Troy Oliver: Increasing Our Word Power

"We need to vote; we get wrapped all around the axlem, and we can't get past it," Mayor Troy Oliver said. TimesDaily, June 8, 2010


There's nothing we like more than learning new words, so when the mayor of Russellville says that town's city council can't get past an axlem, we're enthralled--or we were until we discovered the word is not in any dictionary.

Is an axlem:

Bigger than a bread box?

Something we might find in our homes?

Something belonging to BP that our sweet/street talking chief exec wants to kick?

Something found only in the county seat of Franklin and does it need to be kicked?

If any readers know what's so hard to get past, please shoot us an e-mail

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$68.00 per vote: We recently wrote that Polly Ruggles spent 2K more than Chad Coker on their campaign for Colbert County District Judge. An update on figures reports that at last look, Coker has now outspent Ruggles by 2.5K. Perhaps the most interesting revelation is that Tim Milam spent 73K in his failed attempt to win the judgeship, or roughly $68.00 for each vote he received.

With the exception of Nathan Johnson, this was the initial campaign for the candidates in this race. In other words, they were trying out the waters; who knows how many of the four also-rans will attempt another race in two to four years. We hope they have good stock portfolios.

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Famous comedy teams: Abbott & Costello, Laurel & Hardy, Martin & Lewis, Lansdell & Lambert. We understand that last act is extremely hard to get tickets for; Chuck Lansdall and Thelma Lambert have been a no-show at their last three gigs. Let's hope Cherokee voters who favor these George Jones wannabes are also a no-show in the next election.


Shoalanda

Chad Coker or Polly Ruggles?

On July 13th, Tuscumbia attorney Chad B. Coker will face Sheffield Municipal Judge Polly Ruggles to decide who will have the greatest chance to succeed retiring District Judge George Carpenter. Even though Ruggles outspent her opponent by several thousand dollars, she came in second to Coker, who also serves as the municipal judge in Cherokee.

We do not dispute Polly Ruggles' qualifications for the judgeship. She has paid her dues, and with the exception of her Sheffield School Board membership, enjoys an unsullied reputation in Colbert County. Ruggles is also married into the family that currently owns Martin Supply and was once large shareholders in the now defunct Martin Industries; in other words, she lacks for very little in life. Monetary success is not a bad thing in itself, but it can affect the way such industrialists look at others. The farther removed from poverty one is, the harder it is to have empathy for those who struggle to put food on the table--the exact people one is more apt to meet in District Court.

We've looked at Chad Coker's life and experience, just as we have looked at Ruggles'. There's no doubt that Coker has worked for the success he enjoys. There should also be no doubt that he is the the obvious choice for the next Colbert County District Judge.


Thought for the day: Only in Alabama would a Harvard law degree be an impediment to winning the office of governor. Thank God for the Republican Party.

Shoalanda

The Readers Speak

Some recent comments and questions--we'll start with a humorous, but valid question:

Don't you guys have spell check? Yes, but it doesn't work on titles (and apparently our editor doesn't either), so if you see any blatant errors, please contact us asap. Many thanks.

Why do you all comment on other counties if you live in Lauderdale? Please read yesterday's blog. This is 2010; what's good for Lauderdale is good for Colbert is good for Franklin is good for Alabama. Even if you don't live in Lauderdale, feel free to send any comments about elections in this county . Again, we're happy to publish guest commentaries.

Do you have an agenda? Only for the best candidates to lead us into an uncertain future. Again, please read yesterday's blog. No one pays us anything and we have endorsed in three counties so far. We don't endorse if we don't have facts on which to base that endorsement; however, we realize any political stance is less valid or important to those whom it doesn't affect. If the voter doesn't have food on the table, he/she couldn't care less if the candidate is green or not.

If I want to send you a guest blog, do you have to publish my name? No, in fact we have published most commentaries under a pen name. We welcome all work, but will edit for vulgar language and anything that could be inferred as libelous. Your opinions do not have to agree with ours--that's one of the major reasons for accepting guest commentaries. We are happy to publish opposing views; however, we will not accept any blogs that support rapists, pedophiles, etc.--that should be self-explanatory.

