Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Henry, and this is James. Yesterday a fella called in,
or rather left a voice message about paradise being in Mobile,
and then a die called the day and saying that
paradise was in Baldwin County. Well, I would like to
put my two cents then on the subject. I would
(00:26):
rather live in a shack in Mobile, Alabama than I
would an absolute mansion in Baldwin County. I think Mobile
is the most wonderful place on Earth. And that's my
two cents, and you can keep the team press phone
(00:48):
message deleted.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
PS its the Uncle Henry Show here on news radio
(01:44):
seventy ten WNTIM. Thank you very much. I really do
appreciate you listening to this show. I really do need
this job.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
I do.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Once again, here we are together, me and you, just
the two of us here trying to figure out what
is going on, What's going on? What's going on in
this world? Watch what's going on in Washington. It's just
it just is just like a bunch of nuts running
around here. But here we are once again. Me and
(02:19):
you had a Mobile City Council meeting today. I'm going
to tell you about the Mobile City Council meeting about
all kind of stuff from the Mobile City Council meeting
for you, so you'll know what is going on in
your town if you happen to live in Mobile or
do business with Mobile. Now I'll give you a tease
of what happened at the meeting. The City of Mobile
(02:41):
actually showed up at the meeting. Yes, Mobile attended the
meeting today and spoke at the meeting. And this is
what Mobile had to say.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
This is me.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
I am Mobile and I am not happy.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Mobile not happy?
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (02:57):
Why not?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Mind out? Why would why would Mobile not be happy?
Speaker 4 (03:03):
This is me, I am Mobile and I am not happy.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
You're not happy? I don't know. Well, anyway, we'll get
to this. We'll we'll find out what what's what is
Mobile's problem. We'll get into this as the Uncle Henry
show unfolds. Now, you, of course, can jump in on
the conversation at any point. I enjoy your phone calls because,
as I've explained over the years, I'm not paid by
(03:27):
the word. So if you want to come in here
and talk for twenty thirty minutes, save me some time,
that's wonderful. I got to work on the grocery list anyway.
Two five, one, four seven, nine two seven two three.
The telephone number that's two five one four seven nine
two seven two three. Email address Uncle Henry at iHeartMedia
dot com. That's Uncle Henry at iHeartMedia dot com. A
number of things was discussed at the Mobile City Council
(03:50):
meeting today. I want to I want to start with
some some positive stuff here that uh, the governor announced
grant allocations Go Mason money, the Gulf of Mexico Energy
Security Act money. This is offshore oil and gas revenue
(04:10):
that gets distributed and so the state government distributing some money.
People like having money distributed around them. They do. Anytime
I'm near a distribution of cash, I enjoy it. So
here is Mayor Standy Simpson telling us about the oil
(04:32):
and gas money. What is it going to be used
for the money that has been done distributed to Mobile.
Speaker 7 (04:38):
Now, the first announcement has to do with this morning.
Governor Ivy made her most recent announcement of go MASA grants.
There was seven point five million dollars granted to the
city Mobile. Three point five million dollars that will go
toward building an access road into Brooklyn by the Bay Park,
which is a huge step forward. We've got to have
(05:00):
the proper access to that park to be able to
complete building it out, and that will be one of
the keys to getting things done. So really really appreciated that.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
All right. So three point five million to help build
an access road to Brooklyn by the Bay, all right,
And there's other money coming from the city and other
partners according to a personally, so I don't know who
the other partners are, but it'll be a ten and
a half million dollar investment for a road so that
(05:33):
you can get to Brookly by the Bay, the ninety
acre waterfront park, and this will also support future industrial
development adjacent at Brookly Aeroplex. Now the mayor went on four.
Speaker 7 (05:49):
Million be supporting the improvements along the downtown waterfront.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Four million dollars to improve mobiles downtown waterfront.
Speaker 7 (05:57):
To helping strengthen the infrastruy Yorkshire. Extending the bulkhead. Then
when I say extending the bulkhead, that'll be extending it
from the convention center going north into the area where
the proposed hotel would be located, just on the north
side of the convention center, and also build a connecting boardwalk.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
A connecting boardwalk will be.
Speaker 7 (06:18):
Built coming south down into Copper Riverside Park. I want
to thank govern Ivany and Commission a Blankenship for their
continued support of the major projects in Mobile. I remind
you that several years ago, I want to make sure
I'm right that the Governor Ivy probably in twenty twenty,
(06:40):
were granted sixteen million dollars from GOMESA for Brooklyn by
the Bay and then another fifteen point five came from
the St. State Economic Development Fund. So over the last
several years, Governor Ivy has done an incredible job of
directing funds to make projects in the city Mobile.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
She's done an incredible job giving us money. And for
that in the wonder she's done. When when somebody has
given out money and they decide to give it to you,
you think, you know what, that person's done an excellent job,
Isn't that right? If somebody is in charge of distributing
money and they give it to you, then you think, wow,
you have done an incredible job. You have thank you
(07:23):
for giving it to me. All right?
Speaker 7 (07:25):
What else did you say? Will have benefits for generations
to come? And so we're tremendously grateful for her continued
interest in the city Mobile all.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Right, So, and this does sound the idea that there
will be a built a boardwalk built, according to the
press release the city put out this morning, a boardwalk
that will connect several city properties along the downtown waterfront.
So many on this on many people on the Mobile
side of the bay lament that they don't have as
(07:56):
much wa waterfront access for fun like you do on
the eastern shore. So more steps being made to make
sure that if you want to get down to the
waterfront and mobile and enjoy that you'll be able to
do so. So there'll be a new boardwalk down there.
So there's a lot more from the Mobile City Council
(08:18):
we need to tell you about it. I still need
to tell you about how Mobile came to the meeting.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
This is me, I am Mobile, and I am not happy,
all right.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I don't know why this was after we found out
about the boardwalk and all this money. So we'll cover
more from the Mobile City Council meeting and whatever else
jumps into my head or comes through the phone line
as the Uncle Henry Show proceeds forward here on news
Radio seventy ten WNTM. But first a break. Let's take
(08:48):
the break. This says Uncle Henry, host of the Uncle
(09:10):
Henry Show, just in CA. I don't want you to
be confused. News headlines coming up in ten minutes from
Fox ten and Fox Radio National News. That's five twenty
today a Mobile City Council meeting. I'd like to thank
the Mobile City Council for getting their meeting done in
less than an hour. Excellent, thank you very much. Less
(09:34):
than an hour. Now, it could have been even shorter
had the politicians not run their mouths, but it's still
it was less than an hour. They're making progress. They're
making progress down there at city Hall. So what else
can I tell you about?
Speaker 1 (09:46):
Now?
Speaker 2 (09:46):
I told you before that Mobile showed up at the meeting.
Speaker 8 (09:51):
This is me.
Speaker 4 (09:52):
I am Mobile, and I am not happy.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Now, why would Mobile not be happy with all this?
We just heard about go Mayson money coming in to
that a little while. But the city council today they voted.
One of the things they did at their meeting was
vote a new tax. Yes, they decided to vote a
new tax on these citizens of the city of Mobile. Yes,
(10:19):
So anytime any of them are running for reelection, just
you can remember that. Yes, once upon a time they
did vote a tax in this is on vaping. So
if you're a vapor, if you like vaping, if you
like inhaling, the vape, whatever it is, the vape vapors,
(10:40):
you're gonna be taxed. You're gonna be paying more for
you vapor. Got to get that money. Here is a
report Fox ten did this, I think it was last night,
Shelby Myers of Fox ten explaining why a bunch of
municipalities around the state started doing last minute, very quick
(11:01):
taxes on vaping.
Speaker 4 (11:03):
This is me, I am mobile.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
I hit the mobile again. All right, she's not happy.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
This is me. I am mobile, and I am not happy.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Now. This was before they voted to raise a tax
on vape, so it has nothing mobile not probably even
angrier after the vape tax. Here is Shelby Myers of
Fox ten explaining it.
Speaker 9 (11:23):
It's a race against time. Cities and towns in Alabama
have until Wednesday to pass resolutions in compliance with a
new state tax on vaping products. A bill passed in
the Alabama legislature this year puts a statewide ten per
milli leter charge on vaping products instead.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Of by the way as a non vapor have no
clue as to how this will impact how much it
costs to buy vape.
Speaker 9 (11:50):
The state of Alabama taking that money and dispersing it.
The City of Mobile can vote to take in the
revenue and use it locally.
Speaker 10 (11:58):
The city is adopted who pass its own ordinary so
that we would have the ability to enforce this ordinance
on our own. We would collect the funds that would
not be a pass through to the state.
Speaker 9 (12:07):
Cordell Harris owns eight Cloud nine vape stores from Mobile
to Balwin County. He says the new tax is extreme.
Speaker 11 (12:15):
The issue with their taxes. They're wanting to do a
ten cents per milli leter tax, and what that does
is that it disproportionately burdens people who use lower strength
nicotine because those bottles typically are one hundred no bottles.
They retail for around twenty five dollars, whereas people who
use higher concentrated nicotine it comes in smaller bottles.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
They're going to pause the story there just to thank
the Lord. I want to thank the Lord for not
giving me a taste for nicotine or tobacco. Thank you Lord.
I'm so glad I didn't get get caught up in
this and happen to decide. Am I going to use
what strength nicotine? Do I want all this kind of stuff?
Speaker 11 (12:54):
Thank you Lord face a smaller tax, although the retail
values the same.
Speaker 9 (12:58):
Other municipalities can choose to do the same as Mobile
and take in that tax money, or put an additional
city tax on top of the States tax on bait products.
