Land deal for Country Crossing done

March 13, 2008

Lance Griffin/Dothan Eagle

Representatives for Ronnie Gilley are currently making copies of the signed contract securing the land for the proposed Country Crossing Development. Stay here and at dothaneagle.com for official confirmation of the site location, which should happen later this afternoon.

Where would you put Country Crossing?

By Lance Griffin

Where is the best site for Country Crossing?

Just off 231 South, close to the Florida line

Just off 231 South, but closer to Dothan

84 West between Wicksburg and Dothan

Somewhere else in Houston County

Pastor’s comments not previously reported

March 12, 2008

Debbie Ingram/Dothan Eagle

“I said this in public (before). I would not get in the car with Ted Kennedy or George Jones.“
—Spoken by a Dothan minister

It’s one of those things that’s eaten at me since I first heard it.

Generally speaking, when someone says something during a public meeting that might be deemed controversial, offensive, or just funny, it has a tendency to be picked up by the media. It might be repeated to evoke laughter, bring outrage, or create support. Maybe it is a quote that motivates, uplifts or brings an “amen.“

If it is different, we like it.

During the March 6 county commission meeting, a local pastor made the comment which I would normally have reported but didn’t because ... well, because it was personal. Yes, it was said in a public meeting I covered with nearly 50 people in attendance, and there was certainly truth in his words, but ..... I couldn’t bring myself to put it in the story. I conferred with the editors that be and they agreed. Don’t put it in the story.

But, there it is. Haunting me, so I decided to blog it. I know, I know, I am communicating it.

At any rate, I don’t know much about Ted Kennedy or George Jones, other than the well-known fact that alcohol has gotten them both into trouble in the past. I’ve heard Jones stopped drinking some years ago and that he has credited his wife, Nancy, with basically saving his life.

I also know every alcoholic fights his or her own internal demons—whether it is the memories of the pain inflicted on others when they were drinking or the things of which there is, frighteningly, no recollection at all. I also know I could not condemn the Country Crossing project (including bingo) because one of its developers used to get drunk.

And I guess I would get in the car with George Jones. I guess I would. Would you?

 

Christian Coalition says it did not send autmoated phone call

Lance Griffin/Dothan Eagle

Collier Craft, spokesperson for the Christian Coalition, told me the Christian Coalition of Alabama played no part in the automated phone messsage delivered to many Houston County residents over the weekend. Some of the language used in the phone message was similar to an action letter sent out by the Christian Coalition of Alabama concerning electronic bingo in Houston County.

Christian Coalition to hold rally in Dothan

Lance Griffin/Dothan Eagle

The Alabama Christian Coalition will hold a rally in opposition to the electronic bingo center proposed for the Country Crossing development. The rally will be held on the steps of the Houston County Courthouse at 2 p.m.

Below is a copy and paste of the press release:

Montgomery – In an effort to stem the rapid expansion of electronic gambling machines in Houston County and the Wiregrass, Dr. Randy Brinson, Chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama will be joined by Christian leaders from the area on the Houston County Courthouse steps tomorrow to protest a recently proposed gambling mecca for the county.

The out of state investors associated with the project envision the area as being another Branson, Missouri, but in reality after they are finished it will be more like Biloxi, Mississippi or Las Vegas, Nevada. Christians all over the state are joining together to see that the expansion of businesses such as these – that demoralize our Christian beliefs – are not allowed to prosper in our state.

Because of a gambling loophole that has been found in Alabama law, these operations are growing and many operating unregulated. Legislation introduced by Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, will clarify the law to assist law enforcement officials in closing down video bingo operations opening in numerous counties around the state. The bill would also create $172 million in new revenue earmarked to fund Medicaid healthcare programs. Most importantly, this legislation would allow the people of Alabama to decide in a vote the regulations of illegal electronic gambling machines in their communities. 

WHAT:    Rally/Press Briefing
WHO:    Dr. Randy Brinson, Chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama and Christian leaders from the area.
WHERE:  Front Steps of the Houston County Courthouse

WHEN:  Tomorrow, Thursday, March 13th at 2:00 p.m. 

**To schedule an interview with the Christian Coalition of Alabama’s Chairman, Dr. Randy Brinson, please contact Collier Craft at 205-757-6927 or .

About the Christian Coalition of Alabama:

The Christian Coalition of Alabama is a 501c4 nonprofit organization committed to promoting and pursuing the application of Christian principles to public policy that is devoid of partisan politics and convey reasonable conservative solutions to issues that confront government at both the state and federal level. For more information, visit the Christian Coalition’s Web site at: http://www.ccalabama.org.