Alabama organizers who secured black vote warn Doug Jones to keep his word
A group of Alabama organizers who played a critical role in securing the black vote for Democrat Doug Jones in the special election earlier this month, penned an open letter to him on Friday congratulating him on his victory and calling on him to fulfill specific commitments to the constituents who put him in office. “The ticker tape for the Jones victory has barely been swept from the floor and we are already seeing him pandering to the right and stepping away from the interests of the people who elected him,” said LaTosha Brown, co-founder with Cliff Albright of the Black Voters Matter Fund. “We are here to let Doug Jones know that the voters in Alabama did not turn out in mass numbers for his personal gain,” added Albright. He was elected to represent the needs of his constituents. Organizers worked hard to galvanize the black community, and we have every intention to hold him accountable.” The open letter to Doug Jones was signed by 20 Alabama organizations serving the black community and other people of color. Specifically, the letter calls on Jones to adopt intentional methods to hear directly from his constituents like listening sessions, town halls, and people assemblies. It also points to specific policy objectives such as lifting barriers to voting, ending mass incarceration, fighting tax changes that punish the poor and benefit the rich, establishing a federal living wage, defending the Affordable Care Act, and supporting environmental protections. Read the full letter below: Dear Senator-Elect Doug Jones, Congratulations on your historic victory Tuesday night. We were glad to see, based on your nationally televised comments that evening at your campaign watch party, that you are aware of the significant role that Black voters played in delivering your victory. We appreciate the thanks that you’ve expressed, but we wanted to take a moment to communicate that the best way for you to show your thanks will be through your legislative actions. Like you, we regret that Roy Moore refused to participate in debates during the campaign. Such debates would have provided an opportunity for you to clarify how you would differ from him and the current Republican majority in the Senate. Unfortunately, we are faced with the challenge of holding you accountable without many specifics on which to base that accountability. With that in mind, we request that you begin a process of seeking feedback from the community and outlining a prioritized agenda for the remainder of your term. Such discussions should include feedback on how your congressional office is staffed. This process can include listening sessions, town hall meetings, people’s assemblies or other mechanisms. Given the abbreviated nature of your term, it is critical that this begin sooner rather than later. We are not naïve, and we know that in a traditionally red state which you narrowly won, the temptation will be to shift to the right to attract “moderate” Republican voters. Indeed, your television commercial which spoke of the Civil War and compromise spoke volumes. With that in mind, we’d like to remind you of just a few of the things that Black voters who gave you 96% support have no interest in compromising on. We expect that the Senator from the great state of Alabama, which gave birth to the Voting Rights Act, will advocate for its full restoration and, if anything, it’s further strengthening. The scourge of obstacles such as felony disenfranchisement, Voter ID and other forms of voter suppression are far too common, and we expect you to speak to these issue Speaking of felonies, we expect that you will fight for an end to mass incarceration, and resist current efforts by the Trump administration to revisit a drug war that amounted to a war on the Black community. In a state that has one of the highest poverty rates in the country, we expect you to fight against any tax legislation that benefits the wealthiest individuals in the country while penalizing poor and working-class families. We also expect you to fight for a federal living wage and/or to support local efforts to do the same, such as in the city of Birmingham. We expect you to defend and expand the Affordable Care Act. And while we understand that you do not control Alabama’s utilization of the act and the expansion of Medicaid, we expect you to use your position of influence to ensure that as many Alabamians as possible obtain affordable health insurance. We like that you believe in science and that you understand that clean air and clean water are essential to our quality of life. We expect you to also recognize and address the disparate impact that these issues have on marginalized communities which are often targets of environmental racism. We understand that some of these issues and others were mentioned on your campaign website, and that you have promised to “keep fighting for what’s right – whether it’s popular or not.” We are hopeful that you will indeed stay the course, and we only want this letter to serve as a friendly reminder. Sincerely, Your Constituents Anna Thomas (Jefferson County/Statewide) Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice; Sheila Tyson (Jefferson County/Statewide) Alabama Coalition on Black Civic Participation; Esther Calhoun (Perry County) Black Belt Citizens Fighting for Health and Justice; Teresa Bettis (Mobile County) Center for Fair Housing, Inc; John Zippert Federation of Southern Cooperatives; Greene County Democrat (Newspaper); Dr. Elaine Harrington NAACP Tuskegee-Macon; Mia Raven (Montgomery County) POWER House; Montgomery Area Reproductive Justice Coalition; Rev. Kenny Glasgow (Houston County/Statewide) The Ordinary People’s Society (TOPS); The Prodigal Child Project ; Sheena Billingsley (Mobile) Making a Difference (MAD Activists); Michael Jackson (Houston County) DuBois Institute for Entrepreneurship; Letetia Daniels Jackson (Houston County) Tandeka LLC AL Black Women’s Roundtable Rev. Gregory Bentley SCLC Huntsville Rev. Tyshawn Gardner SCLC Tuscaloosa Ainka Jackson (Dallas County) Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth and Reconciliation Roselyn Simmons (Lowndes County) Stand Firm Shun Sheffield (Jefferson County) Fight Back Alabama