Those figures on the Colbert County District Judge race seem low. Where did they come from? The guest commentary we recently published used data (we take it) originally published in the ShoalsInsider...and many thanks to that website for publishing them. The State of Alabama has updated disclosures, and we are publishing those figures today.

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That brings us back to that donnybrook in Colbert County. Just who has spent what? Here's an updated list (amounts rounded to nearest thousand):

Nathan Johnson - 7K

Tina Miller Parker - 10K

Chad Coker - 22K

Polly Ruggles - 23K

Tim Milam - 38K

With the election twelve days away, it should be interesting to see how campaign expenses compare to the final vote tabulations.

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Finally, we haven't had a poll in quite some time. We've received many questions about our "man on the street" based predictions in the above race, so today we're offering a poll on the Democratic primary for Colbert County District Judge. The poll will record only one vote per IP addy.


Shoalanda

The Next Colbert County District Judge?

The election of a new Circuit or District Court Judge is a rarity. Colbert County has certainly fielded a covey of candidates from all areas of the legal world. From reading various forums in the area, it would seem that many don't fully understand the role of District Judge. From The Guide to Alabama Courts:

District Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of civil and criminal cases.

Criminal cases handled by District Courts include most misdemeanors, some ordinance violations, preliminary hearings for felony cases, and guilty pleas in felony cases that do not include a death penalty.

Some misdemeanors and ordinance violations may be heard by Circuit Courts as lesser-included offenses in a felony case, or if an indictment for a misdemeanor has been returned by a grand jury. District Courts will generally only handle ordinance violations if no Municipal Court exists in the area, and shares jurisdiction with Municipal Courts over criminal acts that violate state laws but can also be prosecuted as municipal ordinance violations.

Civil cases handled by District Courts include general civil cases when the amount in dispute is less than $10,000, excluding interest and costs. District Courts share jurisdiction with Circuit Courts over most civil cases that involve amounts in dispute between $3000 and $10,000, exclusive of interest and costs. District Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over Small Claims cases, which are most civil cases that involve less than $3000 in dispute, excluding interest and costs.

District Courts share jurisdiction over juvenile cases with Circuit Courts and can receive certain cases, such as adoptions, from the Probate Court if a proper request is made and granted. When Circuit Courts or District Courts hear juvenile cases, these judges sit as a Juvenile Court and a separate docket is maintained.

District Courts offer a simplified Small Claims procedure for eligible cases involving less than $3000 in dispute. Cases that are beyond the limits of District Court jurisdiction are heard in Circuit Courts, even if the amount of money in dispute is less than $3000. For example, District Courts do not have jurisdiction over certain types of equitable relief, including declaratory judgments, and District Courts are prohibited from exercising jurisdiction over certain types of cases, including actions for negligence against municipalities.

Now that we all know exactly what a District Judge does, who will do it best for Colbert County? We have stated before that Chad Coker and Tina Parker have been the front runners in this contest for quite some time. A close third is Tim Milam, followed by Polly Ruggles and Nathan Johnson.

Both Parker and Coker have impeccable legal credentials, as well as a strong sense of social responsibility. We think that both are destined to serve Colbert County for years to come. At this particular time, after much consideration, we endorse Tina Miller Parker for Colbert County District Judge.

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A few years ago, a neighboring county held a large political rally. One candidate, a man who sought the office of Lt. Governor, stood before the vast audience and spoke. At the end of his speech, he asked that those present would vote for him. He then asked that if they could not find it in their hearts to vote for him for Lt. Governor, at least not to vote for Luther Strange.

We have a similar request of you, our readers, today. We don't believe all the strange tales that come to us via e-mail, but when person after person, from all walks of life, e-mail us accounts of dirty campaigning by one individual, then--yes--we believe them to be true.

If you can't find it in your heart to vote for Tina Parker, we humbly ask you to vote for Chad Coker, or to vote for Polly Ruggles or Nathan Johnson. As someone said, if a candidate is this dishonest during an election, what would he be like if elected judge.


Shoalanda

Colbert County Report

Sheffield - From the March 1, 2010, TimesDaily:

Board member Polly Ruggles...said the new superintendent must be able to sell the Sheffield system and be able to convince Sheffield residents to send their children to Sheffield schools rather than to schools outside the district. "We have a diverse group of students, and I think we need someone who has a good background and the ability to work with that diversity," Ruggles said. She said the new superintendent will have to deal with Sheffield schools' declining enrollment. "That's tied in with someone who can sell our school system."

Colbert County District Judge candidate Polly Ruggles, a member of the Sheffield Board of Education, is quoted above. Ruggles sends her daughter to a magnet school in Birmingham. Perhaps we can also recruit Tiger Woods to instruct Ashley Cole on fidelity...

Muscle Shoals: Sources say a city police officer stationed at the Muscle Shoals jail has been placed on administrative leave for improper conduct with female prisoners. It sounds as if this officer may have a future with the State Department of Corrections.

Cherokee: Approximately 100 citizens attended tonight's town council meeting. Unfortunately, two council members were not among them. Mike Malone and Steve Glover were no-shows at the meeting that failed to appoint a new water board member. Sources say nominee Art Walker became critical of the council and was removed from the meeting after suggesting that impeachment proceedings were in order. Police provided an escort for council members Thomas Holiday and Joe Franks as they left the building. In other words, politics as normal in the Mississippi border town.

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Several sources have recently reported that a member of the Cherokee Town Council is not qualified, citing a TimesDaily reference to the council member's 1999 arrest. We have no idea of the actual outcome of this arrest, but the individual could have been released for lack or evidence, found not guilty, or had both political and gun rights restored if convicted. His mere arrest in no way disqualifies him from his membership on the council.

Stay tuned for: Some big news from the eastern end of Lauderdale County.

Shoalanda

Nathan Johnson Seeks Colbert Office

Leighton native Nathan Johnson has joined a growing field of Democratic candidates attempting to succeed Colbert District Judge George Carpenter. Previously, Johnson has unsuccessfully sought the offices of legal counsel for the Colbert County School Board and Colbert County District Attorney.

Currently, Johnson serves as city attorney for his hometown of Leighton as well as engaging in an active criminal defense practice. Some of Johnson's more controversial clients have been Elias Devila, convicted of raping a ten year-old girl, and Kenneth Quillen, convicted of sexual abuse of a three year-old child.

A 1997 graduate of the University of Alabama Law School, Nathan Johnson currently practices in Sheffield. He will face Chad Coker, Tina Miller Parker, and Polly Ruggles in the June 2010 primary.


What's up with this: If you owe any past due court costs in Lauderdale County, Chris Connolly will soon be sending you an offer you can't refuse: Pay up or face 10 days in jail. It's certainly good for the county to be actively seeking this revenue, but does an actual jail sentence help the debtor in his or her repayment attempts?

Shoalanda

Tim Milam Announces for Colbert District Judge

Shoals attorney Tim Milam has announced his candidacy for Colbert County District Judge. Milam will be running as a Democrat in his quest to succeed retiring Judge George Carpenter. He joins a large covey of candidates that includes Chad Coker, Tina Miller Parker, and Polly Ruggles.

We have not received any personal word from Mr. Milam concerning his platform, but the following was posted in the official Facebook site he requested we join:

You would not believe what other people are telling me that other people are doing. They should be embarassed (sic), but are not. I have not changed one thing in my life because I am trying to serve the community by being the Judge. I want to be positive about the election and myself instead of negative about others, so I dont (sic) talk about the other things going on. I am a lifelong Democrat running as a Democrat. However, I have life long republicans that are telling me they will vote for me and help but they cannot do it publicly. I am proud that not only Democrats are voting for me. I am the most experienced person running and will stand on my record. I think it is important to have a broad background and work experience for the District Court Judge.

Milam at one time practiced corporate law in Florence. We wish him luck in this pivotal Shoals race--with the large and accomplished field of candidates, he will need it.


Notice: A trust fund has been set up at Bank Independent for the family of the late Sammy Tidwell. One may donate at any branch. Mr. Tidwell was well known in the world of Shoals cyberspace, and we offer our sincerest condolences to his family.

Shoalanda

Chad B. Coker - On Inside Track for Colbert District Judge?

