Mayoral candidates talk economy, city's future

Tribune Managing Editor Patrick Johnston recently spoke with mayoral candidates Jay Jaxon and Randall Greene, who are both preparing for the Eufaula Municipal Election Aug. 26. Both candidates were asked the same questions. Stories on their responses are published below.

Challenger Greene: Change is needed

Randall Greene says that when he was a child, Ozark was about as small as Clayton.

Now he says Ozark has more to offer than Eufaula and Clayton.

“It’s just left us behind,” he said.

In fact, he says many area towns have more to offer now than Eufaula. He wants to change that by becoming the next mayor of Eufaula.

The mayoral candidate talked about several concerns during a recent interview with The Tribune.

Greene first talked about economic diversity, and the need to protect existing businesses while bringing in new businesses.

He says some business prospects and individuals have received the “runaround” when dealing with city departments.

“We need to make it easier for smaller businesses to come in here,” he said. “Rules and regulations are good, but we need to try to make it easier for people. If we have to, walk them through (the regulations). Make it as easy for them as we possibly can without doing away with (the regulations.)”

Greene said some of the more important issues facing the city today are drugs and increasing fuel costs for residents (issues he says he will study once he is in office if elected.) He also talked about the importance of Fort Benning’s expansion.

“If you look at Highway 165 and all of those houses that are there (near Fort Mitchell) it’s mind-boggling. We need to see if there is some way we can capitalize on that in the future,” he said.

If elected, Greene said he would look to reverse the city’s negative population trend “where we would have growth and be going in the right direction.” He also said he would work with existing industries - especially those in need of assistance.

He talked about the bowling alley and skating rink complex on North Eufaula Avenue that is currently unoccupied.

“We’re not getting anything out of it right now,” he said. “It could be part of the parks and recreation department.” Greene said the complex could be open on a full-time or even a part-time basis.

Greene discussed the city’s litter campaign, saying it was a good program. He added his desire to place some nice looking trash receptacles at strategic locations across the city. He also mentioned another clean-up project regarding junk cars. He said the city should consider a program where residents with junk vehicles are paid $50 to have those vehicles removed by local towing companies. Those towing the vehicles could then sell the car for scrap metal and make a profit.

“It would be a way to get some of the cars cleared off,” he said.

Regarding the county’s high unemployment rate, Greene said the city should work with the chamber of commerce to help identify vacant lots and buildings that might be of interest to prospects. He said the lots should be cleared to make them more marketable.

He said small businesses make a significant difference in the local economy.

“Even if it’s a small business, it employs 3, 4 or 5 people. Everybody counts.”

Greene said there was probably little that city officials could have done to prevent Wellstone and Dixon Lumber from closing in the last year.

“Wellstone is in textiles, and with the cost of labor here versus China, Mexico and other places, it’s hard to (compete.) It’s probably much bigger than the mayor of Eufaula.”

He also says the elected mayor would likely be limited in the amount of influence they have regarding the proposed western alternate route.

“It’s in the state’s hands now,” he said. “Of course, the mayor can push it.”

While Greene recently said he now supports the route, he says that there are still many residents opposed to the route. He adds that it is not “that big of an issue right now,” and that the expected completion of the U.S. Hwy. 431 four-laning next year will significantly help the area.

When asked about the Eufaula Water Works and Sewer Board’s recent decision to remove the sewer cap, Greene said it was significant mistake.

“If they pull one more (mistake) like that, then I won’t have to do much politicking,” he said. “They should have sent some letters out or ran an ad in the paper.”

Greene says that a new Wal-Mart will Eufaula will keep some shoppers from traveling out of town, but adds that local businesses must prepare for the new store if they want to stay viable. He suggested that the chamber of commerce start another “Shop Eufaula First” campaign and that business owners “think about their situation” and how they can now attract and retain customers.

When asked the importance of change versus experience - two themes that have emerged from this mayoral race - Greene said he would benefit from working with an experienced council. At least three incumbents will remain on the council.

“You’ll have an experienced council, and really the mayor is supposed to be a servant of the council. It’s more important for the council to be experienced than the mayor.”

When asked would he consider a sales tax increase if elected, Greene responded, “Absolutely not.”

“There has to be other ways to raise revenues than that,” he said, adding that the city could cut expenses or increase revenues through additional sales.

When asked about incumbent challenger Jay Jaxon, Greene said he was a “good man who has done a lot of good for Eufaula for a long time.” However, he said that Jaxon has served as mayor long enough.

