MUMBLINGS November 2, 2006

Tuesday is a big election day in Baldwin, Alabama, and the United States. Before then, there will be much speculation as to the outcome of the many offices to be filled.

There will be a lot of "I told you so" and others will be disappointed. Those of us who do not vote have no reason to complain.

Today we are in the speculation periods, and reading polls trying to find out what's going to happen.

The governor's race seems to be fairly definite that Governor Bob Riley will be re-elected but not by as wide of a margin as polls are now showing. Lt. Governor Lucy Baxley and her crew are still talking optimistically about winning. Of course, anything can happen.

Statewide, there are three races that are getting considerable more attention. Former Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, who is running against Luther Strange of Birmingham is the Republican nominee. The last statewide poll I saw showed Folsom slightly ahead. Polls are accurate at the time taken, but they can change daily.

Each candidate is spending a huge amount of money to be elected. Why they want to be Lt. Governor is a little hard to understand. He does preside over the senate when it is in session, but does not have much power. Democrats and Republicans took the power away when Lucy Baxley assumed the position. They used to be very powerful because they appointed committees, etc. Now about all they can look forward to other than the prominence, is taking the place of the Governor if he should resign or die.

Another big race attracting attention, is Alabama Attorney General. The incumbent, Troy King, appointed when there was a vacancy by Governor Riley, is trying to hold on to his position. His opponent is a democrat, John Tyson Jr., who is District Attorney in Mobile with a lot of connections in this area.

This too, is a neck and neck race according to speculation and the polls. It can easily be assumed that Tyson will carry Mobile and possibly Baldwin, even though this is a strong Republican county. John was a member of the State Board of Education and has a lot of roots in Baldwin. His mother was a Baldwin Countian and is a decendant of Red Eagle and is one of the families that escaped death in the Massacre of Ft.Mims in 1813.

Although spending considerable money, this race neither seems to have as much to spend as those in other statewide races like Lt. Governor and Supreme Court Judges.

Another appointment by Governor Riley is that of Supreme Court Chief Justice Drayton Nabors. Nabors is from Birmingham and his opponent, Judge Sue Bell Cobb is from Evergreen in Conecuh County. Cobb is a Democrat and Nabors is a conservative Republican. Cobb has been considered conservative but her opposition is trying to accuse her of being liberal which is unfair, or so it seems.

Click here to continue

----------------------

Continued

Cobb is the only Democrat in the higher court, which includes five members of the Civil Court of Appeals and five in the Criminal Court of Appeals and nine Justices in the Supreme Court. She is the only Democrat in the bunch and only four are women. There are no Blacks. Obviously the court is over balanced on the conservative side. Judges shouldn't be considered Democrat and Republican so much. Since they are the courts, they should be more balanced with some democrats and minorities and possibly more women. If the voters don't do the balancing more this time you can rest assured that it will be done in the future.

Bay Minette Republican Harry Shiver is running for Representative of the 64th district against Elliot D. "Dick" Weaver. Since 60% of the votes are in Baldwin County, it is probable that he will be elected. He had a tough race in the primary, but with hard work he won out with only a few votes to spare.

Living up to expectation is the Senate District 22 seat, which includes seven counties, Baldwin being a small part of it. Incumbent Senator Pat Lindsey is seeking re-election. He has served several terms and is known for his ability to get things done. His opponent, John McMillian of Stockton is well known and connected and having been for several years the chief executive officer of the Alabama Forestry Association, he is known for his conservatism and hard work. John's twin brother Steve McMillian is presently serving in the House from Baldwin and has done so for over 20 years. His family has deep roots in the Stockton area and both candidates are working hard. This is a tight race.

There will be four Amendments on the ballot affecting Baldwin County. These amendments are as follows: Local Amendment No.1 proposes that the Baldwin County Bar Association select a member to serve on the Baldwin County Judicial Commission. Local Amendment No. 2 proposes that the Legislature by general or local law allow Baldwin County to regulate and operate wastewater utilities in unincorporated areas of the county. Local Amendment No.3 proposes to allow certain taxpayers 65 and older in Baldwin County to claim a senior discount on ad valorem taxes on their primary residence that they have lived in for at least 10 years. Local Amendment No.4 proposes to grant certain limited home rule powers - not including the authority to tax, raise revenue or legalize gambling - to the Baldwin County Commission.

State wide Amendment #2, would force the 30 cities and counties who are paying less than 10 mills to support education, to pay a minimum of 10 mills. Baldwin County pays 17 mills.

See you again soon, I hope.