CenterPointAlabama.NET ... A New Voice For A New City

20 August, 2008

Barlow looking to establish "veteran's memorial" ... without council discussion appoints "Wink" Chapman as "committee chairman"

ALL HAIL KING ROGER! I sat in amazement, at the 14 August CP City Council meeting, as the rest of the Center Point City Council sat in a state of stupor and allowed themselves to be railroaded, by Council President Roger Barlow, without so much as a "by your leave sir" among them.

ELECTIONS!! 26 August, 2008
City Hall

As for me ... I'm voting for Henderson for Mayor. Burkes couldn't even provide decent security for his own "Events Center" (thus initiating Center Point's first ever riot!). Additionally, the only time Burkes ever showed up to a City Council meeting was to whine about Center Point's sign ordinance.

As for the race between Barlow and Pepper ... it may come down to the devil I know versus the devil I don't know. Still ... in my opinion ... Barlow is an egotistical, condescending demagogue. He's always right, he doesn't have to listen to you if he doesn't want to ... and he'll tell you so! He's raised taxes, taken away freedoms, and initiated and voted for invasive city legislation. I'm voting for Pepper for Place 3!

24 May, 2007 - CP City Council votes to pay $40.00 per month for Web site maintenance. Have you seen this site?

I bet that none of our City Councilmen have seen this site. If they have, and it remains this way ... why? These guys, and gal, really think they're doing great by paying out thousands of dollars for this "Hometown Focus" television advertisement when they can't even properly maintain our city's "front door" on the World-Wide-Web. I'm so proud ... NOT!!

Property purchased ! Not enough police protection but lots of walking around space ... and at taxpayers expense!

Take a look at the property located between Hillcrest Road and Reed Road. About 7 acres of "unincorporated" Jefferson County according to Mayor Henderson. Could be nice property for development of "garden" homes. If you look in the lower center of this photo you can see the city symbol ... the "springs" at the newly named Reed-Harvey Park. Mayor Henderson wants the city of Center Point to purchase this property. Price tag ... approximately $180,000 ... not in the city budget. Mayor Henderson thinks this is a bargain. He believes that "garden" home development in this area will bring more traffic to Polly Reed Road.
My take on this ... Let's finish what we've got on our plate. I like the idea of legitimate expansion. I like the idea of controlling the traffic on Polly Reed Road for the safety of our citizens ... maybe through conventional traffic control methodology. What I don't like is the idea that the City of Center Point is going to suppress legitimate development via the pocketbooks of the citizens of Center Point.
Let's be real here. The original purchase price of this property will be just the beginning. Adding in the cost of necessary upkeep and development to this project could raise the cost of this "desire" to well over 1/2 million dollars! Taking on another project of this magnitude doesn't make sense and could drive our City further into debt. Take a look at the projects already on the fire. The Senior Citizens Center will run the taxpayers over $1,000,000 when finally completed. Reed-Harvey Park will cost our citizens well over $1,000,000 when completed. The Center Point "Sports Complex" is on it's way to coasting over $750,000 when completed. The Center Point City Library (across from City Hall) will cost Center Point citizens nearly $1,000,000 when it's finished. Just come to any City Council meeting. I take particular notice at any City Council meeting that goes by where Councilman Leesburg doesn't ask approval for some "big ticket" item related to our, ever improving, "Sports Complex." Let's face it folks ... we, the citizens of Center Point, have a million dollar ballpark that's used by less than 5% of our population, and not one covered bus stop for our citizens that could be saving gas and using public transportation. Do we really need another project to pay for now? I'm not convinced ... how about you?

I tried to warn you! The next time you need to call for a Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputy ... just take a walk instead. They should be able to get to you by the time you're finished. And never fear ... Councilman Kennemur will pray for you.

"Near Riot" in Center Point? What's going on here?! (UPDATE!)

Now Burkes wants to be Mayor of Center Point ... what a joke!

