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As the July election draws near, I would like to share some of my thoughts with the citizens of the city that I love.

You may wonder why I should comment on an election when I am not running for office. There are a couple of reasons. First, I think this election will be the most critical election of my lifetime, and I want citizens to know what I know. Second, vanity. I have worked for twelve years as an elected official to influence, nudge, push or demand, as necessary, in order to shape public policy. I don't want to see that work dismantled. We all build on progress that has come before us. This city is prepared to soar under the next mayor and leadership team. Therefore, I will break down the races in frank terms and from my perspective. I will state facts and I will state opinions.

DISTRICT 1

In general, this is a tough district to call. Campaigning is different in District 1. Instead of major advertising, candidates contribute campaign funds to non-profits, such as Hawk Houston Boys Club, Sunday school classes, youth groups and other community help- services. It might look to some that the candidates that campaign in this manner are trying to purchase votes. But in another way, non-profits get the cash rather that some chloroplast sign company in Texas.

The history: (from 1991, when we moved to 6 districts)

2005-2009 Larry Matthews
2001- 2005 Jim Reading
1991- 2001 George Williams

The candidates:
Larry Matthews, who beat James Reading by five votes in 2005, has absolutely SAVED the City of Dothan the last two years. In 2007, when two new commissioners were seated in protest over the additional 1 cent sales tax, the working relationships of the Commission changed. Commissioner Seagle at meetings early on, stated he and John Craig were a "mid-course correction", a term we will revisit later. In the aftermath of the election, as we moved through agenda items, it became apparent that the commission would be split on several policy issues. Larry Matthews studied information on each decision and made the decision he thought best for his community and city. A great number of those decisions have provided a 4-3 vote in favor of the current administration which carried recommendations of the City Manager and his professional staff. "Christian" is a word that's thrown around pretty loosely these days, but Larry is a Christian who walks the walk. He has represented District 1 with dignity.

Jim Reading is a decent man who grows great roses. Jim was a little tricky to work with, as he believes all politics center around, "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." When it came to major issues, he almost always voted for the progress of Dothan, or more frankly, the way I voted. One major exception is when he voted to suspend contract payments to Dothan by Design. That incident involved the route of the I-10 connector, but was resolved quickly. It was a political game, and he was a player.

George Williams is George Williams. We have 6 districts because of his lawsuit filed in the late 80's, which became enacted in 1991. It was a needed change. George borrowed $160.00 from me in 2000. Maybe if he wins, he can pay me back.

I do not know Mr. Rhodes or Mr. Dorsey.

If I lived in District 1, I would vote LARRY MATTHEWS.

 

DISTRICT 3

This will be a contest where voters get to choose between the future and the past.

The history:
2005-2009 Paul Lee
1991-2005 Don Clements (also Ward 2 from 1985-1991)

The candidates:
Kenneth Everett, mayor from 1981 - 1985, was my youth baseball coach for two years in the 1960's. I have known him for 40 years. He is not the same man I used to know. Everett supported me in my commission election in 1997. During the last Sowell term, Kenneth asked me to lead a public discussion to change the form of government. I would not, because I believe that the city Manager form of government is the best form of government available. Kenneth says there are only five city manager governments in Alabama. Most cities choose not to afford one. In Dothan, we pay for a city manager and get a healthy return on investment in my opinion. Kenneth also appeared in front of the City Commission asking for permission to install meters in an apartment complex he owned. The city would not have easy physical access so Dothan Utilities recommended against the meters. Kenneth never supported me again.

When the commission raised the sales tax, Kenneth led a petition drive to change the form of government. The commission requested an attorney general's opinion because WE KNEW the petition was not valid. Here is the simple reason. There had to be an alternative form of government mentioned on the petition. It had to say "change to a strong mayor form of government," along with all the other parameters of a new government. He made the petition, not me.

Kenneth met me at a restaurant on the south side and told me that he didn't care about the 1 cent sales tax, but that he was going to use the turmoil it created to change the form of government. Ask him.

At a forum two years ago with the Blackburn Institute, Kenneth said we had to get away from the city retirement system (ERS). In his printed materials, he says the retirement system stays stays. Which is it?

Kenneth says "the end of the tax and spend". Under Everett, in 1981 - 1983, the commission increased fees, taxes, or rates seven times with NO votes of the people. When did he change his mind? I actually commend him for looking out after the city's and citizen's interests. The increases were warranted. My father was on the commission at the time, so I know that they were warranted. I just don't care for a candidate saying one thing now when he did another.

I say again, Kenneth is not the man I used to know.

Paul Lee has represented District 3 for 4 years. I didn't know Paul before he ran for office. In twelve years, I haven't seen a more honest, sincere public servant. He is unwavering in his belief system. If he is for an issue, he's for it. If he is against an issue, he's against it. He is consistent. He is a true servant leader.

If I lived in District 3, I would vote for PAUL LEE, who could one day make a good mayor for Dothan.

DISTRICT 5

Three candidates are running to represent my home district.

