Battle promises ‘full disclosure’

Battle promises ‘full disclosure’ of what caused jail problems

Mayor discusses overpasses, lobbying at town hall event

Mayor Tommy Battle promised Huntsville taxpayers a "full and open disclosure" of what went wrong with the troubled metro jail project once the litigation outcome is known in the next several months.

Battle made the vow Monday night in a town hall meeting televised live from the historic Merrimack Hall performing arts center.

Battle, who made the jail debacle a key issue in his 2008 mayoral campaign, told the audience the city should know within about three months whether it can realistically expect to recoup money from the jail’s earlier contractors and designers. "There’s a danger of putting good money after bad," Battle said, adding that at some point the city needs to consider the legal expenses of continuing to pursue damages.

The jail issue was one of the first few questions asked in the open-format town hall attended by some 300 people. Other topics touched on issues like metro government, the construction timetable for Memorial Parkway overpasses, annexation policies, expanding mass transit and incorporating more "green technology" in city government using energy-efficient buildings and vehicles.

Posted by al.com