📡 Byrne: Alabama will not move forward with alcohol sales pointing to tax increases on tickets from city of Tuscaloosa.

[Justneedme81]

I think Alabama wins the standoff with the city. Smart of Greg to put it out in public, so he can shift the blame toward the city. The city's response was weak and eventually they will cave in.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

What's the BBQ type event Tuscaloosa holds? Cityfest? Events at other locales around Tuscaloosa like the Amphitheater. They don't "neatly fit" in that category as well but from my point of view it seems they're being treated completely differently.

I think Alabama wins the standoff with the city. Smart of Greg to put it out in public, so he can shift the blame toward the city. The city's response was weak and eventually they will cave in.

It's a pretty easy fix. I will say, for Greg to put the city on blast like that, he was/is pissed... he'd normally not handle things in that manner. It was a bitch move by the city council and Maddox though to swoop in and basically sabotage the plans (which had been finalized and were being set in motion... already had signage and such in Coleman). But again, The University should come to an agreement with Maddox on covering a reasonable amount of the game day security expenses for the home football games. IMO, that would not only be the fair thing to do, it would solve the alcohol issue as well without the added tax.

 

[BamaFan334]

It's a pretty easy fix. I will say, for Greg to put the city on blast like that, he was/is pissed... he'd normally not handle things in that manner. It was a bitch move by the city council and Maddox though to swoop in and basically sabotage the plans (which had been finalized and were being set in motion... already had signage and such in Coleman). But again, The University should come to an agreement with Maddox on covering a reasonable amount of the game day security expenses for the home football games. IMO, that would not only be the fair thing to do, it would solve the alcohol issue as well without the added tax.

Does the school not already do enough for the City to cover expenses? Are we certain the City hasn't taken liberties with the school and increasing their budget with pet projects to eat up those funds where it doesn't appear the city is raking in all kinds of money from the university? Saban isn't the school, but without the school the City doesn't have Saban and his contributions to the kids museum and all of that development currently going on. I feel the City can find a way to come up with however many hundreds or thousands it may cost in efforts of maintaining that relationship where the City is making out on the other end in so many ways.

 

[252BAMA]

What do you think the odds are for Maddox to be re-elected?

What are the odds he has a (D) after his name?

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Does the school not already do enough for the City to cover expenses? Are we certain the City hasn't taken liberties with the school and increasing their budget with pet projects to eat up those funds where it doesn't appear the city is raking in all kinds of money from the university? Saban isn't the school, but without the school the City doesn't have Saban and his contributions to the kids museum and all of that development currently going on. I feel the City can find a way to come up with however many hundreds or thousands it may cost in efforts of maintaining that relationship where the City is making out on the other end in so many ways.

In terms of game day security, no. The city has to cover the costs, which are pretty high. Now, I do think they can cut back on a lot of the stuff they do and some manpower, but I doubt anyone would sign off on that. But as an example, the officers working the game have to buy their own food at concession stands if they want to eat. That's dumb, and cheap on UA's part when they could give them vouchers for hotdogs and chips.

As far as the city taking liberties and trying to take advantage of UA, I'd be shocked if they don't. They tried to do it with this alcohol stuff but Byrne called them out. But that stuff should be handed on a case by case basis, and yes, the city of Tuscaloosa would basically be Phenix City with a different river if not for The University. They'd do well to keep that in mind.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

What are the odds he has a (D) after his name?

He ran against Ivey as a democrat for Governor... He had aspirations to run for the Senate, but I'm not sure he still does at this point.

 

[BamaFan334]

In terms of game day security, no. The city has to cover the costs, which are pretty high. Now, I do think they can cut back on a lot of the stuff they do and some manpower, but I doubt anyone would sign off on that. But as an example, the officers working the game have to buy their own food at concession stands if they want to eat. That's dumb, and cheap on UA's part when they could give them vouchers for hotdogs and chips.

As far as the city taking liberties and trying to take advantage of UA, I'd be shocked if they don't. They tried to do it with this alcohol stuff but Byrne called them out. But that stuff should be handed on a case by case basis, and yes, the city of Tuscaloosa would basically be Phenix City with a different river if not for The University. They'd do well to keep that in mind.

