Ralph Dawe





Candidate for Scottsboro City Council - Place 1





1. What clubs, organizations, or other activities are you already apart of on top of your careers? And how do you plan to juggle those while also working on the city council?


Response: I am currently retired. I do have a part time job of occasionally serving legal papers around the northeast part of Alabama. My service of legal papers is sporadic and usually does not take much time to do. I am a member of several law enforcement associations like the Alabama Chiefs Association, the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and the Fraternal Order of Police, however I am not an officer of any and am not required to attend conferences. I do intend to attend some conferences for training purposes, but it is voluntary. I will be able to give my full attention and time to matters concerning the city of Scottsboro should I get elected.


2. Many boards, authorities and committees that the council appoints members to often go without representation from the council. While the council and mayor do not have authority over these boards, the council should be available as a liaison. Are you willing to be available to meet with these boards as the need arises and how will you support them?


Response: I fully agree that a council member should communicate with various board members and I have every intention to do so. Some of our issues that came up during the campaign are building and zoning codes that seem to be discouraging developers or residents from building here in Scottsboro. I believe we, city leaders, could meet and have a collaborate effort to identify the problems and find solutions to any problems that may exist. I also believe that the Mayor and City Council should always support these various boards, as they are an intricate part of making our city run city smoothly. Most of these members are not paid for their time and they volunteered to serve in those various capacities, so I am absolutely supportive of all appointed board members and appreciate all the work they do.


3. Do you feel our recycling program is as efficient as it could be? Is there anything you would change? If so, why?


Response: Our recycling program failed when the contractor stopped buying our recycled items due to re-tooled machinery belonging to the contractor that would not accept the way we were packaging the recyclables. The mayor and director worked with the council to get funds to redesign the manner we were recycling. They went to other city recycling facilities for ideas and modeled a new one for Scottsboro. Funds were appropriated for buildings, vehicles and other equipment to improve the recycling process and leaving an end result of sellable recycled items. The director, mayor and the council did a good job getting it back on its feet. The recycling program saves money in the form of keeping these discarded items out of our landfill. If not, these items would unnecessarily fill our landfill and would cause us to build more landfills that are very costly.


4. The city’s annual budget exceeds 20 million dollars. Some are concerned the city may see a reduction in sales and lodging tax revenue due to the COVID-19 health crisis. As a council member, you approve the annual budget. How would you suggest the city prepare for the next budget with the potential loss of income?


Response: Well, I have been on the other side of budget issues. As police chief, I have had many years where funds were low and was asked to adjust the police departments budget so that other departments with higher priorities can receive more funding. I can say as a department head, that we simply went without and utilized the funds that we did receive in a smart and efficient way. Since the pandemic has started, the city has cut back funding as much as possible in preparation for possible short comings as a result of Covid 19. However, I have checked and discussed with members of the council and the Mayor and surprisingly our sales tax money is not far off when comparing to last year when Covid 19 wasn’t an issue. I am optimistic that Scottsboro will get through this unprecedented event financially and will continue to do well.


5. Where do you see Scottsboro in 10 years? What is your vision?


Response: In Scottsboro, the convenience of getting around town and the low cost of living was a shock to us when comparing it to Hawaii. So, we chose to make this our home and raise our 4 children in this great beautiful area with a great school system. The lake, mountains, great fishing, located in the center of two large cities of Huntsville and Chattanooga on a well-traveled corridor of Hwy 72. Scottsboro is literally is an ideal location with many resources and we should be doing all we can to attract visitors, developers and new residents. I had a dream where my wife and I could grow with this city and I hope to see that happen in my lifetime. Hopefully, I see Scottsboro getting in the game and winning in the next 10 years in the form of progress utilizing all the great amenities we have to offer.


6. As a council member, you often hear complaints from citizens, even when those complaints do not involve the responsibility of the city. Most recently, the state redesigned the ramp at the intersection of Broad Street and Hwy. 72. There are concerns by residents that this change was poorly thought and is a safety concern. How would you address the citizens’ complaints with this specific situation?


Response: I would advise the citizen that the Department of Transportation is the authority of State roads and highway design. Our political leaders are the voice between local and State government. Voicing our concern of certain designs that happen to come through Scottsboro would be the next step. As police chief, I have called many times and spoke with DOT officials of safety problems with certain highways and intersections located in Scottsboro that have led to excessive traffic accidents. They were responsive and began a study of the problem area to find solutions. This does not always mean that they will come to the same conclusion as us, it is a start in the right direction and may lead to a compromised solution. I do think the concrete merging island at the Broad St. ramp is dangerous and am hopeful that the DOT is not finished and intend to improve it.


7. Some citizens have trouble obtaining a vehicle or maintaining a valid license. If elected, would you consider implementing better access to public transportation?


Response: I do realize that sometimes people lack the transportation they need to get around town to conduct their business. We do have the council on aging bus that the city and county help fund, but that is kind of reserved for elderly or handicapped people. I don’t know if a full-time transportation system is needed or if it would even be used. However, I am open-minded and if there is a need maybe we could apply more funding to the council on aging bus and make its transportation service available to everyone. Or, I would certainly entertain a private business to set up a small taxi service if the market is truly there and this person is willing to provide the service.


8. When it comes to being a council member, your ability to recruit industry and jobs is limited, however, a council member’s voice and involvement may be pivotal in assisting the mayor and other organizations at recruiting needed jobs and other commercial establishments. How would you support and assist these goals?


