By Ashley Toland Editor

Well they didn’t get it all, but they certainly got the piece of the pie they wanted. Only one of the four proposed annexation areas, Area A, voted to be a part of the city Tuesday, Sept. 18. The largest of the areas, A includes the commercial corridors, along Schillinger and Airport and the impoverished Mobile Terrace community. The sales tax revenue generated from this area alone is estimated at $10 million annually, and Mayor Jones and his administration were celebrating this one as a victory, despite the other areas voting decidedly against it.

“They made their own choice, and we wish them well. But for those who voted to be a part of the city, we plan to start improving their quality of life first thing in the morning,” Jones said at a results party at the Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds Tuesday night.

Jones felt the reason the residents of Mobile Terrace voted for this, but none of the others, was quality-of-life issues.

“It’s the most depressed area. There are still dirt roads, no streetlights and blight. They wanted the services we could provide,” Jones said.

The other areas aren’t as neglected.

At first glance, turnout looked less than stellar. Only about 40 percent overall, which, unfortunately, is generally not bad for an election, but Jones was quick t point out it was over 50 percent in some areas.

Everyone, except maybe the school system will benefit from this, even those in B, C and D. City council president Reggie Copeland said Tuesday night the money generated from A would allow them to still build the “super” police and fire station, just east of the airport. This will service all of the areas and ease the load on the stations inside the city limits that have been servicing these areas. So public safety will improve throughout the city, which was the number one objective.

But the school system will lose a half percent of sales tax, which brings in about $2.5 million annually. Though this will be offset slightly by property tax revenue collected, they will still lose about $1.3 million dollars per year. Though administration officials point to the $22 million dollar impact ThyssenKrupp is expected to have on the system and feel like they will be fine.

Mayor Jones said they will try to annex other areas who want to be a part of the city. He also said if those in B, C and D have a change of heart, they wouldn’t certainly revisit the issue.

In other council news…

At the Sept. 11 meeting, the council voted unanimously to revoke the retail beer and wine license for Alexander Grocery on Antwerp Street in Maysville. The owner, Lillie Alexander, sold beer to underage, undercover police cadets five times since 2005. She was the one who sold it each time, as she is the only employee. Because of this, no one will be allowed to apply for a beer and wine license for a year at this address.

A few months ago, this store also caught the council’s attention when a citizen informed the councilors the store was frequented by crackheads and prostitutes who would defecate on it. Yes, defecate on it.

The 66-year-old Alexander, who pleaded for another chance, said she always pays attention to tobacco, but for some reason, not the alcohol sales. She offered various excuses, including a family crisis and poor arithmetic when calculating one of the undercover cadet’s ages.

“If you take my business from me, I don’t have a way to survive,” she cried.

The council was not impressed and given she was the one who sold it each time, not a cashier, as in other cases, they all favored the maximum penalty.

Also present at the meeting was the Underage Drinking Task Force, comprised of students from St. Paul’s, UMS, McGill and Baker to support the revocation.

And let me just say, I think these kids are doing a great job, as are the parents, teachers and officers involved in this program. It is certainly most admirable.

And I think Ms. Alexander absolutely should have had her license revoked. No question. But weren’t there any students from Wiliamson who could have come down to lecture the little old lady, who literally has blue hair? They are the ones affected. I doubt any of these kids have ever driven their hand-me-down Beamers or brand new Jettas into Maysville.

There was just a little something off-putting about it. And then someone even made a joke about the upcoming St. Paul’s – UMS game in the midst of this woman’s livelihood being taken away from her, which again, she deserved BUT a little sensitivity, people.

Again, I think the kids are great, but it would be nice to see representatives from all of the high schools involved, especially the one right down the street, and I hope they consider that in the future.

Ashley Toland is Lagniappe editor. Contact her at ashleytoland@lagniappemobile.com.

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