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Northport candidates discuss University Beach, need for more transparency
Even with 13 different voices raised, some in stark opposition to incumbents, one word all candidates for Northport's mayor and City Council seats could agree on: transparency.
During the more than three-hour forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Greater Tuscaloosa on Aug. 12, "transparency" was spoken about 16 times, and mentioned even more often, topped only by "beach," as in "University Beach," a word and name that cropped up two dozen times.
Consensus on transparency: It needs to be greater.
Some challengers in the Aug. 26 municipal election suggested, or flat-out claimed, that current officeholders seem to have been conducting city business behind closed doors, and that the incumbents have not been answerable or responsible to constituencies. Incumbents contended they could be clearer in communications, but that rules and regulations have been followed.
Whether the smoke-filled-room image is mere perception, or has any basis in reality, it's a widely held view ― especially regarding the burgeoning $350 million University Beach development, and before that, a widely disliked consideration to sell the Northport Community Center, where the Aug. 12 forum was held ― that fueled the field of candidates, some newcomers to the political arena.
More: Northport City Council backs University Beach for Alabama tax rebate plan
As to that other word, there was no consensus on the $350 million water park, hotel, and multi-use University Beach plan, not unexpected given that was one of the issues driving creation of the Northport Political Action Committee. NPAC has endorsed candidates for mayor, and all five council seats; only one, Jamie Dykes, District 4, is an incumbent. District 5 candidate Danny Higdon is running unopposed. He appeared at the event, but since his election has already been certified, he was not included in the Q&A.
More: Aug. 26 municipal election will decide Northport's next mayor
NPAC's endorsements are Dale Phillips, for mayor; Turnley Smith, District 1; Zach Stone, District 2; Jaime Conger, District 3; Dykes, District 4; and Higdon, District 5.
The nonpartisan League of Women Voters does not endorse candidates, but invited all candidates to the forum. With the voting-rights group Return My Vote, the League of Women Voters surveyed each, asking pre-forum questions. Their responses can be found at
More: Five Northport City Council seats up for grabs in Aug. 26 election
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Aug. 26.
Here are the polling sites:
District 1: Northport City Hall, 3500 McFarland Blvd.
District 2: New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1317 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
District 3: Daystar Family Church, 3975 Watermelon Road
District 4: Northport Fire and Rescue Station No. 2, 5410 Alabama Highway 69
District 5: Flatwoods Baptist Church, 4520 70th Ave.
For more information about the election, go to
Reach Mark Hughes Cobb at To support his work, please subscribe to The Tuscaloosa News.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Northport candidates say one word sums up Aug. 26 municipal election
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