Huntsville Mayor Election (Madison, Harvest: for sale, real estate, houses)

[Charles]

Considering the main topics we've read on the Huntsville City Data forum, what candidate might address some of these things?

Roads
Beautification
Desegregation Order (is this even possible at the mayoral level???)
Zoning and Planning
Annexation
Employer/Business attraction (attracting jobs to Huntsville)
Anything else?

If you had an hour of the mayor's time, what would you like to tell him/her?

WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL: Huntsville Mayoral Candidates

WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL: Huntsville & Madison Mayoral Debates to be on the Big Screen at Monaco Pictures

WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL: Meet Huntsville's Mayoral Candidates

[Charles]

Should be a debate Tuesday night 630.

Flashpoint » Blog Archive » Huntsville Mayoral Debate on WHNT

[HouseFullaBoys]

Its not over yet, but what did you think of the debate tonight? Sadly, I am no longer in Hsv city limits and cannot vote!

[Charles]

We already had a thread on this (Moderator: combine these?)

http://www.city-data.com/forum/hunts...-election.html

I watched it. I was OK. I liked the one minute limits.

One guy suggested light rail and a looping road around the city. With what money? Traffic seems to be the least issue in this town, maybe it's just me or the routes I take, it's not that bad - but in all fairness, I only drive one route - I really don't know all the communities and roads. Nobody is arguing that the roads shouldn't be widened though.

There was one question about north Huntsville versus south Huntsville. I don't know the differences between the services each side receives. Are there huge differences?

The incumbent mayor seemed to be on top of things as did the businessman. The NASA guy seemed to fumble his words - doesn't mean he wouldn't be a good mayor though.

Infrastructure seemed to be a common theme. Here's the thing, the whole economy is stalled right now. Growth isn't happening anywhere, even in Huntsville. Roads are built with asphalt which comes from oil. Oil prices have skyrocketed so road building has become more expensive.

Someone said something about developers paying more to fund the infrastructure. Sounds fair, after all it is the people buying those homes who in the end will pay for it but they are ultimately the benefactors of the infrastructure. In California we had Mello Roos tax assessment (kind of like an extra bond) to pay for new roads, lighting, sewers for new developments.

[ionlife]

Originally Posted by Charles

We already had a thread on this (Moderator: combine these?)

http://www.city-data.com/forum/hunts...-election.html

I watched it. I was OK. I liked the one minute limits.

One guy suggested light rail and a looping road around the city. With what money? Traffic seems to be the least issue in this town, maybe it's just me or the routes I take, it's not that bad - but in all fairness, I only drive one route - I really don't know all the communities and roads. Nobody is arguing that the roads shouldn't be widened though.

There was one question about north Huntsville versus south Huntsville. I don't know the differences between the services each side receives. Are there huge differences?

The incumbent mayor seemed to be on top of things as did the businessman. The NASA guy seemed to fumble his words - doesn't mean he wouldn't be a good mayor though.

Infrastructure seemed to be a common theme. Here's the thing, the whole economy is stalled right now. Growth isn't happening anywhere, even in Huntsville. Roads are built with asphalt which comes from oil. Oil prices have skyrocketed so road building has become more expensive.

Someone said something about developers paying more to fund the infrastructure. Sounds fair, after all it is the people buying those homes who in the end will pay for it but they are ultimately the benefactors of the infrastructure. In California we had Mello Roos tax assessment (kind of like an extra bond) to pay for new roads, lighting, sewers for new developments.

I just hope the developers are not overextending themselves waiting for the "brac/mda" wave to arrive to pay off that stuff. Ain't going to happen. Even before the threat of a new president loomed, only 15% of MDA was willing to make the move here from VA for various reasons. I doubt anyone will make the move now until they see who is elected and which way the dust settles.

As a homeowner in NoVA who had to pay the bulk of taxes to pay for schools/roads that a lot of temporary, non homeowners who were there for two year stints etc. didn't have to pay for as long as they rented, I bristle a bit at having to pay again for all the speculation. But at least here, most people are in the same boat so it feels more fair.

We're in Madison City limits so can't vote in that election. We have one coming up as well. Now that I am an AL citizen, I've registered to vote (don't want to miss any elections this year!) here as well.

