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Thursday, September 2, 2010
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Our View on the Issue
Published May 29, 2010
Today we are pleased to present the Sand Mountain Reporter’s editorial endorsements for Tuesday’s election. We believe it is the first time this newspaper has endorsed candidates in local races.
We are not endorsing in every statewide race. In some cases, such as the Republican primary for lieutenant governor, none of the three qualified candidates made an effort to come to Marshall County or to seek an interview with The Reporter.
We are, however, offering our opinion on local races, from State Senator in District 9 to the Marshall County Board of Education.
We invited every local candidate to meet with our Endorsement Board, listed below. All but one candidate took advantage of that opportunity.
With that lone exception, we visited with each candidate and spent 30 minutes asking background questions and discussing issues and individual solutions to particular problems. Questions arose from particular stances on issues and candidates had the opportunity to further explain their positions.
Finally, each was asked why they thought themselves to the best candidate for the office they sought.
When all interviews were completed, our panel met and discussed each race and each candidate. We shared our impressions with each other and compared the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate.
Then we voted and a consensus was reached. It is important you know not all votes were unanimous. That’s the way it should be.
We think it is important to offer you our opinion on who we consider to be the best choice in these primary races. You may disagree with that and you may disagree with our choices.
We are in a unique position to make these choices, however, based on the extensive interview process. In fact, we consider it an obligation.
You may have your mind made up on a candidate in several of these races and, in others, you’re still looking for more information. That’s where we might be most helpful.
Very few people have had the opportunity to meet with every local candidate in any race, much less all of them. We hope the effort we made to accomplish that will be appreciated.
So read on. Here are our endorsements for the Tuesday, June 1, primary election.
Our View on the Issue is an opinion of The Reporter’s endorsement board that includes Publisher Ben Shurett, Managing Editor Melissa Cosper and Staff Writer Jonathan Stinson.
Republican Primary for Governor: Bradley Byrne
While every statewide candidate has been campaigning on the ideal of “cleaning up state government,” Bradley Byrne has a proven record of doing that during his tenure as chancellor of the state’s two-year college system. He’s a former state senator, with knowledge of how state government works and he also served on the state board of education as well. He’s a solid leader, able to lead Alabama through the difficult economic times ahead.
Republican Primary for Attorney General: Luther Strange
Incumbent Attorney General Troy King has done little to deserve a second term. Most of his tenure has been one contentious moment after another, which have limited his effectiveness in acting as the state’s chief law enforcement officer. Luther Strange has had a solid career as an attorney and, while his prosecutorial experience is limited, he is a much better choice than King.
Republican Primary for State Treasurer: Young Boozer
Young Boozer is infinitely more qualified to lead Alabama’s treasury department than his opponent, career politician George Wallace Jr. It was Wallace, in fact, who set up the state’s Prepaid Tuition “PACT” program that was doomed to fail. Boozer’s entire career has been in the finance field, including two years as Deputy Finance Director for Gov. Bob Riley. He resigned that position to seek political office for the first time. Boozer is clearly the best choice over Wallace.
Republican Primary for Agriculture Commissioner: Dorman Grace
Dorman Grace is a third-generation farmer with the education and business experience to lead Alabama’s Agriculture Department to new heights. The Auburn graduate has been a successful poultry, cattle and timber farmer and is past president of the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association. His family was named as that association’s family of the year in 1990 and again in 2009. He has served on the State Department of Agriculture Board since 2003. It’s time for him to lead it.
Republican Primary for State Senate District 9: Tony Cochran
Tony Cochran’s leadership ability makes him the best choice for the Alabama Senate. He has a solid grasp on the issues of District 9, and has offered reasonable solutions. He is also a founder of the Albertville School Board Foundation and spearheaded the recent and successful “Celebrate Albertville” event. He has a unique ability to organize groups of people and lead them on the strength of his personality. He will make a good state senator to replace Hinton Mitchem in District 9.
Democratic Primary for State Senate District 9: Tim Mitchell
Tim Mitchell, who is currently Marshall County’s Probate Judge, is the clear choice on the Democratic side of the race for State Senate, Dist. 9. He has an outstanding record as a judge and clearly deserves the vote in this primary.
Republican Primary for State Representative District 26: Tim Bollinger
Current Marshall County Commissioner Tim Bollinger will be a strong advocate for Albertville, Boaz and all of District 26 as a state representative. His poultry experience gives him a good understanding of Sand Mountain’s largest industry and he has been effective on the county commission for nine years. That experience gives him solid relationships with Alabama’s industrial recruiters and workforce development leaders as he seeks to bring new jobs to District 26.
Republican Primary for State Representative District 27: Jimmy Helms
Arab businessman Jimmy Helms is the clear choice in the race for State Representative, District 27, and the right to face incumbent Jeff McLaughlin. He wants to try to increase school funding and create more private sector jobs for Sand Mountain.
Republican Primary for County Commission Chairman: Doug Fleming
Doug Fleming is the incumbent chairman of the Marshall County Commission, moving up from his County Commissioner’s desk after the death of Billy Cannon. He has had a solid tenure and has worked hard to cut the cost of county government. Such moves aren’t always popular with county employees but he’s made everyone more accountable. He deserves another term.
Republican Primary for Superintendent of Education: Tim Nabors
Now in his fourth year as the current superintendent of the Marshall County School System, Nabors took over just as economic woes were about to hit every school system. In spite of that, he has had a solid tenure and all county schools achieved the state’s “Adequate Yearly Progress” standards, a first for the system. Nabors deserves this nomination.
Democratic Primary for Superintendent of Education: Barry Kirkland
Democrat Barry Kirkland was the county superintendent of education four years ago. He had a solid tenure during his time and wants to return to the position. He deserves the opportunity to face Tim Nabors once again.
Republican Primary for Board of Education Place 3: Stan Chaffin
Stan Chaffin, a Douglas native, is assistant manager and finance director of the Douglas Water Board. He is married to a school teacher, and has taught classes at Wallace State Community College. He has a solid grasp of what the role of a member of a board of education should be and his financial experience should help lead the Marshall County Board of Education during difficult economic times.
Republican Primary for Board of Education Place 4: Bill Aaron
Bill Aaron was a teacher and administrator for 33 years. He also has a strong appreciation for students who can be helped with a technical education. He’s been a leader in every organization he’s joined and is a solid choice here.
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