Cityomobile Executive director of Finance Scott Collins says there's not
a clear number on how much revenue this will bring in,
but that may not be the point.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Now now, before we hear the man, the guy in
charge of revenue or whatever his title is, So the tax,
the point is not to get money off of it.
Are you serious when you're telling me this? Are you
telling Are you serious when you're telling me the point
of the tax is to not actually collect money off
of it. We don't even really know how much it'll
(13:37):
bring in.
Speaker 12 (13:39):
What now.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
You know?
Speaker 2 (13:42):
I believe the point of a tax is to collect money.
Speaker 10 (13:46):
The broader discussion is going to be the debate about
public health versus revenue. Understanding that this likely will drive
usage down. At least it will put it in such
a way that we can make sure adults are making
purchases that there's a little more ability to keep these
as safe as we can for the great public.
Speaker 9 (14:07):
And locally Spanish Fort, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach to name
a few, and other cities will be voting on what
to do about this new tax before Wednesday too.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
All right, So, but Mobile voted to have it, even
though we were just told by the person in charge
of finance they don't even they don't know how much
it'll bring in. And you also heard that this is
actually the bigger question is about making sure people don't
vape as much or something like that. Now, why if
something you're telling me that this is not about the money,
(14:40):
this is about discouraging vaping, then why is it legal
if you shouldn't do it? Why is it legal.
Speaker 12 (14:53):
Now?
Speaker 2 (14:53):
I think most taxes are about collecting money. I believe
that would be when you get right down to do it,
it'd be about the money, wouldn't it. Now they can
say it's about our health, but it's about the money.
You just want to clear that up, all right? Well,
So anyway, if you're a vapor the uh, this new
this will go into effect next year, so you can
still vape. You can still harm your health and pay
(15:20):
less to harm your health. Moving forward until next year.
Speaker 7 (15:25):
Again.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
The telephone number to reach the Uncle Henry show two
five to one four seven nine two seven two three.
That's two five one four seven nine two seven two
three email I address Uncle Henry at iHeartMedia dot com.
Now I told you about Mobile going to the meeting
and Mobile told the the city council that Mobile is
not happy.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
This is me.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
I am Mobile and I am not happy.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Now. Why, well, we'll get to that, not quite yet.
I don't have time to get to that right now
because we're coming up on a break. Before we go
to break, I thought you might want a dredging update.
Langen Park is going to be dredged because we've been
told that the quality of life and Mobile is suffering
because the lake is too shallow in Langen Park and
(16:10):
thus a lot of government money needs to go to
dredge this lake so you can have a higher quality
of life. So here's Gina Gregory, mobile city council woman,
giving us an update on dredging at Langen Park, which
I know you're very excited about.
Speaker 13 (16:27):
Just want to let everybody know that if you have
passed by Langen Park and looked toward the lake, you
have seen big equipment out there, so we are mobilizing
equipment to begin the dredging. More equipment is coming in today.
So if you've got any kids that really like to
see the heavy machinery and watch them in action, now's
the time to get a look at those big pieces
(16:49):
of equipment. I know a lot of kids like.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
That, a lot of kids and simple minded adults.
Speaker 13 (16:54):
We are hoping we can start the actual digging this week.
It really kind of depends on a lot of variables,
but it is coming, and it is coming very soon,
and I'm looking forward to seeing all of that in
action and of course the results. In the meantime.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
Be aware that traffic is.
Speaker 13 (17:11):
Being rerouted out of the park to make way for
all of this equipment and for the work that's being done.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
But go take a look at it.
Speaker 13 (17:18):
I'm really excited to see all of this happening.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
All right, So those of you near Langen Park, your
quality of life. It's about the skyrocket because the lake
won't be shallon no more. All right, There is more,
yes more, from the city council meeting. As the Uncle
Henry shall continues. After the break, it says the Uncle
(18:01):
Henry show here on News Radio seven to ten WNTM
it's five thirty five. You can also hear me on
FM radio. I'm on ninety five KSJ Monday through Friday
between ten and two playing Today's Hottest Country on playing
Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan, and then additional Morgan Wallen Tomorrow
(18:26):
in the ten o'clock hour. Early in the morning for
my shift. Right after ten o'clock, I'll have your chance
to win a family four pack of tickets to Seward Farms.
It's now the time of year that you can go
to Seward Farms and go on the hay rides and
ride on the cowtrain. Just all the fall fund they
have there at Seward Farms. And they've also got a
(18:48):
big corn maze this year. Their corn maze is a
tribute to country music star Lanie Wilson. It's a Laney
Wilson Corn Maze that is all going on at Seward Farms.
And tomorrow at about ten point fifteen, I'll have your
chance to win a family four pack of tickets to
go to Seward Farm's courtesy of ninety five KSJ. Now
(19:11):
I've got a lot more from the Mobile City Council meeting,
including the City of Mobile showed up.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
This is me.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
I am Mobile and I am not happy.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Well, I'll tell you what Mobile had to say, but
first I've got a caller.
Speaker 14 (19:23):
Hello Coller, Hey over Henry, how you doing.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Snake Trapper, Snake Trapper, you are alive on the radio?
Speaker 14 (19:31):
Hey over, Henry. I know if missus Jena Gregory won't
saw kids to be watching when they fire up that dredge,
Uncle Henry, because I know it was not gonna be
a pretty sight when it sucks up one of them
mall thirty five forty pound alligator snapping turtles that I
know are in there. I taught one as a teenager.
Speaker 15 (19:51):
In that part.
Speaker 14 (19:53):
People knows that they are a freshwater species turtle and
they are protected. And I'm just wondering if they've done
any kind of study on the impact that the dredging
that end of that lake is going to have on
delegator snapaturtle.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Well, obviously they haven't, Snake Trapper, because you just heard that.
She's very excited that the equipment is going in and
she's encouraged people to come watch. And because as we've heard,
this is very important to the quality of life and Mobile,
we must spend money to make that that lake less shallow,
or our quality of life will just plumbing.
Speaker 14 (20:29):
Well, that is exactly what the what the snapping turtle
delegator snapat turtle needs of entry. And it's just that
one end right there today where the lake has the
mud pack. I mean, I think they could dredge the
rest of them, but they need to leave that that
section alone.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Okay.
Speaker 14 (20:45):
I believe they've done any kind of studies, they would
know that it would that it would halt that product
for because everybody knows they are a freshwater species. And
and one way to tell they're in there is because
like the lake here at my house, it's overrun with
yellow belly red belly sliders and the alligator snapping turtle.
We'll eat them now. Also we dig their eggs up
(21:07):
and eat them.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Really, turtles, are you telling me that turtles commit crimes
against other turtles?
Speaker 14 (21:15):
I don't think it was cram over, Henry. They like
eggs just like we do.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
Well, hey, you know if it's if you're eating my egg,
that's a crime.
Speaker 14 (21:25):
Yes, sir. Also, o, Henry, I've seen where you posted
a picture on the Snake Trapper page of a copperhead
snake man, was that thing in your yard?
Speaker 2 (21:33):
No, no, of course not no. I just i'd never
I never knew how good copperheads could be camouflaged. I
didn't realize how good their natural camouflage was. I just
thought i'd share that picture on your snake Trapper page
because some people have trouble spotting the snake in that picture.
Speaker 14 (21:53):
Well, I really appreciate it too. On Henry and one thing,
there are more people bitten by a copperhead that was
one that there was even a snake around. They can
also right around a limb or lay on the stomp,
and you know, if you don't have a sharp eye
of detail, you will not see them. So also too,
this is the time of year. You know, we had
sixty seven degrees last night. It is starting to cool down,
(22:15):
so they are definitely starting to get in that feed
of frenzy. And what they'll do they'll actually get on
a mouse or a rat trail and they'll sit there
in them leaves or on that branch or whatever and
wait for that mouse or rat or whatever will walk
right up to them. Yes, sir man, anybody wants to
(22:36):
check that snake out. If you don't know there's one there.
You won't see it in the picture. And I've seen
some you know, where you had to actually spend time
to actually spot the snake in there. Copperheads are the
best at that type of camouflage.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
All right. You can find snake trapper on Facebook. It's
two words snake and then trapper.
Speaker 14 (22:57):
Well, lover, Henry, I really appreciate you sharing that women brother.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
All right, hey, and snake trapper. Thank you for the
phone call. Good to hear from you.
Speaker 14 (23:04):
Yes, sir, you take care of my buddy.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
There it goes, the snake trapper. All right. So today
Mobile City Council meeting. As I've explained to you, Mobile
showed up at the meeting.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
This is me.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
I am Mobile, and I am not happy, all right.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
So I'm gonna let you hear the full comments from Mobile. No,
but Mobile's other name is Kathy Odom, and at the
beginning of her talk to the council, you'll hear her
lay out her case for calling herself mobile. She lists
her credentials, because we could all say that we're mobile,
(23:41):
but she lists her credentials as to why she is mobile,
and then she explains why she ain't happy, So let's
listen together.
Speaker 15 (23:51):
I'm seventy six years old, raised and still live on
the family property that was bought by my great grandparents
eighty five years ago to our Lady of Lord's School,
went to Bishoptulan High School, graduated from the University of
South Alabama with a business degree on an academic scholarship,
and I worked for a local utility company for thirty
six years. I am literally old mobile with humble roots.
(24:16):
Graduated My older son's father graduated with the second class
of Mobile Fire Paramedics, Mobile Fire Department. His great grandfather
retired from the Mobile Police Department and then went on
and retired from the Mobile County Sheriff's Department. My stepfather
retired from Mobile Public Works as an heavy equipment operator.
