Council Talks About Annexation And Schools

With Mobile City Council Members scheduled to discuss annexation Tuesday, some council members talked to News Five Monday about their thoughts on Mayor Sam Jones plan to help Mobile schools.
The mayor says in fiscal year 2008 to 2009, he's proposing the city offset dollar for dollar any loss of the half cent sales tax money earmarked for the Mobile County Public School System.
When asked about the idea, Council Member Fred Richardson said, "It would appear that they may have lost some revenue through annexation. We haven't really annexed anything yet, but I think it's a good gesture on the mayor's part."
Council member William Carroll also said he supports the mayors plan to help the school system.
Carroll said, "I think its an excellent idea. It re-assures the school system that this annexation is going to be even more positive than the last one. Every time you do something, you learn something in a way that you can enhance it the next time you do it. This way, we're doing something that's extremely positive on both ends."
Several council members said they weren't able to give on camera interviews, but talked to News Five over the phone.
Council president Reggie Copeland said he supports what the mayor is doing and that he doesn't want to hurt children.
Council member Connie Hudson said she wanted to wait until the council meeting before saying anything about the annexation plan.
Council Member Gina Gregory said she wants to see details of the annexation proposal in writing and listen to both sides of the issue.
News Five was not able to talk to Council Members Clinton Johnson and John Williams.