Free Republic

A host of public officials and about 50 Middle Georgia residents rallied Wednesday morning in front of Macon City Hall to denounce Mayor Jack Ellis' outreach to the Venezuelan government and its president, Hugo Chavez. Led by state Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, and state Sen. Cecil Staton, R-Macon, the group sought to make clear that Ellis' statements were not representative of the "vast majority" of Macon residents. The rally was attended by state legislators, Macon City Council members, Bibb County commissioners and school board members.

MACON, Ga. (AP) - Some Macon residents have called for demonstrations and boycotts after the mayor of the middle Georgia city formally reached out to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez with a declaration of solidarity. Mayor Jack Ellis said the declaration -- sent about two weeks ago by courier -- was a message that local leaders can stand together despite disagreements at the highest reaches of government. Some local leaders have blasted the mayor's decision to support Chavez -- who is a vocal ally of Iran and Cuba who has called President Bush "the devil." Former mayoral candidate David Corr said...

Ga. mayor's outreach to Venezuelan leader upsets some residents Associated Press - August 12, 2007 MACON, Ga. (AP) - Some Macon residents have called for demonstrations and boycotts after the mayor of the middle Georgia city formally reached out to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez with a declaration of solidarity. Mayor Jack Ellis said the declaration -- sent about two weeks ago by courier -- was a message that local leaders can stand together despite disagreements at the highest reaches of government. Some local leaders have blasted the mayor's decision to support Chavez -- who is a vocal ally of Iran...

Macon Mayor Jack Ellis has sent a declaration of "solidarity" to Hugo Chavez, the fiery populist leader of Venezuela who has labeled President Bush "the devil" and pals around the world stage with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Cuban President Fidel Castro. Ellis said Thursday he sent the proclamation not only in his capacity as mayor of Macon but also as the vice president for tourism for the World Conference of Mayors. "We commend President Chavez for the things he's done in this country," said Ellis, citing Chavez's efforts to subsidize the cost of heating fuel for low-income residents of...

MACON, Ga. - Macon Mayor Jack Ellis has converted to Islam and is now working to legally change his name to Hakim Mansour Ellis. Ellis, who was raised Christian, said Thursday that he became a Sunni Muslim during a December ceremony in the west African nation of Senegal. Ellis said he has been studying the Quran for years and that his new religion was originally practiced by his ancestors before they were brought to North America as slaves. "Why does one become a Christian?" Ellis said. "You do it because it feels right. It's the right thing for you to...