County View
Trying to make it through the Wallace Tunnel from Baldwin County has become increasingly difficult (not that it wasn’t difficult before) now that everyone wants to gaze at the newly added spire. Have people commuting into Mobile from the east never seen a tall building?
It’s just amazing to see people gaze up at the sky while driving 70 mph, like there’s some sort of astronomical feat is occurring right over downtown Mobile. It’s amazing.
And with that rant, I offer you this week’s County View.
Mobile County Democratic Executive Committee elects new chairman
Local businessman Brad Warren was elected to chair the Mobile County Democratic Executive Committee earlier this month. Warren is taking over for Mobile lawyer Bob Beckerle, spouse of the infamous cat-loving District 1 Congressional candidate Vivian Beckerle.
Warren is an executive at Southern Chemical Formulators, a Mobile-based adhesive producer and a 1991 graduate of the University of South Alabama.
Warren is inheriting a party that is somewhat disjointed in the wake of the DaVon Grey sheriff candidacy controversy.
“I think you’ll see a party that reflects Mobile and Alabama more than national agenda,” Warren said. “I also think you’ll see a party that’s more racially diverse.”
Warren points to Mobile County juvenile court judge candidate Chip Herrington, Senate District 35 candidate Gary Tanner, Circuit Court Candidate Marsha Guy and Mobile County Sheriff’s candidate Matt Tew as being excellent candidates with shots of winning their respective races.
“I think the Democrats will still hold the [Alabama State] Senate and House,” Warren said. “Locally, we have 45 days until the election and we’re scrambling. I did contact the [Lucy] Baxley campaign and the Mobile County Democratic Party headquarters will more than likely be shared with the Baxley campaign.”
Warren admits things aren’t in the best of possible shape, but appears optimistic.
“The Republicans have helped us tremendously with the state things are now,” Warren quipped.
Warren appears to have the right idea in many regards. If the Democratic Party in Mobile County wants to return to any sort of relevancy, they need to abandon the fringe hot button issues like being so openly anti-religion and anti-Iraq War and return the Democratic Party into more of the party for the socially conservative blue-collar working man. Protesting the Iraq War on a chilly Saturday afternoon in the middle of January chanting anti-George W. Bush slogans while some burnt-out hippy strums his guitar does appeal the some who is might vote Democrat locally, but Republican nationally – the way Southern elections were for a long time, and are still in many rural counties throughout Alabama.
Subsidy dispute endangers tanker project
Mobile’s shot at building refueling tankers is in dire straits if Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England doesn’t eliminate language about a World Trade Organization dispute over aircraft subsidies in a request for bids scheduled to be released this week. The WTO filed a complaint against Airbus, which produces the A330 jet – the basis of the KC-30 – because they felt subsidies from Airbus received from European governments gives them an unfair advantage over Boeing.
If this language is included, Northrop could withdraw its bid, thereby eliminating Mobile from contention. Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine went to Washington earlier this month to lobby on behalf of Northrup.
“I was in Washington meeting with Senators Jeff Session and Richard Shelby and Congressman Jo Bonner,” Nodine said.
Nodine also said the Mobile Congressional Delegation has enlisted the help of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to have the issue dropped by England.
“With Senator McCain’s help in making sure this is a fair competition, I think we’re going to be successful in removing that barrier,” Nodine added.
Is it possible that with this move, McCain, who has made several trips to Alabama in the past year, is positioning himself win the favor of Alabama primary voters in the event he does seek the 2008 Republican presidential nomination?
Proposed budget needs a little fine-tuning
The county commission is mulling over a $162 million budget that includes employee raises, more sheriff’s deputies and jail improvements. Nodine, who finds the budget favorable has a few minor adjustments he’d like to see made.
Nodine would like to see more of an investment into the volunteer fire department and to grow the county’s cash reserves from $18 million to $25 million with in the next few years by exercising fiscal discretion.
“Things we have to go over are keeping the cost of government low,” Nodine said.
Mobile County vs. Baldwin County: The battle for the Dale Earnhardt, Jr. racetrack
Last week’s greatly hyped announcement that a $624 million motorsports park bearing Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s name would come to either North Mobile County or South Baldwin County has generated fervor around town. But, the methodology former Mobile Mayor and president of Gulf Coast Entertainment, LLC Mike Dow is employing has left some county leaders scratching their head.
“I don’t think the former mayor has the right concept in trying to pit Mobile versus Baldwin County,” Nodine said. “How the announcement was made is something we won’t be a part of. We think the best way is to work together.”
Nodine says the commission is focused on other economic development possibilities, some that have been announced and that have yet to be announced. Nodine doesn’t foresee the county commission being a part of any incentive package for the time being.
“It is probably out of the realm of possibilities,” Nodine said.
Contact Jeff Poor at jeffreypoor@yahoo.com.
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