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District 1 councilman Fred “MoonPie” Richardson, working behind the scenes, might have landed the City of Mobile another “piece of the pie.”
A MoonPie, that is, of course.
Chattanooga Bakery marketing director Tory Johnston, revealed in an e-mail sent to city officials and obtained by Lagniappe, the company is looking for commercial real estate to lease for a seasonal, and a possible year-round “MoonPie General Store.”
The e-mail was sent on Friday, April 17, and asks that a city official or designate assist the company in finding a suitable site for the store.
Last year’s giant MoonPie.
Johnston alludes to the possibility to a broader MoonPie horizon in Mobile’s future.
“If successful, we’d look to open a permanent store in 3rd Q (MoonPie code for quarter) 2010,” Johnston disclosed via the World Wide Web.
Richardson could not be reached for comment at press time. The councilman and his MoonPie New Year’s Celebration will face opposition later this year, in an August election, when Yasmin “No Moonpie” Coker plans to challenge him for the District 1 seat.
thefallingman says:
May 18, 2009
08:33 AM
I don't like the vast majorities of Fred Richardson's ideas, but I see no harm in a Moon Pie store.
maggie says:
April 24, 2009
04:26 PM
I bet I know the real motive in bringing the moonpie company to Mobile. The school board members would get kickbacks in the form of moonpies that they could throw at the parades they ride in without the school system paying for them. I forgot what the cost of the moonpies was a few years ago but I bet David Thomas and Hazel remember.
proud says:
April 24, 2009
12:39 PM
Yasmin, stay focused!! Go to the City of Mobile archives and pull some of the policies that Fred Richardson Heights has voted on. I heard Fred heights is friends with Pee Wee Hermie. Hmmmmn.
I better not say that too loud or I might get Spanked by Mu Dea Thomas! Thomas don't spank me. I'll give you a moon pie! Then I will let you enroll in the ClintonL. Johnson Center after we leave the Thomas Sullivan Center.
No think about all of this; Mike Dow didn't name anything after himself, Fred name that amphitheather after Dow. Did Charlie Waller, Mabin Hicks, Bess Rich, Reggie Copeland and a few others name any city own facilitor after them?
WE MUST SUPPORT OUR NEW CONTENDERS!!! NO MORE INCUMBENTS! WE MUST RID OURSELVES OF THE SAME OLE SAME OLE!!!
floaty06 says:
April 24, 2009
11:56 AM
I kind of like the idea. It would be a touristy kind of place, and while it would benefit Mobile, it would also benefit the Chattanooga bakery. I don't think it would take away from Toomey's business (not that he should have a monopoly on Mardi Gras either), as that company is a Mardi Gras whole-saler if you call it that. People (riders) would still buy in bulk from Toomey's, but tourists and locals could buy moon pie memorabilia and other Mobile merchandise. Also, I don't think it would take away from that other Mardi Gras store downtown because they sell other lots of other things besides Mardi Gras beads (trinnkets and decorations for the home, etc). It should definitely be downtown.
billybob says:
April 24, 2009
11:33 AM
Don't let this derail you one bit Yasmine. Way to go. How much money will Ready Freddy be giving to this? Just because someone is opposed to a moon pie flop that attracted 1200 (not thousand) people is not a reason to deny them a vote on the council. Mr. Richardson has consistently abused his power. Not to mention he has NOT filed his campaign paperwork in a timely manner. Not just this year but years gone by. Plus (like Nodine & others) he was appointed to the seat. That seems to be the most popular way to go these days. Get appointed after someone dies or goes to jail. Keep up the good work & best of luck to all NON incumbents!!!
susan1945 says:
April 24, 2009
09:27 AM
I am very glad to see someone else step up to the plate and want to make a difference.
I remember seeing this young lady in the newspaper a couple of years ago. She was
participating in that event where people slept outside in the box to raise money for the
homeless in 30 degree weather. It's one thing to try and raise money but to actually go
and participate is beyond the call of duty. We need a caring person like this in office that
can relate to our community.
granny says:
April 24, 2009
12:06 AM
We have Toomey's as the Mardi Gras store that sells trinkets and moonpies. Why would Fred try to bring another company into Mobile to take away from a store owner who has been here a long time? That's so typical. I guess that 27,000 in International Travel that he has spent traveling is finally paying off. I can see how all this is helping with the ditches here in Trinity Gardens. I say give Fred a run for his money! Instead of calling him Fred "Moonpie" Richardson, what about "FLYING FRED".
itstime says:
April 23, 2009
11:46 PM
Yasmin is a very classy and intelligent young woman for those that do not know her. Maybe you should try getting to know her and stop believing everything that you read about her or hear. She is just bringing to the table the issues that people have given to her instead of sweeping them under the rug as so many council people often do. Fred should stop the nonsense now and stick with trying to correct issues instead of causing them. GROW UP Fred!!! You are too old for games. Give the younger generation as a chance. You have been in office since 1997!!!!
yasmincoker says:
April 23, 2009
11:31 PM
I am running in the upcoming election to represent district 1 and the city of Mobile. Apparently Councilman Richardson and others have decided to design my platform for me. However, this is an attempt to mislead and cause division in the community where I am trying to unite them together for the common good. This election is not about Mardi Gras that runs for 2-3 weeks but about the issues and concerns of this district the remainder 49-50 weeks of the year. In the spirit of public fanfare, Mobile has a rich history of celebrating a family-friendly Mardi Gras. As a councilmember I would like to continue that tradition in a fiscally responsible manner.
luvdapies says:
April 23, 2009
06:16 PM
Fred Richardson has done something positive (unless you think Moon Pies, New Year's, and Mobile somehow project the wrong image when thrown in the same pot and mixed together) and constructive for Mobile. Nothing wrong with that!
bocfiend says:
April 23, 2009
05:28 PM
Way to go, Fred. Looks like you coucildudes do more than sit on you butts and take up space. Now if we could just get the city council to do something.
homer says:
April 23, 2009
04:18 PM
I am no Freddy fan, but this person running against him and her clearly anti-madi gras agenda bother me. What kind of fundamentalist jibber jabber must they be spewing at that Hibernia Church to somehow make the "family" madi gras evil. Ok so it looks like we will have a bunch of public officials that don't care if we loose the senior bowl, get rid of madi gras, and fill the bay with quick dry cement... Seriously if you don't like the things that define our city get out, go to Vanilla Island and preach on.
jagsouthern says:
April 23, 2009
03:46 PM
Wow..who would have thought that all those overseas junkets Fred has taken would pay off so big. Go get'em Fred. But still, I actually like the moonpie idea for New Years and welcome the moonpie store. This won't help Yasmin's chances of moving Fred out!!! Who could replace a Fred with a Yasmin when Fred has paid a dividend?