Shane McBryde Show

http://www.ronandshaneshow.com/

2006-06-07T21:51:00.000-05:00

http://www.ronandshaneshow.com/

2006-05-12T23:02:00.000-05:00

Shane McBryde's Aircheck Page

This Web-Page Features Aircheck Samples

"Discussing the
Confederate Flag
Issue."

"Super-majority,
5 out of 7
to pass."

"We're talking
Downtown Dauphin
Street."

Mesage From Shane

2005-08-25T14:54:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Gina Gregory, who won the district seven city council seat without a run-off. She said in the Mobile Register she wants to be the best city council person district seven has ever had, and judging from the dynamite campaign she ran I believe she will be. Good luck to Gina and she has my 100% support.

Now, a few words of encouragement passed along to those of us who took part in the race from someone who passed them to me:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

The Campaign Wrap Up

2005-08-25T14:49:00.000-05:00

Gregory wins seat; runoff in District 2 In Mobile City Council elections Tuesday, Gina Gregory sprinted to victory over six other candidates in District 7, while four-term incumbent Thomas Sullivan trailed newcomer William Carroll in District 2 and will face him again in a Sept. 13 runoff.

DISTRICT 7: Newcomer clinches seat Gina Gregory, a former television reporter with no political experience, conquered a seven-person field Tuesday night to win the Mobile City Council District 7 outright.

2005-08-23T16:32:00.000-05:00

ELECTION DAY !!!!!! GO VOTE !!!!!

Message from Shane,

2005-08-22T12:04:00.000-05:00

Well, this will be one of the last few updates to this Blog. I hope to see you at the polls tomorrow and I hope to get your vote. I think based on the collection of coverage here you should have a very clear idea of all the candidates in district seven.

Shane.

Excellent Election Coverage from Lagniappe.

2005-08-22T11:57:00.000-05:00

Lagniappe
District Seven Candidates say whats most important. (Click Here)

MobileBayTimes.com Lists contributors, D-7

2005-08-22T11:42:00.000-05:00

Latest pre-election campaign finance reports:
Eddie Burrow, Mead Miller, Gina Gregory,
Stephen J. Hand (Click Here)

Mobile Register looks at fundraising, D-7

2005-08-22T11:40:00.000-05:00

Gregory, Hand lead way in District 7 campaign spending With Tuesday's municipal election only days away, candidates vying for the District 7 seat on the Mobile City Council walked through neighborhoods and stood along roadsides waving to motorists, making a final push for votes in the seven-person field. (Click Here)

Mobile Register Makes Recommendations, D-7

2005-08-22T11:37:00.000-05:00

In City Council District 7, a crowded field makes a runoff for this open seat a near certainty. Three candidates, all seeking political office for the first time, stand out. (Click Here)

From Shane McBryde:

2005-08-13T15:14:00.000-05:00

Sample Ballot City Election, August 23rd

2005-08-13T15:10:00.000-05:00

What I Stand For !!

2005-08-13T12:57:00.000-05:00

This Is What I Stand For, And What I hope To Accomplish.

1.) Qualifications: "Seventeen years experience of hands-on involvement in the community concerns of Mobile. I have maintained a close involvement in the issues that have affected our area from the building of the Arthur Outlaw convention center through to the present day construction of the R.S.A tower."

2.) Reducing the city sales tax: "Yes. By at least one percent. Sales tax account for approximately 82% of the city's revenue. We should continue to grow the economy and look at ways to restructure the tax base."

3.) City Council discretionary funds: "We should do away with discretionary spending. The money presently in the in those budgets should be restricted to well defined guidelines as to where and on what it can be spent."

4.) Cutting back on spending: "In the "General Government" category, City Hall Overhead. In the "Other Transfers" category, the Convention Center and the Civic Center. In the "Salaries & Benefits" category, Mayor's Office (commonly referred to as the mayor's executive staff.)"

