From Facebook Of Rev. Ricky Plummer
HOUSTON COUNTY RESIDENTS KEEP LOSING UNDER SHOUPE
First, residents continue to lose on the Chattahoochee State Park. This property, 596 acres owned by the state, is leased to Houston County for $0. The land is Title 16 land, which means any profit from the land must go into the education fund. The property has had very little profit, especially since Hurricane Michael destroyed the timber. Back in 2022, the Commission was about to forfeit the lease because it was costing too much to keep up the park. I proposed a project to the commission, and they entered into an emergency lease to avoid losing the property. I understand at this point, unless something changes, they are not renewing the lease. I am not sure who is leading in this decision, the chairman or the county engineer. The property has been cleaned up and replanted by the state at no cost to the county. I have asked how many service hours the county has put into the park, and I have yet to receive that number. I was told that the number is very low. In meetings I have been privy to, the engineer has made it clear that he does not intend to invest hours into the park. Remember, it is a park for the residents, and these guys serve the residents.
The proposed project was a public shooting park for the residents. This park would be enjoyed by Houston County residents, with revenue coming from Alabama, Georgia, and Florida residents. Under the leadership of Paul Lee, the State of Alabama gave $300,000 dollars to Houston County for the purchase of Clay Target Machines with committed funds of $2.7 million dollars of federal funds from the Pittman Robertson Fund. This is 3 million dollars committed to a project for the residents of Houston County and the State of Alabama, from whom the federal funds have been raised. The resident’s money back into one of the communities it was raised from. Houston County is still in possession of the $300,000 dollars because they cannot figure out how to use it since it was originally designated for the Clay target machines. Whether a shooting park ever comes to fruition or not, I cannot fathom the county allowing 596 acres of free land to be turned back over to the state and not used for the residents of the county to which the land is positioned. Houston County residents lose again.
Second, I have spoken to the chairman about our Houston County Sheriff deputies. I do not know exact figures, but I believe it to be at least a $10,000-dollar difference between Dothan City and Houston County Law Enforcement Officers. I am equally grateful for our law enforcement officers, city and county. How is it that our county officers serve the same residents with starting salaries $10,000 lower than city officers? This is not a reflection on our officers but on our chairman’s leadership. We have great men and women serving our community, city, and county. The salary deficit puts our county agency at a disadvantage in hiring and maintaining great officers.
It seems that Houston County residents continue to lose under Chairman Shoupe. It seems that he is very politically minded without serving the residents. You will have to ask him, but I understand he feels no one can stop him from getting elected for another term.
I am not telling you who to vote for, and I am not endorsing any other candidates at this time. Please do your own research and vote with your conscience.
I recently met candidate John Rogers. In our conversation, he explained how he had served the residents of Houston County through the court system for the last 30 years. He seemed very community-minded and ready to be a public servant. I am not endorsing him at this point. He seems like a viable candidate, and it just seems that we continue to lose under Shoupe.
UPDATED
I have spoken to Tracy Adams, who is the commissioner of District 2, where the AL State Park is located, and he has gone on record as being all for reopening the state park. He supports opening the state park for the residents of Houston County. I appreciate his stance on the park.
SOME ARE ASKING WHAT COULD BE DONE WITH THE PARK
Some are asking what could be done at the park. Here is what was proposed for the state park. The state would get behind this without the ATV trail because of liability. Sorry, not my decision, it’s the state‘s decision on that. Florida has many shooting facilities like this, eleven, I think. Political aspirations seem to have gotten in the way of supporting this. This would generate money for the education fund. Since this is Title 16 land, it has to be used for this purpose if it generates profit. Florida and Bay County have made this work, and I believe Houston County could too. I have personally pitched this to Shoupe to no avail. Remember, the land was and is about to be released back to the state without them signing the lease. I just can not figure out why we would let this happen.
UPDATED
My post concerned the chairman’s unwillingness to sign the lease for the state park. I do not know where the other commissioners stand. You should ask your commissioner. As far as I know Tracy Adams is the only commissioner who has publicly supported the reopening of the state park. I am not in District 2 but Tracy is a friend, he is honest and serves with integrity. If anyone is saying he is not for the park reopening that is not the truth and the ones saying it are using their false claims to promote their own agendas. Tracy publicly announced his stance on the park two weeks ago with a video on his Facebook. For all of the nay sayers out there I have as much right to state my opinion as anyone else. I promise to post professionally and honestly. If a person cannot do so without the junk that follows it is a good indication why we cannot dialogue anymore. It is also indicates that people will post without any knowledge. I will speak to anyone in an open forum and share with them all the hours I have spent trying offer an idea to the county. An idea that will cost county 0 dollars. The grants I am talking about can only be used to enhance hunting and fishing because that is where the money comes, the hunting sports and fishing sports. None of this money can be used elsewhere. Pittman Robertson Fund, look it up and read it for yourselves. At this point it is a 90/10 grant. May have reverted back to a 75/25 match at this point. Again, Tracy is the only person who I believe has tried to dialogue with me. He at least wants to reopen the park. Do not try to slant this any other way.
