Clinton Johnson was a political newcomer when he ran for office in 2011, so his two years of service make him the least experienced member of the Dougherty County Commission. During his time in office, the concept of consolidating the Albany and Dougherty County governments has rarely been discussed.

But with long-time commissioner and board chairman Jeff Sinyard set to step down at the end of the year, consolidation has wiggled its way back into the conversation during discussions of the future of the county.

Like District 1 Commissioner Lamar Hudgins, Sinyard is not so much a proponent of consolidation as he is in favor of allowing the citizens of the county to determine how they are governed.

District 2 Commissioner John Hayes and as-of-Friday former District 5 Commissioner Gloria Gaines, who stepped down from her seat to challenge for the commission chairmanship being vacated by Sinyard, say they have voted against moving a county charter that would allow for a referendum to determine if the voters of the city and county are in favor of a unified government forward because of constituent concerns about the charter.

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