Popham was a senior at Lincoln High School when she was chosen to represent the school in the welcoming ceremony a decade ago. Her words, some of which were inscribed on a time capsule that was buried at the 2000 ceremony and unearthed Tuesday, echoed across the years: “I am sure we will all look back at this event as a life-changing moment, a time when our world opened up in ways we never dreamed possible. We plant our dreams; may they flourish abundantly….”
Many of the speakers on Tuesday referred to the dreams that have begun to flourish, of possibilities that have begun to open, of lives that have changed. Popham, herself, jokingly said her hometown was barely recognizable, with its four new traffic lights. But the other signs of progress — three new schools, a new recreation park, the renovated downtown — were not a matter of joking, but rather a point of pride.
Of course, Honda’s contributions are not confined to Lincoln, nor even to Talladega County. Honda has brought some 4,000 new jobs inside the plant and many more outside, as 38 parts and materials suppliers followed the auto manufacturer to the area. Honda pays $60 million a year in salaries and contributes $4.5 billion to the local economy each year.
No wonder the party on Tuesday was important enough to attract the personal attendance of Lincoln Mayor Lew Watson, State Rep. Steve Hurst, State Sen. Jim Preuitt, Alabama’s 3rd District congressman Mike Rogers, and Gov. Bob Riley.
While hailing Honda’s contributions to the area and the state, Riley issued a challenge. He said he hoped that when the assembled group returned in 2020, that they could not return to the same stage because a third assembly line would occupy that very spot.
We know Honda heard the challenge. And we’d like to say to Honda on behalf of Talladega County and Alabama, we’re up for it if you are.
Post a Comment
