Bob Long Madison County Comissioner

Bob Long Speech

Good Morning to Huntsville’s Twickenham Republican Women’s Group and thank you for inviting me here to speech at your luncheon; I am Bob Long, a candidate for County Commissioner, District One. It is a great time for Conservatives – I believe Madison County has fielded more Republican candidates this year then almost anytime in recent memory. I encourage each of you to get your family and friends involved in the primary election on June 3rd, as well as the general election. I have three main issues Taxes, Roads, and Immigration Reform and I’d like to touch on each of these major points – but first, why am I running?

Bob Long is running because I am tired of the same old business as usual mentality that has affected our politicians as of late – I am not singling out Democrats, it’s Republicans too.  We do not tax too little we spend too much of our hard earned money at the local, state, and federal level.  I am tired of being taxed and taxed and not getting anything in return except more empty promises – there is NO accountability.  I will be accountable for every penny I spend as a County Commissioner.  I will make sure the voters know my voting record and how I intend to spend their money.  I will not unilaterally raise taxes as a commissioner.  I believe that any tax increase should be voted on by all registered voters of this county and the money should only be spent as promised – once that project is complete I believe there should be a provision to return the tax rate to it’s previous level.

Bob Long is an Iraqi war veteran and Bronze Star recipient; I also served in Afghanistan, Desert Storm, and many other military campaigns. I believe a strong military as well as a grounded family will secure America’s freedoms abroad and sustain our way of life back home. I have been personally responsible for the management of money and property for the military valued in the billions of dollars; I have successfully planned and implemented both small and large building projects all over the world. As a leader I have led men and women in both peacetime and at war. I am an optimistic candidate that believes that once elected I can be a great asset to our county. I believe that it’s up to the individual to make change happen – for far to long our district has waited and acted on crisis after crisis vs. proactively planning and implementing long-term solutions. I believe we can and must do a better job, I believe it’s time for a true conservative to manage and lead District One into the future and to do that I have outlined below what some of my goals are for our district.

I understand the passionate debate regarding the sales tax increase - this is a tough issue, and one that should be settled by all voters of the county – not the commissioners. As a commissioner, I will listen to the residents of District One and allocate their tax dollars in concert with their top priorities. The Madison County budget has increased $32 million dollars in the last 5 years from a budget of $77 million for the 2003 fiscal year to $109 million for the 2007/8 fiscal year – ending with an almost a 7 million dollar reserve fund – we should be looking at ways to cut taxes not increase them.

I am also running because it about time something is done to make our roads safer, the primary purpose of a County Commissioner is to maintain the roads within the district – this is a TOP priority for me – not just road improvements but road maintenance as well.  I also will wholeheartedly support the impounding of vehicles driven by unlicensed and uninsured drivers. Madison County has third highest death rate in the state, with 75 deaths due to traffic accidents in 2006. I believe it is incumbent on the county commission to do everything within their means to make Madison County roads safer and should strive to enact local ordinances that empower police to have vehicles towed if the driver cannot prove they are licensed and/or insured. Vehicles that are not claimed should be sold at public auction, the cost to the tow service should be remitted and all additional monies should go toward our roads and schools.
 
As a retired military member I have traveled worldwide, I understand the desire of people all over the world to want to immigrate to the United States, the land of unlimited potential and opportunity. That said, this is a nation of laws that must be enforced for the protection of our sovereignty, security and prosperity. I will support strict immigration ordinances at the county level. I think it’s long overdue for this county and this state to start making it harder for illegal aliens to live, work and go to school in our community.  Illegal workers place a huge burden on all public services – health and medical costs, schools, police and fire services, as well as local tax revenues not realized.  These workers are taking wages from our legal citizens and not returning any money into our local economy supporting business, going toward taxes, or supporting the infrastructure our county needs. This is not just a federal issue – it is an issue that affects every one of us – mostly in our pocketbooks.

As Americans first, we all have a duty to uphold the laws of this country, this state and this county. I believe that companies are morally compelled to hire employee’s legally allowed to work, pay a fair wage, and providing adequate benefits for their employees.

  Finally, can Bob Long win?  The simple answer is yes, I would have never run if I thought I wouldn’t win the June 3rd primary and the general election in November.  I am the only traditional conservative running in District One, I think the voters of our district are looking for a change, I am a PROVEN leader, with the vision and ideas necessary to move our district forward – I am not a career politician but a concerned citizen who wants to do my part to make our community better for all of us. I recently received endorsements from both the Conservative Christians of Alabama (CCOFAL) and Citizens Against Drunk Driving (CADD) and as a life long conservative, my core values have never wavered. I certainly appreciated these endorsements and will continue support conservative ideals.