5.) The single most important issue facing District Seven: "The city's mounting debt. I would stop the practice of transferring funds from the capital budget to the general fund and allocate those revenues toward paying down the city's debt and shoring up the police and firefighters' pension fund."

Shane McBryde

Shane McBryde Campaign Push Card

2005-08-11T16:04:00.000-05:00

WKRG Channel 5 and "Pork & Politics"

2005-08-08T14:56:00.000-05:00

As part their commitment to giving candidates free air time, Wednesday August 10th on the five O' clock news, Channel 5 will air my 90 seconds of free air-time. Check it out!

Also, Tuesday night, August 9th, is "Pork and Politics" at the Battleship Park pavilion, sponsored by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. Over 400 people are expected to attend this premiere political event along with most , if not all, of the candidates for municipal election. My wife Amy and I plan to attend, and we'd love to see you out there.

Click here to learn about the City of Mobile.

Shane.

Message From Shane

2005-08-04T08:21:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the long delay in updating the Blog. It has been in the words of Chip Drago of MobileBayTimes.com a bit, "topsy turvy." However, I have posted some updates on the local coverage of the district seven race. Enjoy!

Shane.

The "Mobile Register" Covers District 7

2005-08-04T08:09:00.000-05:00

McBryde to run in District 7
Former radio personality is fourth person to declare candidacy

Thursday, July 14, 2005
By JEB SCHRENK Staff Reporter

Former radio personality Shane McBryde will run for Mobile City Council District 7, after all.

(Click Here to Read the Rest)

From "The Political Skinny"

The Talented Mr. McBryde :

Former radio personality Shane McBryde, a Mobile City Council candidate for District 7, boasts of one talent that probably will not help him on the job.

(Click Here to Read the Rest)

From "Mobile Bay Times"

2005-08-04T07:49:00.000-05:00

Chip Drago at "Mobile Bay Times" Covers District 7 Race

July 21, 2005
Police captain seeking City Council seat.

July 15, 2005
With five announced candidates, the race for the District 7 seat on the Mobile City Council will be hotly contested. Here's an early look at the
campaign's financing.

July 13, 2005
The latest in the topsy-turvy world of the race to succeed John Peavy as the District 7 representative on the Mobile City Council.

July 12, 2005
Is it 'to be' or 'not to be' for real estate developer Rick Collins in his deliberations over a second City Council, District 7 race?

Message from the Blogger

2005-06-30T08:27:00.000-05:00

I enjoyed chatting with guntotingliberal last evening. GTL is a blogger of some renown in the bloggosphere. Although, he says he's not quite up there with My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy he's very committed to blogging. So, cheers to you my friend.

GTL gave me a bit of a drubbing during our chat about being an active blogger, and I agreed he was right. Blogging and the whole internet method of propagation and communication are vitally important. So, I hope to make more frequent posts.

I discovered this link on guntotingliberal's blog by the way. Check it out.

It might surprise you: Check Your Political Compass

It purports to scientifically gauge your political position left or right of center.

Alright, well I'm back on the campaign trail.

Shane.

Lagniappe's Toland on The District Seven Race

2005-06-30T08:13:00.000-05:00

By Ashley Toland
Editor

Nappiar

Now for our most elegant and powerful city council news appetizer, Nappiar. Just blend a little Nappie Award promotion with the eggs of a Mobile Bay croaker and spread it on a cracker. Yes, apparently our 3rd Annual Nappie Awards have nearly the same magnitude as the first elections in democratic Iraq. (Click here to read the Rest)

Gregory asks for support in poll

2005-06-08T17:16:00.000-05:00

From, "The Political Skinny"
Mobile Register

Gina Gregory, who's running for Mobile City Council's District 7 seat, has spent the last few years as a Mayor Mike Dow appointee overseeing media and public relations. Now she's attempting to influence the media in a different way. (Click here to Read the Rest)

Miller to run for City Council, District 7

2005-06-08T17:13:00.000-05:00

Local businessman Mead Miller Tuesday afternoon announced his candidacy for the District Seven seat on the Mobile City Council. (Click here to Read the Rest)

