Ron Tyler has Coffee with Carson

 

David Carson gained some celebrity during the 2020 protest locally against the confederate statue located at the Lauderdale County courthouse. He was the leader of a small group counter-protesting the protest to relocate the statue. That almost seems like ancient history today, although every now and then the original protest group; Project Say Something tries to keep the controversy alive with billboards and speeches at Florence city council meetings. But PSS, the protest and the association with David Carson is not why I am writing this. Some would say it would be considered politically risky for a candidate in the city of Florence to talk with either PSS or David Carson. Ron Tyler took the risk.

You can go to the Facebook Page: Florence, AL Open Meeting Project where David Carson posted a video. It is a little over one hour of he and Ron Tyler discussing Mr. Tyler’s mayoral campaign and why he decided to run for office. It is a very laid-back amateur interview. It took place on Thursday, Oct. 17th on a picnic table on a hill at Martin Park. Mr. Carson chose a great spot for the interview with the parking lot of Royal Avenue recreation center and a blue sky serving as the backdrop. His questioning style was very amateurish, and you could tell he was not a polished interviewer but that made the situation more like a talk with a neighbor than anything associated with politics. That is what made it so genuine. And refreshing in this “political” season. Mr. Tyler first gave examples of where he thought he would differ from the current mayor, Andy Betterton. He complimented Mr. Betterton on his friendliness but emphasized that there was more to the mayor's job than shaking hands and public relations. He also assessed his only other declared candidate Bill Griffin the same way. He said although Griffin was a very likable guy, he seemed to be more interested in publicity shots than in solving problems for his district. This is all paraphrasing Mr. Tyler’s conversation and you can watch the video to see his exact wording.

From there a variety of topics were discussed. From the city giving taxpayer money every year in the form of a gift to UNA, the importance of attracting high paying jobs in the city of Florence to what his policy would be on nepotism in hiring for city department heads. Mr. Tyler gave intelligent and well thought out answers. At a picnic table on a crisp fall day. Personally, for me the kind of answers to the questions and demeanor of someone this reporter would be proud to see as mayor of the city of Florence.

*****