Lt. governor visits county to hunt

By Staff
Melissa Cason
RED BAY – Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. spent two days in the western part of Franklin County hunting quail at Cypress Cove Farm this week.
Folsom said this is his second trip to the farm to hunt quail, and that he enjoys the peaceful surroundings.
"It's beautiful here," Folsom said. "I wish it was mine."
Folsom was able to shoot a couple birds during the hunt Friday morning.
"I hit a few and missed a few, " Folsom joked about the hunt. "I'm really enjoying the hunt here. The hospitality has been great."
During a lunch break, Folsom and other guests enjoyed a Swamp John's meal before continuing the hunt Friday afternoon.
While in the county Folsom and State Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow talked about the importance of a roadway connecting Muscle Shoals with Mobile.
"We've had meetings in several areas in West Alabama about the project, and everyone seems to be in favor," Folsom said.
Morrow and Folsom agreed that Interstate 65 is getting overcrowded, and that new industry in the state will increase traffic on the interstate even more.
"When there is a straight shot from Mobile to Muscle Shoals, it will bring in more industry for parts of west Alabama as well," Morrow said.
This project has been in the works for quite a while, and it's something that will take time and money to complete.
Folsom also talked about the economic situation facing the state.
"Things are tough right now," Folsom said. "But, our unemployment rate in Alabama is a full percentage lower than most surrounding states and is two percent lower than Tennessee's unemployment rate."
Folsom said Alabama has what it takes to make it through this difficult economic time.