I've received several e-mails concerning a "near-riot" that occurred on 16 February, 2008. One of my avid readers "sunnyandtoby5" wrote, "Post a story on the potential riot last night, (this e-mail was sent 17 February, 2008) February 16, in front of CiCi's Pizza. I have never seen so many people run from the police as I did last night. I'm embarrassed to live in Center Point now. I'm actually scared to allow my daughter to be anywhere near Center Point at night anymore. This was a disgrace and Mayor Henderson needs to act quickly. Shotguns being pumped, German Shepards on leashes? Who allowed this party to get out of control? People need to know that this is not a safe city to live in anymore."
I wrote this reader back and asked for more info. The reply read, "The fight by the event center near CiCi's was broken up by police around 10:30 pm on Saturday night 16th. No one I work with knows the whole story or they're not telling me. Anyway, the surveillence cameras at Chevron would show the large flow of people running from the police. One camera from the way it is positioned may have caught the sherrif deputy pumping his shotgun which I witnessed. I called Fox 6 that night and Brittney or Bridgette said they knew of the story and were sending a reporter out. They never ran a story owing to the tornado coverage I suppose. But, don't you think this is something ABC 33/40 might find interesting after all their reports on Center Point?"
After my update, this same reader wrote to me again, "As for the tiff at the Event Center near CiCi's Pizza I now know more about the incident. (I saw a Fox6 camera crew in Center Point today and asked if they had covered the story as I had called the hotline for the station on last Saturday night ... the camera man said he didn't know of the story, but he did do a story on a Fairfield incident.) The attendent at the Chevron on CP Pkwy and 25th ave. said a student from Clay-Chalkville High was having a birthday bash at the event center area. Word got out to the students of Pinson and Erwin High and teenagers galore crashed the party. That night I had seen a crowd form outside the Event Center area with what seemed like a DJ on a loud speaker at the center of what I think was 200 kids frantically jumping into cars to evade arrest(I have no idea what was every person's motivation for fleeing the scene) and dozens of teenagers running through the parking lots of the laundramat, Chevron, PaPa John's and crossing the streets heading to neighborhoods and apartments nearby. I vidoe taped some of the post-fight fleeing. The lady at Chevron said she had to lock the doors and close the store. She waited inside and had to write a police report. She said it was 2AM before she left. She said her security cameras are specifically trained on the pumps and offered little perspective or identification promise. I have some footage of the deputies in front of Chevron carrying pump action shotguns. I also have some footage from atop the PaPa John's store of the squad cars leaving with some of the arrested. A fellow employee saw many students (I suppose) being handcuffed while lying face down on the ground. Why is this story not being reported?"
On 18 February, 2008, the Birmingham News reported "Authorities arrest six for fights across area". The article read " ... Also on Saturday, a "riot" erupted outside a birthday party in the Center Point area, according to Sgt. Randy Christian of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Teenagers began to gather outside a banquet hall in the 2300 block of First Street Northeast that was filled to capacity when a 14-year-old girl got into a fight, Christian said, "and riot conditions followed." A gun was fired, but no one was hit. Birmingham police, Center Point firefighters and deputies working with other areas of the county responded to the scene. Deputies were "vastly outnumbered, "Christian said. "I am sure at some point the deputies thought this is how Custer must have felt," Christian said. Some in the crowd threw things at deputies and at one point nearly 40 of the approximately 450 people there were involved in multiple fights," Christian said.

Gun fire in my peaceful little hamlet? Police feeling like "Custer"? A "riot"? What's going on here? Where was the adult supervision? Where was the Center Point Sheriff's Deputy when this "riot" started to crawl outside of the Event Center? Only one person was arrested ... the 14-year-old girl. What about those people "throwing things" at our law-enforcement officers? OK CP City Council and Mayor Henderson ... how are you going to guarantee that our citizens are safe from teenage thugs with guns? Why have I received more than 40 e-mails from concerned citizens asking me to write about this? Is it because not one of our Council thought it necessary to make a public comment on this situation? As for me ... inciting a riot, assault on a police officer, and disturbing the peace are still illegal! I could care less whether or not the offender is 14 or 40 years-old. I believe that if you throw something at a law enforcement officer you deserve a face full of mace and a bite by an anxious police dog ... at a minimum. As for those irresponsible parents who allow their, unsupervised, off-spring to engage in such illegal activities ... you deserve the same!!

During the 28 February, 2008, City Council meeting, not one word was mentioned concerning this ever-growing crisis! WHY?!

The Center Point Chamber of Commerce ...

