Amelia Webber, Gazette Staff — ameliagazette@gmail.com
Last week, The Tuscaloosa News published a Letter-to-the-Editor titled “Northport needs progressive leaders” which was submitted by Northport Resident Sheila Hayes. (The letter, in it’s entirety, can be found at the end of this story.)
“If you have not driven down Jack Warner Parkway from downtown Tuscaloosa toward the Tuscaloosa Public Library at night, you should. The lights are magical,” Hayes said in her letter, published in last Wednesday’s Tuscaloosa News. “...(Northport has) wonderful riverfront property, too. What we lack is progressive, energetic leadership. Oh, and we also lack a public library.”
Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon said while Hayes is entitled to her opinion, his focus during his first and second term as mayor has been keeping the city from ‘going bankrupt.’
“Let’s get all the finances in order, keep the new businesses coming in, better the quality of life for our citizens, and then worry about the aesthetics of the city,” Herndon said. “As far as the comment about the library… you can get things on the internet.”
Rusty Selman, pastor of Northwood Hills Baptist Church, said he felt the council, mayor, city administrator and staff had been ‘unfairly targeted’ by Hayes’ letter to the editor. Selman maintains that the current mayor and council have focused on issues like crime, fiscal responsibility and sound leadership, things that make him glad “Northport is not like Tuscaloosa.”
“It is pretty narrow minded to think that a lighted walk and public library in the digital age will benefit our city in some tangible way,” Selman said. “(The current administration) is a leadership model that will pay great dividends for the future of Northport, far beyond the tenure of the current mayor and council.”
In a follow-up interview with the Northport Gazette, Hayes said the aesthetic issues were only a small part of the problem in Northport.
“Northport residents are mad and frustrated at the lack of progress (the city) has made in the last few years,” Hayes said. “They are angry about the abandonment of Shirley Place and downtown in general. They are concerned about the closing of major businesses and seeing vacant commercial lots sit idle for decades. They are defeated by the lack of communication between the council and their constituents. Only (District 1 Councilwoman) Judy Hayes routinely answers my emails. (District 3 Councilman) Rodney Sullivan has answered maybe once, and the others never.”
Hayes, however, is not the only person publicly criticizing Herndon and his administration.
Former Northport city administrator Johnny Williams, who resigned from his position with the city in 1993, said the current mayor and council lack the ‘proper expertise’ to run the city.
“The level of service is nothing like it used to be,” Williams said, citing that during his time as city administrator the city spent $200,000 a year to improve deteriorating road conditions - an issue that continues to plague Northport and surrounding areas.
While Herndon did not comment on the alleged lack of communication and expertise, he said the best way to address the council is to attend their meetings on the first and third Monday of every month.
“People making new year’s resolutions, how about resolving to come to come to city council meetings,” he said. “Come and let your voice be heard and take part in the governing process of your city, that’s what we are here for. This is not a dictatorship, this is a democracy and we are not going to know what you want us to do unless you come and tell us.”
Herndon said that while there is still room to improve, the current city of Northport is ‘a lot better off’ than it was under previous administrations.
“I don’t think any city is ever going to reach its full potential,” Herndon said. “Our city is growing, different parts of the city are growing.”
“As far as bright lights and things being aesthetically pleasing, you know, eventually we can concentrate on things like that. Right now, we have to concentrate on making sure our city stays financially secure, which we are; that our citizens are well protected as far as police and fire, which they are; and that those fire and policemen have the best equipment available, which they do. I just wanna help my city, and when the people get tired of me helping, then let them elect somebody else,” Herndon said.
“If you have not driven down Jack Warner Parkway from downtown Tuscaloosa toward the Tuscaloosa Public Library at night, you should. The lights are magical.
Warning: When you come back across the bridge into Northport, you will be heartsick seeing the difference. We have wonderful riverfront property, too. What we lack is progressive, energetic leadership. Oh, and we also lack a public library.
Soon, Northport will have a chance to elect a council and mayor who can make Northport the great place it should be. I am not suggesting that Northport try to be a mini Tuscaloosa. We can play on the strengths of art and heritage that are already in place and give Northport its own positive identity.
