This web site is 100% non-political but in 2 weeks time (June 1st,  2010) the good people of Baldwin County will be voting for the County Commissioners that they want to represent them for the next 4 years.

In order to get their views on the TimberCreek Service Road issue the following was sent to the Baldwin County Commission Candidates:   Frank Burt, Daniel Dyas, David Ed Bishop, Bob James, Tucker Dorsey, Wayne Gruenloh, Will McDaniel, Al Mullek, Charles Gruber & Ollie Daw.

Any replies that have been received are reproduced unedited and in the order they were received - any links to web sites were provided by the candidate and this is not meant as any sort of endorsement by the owners of this web site.

Dear County Commission Candidate,

Fact:      On April 20th 2010 the Baldwin County Commission voted 3-1 to cancel Project 0202408 which was to build an I-10 service road between US 98 and State Road 181.  Voting in favor of the cancellation were Commissioners Bishop (proposer), Gruber and Gruenloh; the only vote against was from Commissioner Burt.  Cal Markert, County Engineer, was present in the room when the project was cancelled.

Fact:      It has since come to light that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not been informed of the decision and in fact the County Engineering Department has been spending tax dollars in actively pursuing the Section 404/401 permit for the service road in its entirety, not just the on-off ramps required for the I-10/CR13 interchange.  The reason?  Mr. Markert is quoted in the Baldwin Press Register: "so if you all go back and change your mind and go ahead with the project, I wouldn't have to go back with the permit process and start all over."      Source: http://blog.al.com/live/2010/05/baldwin_beach_express_delayed.html

Fact:      The Republican primary for County Commissioners is on Tuesday June 1st 2010.  As there are no Democratic nominations this is effectively a vote for the Commissioners who will serve Baldwin County for the next four years.

My Opinion:        Once the commissioners are safely installed for four years, how likely would they be to listen to public opinion over commercial developers who have potentially contributed to their campaign funds?

Questions for the Candidates:

1.      If elected, what would be your position if the service road project were resurrected?

2.      What is your opinion on the actions taken by the County Engineering Department after the project was cancelled?

3.      In the last 2 years, have you received any campaign funds from parties that would have an economic gain from having the service road and any associated commercial development in the TimberCreek sub-division?

4.      Do you have any other relevant comments for the voters of TimberCreek?

5.      Do you have a web site promoting your campaign that you would like a link from our web site?



Response from Ed Bishop (5/18/10)

1.       My position on the service road is what it is, i.e, “discontinued”.  I will not be trying to revive it.

2.       I think county engineering should assist ALDOT with the interchange and work to improve the drainage on D’Olive Watershed.  I believe Daphne or Spanish Fort should be concerned with the  property as it is in their jurisdiction.  The County was acting as a third party on the service road because of numerous parties requesting that we be involved.

3.       Several years ago the county was asked to get involved, initially by Bass Pro Shop,  the City of Daphne, the City of Spanish Fort, Mobile Infirmary, and Timber Creek Land Company.  For what I knew, there were no citizens opposing the project,  and I thought everyone supported the plan.  I always thought that all parties wanted this road.  I did receive contributions from some I don’t know  and from one I do know, as well as people who are opposed to the road.  None of this has  affected my decision once I heard all the story from all citizens.
 
David Ed Bishop


Response from Wayne Gruenloh (5/19/10)

thank you for your email. i would be happy to respond to your questions or meet with the good people of timbercreek in person to express my thoughts and answer other pertinent questions.

1. as to the service road, my current position will not change based on the election. i have no intention to resurrect the project. i consider this project a municipal project at this time. as a commissioner, i certainly will be willing to assist the cities in any reasonable way. for this project to be brought back to the table, it will be the result of the cities of spanish fort and daphne asking the commission to assist them in developing a plan that is satisfactory to all concerned, including the citizens of timbercreek. i do believe we need the interchange and will be working with the state to move ahead with the initial plans for the trumpet design. i do not expect the state to remove the funding for the interchange as some have suggested. they also recognize the need for the interchange.

2. the permitting process started sometime prior to the county actions last month. the state requested that we allow the permitting process to continue as is, since it would work for both interchange designs. there was not, in my opinion, an effort to continue on with the service road project but continue with the interchange project.

3. my campaign contributions are reflected on the forms i have filed and are available at the probate court section of the county website. i did receive a contribution from mitchell & company. i believe at least one of the principals of this company is a part owner of the company that owns the golf course. however my opinion on the service road is as stated above and will not change. i am not aware of other contributions. but if you review my contribution list and see other relationships that i am not aware of , i would appreciate your notifying me.

4. i would appreciate the opportunity to discuss further my position in person, if possible. i want everyone to be clear of my position and not feel that i am being less than honest and candid.

5. my campaign website is www.wayneforbcc.com

if i can provide further information of clarification please dont hesitiate to contact me.

wayne


Response from Will McDaniel (5/23/10)

Ian,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to your questions.
 
The current County Commission stopped the project and due to the current economic situation, I don’t see the need to resurrect it.  I believe the cloverleaf @ County Road 13 and Interstate 10 is a good project that I would support.  As for the service road, the cities of Daphne and Spanish Fort need to handle it with the local citizens
 
I would like to meet with Cal Markert to discuss why tax payer dollars are being spent on a project that has been stopped.
 
I am running a completely grass roots campaign. I have not received any contributions from anyone connected to this project in any amount
 
The citizens of TimberCreek and Daphne have shown that they are not in favor of this project.  The County has spent enough of taxpayer dollars to study the project and voted not to do it.  I consider the project over.  When elected, I would be more than willing to meet with the citizens of TimberCreek, Daphne and Spanish Fort to discuss this project or any other items of interest.
 
 
www.willmcdaniel2010.com

Sincerely
Will McDaniel