Yeah, that food deal is pretty pathetic on Alabama's behalf, especially if you're not paying for their presence.

Help me understand if you can, but the university is a government funded school. Are the sports programs a different entity? I can understand the city paying for the cops on the streets around the stadium as those are public areas and what not, but does the athletic department use government funding as a crutch for not being on the hook for the expense of having officers inside the stadium? I see the city trying to hit them with a tax, so maybe they are completely separate from a government entity and private sector. Who exactly owns the stadium?

Definitely a mess, but dang, you figured the city and the school would be able to work pretty dang close to one another for as much as one benefits from the other. Greed. It always comes back to greed.

 

[TerryP]

Dr. Bell:

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Yeah, that food deal is pretty pathetic on Alabama's behalf, especially if you're not paying for their presence.

Help me understand if you can, but the university is a government funded school. Are the sports programs a different entity? I can understand the city paying for the cops on the streets around the stadium as those are public areas and what not, but does the athletic department use government funding as a crutch for not being on the hook for the expense of having officers inside the stadium? I see the city trying to hit them with a tax, so maybe they are completely separate from a government entity and private sector. Who exactly owns the stadium?

Definitely a mess, but dang, you figured the city and the school would be able to work pretty dang close to one another for as much as one benefits from the other. Greed. It always comes back to greed.

I think UA's stance is that they already pay enough through taxes to the city that they shouldn't have to pay extra on top of that for security. They may have a valid point, I don't know the numbers. I do know in the past, the city (Maddox specifically) has diverted funds away from TPD to use for what most saw as lesser needs. That would also bring back up the point you mentioned earlier about them having enough funds but misusing them. I'll also add I've never once heard the county complain about the situation, and they too provide a lot of man power and services on game days. Maybe UA has the numbers to show that the city gets enough money to cover the staffing, but it has been a point of contention for years now. I do think if UA agrees to help fund the city's game day services, that they do so in a reasonable manner... not picking up the whole tab. Also, it should be nonnegotiable that they ensure 100% of the money goes to TPD, TFR, etc.

 

[ElephantStomp]

In terms of game day security, no. The city has to cover the costs, which are pretty high. Now, I do think they can cut back on a lot of the stuff they do and some manpower, but I doubt anyone would sign off on that. But as an example, the officers working the game have to buy their own food at concession stands if they want to eat. That's dumb, and cheap on UA's part when they could give them vouchers for hotdogs and chips.

As far as the city taking liberties and trying to take advantage of UA, I'd be shocked if they don't. They tried to do it with this alcohol stuff but Byrne called them out. But that stuff should be handed on a case by case basis, and yes, the city of Tuscaloosa would basically be Phenix City with a different river if not for The University. They'd do well to keep that in mind.

The officers have to pay for their own food, cops aren’t allowed to accept any gifts for any amount of money. Only way for the school to pay for their food is for the cops to be working off duty and not in their police uniform.

 

[XXL TideFan]

I dont think it’s unreasonable if city has to provide extra police for rowdy’s....

Alcohol sales is a terrible idea...
people are packed in close as is....dont need the trouble

So this works out and gives bama an out for alcohol sales

Several drunks around us last time we went to a game as it is.

 

[XXL TideFan]

He ran against Ivey as a democrat for Governor... He had aspirations to run for the Senate, but I'm not sure he still does at this point.

O’ Scruples Where Art Thou?

Then again how many politicians of either stripe have you heard utter, “Taxing (anything) is unnecessary.”

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

The officers have to pay for their own food, cops aren’t allowed to accept any gifts for any amount of money. Only way for the school to pay for their food is for the cops to be working off duty and not in their police uniform.

I know there's a fine line there, but I would bet TPD could get it approved. Regardless, there are officers here who will accept free food when working events, on campus and off (discounted food too at plenty of places, free fountain drinks at gas stations, etc). At the football games, the officers with a certain amount of seniority get to choose the area/section in the stadium that they work. Had one tell me (a good friend) that they enjoy the private box levels the most because of the food.