Is Tuscumbia attorney Chad B. Coker destined to become the next Colbert County District Judge? Many think so, partially due to his association with current judge George Carpenter. Carpenter's son Andrew was law partner to Coker at the time of his death, and the elder Carpenter and Coker have remained close friends.

Like Polly Ruggles, Coker currently toils as a municipal judge. Officiating at both Russellville and Cherokee Municipal Courts, Coker also is prominent among Colbert County divorce attorneys and volunteers in the C.A.S.A. program. A graduate of the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, Coker is president of the Colbert County Alumni Association.

Many use municipal judgeships to boost their chances for county offices, but Coker may have lessened his via association with the small town of Cherokee. For many years Tuscumbia attorney Ben Gardner served as city judge for that rural Colbert town, only to be terminated by Mayor Mignon Willis, a friend of Coker who chose him to replace the popular Gardner.

We look forward to hearing Chad Coker's vision for Colbert County when he speaks at the Shoals Democratic Club Monday night.


What's up with this: Lauderdale County teacher Allen Wilson avoided an assault conviction Friday. Apparently it's all right for one teacher to strike another on school premises--just not so all right for a parent to do it.

Where Does Polly Ruggles Send Her Child to School?

Colbert County resident Polly Ruggles has announced her candidacy for District Judge. She is among what is rumored to be a large field seeking to succeed retiring Judge George Carpenter.

Ruggles has worked as municipal judge in various Colbert County towns and is affiliated with the District Attorney's office. Married to Sheffield businessman David Ruggles, she is also a Sheffield school board member. Yet, where does Ruggles' child attend school? If you guessed her hometown of Sheffield, you would be sadly mistaken.

We received this e-mail today from a concerned resident of Colbert County:

I have no doubt that Polly Ruggles has enough experience serving in the many roles she was appointed to. She seems to have been covering all the areas she could in order to get to this point. Yet I feel that maybe her sitting in judgement of others in an official capacity has warped her ability to connect with her common citizens outside a courtroom. A judge's qualities not only include a broad knowledge of the law but someone who provides such with dignity and respect. I would assume that when one is a city judge and a school board member who believes they know what is best for this area, it seems almost hypocritical that candidate Ruggles would send her child to an elite boarding school in Birmingham. This tells the other parents that Sheffield is good enough for their kids but perhaps not so much for her own. Or perhaps Sheffield didn't offer as much potential for educational growth. Isn't that why she is Vice President of Sheffield's school board? To enact changes that would allow each child to maximize their educational growth potential? It seems as this candidate has given up on one area and aspect of Colbert County because it didn't suit her needs. Therefore how am I to believe that if her self interests aren't best served by this community that she will still act in a way that is best for the everyday citizens of Colbert County?

Should this disqualify Ruggles from running for the position of District Judge? Certainly not. What it does do is cast doubt upon her commitment to Colbert County and its citizens.


Kudos to Andy Betterton and the Florence City Council for voting to allow Eugene Sak's patio home project to move forward. Sak indicates that construction will start in approximately twelve months, so if you want any souvenir photos of the stately Ponderosa Trailer Park, now's the time to take them.

"Duh " Award Goes to Florence's Barry Morris

Those who read our May 21st blog will recall the opposition of some North Florence residents to a proposed patio home development. Tuesday night, the Florence City Council approved the zoning change measure.

Council member Barry Morris, who toils by day as a professor of economics at UNA, cast one of the two dissenting votes. After the meeting, Morris made the following not so pedantic statement:

"I believe we're on the verge, gentlemen, of making a very bad precedent in the development of Florence," Morris said, where land adjacent to R-1 zones will become zoned at a higher R-2 density.

Mr. Morris, unless all of Florence is zoned R-1, there are already many R-1 districts adjacent to those regulated as R-2; you may even find some that connect to business districts if you look closely. You have displayed as much illogical reasoning as those who have opposed this project, a development that will replace a trailer park no less. For your district's sake, please think before you issue any more statements to the press.

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In addition to Tina Parker, Polly Ruggles has announced her intentions to run for Colbert County District Judge. Ruggles is a cousin by marriage to Federal Attorney Alice Martin. Among her qualifications listed is "mother." Perhaps she also makes a fantastic apple pie?

Morris photo courtesy of UNA