This editorial, while endorsing neither, clearly understates Don Kyle’s accomplishments and seriously understates to overestimate Carl Cole’s youth and inexperience. A much better summation of Kyle’s contributions is in the Decatur Daily’s own April 6, 2008 Eric Fleischauer article. Check the Decatur Daily link for yourself:

http://www.decaturalabamausa.com/news/08_04_6.html

Remember, this was 3 1/2 years into Kyle’s mayoralty and just 4 months before the Daily allied with Mr. Jackson, and others to endorse and work on behalf of Mr. Stanford. All know how that worked out. Here is a more comprehensive summation:

Decatur’s economy and job opportunities point to the key issue in the Mayoral election. Don Kyle’s focus on economic growth has been and will again be the key to bringing jobs, increasingly tech and professional, to Decatur. Kyle's proactive approach to business development during his first term brought The Crossings Shopping Center with Target and more than a dozen desirable retailers locating or re-locating there. Other new or revived initiatives in that first term include Academy Sports, Olive Garden, the now underway Kohl’s complex and revived Ingalls facility in the heart of District 1. This was in addition to his lobbying governor Riley for the Robotics and technology additions at Calhoun and much more. Kyle’s vision and actions resulted in new jobs here at a time when we needed them most, during the recession. As our area jobs need continues and grows, we need Don Kyle whose business, management, negotiating, financial planning, banking and leadership skills are precisely what can again propel us forward economically. Isn’t Don Kyle precisely what we seek in a city leader today? Yes, please do get out and vote today. We can positively move forward with this man of vision and accomplishment.

For those unable to open a link, the full Eric Fleischauer article will be pasted in the next post.

Note: This article, referred to in a previous post, predated by about 4 months the collapse of the "Sweetwater" [Limestone/I65 exit 340 area] deal featuring Bass Pro which died directly as a result of Bass Pro being unable to secure letters of credit immediately following the August 2008 nationwide and worldwide banking financial collapse.

The full 2008 Eric Fleischauer article, verbatim, is pasted here:

The Decatur Daily

By Eric Fleischauer

Staff Writer

Decatur enjoying retail, industrial growth while remainder of U.S. struggles “Nation in recession,” say the headlines. “Credit woes strangle construction.” While the nation’s economy falters, though, Decatur is in the midst of unprecedented industrial and retail growth. “We have more activity in Decatur than I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce Vice President Jim Page. Chamber President John Seymour agrees, and he’s held the position since 1991.

Regional development

So before panicking too much about the national headlines, peruse this recap of recent and ongoing development in the Decatur area.

Nucor Steel — Decatur is adding a $167 million galvanizing facility projected to create 100 high-paying jobs.

3M Co., which upgraded its film plant in 2003, is completing another $120 million upgrade that is adding 50 jobs.

Daikin America completed a $25 million expansion last year.

Solutia emerged from a four-year bankruptcy last month, and expanded production at its Decatur plant appears likely.

AlphaPet Inc. is building the largest polyethylene terephthalate plant in North America. The $160 million plant, which will employ 100, is scheduled for completion this year.

Independence Tube completed an $11.5 million investment in its plant, adding 16 jobs.

Wayne Farms recently began construction of an $18 million cold storage warehouse. The expansion will add 35 jobs.

National Packaging is adding four production lines. The $6.4 million project will add 58 jobs.

Magic Steel is the first of several planned Nucor customers to locate in its industrial park. The company’s $15.5 million investment will add nine jobs.

Hexcel Corp. is beginning a $180 million expansion that will add 25 jobs to the facility.

Retail

Recent and proposed retail development in Decatur is remarkable both for its extent and its geographical diversity.

From one end of Beltline Road Southwest to the other, downtown and on Alabama 20, retailers appear convinced the national drop in consumer spending will not strike the Decatur area.

If all goes as planned, Bass Pro Shops will break ground this summer as the anchor for a 540-acre development in

Decatur-annexed Limestone County.

The proposed development would include numerous restaurants, a 300-room hotel and convention center and a movie theater. It would also include 2,700 residential units. The development will be in two phases.

Target-anchored The Crossings of Decatur opened in October, complete with a Panera Bread, Old Navy and LifeWay Christian Store.

Since then, The Crossings has become home to Five Guys Famous Burgers & Fries, rue21, Ross Dress for Less, PetSmart, Rack Room Shoes, Hibbett Sports and Nails First.

More restaurants are coming, and the developer is trying to add land to the 26-acre development.

A Chili’s Grill & Bar and an Academy Sports are coming to Beltline Road Southwest near Home Depot, and a Starbucks Coffee Co. opened on Beltline.

Progress Bank raised about $30 million from local shareholders and opened offices in Decatur and Huntsville.

New owners of Decatur Mall are planning to invest in renovations that would include an inside movie theater and a free-standing structure for smaller stores.

Other signs

There are other signs of economic vitality, too.

Ingalls Harbor and soccer fields at Jack Allen Recreational Complex have become major tourist draws, exceeding the expectations of their most ardent promoters.

Point Mallard’s J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center enjoyed record attendance in 2007.

Knock on wood, but the economic turmoil bashing the nation has yet to visit Decatur.

According to the democrat party chairman, Kyle supports Obama.

To add to those accomplishments that Kenneth has posted, Mr. Kyle has run a positive campaign, and has not used the negatives presented to him against his opponent. Kyle represents the best of Decatur, a person who has the experience and drive to make the community better. Contrary to what Billy above indicates, Kyle is not affiliated with a political party due to this being a municipal election where the winners should represent all the people, citizens and businesses, even those represented by the Chamber of Commerce, without politicizing the effort as has been happening. We have the opportunity to make a choice for a full time mayor who will represent us well, who knows and understands business, and the art of the deal to be able to increase the economic prescence of Decatur. We all understand that the Daily has its candidate, and has made no bones about that in favorable coverage. The Daily always lines up with the most leftist position available, reading one issue will verify that. The important thing is that Decatur has a steady hand at the helm as we face all the opportunities that are outlined above. I wish Don and his campaign all the best.

William (aka Billy) knows better than accuse Kyle of being an Obama supporter! Cole's facebook page had been full of Obama support prior to his candidacy. Clearly, William wishes to mis-represent the facts to further an agenda.

Not Billy, but I can assure you the Cole campaign has been given enough dirt on Kyle to bury him. I know because I gave a lot of it. I wish it had been used. I'm a little upset that it wasn't. It makes me think Cole didn't want to win.