The City Of Semmes?

By Diana Lucio Reporter

While a group of community leaders are pushing a proposal to turn the community of Semmes into its own municipality...not everyone is in favor of the idea. The City Of Semmes?

Published: Thu, April 24, 2008 - 8:52 pm

Diana Lucio

The Semmes Incorporation Committee is moving forward with a plan to make Semmes into a city. "We need better representation of the fire department and the police department...if I call 911 and I have a fire at my house I need the closest fire station to get there," Said Judy Hale, a committee member.

But not everyone is in favor, like George Holland. Holland lives across the road from the Semmes Volunteer Fire Department. "If I have a fire here,I'm sure that the fire department will be over here within a few minutes to put the fire out, "Said Holland. Semmes Volunteer Fire Chief Mickey Dearmon says while they are making every effort to do so, it's the Mobile Fire Department who gets those calls first. "When Mobile's got to drive by our fire station to go on a fire and us not get the call, I mean, if that was my kid I'd have a problem,"Said Dearmon. That's why Dearmon and the rest of the committee members say "it is in the best interest of Semmes" to branch off and become its own municipality.

But many residents think the plan is too ambitious. "I don't think it could support the weight... I don't see the money here in Semmes, "Said Dalarian Kenny who lives in Semmes.
But the committee says while the community continues to grow, they could see the difference, if their tax dollars stay in Semmes."You provide the services that you're providing and the people in the City of Semmes will have a say so where the funding goes,"Said Dearmon.
The committee says Auburn University will conduct an infrastructure and revenue study with community organizations.
The Semmes Incorporation Committee plans to discuss those results along with details of their plans in a public meeting May 9th at Mary G. Montgomery High School in Semmes.
For more information on the proposal click here.

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hfloyd Says:

Sat, Sep 20, 2008 at 2:53 pm

I think the focus has turned to stopping the annexation of part of Semmes which is to be included in the future city of Semmes. In addition, you probably wont see much in the paper as they favor the Mayor’s annexation efforts. It seems that wkrg has been following this story more than the others. But you are right, residents need to take a stand and let them know we are against annexation and support a city of Semmes. I think you will see more signs against annexation throughout the proposed area.

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Alabama Patriot Says:

Sat, Sep 20, 2008 at 10:14 am

I’m still looking for all sorts of signs, advertisements, and news articles about this. I wonder if the Mobile city council has anything to do with the complete lack of visible public information?? It would be a good idea to make a major push to get all of the residents in Semmes strongly interested in forming their own city. In most endeavours of this type that affect many people, the more public you make the issue, the better off you are. The supporters of annexation love it when no one protests publicly in the news media or by placing signs on the roadways, because it makes it look like everyone has no objection to much higher living expenses in return for very few benefits. The citizens of the unincorporated areas of Mobile County need to be much more vocal about their opposition to more taxation without representation and their involuntary entry into a city that only wants to boost tourism and build up downtown Mobile for the mayor’s pet projects.Support Semmes today!

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