Skip to main content

I find it odd that no serious alternative discussion about Tuscumbia's revenue problems want to surface. The fact that the area and country have seen a economic rebound for the past 5 years along with a significant investment by an individual (Robbins) has still left the city in a "barely getting by" state.

Officials are quick to blame road closings/construction as the culprit when it is clear that the formula for Tuscumbia as as stand alone entity getting sales tax revenue is not going to improve. Serious discussions about the future of this city and Sheffield need to focus on the realities of the marketplace and how revenue generating retailers think and make decisions on where they locate - think density.

The time has come to seriously discuss consolidation and its positives. Longtime residents are quick to look at the preceived negatives while ignoring the furture positives which tie into the market realities.

Identies will not be lost with consolidation. Tuscumbia will still have a local geographic area called Tuscumbia, Sheffield will still have a local geographic area called Sheffield. The greater gain is leveraging the unique attributes of each area for the greater good and survival of the old and young (which we talk about but are not willing to make the necessary changes to keep them here).

We keep thinking that each of the cities are some great, large entity that can be self sustaining against each other. The reality is because we are a "sale tax" revenue state we can not expect Wal-Mart, Walgreens and others to be in each of the cities. It just won't happen.

As long as we still in the current mentality, we will have under paid police and other deficient government services that are key elements to attracting outsiders into our area that have much higher expectations. Outside investment will only come when we change our ways not on "wishes".
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

quote:
Originally posted by largerview:
I find it odd that no serious alternative discussion about Tuscumbia's revenue problems want to surface. The fact that the area and country have seen a economic rebound for the past 5 years along with a significant investment by an individual (Robbins) has still left the city in a "barely getting by" state.

Officials are quick to blame road closings/construction as the culprit when it is clear that the formula for Tuscumbia as as stand alone entity getting sales tax revenue is not going to improve. Serious discussions about the future of this city and Sheffield need to focus on the realities of the marketplace and how revenue generating retailers think and make decisions on where they locate - think density.

The time has come to seriously discuss consolidation and its positives. Longtime residents are quick to look at the preceived negatives while ignoring the furture positives which tie into the market realities.

Identies will not be lost with consolidation. Tuscumbia will still have a local geographic area called Tuscumbia, Sheffield will still have a local geographic area called Sheffield. The greater gain is leveraging the unique attributes of each area for the greater good and survival of the old and young (which we talk about but are not willing to make the necessary changes to keep them here).

We keep thinking that each of the cities are some great, large entity that can be self sustaining against each other. The reality is because we are a "sale tax" revenue state we can not expect Wal-Mart, Walgreens and others to be in each of the cities. It just won't happen.

As long as we still in the current mentality, we will have under paid police and other deficient government services that are key elements to attracting outsiders into our area that have much higher expectations. Outside investment will only come when we change our ways not on "wishes".



I don't think consolidation of Tuscumbia and Sheffield will ever take place until the old politicians that's held them back die out. Remember that when it comes to voting. Don't put them back in.
quote:
Originally posted by pba:
quote:
Originally posted by largerview:
I find it odd that no serious alternative discussion about Tuscumbia's revenue problems want to surface. The fact that the area and country have seen a economic rebound for the past 5 years along with a significant investment by an individual (Robbins) has still left the city in a "barely getting by" state.

Officials are quick to blame road closings/construction as the culprit when it is clear that the formula for Tuscumbia as as stand alone entity getting sales tax revenue is not going to improve. Serious discussions about the future of this city and Sheffield need to focus on the realities of the marketplace and how revenue generating retailers think and make decisions on where they locate - think density.

The time has come to seriously discuss consolidation and its positives. Longtime residents are quick to look at the preceived negatives while ignoring the furture positives which tie into the market realities.

Identies will not be lost with consolidation. Tuscumbia will still have a local geographic area called Tuscumbia, Sheffield will still have a local geographic area called Sheffield. The greater gain is leveraging the unique attributes of each area for the greater good and survival of the old and young (which we talk about but are not willing to make the necessary changes to keep them here).

We keep thinking that each of the cities are some great, large entity that can be self sustaining against each other. The reality is because we are a "sale tax" revenue state we can not expect Wal-Mart, Walgreens and others to be in each of the cities. It just won't happen.

As long as we still in the current mentality, we will have under paid police and other deficient government services that are key elements to attracting outsiders into our area that have much higher expectations. Outside investment will only come when we change our ways not on "wishes".



I don't think consolidation of Tuscumbia and Sheffield will ever take place until the old politicians that's held them back die out. Remember that when it comes to voting. Don't put them back in.


The consolidation issue was silenced when "almighty" Muscle Shoals did not want to be involved. I believe Tuscumbia and Sheffield was for the plan. The question then is, would consolidating those two towns make a significant enough impact to improve their respective economic situations?
What Robbins has done FOR Tuscumbia has been really great, ... he spent a lot of time, his OWN money, and made it not only better, but bigger, created the idea's of moving on out to HWY 72... so if he is gone now, then I think anyone who lives in Tuscumbia should thank their lucky stars that he DID help as much as he did, and start putting people into office that nurtures what has began...

Surely you are not saying that Robbins should have kept on funneling money in? ... he got them on their feet, now they should be able to 'walk alone'...

As far as merging with Sheffield, bad idea, Sheffied is doing alright,and probably within the next 10 years you may see Sheffield by-passing Muscle Shoals!!! They have people in power who WANT what is best for their town, took the time to investigate and PLAN for a future...
quote:
Originally posted by largerview:
It surely can't make the future prospects any bleaker. Muscle Shoals does need to be in the picture. I believe Florence and Sheffield should look at consolidating. Each would benefit and the population of the two would get them close to the all important 50,000 population which does allow additional Federal monies.


I am hoping you are kidding about this, lol... they are not only different cities, they are in different COUNTIES... won't happen, lol.
quote:
Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:
quote:
Originally posted by largerview:
It surely can't make the future prospects any bleaker. Muscle Shoals does need to be in the picture. I believe Florence and Sheffield should look at consolidating. Each would benefit and the population of the two would get them close to the all important 50,000 population which does allow additional Federal monies.


I am hoping you are kidding about this, lol... they are not only different cities, they are in different COUNTIES... won't happen, lol.


Atlanta has more than one county. It can be done.
quote:
Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:
quote:
Originally posted by largerview:
It surely can't make the future prospects any bleaker. Muscle Shoals does need to be in the picture. I believe Florence and Sheffield should look at consolidating. Each would benefit and the population of the two would get them close to the all important 50,000 population which does allow additional Federal monies.


Not kidding. I am thankful for Mr. Robbins investment into his community to help make it a better place. What I'm saying is that even with his investment, Tuscumbia is still very stretched to its limits financially. His money alone is not enough to change the economic realities.

The issue of each being different cities in such a small geographic area is the problem! Each governemental entity dilutes the others so that problems arise. Inefficient services have emerged for each city. I doubt that any other population center remotely similiar to oursica has the concentration of cities that have to fight for its piece of the action.

As far as being in different counties - that is not an obstacle that can't be overcome. Taxes would still be distributed to the county for which they were collected.

Sheffield doesn't have another 10 years to wait for something to happen.

I am hoping you are kidding about this, lol... they are not only different cities, they are in different COUNTIES... won't happen, lol.

Add Reply

Post

Untitled Document
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×