Insight

Let's make a deal: Four years can either go by in a blip, or they can seem endlessly long. Either way, those who'll be elected on Tuesday have four years to answer Calhoun County's biggest question — how to pay for the completion of the Eastern Parkway.

That's more than enough time.

To do so, the county's next generation of elected leaders must look at alternative ways to pay for the parkway. Some, such as the consortium put together by the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, have trotted out different ideas — a 1-cent sales tax with a strong sunset provision — that couldn't gain traction with the county's Montgomery delegation.

That, however, is no reason to stop trying.

Calhoun County's progressive leaders have to keep this issue front and center. They must continue to propose ways to pay for the road's completion. A toll road is the next likely option. If that plan fails, how about a strong, public-private partnership that gets the road built without having to juggle the political hot potato that is additional taxes?

Whatever the course chosen, the parkway's completion has to be at the top of the agenda for the next four years. It's time this sad story finds a conclusion.

Lead the McClellan parade: Odd as it sounds, there are many residents in Calhoun County who still haven't visited Anniston's former military base. There is a divide between those who believe in the McClellan vision and those who believe it's too far away from their lives to give it a chance.

That must change.

Say what you want about the Joint Powers Authority and McClellan redevelopment; that's another topic altogether. But in the next four years, a countywide, community spirit about McClellan must develop — and those elected Tuesday have to lead the way. They must help JPA CEO Gen. Robin Scott sell the idea that McClellan isn't a faraway world unworthy of anyone's time.

Yes, McClellan resides in Anniston, but its potential can pay immense dividends for all Calhoun County cities. (Heck, when fully on its feet its economic impact ought to reach west Georgia.) To that end, the public-relations campaign has to extend from all corners of the county and the region.

Residents often take the lead of those who hold public office. This would be the perfect place to prove that theory.

Anniston, here's your school: Let's face it; Anniston High School is a bedrock component of the city's future. No city can thrive if its high school is perceived to have overt struggles. In that vein, Anniston is no different than any other city in America.

There are many issues within Anniston's schools — some are changing, thanks to the apparent stability of Superintendent Joan Frazier — but one of the most compelling is getting all of Anniston to reconnect with the system itself. For those elected to the school board, that's a critical part of their agenda the next four years.

The sad reality is that there are those in Anniston who have stopped believing in the possibilities of Anniston's schools. They've been jaded by decades of white and class flight, of negative headlines and lessened expectations. For some Anniston residents, they've mentally moved on and believe the system is what it is.

That's no longer good enough for Anniston. The city's leaders must reinvigorate residents' interest in the system, and in the children it educates. That the system is overwhelmingly black and the city's populace is 30 percent black is only a racially tinged excuse.

From the mayor's office to the council chambers to the school board meeting room, those elected have to make Annistonians — all Annistonians — care deeply about the city's schools. There should be no higher calling for the next four years.

Adopt the Oxford mentality: Should Anniston's leaders need a city to use as a model for how to take care of its schools, they should look south. Oxford does it correctly.

Every school system has its issues; Oxford is no different. But that city puts its money where its mouth is — it pours money and sweat into repairs, renovations, additions and purchases. Oxford's schools aren't perfect. But there seems to be no controversy over the validity of spending to enhance the education of Oxford children.

Anniston doesn't have Oxford's deep pockets. But it can take on the Oxford approach and do what's right for education. Excuses aren't allowed.

Crime, crime, crime: From Oxford to Anniston, from Ohatchee to White Plains, there may not be a more white-hot topic in Calhoun County than the apparent rise in crime. Several candidates for city council seats in the county are basing much of their platform on making the streets safer. And that Anniston endured a horrific homicide rate during the first half of this year and has seen its homicide counts during 2006 and 2007 be front-page news has only fueled that belief.

In some cases, residents are fearful — and convinced that Calhoun County's towns are not safer today than they were four years ago.

If anything, that makes it imperative for those elected to make crime reduction a priority.

Of course, the question is how?

Crime is a multi-rooted tree; it has no single cause, nor does it have a single solution. From truancy to a deterioration of social values to drug sales to gang activity — not to mention staffing of police and sheriff's departments— a vast array of causes exist. Don't expect a politician elected Tuesday to immediately solve a long-term problem.

But someone elected can be the catalyst for change. That's what must happen. If funding for local police departments lags — which it does — then council members should dedicate their four years to finding an equitable solution; don't take no for an answer. If more programs for troubled teens would help, then council members are obligated to develop that option.

And no one enjoys paying taxes, but if developing a half-cent, countywide "crime tax" to help aleviate the lackluster funding for law enforcement in this county would work, then a brave councilmember should pursue it.

This is a serious issue in Calhoun County. What's expected is for those elected to turn it from a talking point to something they act upon. And quick.

Sell, sell, sell: Removing blight, reducing crime, improving schools. Good things all. But one of Calhoun County's not-so-surprising attributes is its lengthy list of musical, cultural and artistic events — all of which should be highly promoted and enhanced during the next four years.

Like athletics? There's the Cheaha Challenge and Noble Street bicycle races and the Woodstock 5K. Like music? There's the Knox Concert Series, Music at McClellan and several others, including this weekend's Rumble on Noble. Like arts? There's the Mountain Longleaf Festival at McClellan, Oxfordfest and the Mountain Echoes Festival in Jacksonville. Options abound.

Despite this county's many issues, there's no reason for those in power not to help organizers sell the idea that the music, arts and culture scenes are vibrant in northeast Alabama. Progress has been made. Imagine what it could be in four years.

Face the music: In two recent political forums, city council candidates — Larry Sims in Oxford and Stan Bennett in Anniston — complained about their cities' tainted reputations.

The blame for the municipal black eyes, according to Sims and Bennett, belongs to the news media, specifically this newspaper. Tell the good news and bury the bad is their recipe for success.

By this tortured logic, problems are fixed when swept under the rug. We'd wonder when these candidates and others who tout this line will propose blinders for every resident, so all can more easily avert their gaze.

Sorry, the evidence, particularly in Alabama, points to the exact opposite view. Ignore a flashpoint and it will eventually turn into a raging firestorm.

Public servants must confront their city's problems.

Oxford has a leadership problem, to cite one example of its challenges. Mayor Leon Smith does not play well with others. He has been at the forefront of a drive to shield public documents from the public. He has rudely dismissed members of the council.

Anniston has a leadership problem, as well. A well-voiced set of civic priorities is absent, as is a strongly coordinated growth plan. Instead, a few councilmen disguised as know-nothings squabble over the trivial.

These cities have problems. Of course, it's hard to name one that doesn't.

What's needed when new councils take office is open and honest discussion about challenges and solutions.

Politics is about setting priorities for the future course of a city. Well-orchestrated PR to sell a city's assets is fine. Whitewashing problems is not.