(24:39):
And I am not happy with what has happened in
my city, with what's going to happen with my grandchildren
and my own children. I ask where is the transparency
and the accountability? We have had nine million dollar overrun
on parking garage, two million dollar overrun on the Civic
Center demolition, four hundred thousand on a bronze Jimmy Buffett statue.
(25:01):
How can we have drag Queen shows in front of
the old Catholic Cathedral and mobile with children in attendance,
And how can we still have pornographic and gender grooming
books in the children's section and teen section of the mobile.
Speaker 16 (25:15):
Public libraries stick with the overruns and the glinchers in
the in the elections. What now stick with the overruns
and the glinches in the elections?
Speaker 15 (25:23):
Well, when the city loses a half million dollars, Uh,
I guess we'll get in compliance with what our Alabama
Public Library Association is asking us to do. So how
do we get this accountability and transparency? Some of us
have been called liars and racists when we speak up.
Some of us have been told that you can't do
(25:44):
anything about it. In a true republic, the people vote
you out if you don't, and if you don't bring
and you bring we bring new blood.
Speaker 4 (25:52):
When what is right?
Speaker 15 (25:54):
We want what is right and won't answers. Well, this
past city election had too many glitch is an erarors.
I feel that my vote and many others votes did
not count. We had some major precinct location changes two
months prior to the election, which it was supposed to
be a ninety day cutoff many people showed up at
the wrong precincts and we're not given provisional ballots.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
Some tabulators broke down during the runoffs.
Speaker 15 (26:20):
Some people went into a precinct where they voted a
month prior and showed up as inactive. Do not tell
me that you're sorry. Are we fixed this or that problem?
These irregularities are not acceptable. So when do we the
people get transparency and accountability?
Speaker 4 (26:36):
And this is from the heart. I mean, you know
this is me. I am mobile, and I am not happy.
So we need some changes.
Speaker 15 (26:45):
I want transparency and accountability, so to my children and grandchildren.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
All right, So the council then asked one of the
finance people to explain what she called cost overrun, and
the finance person explained that that they weren't really overruns
or something like that, and then CJ. Small asked the
assistant city clerk to address the voting irregularities, and the
(27:14):
assistant city clerk said that there weren't any apparently, So anyway,
but I do want to commend Kathy Odom for going
to the meeting and airing her concerns. I would encourage
her to go more often to the city council meetings.
She did have a good resume for caring about Mobile
(27:37):
she explained. You heard her listing out the tremendous investment
her family has made living and working and participating and
in serving in the fire department, public Works department, all
these different departments. So Kathy Odem, please go to more
(27:57):
council meetings and please ask more questions. There's more to come,
but first we're taking the break. It says the Uncle
(28:25):
Henry Show here on news radio seven to ten WNTM
News headlines coming up in ten minutes from Fox, and
then there's more Uncle Henry's show. Now, yes, I got it,
just a little bit more from today's Mobile City council
meeting for you. Now, at the end of the meeting,
(28:47):
they do announcements where the council members have an opportunity
to run their mouths. This is where Fred Richardson used
to make great comments. It was always wonderful because Fred
Richardson would give solilo, he'd do monologues, he'd teach about
who invented toilet paper. It would be all that kind
of stuff. Well, today the mayor elect Spiro was at
(29:15):
the city council meeting watching it and Mobile City Councilman
Ben Reynolds was so excited. He was excited that Spiro
was there, and so he wanted to give him a
shout out. So let's listen together as Councilman Ben Reynolds
gets excited and wants to give Sparrow a shout out.
Speaker 12 (29:31):
Present, I want to say thank you to everybody who
went out and voted in our most recent election. I
want to take great pride in being the representative of
District for. It's a great honor to me. But it
also makes me feel even better that the turnout in
district for was higher than any other district. And you
know our folks are paying attention. I really appreciate them
(29:52):
going out to vote. I also want to acknowledge that
we have Mayor elect Spiro CHERI got us here here
in the audience with us. If everybody could stand up,
give them a falls of congratulations.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
Now here. You noted some of the applause not as
enthusiastic as other applause.
Speaker 12 (30:10):
I know we all look forward to working with you,
and we look forward to a smooth transition. I know,
based on the conversations I've had that you will be
totally included in that transition plan, and we look forward
to continuing the progress that we've made over the years
as soon as you walk in the door. So congratulations again,
look forward to working with you.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
All right. So a shout out to Mayor Alex Spiro,
who is at the meeting now. Also in the announcement phase,
the City Council President CJ. Small. I'm not I think
he's saying that there's a party tonight or something. Now.
I was not invited to this. I don't know anything
(30:52):
about it. Maybe you're invited about it. Maybe I've just
missed this. It's maybe it's been in Lane yep, and
I haven't seen it. But there's some kind of is
there a party tonight night? Listen. It is the fortieth
anniversary of the Zogbie Act that created the form of
government that we have in Mobile. The City Council with
the mayor used to be a city commission. You remember
(31:13):
those days. It was a three person city commission, and
then the Zogbie Act made it a city council with
the mayor. Here's what CJ. Small said about this fortieth anniversary.
Speaker 16 (31:25):
And to the citizens of Mobile on this evening. The
Mayor of Sandy Stempson, the Mobile City Council and other
past previous council members and administration. And we will be
celebrating forty years of the Zogiby Act on this evening.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
So this is happening this evening. Is the public allowed
to attend. This is something that would be fun to
go to because if they've got elderly some of the
surviving council members would be nice to see some of
these elderly council members.
Speaker 16 (31:58):
This year March anniversary of the Zagoby Act, landmark legislation
that transformed the Mobile system of governmancy. It was an
added in nineteen eighty five that ad replaced the three
commissioner form of government with a council structure, ursuring in
a new area of representing democracy.
Speaker 2 (32:20):
For Mobile.
Speaker 16 (32:22):
Or four decades, the Amerria Council government established by the
Zagie Act has provided Mobile citizens with greater voice and
accountability in local decision making. This transition represented not just
a change in government structure, but a commitment to more
responsive and inclusive civiate leadership. As we reflect on forty
(32:43):
years under this framework, we are in the division of
those who had championed this reform and recognized the lasting
impact the Zakie Act has had on mobile development, governments
and community life.
Speaker 2 (32:57):
Okay, forty assort. Can the public attend this if they're
having some kind of a celebration with the mayor and
the council and previous count can the public attend? Is
this open to the public? Well, I didn't hear anything
about it, did you? Are you going? And and you
didn't tell me? All right, Now, so Zogbie Act mayor
(33:19):
council form of government, city council and a mayor. Before that,
it was a three person commission. Uh, here is somebody
that does now. You of course heard all of the
great things about the Zogbie Act that it allegedly was
more inclusive and there's allegedly more transparency, all that kind
of stuff. Here's one caller that called me years ago
(33:44):
who did not like going from the three person commission
to the city council.
Speaker 5 (33:52):
When they had three commissioners, they didn't have I had
to trouble they have now when everybody wanted to get
rid of them and take these new commissioners. They're just
jumping up and down, and they said, boy, this is heaven,
but now it's turned into hayar with them. They just
can't expend it. It's just beyond their imagination. These people
do dine that in office and got what they wanted.
(34:13):
So that's about all I got to say today.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
That's right, forty years later, they got what they wanted
and here we are. Hey, there is more Uncle Henry's
show coming up after the news break. It says they
(34:57):
Uncle Henry Show here on news Radio Set ten WNTM.
Thank you. I appreciate very very much you listening to
the Uncle Henry Show. Now in this half hour of show,
I may I may get to a voicemail from a
listener if I have time. But there are some news
items that I have missed. On a personal level. I'd
(35:20):
like to learn about these news items. And if you
don't mind, you can. You can learn with me or
maybe you know about these news items, and this will
help you to feel even more superior to me intellectually
and emotionally. So let's start with this story. I've never
heard of this before. This is a story from WBrC
(35:41):
in Birmingham. And by the way, I do have some
local stories out of Mobile County, but this story is
out of WBrC in Birmingham. They're stepsister station to Fox ten.
They're reporting that there is a bill being prefiled for
the Alabama legislature that would ban face slapping in the
(36:03):
state of Alabama. Now, this is apparently turning into a sport.
I've never heard of this until right now, right now
here with you. I had not heard of this. I
did not know that people were slapping each other in
the face for the entertainment of other people. And I
(36:24):
don't know what this. I don't know how this started.
I've not googled it. I've not duck duck goaded. I've
not chat gp ted it. I've not grocked it. I
ain't looked it up nowhere, I'm learning about it right now.
Apparently instead of boxing or or MMA, this is just
(36:47):
people standing and slapping each other. I know this sounds
I get this.
Speaker 1 (36:58):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (36:58):
Look, let's find out. I'm gonna play the story for
you and for me. Here's WBrC reporting on this.
Speaker 8 (37:05):
Senator is considering legislation to officially ban face slapping in Alabama.
State Senator Gerald Allen pre filed bill for the twenty
twenty sixth legislative session. Now it's sanctioned in Nevada, where
face slapping is considered a sport. You essentially just stand
there and let someone slap you. Oh, Senator Allen is
not in favor of it coming to Alabama.
Speaker 2 (37:27):
Now, before we hear his comments, they showed video. Now, Unfortunately,
even though radio has been around for quite a while,
we still don't have the ability to show you pictures
or video. Now. We're working on it. We're working on it,
but we still can't do that. But they just showed
video of people in Nevada, I assume slapping each other
(37:47):
upside the head in slow motion. In the slow motion
video shows the hand hitting the guy in the side
of his face, and then entire face just moving in
every kind of direction. It looks very uncomfortable to be
(38:08):
slapped by a I guess a professional face slapper. Now,
none of us want to be slapped in the face,
I'm going to assume, unless you're a massacrest, a true weirdo.
