Gov. Bob Riley visits Jacksonville

09-11-2003

Gordon Stone, executive director of the Higher Education partnership, right, gives Gov. Bob Riley a white cowboy hat, calling him "Alabama's hero governor." Gov. Bob Riley visited Jacksonville Thursday, drumming up support for his tax plan with a rally on the city square. The visit was one of many destinations for Riley, who toured the state in a last ditch effort to sell Amendment One to Alabama voters before they went to the polls yesterday. “It is time to remove the obstacles and impediments and let Alabama be what it can be,” explained Riley, addressing the crowd of around 300. “All my life, Alabama has vacillated between being dead last and next to last.” Riley’s comments met with cheers and huge ovations of applause from the crowd of concerned citizens who gathered on the square to offer their support for the plan. “I have never seen a more courageous act in politics than what Gov. Riley has offered the State of Alabama,” explained Mayor Jerry Smith. Smith joined various community leaders, including Dr. Eric Mackey, Dr. William Meehan, Dr. Bill Hug and Gordon Stone, who offered their personal take on the plan and show their solidarity for the movement.

RETURN TO TOP