The Interview: Council President Copeland

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Mobile City Council President Reggie Copeland has served on the council for more than 25 years, and he's seen a lot changes in the Port City.

Copeland said he is proud of the changes that have been made over the years, and it’s all about making Mobile a better place to live, work and play.  

"When people call me, I want to respond as fast as I can to them, because that's their touch to the city government,” Copeland said.

COPELAND’S RISE TO COUNCIL

Copeland has served his city and district since 1985.

Copeland was among the first group of candidates elected to Mobile's first council-mayor form of government. 

He had just retired from Alabama Power Company. He said his position at Alabama Power prepared him to serve the community and continue making a difference.                

 

"I was hands on everything; Jaycees, Red Cross and trying to help people find jobs. I went to meeting over at Murphy High School, and they talked about having a mayor-council form of government,” Copeland said.  

He said it was then he knew he wanted to run for office.

“I was anxious to get started in city government and to make things happen,” he said.

CHANGING THE PERCEPTION

Copeland said the new mission was to change Mobile to a destination city rather than just a stop over.  

“You've seen the revitalization of downtown. It’s all because of that convention center on the water.  It’s nice to have the tallest building in the state, the RSA building,” Copeland said.

Copeland has been apart of changing Mobile's skyline, its landscape and culture.

He said he has seen many impressive changes in the city during his time on council.

"I think probably the greatest thing in my time is the expansion of the University of South Alabama. Their growth out there, look at the buildings that have come up,” he said. "The Mitchell Cancer Research Center, hey that's progress. ”

FACING SETBACKS

Copeland has strong words about Carnival Cruise Lines and how it exited after what many thought had been six successful years at the Alabama Cruise Terminal.

"Carnival pulled the rug out from underneath us in a very, very un-business like way. They didn't have the fortitude and the courage to call my mayor and say, ‘We're going to be leaving,’” he said.

 

He said he believes it’s just a matter of time before Mobile will get another cruise line.

"Its going to come around. We have such a good drive market. I can assure you we're going to get another one,” Copeland said.

BUDGET PROBLEMS

Paying for the cruise terminal and facing a budget crisis, Mobile is again considering a one cent sales tax increase.

Copeland said he believes that the tax hike is a fair option for everyone.

"The sales tax everybody participates; everybody, including visitors who come in from out of town. So, sometimes you say you're going to really hurt the poor doing this, if they're not spending a lot of money, its not going to affect them,” he said.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Copeland said he’s optimistic about Mobile's economic future.

He expressed excitement for Publix’s plan to open three stores in the Port City.

 

"I know some people who drive on their lunch hour to go the Publix in Fairhope to shop and come back. We like that money spent here, good jobs, good revenue for the city,” he said.

Copeland said an engineering firm is working on a more than 100 million project that will bring jobs to the area, and there's prospect of a steel company in Theodore. 

 

Although he couldn’t share specifics, Copeland also said some firms will come into Brookley Field, which is a very marketable site.

"Brookley is on the international map now. People want Brookley because of the location, location, location,” Copeland said. “You've got the airport; you've got the water; you've go the rail; and you've got the interstate right there. It looks very, very good for 2012. ”

ALL ABOUT SPORTS

During his life, Copeland has played several sports and even served as a referee for both SEC and NCAA basketball.

It’s this rich background in sports that gave Copeland the qualities to help change Mobile's sports landscape.

"From Mayor Arthur Outlaw, to Mike Dow and now Sam Jones, they all say if it has anything to do with sports let’s give it to Reggie,” Copeland said.

The city now hosts major tennis and golf events thanks to his efforts.

Copeland helped return Double-A Minor League Baseball to the Port City.

"We are a great baseball town; five members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. There’s only one city that has more and that’s New York,” he said. “We're talking about a family attraction; minor league baseball; the Mobile BayBears.”

Copeland said he believes sports add to other areas of the economy, too.

“I think it’s wonderful for the community, certainly helps restaurants, motels and the number of jobs that they've created out there,” he said.

The Senior Bowl will kick off again this year despite concerns in 2009 the game was leaving. 

The game has been played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium for