Name:	waterview -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/7/2020 11:56:26 AM

i keep hearing about a potential development on Wikers Point. Where should I be looking on the map?

Name:	Sundial19 -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/7/2020 12:49:11 PM

I believe it's wickers point across from paces point  

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/7/2020 4:53:42 PM

It's Wicker Point.  I'm told it is across the street on 63 from the Willow Point turnoff.

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/7/2020 7:22:48 PM

 New Hope on the west side or across the river from the old Pleasure point Marina.

Name:	waterview -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/7/2020 8:22:12 PM

Speculation? 

Resort? Condos? Single family units? Marina?

I would like a nice restaurant that is accessible by boat. 

Name:	PTClakefan -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/8/2020 12:02:10 AM

Wouldn't we all.  

Name:	Samdog -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/8/2020 10:00:57 AM

My understanding is a Russell development. So I would expect homes on smaller lots. Something like the Ridge. A long way off since there is nothing there yet. I am not in the know about this just what I have read.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/8/2020 4:30:48 PM

I don't know if this is going to be a seperate development of homes, or part of the rumored resort, which is to include a Ritz level hotel and golf course.  I think we would all appreciate a nice restaurant or two.

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/9/2020 11:05:28 AM

   I was told it would be an expensive style hotel( Marriot, Carolton,) . with a golf course later. And of course a small marina.  

Name:	DOCGEE -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/9/2020 3:40:14 PM

If it is multi story and abuts the shore , it will ruin many sunsets . (Paces Pt. resident)

Name:	lake gal -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/9/2020 4:25:47 PM

Will this be built before or after that Publix we've been hearing about for years?

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/10/2020 9:15:28 PM

The Publix is off the table for now.  They looked hard at Alex City and didn't believe we had the right demographics for their store.  A lot of things for the future of Alex City are riding on this resort - the whole of city planning is based on tourism.  I know some are hopeful that if they can change the demographics they can lure Publix to look again.  

The problem of Alex City demographics is that it is low income and aging population.  Not a vibrant workforce.  That's one of the reasons they want to build the new HS.  To try to attract families to Alex City.  

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/11/2020 11:32:01 AM

A building doesn't make the school.  How about giving the current graduates a reason/opportunity to stay/come bcak to the area.  A resort that caters to the millianaire class is not the answer.  It will create nothing but low paying service industry jobs for the most part.  Funny that the rumors are about a 5 star type hotel and they aren't even putting it on the side with the nicer water.  Not to mention there is a very large tract of land just across the water the is already designated as recreation/public use.  I would think that if tourism were really the goal then someone should be looking at that area, not the private domain of Russell Lands who is happy to sell it off and then let the city take over the upkeep/fire/police.

The "leaders" in Alex City couldn't care less because it is on the Dadeville side and the Dadeville side doesn't have the clout nor resources to pursue such endeavors IMO.  What about a mixed use campground modeled after Wind Creek State park but add a hotel element where families who didn't wish to camp could still vacation here?  There is plenty of waterfront and off water land to create a large recreation area that will draw tourists. It should incude every camping option from primitive to glamping.

The way I see it is our leaders only want to pursue the millionaire class so they maybe get the chance to hob nob with the rich and famous they see flooding to our shores once we have a place nice enough for them to stay in. Just my opinion folks.

Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/11/2020 2:10:24 PM

I think your summation on this subject is right on!!!!!!!! It seems to fall right in line with the post today from AC Gal.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/11/2020 7:36:45 PM

Alex City is developing anything - it will all be Russell Land or it won't be.   Wicker Point, for the moment, is going to be a developed community with homes and the tax base will go to Alex City (once they get it annexed).  

This is pure speculation on my part, but it seems that the millionaire class are the ones that are going to spend money while they are on vacation and possibly look to buy Russell Lands homes.  They will be the ones spending money playing golf and going to Springhouse. That's the money they want.  

A big resort will bring more jobs than just low paying service jobs.  There is a hospitality industry - that includes  hotel management and sales, chefs, maintenance.  Do you know that Auburn has started a whole hospitality degree program?  A resort would have the potential to employ graduates of that program.  

