Bright Jaxon discuss economy

By Tiffiny Woo

Published: September 29, 2008

Alabama Congressional District 2 candidate Bobby Bright met Thursday with Mayor Jay Jaxon to discuss Eufaula’s economy.

The meeting was held at the former Wellstone Mills facility located on U.S. Highway 431 South.

The plant closed in 2007, resulting in the loss of approximately 220 jobs for area residents.

Bright pointed to what he called the recent “meltdown” on Wall Street as a sign that the nation’s economy is hurting.

“But while we’re bailing them (Wall Street companies) out, we need to remember there are communities like Eufaula that need help, too,” said Bright. “Let’s look at the little businesses like Wellstone. We need to do what we can to help them, too.”

The loss of 220 jobs for an area like Eufaula is especially painful, Bright said.

Bright, who is currently the mayor of Montgomery, described himself as a “public servant” not a politician.

“Politicians do make a lot of promises,” he said, when asked what Eufaulians can expect to see from him if he is elected to Congress. “I’m not a politician. ... I’ll be steering economic opportunities to this area; I’ll be working with Eufaula to get federal grants that we’re already taking advantage of in Montgomery.”

Speaking on how the economic crisis is impacting Eufaula, Mayor Jaxon commented on the tight budget that the city would be working with in the next fiscal year.

“As a sitting mayor, Bobby Bright has proven to be a good manager of financial resources,” said Jaxon, adding that he feels this is a quality to have in Congress. Jaxon said he supports Bright in this year’s congressional election.

Bright realizes that a small budget is just as important to smaller communities like Eufaula as a larger budget is to bigger cities such as Montgomery.

With more than 90 incorporated districts within Alabama Congressional District 2, a large portion of the constituents live in smaller communities.

Bright says he is aware of this and will be looking for opportunities to gain resources needed for communities like Eufaula.

“If I see something come through Congress, I can relate to how it can help a community like Eufaula and know where to go to resolve issues they face,” said Bright.

“That being said, I don’t believe in pork barrel projects. I do believe in getting the resources needed to improve and meet the needs of a community.”

Bright stated that he enjoyed his day in Eufaula, visiting with law enforcement and state employees at a barbecue hosted by Judge Burt Smithart, Orvie Locklar, James Thomas and Walter Calton, and speaking with students and parents at The Lakeside School.