Jackson County Commission Meeting, Regular Session - B.B.Comer Bridge Issue

B.B. Comer Bridge under construction. Fair Use Rights for non-profit news reporting; M.H Lynch Family photo from the CBF Face Book site. 

B.B. Comer Bridge issue was agenda item #9 - The issue died due to a lack of a motion being brought forward. Video interviews with Comer Bridge Foundation President Charles Holderfield and Board member Clyde Broadway regarding their thoughts on the county commissions decision, after the commission video below.

AGENDA

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COMMISSION MEETING VIDEO

COMER BRIDGE FOUNDATION, CBF, VIDEO - MR. HOLDERFIELD, MR. BROADWAY

Jackson County Commission work Session September 21, 2015 - B.B. Comer Bridge Economic Impact Summary

Jackson County Commission, from Left to Right - Jason Venable, District 2 (R); Stacy Ledwell, District 4 (D); Matthew Hodges, Chair (D); Tim Guffey, District 1 (R); Dennis Miller, District 3 (D) photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

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Note change in budget as reflected on my notes from the commission  meeting. It is expected that next years available funds will be below $7 million dollars.

VIDEO

                          B.B Comer Bridge

Osprey Nest on B.B. Comer Bridge 

(Fair Use for non-profit news reporting - photo from Face Book, B.B. Comer Bridge Foundation - photo by Hank Allen)

It is getting down to the wire regarding the B.B. Comer Bridge Foundation's request to save the bridge or demolish it. Contracts are to be let regarding demolition very soon according to the representative from the Working Bridges group. Money is needed, considerable money to be placed in escrow ( $5 million according to John Cooper of ALADOT ) to cover future demolition, maintenance and risk management in case of failure of the project. Maintenance is another issue regarding the bridge. A former state engineer familiar with the bridge has stated, annual  maintenance will cost from $180 - $250 thousand per annum.

Chattanooga Times Free Press article - http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2015/sep/20/study-predicts-1-milli3-milliimpact-if-comer/326117/

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Executive Summary of Economic Impact Associated with the B.B. Comer Bridge Project

by Dixon Strategies

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More Info

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2014 Jackson County Demographic Study Comparing Dekalb and Marshall Counties.

Population, sales, manufacturing shipments and Building permits were compared - Jackson County was last in all categories; reason - lack of industrial growth. 

Scottsboro City Council, Regular Session February 9, 2015

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G. Morgan)

TOP ISSUES

The Scottsboro City Council voted down the B.B. Comer Bridge Preservation Project/Tourism Authority (7min 10sec in the full city council video) . There was no business plan submitted to support the economic impact of the tourism project. Sunday alcohol sales was passed, the issue will now proceed to the State Legislature via the Jackson County Legislative Delegation for submission during the current legislative session for approval. 

AGENDA

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VIDEO

Scottsboro City Council Meeting - Dual Session, B.B. Comer Bridge Foundation Presentation January 26, 2014

Scottsboro city Hall photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

1. BB Comer Bridge Authority-Justin Lackey, Marie Bostick, & Julie Bowers

Below issues were approved in the regular council meeting.

2. Public Hearing: Consider Agreement with Second Street Plaza Developers for K-Mart Building

3. Public Works Director Job Description

4. Vehicle Maintenance Director Job Description

5. IT Job Description

6. Resolution 2015-01-03: Award Bid for Fire Dept Protective Clothing

7. Resolution 2015-01-04: Award Bid for Fire Dept Helmets

8. Resolution 2015-01-05: Award Bid for Fire Dept Boot

Scottsboro City Council Work Session, January 5, 2014 (B.B. Comer Bridge Issue)

Street Department and Solid Waste Department to be combined into City Public Works Department, City Council to decide on issue at the January 26 meeting.

Tourism Development Authority proposal brought forward, connected to Save B.B. Comer Bridge Foundation. 

AGENDA

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VIDEO

Scottsboro City Council Work Session - Presentation on Save B.B. Comer Bridge in a 2 Part Video - Do we have VISION?

 

VIDEO of the Save the B.B. Comer Bridge - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Nesting Ospreys on B.B. comer Bridge

 

The B.B. comer Bridge as it stands today. (Photo's courtesy of the Save the B.B. Comer Bridge Group.)

