County View

By Jeff Poor

After some criticisms, I have decided to give up attempting to revamp my writing style to adhere to the laws of argumentation and rhetoric just to please a few so I may now focus my efforts toward Pay-As-You-Go programs that will lure top-notch businesses to Mobile County.

I’m on the EADS/Northrup Grumman bandwagon now, even if it has been pushed back to 2008. Yes, I know some are disappointed, but there are probably less than 10 of you out there who analyize my writing for its argumentative content, however I know a new aircraft assembly plant in Mobile will benefit the masses.

And now with that off of my conscience, I offer you the County View.

The Great Bridge Debate

Interestingly, some on the Mobile City Council seem to think if we can choke off I-10 across the Mobile Bay into Baldwin County, we can somehow force people into believing the world is flat and everything drops off the edge of the earth when you go into the Wallace Tunnel, the Bankhead Tunnel or over the Cochrane-Africantown USA Bridge.

Unfortunately, the center of the universe isn’t downtown Mobile. I love Wintzel’s oysters, Picklefish pizza, the freaky chicks at Atlantis on any given weekend night, the squirrels in Bienville Square and even the auditorium at Government Plaza (no, the Mobile Chamber of Commerce didn’t give me free coupons); however, there are justifiably some legitimate concerns over I-10 traffic traveling eastbound.

“That was a major issue when I was first elected to the legislature,” Mobile County District 3 Commissioner Mike Dean told me recently.

At question is whether or not the bridge will affect a variety of things, including the appearance of Mobile’s skyline, shipping concerns and the EADS prospects at Brookley.

“We need to lay the hay down and let the goats get it,” Dean said. “We may need to build it high enough to accommodate the cruise ships and Mobile Maritime Museum.”

Both Dean and Mobile County Commission District 1 Commissioner Stephen Nodine have publicly commented in favor of a bridge based on the Alabama Department of Transportation’s recommendations.

Some citizens in the south central neighborhoods of Mobile are opposed to any bridge because there is a sense such a large project requiring a high and towering bridge to accommodate the shipping concerns would have to start in their neighborhoods.

Well, after making a couple of recent trips south of I-10 on Broad Street, I can safely say any sort of large construction project in the neighborhood near the Texas Street exit on I-10, regardless of the nature, would be a substantial improvement to what is currently there.

What’s the latest with the Government Plaza roof?

According to Commissioner Dean, the original contractor is going to take another look at the roof of Government Plaza, even though the warranty has long since expired.

“I doubt [Alabama State District Attorney Troy King] will touch it now that the contractor is involved,” Dean quipped.

Originally, Commissioner Nodine sought King’s opinion on the Government Plaza roof leak predicament.

In the meantime, I am still bringing my inflatable raft to the county commission meetings so I might return to the Government Street side of Government Plaza following the bi-weekly commission meetings.

Edmond Naman attempts last-minute heroics

Assistant Mobile County District Attorney Edmond Naman is now the GOP candidate for juvenile court judge in Mobile’s 13th Judicial Circuit after former Republican primary Pamela Millsaps was disqualified for failing to file her campaign financial statements by the proper deadline.

“I got the call on Friday afternoon three weeks ago at 5:45 p.m.,” Naman said. “It was pandemonium those first three days.”

Naman will face Democratic nominee Chip Herrington in November. Herrington, who is predicted by some political insiders to easily win hasn’t deterred Naman, although Herrington has been actively campaigning as well.

Naman is something of a newcomer to Mobile political warfare, having never run for a political office.

“We’re learning on the job,” Naman said. “I basically had a mission of around the world in 80 days. USA Professor Steve Rockwell has designed my Web site. My friend, [District Judge] George Hardesty, has also been a big help.”

It should be interesting.

Mike Dean: Race car tycoon

Last month, on the then-Ron and Shane Show, Commissioner Mike Dean revealed he had an interest in an ARCA series team. The Automobile Racing Club of America (or ARCA) is one of the feeder series into the present day NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, the premier league of stock car racing.

Dean’s efforts are a result of his son, Casey, recently attempting to break into stock car racing, having attended the Buck Baker Racing School. The Dean’s family interest in motorsports is a result of there being four race tracks in Commisioner Dean’s district.

“We have purchased an ARCA car,” Dean remarked. “We’re looking to build a late model and we’re looking for a crew chief.”

Only serious inquires need apply.

Contact Jeff Poor at jeffreypoor@yahoo.com.

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