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Gov. Riley names former senator Gerald Dial (D – Lineville) to head rural development for the state:
Gov. Bob Riley created a commission to spur development in rural Alabama. And he hired a former senator who appeared in one of the governor’s re-election ads to run it.
Riley said former Democratic state senator, Gerald Dial of Lineville, will be paid $84,500 annually to direct the new Rural Alabama Action Commission.
For the reasons mentioned before, this is extremely disappointing and surprising to many of the state’s advocates for rural development.
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“many of the state’s advocates for rural development” — who are you talking about?
Oh, you mean Lowell Barron. Well of course he’s going to be against Dial and Riley on this.
I heard the surprise and disappointment expressed in these ways and for these reasons:
I hope that is a little helpful for understanding some of the reasons for the surprise and disappointment that Gerald Dial was appointed to this position. I did not ask for or receive permission to use the names of people who participated in some of these things who were disappointed that Gerald Dial did not.
Do you know people who have a track record for advocating for rural development in the state who are pleased with this announcement?
LOL, anonymous commenter, can’t you wait more than an hour after asking the question before you start arguing against things that no one has said? LOL.
But again, I’ll ask:
Do you know people who have a track record for advocating for rural development in the state who are pleased with this announcement?
After representing a rural district for 32 years, the rural folks in his rural district sent Gerald Dial packing. So apparently those rural folks who know Gerald Dial best were not too impressed with his track record of working for rural development.
Sounds about like going to the local jail and finding an inmate to be attorney general just because he is experienced in crime.
This was not an appointment based on merit–was solely based on politics. Gerald Dial does an campaign commercial for Bob Riley, Bob Riley gives Gerald Dial an $84,500 per year job.
And the taxpayer is stuck with the bill!!!!!!!!
Other than Bedford and Barron, I have yet to see anyone publicly say Dial is horrible for this job. Larry Lee? Yes, he will soon come out publicly blasting this choice. Because he wanted the job and didn’t get it. And yes, there are several people who “advocate for rural development” who support Dial in this position. Chief among them is Bob Riley. So if you’re for creating a new government agency (like the Barron will would’ve done) that automatically makes you a champion of rural development? Sounds more like it makes you a champion of creating a new government agency.
Anonymous in the 6th Comment,
1. It’s rather silly to suggest anyone means that “if you’re for creating a new government agency (like the Barron will (sic) would’ve done) that automatically makes you a champion of rural development.” No one has made that argument. It’s easy to knock down arguments that no one has made. Maybe it’s even fun. Not helpful though, and it doesn’t further the discussion in any meaningful way.
2. The proposed bill you are talking about that Dial defeated would not have created a state agency (at least not in any usual sense of the term); it would have created a nonprofit corporation. The proposed bill did not provide for any state funding.
3. The bill was not so “out there;” it was co-sponsored by Senators who had ideological similarities to Gerald Dial: e.g., Jim Preuitt, Larry Means, Bradley Byrne. And as stated before, it passed the House unanimously.
4. Dial’s strong opposition to the bill was unusual (in that it passed unanimously in the House and Senate Committee) and would have been more understandable if he participated in any of the public opportunities to question, comment or shape the bill before he decided to kill it singlehandedly. I think Dial’s opposition to the bill is some less objectionable than his demonstrated disinterest in participating in forums meant to deal with the issue in a meaningful way.
5. Thank you for the information that Gov. Riley supports the man he appointed to the job.
No one said anything about Dial’s appointment? Check the Montgomery Advertiser and Tuscaloosa News editorial pages for starters. As for saving money. Dial is being paid $84,500 per year. He’s working with a consultant getting $97,000 per year from ADECA.
The Center for Rural Alabama did NOT create a state agency. It was a legislatively-authorized non-profit with no money attached. Same thing that North Carolina has had for 20 years.
Shouldn’t the title of this page be “Senator Combover Named Head of State’s Rural Developement?”