DOTHAN: There is some arm twisting, via support for projects, happening within the City of Dothan.
If you drive through downtown Dothan there is a “ROADWAY DIET”. A measure done by the appointed ( not elected ), Dothan City Manager Randy Morris which changed the flow of traffic on East Main Street, from Main and Oates – east to Museum ( at the beginning on the six lane ).
ALDOT ( Alabama Department of Transportation ) is getting ready to repave Main Street before long.
On Monday traffic traveling west from the six lane to the two lane was backed up over the bridge. This area is in Commission Districts 1 and 2. A lot of pressure from Dothan City Manager Randy Morris, as I understand the head of the Wiregrass Foundation, and some members of the Foster Street Friday Coffee Club, made up of a group who want to call the shots, are applying pressure to D1 Vivian Daniels and D2 Phillipe Kirksey to get their votes to go with the current traffic flow. Some of this group control some money flow and are reported to have called some of the commissioners promising the flow of money into their districts which will help the commissioners. In the same way, possible threats of no funding for projects the commissioners want.
A sweet heart deal was given to a group on a downtown Dothan building. Like, $ 4.00 for a nice building, even providing the insurance money PLUS other funds for a new roof.
Then there is the Dothan Civic Center. The people of Dothan are for a new Civic Center. Mr. Clay Dempsey is doing an outstanding job in bringing events to Downtown Dothan. Some want a huge arena rather than a multi use facility which will also allow local groups areas for community based events. A recent Nevada trip looking at facilities by the commissioners and some others. The Dothan voting citizens have never heard reports of what the group observed and what they are thinking.
A certain group have the ears and control of OPM ( other people’s money ). And they are using OPM to push their weight around and get what they want. They have a fountain of money, OPM, some of which has helped Dothan. But it seems that fountian of money is going to get the votes of certain commissioners by providing or not providing things commissioners want in their prospective districts.
There is a SWAMP in Dothan and they do not like it when they do not get their way. And it is hard for the voting citizens of Dothan to stand up to them when the citizens are not informed on these discussions. And I am not above calling the names when the time comes and I am watching a lot closer than people think that I am. I have been in this political game since 1977 and know the in and outs better than they think.
WARNING – SOMETHING SNEAKING UP … September is the month the members of the Dothan City Commission will talk about their feelings on Dothan City Manager Randy Morris contract. Following the Administrative Meeting, the following commission meeting the contract will be voted on. Voted UP – Dothan City Manager Randy Morris gets a pay increase and another three year, plus or minus, contract. Voted down, Randy Morris can retire at a very hefty amount the rest of his life, but Dothan gets a new City Manager.
The Dothan City Manager makes a salary of $ 220,000.00 per year ( $ 602.73 per day – 365 days per year ), plus. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey makes $ 130,000.00 per year running the entire State of Alabama. Dothan City Manager Randy Morris has pushed a study on business license which you will see after September which is a way raise the business license fees businesses will be forced to pay to provide jobs. Possiibly a percentage of the business gross revenue. In addition Dothan City Manager Randy Morris pushed a study on electrical rates. So you will probably be seeing a rate increase after September on your electrical rates. Dothan has 7 McDonald’s Restaurant. But what businesses has Dothan gotten over the past three years? The City of Dothan, especially Planning and Zoning, runs more business off then they recruit.
I LOVE DOTHAN. Was born and here and will be buried here. I want Dothan to grow and people be a success. I am for local owned small business to be here and people have great jobs. But there is a swamp getting a little to much out of control. And not real happy with Dothan City Manager Randy Morris. He is a project manager but not so sure he is a overall City Manager. He recently asked for an Assistant City Manager. The commission did not love that idea and did deny that request.
