Short, Bob, 1932-United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018Blackmon, John A.1933Short, Bob, 19322008-07-08John Blackmon discusses his education, early career and many aspects of his work as a revenue commissioner. He talks about his early law career, beginning at Auburn, and his work for Attorney General Eugene Cook and Arthur Bolton. Blackmon recalls his trepidation becoming Govorner Maddox's revenue commisioner in 1968 and how the influence of Peyton Hawes caused him to become deputy revenue commissioner. Blackmon discusses the role of the press in regards to Governor Maddox's public image and his investigation of a south Georgia prison. Blackmon discusses Speaker Tom Murphy's influence on his career, having facilitated nearly 130 amendments to Georgia Tax Code during Blackmon's tenure. Regarding technology, Blackmon recalls how the implementation of computers were problematic in the Georgia government, causing fear that computers would put engineers out of work. According to Blackmon, Georgia Tech students protested on Peachtree Street in the nude with signs that said "Computers are Obscene." Blackmon also discusses his support for a sales tax exemption for food items.Finding aid available in repository.Interviewed by Bob Short.John Blackmon was born November 9, 1933, in Columbus, Georgia. After three years in the U.S. Air Force, he attended law school at Emory University and then worked for three years in the state law department and seven years in the Georgia Revenue Department. In 1968, he became the deputy revenue commissioner. Governor Lester Maddox appointed him state revenue commissioner in 1970. In that position, Blackmon improved the state tax structure by modeling it more closely after the federal one. He went on to serve under Governor Jimmy Carter. He then joined the state staff of the Georgia Air National Guard. In 1996, he became chairman of the Georgia Democratic Committee. In the private sector, he was appointed to the Georgia World Congress Center team. He practiced law at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, focusing on tax issues.video/mp4enghttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/Reflections on Georgia Politics Oral History Collectionhttp://sclfind.libs.uga.edu/sclfind/view?docId=ead/RBRL220ROGP.xmlLawyers--Georgia--InterviewsPress and politics--GeorgiaTaxation--Law and legislation--GeorgiaGovernors--StaffPrison administration--GeorgiaComputers--Psychological aspectsLawyersPolitics and governmentPress and politicsPrison administrationTaxation--Law and legislationGeorgia--Politics and governmentGeorgiaJohn Blackmon, 08 July 2008.MovingImage