Changes

Acting on the advice of his then friend, former Mayor [[B.F. Merritt|Benjamin Franklin Merritt]] (1906-1985), a commander of the Georgia [[National Guard]], Thompson in 1963 ran for alderman on the then [[nonpartisan]] [[ballot]] and unseated the incumbent Bert Hamilton, a Mercer University professor. Merritt, meanwhile, was elected mayor, having previously served from 1953-1959. On the council, Thompson took a particular interest in [[aviation]], used his aldermanic pay to finance flying lessons, and soon earned his [[pilot]]'s license.<ref>Buddy Moore, Thesis, pp. 11-12</ref>

Acting on the advice of his then friend, former Mayor [[B.F. Merritt|Benjamin Franklin Merritt]] (1906-1985), a commander of the Georgia [[National Guard]], Thompson in 1963 ran for alderman on the then [[nonpartisan]] [[ballot]] and unseated the incumbent Bert Hamilton, a Mercer University professor. Merritt, meanwhile, was elected mayor, having previously served from 1953-1959. On the council, Thompson took a particular interest in [[aviation]], used his aldermanic pay to finance flying lessons, and soon earned his [[pilot]]'s license.<ref>Buddy Moore, Thesis, pp. 11-12</ref>

On the council, Thompson differed with Mayor Merritt on many issues. The crime rate in Macon soared; municipal finance problems were so severe that the city had to borrow regularly; there were still 150 miles of dirt streets; city services were needed for newly-annexed areas.<ref>''Macon Telegraph'', September 1, 1964, p. A14; February 16, 1966, p. A13; June 29, 1966, p. A1</ref>

On the council, Thompson differed with Mayor Merritt on many issues. The crime rate in Macon soared; municipal finance problems were so severe that the city had to borrow regularly; there were still 150 miles of dirt streets; city services were needed for newly annexed areas.<ref>''Macon Telegraph'', September 1, 1964, p. A14; February 16, 1966, p. A13; June 29, 1966, p. A1</ref>

==Election as Macon mayor, 1967==

==Election as Macon mayor, 1967==