The Political Round-Up
Cummings, Rich first to announce for District 6;
Nodine gets speedy trial; School bell blues; Ten Minute tags (most of the time);
Football subsidies; Ballot buster; Mobile movies;
Lighting Sparks way; Here come da' judge;
Who will lead Semmes?
By Chip Drago
Mobile Bay Times
Mobile real estate executive Reid Cummings and former two-term City Councilwoman Bess Rich today officially announced their candidacies for the District 6 seat on the Mobile City Council.
The seat will become vacant when newly-elected Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson relinquishes it to accept the new position she won in a special election Tuesday, Aug. 24.
Cummings, a first time contender for public office, will kickoff his campaign with a rally at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1 at Wintzell's Oyster House on Airport Blvd. across from Providence Hospital.
“One of my strengths is the ability to listen to people and build consensus among everyone involved," said Cummings. "I think that in order for the City of Mobile to continue to be a progressive city, one that people want to be a part of, to live and work in, and to make investments that will grow jobs, we need a City Council that will be effective in hearing citizens’ concerns, and finding ways to balance these with the budgetary challenges which the city faces.”
Cummings, 49, and his wife, Rebecca, own The Cummings Company, LLC, a real estate, financial services and consulting company. In 2008, it acquired the Realty Executives™ franchise rights for the Mobile area, and operates under the trade name of Realty Executives The Cummings Company.
A longtime Mobilian, Cummings said his 30-plus years here have provided him with many invaluable opportunities.
“Everything I am, everything I have accomplished, I owe to this community,” he said. “I met my wife here, and we are raising our daughter here. Living here for so long has taught me the true definition of community. I feel it is time to give something back. I believe that right now, I’m the right person to lead District 6, and to work for all of the citizens in the City of Mobile.”
In addition to running a small business, Cummings also serves as an Adjunct Instructor in Commercial Real Estate Investment Analysis in the Mitchell College of Business at the University of South Alabama. He has held similar positions at the University of Mobile and at Phillips Junior College as well.
A University of North Carolina graduate, Cummings also holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Mobile, where he graduated with Honors.
Former two-term District 6 City Councilwoman Bess Rich also will run for the opening.
Noting that she had devoted last evening to celebrating Hudson's win over Democrat Tommy Thompson, Rich said her goal in seeking a second tour on the City Council was to continue a "conservative voice" for District 6.
“In the current economic climate it is important for the residents of District 6 to have a conservative voice that will speak the truth and put their needs first," said Rich. "I will continue the conservative voice of our district, pressing for a prioritization of spending on essential city services while reminding our city leaders that we can’t fix a spending problem with a tax increase.”
Rich advocated open government, pressed for televised council meetings, initiated community meetings, opened a District 6 office at her expense and encouraged open lines of communication with the constituents in her district throughout her previous service on the City Council, she noted in a press release.
"Looking back, many of these things seem like common sense today, but it was hard convincing people at the time," said Rich. "In the end we were successful in giving the people a voice and a seat at the table because even those who disagreed with me respected what I was doing and knew my only interest was for the people I represented."
A proponent of term limits as a "personal" choice, not necessarily a legally mandated one, Rich said her bid to return to the office she held from 1993-2001 was not a contradiction of her principles.
"I believe in a self-imposed term limit and I don't see this (campaign) as going against that by any stretch of the imagination," she said.
Her activities since leaving the City Council have demontrated her commitment to community service, her ability to cooperate across philosophical lines and the depth of her experience in public issues, she said, pointing to her appointment by Mayor Sam Jones to his transition team following his victory over Rich, Ann Bedsole and John Peavy in 2005 and a seven-year stint on the Mobile Area Water and Sewer Board, serving as the MAWSS chairperson last year.
“I know what this position requires and I have big shoes to fill so I am making the commitment for this to be a full-time job for me," she said. "Starting today, if you want help with city problems and you want answers, call my cell phone 533-7890.”
No date for the election has yet been set, though it may well be scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 9. Apparently, district lines and the non-partisan nature of municipal elections muddle the chances of setting the special District 6 city counril race on Nov. 2 along with the statewide general election, thus saving city funds while also guaranteeing the largest possible voter participation.
Nodine: On trial for the holidays
Baldwin County Circuit Judge Charles Partin Wednesday morning, Aug. 25 granted ex-Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine's request for a speedy trial on charges of murdering his lover, setting the proceedings to be held between Thanksgiving and Christmas, probably beginning Monday, Dec. 6.
Nodine's defense counselors John C. Williams and Dennis Knizley maintain that the murder case should be resolved before a federal trial on unrelated charges alleging that Nodine illegally abused narcotics while also possessing firearms. However, with Attorney Gordon Armstrong defending him, Nodine is set for trial in U.S. District Court here shortly, well before a jury will consider the murder case, despite Partin's favorable ruling for Nodine. Guidelines allow federal sentencing authorities to weigh relevant behavior in imposing punishment. If Nodine is found guilty of the federal charges, he faces a prison sentence of 5-10 years. If Nodine could first win acquittal in the murder case, it would bolster his situation in federal court.