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/12/2020 7:20:48 AM

Auburn has had a Hospitallity DEgree program for at least a decade and I think several years more than that.  The hotel just across the street from campus is owned and run by the program.  Those students don't seek that degree thinking they will get to stay in this area.  Sure a hotel needs one manager and a couple of assistants that will pay decent.  The maintenence manager will do OK, the worker bees will be at or near minimum wage.

You actually reinforce my argument when you say AC has NO PLAN.  Their entire approach seems to be to beg RL to do SOMETHING.  One hotel does not a make "resort".  Sure those millionaires will eat a meal or two, but only at RL owned eateries.  They aren't going to go to town halfway through a vacation and spend money in the local stores.  They won't be going to any "local" places. The taxes collected will never be enough to pay  for the services they want extended to them. 

The bottom line is AC has no plan, no idea, no clue.  The "leaders" have failed the folks in a big way.  They have put the city in 10 million in debt for their Taj Hahal with absoulutely ZERO plans on how to raise the tax base to pay for it other than annexing  a few high dollar homes.  Dadeville is no better, apparently their plan is to beg a TV show to come save us.  

Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/12/2020 12:55:17 PM

Iw there anyone in Alex City that tries to report what to me appears your very logical view of what is happening as they explore ways to cure a problem that may not have a logical solution. There are many cities like Alex City where events that have occurred over time just don't have a pleasant ending.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/12/2020 4:02:21 PM

There is a plan, but it has not be publicly addressed, other than to hire a tourism director and say that the focus will be on tourism.  I think part of the problem is that Alex City is not transparent enough about their intentions.  If they went public, I think the citizens would see that they are trying.  I have nothing against the local officials, but when someone proposed doing away with the mayor, et al and hiring a city manager, I thought that made a lot of sense.  Hire someone with qualifications to go after business and turn it around.  They keep hiring people to do studies - but the answer is always the same - not enough people with money to open franchises and the demographics stink as far as selling it as a thriving business community.  I personally have my doubts about the tourism focus - I just don't see the Lake as a big tourist destination, no matter how many golf courses, pools and boat rental places.  And I am afraid they will ruin the lake, without much gain for Alex City.  

On the other hand, the people in Alex City have blinders on, thinking there is going to be some kind of manufacturing enterprise to come and bail them out.  Manufacturing is just a non-starter.  They had the mayor of Huntsville come and give them a talk, but the truth is that Huntsville has the Space industry and the millitary aviation and missile business to keep them going, and their suburbs going.  So I'm not sure why they thought that would be interesting.  

Only Mayor Nabors (rest his soul) knows the reason why they went into debt for the "town hall" or what deals were made for that to happen and who they benefitted.  

Main Street has a lot of enthusiasm and they are trying their best to make nothing into something - unfortunately - it seems that the majority of people in Alex City are satisfied to shop at Walmart and Dollar General.  Even the best management can't make people buy when they don't have the money to buy in small shops, and most people at the Lake live somewhere else and will shop there.  

I feel bad for Dadeville.  If that video is what they submitted to HGTV, I doubt it will be enough for them to get picked.  But if they did, it woud probably be great for the city - and that might bring in some tourists - at least for a little while.

Name:	boataholic -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/12/2020 8:38:54 PM

Manufacturing.  Not what anyone wants to hear, but you can't jump over the lower rungs of the ladder.  Perhaps something providing parts to the car plants an hour or so away (Honda, Kia, Hyundai).  You might be surprised how many manufacturing jobs Auburn added over the last several decades. 

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/13/2020 7:54:51 AM

And Auburn is one of the fastest growing cities in Alabama.  They have an educated and vibrant workforce.  

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/13/2020 9:26:12 AM

Yep, Auburn is booming but it has little to do with an educated work force when it comes to the teir 1 and teir 2 suppliers that have located in that area.  These manufacturing jobs require very little education other than life lessons, such as work ethic, and simple things like show up on time ready to work.  We have crappy schools, but schools are crappy everywhere.  They are run by liberals so sucking is what they do.  In some instances a highly educated work force can be a detriment to their staffing.  if you want to know who works at these mid level manufacturers simply go to Renfroes in Dadeville any day at lunch and you can meet any number of them, and ALWAYS let them go ahead of you because they have 30 minutes to get there, order, pay, eat and get back to work .  Good folks who are proud to have a decent job with benifits.  Remember that Russell went form local to global with this same workforce.

