Thanks to Speakin Out News and to our many dedicated readers. The weather has been great these last few weeks. I hope everyone has been enjoying it as we have been lucky so far this year.
This past weekend was great for my family as they went to see the Sun Belt Conference Football Championship in Lafayette, Louisiana. Billy Napier, the Coach of the Ragin Cajuns is my niece’s son. They won the Championship game Saturday night after going 12-1 for the season. The next morning, Billy started the next chapter in his life as the new Head Football Coach for the Florida Gators. Prior to his Head Coach position for the Cajun’s, Billy served as Offensive Coordinator for Clemson, Offensive Analyst for Nick Saban and Assistant Coach at Colorado State. His mother Pam Napier is my niece. She was raised in Huntsville and moved to Chatsworth Georgia where her husband Bill Napier was a very successful High School Football coach. Her other two sons currently coach football for schools in Georgia.
CITY COUNCIL CHANGING ORDINANCE
Why did our city leaders change the way the City Council meetings are ran? It was better how it was. Under the old way the public was allowed to speak about the items on the agenda and address the council during the Public Comments portion of the meetings. The Legal Department’s items were the last thing on the agenda which was good.
Under the new rules the public can only speak once, either by signing up to discuss 1 item on the agenda or by signing up to speak during the Public Comments at the end of the meeting. This means the City Council gets to vote on the agenda items with minimal feedback from the public and the council does not respond to any of the questions from the public. This council never allows the public to ask about any of the deals they are making with the developers either and I believe the developers are making many of decisions for our leaders.
At the last City Council meeting the hours for city entertainment districts were expanded after voting to reduce the hours not long ago because local residents were complaining about the noise.
PARKING GARAGE NEEDED
Why would our city tear down the parking garage in front of City Hall when our downtown needs more parking spaces? This parking garage is in good shape and easy to get in and out of. There are also businesses that use it for parking and it is so close to the Courthouse. The Public Building Authority was put in charge of tearing the parking garage down and are not letting the public know what this is going to cost the city. This is the most outrageous thing our city has done.
In addition, the new Bridge Street buildings on Governors Drive across from the post office is also a mess. They have now removed the traffic lights in front of the post office which will result in speeders coming off I-565. Planners to this city and whoever is in charge needs to be fired. The good news is next year is an election year for 3 Council members. We will remember who voted for the parking garage and Governors Drive messes.
Love you all and have a blessed week.