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122 replies

I Miss the Shoals

F FoshaBenHall of Famer
I recently posted this on another discussion and decided it would be best on its own board.

I have some real problems with the Shoals Area trying to become a tourist attraction or a retirement community.

I left the Shoals in 2004 to go to school at UAH in Huntsville. I am just about to graduate next month, and I am dying to come back to the area to live, but I am having a terrible time trying to find decent job opportunities over there. Frankly, there are none. There's a manager position open at Arby's. Thats definately not what I went to college to be. Would you like curly fries?

My concern is for all of those of my generation. If all of the effort is placed into turning the area into a "tourist attraction" or a "retirement community" (which in my opinion will eventually seal the economic coffin of the Shoals), what will the rest of us do for work? All of my friends that were intelligent enough to go off to college have left and probably won't be coming back. And how could they? There are no jobs. Maybe the powers that be are banking they'll come back...when its time to retire.

Now, to all those that have worked hard to market this area as a retirement community or tourist trap, WHO THE HECK WANTED THAT!?!?! I have heard NONE of the citizens there ever say, "You know what we need? A golf course!" But you will not have to go very far to find someone searching for employment.

What we need are JOBS, INDUSTRY, and COMPANIES, not GOLF COURSES, BIG UGLY HOTELS, and RESTAURANTS ON A STICK.

In closing, I love the Shoals, and I want to come back, but there are some real idiots running the place. And so until somebody gets a clue, I'm stuck in Huntsville, where someone has apparently figured out how to improve the job market, instead of dousing it with cold water.
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R ryokurin 2Hall of Famer
I'm like you. Moved to Atlanta about 8 years ago. But I'm just going to say this...

You cant have jobs without a highway or interstate. Look how long its taken to finish the new bridge or to four-lane to the Tenn line off of 72. If they ever get a spur to 575 or any other interstate to the area it will be by 2040 at that point the way things move.

I won't say its idiots running the place, its people who are fine with things as they are since they have already made it.
J joeycudaHall of Famer
To Ryokurin - I totally agree. I am in HSV and you're right..it's like every year, one of the 8th grade classes is in charge of transportation planning for Florence. I can honestly get from Madison, all the way across Huntsville to the Parkway Place Mall quicker than I can get across Florence. In Florence, there's no detour around the slow traffic.

To Foshaben, I'm in Huntsville, but don't consider yourself 'stuck'.. The job market in Florence will never be that of Huntsville, with the aerospace, engineering, miltary contract related jobs.. I've got a great job for a spatial data provider and all that Florence offers is a few (mostly entry level) GIS related jobs.

I hate to be cold/analytical about it, but ties to the Shoals boils down to familiarity, as in growing up there, knowing the town; AND having family/friends there, as in a reason to live there or visit. Huntsville has some of the small city charm, much of the same southern culture, although much more diverse culturally, and it's only an hour away. I see no reason to move back..some people drive an hour to work every day in larger cities.

I still have an interest in the Shoals area, visit family every few weeks, like Ricatoni's, and have a morbid curiosity of the decline of Regency Square Mall..

I've come to the conclusion that there are few white collar jobs there, none for me, and I don't see moving back. There are idiots running the place and there likely will be for many years to come.
Z ZhukovEverybody Knows My Name
I left for Birmingham in early 2000. In 2005 I accepted a job in the IT field back in Florence so I relocated my family and moved. It was a good job but I didn't think of the job market should something happen to my job. Fast forward a year and my company was bought out and I along with many others was laid off. Needless to say I am back in Birmingham and am here to stay. There aren't enough professional jobs to lure people away. Birmingham has become my home now anyway. I just make day trips to see the rest of my family.
F FoshaBenHall of Famer
quote:
Originally posted by Zhukov:
I left for Birmingham in early 2000. In 2005 I accepted a job in the IT field back in Florence so I relocated my family and moved. It was a good job but I didn't think of the job market should something happen to my job. Fast forward a year and my company was bought out and I along with many others was laid off. Needless to say I am back in Birmingham and am here to stay. There aren't enough professional jobs to lure people away. Birmingham has become my home now anyway. I just make day trips to see the rest of my family.