But it looks like it would really hurt what I
just saw getting slapped upside of the head. All right,
let's hear what does state I guess he's a state senator,
(38:28):
a state representative, Gerald Dile, What does he have to
say about this?
Speaker 17 (38:35):
It's a very brutal, nasty, dangerous sport that certainly will
send people to the er emergency room. Hospital create some
very serious injuries to their face, to their jaw, to
their neck.
Speaker 2 (38:55):
The Alabama Athletic all right now, with a slap, I
guess I've never been slapped that hard. I would have
remembered it if it was an er. If you've been
slapped and you need to be in the er, when
does it become a punch? I'm confused about the definitions here,
(39:18):
because if somebody slaps you, and you heard the way
you described it as being ugly, I want to hear
that again.
Speaker 17 (39:27):
It's a very brutal, nasty, dangerous sport.
Speaker 2 (39:32):
Brutal, nasty, and dangerous. When does it become a punch? Though,
If you're going to end up in.
Speaker 17 (39:38):
The er, that certainly will send people to the er.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
Mergency that's a heck of a slap.
Speaker 17 (39:47):
Hospital creates some very serious injuries.
Speaker 2 (39:53):
Serious injuries from a slapping. See that, I guess I
need to change my definition of a slap to their face,
to their jall, to their neck, to your neck. You
have been slapped. If it messes up your neck, that
is quite the slapping.
Speaker 8 (40:09):
The Alabama Athletic Commission already has a policy against face slapping.
Senator Allen's plan would strengthen it to make it a
state law.
Speaker 2 (40:18):
All right, Well, I'm very ignorant. Yeah, I know you
knew that already, but as a listener, you understand I'm ignorant.
But I didn't realize how ignorant I was about slapping.
All right. Well, now, another sad thing is when the
show is over the se evening, I'm going to be
so tempted to head on over to YouTube and find
some pro slapping just to see what this. It must
(40:41):
be really bad if this legislator is barking about it
on television. All right, So face slapping could be illegal
in Alabama if the legislature takes this up next year.
I want to watch the debate. I want to hear
the pros and cons of face slapping disgust in the
(41:02):
Alabama legislature. All right now, today shifting gears', let's bring
it back to Mobile County. A project was begun on
Dolph for the Dolphin Island Bridge by Al Dott And
I don't know. This is another thing I don't know
anything about. So let's listen. Fox ten covered this this morning.
Let's take a listen.
Speaker 3 (41:23):
It's the first thing you see when you drive the
Dolphin Island and the last thing in your rearview mirror
as you leave. After decades of use, is time for
the Dolphin Island Bridge to be repaired. That's why al
dott is investing more than thirty million dollars to repair
a concrete and to extend the bridge's life following decades
of saltwater damage.
Speaker 2 (41:40):
Thirty million dollars. Just think about how much it cost
to build anything now, in terms of a rod or
a bridge. How can we afford to build anything?
Speaker 3 (41:49):
And it couldn't come soon enough.
Speaker 18 (41:51):
There's only two ways you can get on and off
the island now too that the bridge or by boat
and boot.
Speaker 2 (41:57):
The man speaking on television looks like Joe wall sho
of the Eagles, a lot.
Speaker 18 (42:02):
Harder than the bridge. But the main thing is is
you leave mobile on that side of the bridge and
then you pick it back up when you leave the island.
So bridge is a major function of the island.
Speaker 3 (42:13):
The city says it's the biggest project since the original
bridge was destroyed by Hurricane Frederick back in nineteen seventy nine,
and that's something that residents here don't want to experience again.
Speaker 18 (42:22):
That leads only one way on and off the island,
and that was by boot. I don't know if the
ferries were running then, but most people just launch at
Fowl River and come down. And if you live on
the island, you didn't have a choice, you know, if
you had to get back and forth.
Speaker 3 (42:40):
That's why the city wants to repair the bridge now
before any major issues. But with any work, you can
expect lane shifts and daily closures. We spoke with Offin
not only Marria, Jeff Collier. Mary Carter says he's asking
residents and visitors to be patient while work takes place.
And once again he's asking for that patience because it's
gonna take a long time for those work to get done.
Thee as the completion date to be around twenty twenty nine,
(43:02):
but the city says, don't worry. They will actually stall
some of that construction during some major events here on
the island, things like the fourth of July.
Speaker 2 (43:10):
Of course, wow, all right, twenty twenty nine. I'm reaching
that age where I now wonder will I live to
see certain projects get finished. It's just so twenty twenty
nine for the Dolph Lina Bridge thirty million dollar project.
I wonder what it'll really end up costing. All right, look,
go to take a time out, and then there's more
Uncle Henry Show. Let's go ahead and take the break.
(43:56):
That says the Uncle Henry Show. Here on news Radio
seventy ten. W we have news headlines coming up in
ten minutes. Before we get to the news headlines, I
have a few more news items that I missed that
I need to catch up on so I can learn
and stop being as ignorant as I am. There have
(44:19):
been lots of news items locally and nationally about immigration
raids trying to get the people here illegally to leave
the country, and this has upset the homebuilders in the
state of Alabama. I think Lanyap, the Landyap newspaper, has
covered this. Here's a news story from w AFF in Montgomery,
(44:42):
a stepsister station of Fox ten. They have heard from
the Alabama Homebuilders Association that does not like the fact
that immigration law is being enforced. So let's listen. They
say that the home building industry being hard hit int Alabama.
Speaker 19 (45:01):
Builders all over the state are seeing their Hispanic workforce
making a mad dash out of the area with fears
of deportation. That's causing major problems on the ground level.
The vice president of the Homebuilders Association of Alabama says
this isn't just undocumented immigrants either leaving our state. He
says job site raids that have happened in other parts
(45:22):
of the state are scaring away skilled documented workers. WAFA
forty eight. Nick Ballinger has our story.
Speaker 6 (45:29):
Labor shortages have been affecting Alabama homebuilders since the pandemic. Now,
state leaders in the construction industry say federal immigration policies
have been making an even deeper cut at those numbers,
so many of them in a With ice job site
raids happening across the state, like one in Mobile in June,
many Hispanic builders are just leaving. Executive vice president of
(45:52):
the Alabama Homebuilders Association, Russell Davis, says it's caused a
dramatic change after twenty years of growth in the state's
Hispanic work I spoke with the homebuilder who's in charge
of many new constructions here in Huntsville, and although he
doesn't want to go on camera, he did tell me
over the past couple of months he's lost.
Speaker 2 (46:09):
Doesn't want to go on camera.
Speaker 6 (46:11):
Many subcontracted workers who are here in this country legally,
and he says he's not just losing laborers either, he's
losing workers with very specific skills.
Speaker 20 (46:20):
We've got some just artisan craftsmen that are now fantastic
brick masons and tile setter. Let's say a brick mason
that is one of our members and here perfectly legal,
but he has a crew, and two or three of
them may not be legal. Sometimes they're ken to them,
(46:40):
and so they.
Speaker 2 (46:41):
All leave.
Speaker 6 (46:44):
Kneeling down a building team. Maybe the least of Alabamian's worries.
Speaker 20 (46:47):
Lay's a big gap in the availability of labor, the
scheduling of the labor, the cost of labor.
Speaker 6 (46:55):
Less workers means longer, more expensive new builds, which is
why Davis says something has to change, and.
Speaker 20 (47:01):
We would love to see a situation where we could
establish a visa that work visa for those folks that
are trying to make an honest living.
Speaker 19 (47:10):
It was our nick balancer reporting. Davis says the Home
Building Association has been trying to find a solution to
the shortage. The Madazon Honey chapter offers a home building
academy that so far has graduated six hundred people to date.
Speaker 2 (47:24):
Oh okay, well that's nice. A home building academy that
would have been nice. I would I'm sure you, as
a listener would have preferred that I'd gotten into that
years ago. Who knows, I might have had a wonderful
career for instead of coming into radio if I'd gone
to a homebuilding academy. Well, I'm glad that the at
(47:45):
least the guy from the Homebuilders Association has some kind
of solution that he's trying to float on this. But
isn't it It's interesting that enforcing the law, enforcing federal
law is causing a problem, and they're saying, these people
are leaving the state of Alabama. But are they going
(48:07):
to because I believe federal law is being enforced in
other states as well. Are we the only state that
this is happening in? All right, Well, be curious to
see what happens over the next few years in Washington,
d C. In terms of reforming immigration. You may remember,
(48:30):
as I do, this has been a topic for a
couple of decades. I can remember people fighting about this viciously,
not physically, but verbally viciously fighting about this topic back
during the George W. Bush years, trying to figure out
what to do, fighting over just fighting over the border
(48:52):
and fighting over all the people coming in illegally. This
has been going on for years and years and years.
Doesn't ever seemed to the BALLD, doesn't seem to move
in one direction very far, doesn't, at least until Donald
Trump decided to actually enforce the law. So one of
the things that I'm really shocked by is that we
haven't had We've had protests in LA for example, and
(49:17):
around some ice facilities in the country, But back when
w was president, there were tens of thousands of people
in the streets rallying on this topic, especially West Coast.
That hasn't happened under Trump. And I'm very curious as
(49:40):
to why we haven't had those giant because back when
they were talking about this, back during W there were
gigantic protests that were pro immigration. We haven't seen those.
