<p>About 150 people showed up at Macon City Hall this weekend to defend Mayor Jack Ellis, who some residents are trying to boot out of office.</p><p>The rally was organized by the mayor's supporters, who say he has been targeted by political opponents trying to smear his name.</p><p>To the tune of the 1970s hit "We Are Family," the crowd sang, "We want unity. Come and support the mayor with me," with their hands swaying in the air. Some people brought signs that said, "No recall _ Show support, not division."</p><p>"I think the (recall) is a hidden agenda," said Leroy Foster, 30. "I think it's racism."</p><p>An anti-Ellis group, organized through RecallEllis.com, claims he has run a corrupt and incompetent administration.</p><p>A grand jury is investigating Ellis' finance director, Kelly Clark, on charges of falsifying public documents. Earlier this month, city officials learned they were $1.5 million short of money to make payroll for its 1,300 employees.</p><p>Ellis has also been criticized for traveling to Africa using taxpayer money, and he's being sued by a woman seeking child support for her 1-year-old child.</p><p>Some property owners say Ellis is responsible for rising taxes and fiscal mismanagement.</p><p>"We have conducted ourselves in a manner which you can be proud of," Ellis said Saturday when he spoke to his supporters. "Have we made mistakes? Perhaps. But have we broken some laws? No, we have not."</p><p>Ellis challenged his detractors to spell out instances of him breaking the law or violating his oath of office.</p><p>"Some of those people benefiting from the beautiful new homes should be down here in support of the mayor," said James Floyd, 63. "Nobody's perfect, but he's a pretty good mayor."</p><p>Other people questioned whether the mayor was to blame for the city's problems.</p><p>"Did the financial ills start now, or was it created before this mayor," asked Ronnie Miley. "The county pulled money from the city in order to create the situation. We need to follow the history of what's happened in this city."</p><p>Ellis criticized City Council members for opposing a sales tax measure that voters rejected in March.</p><p>"There are those who'd like to keep us divided in this racism," Ellis said. "I realize on whose shoulders I stand. This was not a job I went to the personnel office and applied for. This is a job you gave me."</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x2865a10)</p>
