SOUTH VINEMONT, Ala. – As the Aug. 25, 2020 Municipal Election approaches, The Tribune is holding Q&A sessions between candidates.
In South Vinemont, voters will be choosing their next mayor. Shirley Arnett, who has served eight years on the South Vinemont Town Council in place 5, is challenging Mayor Radginal Dodson, who is seeking a second term.
What made you want to run for a second term as mayor / for mayor?
Dodson: “I’ve had business done in the town that increased jobs in the town and I want to make sure these jobs continue. That’s the number one reason I ran for it. I am 76 years old and I have about four more years in me and I will not be running again. An 80-year-old man does not need to run for a third term.”
Arnett: “I’m glad you asked that question. I was elected to the council in 2012 under Mayor (Melba) Patton. She drove me around town and shared with me her wish to grow by annexation. As I began to learn the ropes of being a councilperson, Mayor Patton left office due to health reasons, and with that, I think we lost touch with community and state leaders she had worked to establish. Everyone knew and respected her. I hope to build those relationships back and welcome growth in every way to help our citizens of our town and surrounding areas.”
What makes South Vinemont a great place to live?
Dodson: “I’ve lived in this town-I built a house in 1964, moved in the house in 1965 and I am still in this house. I raised two boys in this town and both of them graduated from Vinemont Schools. This is home. I’ve lived everywhere from New Jersey to California; I’ve been around the world once and been to Europe twice, been to Vietnam once. This is home. This is home and where I choose to live. I’ve seen so much of this world where this is home.”
Arnett: “I love Vinemont- it’s location, it’s people. Our small businesses. I have been very involved with our schools through The Link (of Cullman County) Mentoring Program and plan to continue that. There are many improvements to be made. I will welcome any suggestions. Since I have announced my intent to run for mayor, people are contacting me with wonderful ideas and opportunities that will help our area.”
What is your biggest concern for the town?
Dodson: “The main thing I would like to see in the town of South Vinemont is a sit-down restaurant. It’s been my goal for four years. I’d like to have some type of eating facility in the (town) of South Vinemont. I’d prefer, for sure, a place where you can sit down for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I’m not really particular and I am not against a fast food restaurant, but I would prefer a sit-down place where a person can come and be with their family.”
Arnett: “My biggest concern, as of late, are families displaced due to coronavirus. There are many hungry children at home alone in Vinemont. I have found that many want to help, but don’t know how to start, so I have organized a food closet that people have donated to specifically for our citizens. Also, a shout out to the community food pantry at the north end of the VFD (Vinemont Fire Department) that is for whomever can give what they can and take what they need.”
What are some things you hope to accomplish in the next four years?
Dodson: “I would continue with what I have been doing as far as making sure that the people in the town have every bit of possibility I can make for them to make the town continue to grow. As far as the Town itself, we are limited because of the folks in this town. Mr. Tyler Walker did a real good job of bringing in some people in this town and the buildings he chose to build on his property. I appreciate what he did and that needs to continue if at all possible. The Town, we are not hamstrung; we can grow and we can incorporate some more areas that we have the capacity to on Highway 31 North and on Old Highway 31.
“The Town doesn’t owe any money. We have a lease on the lights at the ballpark, but as far as owing a bill or payments due on a loan, we have no loans out. I’ve redone the roads in the (town) of Vinemont and I am presently in the process of having Tillery done again. It is in the mill and in the near future. (The) Shaddix (Company) is in the process of building a multi-million dollar concrete facility, and it’s going to be up in probably the next year. It’s in the future before it is up and operational, but they are busy trying to get that put together.”
Arnett: “Communication with the council is the number one thing. Working as a team with the (Town) employees and the citizens themselves will be a top priority.
“The address situation is a huge problem especially since we rely so heavily now on deliveries. Even the Vinemont Town Hall has a Cullman address. Needed deliveries are often delayed or lost. This may not be a problem for the postal service, but it does affect our citizens and businesses. I understand we are dealing with the federal government and a union, but I will not stop trying to work for a solution.
“Of course, I am for more small business and the biggie: a restaurant. We all enjoy a good meal.
“I would also like to seek grants to add more storm shelters. The City of Cullman has a pet-friendly storm shelter. Pets are the only family some people have and just as a personal preference, I wish we could add shelters and designate at least one to be pet-friendly.”
Would you support alcohol sales in the town of South Vinemont?
Dodson: “If the County goes wet, I’m not going to go against the County. I do not have enough residents in the town to vote for or against alcohol due to limitations set by the State of Alabama. You gotta have 1,000 people in your town before you can vote alcohol in or not, and I don’t have 1,000 people in the town.”
Arnett: “As far as alcohol sales, I feel that should be put to a vote by the citizens. This and any concerns should be brought to our town council meetings, which are, by the way, on the second Tuesday every month at 6 p.m.”
What ideas do you have to provide family-friendly activities?
Dodson: “Make better use of Town property including the walking trail. I am wide open for suggestions on anything that could be used for the town, the people of the town and the surrounding area of Vinemont. The town is a relatively small town, but due to our post office in Vinemont, we cover the north end of the county. I want to take care of my town people, but I also want to take care of those that go to Vinemont schools and those who say they live in Vinemont and have a Vinemont address. I’m trying to take care of them the best I can.”
Arnett: “The Community Center (Scout House) needs to be utilized more. In the past, Friday night jam sessions were great. Musicians came from near and far. The walking trail, which is highlighted in (a recent edition of The) Tribune, has unlimited possibilities. Movie night, volleyball; there is room for a lot of inexpensive ideas. Number one on my list: a community garden! Cynthia Tubbs, who works at the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service and works with Junior Master Gardeners of Cullman County, is on board. Chris Thompson, who is running for (Vinemont Town Council) place 1, and I have been working on a plan along with Sonya Copeland, who is running for (Vinemont Town Council) place 5. We also want to reclaim an area along the trail which has been damaged by erosion.”
What is the first thing you will do if elected/re-elected?
Dodson: “Thanking those who re-elected me would be the very first thing I would do and make sure they understand that I plan on doing basically the same thing I have done the past four years. I have increased the monies in the town due to some different situations where money had been leaving the town that shouldn’t have. I’ve changed several things in the town where the Town was spending money when they shouldn’t have been spending money due to not being aware of things and running things as smoothly as things are running now.
“I’d like to thank you for all the support that has been shown to me over the past four years. I’m well-known in the town and everyone knows me, just about. Those are the people that I really appreciate. I also appreciate those who worked on the walking trail. My wife (Judy Dodson) spent 16 years on the council, so part of that needs to be contributed to her. She was involved in the day-to-day work of the Town for 16 years, so I would like to thank her also.”
Arnett: “The first thing I want to do if elected is establish a team made up of council, town employees and citizens to set some long-term and short-term goals for our community and to encourage and enable that team to make those goals a reality.”
Copyright 2020 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
