Changes

Thompson, however, defends his mayoral record on race relations. "Race wasn't an issue until my opponent brought it in. My administration built three new [[hospital]]s. Jet airport, firehouses, integrated the police department, had black personnel in every department. We went eight years without a tax increase or [[bond issue]]. I had a biracial committee<ref>http://crdl.usg.edu/voci/go/crdl/publicSearch/viewVBO/6517/0;jsessionid=8E605E31732715B994440854E6255064</ref> that met every month. Things like doctor's offices. Black patients had to go in a back door. We got it stopped. And the [[newspaper]]s had a different edition for black subscribers. My committee talked to them, and they stopped it."<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=su2g0MFHfpgC&pg=RA1-PA188&lpg=RA1-PA188&dq=will+d+campbell+ronnie+thompson&source=web&ots=5ttOIp_gzf&sig=eS3tR54AnASFJxQ77eTFE77MsmM&hl=en#PRA1-PA189,M1</ref>

Thompson, however, defends his mayoral record on race relations. "Race wasn't an issue until my opponent brought it in. My administration built three new [[hospital]]s. Jet airport, firehouses, integrated the police department, had black personnel in every department. We went eight years without a tax increase or [[bond issue]]. I had a biracial committee<ref>http://crdl.usg.edu/voci/go/crdl/publicSearch/viewVBO/6517/0;jsessionid=8E605E31732715B994440854E6255064</ref> that met every month. Things like doctor's offices. Black patients had to go in a back door. We got it stopped. And the [[newspaper]]s had a different edition for black subscribers. My committee talked to them, and they stopped it."<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=su2g0MFHfpgC&pg=RA1-PA188&lpg=RA1-PA188&dq=will+d+campbell+ronnie+thompson&source=web&ots=5ttOIp_gzf&sig=eS3tR54AnASFJxQ77eTFE77MsmM&hl=en#PRA1-PA189,M1</ref>

In a 1971 speech to the Macon Optimist Club, Thompson urged blacks to work hard. He noted that he is descended from "a laboring family from a mill town." Thompson said that he understands the discrimination of [[poverty]] and declared that "the best way that I know to fight poverty is to go to work." The speech brought a standing ovation from the Optimists. Thompson declared that the city would fight for its citizens and businesses.<ref>http://crdl.usg.edu/voci/go/crdl/publicSearch/viewVBO/6517/0;jsessionid=8E605E31732715B994440854E6255064</ref>

In a 1971 speech to the Macon Optimist Club, Thompson urged blacks to work hard. He noted that he is descended from "a laboring family from a mill town." Thompson said that he understands the discrimination of poverty and declared that "the best way that I know to fight poverty is to go to work." The speech brought a standing ovation from the Optimists. Thompson declared that the city would fight for its citizens and businesses.<ref>http://crdl.usg.edu/voci/go/crdl/publicSearch/viewVBO/6517/0;jsessionid=8E605E31732715B994440854E6255064</ref>

Thompson's tough stance on crime was lauded by the national radio commentator [[Paul Harvey]].<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=TH7nmIjcteQC&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=Ronnie+Thompson+(Macon,+Georgia)+&source=web&ots=KPPbEuQE4r&sig=IlUX9zhB85ZK8CnXkB4WwgTvuD0&hl=en</ref>

Thompson's tough stance on crime was lauded by the national radio commentator [[Paul Harvey]].<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=TH7nmIjcteQC&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=Ronnie+Thompson+(Macon,+Georgia)+&source=web&ots=KPPbEuQE4r&sig=IlUX9zhB85ZK8CnXkB4WwgTvuD0&hl=en</ref>