Ok, next question is... How do we change this? I don't believe it is a simple act of appealing to our politicians. The economy can not, and will not be able to survive on restaurants, retail, and the service industry. How do you attract businesses? Is there anything we can do individually? I would eventually like to start my own business someday, like my Dad did over 20 years ago. Maybe what would help are some true entrepreneurs in the area to not only create jobs, but to bring industry to the area, and build the economy.
F FoshaBenHall of Famer
quote:

I won't say its idiots running the place, its people who are fine with things as they are since they have already made it.


This is probably true. They are doing fine, so there's no need to worry about the others. What is scary, though, is What happens when you do nothing? I would assume that if you stand complacent and watch everything go by, then atrophy will take hold and you will lose what you have.
J johnhaegerEverybody Knows My Name
I must add to this conversation, because I too, moved away six years ago to Nashville, after being born and raised in Florence, and graduating from UNA, and spending two years trying to find employment in Florence. I worked for two years in jobs that I was overqualified for, obviously because I didn't work at a gas station or a hotel that is on every other corner of town, or decide to build a shopping center that will sit empty because everyone goes to Huntsville, Birmingham, or Nashville to do their retail shopping. Moving to Nashville was the best thing that ever happened to me. I recently spent my vacation in Florence for seven days visiting friends and family. I couldn't wait to get back to civilization in Nashville. There is absolutetly nothing to do in Florence. The streets roll up at 10 p.m., and I'm certainly not going to spend my time sitting next to Grandpa who has fallen asleep on one of the many benches at that poor excuse for a shopping mall on Cox Creek. There are some very, very poor decisions being made as far as the future of the economy goes for the Shoals area. Why in the world wouldn't the community want to try to tap into the over 6,000 students that attend the University of North Alabama, instead of overlooking them. Take a survey and see how many of them are leaving on the weekends to go to Huntsville or Nashville to find entertainment.....that's fine, if you want your tax dollars to be spent somewhere else....you're just digging the grave deeper.
bamagurlbamagurlHall of Famer
I totally agree with everyone. I moved to California 7 years ago and loved it. I moved back to Florence not long ago. The reason for my move back is personal and had to do with family. I love so many things about this area but the economy and job outlook is horrible. It is a shame that our leaders have absolutely no vision of our future. I hope they thank God everyday that their leaders had a great vision for their future's.
J joeycudaHall of Famer
FoshaBen, I think it's a noble thought, but very unrealistic. Unless you're like Robbins, and can just dump tons of money into the town without depending on a return then forget it. Florence needs interstate access, but that's likely decades away, if it will ever happen. I can't imagine why a company would locate 1-1.5hrs from the interstate these days, unless they were offered massive incentives that Florence obviously can't/won't offer.

Maybe some lawyer will move back to Florence from the big city, buy Lauderdale Lanes, and open up a law firm in there, hoping to contribute to his struggling home town.. oh wait..that was the plot of the tv show Ed.
T S CT S COld Faithful
Good luck trying to bring industry to the area. The Shoals is not business friendly. First, the transportation infrastructure is horrible. Second, the attitudes of the people (such as: we don't want any smokestacks in our skyline) is pathetic. Do these backwards people not know that the air is filtered in those smokestacks and many times is cleaner going out then it was going in. Third, you have a city council that is about as entertaining to watch as a monkey ******* a football. Bass Pro Shops? Are you kidding me? How about a manufacturing facility? If anyone has any ideas on how to change the attitudes of a town stuck in a time warp, the please post them.
F FoshaBenHall of Famer
quote:
Originally posted by muspamaddy:
Very well said, Foshaben.

Would you object if we email your post to the Florence Mayor and each city council member?

Not saying tho, it would do any good, but would let them know what is going on in the real world.


Please do! I don't know if it will do any good, but at least one voice is heard.
F FoshaBenHall of Famer
quote:
Originally posted by muspamaddy:
Very well said, Foshaben.

Would you object if we email your post to the Florence Mayor and each city council member?

Not saying tho, it would do any good, but would let them know what is going on in the real world.


