Mayor Loretta Spencer is proud of what she has accomplished as Huntsville's Mayor. After spending over 30 years as a volunteer, she put her knowledge and love of this community to work building a better Huntsville. Through her efforts, hundreds of new jobs and over two million square feet in new retail space have come to our city.

Since 54% of the city's budget depends on sales tax, Mayor Spencer made a pledge during her first administration to focus on increasing retail sales and she has done just that. New retail stores like Target, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Ross and many others have located in Huntsville. She has personally recruited companies such as Toyota, International Truck and the Target Distribution Center. Small business remains the backbone of the community. Mayor Spencer has been involved in small business incubators that help start-up companies bring their ideas to reality.

Mayor Spencer is leading the charge to protect our space and defense jobs as well as Redstone Arsenal that provide billions of dollars to our annual economy. Huntsville faces a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) evaluation next year and she is an integral part of the community's effort to insure that we are protected.

During her time in office, Huntsville has seen a 30% decrease in violent crime and a 23% decline in property crimes such as burglary. We have a successful community policing program with three new precincts and a new Criminal Justice Center. When Madison County was under a federal court order to expand the jail, she negotiated to build a joint city-county facility, saving the city $ 41 million in operating costs and preventing citizens from being taxed to pay for the expansion.

A former school teacher, Mayor Spencer has given more funds to Huntsville schools than any other mayor. Her innovative Tax Increment Finance (TIF) plan has generated $ 52 million for new schools and capital improvements to repair existing schools. Our schools have received an additional $ 13 million this year for operations from sales tax revenue. That is an increase of $ 1 million over budget projections due to strong retail sales!

Quality of life continues to be a priority for Loretta Spencer. The city has spent over $ 15 million to insure that all neighborhoods have quality parks and playground facilities. She has worked with private landowners and used grant money to increase our greenways, bike ways and nature trails. The Mayor recently announced the construction of a new tennis facility and a soccer complex for Huntsville residents and to attract regional and national tournaments. These facilities will be paid for by outside dollars through an increase to our lodging tax.

Downtown redevelopment is key to keeping our city successful. The announcements of a new downtown hotel and convention facility and office, retail and residential space will ensure our community strength. With these, come an expansion of Big Spring Park and waterways that can be adapted for recreational opportunities.

And finally, Mayor Spencer has committed more funds to road repair than any other mayor in Huntsville's history. She also secured an additional $ 7 million in state funds for resurfacing streets this year.

Mayor Loretta Spencer is running for re-election to keep Huntsville headed in the right direction.