Restaurant owner seeks Council seat

2005-06-08T17:07:00.000-05:00

Mead Miller announces candidacy in District 7
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
By JEB SCHRENK
Staff Reporter

Mead Miller, a city planning commissioner who co-owns two pizza restaurants, announced his bid Tuesday for the District 7 Mobile City Council seat. (Click here to Read the Rest)

Register Reader Responds To BID Commentary

2005-06-01T07:12:00.000-05:00

More From The Mobile Register
Letters, faxes, and e-mail
Page 3 of 4

one-man, one-vote

I read with interest the letter in the May 28 Register, "Was 14th Amendment missing in council BID action?" The author, Shane McBryde, I assume, is the same individual the Register noted in its May 22 article as a "radio disc jockey" vying for the District 7 seat in the upcoming Mobile Council election.

McBryde described this amendment as being passed just after the Civil War for the purpose of "not only guarantee voting rights, but equal representation under the 'one man, one vote rule.'"

He then concludes that the "one man, one vote is the principle by which voting districts are drawn and it's the reason Mobile has a mayor-council form of government." Balderdash. (Read the rest, Click here)

My Thoughts On The BID Corporation

2005-06-01T07:08:00.000-05:00

More From The Mobile Register
Letters, faxes, and e-mail
Saturday, May 28, 2005

Many Mobilians expressed shock recently that a private non-profit corporation known as a BID or Business Investment District would be allowed to levy an assessment on business property in downtown Mobile. The BID could also place a lien on any delinquent property.

It seemed "baffling" even to a member of the City Council which ultimately approved the plan. It was as if the 14th Amendment didn't apply when it came to the BID.

In fact, that's partly the case. (Read the Rest, Click Here)

Council Race Has Little Buzz

2005-05-23T11:56:00.000-05:00

From The Mobile Register

In District 7, Councilman John Peavy is seeking the mayor's seat, leaving his council post open and increasing attention in that district.

Peavy won the council seat last year in a special election against real estate broker Rick Collins. Collins said Wednesday he would not run again... (Click here to read the story)

Recent News On District Seven Race

2005-05-19T14:29:00.000-05:00

Uncle Henry discusses District Seven candidates.
The Uncle Henry Blog

Switching from a statewide issue to the City of Mobile's District 7 race, our host mentions radio personality Shane McBryde and Mike Dow's spokeswoman & former WKRG-TV5 reporter Gina Gregory up for the position. "Well, he's still a disc jockey", said the Uncle ...(click the link to read the rest)

City spokeswoman Gregory to seek seat on City Council
Mobile Bay Times.com

City spokeswoman Gina Gregory will resign her post at City Hall to run for the District 7 seat on the Mobile City Council in municipal elections this summer, she announced today. (to read the rest click the link above)

Gregory announces bid for Council's District 7
Mobile Register

Gina Gregory, who is leaving her post as the Mobile city spokeswoman to take a private job in public relations, has announced she will seek the District 7 City Council position. (to read this rest click the link above)

A Few E-mails I've Received

2005-05-17T16:01:00.000-05:00

Comment: The City Council has to decide on budgets and spending. Will you release your credit score and credit report? If you want to control city money we should be able to see how you have handled your own finances over the past several years. Have you had any collection agencies after you or has the government had to go to court over your taxes? We have the right to know.

--
Posted by Anonymous to Shane McBryde Campaign at 5/5/2005 08:06:21 AM

Reply: "All candidates for public office, pursuant to state and federal law must file financial disclosure statements. However, I would point out that many city leaders posses graduate degrees in finance. The city's budget does not necessarily reflect a particular grasp of what one might consider prudent financial practice. I suppose if I demonstrated a history of borrowing money to pay my basic operating expense and on top of that borrowed more to pay off what I had borrowed, then I wouldn't be a candidate for public office today."

Comment: Well I'm not a Mobile resident, though I do live in the county.