This probably needs to be seen by those at the Chamber of Commerce as well. I think they and their agencies are just as guilty as the local politicians.
J joeycudaHall of Famer
I think that part of the problem is that these city council members, local politicians, etc.. don't live in the real world, they live in Florence, but are comfortable with the way things are. They're not experiencing the same frustrations as someone wanting a factory job or a recent graduate that can't find a job in Florence. Their careers have either moved long beyond that are they are nearing retirement. They are content in the bubble they live in.
J johnhaegerEverybody Knows My Name
quote:
Originally posted by FoshaBen:
quote:
Originally posted by muspamaddy:
Very well said, Foshaben.

Would you object if we email your post to the Florence Mayor and each city council member?

Not saying tho, it would do any good, but would let them know what is going on in the real world.


This probably needs to be seen by those at the Chamber of Commerce as well. I think they and their agencies are just as guilty as the local politicians.


My guess is they're all out playing golf at the Fightin' Joe, or having a facial at the Marriot Day Spa....might want to check those two places first.
KindredKindredOld Faithful
Our leadership in each city in the Shoals have absolutely NO business sense, they live in their 'make-believe' world that everyone is happy, and nothing could be better, they do not see the young ones growing up and having to leave to make any kind of money ... nor do I think they CARE. I guess the key is for all of us still here in the Shoals to really research candidates that not only CAN, but WILL make a difference in our job opportunities...

But my neighbor had a son who went to college in Tuscaloosa, got a job as manager at an area restuarant, a chain one, and he is making about $65,000 a year... may not sound like much for someone from H'ville or B'ham, but for around here, it is pretty good... our cost of living is a little lower... or rather it WAS a little lower.
LAWGRLLAWGRLHall of Famer
I have said many times that the ONLY way we will see change around here is for the young, energetic, visionaries to run for city council. I wanted to run in Florence right up until the time I moved to Birmingham. But I am back now, and the same old problems are still here.

I know so many smart young people who would love to run for office. The problem is, who is going to vote for them? Are there enough concerned citizens to actually get out there and vote them into office? The old cronies in office now know a LOT of people through business, church, and social organizations who have their backs at election time. How do we compete with that?

By the way, I live across the river now and am not interested in running. At least not now. But I know some great potential candidates both in Florence and in Muscle Shoals.
KindredKindredOld Faithful
quote:
Originally posted by LAWGRL:
I have said many times that the ONLY way we will see change around here is for the young, energetic, visionaries to run for city council. I wanted to run in Florence right up until the time I moved to Birmingham. But I am back now, and the same old problems are still here.

I know so many smart young people who would love to run for office. The problem is, who is going to vote for them? Are there enough concerned citizens to actually get out there and vote them into office? The old cronies in office now know a LOT of people through business, church, and social organizations who have their backs at election time. How do we compete with that?

By the way, I live across the river now and am not interested in running. At least not now. But I know some great potential candidates both in Florence and in Muscle Shoals.


It seems like voting in this area is more of a "popularity" vote than what a person can actually DO for the community, and how energetic and ambitious they are...

What would you run for?
N noblessfMember
I love this topic and have nothing new to add but to simply re-instate what's already been said. I also was born and raised in Florence; I went away to college but finally settled at UNA. Finally a year after graduating and still working at my 'college job' I had to move. I'm in Atlanta now and my husband and I are relocating to start our business. Florence was a consideration but everything that's been said is reason enough. After living in a huge city for the last 7 years I really miss the Shoals but it would just be too big of an adjustment for the lifestyle I've grown accustomed to in a larger city. It is a great place to raise a family but what happens when that family gets too big for Florence??? Good luck residents! I'll stick to my visits on Holidays.
M muspamaddyEverybody Knows My Name
[QUOTE]Originally posted by LAWGRL:
I have said many times that the ONLY way we will see change around here is for the young, energetic, visionaries to run for city council. I wanted to run in Florence right up until the time I moved to Birmingham. But I am back now, and the same old problems are still here.