These pictures seem bleak don't they? Empty businesses. They've been there for a while. Why these pictures? Simple ... the CP City Council has paid the CP Chamber of Commerce nearly $80,000 in the past 4 years. My question ... is this what the taxpayers of Center Point expect?
The Web site says Dina Foster is the President. The Birmingham News says Tim Gann is the President. They reside in City Hall for free. What do they do? They have luncheons. They sponsor pageants and parades. The only thing the CP Chamber of Commerce can't seem to do is attract businesses to Center Point ... regardless of whether or not Zorro is President.
According to the Agreement between the City of Center Point and the Chamber of Commerce, "... the City and Chamber desire to enter into a contract whereby the Chamber promotes and advertises the City of Center Point beginning ... ." Have you seen any Chamber sponsored advertisement?
Furthermore the contract says, "The Chamber shall, through recognized advertising media and other advertising activities obtain, generate, and distribute data, flyers, pamphlets, web content, and the like information, and to stage various public events necessary and appropriate to advertise and promote the City, its functions, undertakings, resources and programs." It also says, " The Chamber agrees to serve as a city communication conduit to secure, furnish and make available to commercial, residential and industrial prospects information, data and material reasonably requested or required by such prospects to encourage locating in the City.". My question ... Are we getting our moneys worth? Is any member of our City Council demanding accountability? Is this contract being fulfilled by the CP Chamber of Commerce?
During the 06 December, 2007 City Council meeting, the CP Chamber of Commerce was paid $7,7000 (quarterly payment). For what? Look at the pictures above. If they are doing anything, does it appear successful? Is anyone on our City Council going to have the guts to ask for accountability? Just try to find their Web site ... then make up your mind as to whether or not our City Council is paying for anything with our taxpayer dollars.

Questions ... The City of Center Point has purchased a lot of "minor property." Is anyone keeping an inventory? When was the last audit of "minor property" conducted?

ABC "Hometown Focus" television commercials for Center Point again?

OK. The citizens have spent thousands of dollars on late night television spots. Now ... what was achieved? Months later, can anyone tell me what goal was achieved? Sure, they were pretty commercials but ... you have to ask yourself, "Could we have spent the money on something better?"
Once again the taxpayers of CP are going to pay thousands of dollars to "advertise" CP. 20 December, 2007, just before Christmas ... the Center Point City Council again gives ABC 33/40 a Christmas present. Why? What did we achieve from the last advertisement? And where is our Chamber of Commerce? Aren't they supposed to be doing this stuff?
Why do I get the feeling that the citizens of CP are paying for snake oil by the barrel?

How much is this Library in the window?
Center Point Public Library Cost Calculator

- Payment for purchase of building and property (general obligation warrant - CP Ordinance 2005-21) - $663,000
- Pioneer Construction Company for removal of old roof and installation of new roof and 21 window units (per CP Resolution 2006-25) - $13,020.00

Total to date - $676,020.00

How much is THIS Park in the window?
Center Point Athletic Complex Cost Calculator

- Payment for purchase of complex (relieving loan by previous owners) - $34,000.00
- Payment to Detail Landscaping for park restoration - $34,500.00
- Payment to Gaines Painting Company for repair work at park - $48,750.00
- Payment to Detail Landscaping for two barrier gates - $3,300.00
- Payment to Season After Season for grounds maintenance - $27,000.00
- Wiring for fields 1,2,3 and 4 and scoreboard repairs - up to $2,075.25
- Materials and repairs - $6,700.00
- Payment to Gaines Painting Company for concession stand renovation - $4,600.00
- John Deer tractor and equipment for grounds maintenance - $5,360.00
- Heatherly Farms for erosion control - $2,122.00
- Background investigations for coaches - $1,000.00
- Huggins Sod Farm (40 pallets of Tifton Bermuda sod) - $2,902.50
- Detail Landscaping for additional drainage problems - $3,749.00
- ABCO Electric (lights and scoreboard repairs approved 08 June, 2006) - ?
- Outdoor Aluminum (new bleachers ... $10,000 grant received) - $40,344
- Detail Landscaping for additional drainage installation - $18,500
- Detail Landscaping for additional additional work on drainage project - $5,000
- For new fryers, freezer, and refrigerator at concession stand - $4,600

