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Issues for District 3: S3N
Published 12:01am Friday, August 24, 2012
Both Andalusia City Council candidates, the incumbent, Hazel Griffin, and Andy Alexander, agree a top issue in District 3 is the area of South Three Notch Street and jobs.
Griffin, who defeated the three-term councilman Alexander by one vote for the seat in 2008, listed the area as the third issue in the district, after job creation and personal availability to her constituents. The subject was Alexander’s first issue, followed by the Debro Hill apartment complex and jobs.
“A lot of people here want more jobs,” Griffin said. “With the creation of Sae Hae Sung, they started with 35 employees. Now, they have 250. If we can continue to reach out and bring industries in for those kind of opportunities, we would welcome them to Andalusia.”
Griffin said keeping a personal connection with the people in her district is one of her top issues.
“I feel like if I put my name out there and tell people, if they want something done in their area, I tell them to call me before they call the city,” she said.
Both Griffin and Alexander said growth must continue in the area around Andalusia Regional Hospital.
“I want to continue to focus on South Three Notch Street,” Griffin said. “We’ve already invested in that areas. It needs resurfacing, and possibly, some more signs of direction on how to get to the offices for it to be safe.”
Alexander described the area as the last piece of the city’s infrastructure in need of upgrade.
“There’s lots of construction going on with the hospital and the area,” he said. “And that’s great, but that’s the last part of town that hasn’t been upgraded. All of my issues go hand-in-hand. All issues together all coincide, because you can’t do one without addressing the other.
“Jobs are very important because this is what will spur Andalusia as far as growth and investment into the city,” he said. “The city is prepared for industry, and the last major infrastructure need is South Three Notch. Because of all of the construction going on in the area, it’s just like River Falls. If we clean it up and get the street flowing like it should, businesses will come and improve the area.
“The apartment complex on Debro Hill goes along with that,” he said. “That complex has been in planning for eight years or so. I believe it’s a good move with industry coming in at the (South Alabama Regional) airport and etc., so that we have the housing to support the people moving into the area.”
Alexander said he supports whichever plan benefits the city most – a partnership with the city government to construct the complex or allowing a private entity to do the entire project.
“Like the old saying goes – if you build it they will come,” he said. “I believe that is a fact because over the years, when I’ve been on council, when you build a park, the people will come. Build an adult activity center, and people will come. You build a playground, and people will come.
“That has been demonstrated by numerous city projects,” he said. “Andalusia is prepared for industry. I think now is the time we stop spending and start marketing our city.”
After reading Candidates of district 3′s concerns this morning and District 4′s yesterday..I am about to bust!Please explain this..With so many people not only in the City of Andalusia unemployed…and the candidates saying JOBS>>JOBS>>>JOBSS…why is it necessary for the City to invest $500,000 in the apartment complex at the Hill to bring in people outside of Covington County to obtain these much needed jobs by the residents. There is something wrong here!! Can you not see this? Have none of you seen hard times?! There are some candidates that sound like little Johnson Mini-mes! Bring jobs-Yes, but the people who are going to get you elected NEED and WANT them! There are some very nice homes all across town for sale that could accommodate them nicely AND would also be less expensive than investing in this craziness not to mention the cost of monthly rent. This is hideous! Here are some figures for you to think about..They are wanting to build 128 apartments..1 bed at $650, 2 bed at $750, 3 bed at $850: Out of 128 units, the city has guaranteed to pay the rent of the balance of the units not rented until 92% occupancy has been reached. If 40 units rent, that leaves 88 units unrented…at an average cost of $750/month for the unrented units, Andalusia will be facing over $50,000 per month in addition to the initial “investment” of $500,000 for the unrented units(apartments). Do you honestly feel that if you build this, THEY WILL COME?! We don’t want “them” to come, we don’t want to waste $500,000 on the so-called investment to bring in outside people when there are so many needy residents here. Think about this…at an average cost of $750/month, in order to comfortably afford this, an idividual would have to make $19/hr before deductions. To figure a household budget, one weeks pay out of the month is spent on rent or a house payment, so if the rent is $750/mth, a person’s monthly income would have to be $3000/mth..how many people do you know in Andalusia makes that? Those high-paying jobs are few and far between. I personally don’t know that many but I can assure you that most people with that income would want a home, not an apartment and there are plenty to be had.
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The $500,000 : payable in one principle payment ,including interest at 4.75% which is scheduled to mature September 2015 . That would be a toatal payment in September 2015 Principle $500,000 and (5yrs interest) $130,000 plus total to be over $630,000.If allowed under 2011 previous terms.You are aware the members intentions is to sell the project approximately 3 years from the date they open for business in 2010 were to sell the Apartments
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Members intentions mentioned in 2011 were to Sell the project 3 years from the date on which the project opens for business. I have not seen anything in the City’s agreement concerning 92% occupancy,but I am aware of it being mentioned in the media..
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