News and Events for District 2 - Connie Hudson, County Commissioner

May 26, 2011 

District News and Events

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MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER CONNIE HUDSON

 

With the beginning of hurricane season for the Gulf of Mexico and the Western Atlantic just days away (June 1 - Nov. 30), it is important to take stock now in preparing your home or business for the possibility of a hurricane. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an above average season with as many as 12-18 named hurricanes. Please Click Here to visit the County's web site that provides preparedness information and offers preparation advice to help keep you and your family safe during and in the aftermath of a hurricane.   

American Flag 

As we observe Memorial Day on Monday, May 30, let us remember the dedicated men and women in service to our country today and throughout history who have sacrificed for our freedoms. 

Commissioner Hudson at Honor Flight 2011 Return
CH and Bill Sisson and Bess Rich

   

Commissioner Connie Hudson pictured with Mobile City Councilwoman Bess Rich and Airport Authority Executive Director Bill Sisson greeting Veterans returning home with Honor Flight South Alabama, a non-profit organization that takes WWII veterans to visit war memorials in Washington, D.C. For more information on Honor Flight SA Click Here.

SEMMES MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ELECTED      


Mobile County's newest municipality has elected its government officials by acclimation. Each Council position and the mayoral office had only one individual qualify to run for election. Due to lack of opposition for candidates in each race, the individuals who qualified will be declared winners by Probate Judge Don Davis. A sixth person who initially qualified to run for City Council has withdrawn from the race. Upon being sworn in, the new Mayor and Council will serve in office (without salary) for a one year period of time before municipal elections are held again. The new municipal government will be lead by the following representatives: 

 

Judy Hale Photo 

Judy Hale: Mayor-Elect, 48, has an Associates Degree in Pre-Chemical Engineering and Business Management and had worked for 23 years at First Chemical/Dupont in various positions including traffic, domestic & export sales, customer service, credit/accounts receivable before she began her incorporation efforts in Semmes more than 3 years ago. 

 

Husband, Tim; Son, Vinson Goff; Daughter, Kristen.  

 

"My first goal is to keep our city as a community with a lean, efficient municipal government with the lowest taxes possible - no wasteful spending. Public safety (people and property) is also priority number one. I would like to see a new fire station to the east of Schillinger that would help to improve our Fire ISO rating and reduce property insurance costs."

 

David Baker Photo 

David Baker: Councilmember-Elect, 56, earned a B.A. Degree in Political Science, a B.S. Degree in Secondary Education and an M.P.A. Degree in Public Administration from the University of South Alabama. He also is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College of the United States Army and served 20 years in the United States Army as a logistics officer. Since retiring from active duty in 2003, he has worked as a high school teacher for the Mobile County Public School System.

 

Wife, Alice; Daughter, Rebekah; Son, David.

 

"I will work hard to create an efficient, fiscally responsible plan to establish and operate our new city government. This first plan must lay the foundation for growth while meeting the immediate needs of the people."

 

Teresa Bonner Photo 

Teresa A. Bonner: Councilmember-Elect, 32, received B.S. Degree  in Interdisciplinary Studies (Finance, Management, and Communication) from the University of South Alabama and is currently a mortgage professional at Nationstar Mortgage.

 

Husband, Justus; Sons, Luke (5) and Reese (2).

 

"The tireless efforts of volunteers and the overwhelming vote of the citizens have secured the incorporation of the City of Semmes. My goal as a candidate for the Semmes City Council is to ensure that hard work is rewarded with a quality infrastructure that will allow Semmes to fulfill its maximum potential as a city. In order to do that, the members of the council need to create an infrastructure that serves as a strong foundation for future growth while allowing the city to maintain the community feel that has always defined the community that is now the new City of Semmes."

 

Mary Calhoun Photo 

Mary Calhoun: Councilmember-elect, 50, has a B.S. Degree in Accounting from Auburn University and is a certified public cccountant  currently employed by the Mobile County Sheriff's Office as the Director of Finance. 

 

Husband, Philip; Son, Dylan; Daughters, Danielle Jordan and Jessica Turner.


"My first goal is to ensure that the proposed revenues for the City of Semmes are sufficient to provide basic community services. Small towns and communities are struggling to maintain services at historical levels and our Council needs to have a strategic plan to meet these needs. My management and financial experience of over 27 years will help me do my part to ensure Semmes remains a financially solid municipality."  

 

Philip Dodd Photo 

Phillip Dodd: Councilmember-Elect, 49, is a lifelong resident of the Semmes Community and is self employed as Owner of Dodd's Landscape and Dodd's Tree Farm.

 

Wife, Lisa; Son, Cary. 