I used to listen to your radio show and was saddened when it went off the air.

That follicular challenged fellow in North Alabama who is in the time slot now is no Shane McBryde.

Anonymous' question/challenge seems spurious at best. I'm not sure how a link can be drawn from one's personal finances to show how it would affect public fiscal responsibility.

--
Posted by spacemonkey to Shane McBryde Campaign at 5/16/2005 09:19:23 AM

Reply: Thanks for checking out my blog and thanks for the email

Shane.

Comment: If you can't handle your finances, how can you handle someone else's finances?

--
Posted by Anonymous to Shane McBryde Campaign at 5/17/2005 08:50:24 AM

Reply: I will not attempt to argue a dispositive. I would like to take the opportunity to simply highlight some facts about the city's financial practices.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND BUDGET FY 2004 - 2005:(Infra-structure/ stormed Mngt/ Drainage/ ect...)

TOTAL REVENUES: 40,735,897

TOTAL TRANSFERS TO GENERAL FUND (Operating Bdgt.) $28,678,773

TOTAL DEBT SERVICE $ 11,259,905.00

BALANCE LESS XFERS & DEBT SERVICE $ 797,219

Through a number of accounting tricks, (ex: $9 million budgeted for the mayor's strategic plan, then 3 million of that transferred back into the general fund.), the city has managed to maintain at least the appearance of balanced budgeting. However, it is balanced in appearance only.

A close examination of the budget reveals many of these instances where money from capital is allocated to one area only to be transferred from there into the operating budget in some other line-item. The city has floated at least three bond issues over the last ten years. That borrowed money goes into the aforementioned capital fund, and it is from there the city has transferred tens of millions of dollars into any number of sub-categories in the operating budget.

Also, it is from the capital fund we pay the debt service on the borrowed and then transferred money.

It is also important to note, money in the capital fund is by law to be allocated for capital improvements. Again, the pratice of transfers allows the city to legally otherwise allocate those funds.

This practice would be analogous to a homeowner borrowing money for home improvements, and paying off his credit card debt instead. Then charging whatever improvements he initially intended. This is building a financial house of cards that at some point simply can longer be sustained.

Thank you for your question and the opportunity to share the facts.

Shane.

City Council races budding

2005-04-28T18:35:00.000-05:00

Mayor's Scrap Tops Card,

But Council Bouts Developing

By Chip Drago

Mobile Bay Times

The race to replace Mike Dow as mayor of Mobile has commanded the stage in the early going of the political season, but budding City Council contests are developing as well, particularly in two districts.

Activity appears strongest in Districts 2 and 7, as was expected because of the incumbents' respective circumstances.

With four-term incumbent Thomas Sullivan entangled in political and legal difficulties stemming from alleged preferential use of the Mobile Convention Center and his district's discretionary funds, several prospective challengers are mulling a run.

In District 7, there may be an open seat, with incumbent Councilman John Peavy as one of four candidates vying to succeed Dow at City Hall. Rumors that Peavy will ultimately withdraw in favor of a bid for another term on the City Council have not completely died down. The Peavy camp maintains such talk is politically motivated, an attempt to deprive his campaign of the oxygen (read, money) to fuel its fire, and a tribute to Peavy's stature as an opponent.

With all that, District 7 hopefuls are both attracted to a race without an incumbent contender and yet wary that it may pose a false spring, with Peavy returning to reclaim a Council seat that he won in a special election less than a year ago.

In District 2, among those considering a run are:

Veteran Mobile attorney Al Pennington, 56, long active in Democratic political circles, a former prosecutor and whose private practice now is varied and includes criminal defense; "I would say that it is even money that I will run. At my age, I would have no extra agendas and what would happen if we actually had someone who just did, without regard to running again, the right thing. Scary thought?" said Pennington.