I agree with you Lawgrl, the only problem is finding someone willing to take on the job. We need somebody with a vision to get Florence up and going. We need youth in charge, not a retiree. BTW, I am 60, so readers, no insults.
bamagurlbamagurlHall of Famer
Getting younger people in there would be great but the older one's aren't going to allow that. The younger generation is a little more open with things (not everyone) and a little more liberal than the older generation. And they would definitely use that and anything else they could find to make you look like a complete sinner. Even alot of the organizations around here don't want younger people in them. I sent in a check to join a local organization and never heard a word. Where do we start?
Missing BamaMissing BamaHall of Famer
well, well, well (a deep subject, rather like this one)

bamagurl (and others) you're right. there needs to be younger voices in the area city councils... but good luck getting there. and should a younger person get in, good luck getting heard. methinks it would just be a giant excuse to bang your head against wall and say you're trying to contribute. my husband and i want to move back to the shoals (desperately), but with the way things are going we're starting to realize that one of two things is going have to happen. one, we're either going to live in the shoals and work in huntsville or two, we're going to live elsewhere in the south until we're of retirement age and THEN move back to the shoals because then it will be suited towards us.
i wish there were some magic-finger-snapping solution. i fear that the really unfortunate part is that for the older powers-that-be, they are just of age where they have corrupted ones younger than they such that this has become a vicious cycle.
LAWGRLLAWGRLHall of Famer
In all fairness, I have seen some progress, albeit very slow progress. Examples: legalizing Sunday sales in Florence; having multiple choices for hearing live music every night of the week; working towards getting draft beer legalized; and getting very close to changing the crazy 51% food rule in Florence (the last two thanks in a large part to Jason Brinley - a fellow visionary). The 51% food rule has always been one of my favorite what-in-hell-were-they-thinking ideas.

But we have a LONG way to go.
J johnhaegerEverybody Knows My Name
quote:
Originally posted by LAWGRL:
In all fairness, I have seen some progress, albeit very slow progress. Examples: legalizing Sunday sales in Florence; having multiple choices for hearing live music every night of the week; working towards getting draft beer legalized; and getting very close to changing the crazy 51% food rule in Florence (the last two thanks in a large part to Jason Brinley - a fellow visionary). The 51% food rule has always been one of my favorite what-in-hell-were-they-thinking ideas.

But we have a LONG way to go.


I have to agree with that wacky 51% food rule. I must say that there have been many, many fine establishments shut down or forced to close because of this rule. (Remember Calahan's, Court Street Cafe?). I worked in several restaurants while I was in school at UNA, and this rule seemed to always be the nemises of all the owners I worked for.
However, although I do see the progress you are talking about, LAWGRL, I don't see it in other places. When I visit home (Florence) I seem to notice that more stores are closing in Regency Square Mall (Remember the food court that used to be there with Wendy's and Taco Bell? Now it's full of home-owned mexican restarauants, etc. No offense to these establishments...my point here is that we can't keep chains there.) I also see it in the retail shopping centers around Florence that are vacant, or have major chains pull out of them: Pier One, Michael's, Winn Dixie, Food World, Stein Mart...the list can go on and on. Doesn't sound very progressive to me. Although, I don't understand what the problem is??? There are people from the Shoals who are willing to drive 2 and 3 hours to shop at these places, so why can't we keep them in Florence? I mean, can't we at least try to get a grocery store worth going to?

I'm concerned that one day when I bring my children back to the town that my parents, grandparents, great grandparents and even great great grandparents settled and help to develop, there will be nothing but a sea of Best Buys and Bass Pro Shops. No entertainment, no decent restaurants....nothing to be proud of....
jmbo35660jmbo35660Hall of Famer
I agree with a previous post that said the problem is the older people are running the show in this area and have already made their money. They don't care! They don't need jobs like the rest of us. I graduated UNA when I was 42 and can't get a decent job. I would relocate for the right opportunity. It's harder at this age because of other responsibilities compared to moving out of momma and daddy's house when you're 22 years old.
pepelppepelpEverybody Knows My Name
I have said it a number of times, the older, more established ones who rule this community do not want it to advance or want to bring in new people. They are threatened because they know they will be pushed aside in a heartbeat. They like being big fish in a little pond. They understand they are incompetent. They like being in power and know their days are number if Florence were to prosper. People keep voting them in because of name and connections.

We have to have new blood come in to save this town. The backward thinking is outrageous. I have read more than once the comments about outsiders and "Yankees"! That is what is killing us. Florence is going to just dry up and die if nothing is done. My children have all left. They do not even like coming back to visit. Once our children get a taste of life outside of Florence, it is hard to bring them back.

Yes, there is a major problem not having access to an interstate, but, we know the problem. That is when you go to plan "B". Don't just say without interstate there is nothing to be done. We just have to be more creative.