Auburn and Opelika have benefitted greatly from the auto industry yes, but it is logistics and not the edcuation level or the schools that facillitated it.  They are right on I85 which is direct access to both the Hyundia and Kia plants in Evergreen and Lagrange.  They have very close proximity to the Airport both in Auburn and Montgomery which is always a plus. You have to understand "just in time" manufacturing that the auto industry uses now to understand the importance of logistics when these mid level manufactuerers make location decisions.

But here in Tallapoosa County we can't even come together and build a decnt industrial park with the infrastructure needed to support heavy industry if any should be looking.  Instead we have to have competing indusrial parks on both ends of the county. The plant in Lagrange is currently expanding and as soon as that is complete a new plant is going to be built nearby leading to thousands of new jobs.  That will mean many suppliers that are currently shipping form other locations will be looking to locate new plants closer. Is anybody even talking to some of these folks?  I doubt it because it is all about tourism.  What a joke.  

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/13/2020 1:30:23 PM

I confess that I don't know much about the local car industry, or what kind of people that their hire for their Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers.  All I have heard is that the Korean owners of these places expect a lot of hard work, long hours, and the pay isn't great.  But then the Koreans complain that Americas are lazy.  I wasn't really thinking so much about the car industries, but of other companies that rely on an educated workforce, reserch, services etc.  

But you right, Auburn and Opelika are in a prime location to attract jobs.  

The schools everywhere aren't crap.  When I lived in VA, the public schools were highly rated and produced a number of national merit scholars every year.  But that is because of a high concentration of well educated parents who demand more of the schools and the educators than they do here.  I'll bet if you went to Huntsville, you would find better schools.  My two step grand-daughters went to school there and were in very good programs.  Then they moved to Mississippi and they were at the very top of their classes.  In fact, one of my step-granddaughters is graduating this year at 16.  

I understand that CACC is considering expanding into some other programs - like marine maintenance and engineering but I don't know when or if that will happen.  With regard to Auburn's Hospitality program - they may have always had one, but the one that is there now is much expanded - about a year ago, it was in all the papers and they invested a lot more money into it.  It's a growing career - and not just in Alabama.  

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/13/2020 2:29:28 PM

I agree that other areas have decent schools.  But first they built decent comunities and that starts with decent paying jobs for the massess.  Jobs create ecomomic boom and we are in the midst of a yuge 'blue collar boom' but we are positioned to miss it altogether chasing millionares.  The problem as I see it is RL can't make a profit trying to cater to these same folks now so their answer build more rooftops that will stay mostly unused except a few weekends a year and a 5 star Hotel and sluff off the money loosing eateries.  Great plan for them, for AC not so much.

On the other hand there is Wind Creek that runs at basically 100% occupancy the entire season and even decent off season crowds and serves the middle class of the area quite well and I assure you stimulates the local economy.  There is land already set aside for exactly the same purpose with some infrastructure in place (DARE Park). It just seems like a no brainer to me that somebody should be pursueing the issue, but its on the wrong side of the lake for those that matter to care.  

Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/13/2020 4:23:02 PM

I find it hard to envision that a 5 star type hotel will add very much toward changing things for Alex City. There is nothing that is going to draw tourists in during the winter months as the lake doesn't offer any reason to visit.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/13/2020 4:46:13 PM

Even wealthy families with kids are going to be looking for more than what Lake Martin has to offer.  It's not a great lake for canoeing or doing those kinds of rustic things that people look to a lake for.  There is not a large amusement park, skate park, clubs, or concerts.  This is why I haven't thought that the tourism focus is a good one.  But who knows?  Maybe 10 years from now, it'll be more than we ever imagined.  








T

Name:	Wakely -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/13/2020 6:32:39 PM

"And I am afraid they will ruin the lake, without much gain for Alex City."

Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.

Name:	boataholic -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/13/2020 6:52:24 PM

280 isn't as prime as I85, but it is well located with access to Bham and I20 to the north and I85 to the south.  That has got to be worth something, and yet Alex City isn't much better off than some town located in the boonies. 

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/14/2020 6:46:12 AM

You are right, 280 is a valuable commodity that is a real selling point to bussiness and industry.  We also have an ariport that is grety under utillized with no hangers available.  I understand there may be property constraints, but that hurts to.  I have wo freinds who would love to be able to park their planes here, but have to drive to Pell City where they are actively building more hangers.  But not AC.  They seem content to sit back and do nothing.  Oh yeah, there was once talk of an eatery going out there.  My question is why?  There is nothing going on there.  I can see the crowds now just waiting with bated breath to go out to a  dark field and have dinner next to the nice smell of asphalt. Sounds charming, huh?

