Editorial

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Many, many years ago I moved to Pickens County and fell in love with the people here - good, loving, honest, friendly people - the best in the world!
Now, over 60 years later, I continue to be reminded why I love this area so much.   We always hear about the bad things that happen, but I believe that good deeds need to be recognized.  

Letter to the Editor: New information source for stuttering community

Dear Editor,

I’d like to ask your readers: Do you stutter? Do you know someone who does? Most people do. More than three million Americans and 70 million people across the globe stutter, but sadly it is still quite misunderstood. Help us change that.

May 13th-19th is National Stuttering Awareness Week. To support the stuttering community, the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation launched a new website with easy-to-find information like articles, brochures, magazines, videos, research reports and counselor referrals, with a new laptop- and mobile-friendly interface.

Prisons Issue - Front/Center

By Steve Flowers, Guest Columnist

Folks, taking care of prisoners is not a popular political issue.  However, every so often Alabama politicians pragmatically have to acquiesce to the mandates of federal judges and grant our transgressing citizens their rights as determined by the courts.

Letter the the Editor

Dear Editor,

We are very thankful to Alabama Power and all of the crews that worked long hours to restore power and clear the roads after the storm last Thursday.

It was very organized the way Alabama Power and all of the utility companies joined together to restore power across the county.

A special thanks to Brach White, the headmaster of Pickens Academy, for allowing the power company to use their parking lot to park all the utility trucks.

Who will take Doug Jones out next year?

By Steve Flowers, Guest Columnist

It is a foregone conclusion that a Republican will take out our anomaly liberal democratic senator, Doug Jones, next year.  The question is which Republican will be the nominee and capture the seat.

The early favorite is U.S. Congressman Bradley Byrne.  There is an old adage that often holds true, the early bird gets the worm.

Host of young, female lobbyists have taken over the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers, Guest Columnist

As I observe the legislature, it occurs to me that I am getting older.  A lot of the legislators and lobbyists I have known over the years have moved on.

Montgomery is no longer an “Old Boys Club.”  A cursory look at a typical day at the Alabama Statehouse would surprise you.  An increasing number of professional women are a major part of the lawmaking process.  There are a host of brilliant women under 40 who are at the forefront and yield a great deal of influence over the process of policy making in Alabama.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Recently, I was in rehab at Arbor Woods Nursing Home. The doctors, nurses, and therapy departments were wonderful. I was treated professionally and I can certainly recommend this place for rehab. If ever I need long-term care, I can recommend Arbor Woods.

Thank you for the good care I received,

Wynema (Lucy) Fuller

State Budgets: Priority Number One

By Steve Flowers, Guest Columnist

After their successful special five-day Special Session, the Legislature has been in their Regular Session for a few weeks now.  The Session will end in June so it is about one-fourth over.  Almost one-third of the members are new, freshmen if you will.  Even though they are, for the most part a bright and talented group, they are still wet behind the ears when it comes to legislative ways.

Rural roads need fixing

By Steve Flowers, Guest Columnist

Last week we talked about the importance that roads are to the economic development of our state.  We spoke about urban growth and expansion, especially the needs for highways in Huntsville and the improvement of the Port in Mobile.

Alabama Leads the Way with Female Government Leadership: Kay Ivey, Katie Britt, and Twinkle Cavanaugh

By Steve Flowers, Guest Columnist

There has been a lot of talk about the advancement of women in politics over the past year.  It has been suggested that more progressive states have led the way with this change. Alabama can very well make the case that we lead the nation in women taking leadership roles in our state.

It is very doubtful that any state in the nation can claim a female governor and a female chief executive of their states leading business organization.

Infrastructure Program Should Be Priority 1

By Steve Flowers, Guest Columnist

As the new quadrennium crests in Alabama government, everybody looks toward a new beginning.  There is a new fresh four years ahead for the newly elected leaders.  They are overwhelmingly Republican.  The Governor is Republican and all of the accompanying constitutional officeholders are members of the GOP.  More importantly, the State Legislature, both the House and the Senate are Republicans.  In fact, over two-thirds of each chamber are Republican.  It is a supermajority.

