Each week Telegraph editorial page editor Charles Richardson and GPB Macon’s Leah Fleming talk about some of the issues effecting Middle Georgians.

HOT TOPIC #1:
Should local political leaders have a say over liquor licenses after an incident of crime at a club?

Two Macon-Bibb commissioners want to pull the liquor license at Wings Café…this after a shooting there that’s left 3 people dead.

Macon-Bibb Commissioners Al Tillman and Virgil Watkins introduced a resolution at their meeting recently that would require the owner of Wings Cafe to appear in Municipal Court.

There a judge would then rule on whether or not the business could retain its liquor license.

That motion failed, in favor of referring the resolution to the public safety committee first.

The Macon-Bibb Public Safety Committee meets Tuesday. They will vote on the resolution. If passed, it will then go before full commission.

Richardson says recommendations for how to keep the public safe at a club should be left up to law enforcement. “Commissioners are responding to their constituency, but the business is a legal one in their constituency too. I think they should leave the protection of the patrons in these entertainment venues up to law enforcement.”
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HOT TOPIC #2
President Obama announced last week that the United States will restore diplomatic relations with Cuba after more than 50 years.

Agriculture could be one of the first industries to benefit from normalized relations with Cuba. “There have been American businesses for decades that have wanted to develop Cuba, but they couldn’t. President Obama is setting it up for after the Castro’s are gone. It’s a good move,” Richardson says.

A REMEMBERANCE:
Last Thursday Westside High School staff member Terrence Turner suddenly passed away. He had just gotten married two months ago. Here is the announcement from the school:

Terrence Turner
Posted by Howard Scott at 12/19/2014
We are deeply saddened today at the unexpected death of our staff member, Mr. Terrence "Earthquake" Turner. We received word of his death yesterday evening. He and Mr. Davis were foundational pieces of our Discipline Task Force. Mr. Turner was loved and respected by our staff and students. He made a major impact in improving the climate of our school.

The Bibb County School District's Crisis Team of psychologists, counselors, and social workers are on hand this morning to support our students and staff. Please remember the Turner family in this time of loss. Our Seminole family has joined together to help and support each other. As we learn of arrangements, we will post them on our websites and Facebook pages.

Tags: Leah Fleming, Macon&Eggs, Charles Richardson The Telegraph of Macon