License Commissioner/Escape Room/Minor

The general election is approaching at only a slightly slower speed than Tommy Arthur’s execution. Lauderdale County will be selecting a new License Commissioner. Democrat Tony Cox vies for the position against Republican Rodney Pettus. Both men are more than qualified in every aspect; therefore, we’re not making a recommendation. Do your research and vote your conscience.

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We passed by the Escape Room earlier today. It appears they are already adding new challenges, or at least renovating. We encourage some of our readers who’ve previously dared to try their escape skills to send us a review.

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Judge Mike Jones has now recused all Lauderdale judges in the Dillard/Staggs/Mitchell case. The minor? She was mentioned in the July indictment, not the May indictment:

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Yes, it's ambiguous...

Lauderdale License Commissioner/Calling Tuscumbia Muskrat

While we’re sure the majority of local voters, as well as those who read our blog, will be voting in the Republican primary next Tuesday, let’s not forget there will be a Democratic ballot as well. Few are running locally on the Democratic ticket, at least with opposition in the primary. The office of Lauderdale County License Commissioner is one of the exceptions.

On the Republican side, we highly recommend Billy Hammock, a dedicated and ethical businessman who is more than capable of carrying forward the work that current commissioner William Smith has begun. On the Democratic side, we similarly endorse Tony Cox.

Whoever wins these primaries, they will face each other in November. At that time, voters may cross over if they wish and vote a split ticket. Yes, the SEC mega primaries make for a long election season in Alabama.

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Some years ago, we helped oversee some repairs to a bathroom in an office building. The plumber contracted to redo a small shower announced he was going to have to tear out a wall since the correct fitting was no longer manufactured for the 30 year-old shower head. We decided to refer him to someone higher up rather than argue the point that plumbers were a kind of “pipefitter” who should be able to cobble together just about any size pipes. After all, maybe we were missing something? After speaking with a company vice president, the plumber managed to repair the shower without tearing out the wall.

We have that same reaction to the announcement that the computer system controlling the light show at Spring Park is outdated. We can understand “worn out” as in hardware that fails, but “outdated?” Is the fountain now supposed to bring in NetFlix? Have park officials discovered some new colors previously unknown to mankind that only this new system can produce? Could a new computer system assure that the lights are in sync not only with the music but with the gravitational pull of the moon as well?

We think this might be a case for the Tuscumbia Muskrat.

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Since the start of this election season we’ve had several private communications with readers about various candidates. Current issues are discussed in the blog; older or non-issues are not. This includes college drug arrests, gay relatives, criminal relatives, old accidents, or lack of charisma (God forbid we ever elect a qualified candidate who lacks charisma). We don’t feel that any of these has any bearing on the candidate’s ability to perform in office. We endorse here, but you do not have to adhere to any of our recommendations. If you want to change our mind, facts would be important—your personal feelings not so much.



Shoalanda

Tony Cox/Two Very Different Habitat Volunteers

From Tony Cox, candidate for Lauderdale County License Commissioner:

Thanks for the opportunity to address you and your readership. The business of politics in general, and politicking in particular, is new to me.  It is refreshing to actually have someone pointedly ask for a statement on my qualifications.

I was born and raised in Lauderdale County, and am 48 years old.  Married  to Sarah (Phillips) Cox for 26 years.  Sarah has taught at Lauderdale County High since 1998. Two children: Ethan (20)  jr at the University of Alabama, and Madeline (16) is a jr at Lauderdale County High School.  I am a member of the Killen Church of Christ.

I am currently in my 25th year of public service in Alabama. I am very proud to have served as a teacher and coach in the Florence City School system since 1995. I graduated from Waterloo High School in 1985, then from UNA in 1989.  I received Traffic Safety Certification from the University of Montevallo, and my Master’s Degree in Administration from UNA in 1999.  I was the head Baseball Coach at Coffee High School, and currently teach at Florence High.  With the consolidation of the city schools, I pursued an after school vocation on the water, receiving my USCG Captain’s license in 2005.

For the past 25 years, I have taught licensing, tags, and registration. I have dealt with the public in schools, on ballfields, and on the water.  Throughout my career, I have continued to seek advanced degrees while serving the public.  I feel this experience qualifies me to learn the intricacies required of the position, to stay abreast of the impacts of legislative mandates, and to use my experience as an educator and leader to help the people of Lauderdale County stay ahead of changes in licensing and registration.

My goal for the office is simple:  

I want you to be able to get exactly what you need, as quickly as possible.

I am interested in the idea of expansion of services county wide, as with satellite offices and local municipal kiosks, but will reserve any commitment until results are seen from a cost/benefit analysis of the first kiosk, only recently opened in Rogersville.

Again, I  thank you for the opportunity to explain my qualifications and interest in this position.  

Please contact me if I can do anything to help you,  and I hope to be able to do so soon as your next License Commissioner.

Tony Cox

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Torbert

We couldn't help being struck by the fact that missing Marine Capt. Steven Torbert had, as a youth, used his free time to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. What young man doesn't prefer carpentry to having fun? No, Steven was an exceptional young teenager to say the least.

Then we remembered John Wesley Akin, now serving 20 years for heroin trafficking in the Limestone Correctional Facility. What different paths these two young men took.

Please continue to pray for the Torbert family.



Shoalanda