Teresa
Fox Bettis the executive director of the Center for Fair Housing in Mobile is
running for Mayor of Prichard with hope and expectations for a struggling city.
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| Teresa Fox Bettis |
Bettis
has a plan of her own to turn the City of Prichard around if elected. Teresa
Fox Bettis was born to the late Charles and Lucille Fox and now married to
Dennis Bettis. Teresa is the mother of four and is a member of the Bethany
Refuge Empowerment Ministry.
Teresa
Fox Bettis was educated at McGill Toolen High School and she attended Tuskegee
and Troy Universities.
I
had the pleasure of speaking with Teresa Fox Bettis and she shared a lot about
a city that is seeking a turnaround in the 21st Century. There are
no questions about the future of Prichard if it continues on the path that it’s
on. Teresa Bettis is ready to change that prospective and bring a positive outlook
to a cash strapped city.
I
asked Teresa Fox Bettis, why did she decide to run for mayor of Prichard?
“I
have known for more than ten years that one day I would run for Mayor of
Prichard. After much prayer and discussions with my husband and family I felt
that the time was now. My desire to run has come from a place deep within. I
have watched my city deteriorate and the people suffer for a long time. I am a
mother and I want better for my children and others. I am a advocate and I am
compelled to change the current course of our city for a better direction.”
Prichard
has been struggling for almost a decade now, and new leadership with creative ideas
would bring a positive outlook for the city of Prichard. A city that has seen
crime rise, the tax and economic base decrease, businesses move out, families
move out, and the dark clouds that cover the city.
Teresa
Fox Bettis shared with me the key issues of concern in her race for mayor.
“There
is a lack of transparency and insufficient use of the City's funds. The lack of
adequate funding and staffing for our police department and their perception with
citizens. There are no real visual signs of effective community development.There
are no evidence of a plan for real economic development in our City. There is neither
a plan in place to address issues of environmental concerns nor plans to create
a healthy community. This is just a few of my concerns broadly stated, said
Bettis.”
Speaking
of environmental concerns, a foul order has been hovering the Eight Mile
community of Prichard for quite some time, now that its election time for
leadership, many want to come to the rescue and still no answers have been
delivered to the people. You can take a look around Prichard and see that they
are many needs for improvement to make Prichard a healthier community.
Over
the past several years Prichard has seen it’s crime rate rise to unbelievable
numbers, a city that once was a great city to call home is now under the attack
of violence and drugs. I asked Teresa what is her plan to decrease the crime
rate in Prichard? “First of all we have to secure additional funding for the
police department to be able to hire the adequate number of officers needed to
police our city effectively. The next thing that has to happen is building
relationship between the police and community. Trust has to be built to address
the crime issue. Finally, put people back to work.”
Teresa
Fox Bettis is no stranger of fair and affordable housing, as the director of
the Center for Fair Housing in Mobile, Bettis knows the importance of adequate
living for individuals and families. “The era of public housing as we once knew
it no longer exists. We must continue to educate our community on the
importance of having a plan to sustain themselves. Perhaps with some form of subsidized
housing but on a much shorter timeframe. This is why getting people employed
and trained is so important”, said Bettis.
The
issue that has been a heated debate between the council and mayor for a long
time now is the city finances and how they are administered. Here is what
Teresa Bettis had to say.
“Again
after reviewing the City's audits and first quarter spending, it is clear to me
that more effective management and use of the City's dollars will be a key of
concern, through sound leadership, utilizing good principles of stewardship,
building business from within and stable public safety. This is the path to
getting Prichard on a road to prosperity for all of its citizens.”
This
election will be a referendum on who is best qualified to lead the city. Will
this city that has a chance for great opportunities continue to go down a status
quo path, or will it turn for progress? Many
promises has been made over the years and very little has come to existence. We
continue to see the poor communication of local officials on the council and
the Mayor’s office. There is no doubt that there is a lack of transparency in
Prichard.
The
people are tired of the same ole politics. I spoke with several residents of
Prichard and they feel that they’re vote want even matter, because of the continuing
status quo leadership. The people of Prichard is looking for something
different, they are looking for real leadership that will put the citizens first and recruit a
business base that will provide their families with jobs and security. Many residents
want to see a administration that will make it a priority to give the city a
new look in infrastructure and beautification.
Five
candidates have qualified to run for mayor, and only one will be chosen. Mayor
Ron Davis has qualified for re-election, Councilman Troy Ephraim, Community
Activist Severia Campbell Morris, Teresa Fox Bettis and former Mayor Charles
Harden also have qualified.
On
August 28, 2012 the citizens of Prichard will have a chance to make their voices
heard by casting their ballot for the future of Prichard, Alabama.