Economic development in the whole county is a joke, but espcially in AC. But don't worry, they assure us that "something big" is coming anyday.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/14/2020 7:43:46 AM

My point exactly Hound.  The land across the lake from Wicker Point is already set aside for such projects.  A small/medium sized water park with a hotel and campground attached would bring instant returns and probably run at capacity the entire season.  I know a lot of folks will scream out loud at such an idea but all Ive to to say to them is suck it up buttercup.  Everything from DARE Park to Smith Mountain coud be included.  The lake belongs to the citizens of ALabama and focus should be on how we can open access to the most folks, not the millionaire class.

You have a voice with your column in the Outlook why not take up the charge and try to get folks at least thinking in a productive way.  The lake must have more recreational opportunities to draw the masses.  I know some are freaking out thinking I'm not a millionaire and I don't want the masses here, get over yourself.  The area I am talking about is at the mouth of Manoy Creek, I live in Manoy.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/14/2020 1:24:15 PM

oh, I am afraid.  I foresee the lake being overbuilt.  For me, at 65, the number of years I can continue to live out here with little in the way of medical care will be limited.  I'm lucky for the moment that I live in an area of the lake that doesn't see a lot of wake boarding or even much boat traffic.  But I see what is happening - big, expensive houses on tiny lots, one on top of another in gated communities. That wasn't what I wanted when I moved here.  

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/14/2020 1:26:10 PM

Lifer, I doubt that will happen now that the guy that owned Coffee Corner and Frosens left town.  That was his idea.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/14/2020 1:27:48 PM

You can always write a letter to the editor!

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/14/2020 1:56:48 PM

I never heard it and don't even know,are care, who was involved in the Froshens scandal.  I will say a good idea is a good idea no matter where it comes from.  Why should one con man destroy what is good for everybody?  Part of the problem here is so much is done behind the scenes in secret and nobody is held accountable.  How do you measure the new tourism directors sucess?  What new tourism industry is being pursued?  What are they being offered? It doesn't matter because there aren't enough tourists here to draw the industry, therefore it only seems logical that you should build 'something big' so the tourists will come and then other tourist attractions will pop up. And I would bet one of them wouldn't be a five star hotel.

On another note you seem to know the details of this froshens business so why don't you enlighten us mere mortals on some of the details.  

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/14/2020 2:05:25 PM

So say most of us Hound.  If RL wants to build another development with multi million dollar homes, fine build it, but don't get the city involved and start sucking off resources, all while telling us this is economic development for the area.  It is econoomic development for RL.  I have an even bigger, better plan.  Give the land back to some Indians and get them to build a casino there instead.  Talk about economic impact and it seems about as thought out as their plan.

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/15/2020 9:14:53 AM

  When Russell mfg. announced they were closing numerous companies inquired about comming to the area.  A huge workforce were about to be out of jobs. Work force = jobs!  The leaders of alecander city were not interested. They did not court employers as the say. The low wage employers are who they courted 7.25- 10.00 hr. jobs. So temp agencies can flourish!  One huge company wanted to come with 23.00 average hourly pay they did not want them. This company was to imploy 250 people to start with 500 in a few years.   Almost immediatly the city went in and bought the property for a exhuberant (?) amount and now they have a less than impressive solar farm there.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Wikers Point?
Date:	2/15/2020 10:41:59 AM

Apparently, back in the day, that mayor and representatives turned away a lot of businesses, because they didn't want to change anything. This is why I think they should get rid of the mayor and hire a city manager.  When you rely on elections, you get whoever wins the popularity contest.  I actually read that someone supported raising the salary of the mayor to $80K because "he's a nice guy".  Sometimes I think that Alex City needs a bucket of ice water thrown on it, so they can wake up.  

Name:	Carlson -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/15/2020 10:58:44 AM

And why would anyone discourage them?  New to the local politics 

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/15/2020 7:43:49 PM

  The 23.00 average hourly wage was a box car refurbish/maintence company gone now up and running elsewhere. low wage companies are all that are looking now. Section eight housing numbers are to high and disability recipients and to high for good paying companies to come now. The economic development guru said i was a thorn in his side best compliment i ever got!!!

