Two weeks ago today we introduced ourselves and our candidate, Shelia Smoot, here in a diary called Running for Congress (AL07) Our First Daily Kos Diary.
Part of the suggestions in the comments thread were for us to stay active and involved with this site and others and to not just disappear. We decided that a series of diaries to talk about our candidate and the issues important to this district would be helpful.
We are going to run an interactive campaign and ask for feedback. But today I wanted to talk about Shelia's involvement in creating the Jefferson County Greenway Commission and her views on environmental health and smart urban growth. A few issues, very connected, that are very important in the future of the Alabama 7th Congressional District as we look to make an official entry and announcement in the coming weeks.
We understand that greenway trails and other issues advocated such as light rail and developing a Brownfield site both enhance the environment and improve the lives of residents. Unfortunately, these issues havelargely been ignored in Jefferson County. For example, Mass transit in Jefferson County has been endlessly debated. A large part of the 7th Congressional District is rural and transportation into and through these areas is something that is also a major issue. Also there are a number of old abandoned industrial sites in the district that can be cleaned up.
The Greenway Projects
Here is more on the plans of the Valley Creek Trails. It is important to understand that this talks about linking pathways in Birmingham, Brighton, Fairfield, Midfield, Lipscomb and Bessemer. When you think of greenways and environmental projects like this they are not generally in these areas in this part of our county. We are talking about a part of the county that was known for the steel factory being a model of environmental health.
Shelia said
"I think people want to enjoy the outdoors and facilities like the Greenway trail certainly add value to the community. When finished this will give people in the Western Area the same sort of Beautiful green space that over-the-mountain areas already enjoy . It's just a win-win that adds value to both life and property."
Trinity Steel Brownfield Site
This site in Titusville is considered a Brownfield Site because it was an abandonded, idle site. While many advocated for a Wal-Mart to come in and develop this site, Smoot said there could be other mixed-uses for this site.
'I'm asking you to look beyond the surface for a change,'' she said. ''That site is a lot better than you're giving it credit for.'' --
We understand that just bringing in a big boxed retailer are not always in the best interest of a community. More mixed-use projects would provide more value to this project. Shelia understood that and did not allow a Wal-Mart to simply come in when other uses would have provided more long term value that are better to the overall grown of a community.
Ultimately, Wal-Mart decided not to pursue this opportunity in part because of her opposition to the proposed use of this site Unfortunately, the weakening economy has since dampened other opportunities that had been explored that would promote smarter and more progressive Urban growth.
Here are just a few examples of things that Shelia did in terms of promoting green development while on the Jefferson County Commission. She understands that the entire 7th Congressional District will benefit from these ideas and some of the public-private partnerships that have been pursued. She also understands not all growth is good if it is not pursued from a smart and progressive urban growth model.
Thanks for letting us visit again and talk about some of what we have done and how this is important in electing someone who will be committed to good progressive growth in the Alabama 07 Congressional District.
We would certainly appreciate any contributions to the campaign or certainly any comments or suggestions.