‘Showdown on the northside’; Daniels’ loss a win for HSV; South Huntsville is refusing to be dismissed; and more in this week’s OTR

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

Keith vs. Watkins

We featured the “showdown on the westside” last week but there’s another hotly anticipated City Council race brewing in Huntsville. It could be a clash of titans in the race for District 1. Incumbent Councilman Devyn Keith is expected to seek re-election but he already has one declared candidate. Michelle Watkins, who currently represents the same district on the Huntsville City School Board. Watkins is a proven candidate who will definitely give Keith a strong challenge, according to local insiders. Some on the Keith side see it as the culmination of a power struggle in north Huntsville between old guard and new. Watkins has previously had strong ties to former Councilman Richard Showers and Commissioner Bob Harrison’s network and is likely to call on those ties in this race. Keith has operated more outside the older power structure and has put together his own coalitions to propel his campaign victories. Regardless it is a race to watch between two proven winners.

Daniels’ loss a win for Huntsville

Pardon some of us for being selfish. While proud of Anthony Daniels’ run for the Second Congressional District, many are glad he’s still Huntsville’s representative in the Legislature. As Alabama House Minority Leader, many feel Daniels is such a presence in Montgomery and such an influence there, he is more of a help for Huntsville and North Alabama than he would have been in Washington. It’s almost the same situation as Mayor Tommy Battle. While everyone here wished Battle the best in his run for governor a few years ago, most are thrilled he is still our mayor and Huntsville continues to reap the benefits.

South Huntsville resists

The uproar over Huntsville City Schools’ new Capital Plan is perhaps not unexpected. The plan that involves closing three schools – Chapman Elementary and Mountain Gap Elementary and Middle schools – has invoked a very intense response to say the least. South Huntsville residents, long known for being proud and protective of their schools, are up in arms over the proposal. One city leader stressed to OTR that the Capital Plan is a proposal and changes could yet be made. However, school board insiders report they still feel strongly this is the correct plan moving forward. 

A Rockefeller Center for the Rocket City?

The enthusiasm for the new Front Row development in downtown Huntsville continues to grow. On Tuesday, local leaders, luminaries and other notables turned out for the official groundbreaking of the 11-acre site across from the Von Braun Center.  Among the crowd was a number of Front Row designers and creatives, one of whom was overheard remarking the tower feature is meant to invoke a Rockefeller Center-like space for the development. A lofty goal for what was once the home of a Coca-Cola bottling plant.