History:
2005-2009 Taylor Barbaree
1997-2005 Pat Thomas
1991-1997 Steve Stokes

Taylor Barbaree has communicated with his constituents more than any commissioner I have worked with. He continuously holds neighborhood meetings and sends out email updates to all District 5 citizens who want to receive them. Taylor has taken a lot of criticism about the press box. I actually started the press box discussion in 2007 when at a Smith Station- Dothan game, where there was an incident with the Smith Station coaches. Later, as the steel on the press box floor continued to deteriorate, we closed the press box until repairs could be made. Reworking the existing press box would cost about $225,000.00 and it would still be the same size. Building to meet the needs for the next 40-50 years, which by the way, is our job, would cost about $500,000.00. Enter Taylor. He went out and sought a sponsor and found one. Thanks again to Knology for being a great corporate sponsor. They pledged $244, 400.00 over the next 10 years in an agreement that was orchestrated by the same folks that put together the stadium agreement for Troy University. So when I think of "Press Box Barbaree", I think of Taylor planning for the future and working to SAVE the city $244, 000, 00.

Taylor also voted for the sales tax. That tax, 50% of which comes from out of town, has allowed the improvement of the John D. Odom - Murphy Mill intersection, and has allowed almost $5 million in resurfacing over the last 3 years.

When making decisions that affect our future, Taylor uses the "Mitchell" test. That is, he asks, "How will this decision impact Mitchell?" who is his older son. That's a good standard by which to judge.

Taylor still serves in the National Guard, and is a fierce patriot. Taylor is a good man who votes his conscience.

David Cornelius is running in District 5 as well. My question is, "Which David Cornelius?" It is the quiet insurance man that is running for office now, or is it the David Cornelius that had signs in from of his business that said, "Let them vote, Jason "or "Let them vote, Phillip." Is it the David Cornelius that contributed to the Keith Seagle campaign? Is it David Cornelius, businessman? Or is it David Cornelius, Seagle and Everett man? That is a very legitimate question and the citizens of District 5 deserve an answer before they vote.

Paul Ferrell worked on one of my campaigns and we have churched together at Covenant. He is not taking campaign contributions, which is noble, but will severely hurt his chance to be a factor in the race. He also needs to do more homework on the issues before speaking publicly about those issues. His message is off-target on many issues.

In District 5, I will vote for TAYLOR BARBAREE..

MAYOR

History:
2005-2009 Pat Thomas
1997-2005 Chester Sowell
1991-1997 Alfred Saliba

This Mayor's race is the last time that a sitting city commissioner will be able to run from a district seat, and remain in office if defeated. It is about time! Keith Seagle was elected in 2007 in the anti-tax election. District 6 elected him as an unknown, rather than keep Phillip Tidwell, who voted for the tax. No, District 6, there are no "do-overs". You get to keep Keith until 2011.

Keith is the stereotype of a politician. He says different messages to different audiences. He loves to create drama. He steps up to TV reporters and asks if they need comments. He likes to work behind the scenes to secure support and then accuse others of operating behind closed doors. He brings up ideas that have not been thought out, much less researched. Early on, he stated that he didn't come down here to become a member of any team. That tends to alter the dynamics of a group. Later, while at a political rally, he held a sign stating, "Team matters". So teams got ok, I guess.

Is that personal? Some of it is. But there's much more at stake. Companies looking to locate here pay attention to the stability of local government. Is he helping with stability? Is this the man you want representing you in front of CEO's? Keith's boss has a "Mike 4 Mayor" sign in his front yard. Should that tell you something?

The real deal on the grocery store tax: It could be removed statewide at the state level. The legislature would never allow one city in the state to remove the tax on groceries. NEVER. To tell people otherwise to try to get their vote is reprehensible. And it ties right back in to the politician stereotype: say anything for a vote.

As I mentioned before, Keith considered that he and John Craig were a "mid-term correction." Here are my challenges to Keith. If you indeed were a "mid-term correction", the July 14 election will be your first report card. If you do not win the Mayor's chair, be quieter. Vote your conscience, but allow the elected board to operate without embarrassment at every meeting. If you don't win the popular vote in District 6, be even quieter, as this will be a "mid-term correction", as well. I feel sure that District 6 will get it right in 2011.

Mike Schmitz has been in business for thirty years. He has had experience with payrolls, good times, bad times, management decisions and personnel decisions. He is a man of action and is a progressive thinker. He knows the importance of education and economic development. He appreciates the arts, the downtown area, and tourism. Mike has given so much to this community already, that I almost hate to see him get under the community microscope. But he will, and he will do an excellent job.

For Mayor, I like MIKE.

This is what's at stake in this election:
· Financial support of Dothan by Design, and therefore economic development
· Our form of government, and therefore economic development
· Our bond rating, and therefore economic development
· Our stability, and therefore economic development
· Our ability to properly plan for the future. Our population went from 57,787 in 2000 to 66,505 in 2008. That is 15.1% growth, as opposed to 4.8% for the state, and 8% for the nation.

In closing, I would like to remind everyone that the sales tax allowed us to:
· Resurface 80 miles of roads
· Improve major intersections
· Buy 2 fire trucks
· Buy 30 plus police cars
· Expand Walton Park
· Partner with private business to improve the press box
· Fund downtown improvements, resulting in 26 new businesses
· Increase police starting salary
· Pay police more if they get degrees
· Purchase a $12 million communication system
· Build two new water wells and transmission lines
· Fund an additional $1 million annually to schools
· Beef up reserves for landfill, water, and operating funds, which led to the highest bond rating in the history of Dothan.

With that said, Dothan, go vote your conscience on July 14th. To those who are elected, represent us in a manner that will make us proud. Agree to disagree. Move our city forward. Our future will be in your hands.

 

I appreciate the opportunity to blog! Thanks to Wiregrasslive.com for providing this public forum.