Op-Ed Columns

Welcome. We're glad you came.

It's a frantic time here in Calhoun County, or so it seems. Sure, lots of folks use July as a last-of-the-summer vacation; nothing wrong with that. There probably are as many people from northeast Alabama with a Corona in their hand and Gulf Shores sand between their toes as there are people working along Quintard Avenue, but that's fine.

Those left behind — raise your hand — are only slightly jealous.

Nevertheless, Calhoun County's bubbling about our visitors — those who've come and gone, those here now, those on the way. Seems that events such as the Dixie Youth tournament at McClellan and the upcoming Woodstock 5K are quite the invitation. While July turns offices into ghost towns, it's also brought more than a few out-of-towners into our little county, so forgive us if we take a moment to preen.

We're not accustomed to being the center of attention.

Positive attention, anyway.

With that in mind, let me offer a primer on what you'll find here. Don't fret; Calhoun County's a fine place, with as many oddities and foibles as other locales. And don't buy into the well-traveled notion that residents only live here because it's close enough to Birmingham and Atlanta to offer a quick weekend escape. Sure, we've all done that from time to time, but what kind of place is that in which to live?

First thing you'll notice is there are more people here than you thought. Ever been to Anniston? Oxford? Didn't think so. Remember: Anniston's not that big, only about 24,000 people; Oxford's close behind, and gaining. Population-wise, neither is going to challenge Huntsville anytime soon.

But don't think of it that way. While here, keep track of what you do. You may stay and shop in Oxford, play in Anniston, eat in restaurants and fast-food joints all along Quintard, our main drag, or head to the Anniston Museum Complex. For some reason, you may even wind up in Jacksonville. That's more than 100,000 people, spread out over six towns and a seemingly countless array of unincorporated communities. (And if you wind up out on U.S. 431, don't confuse Alexandria with Ohatchee or Saks with Weaver. They're particular about that, rightly so.)

We're not Madison or Jefferson or Baldwin counties, but we are bigger than you think.

Oh, and don't worry about all the stuff you'll see in the newspaper. You know, city council members feuding with mayors, city council members trying to run off a city manager, mayors who won't talk to city council members, city council members — um, it's just one of 'em — who can't seem to make it to meetings because his car's in the shop or whatever this week's excuse is. (See a trend?)

We're really friendly, outgoing people.

Problem is, we're eaten up with Alabama politics. Some of our leaders are no different than the stereotype: egotistical blowhards who may have good ideas but aren't willing to compromise or show the way. So let me go ahead and apologize if you're offended. Locals have simply become accustomed to it, kind of like the neighbor who cuts the grass at 6 every Saturday morning.

A few other things: If you go to McClellan, don't ignore those ubiquitous little signs showing explosions underneath people's feet. (Remember, the Army left some bad stuff behind, and we don't have it cleaned up yet.) No, you can't tour the incinerator. No, the top floor of that 10-story building in downtown Anniston isn't supposed to look like that. If you're in Golden Springs — that's the Anniston suburb on the other side of 10th Street mountain — don't dart off on the world's largest gravel road, the (unfinished) Eastern Parkway. (Trust me on this; you'll get in trouble.) If you're on Quintard and you need a used car or a hamburger, you're in luck.

And don't be alarmed if you hear Anniston and Oxford residents get into a spirited debate over whose town is better. Remember: Like plasma, community pride runs deep here; it's no easier to convince an Oxford resident that their town isn't perfect as it is to convince an old-guard Annistonian that no longer does everything revolve around the town that Annie's family built. So don't try.

Oh, and drink our water. It's Alabama's best.

Have fun while you're here. Tell others about Calhoun County, that there's more quality here than what you find when you Google up the place. We're far from perfect, we have many of the same warts as others, and a cast of unique ones of our own, but we're improving, little bit by little bit.

We just need visitors like you to help us spread the word.