Semmes Incorporation Supporters Plead Their Case

Proponents held a meeting to talk about why Semmes should be its own city. Alabama Schools

Published: Tue, August 19, 2008 - 10:48 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, August 19, 2008 - 11:04 pm CST

Those who support incorporating Semmes held a meeting Tuesday night to state their case.
More than a hundred people came to the Mary G. Montgomery High School auditorium to hear speakers talk about why Semmes should incorporate into its own city.
This meeting was planned even before Mobile Mayor Sam Jones announced his annexation plan involving nearby businesses, like the Wal Mart SuperCenter at Moffett Road and Schillinger.
Incorporation supporter Tony Crabtree said, "If we are able to incorporate ourselves, we'll set our own zoning standards."
The meeting provided a political "Who's Who?" of people representing the area.
Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran told the audience, "As the sheriff, I just wanted to tell you if you should decide to vote to incorporate, you'll continue to receive the services from the sheriff's office and I'll do everything I can to help you get set up as a city."
Mobile County School Board Member Ken Megginson talked about how the school system lost $2.5 million when part of west Mobile was annexed.
Megginson said, "The superintendent has a meeting with the mayor later on this week, or the first of next week, and he's going to bring us some information back, but until that information comes back, School Board Commissioner Ken Megginson, District One, will not support an annexation of any part of Mobile County."
Those attending the meeting had different thoughts on incorporation.
Betsy Dodd said she supports incorporation because "I want to keep it small in Semmes. I think it needs to be small here."
Shellie Wilson said, "I'll have to make decisions later on, depending on the amount of information that comes out of this meeting."
Bob Tanner said, "I'm definitely against incorporation. I like Semmes the way it is."
The "Incorporate Semmes" group will hold more meetings in coming weeks to talk about circulating petitions paving the way for an incorporation vote.

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JudyH Says:

Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 10:46 am

Great update last night at the Anti-Annexation meeting held at Crawford United Methodist Church in Semmes!

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JudyH Says:

Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 5:17 am

Hi BamaBob—I think an update on what is going to be done (legal action) will be announced pretty soon. I know alot of people will be asking questions at the meeting on Thursday night in Semmes.

Also, I attended a meeting a couple of weeks ago in Irvington and found out that several businesses in the Tillman’s Corner area are individually filing suit against the City. I will try to get an update on this.

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BamaBob Says:

Fri, Sep 05, 2008 at 8:55 am

I listen to Uncle Henry during my drive to work most mornings. I’ve heard a lot of people upset about this annexation, but I have not heard or seen a plan of action. Legal action needs to be taken before the vote, or the City will rake the cream off the top for several years while lawsuits are tied up in court for decades.
. Why can’t one of the state Senators or County commissioners meet with Troy King and determine how to proceed with the opposition? Why can’t legal expertise be brought in to give guidance?
. Right now it just seems like a lot of people are blowing off steam and not taking action!!!!!!!!!!!!

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JudyH Says:

Fri, Sep 05, 2008 at 8:37 am

BamaBob wrote: “Have the land use people in the City of Mobile written any tickets in the new part of Mobile? “

That’s a really good question…. I don’t know.

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cmb1 Says:

Fri, Sep 05, 2008 at 8:30 am

gus01 Semmes will never be Fairhope sorry but i live in Semmes and there are too many trashy places and mobile homes. Nothing against mobile homes if people keep them up, you no the ones i’m referring to! I’d love for our community to be better but there are so many people who just want it to go back to the old way of life and that is not going to happen, i’ve lived here for 2 years and i’m thinking about going back to the city because you can get something done, out here everything goes on deaf ears.

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JudyH Says:

Fri, Sep 05, 2008 at 8:28 am

BamaBob wrote: “Why don’t we see the local media interviewing these people that were pulled into the city last year?”

So far, WKRG is about the only media outlet that has come close to covering the annexation issue.

Don’t count on the Press-Register to FAIRLY report on the annexation issue or the opposition to annexation. The editorial in the Press-Register the Sunday after the proposed annexation announcement was made said it all—the Press-Register is FOR ANNEXATION.

I personally know someone who called the Press-Register to try and sound-off on their opposition to annexation. They were basically told that the PR was FOR annexation.

Listen to Uncle Henry on 710 AM—people have been calling in on that radio show and raising plenty of questions about the annexation issues.

AS FAR AS the annexation area from last year—that would be an awesome news item! To report on what was promised by what has been delivered!!

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BamaBob Says:

Fri, Sep 05, 2008 at 7:32 am

Have the land use people in the City of Mobile written any tickets in the new part of Mobile?

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BamaBob Says:

Fri, Sep 05, 2008 at 7:22 am

Why don’t we see the local media interviewing these people that were pulled into the city last year?

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JudyH Says:

Fri, Sep 05, 2008 at 6:59 am

Opposition to annexation in the Semmes area is INCREASING! As more and more people are becoming aware of the FACTS and EMPTY PROMISES made by the City, they are becoming EDUCATED on what this annexation will really mean for them.

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gus01 Says:

Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 9:06 pm

yep the projects are going west, middle ring,foreman, hit rd, wake up semmes , and get to work. you can be the next fairhope, or the next crieghton, ya’ll decide!!!!!!

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