 

Monday's City Council Work Session had 1 item on the agenda, A presentation by Ms. Julie Bowers of the "Workin Bridges Group" of the N. Skunk River Greenbelt Association in Grinnel, Iowa, link: http://www.skunkriverbridge.org/the-project.html

 

B.B. Comer Bridge Foundation link: http://comerbridge.org/news-updates.html

 

B.B. Comer Bridge History ( http://comerbridge.org/index.html )

The B.B. Comer Bridge was opened in 1930 as a toll bridge. The act authorizing a series of 15 memorial toll bridges, located throughout the state of Alabama, was authorized during the term of Governor Bibb Graves in 1927. The State Toll Bridge Act authorized the State of Alabama to issue bonds to finance the construction of 15 such spans on the states waterways.

The B.B. Comer Bridge officially opened on August 2, 1930. On September 29. 1936, the tolls were lifted,the bridge could be crossed without cost.

The B.B. Comer Bridge is the last of the 15 memorial toll bridges -- the other 14 have been demolished.

WWIC interview: http://radio.securenetsystems.net/radio_player_large.cfm?stationCallSign=WWIC-OD

 

"B.B. Comer Bridgein Pictures" You Tube Video by Arnold Wheeler

 

CITY COUNCIL VIDEOS

Part 1 

Part 2 VIDEO


 FIRST, THERE MUST BE VISION AND A PLAN

VISION or DESTRUCTION Is this how the community wishes to remember this great icon of progress built during the Great Depression?

 It is true, not all of our history can be saved nor should it be saved. But the real question before the community and the State of Alabama, is this piece of history worth saving and does the community and the state have the will and vision to save the bridge and turn it into a tourist attraction which can be sustained over time?

Maybe the greatest question for our community - do we have VISION?  Without vision, our community begins to die. Look around the square in Scottsboro, there is a distinct lack of vision. This was not always true as there was a wonderful plan for the revitalization of the downtown area. The vision was lost, planning was cast aside for immediate gratification. Now the downtown area suffers from urban blight. It does not have to be this way!

Planners and those responsible for economic development have lost their vision.  Instead, our economic developers have depended on projects such as the TVA nuclear plant at Bellefonte for our future. They have became complacent and short sighted. Our industrial parks remain empty, no vision except for personal gain of a very few.

If the bridge is to be saved there must be a definitive business/financial plan brought forward demonstrating the sustainability of the bridge preservation effort over time. A developer or the state government must come forward to "save the bridge" if it is to be saved. The local county and city government cannot afford the project. Unfortunately, some politicians are not being honest with local citizens wanting to save the bridge, some politicians are obviously more concerned about their reelection and their personal vanity.  What is the answer? Vision - Planning and Financing, vision must come first.

                                      Or is this the VISION?

 

 

 

 

These are the possibilities if there is VISION for our future.

 

 

Jackson County Discretionary Fund Committee Meeting, February 3, 2014 or "Mak'em Beg" for Adequate Funding

6 Videos in the "Mak'em Beg" Series of unconstitutional actions in violation of the separation of powers portion of our state's constitution.

The Jackson County Discretionary fund Committee met at the Legislative Delegation Office Monday morning at 10AM. This is a multiple part video report.

 Disbursal of funds should be limited to public safety (fire, police, sheriff, rescue squad), public health & welfare and education/schools.

The distribution methodology is being challenged as an unconstitutional act. Meanwhile, after several years of a secretive deliberative process, the Legislators opened the deliberative process to public scrutiny and placed 2 Jackson County Commission members on the committee.

Meanwhile the Delegation & Discretionary Committee authorized $225,000 for their office space while saying no or delaying funding for computers for schools, nursing funding and Sheriff's computers for vehicles which very well may be life saving regarding criminal and-or warrants information.

Disbursal of funds should be limited to public safety (fire, police, sheriff, rescue squad), public health and welfare and education/schools.

Discretionary Committee annual funding requests list. This is not all of the funding request. This reflects annual disbursements.

Part 1 Intro and funds discussion.

Part 2 Save B.B. Comer Bridge funding request.

Part 3 Save B.B. Comer Bridge final & Ms. Sheila Washington, Scottsboro Boys Museum makes fund request.

The Legislative Delegation Staff revealed there is no business plan that they have received for the Save the B.B. Comer Bridge project.

Make Them Beg for Educational Funds - This is the process that was started by those who care more for their personal re-election than they do for the citizens. IT IS RIDICULOUS, AND IS REFLECTIVE OF THE BROKEN STATE OF ALABAMA GOVERNMENT. The current Democrat and Republican ultra conservatives continue to support the Alabama process of post-civil war, 19th Century Alabama Government in a 21st Century United States of America.