Nodine is accused of murder in the May shooting death of Angel Downs, 45, outside her townhouse on Fort Morgan Road in Gulf Shores.
The defense is expected to emphasize Downs' mental condition, both psychological and pharmacological, and point to evidence suggesting her suicidal tendencies.
Baldwin County District Attorney Judy Newcomb is expected to oppose an accelerated trial schedule.
Those school bell blues
When should the school year begin? When should it end? The days when the academic year ended about Memorial Day with a stream of screaming school kids racing from classrooms straight into summer are long gone. The days when the school year began with squeaky new shoes and the unfamiliar tug on the shoulders of a schoolbook-laden backpack are gone, too.
Now it seems like it is race from opposite directions between the beginning and the ending to be the first to reach July 4.
Tourism interests from throughout the state lament the loss of so much profit and tax revenue from each lost week at summer's end if schools open early and eliminate late summer vacations. School boards don't see it exactly that way.
Alabama Education Association Executive Director Paul Hubbert says either side has points in its favor.
"From a monetary standpoint they (tourism interests) are right," he said.
But the issue isn't simply one of revenue; it's also a question of who is the cart and who is the horse and inevitably the school boards are the horse and come first, said Hubbert.
"Each year, however, the question boils down to who should determine when school starts — tourism or the local boards of education," Hubbert said. "The latter always wins."
The debate has been going on a while and, not surprisingly, there are strong arguments and strong support on either side.
"Our members are somewhat split," Hubbert said. "Some years they want to start later and in others they side with the Board because getting out early in the summer appeals to them."
Neither side has been able to develop its case well enough to put the matter to rest.
Proponents of either side have not presented compelling evidence to suggest that significantly enhanced revenue would result from a later school start nor has any study distinguishing advantages to the students from being in the classroom in June or August. Is June milder than the scorching August temperatures? If there is a case for it, it hasn't yet been made, said Hubbert.
Another roadblock is the testing program, Hubbert pointed out.
"The State Department of Education always says that schools have to start early to get the required number of teaching days in before testing begins in the Spring," Hubbert said. "They say the company who does the grading of the test must have them in hand by a certain date. No one has ever asked if only one company can do the grading."
"Tourism probably has a good argument," he continued, "but if they are to succeed, they need to do the necessary background work and refute the arguments put forth by the local boards and State Department. They also will need to set not just the start date but the testing date so that the necessary teaching days separate the two times at least to the extent they do at present."
According to Hubbert, AEA delegates will discuss the issue in December. There has been a lot of division over the matter, said Hubbert, because it involves local control of the school year as much as it involves a straight up debate over economics and hot weather.
'Ten Minute Tags' closer to reality than slogan
“Ten Minute Tags” is closer to reality than simply a forgotten campaign slogan, according to Mobile County License Commissioner Kim Hastie.
“We’re doing really well (on that pledge),” said Hastie. “We have just about gotten there most of the time. We only struggle on the first of the month and the last two days of the month. And that’s pretty good when you consider we have no more employees and in fact they’ve cut my employees. That’s why we’re only open two days (a week) downtown. We don’t have the funding (to staff the office full-time). I’d rather have better service than have too few employees and be slow.”
Football subsidies
In Birmingham, city government's budget and finance committee recently recommended the Birmingham City Council approve a new three-year contract to purchase season tickets to UAB football games. The measure would cost $225,000 a year at a total cost of $675,000. UAB plays their home football games at historic Legion Field.
The season tickets will be handed out to city employees, neighborhood associations and youth groups around the city, according to authorities. UAB's home schedule this fall includes contests with Troy, UTEP, Marshall and Memphis.
Under submission
Mobile County Circuit Judge Rick Stout is expected to rule before the end of the week on state Rep. James Buskey's bid to boot the independent candidacy of young businessman RaShawn Figures from November's ballot.
Attorneys for Buskey and Figures as well as representatives of Mobile County Probate Judge Don Davis and Secretary of State Beth Chapman Friday afternoon attended a hearing before Stout to discuss the case.
Figures, 28, had sought to challenge the 34-year veteran legislator in the Democratic primary but was ousted when party officials upheld Buskey's argument that Figures had not met residency requirements. Although Chapman's office certified Figures to appear on the ballot in November as an independent, Buskey has again raised the issue of Figures' residency in House District 99. Further, Figures should be disqualified under the state's "sore loser" law barring unsuccessful primary entrants from taking another shot in the general election, according to Buskey.
Buskey, 73, has represented House District 99 for nearly half his life.
Davis is expected to finalize the ballot for delivery to the printers by Labor Day. The election is Nov. 2.
