Sale of Bryce Hospital to UA is complete
Tuscaloosa News – May 28
Gov. Bob Riley and University of Alabama President Robert Witt have signed the agreement for the university to buy the Bryce Hospital property in Tuscaloosa, officials said. Riley signed the agreement Thursday after the document containing Witt’s signature was mailed to him, Riley’s office said. The Department of Mental Health’s advisory board of trustees recommended the sale of the Bryce Hospital property for $77.75 million on Tuesday. The university will spend $10 million more on cleanup and historic preservation on the property. The terms of the sale were previously approved. The university gets 168 acres on which to expand; the mental health department gets the cash to build a modern psychiatric hospital to replace the 150-year-old Bryce Hospital and to expand community-based care statewide.
Birmingham-area gas prices fall to buck trend
Birmingham News – May 28
… Peter Clark, a University of Alabama chemical engineering professor who follows the energy markets, tied dropping costs at the gasoline pump to a sharp decline in crude oil prices and a strengthening of the dollar compared to the European currency. “Crude is traded in dollars and anything that causes the value of the dollar to go up will cause a drop in oil prices,” Clark said. “With all the turmoil in European financial markets, the U.S. is seen as the safest place to put your money.”…Clark, the UA professor, said he now doubts gas prices will hit $3 this summer, thanks to weaker demand for oil due to the lingering economic crisis in Europe. While gasoline prices today are 34 cents a gallon higher than one year ago, Clark said “it’ll be a good summer to travel.”…
Alabama Legislature candidates release campaign finance information
Anniston Star – May 28
… “Money definitely matters, especially in primary elections,” said David Lanoue, political science professor at the University of Alabama. “We’re usually dealing with candidates that don’t differ on the issues much, so they have to really spend to get their message out.”… To Lanoue, though there is an anti-incumbent fervor currently sweeping across the nation, even without heavy funding, most Alabama incumbents should be safe through the primary. “Most are going up against people without a lot of organization and who aren’t well-funded,” Lanoue said. “It’s the general election that’s the big open question. “We’ll see if the anger at incumbents keeps up until November.”…
Ala. congressman’s switch to GOP still leaves Republicans cool to his bid for 2nd term
Los Angeles Times (Associated Press) – May 28
… the defeat of former Republican Sen. Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary “will send a little bit of a chill through the Griffith campaign,” said political scientist David Lanoue of the University of Alabama.
Aspiring politician gains experience
Shelby County Reporter – May 27
Before he turned 18 and could legally vote, Elliot Bell had managed three political campaigns and spent four years involved with school government… Bell spent the summer before his senior year as the youngest intern for Rep. Artur Davis, planning Davis’ county tours during his August recess. Now he’s running Virginia Sweet’s campaign for the Alabama House of Representatives District 43 seat and will work until election day in November…Bell’s next move will be attending the University of Alabama. He’s considering a history major and possibly a creative writing or music minor…
Creating his own musical masterpieces
Shelby County Reporter — May 27
…(Nick) Williams is a member of the Kevin Derryberry Band, a Christian praise band that performs around Alabama and the southeast…Though Williams has played for the Kevin Derryberry Band for almost two years, he taught himself how to play guitar only three years ago. Soon after learning his first chords, Williams got bored playing other people’s music. He started writing his own songs and formed a band with three friends, called the Nick Williams Band…Williams said he’s looking forward to college at the University of Alabama because of the new opportunities to play music in Tuscaloosa…