HUNTSVILLE TIMES OPINION

Commentary and editorial pieces from the editorial writers at The Huntsville Times

EDITORIAL: Openness is the bedrock of honest government. Elected leaders should remember that it's the public they serve. Therefore, they must deliberate and discuss things in public and refrain from conference calls, group e-mails and meeting in clusters to avoid a quorum. Full story »

A DOT official said the department is paying more attention to access management at new commercial and residential developments. That's why motorists are seeing more turn lanes built in the median on four-lane highways. Full story »

YOUR VIEWS: PAC to PAC transfers are a political shell game that prevents open government. A ban on PAC to PAC transfers is an essential first step toward ethical government in Alabama. So long as these transfers are allowed, we the people cannot tell what interests are contributing to any legislator's campaign fund.  Full story »

While Bud Cramer lobbies to assure a key role for Marshall Space Flight Center in America's space program, a lobbying partner will be twisting arms to farm a chunk of the nation's space work to the private sector. Full story »

It is encouraging to see that city leaders are looking at ways to improve the livability and attractiveness of central Huntsville for home buyers and renters. I must, however, challenge Councilman Bill Kling's contention that SmartCode is a "backburner issue" due to budget shortfalls and impending layoffs. To the contrary, it is precisely what the city should do to reverse the slow erosion caused by decades of urban flight that are the byproduct of Huntsville's "60s era" zoning ordinances.  Full story »

Now there are bills in the Senate that will save PACT and the education of 45,000+ Alabama youth, but Sen. Lowell Barron is blocking the bills from leaving his committee for a vote by the full Senate. His actions are placing in serious jeopardy the education of the future generation of Alabama!  Full story »

State Sen. Tom Butler, D-Madison, is rewriting a bill that would create a new financing system for school capital needs in communities affected by BRAC. With just one-third of the 2010 legislative session remaining and lawmakers gearing up for their re-election this summer, let's hope political posturing doesn't derail this initiative that is crucial to the Huntsville metro area.  Full story »

Bids will be opened next week to sell and remove 11 structures on Hundley Drive and Orchard Street to make room for wider and new Church Street between Pratt and Oakwood avenues.  Full story »

It will take two weeks of no rain for work to resume, then take three weeks to complete, Madison County Commissioner Dale Strong said. Full story »

It's appropriate that the referendum on Sunday sales should be paired with the change of government question because this mayor and council have driven many citizens to drink, particularly those who would like to see some transparency and accountability in city government.  Full story »

So, three years after the original targeted completion date and 403 days since city inspectors issued a certificate of occupancy, the vacant building looms like a monument to government waste.  Full story »

The contractor hired to widen the road to three lanes expects to finish blasting this month and reopen the road in early April. It has been closed since last summer. Full story »

EDITORIAL: Southeast Huntsville will be losing two - and potentially three - longtime elected leaders this fall. State Sen. Hinton Mitchem, D-Albertville and City Councilwoman Sandra Moon announced Tuesday they would not seek re-election.  Full story »

YOUR VIEWS: Why so many guns in school? If the guns belong to the parents, why were they not locked up along with any other weapons? Parents, go through your child's backpack. See what they are doing with their computer, how are they using their cell phone?  Full story »

YOUR VIEWS: Earlier this week I was astounded by a report that former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford had won over $1.5 million by hitting 555 big jackpots at Milton McGregor's gambling emporiums. I attributed Lucky Larry's excessive good fortune to carrying around a pocketful of four leaf clovers and rabbits' feet wherever he went.  Full story »