Movie-making in Mobile
Erwin Brothers Films began production of the feature film “October Baby” in Birmingham Saturday and film-makers plan to say "lights, camera, action" in the Port City on Thursday.
According to Eva Golson, who directs the Mobile Film Office, shooting will take place on a balcony overlooking Dauphin Street at Joachim on Thursday, Aug. 26.
Golson noted that the filmmakers are the sons of state Sen. Hank Erwin.
Golson said the project was a "fine move" and most unusual in that there's "not one curse word or sex scene in it."
The inspirational story of a young woman’s search for truth was written by Jon Erwin and Theresa Preston and will be directed by brothers Andy and Jon Erwin. Starring Alabama native Rachel Hendrix, additional cast members include Jason Burkey, John Schneider, Jasmine Guy and American Idol sensation Chris Sligh.
"October Baby will be the second film to utilize the newly created Alabama Film Incentives,” said Mark Stricklin, director of the Birmingham-Jefferson Film Office. “The first film to do so was Hunter Films production Lifted, which shot in Birmingham last August.”
“We have provided production assistance for the Erwin Brothers on numerous music videos, web series, and commercials over the last three years in the Birmingham area” Stricklin said. “Their professionalism and talent have made quite an impact on Alabama film production.”
The Erwin Brothers began their careers more than a decade ago working as camera operators for ESPN and ABC. In 1999, they founded Erwin Brothers Motion Pictures in their hometown of Birmingham. Since then, the award-winning team has produced and directed projects seen on CBS, TBN, PBS, CMT, GAC, Gospel Music Channel, iTunes, BET and many others. Their varied portfolio includes commercials, music videos, short films, web content and full-length documentaries. They’ve won back-to-back Music Video of Year at the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards.
October Baby production locations include Samford University and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Birmingham, Alabama Blue Water Adventures in Pelham, downtown Mobile and Dauphin Island on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
Lighting Sparks way
Ron Sparks will headline a rally Saturday, Sept. 11 to open the Mobile headquarters in his Democratic run for governor, according to the Sparks campaign’s Mobile County coordinator Thelma Thrash.
Festivities will include music, entertainment, refreshments and “hopefully lots of people,” said Thrash.
The event will take place from 3-6 p.m. at the 1905 Government Street headquarters, at Rickarby Street near the Loop, that Sparks and the local Democratic Party will share through Election Day, Nov. 2.
For more information call Thrash at 471-5471 or Mobile County Democratic Party Chairman Reggie Copeland Jr. at 648-8600.
Here come da' judge(s)
The Town of Dauphin Island is soliciting resumes from "highly qualified candidates" for a two-year appointment as its municipal judge. Interested licensed attorneys should send a letter of interest, a resume outlining their education, background, employment and salary history by Aug. 31 to Stacy Mallon, clerk of court, 1011 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL 36528.
Competition for appointment to the vacancy on the municipal bench at Dauphin Island may provide a glimpse into the future competition to succeed Judge Jim Wood on the Mobile County Circuit Court bench. Wood is age-barred from seeking re-election in 2012.
There are no shortage of lawyers eyeing the position and doubtless several of them who would like to burnish their resume in advance of a judicial campaign with experience on the bench.
Among those drawing mention as possible contenders for the Wood judgeship are GOP state Sen. Ben Brooks, former GOP district attorney nominee Walter Honeycutt, drug court magistrate Ed Blount and veteran Mobile attorneys Eaton Barnard and Sid Harrell.
On the Eastern Shore, Daphne officials Tuesday night interviewed applicants to replace Tom Doyle as municipal judge. Candidates reportedly include Buddy Brackin, Ken Hitson, Jim Sweet and Brian Dasinger.
After reviewing other neighboring municipalities, Daphne reduced compensation for its municipal judge from $49,000 annually plus health insurance benefits to $35,000 per year without health insurance.
Daphne's new municipal judge will be appointed to a two-year term that begins Sept. 1.
Who will lead Semmes?
With voters in Semmes approving its incorporation by a 3-1 margin on Tuesday, the next step will be picking leaders. Who will lead Mobile County's 11th and newest municipality? Let the unofficial polling begin.
Rich to kick off general election campaign
with dinner party at Inca Hall Aug. 31
Republican District Attorney nominee Ashley Rich will kick off her general election campaign with a dinner Tuesday Aug. 31 at 6:30 at the Inca Hall on Halls Mill Road.
Rich raised more than $10,000 in her first "Dinner with Friends" fundraiser during her GOP primary campaign, she said.
Rich, a veteran assistant district attorney, will vie with Democratic nominee Don Foster in the general election in November. Foster is a former U.S. Attorney during the Bill Clinton presidency.
Shelby in Port City
U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby will visit Mobile for a meet and greet Friday, Oct. 22, according to Terry Lathan, vice-chair of the Mobile County Republican Executive Committee.
The Mobile County Republican Party will host the event and more details will follow, announced Lathan.
