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Mobile County Commission President Mike Dean announced today that he wishes to talk and attempt to work out a solution with Jemison’s bait shop owner Harry Jemison regarding the comission’s plans to make the shop’s site part of a public access boat ramp. The plans would have cancelled the shop’s lease from the county prematurely due to stipulations in the federal grant money that would fund the project.
The announcement came during a work session of the county commission and was directed toward Jemison, his family, lawyer and several supporters. Jemison’s lawyer, Nathan Friedlander, submitted to the commission a petition with “over 3,000” signatures of people who support Jemison’s business remaining open.
Dean.
Dean said the county is sitting on $2.5 million for improvements that can only be made within a limited area. He also apologized for not coming to Jemison sooner, a sentiment county commissioner Steven Nodine also expressed.
“The commission could have done a better job… This is not the time to allow a small business to be kicked out of something they’ve been doing a long time,” Nodine said.
Before today, Dean was planning to terminate the Jemison’s lease early so he could address the issue of publicly accessible boat launches and also the needs of county residents like Jim Patterson who said there are currently no public launching ramps.
“Jemison’s is not the only place on the causeway. We need places like this launch,” Patterson offered.
Dean said he’s only looking to improve the area. Jemison’s lease will run until 2013 if the commission doesn’t decide to exercise a clause that would allow them to go ahead with development, according to Dean.
Patterson’s remarks were rare in that after they were made, he received no applause – an inevitable occurrence anytime someone spoke in favor of Jemison retaining his bait shop.
“It’s like a mini welcome center,” one supporter boasted. “A pillar of the community.”
“When you go through the door they’re smiling,” Michael Wallace said. “They’re the only one on the island with fresh bait,” he then added in response to Patterson’s remark.
Even District Attorney John Tyson Jr., a lifelong customer, came to address the commission.
“Jemison’s is the iconic bait shop in Mobile County Alabama,” he said. You can find a way to solve these problems and keep the bait shop.”
Some of Jemison’s supporters did their best to offer Dean and his fellow commissioner a few solutions.
“The Park just to the North might be better. Nobody fills the need (for bait) better than Harry,” on supporter offered.
But Dean eventually dispelled any chance of the “park just to the north,” – Bayfront Park – receiving any of the development planned for the more controversial site in question
“We can’t go further north. Plans have already been submitted,” Dean said. He added that it would be the middle of next year before the commission received any money because some steps in the process are yet to be taken. Dean then said he wishes to extend Jemison’s lease at least that long so they would have time to work things out and attempt to make all parties happy.
Jemison voiced his approval of that proposition.
“I want to stay where I am, doing what I do. I’ll work with Commissioner Dean in any way possible,” Harry Jemison said.
Dean said he hoped progress could be made soon and that he looked forward to sitting to a cup of coffee with Jemison.
politicallyinclined says:
July 16, 2009
03:39 PM
BillyBob what is your freaking deal with Nodine? You really seem to absolutely hate him. Is this personal? He didnt even vote with Dean on the Jemisons deal and urged Dean to drop the whole thing. Ignorant people make me sick.
thetruth says:
May 01, 2009
03:36 PM
Well this should be interesting. YOu can certainly tell the elections are still a couple of years away.
oldmobilian says:
April 24, 2009
04:32 PM
Time for Jemison's to relocate. Clean of the east side of the road where the bait shack is for boat trailer parking, remove all the abandoned oyster boats and repair the boat ramps.
There is nothing wrong with the location as this was our primary boat ramp after Fredrick, while we waited for the new bridge.
If you have been to Billy Goat Hole lately, you know that the boating public needs a new boat ramp more than we need the $300 a month rent. I do not agree with Dean often, but he is dead on in this case.
See you on the shoals.
billybob says:
April 24, 2009
11:39 AM
Homer's right. NEVER believe what you hear come out of a politicians mouth. Primarily Dean & NODINE. I cautioned Mr. Jemison about this. Dean & Nodine know the outcome of this already. They flip flop like a mullet on the pier. Keep in mind these are the 2 that supported the fieldhouse money. And they say they do not support the racetrack legislation using eminent domain (Intiment domain according to Nodine) to take private property. That's not exactly -but very close to what their doing to Mr. Jemison.Way to go guys.
thirteenandtwo says:
April 24, 2009
10:24 AM
Mike Dean's rubbing his hands together thinking Dauphin Island is the next Gulf Shores,towering condos all along the Mississippi sound it will be good for the county and it will be good for me.
homer says:
April 23, 2009
04:24 PM
That is one of the stupidest places for a boat launch ever devised. The water out there is too freaking shallow, they will have to dredge constantly, which is very expensive. If they would move it to the other side of the road on the bayou it would make more sense, but directly out into the shallow gulf is moronic. I'm telling you, the reason Mike Dean's head is shaped like a safety cone is nature's way of saying, be cautions of what comes out of here.