The mayor’s race
Published: July 1, 2009
We’re in the cycle of another city election again, but the talk of the town is the mayor’s race and who will occupy that seat.
Because I get to meet a vast amount of the public at my job, a large number of the voters ask my opinion of the two guys who are running for that office.
From what I know, the guy with all the auto dealerships is leading in the polls as of late and has the best chance. But no matter who wins the office of mayor, we need to demand more of these fellows running for public office.
The way this city is growing, we need someone with business experience, because running the business of a city with a budget of more than $100 million is no job for an amateur.
It seems like the dude who holds that office currently has been asleep for the last four years, and the one before him spent most of his time feuding with the newspaper and pouting during the two terms that he occupied the mayor’s office.
I have talked with a civil engineer who said, “The Ross Clark Circle in its present state will not sustain the growing onslaught of daily traffic congestion and the pounding wear-and-tear of eroding asphalt. The problem has to be dealt with within the next two to three years. It is that serious.”
That’s one of the main issues the next mayor will have to deal with.
Robert Alberson
Dothan
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Reader Reactions
A car salesman as a mayor? He can’t seems to take a stand on anything. He needs to stick to selling cars, running a city government is not like running a business. Plus I don’t like the chamber of commerce picking my mayor like they are doing with Schmitz. At least Seagle has some good ideas, I’ve not heard anything different from tax and spend Pat Thomas to Mike “tax and spend” Schmitz.
Mr. Alberson,
I agree with many remarks you make such as having a keen business man at the helm of this $180 million operation. Yes the City Manager is there to insure the day-to-day operations, but policy is very important to this as well. We need leaders who at least understand the business models and concepts of the new age.
On the Circle… it is a state owned roadway and the City is at the mercy of Montgomery. Our City officials for decades have been fighting for improvements, but we do not seem to get it. We only get empty promises. If you want the Circle addressed, we need people who can get in Montgomery’s ear and press harder. Also contact our local state representatives and push them harder. It is getting in bad shape, I agree, but the responsibility unfortunately falls to the state leaving the City’s hands tied. Sad but true.
ZWMD: Good post. Dead on. Everette and Seagle are men after their own agenda and that agenda is not in Dothan’s best interest. it is an agenda of revenge and anger. After Everette’s last 2 embarrassing public appearances (Republican Club & interrupting Commission meeting) I can understand him not showing… everytime he does he loses more and more votes. District 3… pay attention to what this. His rants and anger will not help your District.
After last night debate, it is obvious that Seagle wants to push his personel agenda. He talks that the current leadership is made up of the good ole boys network, but he is lineup with Everett. By the way, do we want a commissioner who doesn’t show up for a debate. Mr Everett should be ashame of himself. If we allow Seagle, Everett, Craig and Newsome to take over, Dothan will go straight downhill.
“The way this city is growing, we need someone with business experience, because running the business of a city with a budget of more than $100 million is no job for an amateur.“
That is why we have a City Manager.
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