Mobile restaurateur Mead Miller, 57, active in Main Street Mobile and other civic endeavors. Miller has ties to former Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore. Miller said his motivation stems not from any personal ambition, but from a desire to make a greater civic contribution. He may re-locate and run for the District 7 seat;

William Carroll, 35, a residential building contractor whose mother, Helen Carroll, was a longtime aide to former U.S. Sens. John Sparkman and Howell Heflin. Carroll, a former football standout at McGill-Toolen and later at Florida A&M, played in the Senior Bowl. Active in historic preservation, Carroll is a lifelong resident of the district. He is self-employed as the owner of the CM Group LLC.

As well as Sullivan.

In District 7, those reportedly eying the office include:

Miller, who attends church in the district and owns a restaurant on Old Shell Road near the University of South Alabama. Miller said he would establish residency in District 7 in time to qualify should he decide to seek the District 7 seat;

Rick Collins, a real estate developer who lost to Peavy in the special election last September to fill the unexpired term of former City Councilman Stephen Nodine. Nodine was appointed to the Mobile County Commission District 2 vacancy created with the conviction in federal court of ex-Commissioner Freeman Jockisch. Nodine ultimately won election to a full four-year term on the commission. Collins said he was involved in a major development in south Mobile County and would not likely make a decision on another City Council race for 30 to 45 days. Qualifying deadline is July 19.

Shane McBryde, 34, a broadcaster and public relations/political consultant. A native of Mobile, McBryde attended Mary G. Montgomery High School. He and his wife, the former Miss Amy Moore, are the parents of two-month-old twins, Daniel Paul and Margaret Grace. McBryde said he will run for the seat.

"Mobile is poised for tremendous growth, and I want to ensure the interests of District Seven are maintained," said McBryde.

"... Mobile's form of government is designed as a strong council, weak mayor form. In light of the dynamic leadership of Mike Dow, it has tended to follow the executive on most issues, thus becoming a strong mayor, compliant council form. The council, which represents the body of the people must regain the initiative in city government; allowing that the government would work most efficiently if it operated as designed.";

Gina Gregory, a Dow appointee as director of Public Relations and International Protocol for the City of Mobile. She also oversees the Special Events Department. Ms. Gregory began her position in August 2002. Prior to joining the mayor's staff, Ms. Gregory was a reporter and anchor for Mobile's CBS Television affiliate, WKRG.

"There's not a whole lot to say right now," Ms. Gregory said. "I've always wanted to run for public office, but the timing has never been right. With the mayor going out of office, I will need a job. By a job, I don't mean on the City Council. But it (a run) is not something that I would say 'no' to necessarily. If there was the support and the financial resources and it looked like it would be a viable candidacy ... "

"At this point in my life, I'm faced with needing a job and that's the primary thing right now," she said. "Then again, running for public office of some sort has been a dream of mine for a long time. It's a matter of when would be a good time."

Bragg Van Antwerp, 28, who is currently working in New York as an executive with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., a large, independent investment company. The son of Tom and Gypsie Van Antwerp, he received a degree in Government from the University of Virginia.

"I was born and raised in Mobile, and have always thought of Mobile as home," Van Antwerp stated. "I have always planned to return home and I still do. Recently I have indeed been receiving quite a bit of encouragement to come home and run for the City Council. I am honored by this encouragement and, quite frankly, I am giving the matter a great deal of consideration.

"It's my belief that Mobile is entering an exciting and extremely important period in which there is great opportunity for expansion and prosperity -- opportunity that can only be realized if the City is run well. I naturally care very much about both the present and the future of my hometown and I am giving careful thought to what I may have to offer in this regard."

Three guys, a girl and a pizza place playing this summer

2005-04-28T18:24:00.000-05:00

By Ashley Toland
Ashley Toland is Lagniappe editor. E-mail her at ashleytoland@lagniappemobile.com
Editor

The mayoral race will certainly be Mobile.s big summer blockbuster. Much like Star Wars:
Episode III: Return of the Syphilis or whatever it is, there will be action, adventure, drama, special effects and of course, love. No, not the kind of love that Han and Leia had or even the homorobotic love between CP30 and R2D2. But a much greater love . the love between candidate and contributor, which does require a lot of kissing, but the lips of one party are not involved but rather the cheeks, and I.m not talking about the ones on the face. Yes, there will be twists and turns and maybe even candidates frozen in carbon or LNG or something. But one thing is for certain: a victor will emerge. And he or she will bravely lead the city into the future by conquering West Mobile and fighting off the evil forces of drainage problems, taxation and police and fire attrition.

