By Steve Alexander Reporter
Published: Thu, March 20, 2008 - 10:43 pm
Last Updated: Thu, March 20, 2008 - 11:42 pm
Last Updated: Thu, March 20, 2008 - 11:42 pm
Steve Alexander
Fred Richardson spoke out at a jobs and workforce development seminar that was part of a community meeting.
He wasn't happy with two companies he says were supposed to take part.
It started when Richardson asked a representative from Atlantic Marine to address the meeting on available jobs at the company.
A representative from Atlantic Marine was on the meeting agenda to speak, but when no one from the company came up to the podium to talk, Richardson made an announcement.
He said, "I'm going to challenge the news media to call this company tomorrow and ask them why their representative didn't show up with over 300 people there waiting on them."
Richardson also added, "I'm not taking this sitting down and anybody who's on this program who didn't show up, we're going to do them the same identical way. They may not show up this time but I bet you they'll show up the next time."
Then, Richardson called for a Thyssenkrupp representative on the agenda to speak, but no one from that company came forward.
Richardson called Thyssenkrupp "the company that we gave $33 Million to."
He then called the name of the speaker listed on the agenda, but no one came forward.
Richardson then said, "Alright, John, you better show up. I'm writing the CEO in the morning, Fed Ex. I want him to get it the next day. Whatever happened to John I don't care. I want the news media to call Thyssenkrupp and say if this is the kind of business you're trying to conduct in Mobile County, if so you can leave."
News Five tried to contact Atlantic Marine and Thyssenkrupp Thursday night.
We weren't able to talk to anyone at the Atlantic Marine office, but Thyssenkrupp's Director of Communications, Scott Posey, issued a statement.
Posey said he was not aware of any speaking engagement.
He said an invitation from any elected official would be welcomed but, to his knowledge, he wasn't aware of one.
Watch WKRG News Five or log on to wkrg.com for the latest updates.
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I can understand why Mr.Richardson is upset,It’s hard to hold a two part conversation with ones self,and about the $33 million he mentioned,I guess he forgot the old adage"YOU PAYES YOUR MONEY AND YOU TAKES YOUR CHANCES”