Sorry, I have so much more to say. I feel somewhat invisible here. It is like talking to a brick wall.

Sending one letter to the Chamber or Council will do nothing. Sending all of them may help, well, couldn't hurt. A loud, united voice must be heard. There are a number of people here that could do that. I wish they would step forward and do it. I would gladly help. This town deserves better!!!
J johnhaegerEverybody Knows My Name
quote:
Originally posted by pepelp:
I have said it a number of times, the older, more established ones who rule this community do not want it to advance or want to bring in new people. They are threatened because they know they will be pushed aside in a heartbeat. They like being big fish in a little pond. They understand they are incompetent. They like being in power and know their days are number if Florence were to prosper. People keep voting them in because of name and connections.

We have to have new blood come in to save this town. The backward thinking is outrageous. I have read more than once the comments about outsiders and "Yankees"! That is what is killing us. Florence is going to just dry up and die if nothing is done. My children have all left. They do not even like coming back to visit. Once our children get a taste of life outside of Florence, it is hard to bring them back.

Yes, there is a major problem not having access to an interstate, but, we know the problem. That is when you go to plan "B". Don't just say without interstate there is nothing to be done. We just have to be more creative.

Sorry, I have so much more to say. I feel somewhat invisible here. It is like talking to a brick wall.

Sending one letter to the Chamber or Council will do nothing. Sending all of them may help, well, couldn't hurt. A loud, united voice must be heard. There are a number of people here that could do that. I wish they would step forward and do it. I would gladly help. This town deserves better!!!


I completely agree with this. If someone here could possibly post a mailing address, or email address where we could bombard the City Council, Mayor's office and Chamber of Commerce with emails and letters, then I will be happy to do so. They can't possibly put us all in the trash, if we can start some kind of campaign. Although I don't live in Florence anymore, and probably will never return, my family still lives there and I have a deep connection with The Shoals.
LAWGRLLAWGRLHall of Famer
quote:
Originally posted by pepelp:
I have said it a number of times, the older, more established ones who rule this community do not want it to advance or want to bring in new people. They are threatened because they know they will be pushed aside in a heartbeat. They like being big fish in a little pond. They understand they are incompetent. They like being in power and know their days are number if Florence were to prosper. People keep voting them in because of name and connections.

We have to have new blood come in to save this town. The backward thinking is outrageous. I have read more than once the comments about outsiders and "Yankees"! That is what is killing us. Florence is going to just dry up and die if nothing is done. My children have all left. They do not even like coming back to visit. Once our children get a taste of life outside of Florence, it is hard to bring them back.

Yes, there is a major problem not having access to an interstate, but, we know the problem. That is when you go to plan "B". Don't just say without interstate there is nothing to be done. We just have to be more creative.

Sorry, I have so much more to say. I feel somewhat invisible here. It is like talking to a brick wall.

Sending one letter to the Chamber or Council will do nothing. Sending all of them may help, well, couldn't hurt. A loud, united voice must be heard. There are a number of people here that could do that. I wish they would step forward and do it. I would gladly help. This town deserves better!!!


You're not invisible, pepelp. I hear ya. I hear ya! Maybe we should get a group -- I mean a HUGE group -- at least 100 people -- to show up at the next city council meetings and speak our minds. I wouldn't even mind going to a Florence meeting although I live in MSC. I own a law firm in Florence, that should count for something. We need a united front.
pepelppepelpEverybody Knows My Name
Owning a law firm in Florence or even having a genuine interest in and support for Florence certainly counts! I think you would be a perfect person to contribute to this cause. We need to post the date of the next council meeting and get as many to come as we can. By watching some of the meetings on TV, I do see that they are not receptive to people speaking at the meetings, but it would be a start!
meanasasnakemeanasasnakeOld Faithful
Of course you all know that this same conversation is going on in every small town in America. Why do you wonder why it is that big cities are big? Small towns are called "small" for a reason. Not every city is going to give you everything you want. Florence has changed a great deal over the last 40 years. I remember when Cox Creek Parkways only attraction was a creek. I remember when the only Mall was Southgate, and I remember when our only restaurant was Trowbridges and Dale's. Try looking at other regional towns and cities and then give us another look. It aint New York, but it aint Corinth either.
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