  The one that wants to be City Manager wouldn't make a good dog catcher.  Outsider need to come no goodole boys no more!! 

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/15/2020 7:49:01 PM

  Oh yeah the SAD PART is it wasn't one big company that wanted to come it was many..  There was also a resturant that wanted to come but the city said NO.  Bus loads use to go to this resturant and it was in the boonies. We have lost so much. SAD SAD.

  But the city has lots of Acres maybei could rent some and put some cows and goat on those acres!!!  They dont cut those acres as they make others do.

Name:	Carlson -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/15/2020 7:54:59 PM

Thanks for informing me.  Right now the opportunities are boundless under this president.  Too bad the wrong people are in charge.  Just read that research has shown that incompetent people don't know/realize they are incompetent!  Lol.  Guess Forest Gump was right that stupid does as stupid is, or however it goes!  

we are on the Elmore County side of the lake (Eclectic) and I sense that incompetent runs all the way to Montgomery, lol

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/15/2020 7:56:28 PM

If you dont mind give us company and restaurant names

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/16/2020 8:37:07 AM

  How many companies repair box cars?   How many resturants do know of that patrons arrive by the bus loads? i am afraid your elbows are to smooth for me, friend.  

  Kimber was one company that would have liked to come but were never invited!

  I don't care what kind of bussiness wants or wanted to come they should have been met with open arms. If they employ and pay taxes they are welcome. But we have a economic committe that screen and decide for all of us.  Wrong Wrong . Some citizens of Alexander City just raised 5000.00 + dollars to buy a seat on the economic board!  What the heck "to buy a seat" who else on that board had to buy their seat?  I have not heard of anyone. 

 Section eight housing and high disability will kill a area and it is my opinion that has happened here. 

 And while i am on my soap box go back and read about the drainage problem at the old russell complex.  The city bought land for economic development.  The private land owner wanted to improve and expand his bussiness. so he approaches the city about fixing the drainage to which they didnot want to. So bussiness man offers to buy and fix the problem hisself. city didnt want to sale well after several meetings area was graded grassed and fixed by bussiness owner.  

 My question is why is the city in the real estate bussiness? Citys should only be in the tax bussiness. Several local city have private utility companies and they are flourishing while Alec city is floundering!

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	City Manager
Date:	2/16/2020 11:30:41 AM

I think the idea of a city manager was that they would hire someone, likely from outside, with a background in revitatilzation.  It would be a mistake to hire anyone that is part of the problem.  

In my opinion, a lot of people in Alex City really don't want real change.  The only thing that would make them happy is to bring back Russell or some other large manufacturing concern, because they can't visualize a different future.  Sometimes I think the best thing would be to level all the old Russell buildings to help put that all in the past.  (not to mention all those old buildings are an unsightly welcome to Alex City).  Money has been spent on "branding" Alex City - standardizing signs and a brand - and while it is not a bad idea, it seems to me like that is putting the cart well beyond the horse.  There are a lot of arguments about where new business should be developed - down town or on 280.  It concerns me that when you arrive on 280, you see not much more than a lot of fast food franchises and a few run down businesses.  

I think the city needs fresh eyes and new ideas.

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	City Manager
Date:	2/16/2020 1:26:39 PM

 AMEN!!!! NEW blood and not the one campaigning for the City Manager Job!

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	City Manager
Date:	2/16/2020 1:39:54 PM

Why is everyone so afraid to name names?  Just post what you know.  If it is the truth who cares whose feeling are hurt, or political asperations are damaged.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	City Manager
Date:	2/16/2020 2:42:28 PM

To create the position and not hire from outside is insanity in its highest order.  Just more good ol' boy network but without the consquences of elections to worry about.  As for what area of the city to develop heres a novel idea, throw the doors wide open, dust off the welcome mat, recriut businesses and industry to the area and let them decide where to "develop".  I can assure you if it is anything retail related they ain't going downtown.  Thats my point though, the city 'leaders' feel like it is their job to decide what businesses should go where.  Demographics will determine that, not who owns what building or piece of land that needs to be leased or sold.

