It is my feeling that large capital non-basic city service community projects affirmed by a referendum are apt to be more successful and thus more sustainable. Major projects formulated by a handful of politicians might not be the way the community wants to direct their resources. Many progressive cities in the U.S. decide large non-basic service capital projects by referendum. When Mike Dow ran for Mayor of Mobile in 1989 he advocated a public vote on the now Outlaw Mobile Convention Center. Despite this, Mayor Dow has not championed any referendum projects since he took office.
Progress can occur spontaneously without direct financial government support.
Developers and businesses will invest in Mobile if their needs are met and they see a potential for growth and profit. Government needs to focus on basic city services, including paying civil servants a competitive salary, to attract this economic growth and improve our quality of life. I have a different philosophy on how to approach large capital projects and how to stimulate progress. I believe the citizens of this community through referendum, not a handful of politicians, know what is best for our city. Progress and issues are sustained by a grass roots involvement of diverse community elements.