Mayor Robinson was kind enough to answer all the questions we didn't get to ask him during the live Q&A session. His responses to those questions are included below the CoverItLive replay box.

Live Blog Extra!

We ran out of time during the live blog to ask Mayor Robinson all the questions asked by readers. However, the mayor was kind enough to answer those questions after the live session ended. His responses are included below. Thank you to everyone who participated!

[Jim Williams] -What is the status of the Ladiga Trail spur into McClellan? Who is for it and who is opposed to it? How long will the grant money be available for Anniston to use for this project? gene robinson: the city is still trying to negotiate with railroad for the right of way to finish ladigw trail to multi-modal . george monk 2 years back did not send letter to r.r. thus ending city's rights to this negotiation . we have written senator Shelby and have talked to artur davis , asking both to help us in this re-opening process . for the future of eco-tourism and biking in our city I hope someone cah get to them . cross fingers , but know I want give up !

[Jim Williams] -What is being done about the growing number of derelict commercial properties in Anniston? Especially along Quintard? gene robinson: the financial crisis that overwhelmed the country has driven off most development . we are in a period when we are getting city ready for when the developers do come back . Anniston will be ready . next year we will create a developmental authority which will deal with south quintard .

[Jim Williams] -What is the Council doing, or has already done, to make Anniston a more attractive place to do business? gene robinson: besides future dev. Authority we are upgrading to put it mildly the city's website . the new website will be business friendly and will seek business from u.s. and foreign companies .

[William] -I understand that the City's web site is being updated but there is no info on t he web site stating that it is being updated(it just looks ignored) or the completion date of upgrade. So when is the estimated date of it being back online? gene robinson: the colorful , informative city website is almost ready . tentative date was by june 1st but surely by august 1st it will be up and running . hold on to your hat when it does go live it is going to be spectacular [ or better be ! ]

[concerned ann resident] -Mayor Robinson- What does the City of Anniston plan to do to improve our school systems in the city? If you had school age children, would you send your child to Anniston City Schools? gene robinson: unless the citizens won't to return to a mayor and council form of government , our system now limits what our council body can do ! our main function in this equation is to provide a steady revenue stream to the board and superintendent , which we have done through mill tax . I went to Johnson jr and Anniston high myself , so I would send my children to city schools . a person self educates himself by your own study habits . one can attend the best school in country and still not be educated, because of lack of studt habits . no body ever had to spoon feed me .

[henry] -mr mayor does western auto have any old timy rocking horses with the springs on them? gene robinson: we carry radio flyer rocking horses and ponies . use to we carried several cheaper models by hedstrom , but the bankrupted years ago , because of cheap Chinese steel .

[R. Stephens] E. 21st St. between Leighton and Blue Ridge Dr. has many sunken areas in the mid dle of the street. Sewer lines were replaced years ago and the area where the street was filled in and patched is causing the problem. The Water Dept. told me it is the City's response. to repair the street. I have made 2 calls to the Street Dept. and have received no response. What can be done to get our street repaired? gene robinson: Monday I will personally talk to public works on the sunken areas you refer to . the city have asked the utilities to repair their part of road work in a better faction , because in the past after some of their road work resulted in dips and sunken roads as you aptly described . we now monitor utility road work more than we used to .

[Anniston is my home] -Will the Completion of the Eastern By-Pass, hurt or help the downtown business section? gene robinson: business begets business !!! we need to bring retail business back to the whole city . I don't think the eastern by-pass will effect downtown business as much of not having a developmental authority in our city for the past 16 years when we funded spirit of Anniston which did........?

[Richard Garza] -Mr. Mayor, as a local Realtor, I hear time and time again that people don't want to buy homes in Anniston due to the local schools. What progress if any are being done to bring our schools up to a point where people would want to buy a home in Anniston and send their kids to local schools? gene robinson: school system directly effects the realty market as you suggest . joan frazier and the school board will make this progress in education or else ...

[Guest] -Were you sad when your heard about Mr. Jackson? gene robinson: I am always reflective when someone famous passes . I am hip enough to recognize the contributions mr. Jackson made to OUR AMERICAN CULTURE and to music industry .

[Allen Michaels] -Mayor, Given that fact that two of the commissioners resigned from the former JPA and that Ken Jonier stated yesterday that receiving the administration of McClellan was one of the worst days of his life, How can you contribute a success to creating another politician appointed authority as a step forward with McClellan? gene robinson: installing a developmental board with bankers , business leaders , professors , etc. is a far improvement than loading it with the inferior politicians and cronies that dominated the last board . you will see mcclellan develop at a logical and wholesome manner now . watch and see !

[Richard Garza] -Mr. Mayor, sometimes mis-perceptions are reality to the people. If there is a percerption of in-fighting that keeps business away. What is being done to fix this perception? gene robinson: the in-fighting is not keeping business or anything else from happening . all over the country and really the world it's the economic crisis that is prohibiting business , not the Anniston city council I think you are referring to . corruption of our corporations is what has to be addressed ! that is the real reason of the worst recession since the depression ! our council is not corrupt - I would be bellowing like a skunked hog if any were I will assure you !

[Future vision] -Do you support the City of Anniston developing a citywide comprehensive plan as a road map for all social, cultural and economic development? gene robinson: I've yet to talk about toby bennington , the city planner [ and zoner . ] he is one of if not the best planners in the state . I critize george monk at times , but his hiring of toby has to be exemplified ! toby is leading our city to new model heights and he plans and zones too .