Bravo to the Sand Mountain Concerned Citizens non-profit group and Mr. Cummings.


More on schools funding - ball field crushed brick before school nursing needs. Why is this unconstitutional legislative body making decisions on the distribution and disbursal of education money? Why do citizens have to BEG for money from this unconstitutional organization created for personal reelection of politicians?

Of course, the legislative delegations office expenditures before the needs of citizens. They approved a disbursal of $225K for their plush and elaborate office space last month instead of funding critical needs.Welcome to the dysfunctional government of Alabama!


Part 6, end of the "Make Them Beg Series"

B.B. Comer Bridge Group Meets with Alabama Department of Transportation

M.H. Lynch Family photo. (Fair Use, Educational non-profit usage.)

Mr. John Cooper, Director of the Alabama Department of Transportation commented that building the B.B. Comer Bridge cost approximately $480,000; the state of Alabama furnished the steel and concrete. The Kansas City Bridge Company (KCBC) was the contractor. Mr. Clyde Broadway's father was on the bridge construction crew. Mr. Broadway reported that after the B.B. Comer Bridge was complete KCBC built several bridges throughout the southeast particularly over the Mississippi river and that his father also worked on those bridge construction projects. 

 

B.B. Comer is the last of the Alabama Steel Truss Bridges in existence, all others have been destroyed.

B.B. Comer Bridge, Scottsboro, Al.("Flicker"-no credit listed, fair use non-profit educational usage.)

 

AL.COM - "Group hoping to save historic B.B. Comer Bridge to meet with DOT official Thursday in Scottsboro - SCOTTSBORO, Alabama -- Sen. Shadrack McGill, R-Scottsboro, has set a meeting with John Cooper, director of the Alabama Department of Transportation, to discuss saving historical B.B. Comer Bridge when its replacement is completed next year...McGill announced the meeting on the Facebook page for the group Friends of the B.B. Comer Bridge, which has 3,200 members."

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2013/07/group_hoping_to_save_historic.html

 

Construction on the new bridge begins. Photo by G. Morgan, Dec 5, 2007. The Bob Jones Bridge is on the left and The B.B. comer Bridge is on the right.

 

 

Who was Mr. Braxton Bragg (B.B.) Comer?

 

Alabama Department of Archives (fair use, educational usage) 

"Braxton Bragg Comer (November 7, 1848 – August 15, 1927) was a planter, businessman, and an American Democratic politician who was the 33rd Governor of Alabama from 1907 to 1911, and a United States Senator in 1920. As governor, he achieved railroad reform, lowering rates for businesses in Alabama to make them more competitive with other states..." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._B._Comer

 

Ospreys on B.B. Comer Bridge

Ospreys on B.B. Comer by Hank Allen (Fair Usage rights for non profit news and education.)

B.B. Comer Bridge Osprey nesting. There have been at least one nesting pair on the bridge. The Osprey is also known as a Sea Hawk. Ospreys are a protected species. It was stated by the ALADOT Director, Mr. John Cooper, that permission had been granted from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to relocate the nesting Ospreys. Nothing was stated concerning the methodology or when the nesting birds of prey were going to be relocated. Google link with 14 wonderful photos by Hank Allen on these marvelous birds. https://plus.google.com/photos/105427115453635757496/albums/5747910043901334849/5747910200704762306?banner=pwa&pid=5747910200704762306&oid=105427115453635757496 

 

It is of note in Part 2 of this video the multiple statement by Mr. Cooper concerning the required notice advertisements concerning the bridge project in 2002. There was no advertising in any North Alabama newspaper. As stated by Mr. Cooper,  there was advertising in The Montgomery, Mobile and Birmingham newspapers, but none in North Alabama. Should there be a question as to why there was little participation in 2002 during the official public hearings about the bridge demolition.

 

Part 2, comments form ALADOT Director John Cooper.

Save the Bridge Vote

on http://taterknob.blogspot.com/ , "Conversations From the Front Porch." It will be interesting to see the results of this vote. The "taterknob" blogspot is a recent edition to Scottsboro's growing "blogosphere." I have been hearing rumblings of the Preserve B.B. Comer Bridge project for over a year.

I personally believe that the taxpayers can not afford a project of this nature. I also believe politicians that would support taxpayers paying for this project should be avoided at the polls as fiscally irresponsible.

B.B. Comer Bridge is the metal truss bridge behind the modern Bob Jones bridge. (Photo by Garry Morgan)