Ask anyone familiar with such things in Sylacuaga in the late 90's how that worked out with Winn Dixie.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	City Manager
Date:	2/16/2020 3:30:36 PM

I have no idea who that is.  I do know the current mayor has said he is considering running for re-election.

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	City Manager
Date:	2/16/2020 7:48:20 PM

  small town is diffrent than where you are from.  If the people that run this town/economic allience were like most that post here we would not be having this discussion.  Look at how many that have bankrupted or lost daddys bussiness and now sit on local committes!!!!!

Telling us what we need to do. 

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/16/2020 9:05:46 PM

I apologize for being new to the show, and obviously dense to you.  I have no idea of businesses and bus loads. I have not taken a bus to dine lately.  Sorry to not be in your sphere.  Tell us what you know.

Name:	Wakely -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/17/2020 2:14:48 AM

"How many resturants do know of that patrons arrive by the bus loads?"

I can think of zero. Unless you mean "fast food restaurants," but I can't think of a fast-food chain that would be seen as a boon to AC; it's hard to think of one that isn't there already.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	City Manager
Date:	2/17/2020 6:09:31 AM

I was born and raised in Childersburg, worked in Sylacauga and now live in Jacksons Gap for over 20 years.  So tell me again how littel I know about small towns.  My father spent 12 years on the City councel of Childersburg and I have been active in the Chamber of commerece in Sylacauga.  I understand how small towns work but once again I ask, why not name names?

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/17/2020 6:13:00 AM

The only one I know of is Red's Catfish that was over in Clay county.

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/17/2020 7:48:54 AM

   Why would a city not want that?

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/17/2020 7:53:33 AM

  Lakengulf welcome to small town goverment. never ment to anger you but it is unreal what some people would do if one speaks up against them.  But i do welcome you to get involved in Tallapoosa county goverment and Alexander city goverment. But be ready for what you recieve if you dare to question their decisions or choices.  People also need to ask why one would have to BUY  a seat on the economic board!! 

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	City Manager
Date:	2/17/2020 7:59:05 AM

  So were you city council when Robert Harris was mayor?

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	City Manager
Date:	2/17/2020 9:59:01 AM

I never said I was on the council only that my father was.  My memory ain't what it used to be and I've always been horrible with names but I'm pretty sure he was the one term mayor back in the 90's that turned 280 into a cash register and ordered police to make all stops felony stops, sometimes pulling people out of cars at gunpoint and such for traffic stops.  City court grew so big they had to move it from the city hall to the recreation center gynasium.  The one whose wife drove around with a "first lady" tag on her car? Nope, don't remember him....lol

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/17/2020 10:18:31 AM

Because any eatery takes dollars away from RL eateries the way they see it.  They can't seem to make enough profit with overpriced, overhyped, mediocre at best, food so why would they want anybody else pulling from the limited dollars available. the fact that it would bring busloads of folks from all around the area in to aur fair city.  Who knows, some of them may want to come back on their own.

One of my sisters in ATL was talking to a fella in the waiting lobby of a car dealership service deptartment and she mentioned coming to Lake Martin that weekend and he said that was near where him and a groups of freinds chartered a bus to go eat catfish.  He was talking about Red's.  So that weekend we all loaded up from the lake and went there to eat.  My dad was with us and picked up the tab for everyone.  It was great.  Dad died in '93.  I say all that to show if it was Red's that was turned away, or most likely just turned off by who ever they talked to and decided not to locate here, it was a very foolish move indeed.  

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/17/2020 2:58:29 PM

  With what the City wanted the resturant owner to do was not feasable.  Belive me the resturant wanted to come.  to many hoopes to jump thru. 

  Five resturants at blue creek that have more customers one night of the week than most have all week in Alex city  or kowliga says something.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/17/2020 6:57:21 PM

I took some part time neighbors to JR's a few weeks ago. Thier first expereince there and our first in several years.  It was all of ou r last visit.  I asked if something was fresh or frozen and the waitress was quick to say everything they serve is frozen and of course we all got straight from freezer to fryer or microwave.  And if that wasn't enough on the way out one of my shoes stuck to the floor and I walked out of it.  Granted they were slip ons but I have never walked out of them anywhere else.  And as you see, I am not afraid to name names.  

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/17/2020 8:17:39 PM

  Well tell us all your Christian name.

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	What huge company was that?
Date:	2/17/2020 8:17:55 PM

  Well tell us all your Christian name.