High court foils Mac Barber comeback bid in election

ATLANTA - The Georgia Supreme Court foiled former Commerce Mayor Mac Barber&#39;s bid to return to the Public Service Commission Wednesday. The court ruled that the former official failed to meet residency requirements for the post he was seeking in the August 20 Democratic primary election. <br> <br> The Secretary of State&#39;s office says it is too late now to reprint the ballot. But signs will be posted in every precinct next week alerting voters that Barber is no longer considered a candidate. <br> <br> Spokesman Chris Riggall says any votes cast for him will not be counted. <br> <br> Barber, a one-time fixture on the state&#39;s political scene, was trying to win back his old seat on the panel that regulates utilities in Georgia. But the current holder of the office, Bubba McDonald, questioned whether McDonald met the requirements. <br> <br> PSC members are elected statewide but must live in one of five districts. McDonald holds the District 4 seat, which at one time included Barber&#39;s home in Jackson County. But during last year&#39;s redistricting, Jackson County was shifted to District 2. <br> <br> Even though Barber has moved to the redrawn 4th District, he has not lived there for the 12 months necessary to establish residency as a candidate. That&#39;s why the court disqualified him.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/8/191340