Tourism and Marketing Committee to meet Wednesday

April 08, 2008

Lance Griffin

The Senate Tourism and Travel committee will meet Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in Room 610 of the Alabama Statehouse. The committee has been assigned the Houston County bingo bill sponsored by Sen. Harri Anne Smith, R-Slocomb. Currently, the bill is not scheduled for debate during the meeting. The committee is expected to debate two bills concerning alcohol.

Bingo Bill clears one hurdle; headed to Senate Tourism Committee

Lance Griffin

A bill that would put the issue of electronic bingo on the November ballot has been signed out of the Senate Local Legislation #1 Committee and has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Tourism and Travel.

Committee members are Sen. Bobby Singleton (D); Sen. E.B. McClain (D); Sen. Lowell Barron (D); Sen. Charles Bishop (R); Sen. Pat Lindsey (D); Sen. Del Marsh (R); Sen. Myron Penn (D); Sen. Quinton Ross (D); Sen. Rodger Smitherman; Sen. Wendell Mitchell (D);

Preliminary Plans under way for Country Crossing

March 27, 2008

Lance Griffin

After the flurry of news for three weeks after the Country Crossing announcement, things appear to have died down a bit, at least publicly. Representatives from Apogee Attractions—the planning company that will develop the plan for CC—were on hand to look at the land last week. Developer Ronnie Gilley said a “bubble plan” should be completed soon, possibly as early as tomorrow.

Early artist renderings of what Country Crossing could look like have already been posted on our blog, but you can take a fresh look by clicking here

Where are the supporters of Country Crossing? Quietly supporting maybe

March 20, 2008

Debbie Ingram

Since Country Crossing was first presented to the public on February 25, there have been meetings of pastors, a rally organized by out-of-towners, and a press conference called by local businessmen and pastors—all of whom expressed concern or flat-out opposition to the development as it exists. That is, with charity bingo.

Houston County Commissioners say they have received a lot of supportive phone calls and e-mails, and Chairman Mark Culver, on behalf of the commission, recently received a standing ovation at Dothan Rotary Club for bringing the project to the county. Chat rooms and blogs are also filled with discussions, mostly positive, on the project.

Reader responses to Eagle stories are more pro than con.

These Eagle stories, I would like to point out, are not meant to be negative or positive. We announce the project. We report the thoughts of those opposed. We report the land purchase. We report how people are affected by the land sale. We report the infrastructure needs, legislative movements on bingo, comparisons to Branson, etc. etc. These events and happenings are not meant to be negative or positive. They are what they are. And editorially, this newspaper has not come out in opposition to the project.

That said, on Thursday, March 20, during the county commission’s administrative meeting, someone publicly stood up for the Country Crossing project. Her comments are worth repeating.

“I’d like to offer up my sincere appreciation to the commission, the chamber, and the sheriff’s office for their forward-thinking decision and action regarding the Country Crossing project,” said Debbie Trueblood.

“Please know that I represent many people that fully support this project. They’re just off at work during commission meeting hours.”

“The size and scope of this project should bring MANY new jobs to the entire Wiregrass area, and you’re to be commended for your dedication and resolve. We stand on the brink of becoming a major destination for country music fans and their families, eager to spend their time and money in our area.“

“Speaking of resolve, I can only imagine how yours is now being tested. Between negative newspaper articles, talk shows, demonstrations, press conferences, computer-generated phone calls and television news, you’ve been pretty well hammered. Don’t lose sight of the original reason that your collective guts told you that this project was right for the Wiregrass. That gut feeling that said, ‘Oh, man. This is an amazing opportunity for us.’”

“Stay strong,maintain that resolve, and see this project through to its completion, knowing that there are many in this community that fully support both you and it. Thanks for all your hard work.“

New Updated Country Crossing map

March 18, 2008

Lance Griffin

Information on parcels collected from the County Map at HoustonCounty.org