I'm curious as to why not. Is it a lack
of money to fund it, to fund the protests. I
don't know. All right, Look, I'm out of time for
(50:02):
this segment and this entire Uncle Henry's show. Thank you
for listening to the show. Whatever your purpose has been,
I appreciate your listener. Whod I do. As they say
in Sirland, have a good one, and as they say
in Theodore, take it easy
Speaker 14 (50:23):
All right later
Henry, and this is James. Yesterday a fella called in,
or rather left a voice message about paradise being in Mobile,
and then a die called the day and saying that
paradise was in Baldwin County. Well, I would like to
put my two cents then on the subject. I would
(00:26):
rather live in a shack in Mobile, Alabama than I
would an absolute mansion in Baldwin County. I think Mobile
is the most wonderful place on Earth. And that's my
two cents, and you can keep the team press phone
(00:48):
message deleted.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
PS its the Uncle Henry Show here on news radio
(01:44):
seventy ten WNTIM. Thank you very much. I really do
appreciate you listening to this show. I really do need
this job.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
I do.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Once again, here we are together, me and you, just
the two of us here trying to figure out what
is going on, What's going on? What's going on in
this world? Watch what's going on in Washington. It's just
it just is just like a bunch of nuts running
around here. But here we are once again. Me and
(02:19):
you had a Mobile City Council meeting today. I'm going
to tell you about the Mobile City Council meeting about
all kind of stuff from the Mobile City Council meeting
for you, so you'll know what is going on in
your town if you happen to live in Mobile or
do business with Mobile. Now I'll give you a tease
of what happened at the meeting. The City of Mobile
(02:41):
actually showed up at the meeting. Yes, Mobile attended the
meeting today and spoke at the meeting. And this is
what Mobile had to say.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
This is me.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
I am Mobile and I am not happy.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Mobile not happy?
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (02:57):
Why not?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Mind out? Why would why would Mobile not be happy?
Speaker 4 (03:03):
This is me, I am Mobile and I am not happy.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
You're not happy? I don't know. Well, anyway, we'll get
to this. We'll we'll find out what what's what is
Mobile's problem. We'll get into this as the Uncle Henry
show unfolds. Now, you, of course, can jump in on
the conversation at any point. I enjoy your phone calls because,
as I've explained over the years, I'm not paid by
(03:27):
the word. So if you want to come in here
and talk for twenty thirty minutes, save me some time,
that's wonderful. I got to work on the grocery list anyway.
Two five, one, four seven, nine two seven two three.
The telephone number that's two five one four seven nine
two seven two three. Email address Uncle Henry at iHeartMedia
dot com. That's Uncle Henry at iHeartMedia dot com. A
number of things was discussed at the Mobile City Council
(03:50):
meeting today. I want to I want to start with
some some positive stuff here that uh, the governor announced
grant allocations Go Mason money, the Gulf of Mexico Energy
Security Act money. This is offshore oil and gas revenue
(04:10):
that gets distributed and so the state government distributing some money.
People like having money distributed around them. They do. Anytime
I'm near a distribution of cash, I enjoy it. So
here is Mayor Standy Simpson telling us about the oil
(04:32):
and gas money. What is it going to be used
for the money that has been done distributed to Mobile.
Speaker 7 (04:38):
Now, the first announcement has to do with this morning.
Governor Ivy made her most recent announcement of go MASA grants.
There was seven point five million dollars granted to the
city Mobile. Three point five million dollars that will go
toward building an access road into Brooklyn by the Bay Park,
which is a huge step forward. We've got to have
(05:00):
the proper access to that park to be able to
complete building it out, and that will be one of
the keys to getting things done. So really really appreciated that.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
All right. So three point five million to help build
an access road to Brooklyn by the Bay, all right,
And there's other money coming from the city and other
partners according to a personally, so I don't know who
the other partners are, but it'll be a ten and
a half million dollar investment for a road so that
(05:33):
you can get to Brookly by the Bay, the ninety
acre waterfront park, and this will also support future industrial
development adjacent at Brookly Aeroplex. Now the mayor went on four.
Speaker 7 (05:49):
Million be supporting the improvements along the downtown waterfront.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Four million dollars to improve mobiles downtown waterfront.
Speaker 7 (05:57):
To helping strengthen the infrastruy Yorkshire. Extending the bulkhead. Then
when I say extending the bulkhead, that'll be extending it
from the convention center going north into the area where
the proposed hotel would be located, just on the north
side of the convention center, and also build a connecting boardwalk.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
A connecting boardwalk will be.
Speaker 7 (06:18):
Built coming south down into Copper Riverside Park. I want
to thank govern Ivany and Commission a Blankenship for their
continued support of the major projects in Mobile. I remind
you that several years ago, I want to make sure
I'm right that the Governor Ivy probably in twenty twenty,
(06:40):
were granted sixteen million dollars from GOMESA for Brooklyn by
the Bay and then another fifteen point five came from
the St. State Economic Development Fund. So over the last
several years, Governor Ivy has done an incredible job of
directing funds to make projects in the city Mobile.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
She's done an incredible job giving us money. And for
that in the wonder she's done. When when somebody has
given out money and they decide to give it to you,
you think, you know what, that person's done an excellent job,
Isn't that right? If somebody is in charge of distributing
money and they give it to you, then you think, wow,
you have done an incredible job. You have thank you
(07:23):
for giving it to me. All right?
Speaker 7 (07:25):
What else did you say? Will have benefits for generations
to come? And so we're tremendously grateful for her continued
interest in the city Mobile all.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Right, So, and this does sound the idea that there
will be a built a boardwalk built, according to the
press release the city put out this morning, a boardwalk
that will connect several city properties along the downtown waterfront.
So many on this on many people on the Mobile
side of the bay lament that they don't have as
(07:56):
much wa waterfront access for fun like you do on
the eastern shore. So more steps being made to make
sure that if you want to get down to the
waterfront and mobile and enjoy that you'll be able to
do so. So there'll be a new boardwalk down there.
So there's a lot more from the Mobile City Council
(08:18):
we need to tell you about it. I still need
to tell you about how Mobile came to the meeting.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
This is me, I am Mobile, and I am not happy,
all right.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I don't know why this was after we found out
about the boardwalk and all this money. So we'll cover
more from the Mobile City Council meeting and whatever else
jumps into my head or comes through the phone line
as the Uncle Henry Show proceeds forward here on news
Radio seventy ten WNTM. But first a break. Let's take
(08:48):
the break. This says Uncle Henry, host of the Uncle
(09:10):
Henry Show, just in CA. I don't want you to
be confused. News headlines coming up in ten minutes from
Fox ten and Fox Radio National News. That's five twenty
today a Mobile City Council meeting. I'd like to thank
the Mobile City Council for getting their meeting done in
less than an hour. Excellent, thank you very much. Less
(09:34):
than an hour. Now, it could have been even shorter
had the politicians not run their mouths, but it's still
it was less than an hour. They're making progress. They're
making progress down there at city Hall. So what else
can I tell you about?
Speaker 1 (09:46):
Now?
Speaker 2 (09:46):
I told you before that Mobile showed up at the meeting.
Speaker 8 (09:51):
This is me.
Speaker 4 (09:52):
I am Mobile, and I am not happy.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Now, why would Mobile not be happy with all this?
We just heard about go Mayson money coming in to
that a little while. But the city council today they voted.
One of the things they did at their meeting was
vote a new tax. Yes, they decided to vote a
new tax on these citizens of the city of Mobile. Yes,
(10:19):
So anytime any of them are running for reelection, just
you can remember that. Yes, once upon a time they
did vote a tax in this is on vaping. So
if you're a vapor, if you like vaping, if you
like inhaling, the vape, whatever it is, the vape vapors,
(10:40):
you're gonna be taxed. You're gonna be paying more for
you vapor. Got to get that money. Here is a
report Fox ten did this, I think it was last night,
Shelby Myers of Fox ten explaining why a bunch of
municipalities around the state started doing last minute, very quick
(11:01):
taxes on vaping.
Speaker 4 (11:03):
This is me, I am mobile.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
I hit the mobile again. All right, she's not happy.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
This is me. I am mobile, and I am not happy.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Now. This was before they voted to raise a tax
on vape, so it has nothing mobile not probably even
angrier after the vape tax. Here is Shelby Myers of
Fox ten explaining it.
Speaker 9 (11:23):
It's a race against time. Cities and towns in Alabama
have until Wednesday to pass resolutions in compliance with a
new state tax on vaping products. A bill passed in
the Alabama legislature this year puts a statewide ten per
milli leter charge on vaping products instead.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Of by the way as a non vapor have no
clue as to how this will impact how much it
costs to buy vape.
Speaker 9 (11:50):
The state of Alabama taking that money and dispersing it.
The City of Mobile can vote to take in the
revenue and use it locally.
Speaker 10 (11:58):
The city is adopted who pass its own ordinary so
that we would have the ability to enforce this ordinance
on our own. We would collect the funds that would
not be a pass through to the state.
Speaker 9 (12:07):
Cordell Harris owns eight Cloud nine vape stores from Mobile
to Balwin County. He says the new tax is extreme.
Speaker 11 (12:15):
The issue with their taxes. They're wanting to do a
ten cents per milli leter tax, and what that does
is that it disproportionately burdens people who use lower strength
nicotine because those bottles typically are one hundred no bottles.
They retail for around twenty five dollars, whereas people who
use higher concentrated nicotine it comes in smaller bottles.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
They're going to pause the story there just to thank
the Lord. I want to thank the Lord for not
giving me a taste for nicotine or tobacco. Thank you Lord.
I'm so glad I didn't get get caught up in
this and happen to decide. Am I going to use
what strength nicotine? Do I want all this kind of stuff?
Speaker 11 (12:54):
Thank you Lord face a smaller tax, although the retail
values the same.
Speaker 9 (12:58):
Other municipalities can choose to do the same as Mobile
and take in that tax money, or put an additional
city tax on top of the States tax on bait products.
