CSNbbs

I searched my archives for the email I wrote to John Merrill soon after the OCS was shot down by the BOT and he wrote in the Tuscaloosa News that UAB didn't have support to build the OCS. He's running for Sec. of State tomorrow...

First is my email followed by his response...

"Mr. Merrill,

I am just writing to say that I disagree with your statement in the Tuscaloosa News about UAB Football not having the support to build an on-campus football stadium. I am a two-time graduate of the Tuscaloosa campus (2009, 2011) but I believe UAB deserves an on-campus stadium. First, the Blazers STILL averaged 20,000 people at football games even though they had a losing program due to a coach that the Board of Trustees forced upon them. If UAB averages that for a losing season(s), it could easily double with a winning season. This could definitely happen now that UAB has a coach that was actually wanted at UAB and that was actually highly touted. The on-campus stadium would also help with recruiting which would help the overall success of the program. Not only that, but the business community in Birmingham supports UAB football which is evident by the selling of the luxury boxes to Birmingham businesses. If UAB football (and athletics in general) was actually given a chance to succeed, it would succeed. Thanks for your time and GO BLAZERS!!"

Merrill's response...

"Birmingham and the Jefferson County Metro area has more than 1.5 million people in the area and you really think it is good that they have had 15 crowds of 30 K in 15 years? Really?

I have been to one UAB football game and several UAB basketball games.

It probably wouldn't surprise you that my wife and I are graduates of The University and that we are season ticket holders at The University of Alabama (Football, Basketball, Women's Basketball, Baseball, Gymnastics, and we attend other sporting events too.)

The University of Alabama - Birmingham is important to our state.

UAB is very important to me. My father has been in the UAB Hospital, my mother has a masters degree from UAB.

Apparently UAB football is not very important to very many people in our state.

The facts speak for themselves.

First UAB needs to get some football fans, then build support for a stadium.

John H. Merrill
State House 62"

how is this not political

I remembered that & will remember that when I vote later today.

You cannot act like an ass in normal times & expect to be considered a good candidate in crunch time.

(06-03-2014 05:00 AM)bladhmadh Wrote: [ -> ]how is this not political

It's not political because it's not discussing his "politics". It is UAB related talking about the OCS.

His politics is this - He will support anything for Tuscaloosa with no concern about anything else.
Not the type representative we need at the state level.

(06-03-2014 07:58 AM)blazinrunner Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-03-2014 05:00 AM)bladhmadh Wrote: [ -> ]how is this not political

It's not political because it's not discussing his "politics". It is UAB related talking about the OCS.

Worst explanation ever

Deciding on a candidate based solely on something football related is how Alabamanians got their governor. Don't let one issue sway your vote.

(06-03-2014 08:02 AM)the_blazerman Wrote: [ -> ]His politics is this - He will support anything for Tuscaloosa with no concern about anything else.

If he ran that comment in his ads, he would win in a landslide

I looked back and it was word for word what he sent me except for stuff he added after his greeting.

Please don't vote for the bastage.

(06-03-2014 07:58 AM)blazinrunner Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-03-2014 05:00 AM)bladhmadh Wrote: [ -> ]how is this not political

It's not political because it's not discussing his "politics". It is UAB related talking about the OCS.

From the AUP

*BlazerTalk Political Forum - Rated R Please put all topics related to politics and social issues in here instead of on our main forum.

(06-03-2014 08:07 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-03-2014 08:02 AM)the_blazerman Wrote: [ -> ]His politics is this - He will support anything for Tuscaloosa with no concern about anything else.

If he ran that comment in his ads, he would win in a landslide

Yep. He also was SGA president there and I suspect he was handpicked by the machine.

(06-03-2014 08:02 AM)LairDweller Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-03-2014 07:58 AM)blazinrunner Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-03-2014 05:00 AM)bladhmadh Wrote: [ -> ]how is this not political

It's not political because it's not discussing his "politics". It is UAB related talking about the OCS.

Worst explanation ever

We're not talking about his stances on politics. We're talking about how he feels about UAB and the OCS.

If you're in Senate district 44, give Adam Ritch a look.

He was very responsive to my concerns about transparency and the UA Board of Trustees.

Shea Shellnutt? Not so much.

(06-03-2014 09:00 AM)blazinrunner Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-03-2014 08:02 AM)LairDweller Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-03-2014 07:58 AM)blazinrunner Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-03-2014 05:00 AM)bladhmadh Wrote: [ -> ]how is this not political

It's not political because it's not discussing his "politics". It is UAB related talking about the OCS.

Worst explanation ever

We're not talking about his stances on politics. We're talking about how he feels about UAB and the OCS.

Bullsh

That would be Senate district 17 I think.

Shelnutt is a Montevallo graduate, not sure about his allegiances to other schools.

Just guessing, I'm not sure Adam Ritch will make the runoffs though.

You have 7 candidates in the area & Roberts may carry the Morris / Kimberly area.

Shelnutt & King seem to have billboards all over the place.

"The District 17 Republican field includes: Joe Cochran, a member of the Pinson City Council; Jim Roberts, a Gardendale attorney; Jim Murphree, an Oneonta businessman who ran against Beason in the 2010 GOP primary; Shay Shelnutt, a Trussville businessman; Brett King, an attorney from Locust Fork; Gayle H. Gear, an attorney from Gardendale; and Adam Ritch."

http://www.alreporter.com/in-case-you-mi...ct-17.html

Before you vote against him its very important to know where his opponents stand on the OCS. You would hate to accidentally vote for someone else against the stadium.

(06-03-2014 09:11 AM)the_blazerman Wrote: [ -> ]That would be Senate district 17 I think.

Shelnutt is a Montevallo graduate, not sure about his allegiances to other schools.

Just guessing, I'm not sure Adam Ritch will make the runoffs though.

You have 7 candidates in the area & Roberts may carry the Morris / Kimberly area.

Shelnutt & King seem to have billboards all over the place.

"The District 17 Republican field includes: Joe Cochran, a member of the Pinson City Council; Jim Roberts, a Gardendale attorney; Jim Murphree, an Oneonta businessman who ran against Beason in the 2010 GOP primary; Shay Shelnutt, a Trussville businessman; Brett King, an attorney from Locust Fork; Gayle H. Gear, an attorney from Gardendale; and Adam Ritch."

http://www.alreporter.com/in-case-you-mi...ct-17.html

You are correct. It's 17. I don't think he'll make the runoff, either, but I'm still voting for him. As far as Roberts goes, didn't you clowns give us Beason?

I don't believe Roberts will take it though in the runoffs.
He was mayor of Morris for 2 terms & he may have actually ticked off some people. Not sure.

Beason is the outgoing 17th district rep & I suspect he may end up in a runoff for the 6th US seat in the house against DeMarco.

(06-03-2014 09:00 AM)blazinrunner Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-03-2014 08:02 AM)LairDweller Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-03-2014 07:58 AM)blazinrunner Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-03-2014 05:00 AM)bladhmadh Wrote: [ -> ]how is this not political

It's not political because it's not discussing his "politics". It is UAB related talking about the OCS.

Worst explanation ever

We're not talking about his stances on politics. We're talking about how he feels about UAB and the OCS.

oh…i get it now

(06-03-2014 09:19 AM)the_blazerman Wrote: [ -> ]I don't believe Roberts will take it though in the runoffs.
He was mayor of Morris for 2 terms & he may have actually ticked off some people. Not sure.

Beason is the outgoing 17th district rep & I suspect he may end up in a runoff for the 6th US seat in the house against DeMarco.

Yes, I know. I'm about to default to DeMarco because, well, he's not Beason.