Leeds forum packs house; every seat contended, four for mayor

Published 10:25 am Thursday, August 16, 2012

Local government, serving as a voice for the citizens and total transparency were hot topics at Tuesday night’s Leeds political forum.

In a race where all five city of Leeds council seats are opposed and three candidates are running against incumbent Eric Patterson in the mayoral race, residents had questions that needed answers.

Here is the list of contenders:

District 1, incumbent Kenneth Washington and Toney Abernathy. District 2, incumbent Ross Bartee and Eric Turner. District 3, incumbent Susan Carswell and Johnny Dutton. District 4, incumbent Charlotte Earnest (who was not in attendance), Craig Wadsworth and Kelly Washburn. District 5, which is a vacant seat, Gerald Clayton, Jack Courson (who was not in attendance), David Crabb, Devoris Roscha Ragland and Dallas White. Mayoral campaigners incumbent Eric Patterson, James “Jim” Atkinson, current District 5 councilman Johnny Kile and David Miller.

Each candidate was asked two questions with three minutes to reply. 

Miss Alabama 2010 Ashley Davis served as the night’s moderator while Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce president Julie Ferrell cautioned candidates on when their three minutes were up and Kathi Carr worked as timekeeper.

Those running for District 2 kicked off the first round of questions. 

When asked his plans to make Leeds city government more pro-business, Bartee answered, “We need to develop a plan to get people downtown. We have plans for signs at Exit 140 saying visit downtown Leeds.” 

He added, “We are cleaning up Leeds. We want positive development and are pro-the right business.”

His contender, Turner said, “I’d like to create a more positive welcoming environment where Leeds is approachable, accessible and accommodating in order to work together.”

District 3 contenders were asked what their plans were for growth and residential development.

“Leeds needs infrastructure improvement. We need to address our flooding and drainage issues and continue to promote our schools. Good schools attract families and families buy homes,” said Carswell. 

Calling for continued improvements to the police department and a plea for a future splash park, Carswell said all those things should attract new residents.

“Growing our school system is a must,” said Dutton. “We also have to focus on retail and roof tops. They come at the same time and attract each other.”

Wadsworth and Washburn from District 4 were asked their opinions on the relationship between mayor and council.

“It is essential,” said Wadsworth. “Meetings should flow well and represent the best interests of the city, not others. Both the council and mayor should hear citizens’ opinions in person. ”

“They need to work in accordance for the betterment of Leeds,” said Washburn. “Respectfully and with dignity agree to disagree. The council and mayor serve as the checks and balances.”

District 5 opponents were asked the biggest issues facing the city of Leeds and how they would address them.

“Education/new library (because to me they go hand-in-hand), decreasing debt and revitalizing downtown Leeds are our biggest issues,” said Clayton.

“Volume of traffic. We have a lot of people coming through Leeds and I would strive for stronger enforcement of speed limit laws,” said Crabb. “Capability in getting along with the other four council members and creating an old town downtown to project who were are, are the issues I see facing Leeds.”

Ragland said, “Financials. Draft a proposal for revitalization to let others know downtown Leeds is open for business. Create a business friendly atmosphere to spark economic development. We need to have an effective school board. Our process needs to be redefined to one that’s to conducive to the educational needs of our students.”

“It’s real simple—treat business right. That’s the best way to communicate,” said White. “The occupational tax needs to go. We need to go down on taxes. Leeds has got to be unique. Word of mouth is the most effective way to let people know what’s going on.”

The mayoral candidates were asked about their take on annexation.

“We’re not surrounded by Trussville, Irondale and Birmingham, they’re our outskirts,” said Atkinson. “I am not for annexation—we are Leeds!”

“To my knowledge lasso annexation has been outlawed,” said Kile.

“I’d petition to square up Leeds’ boundaries,” said Miller. “Moody has taken advantage of that. I’d bring our boundaries into the realm. And focus on a way to negotiate, not litigate.”

Patterson said, “We’re always open to annexation. Always looking to open our borders. We want people to be in Leeds.”

District 1 opponents were asked for their take on the construction of quality apartments in Leeds. 

“This is very important. We need to have low to high class apartments,” said Abernathy. “The city needs to control fees (for example attorney and consultant fees in insurance bonds). We need to set a goal everyone can afford. We don’t want to run everybody out of town because of our fees.”

Washington said, “I really don’t like the idea. For the total vision I don’t think we can get around it, but we’ve got to get away form the line issues to offset infrastructure. The people in Leeds are quality people. Quality of life is what we need to look at. Leeds is a blue-collar city. We need to build a new city to compliment the old.”

Whether striving to get more involved, wanting to continue serving the people of Leeds or pledging to be the voice of the citizens of Leeds, the candidates ask that you vote for the people to best represent Leeds on August 28.