Letters

More is better

To the editor:

I was disappointed to read that a county official opposes increasing the number of Mobile County commissioners from three full-time commissioners to five part-time commissioners. A five-member, part-time county commission would better represent rural communities and allow professional administrators to run day-to-day operations. We need a county commission made up of working citizens from all parts of Mobile County.

Adam Bourne

Chunchula, AL

Actually, it is a big deal

To the editor:

There was a story in the “other” newspaper this week about the arrest of two men suspected of selling drugs near LeFlore High School. In the story, a quote was attributed to one of the Mobile Police Department narcotics unit officers (I can name him, but thought I wouldn’t) as follows: “In the grand scheme of things, if this had happened at Government and Broad, it’s not that big a deal.”

I am perplexed about what to think about that remark. Does the officer mean a drug deal at Government and Broad is inconsequential? Does he mean he doesn’t care if drugs are dealt on that corner? Does he mean all the drug dealers should now come to that corner?? If he knows (or thinks he knows) drug dealing occurs at that corner, why isn’t that addressed? Does he mean it is OK for my neighbors and their children to have drug dealers nearby?

A couple of my friends came to his defense and said “it is more important because it is near a school.” However, my son (a cop in another state, who I discussed this with) said, “You can not pick where to choose to uphold the law. It is wherever you are.” My son-in-law (who is a cop in yet another state) said it implied to him that “drug dealing is OK as long as it’s at Broad/Government.”

Broad and Government isn’t near a school, but school-aged children live in the blocks right off Broad and on Broad at Government (from kindergarten through high school). Should their protection be any less? In addition, Government Street Methodist Church is on that corner, where adults, young adults, teens and children attend. And, there is a park surrounded by residences with children three blocks away.

SURELY it doesn’t mean any of that! I realize he could have been misquoted and/or he isn’t used to dealing with reporters, but the implication, or perception, is there.

We (the neighborhood) have worked hard, with the help of the Mobile Police Department, to make our neighborhood safe for everyone who lives or visits. I believe we’ve had an excellent relationship with the police department and tried to be of help to them. And, I want this to continue… and not feel less protected because of where we live.

Suzanne Cleveland

Mobile

‘Sallye, Sallye, You’re our gal…’

To the editor:

Great article on Sallye (Irvine) in the most recent Lagniappe.

I think we could all learn from Sallye. If we would dedicate to just keeping the block you live on clean, it would make all the difference in our beautiful neighborhood.

It’s a great resolution for 2007: Make it a point to pick up litter in your immediate area once a week. It’s great exercise, makes our area safer and shows we are serious about cleaning our city.

Also, let’s make sure we only put trash out within 48 hours of the collection time. Hopefully the City’s recent trash laws will be strictly enforced.

I think Oakleigh can set the precedent for clean neighborhoods in Mobile. Thanks for all you do, Sallye.

Stoney Chavers

Mobile

Market is best option for downtown

To the editor:

I am writing regarding the Courthouse site in downtown Mobile and its potential use.

A letter to the editor was printed in the Press-Register by Christopher J. Clarke recently. The letter spoke of creating a Southern Market focal area, similar to what has been created in other waterfront cities across the nation. Having had similar thoughts and discussions on the subject, Mr. Clarke’s letter spurred me to attempt to develop his idea into a visual document that may be used to further discussion.

While luring residents downtown is vital for the redevelopment of the area, I feel the abundance of vacant buildings and lots north of Government allows for sufficient condo development opportunities. The parcel bounded by Royal, Government and Church could become a vibrant public space.

The Mardi Gras-themed park is a fine idea, and could easily be incorporated into this plan; however, as Mr. Clarke has stated, the addition of a bustling French Market-style roofed market would create a constant destination point for tourists as well as Mobilians. Pedestrian-friendly corridors could be easily achieved, linking the Cruise Terminal, Museum of Mobile, Exploreum, Fort Conde and over to lower Dauphin.

The structure could house anywhere from 50-60 individual vendors. Separating the structure from the Museum of Mobile could be a grand fountain, surrounded by a dining plaza and landscaped grounds where people could relax or sit down and enjoy food purchased within the market.

Pardon the looseness of the attached images, but I feel the public generally responds better to visuals. I felt that with all the current talk of park vs. condo I’ve only seen one image of a potential design for the park, and I wanted to present another alternative.

I’d like to thank everyone for their time, and if nothing else, I hope this fosters a small bit of discussion for I feel strongly it is a worthy venture.

Boots Lamar

Mobile

Archives