Council president, mayor address citizens' group's request

“Disappointed” is the way Turner Townsend described letters read by Enterprise City Council President Al Miller and Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell at a council work session at noon Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Townsend, representing a non-partisan, non-profit group that promotes transparency, participation and collaboration between the city’s elected officials and the citizens of Enterprise, attended the work session which came on the heels of a council meeting Sept. 1 during which Reid Clark asked the council for a joint meeting between the council and “Take Back Enterprise.”

“We’re disappointed that they are not willing to meet with us,” Townsend said. “We are pleased that it appears that they are at least listening to us a little bit,” he said, referring to Boswell’s request during the work session that Communications Director Jason Wright research financial transparency software.

“We’re going to keep beating our drum for more open communications,” Townsend said. “It's a fairly simple thing that we are asking for, which is transparency.”

Miller began the work session by reading his statement in response to Clark’s request. “I have been researching his questions, and ‘Take Back Enterprise’s’, and this is my response to it,” Miller said, clarifying that he was speaking only on behalf of himself. “Since 2005, we have had over 350 public meetings. Even when we are not required to hold public hearings, we have held them to inform the public.”

Miller noted that many municipalities hold meetings at 9 or 10 a.m. but that the Enterprise meetings, held at 6 p.m., are accessible to the working public.

Miller said that the council had been approached about adding more information to the city’s website and had taken action to provide it. “This is an example of how we work,” Miller said. “We have a system in place and I think anyone can see from the growth and progress of this city, what we do works.

“We are as open and transparent as you can be,” Miller said. “When this group (Take Back Enterprise) challenges us with these issues, they challenge the men and women who work for this city and that is not fair.

“When a group calls itself ‘Take Back Enterprise,’ that says a lot about the group’s intent,” Miller added. “They say they are serious about issues in the city. We take all the issues of this city very seriously.”

Miller noted that through “city generated funds and efforts,” the city has invested approximately $100,000,000 into the school system since 2008, none of which the school system has to repay. “Our city has over 25 percent growth, has one of the lowest unemployment rates of any city in Alabama, has a good credit rating, is consistently at or near the top of every survey that is taken statewide regarding standard of living and continues to attract business and industry.

“To address the question of a public meeting, I can only speak for myself but I see no reason to meet with this group in a public forum,” Miller said. “I feel that nothing good will come of it based on what I have read about this group to this point.

“I do not see how it can produce positive results for our city,” Miller added. “I can only see it creating division.”

Councilman Tommy Johnson thanked Miller for his remarks, adding that he concurred with them and did not think a joint meeting would be productive.

Councilman Kirk Donaldson agreed a joint meeting would be counterproductive

Councilman Bill Cooper said the citizens in his district were happy with conditions in the city.

Councilman Rhett Marques noted that many of the citizens involved in “Take Back Enterprise” resided in his district and that he would continue to dialogue with them about their concerns.

Boswell also distributed copies of his written response to the “Take Back Enterprise” request to council members and media representatives present. “I would warn ‘Take Back Enterprise’ that we are currently working with, and are currently in discussions with, prospects that are interested in locating in our city,” Boswell said. “One of the biggest things that they look at is how the government works, how they get along and how the community gets along.

“I will also tell ‘Take Back Enterprise’ to be very careful, because we have prospects that are visiting our community and we have some that are currently looking,” Boswell said. “In economic development, once a prospect leaves, they sit back and watch a community to see if it is a good fit for them.

“They observe, read and keep up with various platforms such as television media, newspapers, blogs and social media,” Boswell continued. “So I would warn against this group, or any group that is trying to create any division or ill will in this city, you could potentially hinder growth in the greatest way you ever have.

“We are still working and there are hopefully some good things on the horizon for this city,” he said. “Even for the very near future.”

The next meeting of the Enterprise City Council is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15.