 

"My Grandfather started Tom Dodd Nurseries in Semmes in 1920.
He was a man of integrity, and I am very proud of his leadership role in this community. My Aunt Elizabeth Dodd of Semmes told me he was very vocal, and stood for honest practices in politics. I hope I have inherited some of his attributes. I hope to help establish our first Town Hall as the City of Semmes and I also have many ideas for beautification."

 

Jerry Shirey Photo 

Jerry R. Shirey: Councilmember-Elect, 69, has a Bachelor's Degree from University of Montevallo in Psychology and Counseling & Guidance and a Master's Degree from the University of Alabama in Rehabilitation Counseling. He also completed graduate work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in Deaf Education. Mr. Shirey retired from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as rehabilitation counseling psychologist in September, 2001, and is now employed part time as a VA representative at Bishop State Community College since August, 2002.

 

Wife, Lynda; 2 Sons and a Daughter; 1 Granddaughter and 3 Grandsons.

 

"My first goal for the City of Semmes is to work with the Mayor and Council to roll sales taxes back to the 7 � percent we had before the last tax increase, and to retain property taxes at current rates if at all possible. I have several other goals, but maintaining a low tax base is my top priority."

 

DISTRICT 2 ROAD  

PROJECTS UPDATE

 

District 2 road projects are moving along toward completion. A summary follows:

 

*Wulff Road South and East- MCR-2004-002 Currently in Design. 60% complete.

 

*Lott Road- MCR-2010-008

Currently in Design. 20 % complete. 

 

*Snow Road North at Wulff Road South- MCR-2010-012 Currently in design. 30% complete.

 

*Evans Road- MCR-2010-202

Currently in design. 20% complete. 

 

*Malone Road- MCR-2010-203 Currently in design. 20% complete. 

 

*Boothtown Road- MCR-2010-204 Currently in design. 20% complete.   

 

*Albert Evans Road North- MCR-2010-205 Currently in design. 20% complete. 

 

* North Woods Drive MCR-2010-206 Currently in design. 20% complete.   

 

*Glenwood Road Extension

MCR-2010-207 Currently in design. 20% complete.    

 

*Schillinger Road North (Howells Ferry Road to Moffett Road and Moffett Road to Lott Road)- ALDOT Project 

MCR-2008-004 and MCR-2008-005 Currently in design.  

 

*Firetower Road- MCR-2008-202 Construction complete. Under final review.

 

*Jeffrey Road and Wiggins Lane-

MCR-2008-203 Construction complete. Under final review.

 

*Mack Hinton Road East (Grade, Drain, Base and Pave)- MCR-2008-204 Bid awarded.

 

*Cody Road Widening and Resurfacing- MCR-2006-010 and MCR-2004-008 Construction 99% complete.

 

*Old Shell Road- ALDOT Project

MCR-2004-004 and MCR-2000-004 Construction 99% complete. 

 

*Lott Road- MCR-2004-010  

Utility relocation.

 

*Fairview Street, Floyd Circle, Floyd Circle East, Lakeview Drive, Levert Road, Scenic Drive and Seabrook Road (Grade, Drain, Base and Pave)

MCR_2004-202 Construction complete. Under final review.

 

*Sand Ridge Road (Grade, Drain, Base and Pave)- MCR-2004-203 Construction complete. Under final review.

 

*John Shinn Road- MCR-2004-205 Construction complete. Under final review.

 

*Cuss Fork Loop Road and Cuss Fork Road- MCR-2004-206 Construction complete. Under final review.

 

*Crary Avenue, Redstone Drive East and Schillinger Heights Drive- MCR-2004-210 Construction complete. Under final review. 

 

Update: County funded road projects in the City of Mobile 


Road projects in the city limits of Mobile, paid for through the Mobile County Pay-As-You-Go Program have begun, according to Nick Amberger, City of Mobile Engineer. 

 

Click Here to view a complete list of the streets within the city limits of Mobile that are included in the PAYGO program using Mobile County PAYGO funding.

COUNTY FINANCES AT A GLANCE

 

The April 2011 Budget Report reflects expenditures through 58% of fiscal 2011. Through April we collected 49.84% of budgeted revenues. Property Taxes and Business Licenses are both paid in the first half of the fiscal year which pushes the average collected up for the first half of the year. The budget report shows budgeted and actual expenditures by function. Through the end of April 53.99% of the budget was expended. Other uses and transfers stand at 47.83%. Health and Welfare expenditures are paid on a quarterly basis so the percentage expended is within expected range.


Financial Update as of April 2011

Graduation

Congratulations and best wishes to all Mobile County high school and college graduates!

GEORGETOWN FELLOWSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES ASSISTANCE 

GFVFD Fire Engine

The Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department recently received a $15,000 allocation from Commission District 2 funds to assist with the down payment of a fire engine to replace a nearly 25-year-old engine. The Volunteer Fire Department is providing the remaining balance of $25,000 for the engine's down payment. Chief Maynard Eanes stated, "This grant from the County will provide us the funds needed to move forward with purchasing the much needed fire engine to replace one that constantly drains our limited funds due to repairs. It will free up funding for other needed assets that will allow us to better serve our citizens." 

