Mac is back, but for how long? Huntsville City Council shuffle; a new daycare; and more in the week’s OTR

Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in North Alabama

Mac is definitely back. But, who’s next?

Many are happy that Mac McCutcheon is back as chairman of the Madison County Commission – but with an incredible resume, many observers believe he won’t stretch it beyond this term. Still four years out, insiders are already scrambling for who will be at the helm commission. Of the incumbent county commissioners, all are facing paltry re-election competition this year, Phil Vandiver and Phil Riddick seemed to have expressed interest in the past, while commissioners Craig Hill and Steve Harraway are both well known and broadly liked. House General Fund Chairman Rex Reynolds, a former police chief and city administrator, has been top of many lists during his tenure, and this one would be included, although he may have higher opportunities on the horizon. Known commodities like State Sen. Sam Givhan or former Trump Prosecutor Jay Town could also toss their names in the ring – but with political newcomers like State Reps. Philip Rigsby and James Lomax, or Madison County School Board Member Heath Jones also having higher ambitions – the one thing we know for sure is that this race is heating up before the last one is over.

Little or nothing?

Sources are saying that with the addition of Michelle Watkins as the District 1 council member, no matter how the reorganization vote goes on in the Huntsville City Council, David Little will likely no longer be council president. John Meredith would be the assumptive favorite, however, Jennie Robinson may be in play.

Restaurant Shuffle

Two popular local restaurants are on the move. Customers were shocked to find Brass Tap closed on Memorial Parkway but later learned the closure was only temporary. Last week it was announced that the restaurant would move to the new Cove Creek Village that is under construction in Hampton Cove. That news was followed by an announcement that longtime Madison restaurant Goodland Pour House would relocate from its location on County Line Road to the former Brass Tap location in Huntsville.

More Dirt at Town Madison

If you have visited Town Madison in recent weeks, you may have noticed that there is quite a bit of dirt moving on the West End behind the driving range. Sources say expect an announcement soon that a new location for Ardent Daycare will join the Town Madison lineup on that site. Access to daycare has been cited as a concern by Redstone leaders as many working parents still struggle to find spots for their young children.