Cityomobile Executive director of Finance Scott Collins says there's not
a clear number on how much revenue this will bring in,
but that may not be the point.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Now now, before we hear the man, the guy in
charge of revenue or whatever his title is, So the tax,
the point is not to get money off of it.
Are you serious when you're telling me this? Are you
telling Are you serious when you're telling me the point
of the tax is to not actually collect money off
of it. We don't even really know how much it'll
(13:37):
bring in.
Speaker 12 (13:39):
What now.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
You know?
Speaker 2 (13:42):
I believe the point of a tax is to collect money.
Speaker 10 (13:46):
The broader discussion is going to be the debate about
public health versus revenue. Understanding that this likely will drive
usage down. At least it will put it in such
a way that we can make sure adults are making
purchases that there's a little more ability to keep these
as safe as we can for the great public.
Speaker 9 (14:07):
And locally Spanish Fort, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach to name
a few, and other cities will be voting on what
to do about this new tax before Wednesday too.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
All right, So, but Mobile voted to have it, even
though we were just told by the person in charge
of finance they don't even they don't know how much
it'll bring in. And you also heard that this is
actually the bigger question is about making sure people don't
vape as much or something like that. Now, why if
something you're telling me that this is not about the money,
(14:40):
this is about discouraging vaping, then why is it legal
if you shouldn't do it? Why is it legal.
Speaker 12 (14:53):
Now?
Speaker 2 (14:53):
I think most taxes are about collecting money. I believe
that would be when you get right down to do it,
it'd be about the money, wouldn't it. Now they can
say it's about our health, but it's about the money.
You just want to clear that up, all right? Well,
So anyway, if you're a vapor the uh, this new
this will go into effect next year, so you can
still vape. You can still harm your health and pay
(15:20):
less to harm your health. Moving forward until next year.
Speaker 7 (15:25):
Again.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
The telephone number to reach the Uncle Henry show two
five to one four seven nine two seven two three.
That's two five one four seven nine two seven two
three email I address Uncle Henry at iHeartMedia dot com.
Now I told you about Mobile going to the meeting
and Mobile told the the city council that Mobile is
not happy.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
This is me.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
I am Mobile and I am not happy.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Now. Why, well, we'll get to that, not quite yet.
I don't have time to get to that right now
because we're coming up on a break. Before we go
to break, I thought you might want a dredging update.
Langen Park is going to be dredged because we've been
told that the quality of life and Mobile is suffering
because the lake is too shallow in Langen Park and
(16:10):
thus a lot of government money needs to go to
dredge this lake so you can have a higher quality
of life. So here's Gina Gregory, mobile city council woman,
giving us an update on dredging at Langen Park, which
I know you're very excited about.
Speaker 13 (16:27):
Just want to let everybody know that if you have
passed by Langen Park and looked toward the lake, you
have seen big equipment out there, so we are mobilizing
equipment to begin the dredging. More equipment is coming in today.
So if you've got any kids that really like to
see the heavy machinery and watch them in action, now's
the time to get a look at those big pieces
(16:49):
of equipment. I know a lot of kids like.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
That, a lot of kids and simple minded adults.
Speaker 13 (16:54):
We are hoping we can start the actual digging this week.
It really kind of depends on a lot of variables,
but it is coming, and it is coming very soon,
and I'm looking forward to seeing all of that in
action and of course the results. In the meantime.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
Be aware that traffic is.
Speaker 13 (17:11):
Being rerouted out of the park to make way for
all of this equipment and for the work that's being done.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
But go take a look at it.
Speaker 13 (17:18):
I'm really excited to see all of this happening.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
All right, So those of you near Langen Park, your
quality of life. It's about the skyrocket because the lake
won't be shallon no more. All right, There is more,
yes more, from the city council meeting. As the Uncle
Henry shall continues. After the break, it says the Uncle
(18:01):
Henry show here on News Radio seven to ten WNTM
it's five thirty five. You can also hear me on
FM radio. I'm on ninety five KSJ Monday through Friday
between ten and two playing Today's Hottest Country on playing
Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan, and then additional Morgan Wallen Tomorrow
(18:26):
in the ten o'clock hour. Early in the morning for
my shift. Right after ten o'clock, I'll have your chance
to win a family four pack of tickets to Seward Farms.
It's now the time of year that you can go
to Seward Farms and go on the hay rides and
ride on the cowtrain. Just all the fall fund they
have there at Seward Farms. And they've also got a
(18:48):
big corn maze this year. Their corn maze is a
tribute to country music star Lanie Wilson. It's a Laney
Wilson Corn Maze that is all going on at Seward Farms.
And tomorrow at about ten point fifteen, I'll have your
chance to win a family four pack of tickets to
go to Seward Farm's courtesy of ninety five KSJ. Now
(19:11):
I've got a lot more from the Mobile City Council meeting,
including the City of Mobile showed up.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
This is me.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
I am Mobile and I am not happy.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Well, I'll tell you what Mobile had to say, but
first I've got a caller.
Speaker 14 (19:23):
Hello Coller, Hey over Henry, how you doing.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Snake Trapper, Snake Trapper, you are alive on the radio?
Speaker 14 (19:31):
Hey over, Henry. I know if missus Jena Gregory won't
saw kids to be watching when they fire up that dredge,
Uncle Henry, because I know it was not gonna be
a pretty sight when it sucks up one of them
mall thirty five forty pound alligator snapping turtles that I
know are in there. I taught one as a teenager.
Speaker 15 (19:51):
In that part.
Speaker 14 (19:53):
People knows that they are a freshwater species turtle and
they are protected. And I'm just wondering if they've done
any kind of study on the impact that the dredging
that end of that lake is going to have on
delegator snapaturtle.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Well, obviously they haven't, Snake Trapper, because you just heard that.
She's very excited that the equipment is going in and
she's encouraged people to come watch. And because as we've heard,
this is very important to the quality of life and Mobile,
we must spend money to make that that lake less shallow,
or our quality of life will just plumbing.
Speaker 14 (20:29):
Well, that is exactly what the what the snapping turtle
delegator snapat turtle needs of entry. And it's just that
one end right there today where the lake has the
mud pack. I mean, I think they could dredge the
rest of them, but they need to leave that that
section alone.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Okay.
Speaker 14 (20:45):
I believe they've done any kind of studies, they would
know that it would that it would halt that product
for because everybody knows they are a freshwater species. And
and one way to tell they're in there is because
like the lake here at my house, it's overrun with
yellow belly red belly sliders and the alligator snapping turtle.
We'll eat them now. Also we dig their eggs up
(21:07):
and eat them.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Really, turtles, are you telling me that turtles commit crimes
against other turtles?
Speaker 14 (21:15):
I don't think it was cram over, Henry. They like
eggs just like we do.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
Well, hey, you know if it's if you're eating my egg,
that's a crime.
Speaker 14 (21:25):
Yes, sir. Also, o, Henry, I've seen where you posted
a picture on the Snake Trapper page of a copperhead
snake man, was that thing in your yard?
Speaker 2 (21:33):
No, no, of course not no. I just i'd never
I never knew how good copperheads could be camouflaged. I
didn't realize how good their natural camouflage was. I just
thought i'd share that picture on your snake Trapper page
because some people have trouble spotting the snake in that picture.
Speaker 14 (21:53):
Well, I really appreciate it too. On Henry and one thing,
there are more people bitten by a copperhead that was
one that there was even a snake around. They can
also right around a limb or lay on the stomp,
and you know, if you don't have a sharp eye
of detail, you will not see them. So also too,
this is the time of year. You know, we had
sixty seven degrees last night. It is starting to cool down,
(22:15):
so they are definitely starting to get in that feed
of frenzy. And what they'll do they'll actually get on
a mouse or a rat trail and they'll sit there
in them leaves or on that branch or whatever and
wait for that mouse or rat or whatever will walk
right up to them. Yes, sir man, anybody wants to
(22:36):
check that snake out. If you don't know there's one there.
You won't see it in the picture. And I've seen
some you know, where you had to actually spend time
to actually spot the snake in there. Copperheads are the
best at that type of camouflage.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
All right. You can find snake trapper on Facebook. It's
two words snake and then trapper.
Speaker 14 (22:57):
Well, lover, Henry, I really appreciate you sharing that women brother.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
All right, hey, and snake trapper. Thank you for the
phone call. Good to hear from you.
Speaker 14 (23:04):
Yes, sir, you take care of my buddy.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
There it goes, the snake trapper. All right. So today
Mobile City Council meeting. As I've explained to you, Mobile
showed up at the meeting.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
This is me.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
I am Mobile, and I am not happy, all right.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
So I'm gonna let you hear the full comments from Mobile. No,
but Mobile's other name is Kathy Odom, and at the
beginning of her talk to the council, you'll hear her
lay out her case for calling herself mobile. She lists
her credentials, because we could all say that we're mobile,
(23:41):
but she lists her credentials as to why she is mobile,
and then she explains why she ain't happy, So let's
listen together.
Speaker 15 (23:51):
I'm seventy six years old, raised and still live on
the family property that was bought by my great grandparents
eighty five years ago to our Lady of Lord's School,
went to Bishoptulan High School, graduated from the University of
South Alabama with a business degree on an academic scholarship,
and I worked for a local utility company for thirty
six years. I am literally old mobile with humble roots.
(24:16):
Graduated My older son's father graduated with the second class
of Mobile Fire Paramedics, Mobile Fire Department. His great grandfather
retired from the Mobile Police Department and then went on
and retired from the Mobile County Sheriff's Department. My stepfather
retired from Mobile Public Works as an heavy equipment operator.
(24:39):
And I am not happy with what has happened in
my city, with what's going to happen with my grandchildren
and my own children. I ask where is the transparency
and the accountability? We have had nine million dollar overrun
on parking garage, two million dollar overrun on the Civic
Center demolition, four hundred thousand on a bronze Jimmy Buffett statue.