Opelika-native, former Miss America calls for resignations over CEO email scandal
Former beauty queen and Opelika-native Mallory Hagan was one of the Miss America pageant winners to be targeted by the organization’s CEO and the lead writer of the pageant’s telecast in emails recently released by the Huffington Post. Hagan, who won the Miss America title in 2013 for the state of New York, told NBC’s Today Show on Friday that she was not surprised by the emails and feltf “validated” by them. “When I first read the emails in the article, I wasn’t shocked but I was validated,” she said. “For the longest time, I’d try to explain to people around me this is happening, or these things are being said. And (now I) have the ability to look on paper and say, ‘See, I told you.’” Hagan is referring to the emails in which CEO Sam Haskell described her as “huge,” “a piece of trash,” and “gross” in an email to lead writer Lewis Friedman, where he made comments about her weight and sex life. The Miss America Organization suspended Haskell on Friday, less than 24 hours after leaked emails surfaced. They said its board “will be conducting an in-depth investigation into alleged inappropriate communications and the nature in which they were obtained.” “My mistake is a mistake of words,” Haskell wrote in a statement Friday night, shortly after the board suspended him indefinitely. “Much of what was reported is dishonest, deceptive, and despicable. The story is so unkind and untrue, and hurts me, my family, and the stewardship of this nonprofit. Those who know my heart know that this is not indicative of my character, nor is it indicative of my business acumen.” Hagan was 2007 graduate of Opelika High School and attended Auburn University.
Senator-elect Doug Jones launches transition website, accepts resumes for team
Doug Jones became the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama in a quarter of a century earlier this month when he bested former Alabama Chief Justice, Republican Roy Moore in a special election. On Friday, Jones launched his temporary campaign website where job-seekers can apply for positions on his team. While the site doesn’t outline specific positions the Senator-elect is looking to fill, it does allow applicants to apply via email. Members of the public may also make scheduling requests on the site.
Martha Roby: It’s official! Montgomery lands F-35 Joint Strike Fighter mission
It’s official: The F-35 is coming to Alabama! After a multiyear selection process, the Alabama National Guard’s 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field in Montgomery has been chosen for the U.S. Air Force’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter mission. Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson called me to inform me of the decision. I firmly believe Montgomery and the 187th are uniquely qualified to carry out this special mission. This is a historic win for Alabama and the River Region. I could not be prouder of the men and women of the 187th for how they demonstrated their capability to take on such an important mission. The F-35 is the military’s most cutting-edge war machine that will eventually replace many Cold War-era fighters like the F-16 Falcons currently flown by the 187th. Landing this mission is a tremendous boost for the River Region community and the entire state. It could bring as many as 1,000 jobs, $70 million in up-front facility upgrades, and as much as $3 billion in capital investment in Montgomery. It also further enhances Alabama’s already significant military footprint. Over the last few years, I’ve been working with a partnership of unit commanders, community and state leaders, local business leaders, and Alabama’s congressional delegation to bring the F-35 to Montgomery. A lot of hard work went into this process, and many thanks are in order. I’d like to thank Brig. Gen. Randy Efferson, Col. William Sparrow, Mayor Todd Strange, Governor Kay Ivey, my colleagues in the Alabama congressional delegation, and the F-35 Task Force for their incredible teamwork in showing the Air Force all our area has to offer. There’s no question that our community’s firm support for our military installations and units made a big impression on the key decision makers. We anticipate that the first F-35s will arrive in Montgomery within five years, and we are expecting 18 aircraft. Before this happens, some improvements to Dannelly Field will be made, including the development of a simulator facility and modifications of existing infrastructure. As the legacy unit for the Tuskegee Airmen “Red Tails,” the 187th Fighter Wing has an incredibly proud history. With this announcement, we know this unique unit has a very bright future with the F-35. I’m looking forward to hearing the sound of freedom roaring over the River Region soon. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating this fantastic news for our area. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband Riley and their two children.