In the meantime, go see the lovely lights.” - Sheila Hayes, Northport
Published in the December 10, 2014 edition of The Tuscaloosa News
Amelia Webber, Gazette Staff — ameliagazette@gmail.com
Last week, The Tuscaloosa News published a Letter-to-the-Editor titled “Northport needs progressive leaders” which was submitted by Northport Resident Sheila Hayes. (The letter, in it’s entirety, can be found at the end of this story.)
“If you have not driven down Jack Warner Parkway from downtown Tuscaloosa toward the Tuscaloosa Public Library at night, you should. The lights are magical,” Hayes said in her letter, published in last Wednesday’s Tuscaloosa News. “...(Northport has) wonderful riverfront property, too. What we lack is progressive, energetic leadership. Oh, and we also lack a public library.”
Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon said while Hayes is entitled to her opinion, his focus during his first and second term as mayor has been keeping the city from ‘going bankrupt.’
“Let’s get all the finances in order, keep the new businesses coming in, better the quality of life for our citizens, and then worry about the aesthetics of the city,” Herndon said. “As far as the comment about the library… you can get things on the internet.”
Rusty Selman, pastor of Northwood Hills Baptist Church, said he felt the council, mayor, city administrator and staff had been ‘unfairly targeted’ by Hayes’ letter to the editor. Selman maintains that the current mayor and council have focused on issues like crime, fiscal responsibility and sound leadership, things that make him glad “Northport is not like Tuscaloosa.”
“It is pretty narrow minded to think that a lighted walk and public library in the digital age will benefit our city in some tangible way,” Selman said. “(The current administration) is a leadership model that will pay great dividends for the future of Northport, far beyond the tenure of the current mayor and council.”
In a follow-up interview with the Northport Gazette, Hayes said the aesthetic issues were only a small part of the problem in Northport.
“Northport residents are mad and frustrated at the lack of progress (the city) has made in the last few years,” Hayes said. “They are angry about the abandonment of Shirley Place and downtown in general. They are concerned about the closing of major businesses and seeing vacant commercial lots sit idle for decades. They are defeated by the lack of communication between the council and their constituents. Only (District 1 Councilwoman) Judy Hayes routinely answers my emails. (District 3 Councilman) Rodney Sullivan has answered maybe once, and the others never.”
Hayes, however, is not the only person publicly criticizing Herndon and his administration.
Former Northport city administrator Johnny Williams, who resigned from his position with the city in 1993, said the current mayor and council lack the ‘proper expertise’ to run the city.
“The level of service is nothing like it used to be,” Williams said, citing that during his time as city administrator the city spent $200,000 a year to improve deteriorating road conditions - an issue that continues to plague Northport and surrounding areas.
While Herndon did not comment on the alleged lack of communication and expertise, he said the best way to address the council is to attend their meetings on the first and third Monday of every month.
“People making new year’s resolutions, how about resolving to come to come to city council meetings,” he said. “Come and let your voice be heard and take part in the governing process of your city, that’s what we are here for. This is not a dictatorship, this is a democracy and we are not going to know what you want us to do unless you come and tell us.”
Herndon said that while there is still room to improve, the current city of Northport is ‘a lot better off’ than it was under previous administrations.
“I don’t think any city is ever going to reach its full potential,” Herndon said. “Our city is growing, different parts of the city are growing.”
“As far as bright lights and things being aesthetically pleasing, you know, eventually we can concentrate on things like that. Right now, we have to concentrate on making sure our city stays financially secure, which we are; that our citizens are well protected as far as police and fire, which they are; and that those fire and policemen have the best equipment available, which they do. I just wanna help my city, and when the people get tired of me helping, then let them elect somebody else,” Herndon said.
“If you have not driven down Jack Warner Parkway from downtown Tuscaloosa toward the Tuscaloosa Public Library at night, you should. The lights are magical.
Warning: When you come back across the bridge into Northport, you will be heartsick seeing the difference. We have wonderful riverfront property, too. What we lack is progressive, energetic leadership. Oh, and we also lack a public library.
Soon, Northport will have a chance to elect a council and mayor who can make Northport the great place it should be. I am not suggesting that Northport try to be a mini Tuscaloosa. We can play on the strengths of art and heritage that are already in place and give Northport its own positive identity.
In the meantime, go see the lovely lights.” - Sheila Hayes, Northport
Published in the December 10, 2014 edition of The Tuscaloosa News