(25:01):
How can we have drag Queen shows in front of
the old Catholic Cathedral and mobile with children in attendance,
And how can we still have pornographic and gender grooming
books in the children's section and teen section of the mobile.
Speaker 16 (25:15):
Public libraries stick with the overruns and the glinchers in
the in the elections. What now stick with the overruns
and the glinches in the elections?
Speaker 15 (25:23):
Well, when the city loses a half million dollars, Uh,
I guess we'll get in compliance with what our Alabama
Public Library Association is asking us to do. So how
do we get this accountability and transparency? Some of us
have been called liars and racists when we speak up.
Some of us have been told that you can't do
(25:44):
anything about it. In a true republic, the people vote
you out if you don't, and if you don't bring
and you bring we bring new blood.
Speaker 4 (25:52):
When what is right?
Speaker 15 (25:54):
We want what is right and won't answers. Well, this
past city election had too many glitch is an erarors.
I feel that my vote and many others votes did
not count. We had some major precinct location changes two
months prior to the election, which it was supposed to
be a ninety day cutoff many people showed up at
the wrong precincts and we're not given provisional ballots.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
Some tabulators broke down during the runoffs.
Speaker 15 (26:20):
Some people went into a precinct where they voted a
month prior and showed up as inactive. Do not tell
me that you're sorry. Are we fixed this or that problem?
These irregularities are not acceptable. So when do we the
people get transparency and accountability?
Speaker 4 (26:36):
And this is from the heart. I mean, you know
this is me. I am mobile, and I am not happy.
So we need some changes.
Speaker 15 (26:45):
I want transparency and accountability, so to my children and grandchildren.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
All right, So the council then asked one of the
finance people to explain what she called cost overrun, and
the finance person explained that that they weren't really overruns
or something like that, and then CJ. Small asked the
assistant city clerk to address the voting irregularities, and the
(27:14):
assistant city clerk said that there weren't any apparently, So anyway,
but I do want to commend Kathy Odom for going
to the meeting and airing her concerns. I would encourage
her to go more often to the city council meetings.
She did have a good resume for caring about Mobile
(27:37):
she explained. You heard her listing out the tremendous investment
her family has made living and working and participating and
in serving in the fire department, public Works department, all
these different departments. So Kathy Odem, please go to more
(27:57):
council meetings and please ask more questions. There's more to come,
but first we're taking the break. It says the Uncle
(28:25):
Henry Show here on news radio seven to ten WNTM
News headlines coming up in ten minutes from Fox, and
then there's more Uncle Henry's show. Now, yes, I got it,
just a little bit more from today's Mobile City council
meeting for you. Now, at the end of the meeting,
(28:47):
they do announcements where the council members have an opportunity
to run their mouths. This is where Fred Richardson used
to make great comments. It was always wonderful because Fred
Richardson would give solilo, he'd do monologues, he'd teach about
who invented toilet paper. It would be all that kind
of stuff. Well, today the mayor elect Spiro was at
(29:15):
the city council meeting watching it and Mobile City Councilman
Ben Reynolds was so excited. He was excited that Spiro
was there, and so he wanted to give him a
shout out. So let's listen together as Councilman Ben Reynolds
gets excited and wants to give Sparrow a shout out.
Speaker 12 (29:31):
Present, I want to say thank you to everybody who
went out and voted in our most recent election. I
want to take great pride in being the representative of
District for. It's a great honor to me. But it
also makes me feel even better that the turnout in
district for was higher than any other district. And you
know our folks are paying attention. I really appreciate them
(29:52):
going out to vote. I also want to acknowledge that
we have Mayor elect Spiro CHERI got us here here
in the audience with us. If everybody could stand up,
give them a falls of congratulations.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
Now here. You noted some of the applause not as
enthusiastic as other applause.
Speaker 12 (30:10):
I know we all look forward to working with you,
and we look forward to a smooth transition. I know,
based on the conversations I've had that you will be
totally included in that transition plan, and we look forward
to continuing the progress that we've made over the years
as soon as you walk in the door. So congratulations again,
look forward to working with you.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
All right. So a shout out to Mayor Alex Spiro,
who is at the meeting now. Also in the announcement phase,
the City Council President CJ. Small. I'm not I think
he's saying that there's a party tonight or something. Now.
I was not invited to this. I don't know anything
(30:52):
about it. Maybe you're invited about it. Maybe I've just
missed this. It's maybe it's been in Lane yep, and
I haven't seen it. But there's some kind of is
there a party tonight night? Listen. It is the fortieth
anniversary of the Zogbie Act that created the form of
government that we have in Mobile. The City Council with
the mayor used to be a city commission. You remember
(31:13):
those days. It was a three person city commission, and
then the Zogbie Act made it a city council with
the mayor. Here's what CJ. Small said about this fortieth anniversary.
Speaker 16 (31:25):
And to the citizens of Mobile on this evening. The
Mayor of Sandy Stempson, the Mobile City Council and other
past previous council members and administration. And we will be
celebrating forty years of the Zogiby Act on this evening.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
So this is happening this evening. Is the public allowed
to attend. This is something that would be fun to
go to because if they've got elderly some of the
surviving council members would be nice to see some of
these elderly council members.
Speaker 16 (31:58):
This year March anniversary of the Zagoby Act, landmark legislation
that transformed the Mobile system of governmancy. It was an
added in nineteen eighty five that ad replaced the three
commissioner form of government with a council structure, ursuring in
a new area of representing democracy.
Speaker 2 (32:20):
For Mobile.
Speaker 16 (32:22):
Or four decades, the Amerria Council government established by the
Zagie Act has provided Mobile citizens with greater voice and
accountability in local decision making. This transition represented not just
a change in government structure, but a commitment to more
responsive and inclusive civiate leadership. As we reflect on forty
(32:43):
years under this framework, we are in the division of
those who had championed this reform and recognized the lasting
impact the Zakie Act has had on mobile development, governments
and community life.
Speaker 2 (32:57):
Okay, forty assort. Can the public attend this if they're
having some kind of a celebration with the mayor and
the council and previous count can the public attend? Is
this open to the public? Well, I didn't hear anything
about it, did you? Are you going? And and you
didn't tell me? All right, Now, so Zogbie Act mayor
(33:19):
council form of government, city council and a mayor. Before that,
it was a three person commission. Uh, here is somebody
that does now. You of course heard all of the
great things about the Zogbie Act that it allegedly was
more inclusive and there's allegedly more transparency, all that kind
of stuff. Here's one caller that called me years ago
(33:44):
who did not like going from the three person commission
to the city council.
Speaker 5 (33:52):
When they had three commissioners, they didn't have I had
to trouble they have now when everybody wanted to get
rid of them and take these new commissioners. They're just
jumping up and down, and they said, boy, this is heaven,
but now it's turned into hayar with them. They just
can't expend it. It's just beyond their imagination. These people
do dine that in office and got what they wanted.
(34:13):
So that's about all I got to say today.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
That's right, forty years later, they got what they wanted
and here we are. Hey, there is more Uncle Henry's
show coming up after the news break. It says they
(34:57):
Uncle Henry Show here on news Radio Set ten WNTM.
Thank you. I appreciate very very much you listening to
the Uncle Henry Show. Now in this half hour of show,
I may I may get to a voicemail from a
listener if I have time. But there are some news
items that I have missed. On a personal level. I'd
(35:20):
like to learn about these news items. And if you
don't mind, you can. You can learn with me or
maybe you know about these news items, and this will
help you to feel even more superior to me intellectually
and emotionally. So let's start with this story. I've never
heard of this before. This is a story from WBrC
(35:41):
in Birmingham. And by the way, I do have some
local stories out of Mobile County, but this story is
out of WBrC in Birmingham. They're stepsister station to Fox ten.
They're reporting that there is a bill being prefiled for
the Alabama legislature that would ban face slapping in the
(36:03):
state of Alabama. Now, this is apparently turning into a sport.
I've never heard of this until right now, right now
here with you. I had not heard of this. I
did not know that people were slapping each other in
the face for the entertainment of other people. And I
(36:24):
don't know what this. I don't know how this started.
I've not googled it. I've not duck duck goaded. I've
not chat gp ted it. I've not grocked it. I
ain't looked it up nowhere, I'm learning about it right now.
Apparently instead of boxing or or MMA, this is just
(36:47):
people standing and slapping each other. I know this sounds
I get this.
Speaker 1 (36:58):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (36:58):
Look, let's find out. I'm gonna play the story for
you and for me. Here's WBrC reporting on this.
Speaker 8 (37:05):
Senator is considering legislation to officially ban face slapping in Alabama.
State Senator Gerald Allen pre filed bill for the twenty
twenty sixth legislative session. Now it's sanctioned in Nevada, where
face slapping is considered a sport. You essentially just stand
there and let someone slap you. Oh, Senator Allen is
not in favor of it coming to Alabama.
Speaker 2 (37:27):
Now, before we hear his comments, they showed video. Now, Unfortunately,
even though radio has been around for quite a while,
we still don't have the ability to show you pictures
or video. Now. We're working on it. We're working on it,
but we still can't do that. But they just showed
video of people in Nevada, I assume slapping each other
(37:47):
upside the head in slow motion. In the slow motion
video shows the hand hitting the guy in the side
of his face, and then entire face just moving in
every kind of direction. It looks very uncomfortable to be
(38:08):
slapped by a I guess a professional face slapper. Now,
none of us want to be slapped in the face,
I'm going to assume, unless you're a massacrest, a true weirdo.
