Congressman envisions bright future for this area

By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Newcomer 5th District Congressman Parker Griffith (D-Huntsville) has some good things to say about the future of Hartselle and Morgan County.
Griffith, D-Alabama, was the guest speaker at an economic development breakfast meeting at the Hartselle Utilities briefing room on Feb. 19.
“Schools are always up front when it comes to families making decisions about where they want to live and raise their families,” Griffith said. “We’re now competing in a global economy against countries like Japan, China and India where education is the top priority. Never ever let up on the emphasis you are putting on education.”
Griffith spoke to 35 elected and appointed officials representing Morgan County. His 45-minute speech was preceded by a continental breakfast and followed by a question and answer session and a bus tour of the city.
Bob Francis, chairman of Hartselle Development Board, presided at the meeting and introduced the speaker.
Speaking about his first five weeks on the job, Griffith said he voted against President Barack Obama’s stimulus package because it was rushed to a vote without giving members of Congress enough time to read it or the public an opportunity to see and hear it addressed on the internet, television, radio and print media.
However, Griffith said he can see sunshine behind the clouds of gloom and doom.
“We have to remind ourselves that this is still a young country, and this is not the last time we’ll be faced with a crisis. It’s up to us to make corrections and move on.”
Griffith serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Aviation and Water Resources Sub-Committees, Science Committee and Space Sub-Committee and Small Business Committee.