Anniston Star
April 2, 2003

Riley meets with area leaders to discuss Calhoun County issues

By Amy Sieckmann
Star Capitol Correspondent
04-02-2003

MONTGOMERY

Gov. Bob Riley promised Calhoun County officials Tuesday that he will do whatever he can to keep the Anniston Army Depot up and running as the next round of federal base closures loom.

"We are going to do whatever we can to make sure (the depot and the area) continues to grow," Riley told a group of 55 residents and political leaders from Calhoun County who were visiting Montgomery for the day.

Riley also addressed other prominent issues in Calhoun County, saying he believes the incinerator will start up soon, after the Army works out a final issue or two with the community.

The governor said his main concern is to have plans in place and funded for special needs residents before anything starts. He said he expects that to come through soon.

Managing state finances better to save money for the Eastern Parkway and pushing for constitutional reform are among the priorities of his administration, Riley said. The Eastern Parkway needs $75-$80 million, most of which will have to come from federal sources.

Riley said local residents should adopt a new, more positive outlook to help his efforts.

"Most of your problems of the past will come to an end," he said. " We need to move ahead.

"You spend so much time in Anniston talking about other problems," compared with other state counties, he said. "So to a large extent you need to get a new mindset."

Shortly before speaking to the group, Riley met in private with a group of Calhoun County representatives to discuss how the state can aid local efforts to see the depot safely through the next round of base closures, set for 2005. Nathan Hill, the consultant recently hired to save the depot from closure, said the meeting went well.

"He assured us he would support us," Hill told The Star after the meeting.

Hill said the governor listened as the group described plans to add more public and private joint partnership programs at the depot. Other ideas to keep it off the base closure list, also known as BRAC, include expanding existing business partnerships and programs, Hill said.

The governor already has made supporting existing industry a priority in his economic development plans. Hill said that is what they now are trying to do at the Depot. Riley, he said, has given support to some existing industry and that may be what the depot needs.

Riley's state development office director, Neal Wade, said state efforts to focus support on existing industry could be applied to work at the depot.

Other state officials briefed the group on the state's needs and financial situation. Wade said his department soon will submit plans to restructure the development office.

A new push to include neighboring states in economic plans and to support more existing business is needed, Wade said. The state will work with states like Georgia and Tennessee to lure in new business, he said. Such efforts could have a big impact on Calhoun County, because it is close to Georgia and along I-20, he said. Wade said the governor also will look into extending programs started by former Gov. Don Siegelman, such as the Commerce Commission, to help economic development.

State Finance Director Drayton Nabors and Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley focused on the economic crisis facing the state. They said it will take a tremendous effort to get the state out of its deep debt.

State Superintendent Ed Richardson focused on K-12 education funding needs. He also said the state has succeeded in reaching one of the lowest dropout rates in the nation and some of the highest test scores in the South.

Anniston Mayor Chip Howell the day overall was a success. He said he was pleased with the governor's response to local efforts to keep the depot open as well as his views on helping the community with the rest of its problems.

"I thought it was an excellent day," Howell said.