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Signs of growth all around
Published Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The issue of growth in Chilton County is such an important and broad topic that in discussing it, we risk sounding like a broken record. But the fact is, we are just starting to see signs of growth that will only escalate in the coming years.
If a way, flipping the switch to the lights surrounding Interstate 65 Exit 219 is symbolic of “flipping the switch” to a new era of retail and industrial development in North Chilton County.
On the south side, a new industrial park is on its way up near Exit 200 outside Verbena. And in the past five years, we have seen major changes at every exit. It’s inevitable that each of these interchanges will be starting points for new growth.
As the 2010 Census is taken, new population counts for every town, as well as Chilton County as a whole, will affect the way businesses and industries see us when looking to relocate. We have stressed before, and will stress again, the importance of participating in the census questionnaire.
Considering what lies ahead, it is vital that each business owner, landowner and resident in rural Chilton County and municipalities consider how changes could potentially affect them. This is doubly important for our leaders as one day they will find that their planning — or lack thereof — will be either the blessing or the curse that will determine our destiny.
Zoning plans are changing in our cities, and although “zoning” is a curse word to many, it is something to be considered. It is up to us to find a plan that works — a plan that doesn’t let outsiders ruin the kind of place we want Chilton County to be, yet one that doesn’t place too many burdens upon residents.
The upcoming wet/dry special election in Jemison is another example. The people’s decision will affect what kind of growth occurs.
There are plenty of ways you can let your voice be heard. Be sure to speak up.
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Comments
Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
" It is up to us to find a plan that works — a plan that doesn’t let outsiders ruin the kind of place we want Chilton County to be..." We gave that up when the County joind the Regional Planning Commission, or whatever it's called. They are the folks that think they know what we want and need better than we do. If our county and city leaders were concerned about what's best for us and not "letting outsiders ruin the kind of place we want Chilton County to be", then they would take steps to prevent or greatly restrict this "growth" and so-called "progress". Growth does NOT have to be inevitable. But, it will be because the conventional thinking these days is that you simply MUST have shopping malls at every exit of the interstate along with countless places to fill your pie hole, never mind that in most cases, according to the latest 'fattest state' survey, most of the citizens here are already obese or morbidly so.
Posted by CoachLee (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The young people around here don't have the mindset that they are the ones responsible for changing their community - that's somebody else's job. For years, the old 90-10 rule... 10 percent of the people do 90 percent of the work, has been the norm, except here it's more like 95-5. It's been this way, I would say, 1961, about the time the interstate came through. In 1955, you could draw a crowd of young 30-something professionals ready to work to solve the community's problems. But when their kids all grew up, they left town, and one by one, the Dads died out. Today we are left with very few who are interested in making a difference, and many of them are in their 70s and 80s.
Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If this area really started to boom, (like Prattville) wouldn't our property value increase? That part of growth might be a good thing. A movie theater would be nice too----and a really good seafood restaurant....and a bowling alley......and a nice department store....and...and....
Ok. Ok----I'm getting control of myself.
Whew!!
Hey! --How about a CASINO????
Hee, hee, hee! -- Just teasing! ☺
Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
kitty: All of the things that you mention that would be nice to have here, save the seafood restaurant and casino, have already come to, and left, Clanton. In the case if movie theaters, at least five times.
I don't think it's a given that our property values would go up, but I think you could bet your next paycheck that your property TAX would go up.
Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Those things came and went because there was no "boom".
I realy do like our peaceful little place here. I guess it's worth having to drive 30 or 40 minutes for some things. We can just let the next town deal with the mess, noise and problems!
Posted by Tommy (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 6:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've lived and worked in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery and all the smaller booming towns and there is no place like home.
My wife (who was raised in B'ham) and I went to dinner the other night in Clanton, I stopped at several tables and spoke to old friends and neighbors. She asked me did I know EVERYONE there? I told her NO! that this is Chilton County where people speak to each other, and has always had time to talk to anyone. She said she had never been to restaurant and stopped by someones table to talk to them. I guess what I am trying to say, with a BOOM comes a change and me personally, I like the way Chilton County is now (personal).
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