It’s the kind of story where legends are made, at least locally. But if you.re not really into this type of tale, might I suggest, something a little lighter . perhaps, the feel-good flick of the summer, the district seven council race, which I.m calling, .Three Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place..

A Brief Synopsis: Political heartthrob Steve Nodine (and I mean that only in the political sense)
vacates District Seven seat after winning a much-more-boring-but-lucrative position as county commissioner, leaving his council spot open and the need for a special election. Commercial realtor Rick Collins and contractor/ former city councilman John Peavy both throw their hats in the ring. Despite a Category Four hurricane approaching on election day, some folks, although not many, took time off from organizing their canned foods and taping their windows and voted Peavy into office. Now Peavy is running for mayor and the seat will once again be up for grabs, with no incumbent to battle.

The Players

Shane McBryde: I.m not giving McBryde top billing, but so far he is the only one who has confirmed he is indeed running. His credits include .The Shane McBryde Show,. a political talk radio show on AM radio in the late .90s and early part of this decade and then working as the PIO for the Mobile County Sheriff.s Office under Jack Tillman until May 2004. Since then, he has served as a political consultant to the now-incarcerated Freeman Jockisch, among others.
McBryde says he has always had an interest in politics and really enjoyed interviewing local reps. on his show and seeing they are just .regular guys.. He considered running for the spot during the special election, but felt .it just wasn.t the right time.. But now he says the time is right, and his campaign is well underway. If elected, he plans to work for .good government. and continue the tradition of .good, effective representation. in the district. He would also like to re-organize the district by beats, in hopes it will make the community more active.

Gina Gregory: Along-time broadcaster, Gina Gregory worked as an anchor and reporter for local CBS affiliate WKRG for years. She has also worked as a lobbyist for the Alabama Petroleum Council in Montgomery and as a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch. Since August 2002, she has served as the Public Relations Director for the City of Mobile. Over the last few weeks, Gregory has been feeling things out in the community to see the level of support and funding she would get, which so far, she says, has been .very positive.. Before making a final decision, she says she also needs to talk more with her family and see if it is the right thing for her to do personally. But she does feel she is well qualified. She has worked closely with the council for the past couple of years and says she has .gained a lot of insight of what the job would be like. and knows the .processes. and would not be .starting from scratch,. like some of the other candidates. She says she already has built relationships with the other councilpersons and is ready to get off the sidelines and .step up to the plate and serve . to be an actual part of the decision-making process, to be a leader..

Rick Collins: Once again, Collins starred in the prequel to this race, losing to Peavy in the special election. He said he is considering a run again, but is waiting until around May 15 to make a decision. His camp would focus on .basic services . police, fire, drainage, streets and the things I think our government should provide first and foremost.. Beyond that, he thinks he can offer a lot in the areas of economic development, annexation and education. He has not made up his mind though and said if someone he thought would do a good job and was philosophically similar to him, he would step aside and support that person. He indicated he had someone specifically in mind, but would not reveal that person.s identity.
Holy Toledo! Maybe it.s Batman!

