Macon County Cancer Metastasizing

Macon County has espoused indefensible interpretations of administrative, legal, and environmental laws. “Without accountability, their arrogance festers like cancer,” wrote Frank Dillman, a long-term county resident, watchdog, and now independent candidate for Macon County District 4 Commissioner, recently qualified for the November 3, 2026 election.

The legislature, molded and fed by the ACCA [Association of County Commissioners of Alabama] fails to provide a resource for citizens to register municipal and county violations. This puts the burden upon citizens to spend resources suing violators on their own purse in civil not criminal court where these violations belong and would provide more discipline. The politburo knows few can/will spend their personal resources attempting to hold violators accountable to law, so the cycle of poor accountability, transparency, and corrupt officeholders/key community leaders metastasizes.

Consecutive State audits of Macon County document immoral officeholders, too often cronies of community leaders with recurring violations - e.g., absence of bonds (2017-001, 2018-005, 20-19-004), failure to comply with competitive bid law 2019-006 and 2020-005, salary overpayments, etc. As noted in Finding 2019-010 during the course of the audit it was determined, “the Commission did not calculate and pay the Judge of Probate’s salary correctly. The amounts found to be overpaid to the Judge of Probate will be held in abeyance pending the passage of legislation to address the issue.” Similarly in Lee County, we have officials who want raises effective before the next election cycle - i.e., not show the higher pay at qualifying to attract more/better candidates.

A county pickup truck was hidden from public view behind a county commissioner’s residence for an extended period. When Dillman questioned the chairman (responsible for the administrative and fiscal procedures) he claimed to be unaware of the truck’s absence from the county compound. Yet another example of misuse of government resources facing no accountability from both federal and State compliance… no worries it seems in apathetic Macon County.

Puppeteers often call the shots as witnessed during a Macon County Democratic forum on Thursday, April 9, 2026. The MCDC (Macon County Democratic Conference) announced their 2026 primary forum schedule printed in the May 19, 2026 Tuskegee News. The announcement read “It is in this spirit that the MCDC announces a series of political forums for Macon County voters to hear the platforms of candidates …All candidates running for public office in the May 19th Primary are invited to attend and participate in the Forums.” Unopposed candidates, such as the Revenue Commissioner, District Judge, and Dillman’s opponent Janice Fountain won’t appear on the May 19th primary ballot; however, were permitted to speak.

Dillman found Fred Gray, Jr. flouting his distaste, if not worse, of discrimination by refusing to permit him to speak as a candidate “running for public office” while accommodating others. An anonymous county elected public servant noted this event was the only evening forum where Gray was in full attendance. He was present at another forum but was considerably late.

Foreshadowing the fix was in place became immediately evident in the packed District 4 Recreation Center. Response to an open records request to document if/who rented the facility that evening may be more revealing. Generally, the district county commission as the host will provide welcoming and opening remarks and take their seat. However, Fountain didn’t expect to be immediately called back to the microphone for her campaign presentation ahead of legislative candidates and others; candidates for District 2 county commission inordinately closed the forum instead of District 4.

County Court Clerk David Love was the MC as Gray assumed the role of timekeeper and selected/read previously submitted questions. Following District 2 County Commissioner candidates presenting their platforms, Mr. Love began his closing remarks. Dillman approached Love asking to speak, who responded with a troubled facial expression, “speak with Mr. Grey.” Dillman replied, “I am speaking with you.” By his expression, Dillman had no doubt, he would have been permitted to speak in a county facility that may not have been rented by MCDC.

Gray soon approached, Love then stepped away. Dillman asked Gray (who Dillman claims continuously treats him with disdain) in his position as President of the Macon County Democrat Conference, to also speak. His response was only candidates approved by the conference are permitted to speak. Citing the newspaper clipping of the event, Dillman pointed out it reads, “All candidates running for public office in the May 19th Primary are invited to attend and participate in the Forums.” However, many not on the primary ballot were invited to speak, such as the Revenue Commissioner and District Judge candidates. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CDN6hTWdF/ Dillman asserts Gray’s body language showed he was without a justification in his discriminatory/disuniform decision.

Dillman asked Gray if he was, “discriminating against me because of my race or political ideology?” He never answered. Dillman reminded Gray in 2022, the long-term serving coroner, who neglected to qualify as a Democrat prior to the deadline, was permitted to speak to his campaign as an independent candidate. Seems the I believe in Felon Hubbard spirit is very much alive and well in Macon County where one fires/blocks political competition they want quashed.

Sheriff Brunson came over and separated the two, directing Gray to step aside. However, before Gray left, Dillman told the Sheriff, he didn’t get an answer if Gray’s decision was based upon race or political ideology. The Sheriff stated it probably wasn’t race, then Dillman told the Sheriff what happened four years ago and how Gray is treating him differently than the coroner.

Fred Gray, Jr., son of Fred Gray, Sr. (who defended MLK and others’ civil rights) shows painfully less regard for civil rights from Dillman’s observations. Dillman has attended Macon County political forums over the 20 years participating in county politics, he couldn’t recall anyone (other than himself several years ago) being denied by Gray the opportunity to ask questions of a county candidate. Gray along with most Macon County elected public servants appear entitled, manifested by lack of accountability.

In closing, a Blue Soviet protective wall, on par with Comrade Trump’s (now ‘donning’ the Red Soviet Jersey) surrounds Macon County. No office holder or agency has shown interest investigating and holding Macon County elected public servants and community leaders accountable to code. Republicans choose to ignore factual requests of wrong doings they forecast will gain little with their invested resources on the duopoly they enjoy. Democrats would also lose favour shaking that tree. Remember protect the duopoly with closed primary efforts? Violations of Open Records, Open Meetings, election laws, lack of bonding, etc. as noted as a discrepancy in State audits cycles on... this is how our quality of life in East Alabama slowly metastasizes away.

PS: many thanks for the kind (and not so kind) comments on AU Perspectives. First time in 17 years I’ve been called a ‘Yellow Journalist.’ The YellaGrubber irony seemed to escape the accuser. One Professor asked what was incorrect to address… none was provided. I did cherish the Professor’s coining the phrase, “Yellow Academic” in reply. Sadly it will take decades to remove the most deleterious parasites from Auburn University. It is something to behold (esp. after committing perjury in open court and police documents) AU employees who couldn’t make a fraction of what they extract from students and taxpayer in a ‘real world’ competitive labour market.

THE VIEWS OF SUBMITTED EDITORIALS MAY NOT BE THE EXPRESS VIEWS OF THE ALABAMA GAZETTE.