Governor addresses regional councils

POINT CLEAR, Ala. (WALA) - Alabama Governor Robert Bentley spoke to the Alabama Association of Regional Councils (AARC) in Point Clear on Sunday.

He addressed the group at their annual meeting in Point Clear Sunday afternoon. The AARC represents all municipalities and counties through the membership of the 12 individual regional councils.

The Governor's Office said each of the 12 regional councils provides a variety of services to promote economic, community and social improvements for the citizens in their regions.

“I’m the mayor of a small city so the regional council really helps us get grant funds and those kinds of things; so I’m hoping to get a few tips on funding for our city,” said Mayor of Jacksonville Johnny Smith.

Many of the councils, which the Governor meets with quarterly, also provide services for seniors within their communities. One of the topics discussed Sunday was Medicaid.

“We face the problem related to Medicaid funding and especially with the Medicaid wavers with our elderly. So we have to make decisions for what’s best for our senior citizens facing a lot of difficult problems,” said Gov. Bentley.

Some in attendance said they’re pleased with the governor’s job so far and their focus is on the same page as his: creating jobs.

One way the governor said he hopes to do that is with Airbus. He said he is heading to Germany after Thanksgiving in hopes of bringing suppliers to South Alabama. 

“Bringing  Airbus to Mobile was important, but bringing all the supplier companies was even more important because that’s what’s going to create most of the jobs,” said Governor Bentley.