County View

By Jeff Poor

It’s been an interesting year, to say the least, for the Mobile County Commission. The first all-Republican commission since Reconstruction hasn’t been the smooth-running machine, devoid of controversy, envisioned when Gov. Bob Riley appointed Juan Chastang last year.

So what lies ahead? The boisterous finish of 2006 should be a good indicator.

Dilution of the Mobile County Commission an un-Republican idea? Not so fast says Collier

The growing undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the Mobile County school board has caused some state legislators of the Mobile delegation to contemplate tinkering with the size of the school board. The discussion has carried over to the county commission and some legislators think while they’re at it, the Mobile County Commission should also be expanded.

The idea of expanding any form of government has conservatives in Mobile cringing in anguish, especially if it means an additional burden for the taxpayer in the form of salaries and any increase of bloviating politicians. However, leading the charge is Republican Rep. Spencer Collier of Bayou La Batre.

“I think it’s uncalled for,” Commissioner Stephen Nodine said last week. “Collier’s a Republican and he should be looking at ways to consolidate and reduce government, not expand it.”

Nodine indicated he replies to all the correspondence from his constituents and makes the case that three full-time commissioners are sufficient to handle the rigors of county government.

Collier thinks the need for expansion stems from a desire for a distinction between rural and urban representation.

“A lot of people feel they don’t have a voice in county government,” Collier said. “The needs of Tillman’s Corner are not the same needs of Grand Bay.”

Collier has a unique proposal. Mobile’s three full-time commissioners are paid $71,600 annually in salary and expenses according to published reports. Collier wants to offset the cost of additional commissioners by combining the salaries of the three commissioners and divide it five ways, making the job of each of the five Mobile County Commissioners a part-time job with a pay of $42,690 annually.

Collier contends this isn’t aimed at slighting the current office holders.

“I’m probably one of the most conservative guys in Montgomery, but I’m going to represent my district before I represent my party,” Collier quipped.

The other concern over an expansion of the seats of the county commission is how the district lines would be drawn. Would the lines be gerrymandered to benefit Democrat candidates?

According to Collier, any redistricting would have to be cleared by the Department of Justice. Since the school board has five members with their district boundaries already approved, he suggests the county commission use the same lines.

This sounds fine and all, but it begs the question – is there enough room on the 10th floor of Government Plaza for five commissioners and the mayor?

Dean pushes for $5 million expenditure to lure track. Nodine: Fat chance

Commissioner Mike Dean has been lobbying the racetrack investor group headed by former Mayor Mike Dow, Gulf Coast Entertainment, LLC, to locate its $600-million facility in Mobile County. Now that’s it’s been announced the track will be going into Prichard, one wonders if he’ll keep pushing.

Dean, a racing enthusiast and racecar owner, believes this endeavor could mean more for the county than the much-publicized Northrop-Grumman/EADS aircraft tanker assembly plant. He believes the track could mean as many as 4,000 jobs for the community.

“The racetrack is a top priority,” Dean said. “I think it puts us on the map nationally. This could be bigger than Disney World.”

Dean believes the track could serve as an emergency facility in the event of a hurricane and car manufacturers will use it to road test cars, making the complex multi-functional.

Although the proposed Mobile County site is in Commissioner Juan Chastang’s district, Dean is not happy that neither Chastang nor fellow Commissioner Stephen Nodine has warmed up to the idea.

“I was thrown under the bus,” Dean said.

Chastang believes the chamber of commerce should be leading the way for this economic development project.

“All three commissioners want this racetrack, but this idea is premature,” Chastang said.

Nodine is even less enthusiastic about Dean’s overtures for the county’s involvement with this project.

“I start at zero,” Nodine said. “We don’t throw a random figure out and hope someone grabs it.”

Dean wants to use money from the Pay-As-You-Go program for infrastructure surrounding the track, however Nodine insists there is no money left in Pay-As-You-Go coffers.

There is a good deal of unwarranted racetrack-phobia in Mobile County, however, this Dale Earnhardt, Jr. racetrack proposal isn’t likely to bring something to our area as grand (or as disruptive depending on how you look at it) as the Talladega Superspeedway.

Even Talladega, in all its glory, only hosts two events a year. It’s like comparing the Auburn-Alabama football game to the GMAC or Senior Bowls. Both of those events are important to Mobile, but it is difficult to imagine this racetrack playing a role on such scale as the venues that host NASCAR Nextel Cup events.

Contact Jeff Poor at jeffreypoor@yahoo.com.

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