“Some of us may see those doggone orange barrels as barriers and inconvenience and sometimes they are,” he said. “But with a proper perspective, which is the one I have, those barrels signify growth. Those barrels, they are a reminder that sometimes that road to progress is not always easy.”
While many major roadways and back roads have undergone major construction in the last year to accommodate a growing number of cars traveling in and through Dothan, more change is on the way. Saliba said those barrels are a sign a thriving economy and the work of city government has never been as important as it is today.
Recruiting industries, building infrastructure, growing the economy, strengthening opportunities for affordable housing, striving to improve quality of life through arts, entertainment, and a thriving downtown, and supporting athletics, recreation, and vital nonprofit organizations are all priorities for Saliba.
He emphasized the need to support and invest in public education, the greatest equalizer of all.
In an interview with the Dothan Eagle, Saliba said the biggest upcoming challenges will be to prioritizing a slate of capital projects the commission listed during strategic planning discussions earlier this year, including enhancements to Rip Hewes Stadium and more important road projects.
Biennial budget talks will take place leading up to the next fiscal year in October.
