News

Florence council votes to ask TVA to revisit policy


By Russ Corey
Staff Writer

Published: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 1:31 a.m.

FLORENCE -- Council members Tuesday voted 5 to 1 to approve a resolution asking the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors to revisit a policy that would restrict the use of TVA-controlled waterfront property.

Related Links:

More specifically, the policy could prevent the commercial development of Veterans Park, which is part of an agreement between Shoals governments and the Retirement Systems of Alabama.

RSA is working with Shoals governments in an economic development project that includes a Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail complex, a luxury hotel and other amenities.

One of those amenities is proposed for Veterans Park. A Bass Pro Shop and accompanying retail shops have been discussed, though Councilman Hermon Graham and Mayor Bobby Irons said there is no agreement to build a Bass Pro Shop in the park at this time.

The resolution approved by the council Tuesday asks the TVA board not to adopt a land-use policy that would prohibit retail, commercial or residential development on TVA reservoir property at Veterans Park and other areas under TVA's jurisdiction.

Councilman Scott Carrier has criticized the mayor and council President Leland Howard for signing a letter explaining their desire to develop the Veterans Park property and sending the letter to the TVA board. TVA leased the property to the city to be used as a park.

Carrier expressed concern that Howard and Irons did not discuss the letter with the council before it was sent.

"The process is as important as the outcome in any issue," Carrier said.

Irons, during the period reserved for the mayor's comments, said the letter concerns the development of TVA land in areas other than Florence.

Had the policy been in place a few years ago, Irons said, it would have prevented the construction of the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Convention Center and Outback Steakhouse in Sheffield. Both were built on property that had been controlled by TVA.

Several people who are opposed to the commercial development at Veterans Park attended Tuesday's meeting.

Florence resident Clark Mueller said an "attraction" at the park would be a silver lining in a project he did not completely support. "(But) Bass Pro Shop is not an attraction," Mueller said.

The majority of the speakers said they had no problem with a Bass Pro Shop in Florence. They simply don't want it built in Veterans Park.

"How many of you would have been elected if you ran on a platform of destroying Veterans Park?" asked Sheffield resident Edna Carter.

Carter was one of at least five Sheffield and Tuscumbia residents who attended the meeting.

Florence resident Louise Cramer said she did not appreciate people from Colbert County insulting Florence officials.

She also accused Carrier of going to Colbert County to find people to back him up.

In other business, the city council:

  • approved a $59,985 emergency sewer repair project on Conway Street.

  • approved $34,000 for materials testing services involving River Heritage Phase Two.

  • approved a $16,500 contract for computer information systems security consulting services.

  • approved a resolution authorizing the city to enter into a contract for the sale and purchase of natural gas with Conoco Phillips Company.

  • approved a resolution advancing and reimbursing travel expenses to city employees.

  • approved a resolution authorizing $511.65 to promote an attempt to break the world's record for most people singing Christmas carols in one place at Braly Stadium.

  • approved a resolution expressing the city's support for the continuation of commercial air service provided by Northwest Airlink.

  • approved an ordinance allowing the city to contract with WHNT-TV for the installation and maintenance of a weather station on top of city hall and provide the Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency with video and data feeds.

  • approved a resolution allowing the city to enter into a $134,359 contract with Hill and Jangaard Architects for services associated with the construction of new swimming pools at the Royal Avenue Recreation Center.

  • approved a resolution authorizing the city to approve a revised and amended fiscal 2006-07 general fund budget.

    Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@timesdaily.com.


    • Comments

      Post a comment | View all comments on this topic.
    1. Moon Over Homewood says...
      November 22, 2006 6:20:44 pm

