Candidates debate issues

FLORENCE - Several hot-button names from the past few years - such as Bass Pro, Blackberry Trail and Jimmy Neese - were popular topics during Thursday's roundtable for Florence mayoral candidates.

They were among numerous subjects brought up for discussion for Mayor Bobby Irons and his challengers, city Councilman Scott Carrier and local accountant John Hargett.

Irons said the Shoals has witnessed 5,700 additional jobs during the past five years. "It's going to take experience to keep that momentum going."

Carrier is concerned about the city losing recent college graduates and other young adults because of the lack of opportunities locally. "There's a disconnect between Florence and its young people."

Hargett said the nation is "currently engaged in a great cultural war" over how much involvement government should have. He believes Florence oversteps those boundaries.

The first question from the moderators from WVNA-AM radio, which sponsored the forum, concerned Bass Pro Shop. It recently was announced that one would locate in the Decatur area. A Bass Pro had been considered for Veterans Park, as part of a Retirement Systems of Alabama economic development project that brought two Robert Trent Jones golf courses and a four-star Marriott hotel and spa.

Hargett said he doesn't believe it is appropriate to provide public funds for a private business, while other businesses get nothing. He said a Decatur-based Bass Pro competitor is concerned about its future because of Bass Pro coming to that town.

Carrier said he understands the need for government incentives for some projects, but not for retail development. He said the time Florence spent considering Bass Pro was a waste because Tennessee Valley Authority guidelines prohibit such use along its shorelines.

Carrier said Decatur is getting many complaints from other businesses in that city, and a hotel that was supposed to locate there as part of the package has pulled out.

Irons said the Bass Pro idea came from RSA, and Florence never made a statement either way as to whether it would be a good idea because a feasibility study never was done.

"There's a lot of misinformation floating around regarding that," Irons said. "Florence didn't spend one penny and there was never a commitment made."

He added that TVA's disapproval of a Bass Pro only came when the agency brought forth new regulations after the retailer was being considered by RSA.

Along those lines, the candidates were asked what they would consider a good project for Veterans Park.

Carrier said commercial recreation is a possibility. He likes the idea of building a white-water rafting facility that would operate along a track around the park. He said that would preserve the park's integrity and still allow room for other uses.

Irons said he has heard suggestions about white-water rafting or some type of water park, but is concerned that could take up all of the park.

Hargett said he doesn't believe a city should be involved in any type of business, including a water park.

Traveling down the road a bit, the candidates discussed the appearance of Veterans Drive, which is becoming a major road because of the Patton Island bridge project.

The candidates said the street is becoming a gateway to the city. Irons foresees many residential dwellings turning into commercial developments.

Hargett said property reaches its best potential when it's left to private owners to decide what to do, rather than a public entity.

Carrier said Veterans Drive isn't the only east Florence area that needs improvements. He said Huntsville Road needs enhancements. That opened the door for him to talk about east Florence, which was rezoned as an entertainment district.

Carrier said he was disappointed that the only potential investor who wanted to use the area in that way was turned down by the city.

The city-operated Blackberry Trail golf course was another big topic.

Hargett said a feasibility study determined the course would break even if $3 million were invested. He said the city has invested much more "and people still aren't going out there."

Carrier said the city has "a long and storied history of very dubious decisions and projects," and Blackberry is an example. He also is concerned that a sportsplex under construction is headed in the same direction.

Irons said the golf course is one of the nicest assets in Florence. He said any city recreation project loses money, but is there to enhance quality of life and bring in money through other means such as tourism. He said the course is bringing in high-dollar homes from people who want to live there.

On the topic of private developers, Carrier and Irons pointed out that city loans to private developer Jimmy Neese were provided by the previous administration.

Carrier said, however, that the existing administration should have handled the issue better. He said he and Councilwoman Angie Pickens didn't allow the issue to die, and the result was Neese paying back $155,000 of the approximately $650,000 owed to the city.

"By pursuing it, at least we let the people know we're fighting for them, not for some special interest," Carrier said.

Hargett said it doesn't make sense for a city to offer such loans. He said someone accepts such a loan for one of two reasons: either it's a better rate than banks offer, which hurts business for local banks, or the person getting the loan has credit issues.

Irons said the city treasurer pursued every avenue possible to have the money repaid. When those options did't work, the next step was to place it in the council's hands, which the administration did, he said.

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@TimesDaily.com.