President Bush

Bad: This guy is an environmental disaster. While war and the economy are two issues plenty big enough to warrant voters’ attention, mankind is quietly killing itself. Bush is a pro-business hero, often at the cost of many damaging decisions for the environment. Decisions that will mean ruin in old-growth, previously protected forests, and a boon for the energy and fuel industry at the expense of clean air and now a proven global-warming disaster in the making.

Good: No doubt, Bush’s biggest success is his strong leadership of a defense that has thus far prevented another Sept. 11 attack within the United States. It would be silly for any American to overlook the fact that we likely will indeed be targeted again. But it’s been two-plus years of security since the attacks of 9-11, and that fact in itself is a major victory. Bush and his team deserve part of the credit, and if it continues to hold true, look for this to be a key selling point for Bush in the 2004 election.

Solutia

A gate padlocked with a chain at the Solutia plant bears the sign ‘Monsanto Gate 9.’ Photo: Kevin Qualls/The Anniston Star

Good: Although the entire community misses former Solutia manager David Cain and his dynamic civic spirit (he moved to take over the company’s Houston plant), Solutia remains staffed by dozens of the area’s finest folks who are committed to the community and making their company more reputable. Their work, itself, is well respected in the industry world, and the local people at Solutia are our best hope for addressing the pollution concerns and cleanup head-on. The new manager, Lamar Freeman, is a lifelong local resident, and the bottom line for the local workers is not necessarily the same as the bottom line for corporate. The folks who work here care, too.

Army Depot

Bad: The next round of military base closings, or BRAC (base realignment and closures), is slated for 2005, but you can be assured the decisions will start being made in the coming year of 2004. The Anniston Army Depot employs more than 5,000 people in war times such as now, and the loss of the depot would spell disaster for this community, as well as prove a stupid decision for our national security interests. Yet, politics more than efficiency could pose just such a threat.

Good: Despite politics, the fact remains that the Anniston facility is one of the most efficient, most productive and most needed of all the military’s refitting and manufacturing facilities. Tanks and other armored vehicles are shipped here daily because of the expertise and facilities on hand to refit them, and the new Stryker vehicle is produced here. Some of the experienced workers would move if so asked, but others would not, and their experience is valuable. However, the infrastructure itself remains too necessary to the military to close it down. Add to all this an ongoing operation on another part of the depot to destroy chemical weapons, a process likely to last at least another 10 years, meaning the military will be here anyway. Might as well keep the jobs here.

McClellan’s future

Bad: Although new business is trickling into McClellan, it’s coming slower than local officials would like, and the traffic to those that are open is not enough to keep most such owners happy. The city of Anniston, meanwhile, continues to face expensive bills for maintaining the infrastructure at the former Army post, and continued red tape and delays in environmental cleanup still pose barriers for attracting new industry and development.

Good: Despite the problems, progress is being made. A new restaurant and motel are open within McClellan, the golf course and clubhouse continue to attract a crowd, and many of the residential developments are filling up with new tenants. The world championship archery tournaments provide a good showcase for the property and its recreation value, plans continue for use of the many sports facilities on site, and the arts scene will provide a boost when the Alabama Symphony Orchestra visits in May and June for a four-part spring concert series. Look for the positives to slowly start taking over for the negatives during 2004.

JSU

Bad: The education funding is never enough, it seems, as every year we hear the same complaint. The problem in Alabama is, it’s not enough. We Alabamians should not be as satisfied as we seem to be with just getting by; our children deserve better. Jacksonville State University is a good case study. It provides hundreds of local jobs, but it also provides thousands of students with a quality education and a shot at a better future. The question in 2004, and even more so in 2005, is whether, from JSU on down to kindergarten, schools will improve or get worse? When it comes to education, money matters.

Good: JSU is making a name for itself. While Auburn’s leadership is a disaster at the moment, and while Alabama is still getting attention by too many in only sports terms, JSU is cheaper but yet continues to grow in reputation for its academic provisions. It is far from matching Auburn, Alabama, or the state’s other larger universities, but it is growing, with enrollment near 10,000. And it’s in our backyard, not across the state. Despite the budget threats, JSU will continue to be a local attraction.

Surprises

Bad: Look for problems to creep up with the chemical weapons destruction process that could threaten to slow down the progress until corrected. The PCBs problem will continue to become more and more exposed as a barrier to quality-of-life standards until the issue is conquered. There will be surprises on the political scene in the coming election year. And look for a major event that will challenge us to review our preparedness for dealing with disaster or threat.

Good: The depot should continue to remain busy because of war, meaning despite the ugliness of war and the obvious preference for peace, there still will be plenty of jobs and activity to keep this facility on the map. There will be a positive surprise or two on the political scene this year. The growing arts and recreation attention locally will lead to new opportunities. And look for at least one flower to take full bloom from among the many local redevelopment projects or new ideas being attempted, in Anniston and/or Oxford.

Much of this is based on pure speculation and reasoning from daily observation.

A tiny bit of it is based on unreported fact waiting to be properly exposed.

But of one thing you can be certain: 2004 will be another newsy year.

We will work hard to be here and report it for you.