      RE: http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20...11220327/1011/NEWS01
      Only half the story (as usual) was told by Russ (phone it in) Corey. Those who watched it, or if you want to and Comcast Monopoly Center Channel 3 hasn't got the poor girl in jail or the basement of their building, can rewatch the telecast at alabama.shoals.general newsgroup, know the tone and atmosphere that was prevelant. We voted one set of yes men out and except one SCOTT CARRIER, voted another set right back in! Speaker after speaker begged these "politicians" to not adopt this plan. Did they listen? Why of course not. And the audacity of Bobby Irons to ask where the group opposing another land grab by Bronner and company at taxpayer expense were 4 years ago was quite pointedly answered by John Crowder (who I hope WILL finally run for council next time) when he stated they and about 200 other citizens were on the sidewalk of the courthouse holding a protest (which I am glad to have attended). And then at the end of the whole charade meeting, during the comment period, when one of the citizens responded to the comments of Billy Ray Simpson who can't praise these people enough (hopeing he will get Pendleton's endorsement when he runs, anyone can see through him) about blindly following leadership and references that this was the attitude of Nazi Germany, being practically screamed at by Leland Howard (who would have made a great SS officer) just showed the contempt this new crowd (once again, with the exception of Carrier) has for their constituency. Yeah, we voted all but one out and we got all but one of the same KIND back in. Let's try to do a better job of voting Florence in 2008!

      Report this post

    2. traderconnections says...
      November 23, 2006 4:33:35 am

      It seems...
      All Florence Councilpersons and Mayor, except Scott, stole the play book from the 2003 Tuscumbia City Council.
      It appears they are a disfuncitional unit and worthless to the Citizens of Florence...just as the Tuscumbia City Council of Old, Jim Couch,Buddy Aldredge,Bill Johnson,Dennis Box and Vickie Estes was to the Citizens of Tuscumbia...Tuscumbial removed all of them and now has a better Council..
      I wish you citizens of Florence the same...

      Report this post

    3. The Fonze says...
      November 23, 2006 5:51:06 am

      I agree, all the city council (except Scott) and Mayor need to go! Talk about arragant butt holes!

      There is no way in hell that they should have the right to do away with Vetrans Park. We the people need to vote on it!

      Report this post

    4. NashBama says...
      November 23, 2006 7:34:07 am

      That's what happens when a city that small is divided into districts. It's hard to replace a bad member with someone better because you can only vote in your district. In an non district city, the top winners get a seat. 3 open seats means the top 3 candidates will win. This way the entire city can vote for everyone, so organized groups can have an influence on the elections no matter where their members live. By only allowing people to vote for certain candidates, it reduces the power of the organized voters and things like this happen.

      Politicians hate negative press and cameras. If you want to prove to them you have a voice, organize protests in front of city hall. Jam the meetings and show your organized with everyone wearing a red shirt or holding a small sign. Send press releases to the major local media outlets about protest plans. Take pictures and video of the meetings, protests, anything organized and put them up on the web.

      If you want to fight city hall, use the media. It's a lot harder to vote against the people when they know the people are watching.

      Report this post

    5. Pitbo$$ says...
      November 23, 2006 3:48:32 pm

      A vote is never going to happen I don't think. However, if enough people will send TVA an email to:landpolicyhearing@tva.gov
      with a letter like below, then Veterans Park will remain a park or revert back to TVA control.

      I fully support the proposal to preserve the Tennessee River shoreline public lands from residential and commercial development. This land should be used to provide a natural buffer along the Tennessee and it's tributaries. It's preservation is important in preserving the native flora and fauna, in providing public recreational areas and in maintaining the beauty of our valley. As a lifelong resident of the Tennessee Valley, I find it upsetting that the Agency would consider divesting itself of these properties to developers or politicians seeking easy profits. This land is a treasure and belongs to all the residents of the Valley. TVA has always stood tall on environmental and land- use issues and I'm confident it will do so on this issue. In regard to the specific issue of the TVA land at the north end of Wilson Dam (commonly referred to as Veterans Park) I oppose the proposal of the city of Florence that it be used for a retail development. First, Wilson Dam will soon be 100 years old and was a significant engineering feat when constructed. It's beauty should not be scarred by a commercial strip mall complex on it's north end. Second, there is plenty of private land available along Veterans Blvd. for the development. Third, this development is not popular with the general public and the politicians have refused to allow a referendum. TVA doesn't need to get in the middle of this issue.
      I appreciate the opportunity to offer my comments.

      Report this post

    6. Moon Over Homewood says...
      November 23, 2006 6:26:07 pm


      Thanks so much, I have sent form letters but this one seems to address the heart of the matter better than others. We can only hope that TVA doesn't cave in to Bronner! Thanks

      Report this post