Thomasville Chamber of Commerce President John Collins greets Congressman Davis for at the Thomaville City Hall, Monday evening.

After some glowing remarks about Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day and Davis’ former history teacher, Bill Hill, he dove into to the issues.

“This is an interesting and difficult time for our country. What sustains me is the knowing the good people in this area and the progress you have made to work together,” he stated. “I agree with Kay Ivey when she said that the people of Southwest Alabama are a faith-based people. This is a positive thing and we keep looking up for something better.

Davis applauded area leaders for crossing racial, political and county lines to work together for the benefit of the entire region.

Rural Housing

Davis said that one of the greatest findings throughout the Black Belt is the lack of adequate housing. He said the federal government is now offering a $5,000 tax credit to anyone who buys a house in rural Alabama.

The American Dream Assistance Act is another program which is designed to help low income families buy a home. This program assists in the financing of origination fees.

“A person’s home is his only tool of wealth in this area,” Davis commented, “and we are trying help people here get housing and improve existing housing.”

County Commissioner Rhondel Rhone asked how the funds for these programs are obtained. Rhone observed that Mobile has drawn on the money allocated for inadequate housing through its Housing Authority.

“We don’t have a housing authority, so how can Clarke County get the assistance?” he questioned.

“That is a very good question. We’ll work on find an answer,” Davis responded. He said the State is responsible for drawing the money and dispersing it to the areas of need.

No Child Left Behind Act

Bill Hill remarked that the No Child Left Behind Act was burdening many teachers in our area.

Davis explained that new obligations have been put upon the state through the act and yet no additional funding for assisting with these mandates has come through.

“Additional accountability and looking at test scores is good, but what we really need is families to engage and for parents to be part of the educational dialog,” Davis said.

Initiative 7

Davis said that Initiative 7, formed through his office last year, is growing and is showing progress.

“We have identified 32 existing projects in the district and are helping these projects. There is a non-profit organization operated outside of my office, which is handling the funding. Once we feel that our funding is adequate we will review the district again for projects,” said Davis.

“Jo Bonner and I have worked together on many things and we are putting rural America before everyone in Washington. They are hearing from us,” Davis stated.

America Divided

Thomasville Methodist Church Pastor Phil Craddock wanted to know how America would overcome the philosophical chasm that has widened in American culture.

“At the end of the day, we are all working toward the same goals. We have different ideologies and ideas on the best way to achieve those goals, but we know the issues,” Davis said. “The leadership to move us closer together must come from the President.

No matter the outcome of this election, Bush or Kerry, the President must encourage all political parties to work together.”