At the February 24th Calhoun County Commision a vote was held on two expired board seats for the McClellan Development Authority (MDA). The seats were three year terms held by Freemen Fite and Bill Robison. During the vote both men were replaced by Sara Pritchett and Jamie Jordan respectively. The vote was unanimously passed. During the public comments portion of the meeting MDA Director Julie Moss, spoke as previously reported by the Calhoun County Journal. Her statements were to share her disappointment in the commission for putting politics over what is best for the region. She stated she emailed requesting that Bill Robison’s term be extended and was ignored. Mr. Robison also made this request and was ignored. She stated that the MDA was founded because of mismanagement with the previous JPA and the MDA was founded to be a nonpartisan group. There was no consideration to members who are heavily involved in large projects. After the meeting was concluded the Calhoun County Journal spoke with each Commissioner regarding the statements and the vote. 
Commissioner Carolyn Henderson stated that she wanted a woman on the board. She thinks it is time for a woman and that is the best thing they can do. She went on to say Mr. Robison has been great and she appreciated all his years experience, but she really thinks it is time to put a woman on. “You never know when another board member will have better ideas and being a woman, women come up with great ideas all the time.”
Chairman Commissioner Lee Patterson added there was no representation from the north end of the county and they wanted to bring in some representation from that area.
Commissioner Hess felt it had already been summarized that they wanted some input from the north end of the county to encompasses the whole county and not just one area.
Commissioner Shears said that he stands with his fellow commissioners. He went on to say that “Bill has been great and has done a great deal of good for decades and we appreciate what he has done as well as what Freeman Fite has done, but these are three year terms and sometimes new blood comes in.” He stated again he stands by his fellow commissioners.
Commissioner Wilson stated he had no comment.
Julie Moss spoke directly with the Calhoun County Journal and wanted to go into more detail on her position and what she said at the meeting. She explained that she felt she needed to speak and go there because this is the second time that the commission has done this. “What they are doing is not in the best interest of the MDA or the region because it is making it harder for us to get the job done by removing key members.” She did state that she has no issues with the new appointees. She doesn’t know them and she is always excited to work with women. ‘This isn’t about the new members, it is about the commission choosing personal agendas over what is best for the county and region.” She also said there are “several board members that are intricate to major projects and to remove them with no care is hindering the continuation of the projects.”
The MDA was founded to redevelop the former Fort McClellan. This redevelopment includes residential, commercial, industrial, and research and development. This is a big section of Anniston and the county and they are tasked with doing what is best for the whole county and for all citizens. They have to take all requests and judge how it effects all.
Ms. Moss also felt the need to address where the issue arose with the commission. A letter of intent was sent to the MDA for a 930 acres to use for the horse trails. This land was given to the county for $1. The MDA helped pay for the plan design and granted the easement for water and electrical. A secondary request was made for an additional 700 acres. This request was not accompanied by a detailed letter of intent. Requests were made to the county to determine the exact use other than “horse trails.” No specific miles were given or intent for use or structures. She also went on to say she is a big supporter of the Back County Horseman of America; however, because the usage was defined as horse riders only. This would prevent hiker, bikers, and nature lovers from using the property. “We have to look at the best usage for the whole community. The MDA offered the commission less acreage the response from the commission was “This doesn’t fit in with the vision we had.”
Vice-Chairperson Jim McClellan stated . “I’m very disappointed the County Commission has not reappointed Bill Robison and Freeman Fite with their years of important work at the MDA. It appears the county has issue with the way the MDA has voted on certain county requests. The MDA has consistently acted and voted in the best interest of all Calhoun County citizens.”
Ms. Moss went on to credit Bill Robison and Jim McClellan for the county getting the original 930 acres. She said “they made it happen. For the MDA to work the board has to be efficient and passionate. There cannot be political pressure. There can be no personal agenda or agenda from the person appointing a board member. What the commission is doing is devastating the purpose of what the MDA is trying to do.” Bill Robison was a board member for roughly nine years per Chairman Patterson and was also treasurer this last term per Ms. Moss. A representative at the MDA clarified that Mr. Robison was appointed in 2018 not nine years ago. Ms. Moss added that Mr. Robison’s position as treasure was voted on by all the board members. “His absence will be a big hindrance to the the MDA.” She also says that she and other members were told that if they didn’t do what was expected of them they would be removed and now that is happening. She shared that she has been told by a commissioner that her opinion didn’t matter. “The commission’s actions are personal and not in the best interest of this board, this county, or this region.”
We also had the opportunity to speak with Chairman Lee Patterson after the meeting and he wanted to provide more details as well. He explained that the county has had issues with liability on the horse trails with interactions between horse riders and bikers and walkers. Because of this, the horse-trails must be be exclusively for horse riders. He also wanted to say that the commission has also complied with all information requests and any report stating otherwise is false. He again stated that both Freeman Fite and Bill Robison are good men who have been tireless workers for the county. “This decision wasn’t to hurt them, but a board can’t be strong because of one or two members. A board has to be strong because of all its members.” He also pointed out that the MDA bylaws require diversity and currently there are no women on the board. “What can these new members bring from a women’s perspective? We as the commission are doing what is best for the county by fostering diversity and representing the entire county. This was about one member. Every member brings something to the table. Mr. Fite had a great vision for the bike trails yet only Mr. Robison’s replacement seems to cause anger. We are always sorry when people are disappointed with the decisions we make, but we are tasked to represent the whole county. We are elected to do what is best for all. That is what we did and what we will continue to do.”