Total to date - $244,502.75

How much is that Park in the window?
"Reed-Harvey" Park Cost Calculator

- Payment to ATC Associates Inc. for ESA (Environmental Site Assessment) - $2,500.00
- Payment to Weygand Surveyors for ALTA survey - $2,000.00
- 24 March 2004 - 2.8 acres Barber Springs property (house, land, garage) - $200,000.00
- Payment to architectural firm to evaluate necessary repairs to proposed Senior Citizens Center - $2,400.00
- Payment for grounds maintenance equipment - $2,400.00
(The Mayor announced, 25 March, that Jefferson County committed $20,000 to the
Barber Springs project.) (Note: Amounts listed are those publicly published.)
- Payment to Abercrombie Land Surveying, Inc. for topographic land survey (required by ADEM) - $2,350.00
- Emergency electrical repairs to house on property - $1,935.00
- Payment to Hendon & Huckestein Architects Inc. for mechanical and electrical engineering work on proposed Senior Citizen Center - $7,800.00
- Structural engineering services from LBYD, Inc. (civil and structural engineers) to determine requirements to replace well roof. - $2,700.00
- "Professional services" from Hendon & Huckenstein Architects, P.C., for work on the Seniors Center - $approx. $10,000.00
- Wood roof structure for cistern by C&B Homes, Inc. - $44,000.00
- Ordinance 2005-21 - General Obligation Warrant - $650,000 - land for expansion of proposed park and purchase of property across the street from city hall to be developed into a library. (This amount is not being included until I get details on what amount went directly to the park.)
- Birmingham Engineering & Construction Consultants, Inc and Parrot Structural Services, LLC (to fix the well foundation) - 18,503.00
- Clearing and mulching of recently purchased lots (approximately 7 acres) adjacent to existing park property by Green and Brindly (?) - $28,000.00
- Formworks Architects, Inc. - work on proposed Seniors Citizens Center at park - $3,404.82
- Sealing wood on well by Gaines Painting - $3,265.00
- Repairs on Barn located on Spring's property - $6,500.00
- Topographic mapping - $3,900.00
- Weygand Surveyors (for a boundary line survey of the common area between Lakeside Circle and Poly Reed Road - CP Resolution 2006-27) - $2,500.00
- InSite Engineering (for proposed Senior Citizens Center parking lot design/coordination, annexation review/descriptions, sub consultant expenses, and travel/mileage - $10,124.82
- InSite Engineering (for proposed Senior Citizens Center parking lot design/coordination, annexation review/descriptions, sub consultant expenses, and travel/mileage - $3,604.31
- Clearing the lake at Lake Road and Polly Reed Road - $11,312
- Payment of General Obligation Warrant on property - $169,003.56
- Formworks Architects for additional drawings regarding Senior Citizens Center - $10,000

Total to date - $548,202.51

Outstanding U.S. Public Debt - as of 20 August, 2008 - $9,611,290,117,656.62
Note: A newborn child in the U.S. now begins life $31,556.26 in debt!
This is the largest national debt in U.S. history and is growing by $1.85 billion per day.

U.S. Iraq Death Toll (since war began 3/19/03) - 4,144
Alabama's Iraq Death Toll - 67
U.S. Captured - 1(MIA)
Other "Coalition" Iraq Death Toll - 314
U.S. Iraq wounded (since war began 3/19/03) - 30,324
U.S. Military Deaths Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) - 578
U.S. Military Wounded Afghanistan - 1911

Think about this ... the number of U.S. military members killed or wounded in Iraq is larger than the number of registered voters in the entire City of Center Point! Ask your representative ... when will this insanity end?

Erwin High School appears to be changing.

The Erwin HS Chorale was awarded a "Superior" in a Montgomery competition. Chorale Director Nicole Hill was cited by CP Resolution 2007-06 for her outstanding contributions.

The Erwin HS Marching Band is back!

Erwin HS's football and basketball teams are now sportsman like/serious competitors.

It appears that Principal Phillips is slowly turning things around for our high school.

Am I the only one who recognized that our Fire Dues increased this year?

Don't get me wrong. I don't mind increases. What I mind is that no one told me about a District meeting to discuss the increase. Or ... are we even discussing them anymore. Maybe we just pay what they demand or get our homes foreclosed.

I mind! Why were our dues increased and where is this money going? I have a right to know!