But it looks like it would really hurt what I
just saw getting slapped upside of the head. All right,
let's hear what does state I guess he's a state senator,
(38:28):
a state representative, Gerald Dile, What does he have to
say about this?
Speaker 17 (38:35):
It's a very brutal, nasty, dangerous sport that certainly will
send people to the er emergency room. Hospital create some
very serious injuries to their face, to their jaw, to
their neck.
Speaker 2 (38:55):
The Alabama Athletic all right now, with a slap, I
guess I've never been slapped that hard. I would have
remembered it if it was an er. If you've been
slapped and you need to be in the er, when
does it become a punch? I'm confused about the definitions here,
(39:18):
because if somebody slaps you, and you heard the way
you described it as being ugly, I want to hear
that again.
Speaker 17 (39:27):
It's a very brutal, nasty, dangerous sport.
Speaker 2 (39:32):
Brutal, nasty, and dangerous. When does it become a punch? Though,
If you're going to end up in.
Speaker 17 (39:38):
The er, that certainly will send people to the er.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
Mergency that's a heck of a slap.
Speaker 17 (39:47):
Hospital creates some very serious injuries.
Speaker 2 (39:53):
Serious injuries from a slapping. See that, I guess I
need to change my definition of a slap to their face,
to their jall, to their neck, to your neck. You
have been slapped. If it messes up your neck, that
is quite the slapping.
Speaker 8 (40:09):
The Alabama Athletic Commission already has a policy against face slapping.
Senator Allen's plan would strengthen it to make it a
state law.
Speaker 2 (40:18):
All right, Well, I'm very ignorant. Yeah, I know you
knew that already, but as a listener, you understand I'm ignorant.
But I didn't realize how ignorant I was about slapping.
All right. Well, now, another sad thing is when the
show is over the se evening, I'm going to be
so tempted to head on over to YouTube and find
some pro slapping just to see what this. It must
(40:41):
be really bad if this legislator is barking about it
on television. All right, So face slapping could be illegal
in Alabama if the legislature takes this up next year.
I want to watch the debate. I want to hear
the pros and cons of face slapping disgust in the
(41:02):
Alabama legislature. All right now, today shifting gears', let's bring
it back to Mobile County. A project was begun on
Dolph for the Dolphin Island Bridge by Al Dott And
I don't know. This is another thing I don't know
anything about. So let's listen. Fox ten covered this this morning.
Let's take a listen.
Speaker 3 (41:23):
It's the first thing you see when you drive the
Dolphin Island and the last thing in your rearview mirror
as you leave. After decades of use, is time for
the Dolphin Island Bridge to be repaired. That's why al
dott is investing more than thirty million dollars to repair
a concrete and to extend the bridge's life following decades
of saltwater damage.
Speaker 2 (41:40):
Thirty million dollars. Just think about how much it cost
to build anything now, in terms of a rod or
a bridge. How can we afford to build anything?
Speaker 3 (41:49):
And it couldn't come soon enough.
Speaker 18 (41:51):
There's only two ways you can get on and off
the island now too that the bridge or by boat
and boot.
Speaker 2 (41:57):
The man speaking on television looks like Joe wall sho
of the Eagles, a lot.
Speaker 18 (42:02):
Harder than the bridge. But the main thing is is
you leave mobile on that side of the bridge and
then you pick it back up when you leave the island.
So bridge is a major function of the island.
Speaker 3 (42:13):
The city says it's the biggest project since the original
bridge was destroyed by Hurricane Frederick back in nineteen seventy nine,
and that's something that residents here don't want to experience again.
Speaker 18 (42:22):
That leads only one way on and off the island,
and that was by boot. I don't know if the
ferries were running then, but most people just launch at
Fowl River and come down. And if you live on
the island, you didn't have a choice, you know, if
you had to get back and forth.
Speaker 3 (42:40):
That's why the city wants to repair the bridge now
before any major issues. But with any work, you can
expect lane shifts and daily closures. We spoke with Offin
not only Marria, Jeff Collier. Mary Carter says he's asking
residents and visitors to be patient while work takes place.
And once again he's asking for that patience because it's
gonna take a long time for those work to get done.
Thee as the completion date to be around twenty twenty nine,
(43:02):
but the city says, don't worry. They will actually stall
some of that construction during some major events here on
the island, things like the fourth of July.
Speaker 2 (43:10):
Of course, wow, all right, twenty twenty nine. I'm reaching
that age where I now wonder will I live to
see certain projects get finished. It's just so twenty twenty
nine for the Dolph Lina Bridge thirty million dollar project.
I wonder what it'll really end up costing. All right, look,
go to take a time out, and then there's more
Uncle Henry Show. Let's go ahead and take the break.
(43:56):
That says the Uncle Henry Show. Here on news Radio
seventy ten. W we have news headlines coming up in
ten minutes. Before we get to the news headlines, I
have a few more news items that I missed that
I need to catch up on so I can learn
and stop being as ignorant as I am. There have
(44:19):
been lots of news items locally and nationally about immigration
raids trying to get the people here illegally to leave
the country, and this has upset the homebuilders in the
state of Alabama. I think Lanyap, the Landyap newspaper, has
covered this. Here's a news story from w AFF in Montgomery,
(44:42):
a stepsister station of Fox ten. They have heard from
the Alabama Homebuilders Association that does not like the fact
that immigration law is being enforced. So let's listen. They
say that the home building industry being hard hit int Alabama.
Speaker 19 (45:01):
Builders all over the state are seeing their Hispanic workforce
making a mad dash out of the area with fears
of deportation. That's causing major problems on the ground level.
The vice president of the Homebuilders Association of Alabama says
this isn't just undocumented immigrants either leaving our state. He
says job site raids that have happened in other parts
(45:22):
of the state are scaring away skilled documented workers. WAFA
forty eight. Nick Ballinger has our story.
Speaker 6 (45:29):
Labor shortages have been affecting Alabama homebuilders since the pandemic. Now,
state leaders in the construction industry say federal immigration policies
have been making an even deeper cut at those numbers,
so many of them in a With ice job site
raids happening across the state, like one in Mobile in June,
many Hispanic builders are just leaving. Executive vice president of
(45:52):
the Alabama Homebuilders Association, Russell Davis, says it's caused a
dramatic change after twenty years of growth in the state's
Hispanic work I spoke with the homebuilder who's in charge
of many new constructions here in Huntsville, and although he
doesn't want to go on camera, he did tell me
over the past couple of months he's lost.
Speaker 2 (46:09):
Doesn't want to go on camera.
Speaker 6 (46:11):
Many subcontracted workers who are here in this country legally,
and he says he's not just losing laborers either, he's
losing workers with very specific skills.
Speaker 20 (46:20):
We've got some just artisan craftsmen that are now fantastic
brick masons and tile setter. Let's say a brick mason
that is one of our members and here perfectly legal,
but he has a crew, and two or three of
them may not be legal. Sometimes they're ken to them,
(46:40):
and so they.
Speaker 2 (46:41):
All leave.
Speaker 6 (46:44):
Kneeling down a building team. Maybe the least of Alabamian's worries.
Speaker 20 (46:47):
Lay's a big gap in the availability of labor, the
scheduling of the labor, the cost of labor.
Speaker 6 (46:55):
Less workers means longer, more expensive new builds, which is
why Davis says something has to change, and.
Speaker 20 (47:01):
We would love to see a situation where we could
establish a visa that work visa for those folks that
are trying to make an honest living.
Speaker 19 (47:10):
It was our nick balancer reporting. Davis says the Home
Building Association has been trying to find a solution to
the shortage. The Madazon Honey chapter offers a home building
academy that so far has graduated six hundred people to date.
Speaker 2 (47:24):
Oh okay, well that's nice. A home building academy that
would have been nice. I would I'm sure you, as
a listener would have preferred that I'd gotten into that
years ago. Who knows, I might have had a wonderful
career for instead of coming into radio if I'd gone
to a homebuilding academy. Well, I'm glad that the at
(47:45):
least the guy from the Homebuilders Association has some kind
of solution that he's trying to float on this. But
isn't it It's interesting that enforcing the law, enforcing federal
law is causing a problem, and they're saying, these people
are leaving the state of Alabama. But are they going
(48:07):
to because I believe federal law is being enforced in
other states as well. Are we the only state that
this is happening in? All right, Well, be curious to
see what happens over the next few years in Washington,
d C. In terms of reforming immigration. You may remember,
(48:30):
as I do, this has been a topic for a
couple of decades. I can remember people fighting about this viciously,
not physically, but verbally viciously fighting about this topic back
during the George W. Bush years, trying to figure out
what to do, fighting over just fighting over the border
(48:52):
and fighting over all the people coming in illegally. This
has been going on for years and years and years.
Doesn't ever seemed to the BALLD, doesn't seem to move
in one direction very far, doesn't, at least until Donald
Trump decided to actually enforce the law. So one of
the things that I'm really shocked by is that we
haven't had We've had protests in LA for example, and
(49:17):
around some ice facilities in the country, But back when
w was president, there were tens of thousands of people
in the streets rallying on this topic, especially West Coast.
That hasn't happened under Trump. And I'm very curious as
(49:40):
to why we haven't had those giant because back when
they were talking about this, back during W there were
gigantic protests that were pro immigration. We haven't seen those.
I'm curious as to why not. Is it a lack
of money to fund it, to fund the protests. I
don't know. All right, Look, I'm out of time for
(50:02):
this segment and this entire Uncle Henry's show. Thank you
for listening to the show. Whatever your purpose has been,
I appreciate your listener. Whod I do. As they say
in Sirland, have a good one, and as they say
in Theodore, take it easy
Speaker 14 (50:23):
All right later
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