Voice of the Voters: Greene County

By Jen Hale
Reporter and weekend anchor
Published: October 15, 2008

Banks and Company Hardware is a small family businesses that - so far - is passing the test of time.

It’s been here since 1889, and a lot of things are done the old fashioned way, even calling customers by name.

But many folks worry the town and way of life this old store represents are in jeopardy.

“Things are getting tough here. Everything is slowing down everywhere you look,“ says Jim Sterling, a Banks employee.

Lots of businesses throughout Eutaw have folded in the past few years.

“Everything we buy - we really have to go to Tuscaloosa,“ says Kara Upchurch, another Banks employee and a mother of two boys, ages 5 and 2.

Upchurch wishes her tax money could stay in Greene County to help the struggling school system:
“You’ve got seniors graduating who have never used a computer. Where in Tuscaloosa - they’ve been on computers since they were in kindergarten. So small town America is getting left behind.

In Greene County, 34% of the population lives below the poverty line. The per capita income is just $14,000 a year. So as you might imagine, the economy and money are top concerns.

From Wall Street:
“My retirement is invested somewhat in the stock market,“ worries Carlene Henderson, a retired special education administrator.

To Eutaw’s Main Street, the financial crunch is painful: 
“We’ve had to cut back on patrols, but the crime isn’t cutting back. We are {feeling the squeeze}. It’s making us work more hours because we have less manpower and less money to operate on,“ says Eutaw Asst. Police Chief Luther Davis.
 
 
“I’ve been worried longer than just the recent crisis. {So you've seen this coming?} Right. I see a lack of moral responsibility and leadership,“ says Delphine McKenzie.

McKenzie’s voting for Barack Obama. She hopes he’ll bring change.

Lula Bridges’ ballot goes to the John McCain/Sarah Palin ticket.
“There are a series of things that have really been mishaps in her family, but she has been willing to face that and say ‘Look, world we’re not perfect, but we’re willing to stand up and do the right thing’. There are so many young mothers I know who could use that push up,“ says Bridges.

Regardless of the candidate, many Greene County voters have the same question:
“They keep saying they’re going to do this, do that and you wonder how with all the debt we have already?“ wonders Henderson.

They’re praying someone has the answer.