MUMBLINGS July 6, 2005

Weather and politics are the two greatest subjects of discussion by most people. And most of us know very little about either.

For the next 11 months, politics will be highly discussed throughout the state of Alabama. Baldwin is already quietly buzzing about local offices to be filled which are numerous. Two state Senate seats will be open for election. With four-year terms, our two senators now are Pat Lindsay, serving his sixth term, whose district covers eight counties and Bradley Byrne, seeking his second term. From the Eastern Shore, his district is all in Baldwin County. It is assumed that these two will be running for re-election.

Baldwin's representatives are Greg Albriton, Randy Davis, Joe Faust and Steve McMillian. All will be seeking re-election and no opponents are known at this time. However, rumor has it that Harry Shiver of Bay Minette is considering making the race for Albriton's seat.

Always of high interest is who will fill the office of Probate Judge, which is a six-year term. Adrian Johns will be seeking his third term. He indicates he will be running.

The incumbent Sheriff Jimmy Johnson will be seeking re-election according to all reports. He was first elected in 1987 and has run successfully every four years. Others will be trying to unseat him, including Huey "Hoss" Mack, Jr. of Robertsdale. Other names are being mentioned, including Junius Long of Bay Minette.

There is no more important position in Baldwin than that of county commissioner. With the county growing rapidly, with many old and new problems, these part time jobs have become full time for the poor commissioners who serve four-year terms.

Due to the change of a judge reversing an earlier ruling, the present four commissioners will have only served two years and will have to seek re-election for four-year terms next spring.

Frank Burt was first appointed in 1989 and will be seeking his 5th term. He is from Bay Minette. There is at least a 50-50 chance that he will not have opposition. A new commissioner representing District Two is David Ed Bishop who will be seeking.

To represent the central Baldwin area is Commissioner Wayne Greenlough who will be seeking his first full term. He is from Robertsdale and is expected to seek re-election. District Four is incumbent Albert Lipscomb who was appointed by Governor Bob Riley. He was a Republican nominee after Mary Frances Stewart was killed in an automobile wreck. Whether he will seek re-election for county commissioner or run for some statewide office is unknown. He told me that he is praying about what to do and considering running for Lt. Governor or Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.

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Members of the Baldwin County Board of Education, Place One and Two will be open. Denise Schmidt will be seeking a second term.

District Two is presently held by Bob Wills and if he seeks re-election, will be running for his 3rd term. He is from Bay Minette and his district is in the Bay Minette area. Several names are being mentioned to run for this position.

Office of Coroner is becoming more and more important. His responsibility is to check into all questionable deaths and make reports. Governor George Wallace appointed Huey Mack of Robertsdale in June of 1978 and has been successfully elected since. Reports are he will not seek re-election.

Circuit judges hold office for six-year terms and upcoming vacancies are Judge James Reid who was first elected in 1989. Before becoming Circuit Judge he served as Municipal judge for Loxley and Fairhope. He will be seeking re-election.

The other vacancy will be Judge Charles Partin, who was appointed in 1985 by Governor Wallace. He will be seeking re-election.

Like all seeking re-election, these two are hopeful of being able to get by without opposition. If anyone chooses to run against them, they will be seeking publicity because I don't know of anyone who could beat either.

District Judge up for re-election is Jody Bishop who was first elected in 2000. Living in Fairhope, he will be running for his 2nd term.

Running for her first full six-year term as Circuit Clerk is Jody Wise Campbell. She was appointed to the office in February of 2004 to fill the un-expired term of Jackie Calhoun, who resigned. As of this date, there is no opposition.

This subject will come up again and again but my present plan is to pick another topic for next week. Baldwin has one of the finest fire systems in Alabama and perhaps the United States. I am anxious to tell you something about it.

See you again soon, I hope.