Houston County Resident breaks down why he will Vote No on every local measure

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Posted by: RStokes
Date: Oct 30 2024 11:50 AM

RSN received this letter from a Houston County resident who wishes to remain anonymous. Read this man's testimony on the amendments and referendum on the ballot for the upcoming election.

A wise man once told me years ago, “Vote NO on every single amendment Alabama politicians try to push.”

I have heeded his advice in every single election—and I intend to continue that tradition.

Here is my reasoning to VOTE NO on every single local measure on the ballot:

LOCAL AMENDMENT 1:

“Relating to Houston County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to authorize the elected members of the Houston County Commission to appoint members to the Board of Directors of the Houston County Health of the Houston County Health Care Authority to ensure the public interest of the residents of Houston County.”

I feel Houston County is staring down the barrel of an incoming coup upon the healthcare authority.

The conniving Houston County Commission insists this amendment is not a power grab, and they insist the power grab had already happened when the Board was allowed to choose a list of options for appointment; I cannot even begin to believe that.

The language of the law is incredibly misleading on the ballot. It is deliberately shortened, as all amendments in Alabama are, to make the proposal sweeter for the Alabamian who may not have educated himself on all the disgusting little details.

While the commission chairman claims the commission only intends to replace four members of the healthcare authority, (despite the proposal allowing for the replacement of eight members) I have trouble believing him.

The distaste from the commission about the hospital authority board smacks of a longing for more power, no matter how much they assert otherwise.

The Chairman said himself at a press conference this week: the Commission already makes appointments to other county boards.

What he did not say: “I feel we should have power over every board bearing the name of Houston County.”

Furthermore, in the press conference I watched a video of this week, my ears perked up when the chairman effectively dodged the question about the risk of conflicts of interest being installed on the board. All he said was that the language needed to be adjusted—after passage of the law. I consider this to be a sly-worded admittance that the commission is hiding something.

How are we, as the electors of this body, assured the commission will not allow nepotism? How can we be sure the commission will not install family members, or lobbyists for less healthcare funding, or people who stand to line their own pockets from either the failure or success of the hospital, or flat-out know-nothings who will be obedient to the desire of the commission?

We cannot be sure.

The commission also alleges “secret meetings” being held by the hospital authority.

Having read the letters from physicians stating their opposition to Local Amendment 1, I find this accusation to be insulting to the sitting Board. I find it especially insulting considering I, too, tried to view the most recent Commission meeting to discover no video of it. I, too, tried to look at the details from most recent commission meetings, and I found the entries listed in their agendas to be akin to that of a middle schooler trying to breeze his way through an assignment.

The list of options for appointments from the health care authority is supposed to be a check and balance upon the county commission.

I believe the commission wants to become a form of oligarchy: a dictatorship in the hands of a select few. They won’t stop until they have authority over everything.

I sincerely hope the citizens of Houston County remain stalwart in the good fight of stopping authoritarianism and government overreach in its tracks. The Houston County Commission’s desire for more power is an outright disgrace to the Republican values so many in Houston County hold.

LOCAL AMENDMENT 2: Relating to Houston County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to authorize a person to be elected or appointed as judge of probate of the county who is not over the age of 75 at the time of qualifying for election or appointment. (Proposed by Act 2024-135)

Firstly: I hold a great deal of respect and admiration for current Judge Davenport. He has made significant improvements to Houston County, and he is a very kind and competent person. We’re blessed to have such an incredible probate judge.

However, I will be voting no for this amendment as well. While I believe the Houston County judge is of good character, I believe change can be good.

Judge Davenport is shy of 60 years old; meaning this law would not apply to him for at least another ten years. He’s on the ballot again this year, running unopposed. (I’d vote for him even if someone dared run against him.)

If he was to run again after the current term on the ballot, he would be 66 (or so), and likely sweep that election, too. So, after that election, he’d be able to serve until one or two years after he turned 70, then crossing over the current age threshold of 70.

(Surely a man would get tired at some point; and Judge Davenport would have surely earned the rest and relaxation.)

So why should we increase the age at which probate judges can serve? If he wants to serve yet another term after he inevitably wins this election, he will have served for about two decades; longer than any other probate judge listed on the Houston County government’s website.

I may go against my ideals of religious “no” votes if the idea is ever presented that a probate judge must have experience in law, as Alabama is one of four states that does not require a probate judge to actually be a lawyer (although I am grateful for Judge Davenport's experience in law and public policy).

We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. I won’t get my hopes up.

LOCAL REFERENDUM 1: Do you favor the adoption of Act No. 2024-319, of the 2024 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature, which authorizes the Houston County Commission to levy a lodging tax in Houston County with the proceeds earmarked for economic development and funding recreational facilities?

Back to the issue of the commission.

I feel I’ve made my opinion on the commission clear, but in case you weren’t sure: I do not trust them.

Therefore, I surely don’t trust them to ask for more cash.

They claim part of the issue of Local Amendment 1 is that tax dollars, to the tune of $7 million, are at stake.

Lodging tax within the city of Dothan is already at 13%, and most of the hotels in Houston County are located in Dothan. This tax would have Dothan foot the bill for other localities. (I’ve heard rumors the Dothan mayor and city commission oppose this tax; but, like I said, those are simply rumors.)

While even I, as a disgruntled naysayer, agree improvements to parks would be great, I don’t believe the commission won’t find a way to use the funds later on down the line for nefarious purposes. The online guide listing their plans for their purchases simply says the money would go to “economic developments” once the debt from park improvements was resolved.

I think there are more effective ways to raise money for recreation centers and parks which would not include any taxes being raised at all.

For example: rental revenue, from allowing private groups to rent out locations for events; recreation program fees; concessions and vending; sponsorship and advertising; and equipment rentals.

The hypocrisy of the Houston County Commission is insulting, and they actively are going against Republican ideals of limiting government overreach.

I will be VOTING NO on every single measure. I urge you to do the same.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Resident of Houston County