USS WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY 

The U.S. Navy's newest destroyer, the U.S.S. William P. Lawrence, will be commissioned in Mobile on Saturday, June 4 at the Alabama State Port Authority docks. The City of Mobile along with the City of Pensacola are co-hosting the event. The 500-foot guided missile destroyer built in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is named for Vice Admiral William Porter Lawrence, a pilot who was the first Naval Aviator to fly twice the speed of sound and was a finalist to become a Mercury astronaut. He spent six years as a prisoner in North Vietnam and became Superintendent of the U.S. Navy. The ship's first commanding officer is Commander Thomas R. Williams.

USS LAWRENCE TOURS OPEN TO PUBLIC 

 

When: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 28 through May 30 

Where: Alabama State Port Authority docks, Pier 2 Terminal   

 

Click Here to access web site for more information and for those interested in tours May 28 through 30, you must pre-register for the event at the web site.

DISTRICT TWO

SUMMER CALENDAR


FRIENDS OF THE MOBILE DOG PARK NEED YOUR HELP

 

Deadline: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 

How: Click Here to Vote for Mobile County 

 

The Friends of the Mobile Dog Park, a not-for-profit organization working to build an off-leash dog park within Medal of Honor Park (formerly Cottage Hill Park) off Hillcrest Road needs your help. PetSafe, a national company that produces and sells various pet items, is encouraging community members to demonstrate enthusiasm and dedication to its pet community by voting online to win a $100,000 grant towards construction of a PetSafe dog park. The deadline to submit your vote is June 1, 2011. The proposed Julien Marx Dog Park is estimated to cost $100,000. The Friends of the Mobile Dog Park strongly encourage you to submit your vote today! 

 

For more information Click Here or visit Friends of the Mobile Dog Park on Facebook.  

 

MARKET IN THE PARK 


When: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays, through July 28
Where: Mobile Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile

The market features locally grown produce, honey, flowers, breads, plants, casseroles, seafood and more. There will also be live music, children's activities, and free admission to the museum during the market hours.

For more information Click Here or call the City of Mobile's Neighborhood and Community Services at 208-1550.

 

MARKET ON THE SQUARE 

 

When: 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays, through July 30

Where: Cathedral Square, Downtown Mobile


The market features locally grown produce, seafood, beef, honeys, breads, pastas, cheeses, plants, handcrafted goods for kitchen and home, live music and other activities. Arts and crafts vendors are featured on alternate Saturdays.

For more information Click Here or call the City of Mobile's Neighborhood and Community Services at 208-1550.

 

9TH ANNUAL PENELOPE HOUSE HAT AND PEARLS LUNCHEON  

 

When: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 2

Where: West Ballroom of the

Mobile Convention Center

 

The luncheon will feature entertainment and a fashion show with local celebrities modeling the latest in fashions. Proceeds will benefit Penelope House which is a non-profit agency dedicated to providing safety, protection, and support to the victims of domestic violence and their children through the provision of shelter, advocacy, and individual and community education.

 

Cost: $60 Single Ticket

$400 Table of Eight

 

For more information on the Penelope House Click Here or contact Tonie Ann Torrans at 342-2809.

 

FRIENDS OF THE MOBILE ANIMAL SHELTER (FOMAS) AND MOBILE SPCA PET PALOOZA 

 

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 4 

Where: USA Mitchell Center, University of South Alabama, Mobile

 

FOMAS and the Mobile SPCA strive to improve the quality of life for shelter and homeless pets alike as well as work tirelessly to reduce the number of unwanted pets in Mobile County.The 7th annual Pet Palooza Pet Fair and Super Adoption event will be host to numerous vendors from the pet arena as well as hundreds of animals available for adoption. 

 

Click Here to visit the Mobile SPCA or call at 633-3531.
Click Here to visit the FOMAS or call 208-2830.


SPAGHETTI LUNCH FOR RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE


When:
Thursday, June 9
Where: Ronald McDonald House, 1626 Spring Hill Avenue, Mobile

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors is offering lunch to underwrite the costs of accommodations for the parents and children of Mobile's Ronald McDonald House. Diners will get a generous helping of spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, and a homemade cookie for $7. Delivery is free for orders more than $28. Place orders by 5 p.m. June 7 by fax at 438-2222 or by telephone at 694-6873 or email, [email protected]. Make all checks payable to Ronald McDonald House of Mobile.

For more information Click Here or call the Mobile Ronald McDonald House at 694-6873.

DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMEN 54th NATIONAL FINALS

 

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 23, Friday, June 24, and Saturday, June 25 

Where: Mobile Civic Center Theater, Mobile 

 

For more than 54 years, Mobile has been the home of Distinguished Young Women, formerly the America's Junior Miss scholarship program. Each year fifty of the nation's brightest and most talented young women visit the Gulf Coast to compete for more than $125,000 in cash scholarships and the title of Distinguished Young Women of America. While in Mobile, participants enjoy some of the area's finest attractions and participate in community service.

Cost:
Preliminary Events June 23 and 24, $22.00 per ticket.
National Finals June 25, $38.50 per ticket.
Package including tickets to all events, $82.50.

For more information or to purchase tickets Click Here or call (251) 438-3621.

CELEBRATE FREEDOM


When: 5 p.m. Sunday, July 3
Where: Mary G. Montgomery High School, Semmes

This community-wide event sponsored by Orchard Assembly of God Church as well as many area businesses, features free admission, a car show, a kid zone, a craft show, live entertainment and fireworks.

For more information Click Here or contact the event organizers by E-Mail.

 

MOBILE COUNTY TO HOST U.S. OLYMPIC BOXING TEAM TRIALS 


When: July 31 - August 6
Where: Mobile Civic Center, Downtown Mobile

Mobile will showcase the biggest event in men's Olympic-style boxing action, as the 80 top boxers in the United States converge for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men's Boxing. Future boxing stars will compete in the Junior Olympic National Championships on August 2-5, at the Civic Center as well. The Olympic team trials will be a double elimination tournament showcasing eight boxers in each of the 10 men's Olympic weight divisions. The 10 U.S. Olympic Team Trial Boxing champions will represent the United States at the 2011 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan in September. There they will qualify internationally for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

For more information contact Deanna Day in the City Council Office at 208-7441.

 

For more information on City of Mobile calendar events, please Click Here.   



MOBILE COUNTY BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION LOGO CONTEST

 

With the celebration of the Bicentennial of Mobile County in 2012, The Mobile County Bicentennial Committee is looking for local talent to submit art in a logo contest. The logo should best incorporate Mobile County's heritage over the last 200 years. The logo will be used online, in print, and on all branded merchandise. If you are a local artist and a Mobile County resident 18 years of age or younger, you are welcome to enter with a parent or guardian's signature. The contest is open only to individuals, not to companies, clubs, organizations, etc.

 

The designer of the winning logo will receive a $250 savings bond certificate and public recognition. Submissions must be received by June 1, 2011. A winning design will be announced at a date and time to be determined.

 

Click Here for more information on participation and design guidelines or to contact chairwoman Tammy Sams by email Click Here or call 509-6665.



SPOTLIGHT ON COUNTY SERVICES

Each edition of the District 2 E-Newsletter will highlight an area of service, service agency, or a county service that is predominantly funded by the Mobile County Commission.

 

MOBILE COUNTY LICENSE COMMISSION   

 

The Office of the Mobile County License Commission is led by License Commissioner Kim Hastie. Her office has the primary responsibility of processing motor vehicle tags and titles, boat registration, manufactured home decals, hunting and fishing licenses, handicap placards, driver's license renewals and handles mandatory liability insurance reinstatements.

 

The License Commissioner's office has 110 employees who serve the taxpayers by collecting and distributing tax monies which are in excess of $120 million annually. The office also audits and performs maintenance of county and school tax accounts, as well as the lodging tax. Disbursements are made to 25 municipalities and agencies. The License Commissioner's office has five locations to serve the citizens of Mobile County. Last fiscal year, transactions exceeded 823,000 at these locations.

 

The License Commission also collects the Mobile County sales and use tax, lease tax, lodging tax and school sales and use tax. Additionally, they issue the State/County Privilege License, which is required of most entities doing business within the County. Personnel at the License Commission are currently developing the tools to allow online filing of the County's sales and use tax.

 

Commissioner Hastie, with assistance from the Mobile County Commission, has made changes to her office that include technology upgrades, cross training of employees and updating of buildings. You can now renew your car tag by mail, renew it online at www.mobilecountylc.com, renew by phone at (251)574-5555 or visit any of our five locations.

A continued goal of the License Commission is to move forward by constantly looking for ways to better provide the citizens of Mobile County with the exceptional service they so deserve and have come to appreciate. Please note that all License Commission Offices are now closed on Wednesdays due to budget constraints but are open and operating at 7 a.m. the rest of the week at most locations. Commissioner Hastie always welcomes any comments from the taxpayers at (241) 574-8566.

 

Michael Square, Eight Mile, and Theodore Oaks Branches:

7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

 

Courthouse Annex Branch:

7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday and Friday

 

Citronelle Branch:

9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday

 

Click Here to visit the Mobile County License Commission website.

 

 
Connie Hudson, Distric 2 County Commissioner; district2web@mobile-county.net  Office: (251) 574-2000

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