Kudos to the mayor.
By marking his signature Tuesday, Anniston’s mayor became one of the latest people to buy in to the chamber’s effort to transform Calhoun County’s message from one of negativity and turmoil into one of camaraderie and teamwork. That Anniston’s mayor — whose sparring with Anniston’s City Council has reached epic proportions — publicly signed on to the pledge is a point that shouldn’t be missed.
Of course, we wonder how the mayor melds his Citizen’s Code commitment with his call last week for several councilmen and the city attorney to resign.
In essence, the code asks county residents to be nice, support local businesses and respect the opinions of others. It’s not legally binding; the chamber can’t fine a rogue card-signer if they take the pledge and then act like an Anniston councilman on a bad day.
It’s the spirit of the effort that counts. Someone in this county — particularly in Anniston, where political turmoil rains from the clouds — had to turn off the negativity bubbling up on our streets, and the chamber has tried to assume a commanding role.
We’ll see if Robinson upholds the commitments on his card. Likewise, we’re wondering if the mayor’s fellow politicians will follow his lead.
What about Oxford Mayor Leon Smith? It’d be good to have the omnipotent seven-term mayor on board.
What about Jacksonville Mayor Johnny Smith? A mayor musn’t face political turbulence to endorse the Citizen’s Code.
What about Weaver Mayor Garry Bearden and that city’s combative council? No doubt, those folks could use a dose of civility and neighborliness during their meetings.
What about the Calhoun County Commissioners? If anyone needs to be at the head of the county’s cheer line, it is those five men.
C’mon, Calhoun County politicians. Don’t be curmudgeons. Play along. Don’t be condescending of the project just for the fun of it. Be positive. Be neighborly. Be supportive. Be leaders.
Sign the card. Calhoun Countians are waiting on you to set the proper example.