The Dead Fish

BY TIM MCCOOL, Pastor, Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church

A Christian worldview is essential for a Christian. That’s a fairly obvious statement. A worldview is, in a nutshell, the way in which we view the world around us.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

BY TIM MCCOOL, Pastor, Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church

Recently at Bethlehem one of the preachers preached a sermon from Mt.6:34: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” The thrust of the message was not listening to worry and fear, but deal with what we have in front of us each day, rather than stressing over what may or may not occur tomorrow.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Let’s talk about the American flag!

The last time our flags were displayed, they were still red and white stripes with white stars on a blue field.

The display of our flag is for all government buildings: city halls, schools, all federal buildings, etc.

A red flag with a white “200” is not our American flag.

If you do not know the code of the American flag, don’t fly something else in its place.

Signed,

Ken Lucas,

A Concerned Citizen

Aliceville

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

The way we pave a highway today sure has changed. Let’s take seven miles on Highway 86 between Carrollton and Highway 82.

Changes made in the city around the court house, going out of Carrollton, were paved for a stretch. Then comes loose gravel, another paved section, then patched sections.

If this is the way we accept paved roads in Alabama, we need a new ALDOT supervisor.

Signed,

Ken Lucas,

A Concerned Citizen

Aliceville

Last of Famous Probate Judges: Hardy McCollum

By Steve Flowers, Guest Columnist

In Alabama political history, the office of Probate Judge was the most powerful and prestigious position.  In the old days, in every county in Alabama, the probate judge was not only judge, he also appointed all county positions, hired all county employees, and was Chairman of the County Commission.  He was essentially the “King of the County.”

Analysis of General Election

By Steve Flowers, Guest Columnist

A few last thoughts and observations on our November 6 General Election in Alabama.

Our new 55th Governor looked and sounded more like the old Kay Ivey than the one we have seen the past few years and during the campaign.  She was vibrant, succinct and to the point, and had a perfectly timed and unscripted victory speech.  Her green jacket was becoming.  She will be a good governor.  She will tackle the tough issues the state must face in the next four years, especially our infrastructure needs.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Arbor Woods Health & Rehab would like to say, “Thank you!” to the family and friends of Pastor Cecil Junkin for the donations made to the Activity Department. We have purchased a Karaoke machine, CD player and Cassette AM/FM boom box, table games, and much more. Again thank you!

We also celebrated Resident’s Rights month during the week of Oct. 17-19. A special event took place each day. Along with Resident Rights Bingo & Gifts, we ended with a pizza party for the residents.

Arbor Woods

Reform, Ala.

More Than Election Going on in Alabama Politics

By Steve Flowers, Guest Columnist

Our gubernatorial election year politics ended yesterday.  However, there have been other political maneuverings and developments going on behind the scenes, which may ultimately have more long-term ramifications in the Heart of Dixie’s political future.

The selection of a new Business Council of Alabama leader is imminent and will probably occur in the next few days.  In addition, the jockeying and wrangling for the U.S. Senate Seat in 2020 has begun.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Boss Hogg would like to thank each of the Volunteer Fire Departments and individuals in the area for taking the time out of their day and working so hard to put out the fire at Boss Hogg Bar-B-Que on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. May God bless each of you is my prayer.

Thank you,

Boss Hogg Bar-B-Que

Wilmer L. Davis, Co-Owner

Tarra L. Davis, Co-Owner

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

This Thanksgiving Day, as we gather with family and friends to count our blessings, let's give thanks for the bounty we enjoy not just on this holiday, but every day. The safe, plentiful food that is available to us, and the products used to produce the clothing, housing, medicines, fuel and other products we use on a daily basis, didn't just appear in a store. They got there thanks to a tremendous partnership of farmers and ranchers, processors, brokers, truckers, shippers, advertisers, wholesalers and retailers.

Frank Johnson the Legend and the Free State of Winston

By Steve Flowers, Guest Columnist

Those of us who are Baby Boomers remember the tumultuous times of the 1960s.  We lived through the Civil Rights revolution.  Those of us who grew up here in the Heart of Dixie witnessed the transpiring of racial integration first hand.  Most of the crusades and struggles occurred here in Alabama, especially Montgomery.