Bragg Van Antwerp: It may not be Batman, but we certainly have a Robin who may jump into the race, in the form of Bragg Van Antwerp. Not sure if the 28-year-old Boy Wonder will even be eligible, as he literally lives on Park Avenue, and I.m not talking about the one off of Springhill Avenue, I.m referring to the one in New York City. Yes, New York City! Before you cry, .get a rope,. Van Antwerp assures us he.s .not your average New Yorker. but a Mobilian at heart. Although he hasn.t lived here since he was 10, he.s .been back on a regular basis and kept up with what was going on.. But the address of his heart nor his body may not matter, as currently there is no way he would be able to run, as you must live in the city for a year and your district for 90 days. But incidentally, there is a bill in the state legislature sponsored by Representative James Buskey to change the minimum residency requirement to 90 days for both, which has a lot of eyebrows raised and people wondering what could be going on behind the scenes. If things go Van Antwerp.s way and he does run, he plans to focus on annexation, downtown redevelopment and creating the types of jobs that will keep young professionals from moving away.

Mead Miller: Local restaurateur Mead Miller is still weighing his options and hopes to make a
decision in the next couple of weeks. Miller lives in District Two and owns restaurants in both two and seven, the popular Picklefish pizzerias and eateries. He said he would consider moving to district seven and running for that seat, if the Buskey bill passes, although he is also curious about what is really going on with that. As we went to press, Miller opted out of the District Two race, saying it would be too difficult to win, adding that he would focus his thoughts on District Seven. .Right now, I.m just getting all my ducks in a row,. Miller said.

Ashley Toland is Lagniappe editor. E-mail her at ashleytoland@lagniappemobile.com
5

Shane Mc Bryde District 7

2005-03-26T15:59:00.000-06:00

Yes, I am a candidate for Mobile City Council D-7. Mobile is poised for tremendous growth, and I want to ensure the interests of District Seven are maintained.

I want to ensure that our drainage issues are fully and adequately addressed. Our roads and neighborhood streets must be well maintained. Many neighborhoods in our district need resurfacing today! We in District Seven find that flooding of certain streets in certain areas has again become a frustrating problem.

Law Enforcement and Public Safety in the district must receive attention. With the continual growth and urbanization of District Seven we must be guaranteed adequate patrols throughout our many neighborhoods. I would seek to ensure response times are satisfactory. In addition, much more advanced notice must be given when crimes of a serial nature have taken place. District Seven ought not to remain in the dark in these instances.

Our public parks and areas of recreation will continue to receive the attention, funding and maintenance they require to remain attractive and safe for the public.

Issues of Urban Blight as a result of the growth in our area now need to be pro actively addressed. To this end I support pay raises for those in our departments of public safety, public works and sanitation.

In a broader sense, to many times throughout my experience in politics I have noticed how personal petty grievances between two or more elected officials take away from their ability to pursue constituent interests. I will serve District Seven first and only. I do not seek power, prestige, or political gain. I believe I can work effectively representing the interests of District Seven.

Also, Mobile's form of government is designed as a strong council, weak mayor form. In light of the dynamic leadership of Mike Dow, it has tended to follow the executive on most issues, thus becoming a strong mayor, compliant council form. The council, which represents the body of the people must regain the initiative in city government; allowing that the government would work most efficiently if it operated as designed.

To quote Benjamin Franklin, "I believe the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people." I want to bring city government to the doorsteps of district seven.

In all of this we (city government) will demonstrate the benefits of city government, and thus become more attractive to the western sector, improving our chances for successfully annexing that area of West Mobile beyond Cody Road.

In all earnestness, I could go on a bit more. For example: The need for tax reform: We need to explore lowering our sales tax. A State, County and City total of 9% sales tax makes it awfully expensive to buy groceries and other necessities for most people. However, this must be weighed against the present circumstances. It is a fact, Police & Fire Fighters need a raise, and we can’t afford to reduce our revenue as dramatically as 11 million dollars (represents .05 in sales tax), with this in mind.

Tax reform has to be considered in light of our pressing needs for drainage projects throughout the city. Tax reform has to be considered in light of our debt service, which to my understanding is quite considerable. We must stop borrowing money, work to reduce our present debt load and generate greater revenue through economic development and expanding our tax base, i.e. annexation.

Furthermore, economic development means not only the downtown area, but all of the districts, in particular district seven. All of our citizens must be a beneficiary of city government’s efforts towards development, business expansion and growth along economic lines.