Jim ‘40 Winks’ Maddox announces retirement
August 31, 2009 at 12:23 pm by Scott Henry in News
Jim Maddozzzzzzzzzzz
Sleepy Jim is stepping aside. The Dean is done.
Yes, the aged alderman, whose dozing antics can be viewed on the city’s own public-access Channel 26, is finally retiring after 32 years spent warming an Atlanta Council seat.
Maddox, who in recent years had taken to referring to himself as the “Dean of Council,” will turn 75 in October. During his eight four-year terms, he’d transformed his office into a veritable travel agency, crisscrossing the globe as a self-appointed economic development ambassador for Atlanta.
Even in the press release announcing his retirement, Maddox can’t resist boasting about squeezing a few more international destinations out of his gig before he leaves office:
In fact, Maddox will be leaving for Argentina this week, where he will meet with mayors and city council members from South American countries, in an effort to promote Atlanta in economic exchange opportunities. He then heads to St. Petersburg, Russia and Moscow on a diplomatic mission on behalf of Mayor Franklin and the Council.
Why am I being so hard on this poor, tired guy?
Because when I try to think of Maddox’s legacy, I draw a blank. Then the image appears of a bump on a log — a log being sawed in half. His Southwest Atlanta district includes the Cascade Road area, long a seat of African American wealth and political power. His constituents include Shirley Franklin, Lisa Borders and, before that, Michael Lomax and countless other movers and shakers.
If any district in town should have produced a figure of civic influence and leadership, it was this one. Instead, for more than three decades, the Council has been saddled with the dithering, obtuse, nap-happy Jim Maddox.
His own press release understandably doesn’t even attempt to sum up his legacy, except to describe it as “widespread” — whatever that’s supposed to mean — but I’d like to give it a try.
Earlier this year, when Mayor Franklin came before the Council to pitch a 3-mill tax hike, Maddox surprised everyone by making clear his willingness to approve an even larger increase . Yet, when the moment of truth came three months later, he double-crossed his colleagues by voting against the tax increase in an act of pure political cowardice.
Or how about this one: Four years ago, when Maddox decided against all reason to run for another term, his opponent was a young up-and-comer, John Eaves. Despite Maddox’s thin record of achievement, he easily defeated Eaves, who would’ve brought new energy to the job as he learned the ropes of public policy. Instead, Eaves went on to win election as chairman of the Fulton County Commission, where he’s proven himself to be in over his head and unable to slow the county government’s slide into irrelevance.
Thanks, Jim. Perhaps as a going-away present befitting your accomplishments, the city can give you a La-Z-Boy.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Well said, sir. Where does Maddox’s travel money come from and how much pension will we be paying him?
August 31st, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Now, if that old crank CT Martin would retire, Southwest Atlanta might have a shot at getting some City Council representation that actually gives a g#ddamn.
August 31st, 2009 at 8:27 pm
That was real harsh Scott. I was feeling you till you got to the part about John Eaves being the better choice. Then you invalidated your argument by affirming Jim’s easy victory over Eaves and highlighting Eaves’ being over his head. Maybe the voters knew this when they elected Jim to his 8th consecutive term.
Ted Kennedy was written about in the same uncomplimentary manner for years. One thing you can say about him is that his constituents continued to choose him over all his challengers. So he must be doing something right. He is loved by the community that he represents and isn’t that all that matters. His legacy is undeniable.
If you can survive your paper’s next downsizing then that would be an accomplishment. If not then the only meaningful writing you will be doing is on your state unemployment form.
August 31st, 2009 at 10:27 pm
A 2010 City Council without Anne Fauver and Jim Maddox! Yippee! And without Mary Norwood and Lisa Borders. Hooray! Cleta Winslow has a challenger. Is there light at the end of the tunnel?
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:27 pm
well put! seems like a scathing review at first, but calculate maddox’s ineptitude and divide by the years, it’s barely a rebuff. but i agree! wholeheartedly.
i worked at city hall, and maddox was even a joke within those walls, where barely anyone throws stones and notices. which is certainly saying something. many are surprised he was able to represent such a powerful area for so long with so little ooomph. change is an exciting option.