John Ferguson - Dothan City Commissioner, District 4

A sincere thank you to all of you for the many messages, letters, gifts, notes, calls, photos, and kind words. It has truly been one of my life’s great honors to have been allowed to serve on the Dothan Commission for the last 12 years.

Not long after winning my seat Mike Schmitz told me “you’re gonna love this job” and he was certainly correct. It has afforded me the incredible gift of countless friendships and to have had a front row seat to what I believe to have been the most productive era in our city’s history.

We’ve improved our infrastructure both to satisfy current needs, as well as future growth. We’ve accomplished the goal of “knowing you’re now in Dothan” when we committed to the beautification of our roadways and right of ways when reaching our city limits. We built a world class public safety center where thousands have come from all over the world to train. We’ve added two new fire stations and made significant, generational, investments in police and fire technologies to keep Dothan safe. We’ve worked hard to provide a competitive compensation package for all Public Safety personnel.

We’ve improved our downtown amenities and facilities. We’ve expanded our park offerings and many other quality of life improvements. We’ve recruited industry using a regional approach. I’m confident our strategic investments in the Westgate Megasite, Sam Houston, Napier Field, and McLane Industrial Parks will continue to pay dividends.

We have been through a lot as well. Hurricane Michael left us reeling but we rallied, and recovered better than ever. A global pandemic also challenged us. We lost many loved ones and learned a lot about a lot of things but came out stronger once again.

In 2013, the Houston County Healthcare Authority made the decision to build a medical school In Dothan. It Is now the largest medical school in Alabama working to address our growing rural healthcare challenges.

I have never been more optimistic about Dothan’s future than I am right now. I believe when visitors come through Dothan and see our downtown improvements, the Wiregrass Innovation Center, the additional private developments and investments, our significant road and intersection improvements, the opportunities to live, work, and raise a family here, will only reinforce that the City of Dothan will continue to thrive as the economic POWERHOUSE of Southeast Alabama.

Thank you again for the incredible honor of serving. I’m forever thankful.

Capitol Journal - September 26, 2025 Did you catch Capitol Journal this week? My guests are House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, Kelly East of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and Peden Barber of the Alabama National Fair. Watch online below.

Revolutionary Mental Health work being done right here in Dothan.

UPDATE 9/26/25: Due to weather, this work has been rescheduled for Monday night (9/29/25).

On the night of Thursday, September 25th, contractors with APAC-Alabama will be working in the median of Ross Clark Circle between Montgomery Highway and the intersection of the northbound frontage road. They will be working on the installation of new turn lanes and traffic signals between Shops on the Circle and the Northside Mall. These signals will allow southbound traffic along Ross Clark Circle to enter Shops on the Circle and provide a northbound exit for traffic leaving the Northside Mall shopping center. The new turn lanes and traffic signals will become operational overnight, weather permitting.

Motorists are requested to exercise caution when traveling in this area and be aware of workers near the roadway.

The City of Dothan would like to notify the public that Dothan Utilities will be performing water line maintenance in the 1600 Block of Honeysuckle Road. To accommodate this work, the western southbound lane will be closed from the middle entrance to the south entrance of Dothan City Early Education Center, as shown on the map. The closure will begin at 8:30 AM and conclude at 2:00 PM on September 17, 2025.

Motorists are urged to drive cautiously through the area and remain alert for crews working in the roadway.

Today, the Dothan Fire Department Recruit School and the Wiregrass Law Enforcement Academy stood shoulder to shoulder to honor the 2,977 lives lost on September 11, 2001. Together, these future firefighters and law enforcement officers participated in a solemn stair climb, symbolizing the 110 stories of the World Trade Center and the ultimate sacrifice of the 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, and countless civilians who never made it home that day.

This was more than just a workout, it was a powerful moment of unity, respect, and remembrance. These recruits are preparing to dedicate their lives to serving our community, and today they showed that they understand what it truly means to answer the call, no matter the cost.

We are proud of these men and women and the example they set as they carry forward the legacy of bravery and sacrifice that 9/11 reminds us of every year.

🎈In light of Downtown Dothans new developments, a new location is opening its doors. La Strada at 151 West Main street has Mulitiple ground floor storefront units for small businesses and luxury apartments above
according to their website. La Strada is an Italian phrase meaning "the road" or "the street".

With all the changes, new buildings and renovations downtown, this one snuck up on me. "Keeping you informed on the "New" in Dothan" ~Sharla