“After 16 years, he needs to take a little time to rest. Bring in some new blood and ideas.”

Incumbent Jaxon: Experience counts

Jay Jaxon says it was an easy decision to run for mayor.

When asked why, he mentions Medical Center Barbour. Last year, the city entered a partnership agreement with Southeast Alabama Medical Center to purchase and operate the hospital, which had been struggling for several years. Jaxon says several millions dollars have been invested into the hospital, resulting in approximately 50 new jobs and improved services. However, he says a building lease agreement with the Dothan-based Southeast Alabama Regional Health Care Authority will expire in the next four years, and the next elected mayor will be responsible for future negotiations regarding that lease.

“It’s very important to the people of Eufaula, Barbour County and this area that they have the type of healthcare they need and deserve,” he said. “It’s going to be a critical moment. I have a relationship - not only with the management at Southeast, but the board.”

Jaxon added that he helped lead negotiations that led to the current agreement, and is still heavily involved with the hospital.

Not surprisingly, Jaxon says healthcare is one of the important issues facing our city today. He also points to the local economy, saying that the city must look for growth opportunities in spite of a struggling regional and national economy.

“Many of our companies compete locally, nationally or globally. There are so many factors we can’t control. I hope people will take a broad view to see there is so much impact on local companies.”

Jaxon says the city is continuing to provide services, adding the city is in a hiring mode for new police officers and fire and rescue personnel. He adds that the city continues to receive statewide accolades for maintaining financial integrity and responsibility. Jaxon said there are industrial prospects looking at Eufaula now. If elected, he would work to bring some of those prospects to the Bluff City.

“We have some good prospects as we speak that we are in negotiations with,” he said.

Jaxon says he would like to see a new senior center within the next four years. A new center would not only benefit current residents, but also serve as a “retiree-attraction offering.”

He also talked about new neighborhood parks on the south side of town. One park would be located at Dudley Quarters.

“We have wonderful recreational facilities, but for the most part they have been consolidated,” he said.

He would also like to the city continue its support of local education and continue engaging more citizens in the 2020 plan.

When asked about the mayor’s role in helping bring industry to the city and the county, Jaxon said the mayor’s role is “instrumental.” He touted his work with the Southeast Alabama Gas District regarding regional economic development efforts - particularly abroad. He also mentions his work in bringing a new Wal-Mart to the city, and the city’s listing as one of the nation’s top 100 retirement communities.

“We must be doing something right to earn that designation,” he said.

He predicts the city will turn a “tremendous corner” late next year when the four-laning of U.S. Hwy. 431 through Russell County is completed.

Jaxon said there was nothing the city could have done to have kept Wellstone and Dixon Lumber from closing in the last year.

“If we could have done anything to have helped, we would have,” he said, referring to external factors that resulted in those plants closures. He did say there were efforts under way to bring Dixon back online in some form by the end of next year.

Regarding the proposed western alternate route, Jaxon said his office has worked to “get it right.” That’s one reason the city has worked closely with Audubon Partnership on the proposed project.

Jaxon said that he and City Council President Jim Martin met with Alabama Department of Transportation officials late last month to discuss the project and the city’s planning work with Audubon Partnership.

“They were impressed with the homework we had done. We even showed them a cross-section of the road,” he said. “They agreed to work with us...It’s moving forward with the auspice of, ‘Let’s give the people of Eufaula what they want.’ We care enough to spend local funds to get this right.”

* Jaxon, who is chairman of the Eufaula Water Works and Sewer Board, said the recent removal of the sewer cap only affected 10 percent of water board customers, and was done to assure the other 90 percent would not pay increased rates.

“It has produced more money than the projections put forth,” he said, adding that the impact has been greater because of an especially dry summer. He said board members are looking to “tweak” the policy.

Jaxon said the water board has committed several million dollars in improvements.

“We’ve had water, and we haven’t had to alternate watering days in Eufaula like other cities.”

Jaxon said he would not push for a sales tax increase if elected for a fifth term.

“We’re going to live within our means,” he said, adding that through good fiscal management the city could remain economically solid.

Jaxon said that his challenger, Randall Greene, is a “nice guy,” but that he has not been involved in local governmental efforts since he lost the election four years ago.

“If Randall wanted to run for mayor again, he could have availed himself of opportunities since the last election to become involved in city government,” Jaxon said. “We’ve had a number of public meetings -2020, vision implementation committee - talking about one of the most important issues we’re facing, the parkway (or alternate route.) Over 500 people attended those meetings, and he wasn’t there.”