Need a last minute gift? Check out the Made in Alabama 2017 Holiday Gift Guide
Alabama is an internationally known hub of manufacturing for cars, planes and ships, but the state also turns out an impressive variety of items that fit perfectly underneath the Christmas tree. For the 2017 edition of the Made In Alabama holiday gift guide, we turned to the people who know the state’s creativity and craftsmanship best. (Here’s the 2016 installment.) We asked Alabama makers and artists to name their favorite local products – aside from their own – that they like to give as Christmas gifts. Anna Brakefield, owner of Red Land Cotton in Moulton, is a big fan of her peers’ work and had a few suggestions. Montgomery-based Alabama Sweet Tea Co. topped her list. Founded in 2015, the company was inspired by the founders’ memories of enjoying homemade sweet tea at family gatherings. Their own recipe is a custom blend of high-quality loose-leaf tea leaves, pure cane sugar and hand-squeezed fruit juice. “The sweetest and most humble people you may ever meet brew the sweetest tea known to the South and specifically Alabama,” Brakefield said. “Their boxed tea is a great gift to include as a stocking stuffer or in a care package to remind a loved one of their sweet Southern roots or to give them a little taste of the South.” Alabama Sweet Tea Co. also sells glasses, tumblers, shirts and hats emblazoned with the company logo. Another favorite of Brakefield’s is Idyllwilde, a design company and workshop studio based in Florence. Its clothing, accessories and items for the home are made from natural-fiber textiles and plant-based dyes. “A lot of amazing talent comes out of Florence, Alabama, and this shop is no exception. Their simple pieces are custom made, so there is a delay in shipping, but it’s worth the wait!” Brakefield said many items are hand dyed in small batches and truly are works of art. “The South has a rich textile history, and so giving a piece of Idyllwilde’s clothing or home accents is like sharing a little piece of that history with a friend,” she said. As for Brakefield’s own business, Red Land Cotton sells bedding, bath towels and other linens made from cotton grown in North Alabama. She and her father, Mark Yeager, own the business, with a farm that has been in the family for three generations. Their heirloom-inspired bed linens are recreations of those passed down from ancestors a century ago. Coffee and cookies Other Alabama makers also shop local at gift-giving time. Robert Armstrong, founder of G Mommas Cookies in Selma, picked a hometown favorite. “My top gift would have to be Revival Coffee – great coffee and great mission as well,” he said. The small-batch roaster, which opened in 2014 in Selma’s historic district, says its purpose is to see lives redeemed, and 10 percent of its profits are dedicated to Christian ministries. Revival offers several varieties of blends, including Integrity, Redemption, Restoration and Salvation. As for G Mommas Cookies, Armstrong said business is growing. He’s working on introducing a new flavor and upgrading equipment. The company has also expanded to three full-time and seven to nine part-time employees. Armstrong was inspired by his grandmother’s cookie recipe when he founded Selma Good Co., maker of G Momma Cookies, in 2009, and they have been sold in stores across the Southeast. Earlier this year, he took home the top prize of $107,000 in the Alabama Launchpad Competition, which funds entrepreneurs statewide. Socks and ornaments In northeastern Alabama, there’s mutual admiration between two well-known makers in Fort Payne. “Zkano socks would be an excellent gift idea,” said Cal Breed, owner of Orbix Hot Glass. The organic cotton socks are made in Fort Payne in an operation run by Gina Locklear, who is carrying on her family’s business and a community legacy. Fort Payne was once known as “The Sock Capital of the World” before offshoring dismantled the domestic industry. But Locklear’s socks have found a niche, with their bright colors, bold patterns, high-end quality and appeal to customers interested in green living. A year ago, Locklear was named a winner in the Martha Stewart American Made Awards, and just recently, she opened a store inside the Fort Payne sock mill. Meanwhile, Locklear said her favorite Alabama-made gift is Orbix ornaments. Breed and his crew fashion the ornaments, as well as bowls, vases, pitchers and other glass sculptures that have garnered international acclaim, in a studio atop Lookout Mountain near Little River Canyon National Preserve. The glass-blowing process is a delicate dance of fire, human breath and constant movement, and the studio hosts tours and sessions for visitors to blow their own ornaments. “I love them because they are collectible, uniquely beautiful and also, I love they are made in Fort Payne by kind folks I know,” Locklear said. More great gifts And if you’re still in need of gift-giving inspiration, here are a few more Alabama-made gifts to help check off your shopping list: Shadow Catchers Art: This longtime Greeneville company produces professionally framed and mounted artwork and wall décor for retail stores and design projects. The team works with designers, decorators and buyers to select images, moldings, mediums and mounting techniques. Its work spans a wide variety of interests, from botanical and nature scenes to coastal and cityscape images. Product types include acrylic, canvas, lithograph, mirrors and more. Earthborn Pottery: Top chefs across the U.S. and beyond have come to depend on owner/designer Tena Z. Payne and her Leeds business for striking pottery to frame their culinary creations. Each plate, bowl or mug is a functional work of art, and they can be found in restaurants and retailers nationwide. Three generations work together in the family-run, woman-owned business. Made By AK crafts jewelry that is minimal, modern and distinctive, making it another favorite of Brakefield’s. “When you attend craft shows there are a lot of jewelry makers. To me, Made By AK stands out. It’s truly unique. It’s bold but intricate and the pieces are made from high-quality materials. Handmade in Birmingham, AK’s jewelry is crafted by hand and inspired by life’s little imperfections, and that’s something I feel we can all
Former Ala. staffer, Trump Deputy Chief of Staff Rick Dearborn to step down
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Rick Dearborn, a former Alabama staffer, will step down early 2018 to pursue a career in the private sector, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly announced Thursday. Dearborn, who served as chief of staff for former U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, joined President Donald Trump‘s White House in January. There,
