Dissatisfaction with Montgomery treatment of Mobile & Baldwin (Birmingham, Prichard: airport, beaches)

[MardiGras251]

Like i was saying, we should be able to vote on that. They neeeed us, but treat us like crap. We have the best set up for trade out of any city in alabama. We have a deepwarter seaport, an airport (that can land the biggest planes in the world), 5 class 1 railroads, and two major interstates. All of these thing are within 5 miles of each other.

[harry chickpea]

You can vote - for a representative that is stronger in forcing the issues in Montgomery, and who knows how to build and use political capital.

[southernnaturelover]

As far as I can see Baldwin County is doing pretty darned well.

[GreggT]

Gee I thought Airbus located in Mobile that to the state pushing the area. I see ads on TV all the time about the Alabama beaches. On your port, the companies that use it have a free choice to use it, Panama City, New Orleans, or Miami. It works the same for the cruise lines. Don't blame Montgomery for this! Montgomery doesn't dictate to these companies, it is up to Mobile and Baldwin County to sell themselves.

[MinivanDriver]

"Us too." -- Birmingham


In truth, the problem that all the cities in Alabama share is our obsolete state constitution, which gives rural counties incredible power over the cities. So it's next to impossible to get anything done without slapping a constitutional amendment on the budget.



You want Alabama to treat you better? Then get behind a constitutional amendment forthwith. And don't listen to retrograde idiots such as Roy Moore who oppose it.

[GMJag]

Originally Posted by GreggT

Gee I thought Airbus located in Mobile that to the state pushing the area. I see ads on TV all the time about the Alabama beaches. On your port, the companies that use it have a free choice to use it, Panama City, New Orleans, or Miami. It works the same for the cruise lines. Don't blame Montgomery for this! Montgomery doesn't dictate to these companies, it is up to Mobile and Baldwin County to sell themselves.

For years the City and Mayor Dow were sending a contingent of reps to the air show in Paris to try to draw attention to this area. They eventually gained the attention of Boeing and very nearly struck a deal before it fell through. If I remember correctly that was due to union concessions or something along those lines, which kept the jobs at Boeing's main site. It did shed some favorable light on the city and evidently got the attention of Airbus. I don't remember the state being involved until late in the process when Airbus was bidding on the Air Force contract. All the grunt work was done by the city, at least that's how I remember it.

[southernnaturelover]

I drove South Blvd in Montgomery a few months ago, and it seemed like half of the businesses were closed and boarded up. I don't believe I have seen anywhere in Mobile that looks that depressing.

[GreggT]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

I drove South Blvd in Montgomery a few months ago, and it seemed like half of the businesses were closed and boarded up. I don't believe I have seen anywhere in Mobile that looks that depressing.

Sad to say but South Blvd has been like that for many years. Take North Blvd and an completely different picture is presented.

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by GMJag

For years the City and Mayor Dow were sending a contingent of reps to the air show in Paris to try to draw attention to this area. They eventually gained the attention of Boeing and very nearly struck a deal before it fell through. If I remember correctly that was due to union concessions or something along those lines, which kept the jobs at Boeing's main site. It did shed some favorable light on the city and evidently got the attention of Airbus. I don't remember the state being involved until late in the process when Airbus was bidding on the Air Force contract. All the grunt work was done by the city, at least that's how I remember it.

Thats true.

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

I drove South Blvd in Montgomery a few months ago, and it seemed like half of the businesses were closed and boarded up. I don't believe I have seen anywhere in Mobile that looks that depressing.

There isn't. Prichard has areas that resemble that though.