I'm not sure, but I think a person has to be registered to vote at least 1 month or two months before they are allowed to vote in that state. You can bet I was hurrying to make sure I got my registration in under the wire this year. It may only be one vote, but I believe in exercising my right. This year I wouldn't dream of missing out on that opportunity.

[HouseFullaBoys]

I don't get to vote at all, BUT if I did. I think I would be on the Paul Finley train in Madison. If I were in Huntsville that would be tough. I think Mayor Spencer has done a pretty good job, but it was a good time as far as the economy and growth, so maybe anyone would have looked good. Tommy Battle seemed really strong also. He was much more composed than Mayor Spencer in my opinion. At times it was difficult to watch her stumble and stutter. I was confused by the mayors statement that she has no influence or control over the poor academic standings of the Hsv schools, I guess I thought she would be very involved in that since it is such a huge part of the city. She looked like she was going to run away and hide when the question about illegals was asked. I will say up front that I do not know a lot about city politics, so here was my thought about north Hsv vs south Hsv. The neighborhoods, schools, roads, etc are nicer because the people there are in more expensive homes and pay more taxes, so more $ goes back into their area? Yes or no? If I were SE Hsv and my tax dollars were going to fix up NE Hsv, I don't think I would like that. Please feel free to tell me why it does not work that way and what I am missing!!

[ionlife]

Madison City needs people to buy in Madison because the dollars collected in Hville and the county don't go to it's infrastructure. They missed out on the development in Bridges (I believe it is Hville not Madison proper) and are losing oodles of moola.

Frankly, don't know what to do about that. Gotta buy clothes etc. and the malls are not in Madison. And I don't think Target is either, but I might be wrong.

At least I buy my groceries in Madison and believe me, that's a high bill!

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by cglover

I just hope the developers are not overextending themselves waiting for the "brac/mda" wave to arrive to pay off that stuff. Ain't going to happen. Even before the threat of a new president loomed, only 15% of MDA was willing to make the move here from VA for various reasons. I doubt anyone will make the move now until they see who is elected and which way the dust settles.

Yes, developers have overextended themselves IMO. Drive around western Madison, Monrovia, Harvest, NE Madison County, Zierdt Road, Hampton Cove... and look at all of the for sale signs in front of these new subdivisions. There is a glut of new construction just sitting on the market. Houses are sitting on the market much longer and selling prices are dropping despite the fact that Huntsville's local economy is doing well. Of course, real estate agents will tell you it is all rosy and no need for concern.

The relocation of those jobs doesn't have anything to do with the people in NoVA relocating, the jobs are coming here regardless. However, no one can force those employees to follow. But I agree, I think some of the BRAC may be reconsidered after the election. I believe it will happen, but it may take longer and the scale may be smaller than the original estimates.

[Reactionary]

I attended the debate at Monaco Theater - I was surprised to see a well-dressed crowd of several hundred people there, mostly 20-30 somethings, fairly diverse. The Monaco offered free hors d'oeuvres, cash beer and wine, and a very nice venue. They also have a wine tasting 'bar' - a vending machine with about 40 (good) wines by the glass - slip in your pre-paid card and wine flows into your glass (I'd never seen one). On a side note, my advice that getting active in politics is a good way to meet people - last night was a example.

IMO Tommy Battle 'won' the debate. Mayor Loretta Spencer didn't seem comfortable, but gave good answers to questions - reading a transcript might seem to give her the win. Jackie Reed won the audience - she got more spontaneous applause than any other candidate. Mike Polemeni seemed to ramble, but I agree with his light rail suggestion (I've supported that idea on this forum) - he got chuckles when he suggested that the light rail would be great for getting drunks home from downtown.

Major themes: roads, schools, jobs. Mayor Spencer noted her 12 years of leadership and success. Battle says past is past, look to the future. Reed praised HSV leadership, but notes "hidden agendas". Polemeni said he's a "pragmatist".

Personally, I've met all the candidates many times - IMO Mayor Spencer has done a fine job and Battle would be a fine Mayor - one of them will be our next Mayor. I love Jackie Reed - she is a force of nature. Mike Polemeni has some good ideas, but he had an off night.

[zenjenn]

Darn, I am sorry I missed this. I meant to watch and forgot all about it.

Does anyone know if this debate can be viewed somewhere online? (Or would someone be willing to post it up on youtube?)