective Division is doing high quality
investigative work." But later in the same letter, Weston wrote: "I
also made clear by implication that the BCSO, including their
'investigators', rarely investigates anything." Vasquez released the
letter at the time of the controversy.

Finally, illegal drugs are at the heart of the crime problem in this
and every other community in America. Yet, because Johnson and Macon
Police Chief John Vasquez could not reach an agreement on drug squad
jurisdiction, the drug investigation effort falls far short of what it
could be with a combined city-county effort such as the one suggested
by Vasquez. Some, including Weston, held Vasquez responsible for the
breakdown. In any event, the result is the same: a lack of cooperation
between BSO and MPD.

We believe that the drug investigation problem alone suggests the need
for change. But beyond that, the challenger makes a compelling case
for the need for a more hands-on sheriff and fundamental change in the
department. Our choice is Jerry Modena for sheriff.