Response: I would be involved and help in any way possible. I would love to be right there with them brain storming and thinking out of the box to bring any legitimate business, industry or neighborhood development to Scottsboro. We all need to be involved and I think the more excited that we are the more excited the prospective business, industry or developer would be to make their decision to come here. We have to sell ourselves and we have to do it professionally and do it well. We have to show them what we have to offer and all the beautiful amenities that would be available to them. Our schools, city services, public safety, the lake, mountains, golf courses and our people.


9. If elected, what would you do to support the live broadcast of council meetings via live stream or social media platforms, such as Facebook, in support of transparency and government awareness for citizens who cannot attend meetings?


Response: I am fully supportive of having the council meetings live streamed. I think this would be a great way for people to get involved with their city and know what is going on. Many people that I have spoken with on the campaign trail have no idea what’s been going on so they listen to rumors that are sometimes wrong or exaggerated. I think that it is important that our citizens and our government have an open-door policy of communication and this would be a great way to start. Many other cities have live streaming and it seems to work well for them. Transparency is important to me and our citizens.


10. Main Street Scottsboro, the Commercial Development Authority and Downtown Redevelopment Authority have started making progress in the revitalization of the downtown area. The city has contributed, as well as local businesses and organizations, in this success. Would you be supportive of these projects and how?


Response: I am and will continue to support these efforts to revitalize our downtown area. It is and will always be the hub or heart of our community. Downtown is one of the first places that prospective businesses or developers visit. They go to city hall for information or meetings and the courthouse for records so the downtown area should be the best it can be and we should continue the great work that we have started.




Greg Mashburn





Candidate for Scottsboro City Council - Place 1





1. What clubs, organizations, or other activities are you already apart of on top of your careers? And how do you plan to juggle those while also working on the city council?


Response: I am active in First Baptist Church and will continue to be. I have only missed one meeting since joining the council in 2018. I will always prioritize as needed for the citizens of Scottsboro.


2. Many boards, authorities and committees that the council appoints members to often go without representation from the council. While the council and mayor do not have authority over these boards, the council should be available as a liaison. Are you willing to be available to meet with these boards as the need arises and how will you support them?


Response: The council is always to be a liaison with any issues to move forward. I will always be willing and able to address any issues and offer support.


3. Do you feel our recycling program is as efficient as it could be? Is there anything you would change? If so, why?


Response: The recycling program is in the beginning steps. We have just received a 146,500 grant, providing needed funding for future improvements. I am very proud of where we are in relation to where we started. I believe a program can always be more efficient and we always will search for those ways to be more efficient.


4. The city’s annual budget exceeds 20 million dollars. Some are concerned the city may see a reduction in sales and lodging tax revenue due to the COVID-19 health crisis. As a council member, you approve the annual budget. How would you suggest the city prepare for the next budget with the potential loss of income?


Response: The council present and past has been preparing for the unknown for years in coordination with the city's financial director. We have money in reserve to cover a potential short fall. The overall sales tax has recovered and actually up but there is a shortfall in lodging tax that will we be covered.


5. Where do you see Scottsboro in 10 years? What is your vision?


Response: I would certainly hope the service road from county park to Hwy 35 is completed. It would greatly impact all property owners and solve the traffic issues around our main intersection. I would expect for there to be some major industries locating in Scottsboro. I expect to see the downtown area to be full of thriving businesses. I also see Goose Pond developed into a major attraction for the entire area.


6. As a council member, you often hear complaints from citizens, even when those complaints do not involve the responsibility of the city. Most recently, the state redesigned the ramp at the intersection of Broad Street and Hwy. 72. There are concerns by residents that this change was poorly thought and is a safety concern. How would you address the citizens’ complaints with this specific situation?


Response: We as a council can't be afraid to get involved and ask questions whenever this arises. I have had questions about the highway safety project since the beginning. When this came to me, I called our council president and asked for a meeting with our state officials, business owners, fire and rescue officials. I felt like we had to sit down and express our concerns with the design engineers and state officials and work out a plan. We couldn't just take their word it would work. I was promised it would be addressed and I feel like it will.


7. Some citizens have trouble obtaining a vehicle or maintaining a valid license. If elected, would you consider implementing better access to public transportation?


Response: The city actually appropriates $46k to the county each year to cover a driver and benefits for transportation. If there is a need to look at more transportation we would need to address that issue with the county to see if they could provide more transportation


8. When it comes to being a council member, your ability to recruit industry and jobs is limited, however, a council member’s voice and involvement may be pivotal in assisting the mayor and other organizations at recruiting needed jobs and other commercial establishments. How would you support and assist these goals?


Response: The council assists in helping the commercial development authority, industrial development board, Jackson county EDA, and DRA. We always assist in any way possible involving commitments for businesses locating in Scottsboro. I do believe we need to support industry first and foremost because if you grow industry almost all small business will follow and will be supported thru that corridor.


9. If elected, what would you do to support the live broadcast of council meetings via live stream or social media platforms, such as Facebook, in support of transparency and government awareness for citizens who cannot attend meetings?


Response: Absolutely, I believe all meetings should be available for public viewing at all times.


10. Main Street Scottsboro, the Commercial Development Authority and Downtown Redevelopment Authority have started making progress in the revitalization of the downtown area. The city has contributed, as well as local businesses and organizations, in this success. Would you be supportive of these projects and how?


Response: Yes, our downtown area has been on a downward swing for a long time. Thru funding and the continued hard work of these organizations it has made tremendous strides in the betterment of Scottsboro. I would continue supporting these efforts in any way especially placing funding efforts as top priority.