[Nick] -Hello, Mr. Mayor. The latest rumor is that the city financial dept. is looking a t cutting the PD's merit raises, no COLA (for the 3rd year in a row, and doing away with the public safety allowance...it used to be a "Grass is greener on the otherside" mentality when people would leave us, but now the grass is disappearing. I know that things must be shifted to get in under budget, but do you think hitting employee's pockets in an already bleak time is the way to go? (I'm sure the PD cuts are not the only ones being looked at) gene robinson: danny mccullars and jarrod simmons of the finance department are two more city staffers that are doing exemplary work ! in these extra-ordinary budget times they have been very creative in keeping this city on an even keel . everyone in the future can expect changes in the way things are done . it's never going to be business as usual ever again . lots of people would love to have a city job , with even reduced benefits ! the mayor and council have yery little befits and NO RETIREMENT . better be glad you have a job . I don't have luxury of beibg able to sit around and worry about merit raises and I don't drink COLA it just makes one more thirsty try water .

[Allen Michaels] -Is there a plan to extend the sewer systems to the northern 431 corridor? Growth in this direction is dependent on it. gene robinson: sir I want to meet you and get you on a board or two or three ! you are right on about a sewer plant along 431 . we have to have it for mcclellan and 431 corridor to grow . please contact me !!!

[Guest] -Mayor, I applaud you and the other council members on your accomplishments to date. I attend the council meetings and see the progress first hand. While there is disagreements I feel you are growing as a group. I only hope Ben Little will grow with you and the council! What do you feel the city needs to do to lessen the crime in the city? gene robinson: again the council is tied up on what we can say to the police department . citizens are going to have ask the question do we want a mayor - council form of government . if I were that type of mayor I would change the police department for the better ! but as it is I can't say much now I do attend STOP THE VIOLENCE and WEED & SEED programs to counter crime . I am not just going to sit idle as some would want me to . I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT CRIME IN OUR CITY AND NOT MUCH BEING DONE ! [ can I make that any clearer ? ]

[Guest] -Are there any programs in place to help small business owners keep their doors open since we have lost so many over the past few years? gene robinson: there has been a revolving city loan for anniston businesses for up to 30,000 dollars for some years . please contact jarrod simmons of the financial department . the future developmental authority will one day manage these activities and such loans in the up coming years .

[Fernando] -How will you make a difference for anniston on economic development? gene robinson: the mayor's future role in the city's economic development will be in policy and strategic planning of the financial condition including all resources of the city . I will work close close with all the elements or departments involved in the economic authority . I will never micro-manage any person or department in this endeavor , but will work with all to assure prosperity of the future of the city for ALL .

[new junkie] -Mayor - what is your stance on a pay increase for police officers? gene robinson: pay increases for any city employee is off the table until we get through this very real , scary financial crises . anyone who thinks this is the time for a pay raise or increase of benefits ; well I just would not expect one for the foreseeable future ...

[Fernando] -What about the prostitutes and the open drug houses in Anniston? gene robinson: the prostitutes and open drug houses should be turned in to your local police and task force . call 238-1800 for Anniston police department . it is a duty of a good American citizen to do so . we have to clean up our city and this is being a good citizen ! if you don't think you got results call mayor at 236-3422 and leave a number for me to call back , should I be out of the building working elsewhere .

[guest] -Will anything be done with the burned Amsouth building on Noble? gene robinson: Old amsouth building , the worst eye sore in the city , will soon be the home of the water department on two floors with professional office space on the other floors . jim miller and Rodney owens have got it going on ! they have patiently been working on this project for some time and deserve all the accolades when the project soon starts and with the final end result ! jim and Rodney loves their city and everyone will soon know this by their brilliant planning and execution of the watertower building .

[Guest] -Tax incentives are great for new business, but what about the mom and pops who have been in the city for years. Are there any incentives for them to keep their doors open day after day? gene robinson: Mom and pop's businesses that have been the base of our business sector of the city for decades have the revolving city loan and façade grants depending on their location to tap into . I want to thank them for their business being in Anniston and should I be needed for any reason please contact me . Anniston is even going to be more pro business and BUSINESS FRIENDLY as we evolve into the future . right now everyone is trying to survive this recession . we all can help by buying in the city first , then in the county ! let's keep our money circulating in our community by buying at home !

[Guest] -What are the cities development plans for the empty industrial? gene robinson: industrial recruitment is a top priority for the city's future . we need jobs and top paying jobs at that . I am opposed to gambling and gaming industry . we need high tech industries that will provide jobs for decades to come , not gaming interest that cause more social problems . more stable jobs will reduce crime , too .

[Setsail98] -Could we not use 45 degree parking on Noble Street (like Oxford)? We would have increased parking! gene robinson: streetscape by the spirit of Anniston under barksdale was an insult to all the citizens who voted on the final configuration of the parking pattern . the majority voted for slanted parking as you suggest what did we get from barksdale and howell ? - parallel parking instead . the citens who were not listened to were right as usual ; the politicians - well they both got what they deserved ...

[Denese] -Mayor, there has been alot of publicity on the 2000 admendment to the city's council-manager act and asking the Attorney General to clarify. Upon clarification that you are indeed the city's Chief Executive Officer, what is your vision on how you wish to work with the new city manager when he/she is appointed? gene robinson: I can't say the last was the best , but I will say I believe what I have read that the meek inherit the world . denese I have received total clarification from the attorney general's office , which clearly states I an CEO of the city . it is not about power or a power struggle between the mayor , council members , or the city manager . it is about added work and responsibility for the city and it's citizens . I will now add to my daily work load to insure that the city is stable financially now and in the future . it was never about power and prestige , but about moving our city in positive direction with God and the people's interest at heart . I say " I am the last citizen , not the first ! " the meek is a reference to you and all of anniston's good and working class people - in the future you all will inherit an Anniston that is truly a model for all others to follow . God bless you and everyone else that has been involved in this innovated exercise by the Anniston Star ! Take care all !