Ronda Walker represents Montgomery County at White House meeting
Vice Chairman of the Montgomery County Commission Ronda Walker is in Washington, D.C. representing the county as part of the Alabama and Louisiana White House Conference. “It’s critical that we on the local level engage with our state government as well as the federal government to discuss issues that are important to Alabamians,” Walker told WSFA-12. There, the group will discuss topics such as energy, agriculture, infrastructure and education and how the White House can help meet the two state’s needs. “We want to take advantage of this opportunity,” Walker added to WSFA. “They need to know all the good that is happening here in Alabama and also be made aware of the needs we have. We are very close to the people we represent and it’s important we convey what matters.” Walker took to Facebook on Thursday to share her excitement over the trip. “Proud to represent Montgomery County at the Alabama Leadership meeting at the White House today,” she posted. She was also interviewed outside the White House about her meetings.
Wetumpka TEA Party hosts GOP candidate meet and greet
The Wetumpka TEA Party will host the River Region Candidate Fair on Monday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for candidates running in the 2018 Republican primary election. Over 40 candidates have confirmed their attendance for the event, which will be held at the Wetumpka Civic Center. Advertised as a “meet & greet,” the event will allow Alabamians to meet each candidate individually and ask them questions about the position they are seeking, rather than listen to speeches and debates. The Wetumpka TEA party will also be conducting a straw poll at the end of the night, with results posted Tuesday morning. “Our mission at the Wetumpka TEA Party is to educate citizens on national, state and local issues and help them get involved in our representative government,” said Wetumpka Tea Party founder Becky Gerritson. “It is important that people vote for their elected officials because they know what the candidates stand for and do not just rely on 30 second commercials and attractive yard signs. This is a terrific opportunity to meet the candidates who are running for an elected position, to ask them questions and understand what each candidate stands for.” The following candidates have confirmed their attendance on Monday night: CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES Governor: Bill Hightower, Kay Ivey, Scott Dawson, Tommy Battle (will send a representative) Lieutenant Governor: Will Ainsworth, Twinkle Cavanaugh, Rusty Glover Attorney General: Chess Bedsole, Troy King, Alice Martin Auditor: Stan Cooke, Elliott Lipinsky, Jim Zeigler Secretary of State: Michael Johnson, John Merrill Treasurer: Stephen Evans, John McMillan Commissioner for Agriculture and Industries: Gerald Dial, Rick Pate (will send a representative) STATE LEGISLATURE Alabama House of Representatives 31: Dustin DeVaughn, Mike Holmes Alabama House of Representatives 88: Al Booth Alabama Senate 25: Will Barfoot, Ronda Walker Alabama Senate 30: Clyde Chambliss (Unopposed) ALABAMA COURT SYSTEM Supreme Court Chief Justice: Tom Parker AL Supreme Court Place 1: Sarah Stewart AL Court of Civil Appeals Place 1: Michelle Thomason, Pat Thetford Circuit Court 19 Judge: Bill Lewis (Unopposed) PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION Public Service Commission Place 1: Jeremy Oden, Jim Bonner Public Service Commission Place 2: Chip Beeker, Robin Litaker LOCAL AND CIRCUIT RACES: Elmore County Sheriff: Bill Franklin (Unopposed) Probate Judge (Elmore): Vicki Bonner-Ward, John Thornton Elmore County Commission Dist 4: Bart Mercer (Unopposed) Coroner (Elmore): Brad Linville, Jody Jeffcoat Circuit Clerk (Elmore): Michael Dozier, Angie Cruise-Gardner FEDERAL RACE U.S. Congress Dist 2: Rich Hobson, Bobby Bright, Barry Moore A flier for the event may be viewed here: River region candidate fair.
Commissioner Ronda Walker announces run for Ala. Senate District 25
Vice Chairman of the Montgomery County Commission Ronda Walker announced her candidacy for Alabama State Senate District 25 on Tuesday. The district, which encompasses nearly 158,000 Alabamians in parts of Montgomery, Elmore, and Crenshaw counties, is currently represented by Pike Road-Republican Sen. Dick Brewbaker who has held the seat since 2010. Walker, also a Republican, says the state “is stuck in neutral because elected officials are more concerned about political expediency and keeping lobbyists happy than the good of the state.” “Voter trust has been shattered and confidence in state government is at an all-time low,” said Walker in her announcement. “The great state of Alabama is stuck in neutral because elected officials are more concerned about political expediency and keeping lobbyists happy than the good of the state. I am running for the Alabama Senate, because I believe Alabama can and must do better.” Walker grew up in Montgomery and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1990. After high school, she attended Troy University earning a B.A. degree in History and Political Science. She later earned her Master’s degree from the University of Hawaii in Honolulu in 2002. While this may be her first state Legislature run, Walker’s no stranger to politics. Between receiving her B.S. and Masters degrees, Ronda spent several years in Washington, D.C. working on the legislative staff of Alabama’s senior senator, Richard Shelby. She went on to serve on the Congressional staff of Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby as a Field Representative. In that role, she traveled throughout the District meeting with Mayors, County Commissioners, business and community leaders assisting them with various projects and needs. In 2014, she was elected to the Montgomery County Commission helping to usher in expanded opportunities for businesses and residents as well as bringing jobs to the area; all while being a fiscally responsible steward of the money the commission oversees. Citing her achievements there, Walker said, “In 2016, Montgomery saw more job growth than any other area of the state. This happened because the City, County, and Chamber of Commerce leaders, myself included, worked very hard to create an environment that encouraged companies to locate and expand their businesses in our area. We all came together to do what was best for the River Region. I believe true leaders will reach across the aisle, build relationships, and make decisions that ensure the best outcome for all citizens.” Walker continued, “The people of District 25 deserve a leader who can look them in the eye and tell the truth. A person of integrity. A person committed to service above self. A person with a new and unique perspective, like that of a wife, mother of four, and cancer survivor. I’m a proven fighter – for my children, for my community, and against cancer, for my life. I know what it takes to overcome adversity and rise above your circumstances with confidence and persistence. That is why I’m running for State Senate.” Walker is also heavily involved in the community. She’s the President of the Troy University Alumni Chapter in Montgomery, and a member of several other community organizations including the Montgomery Rotary Club, Montgomery YMCA, Capital City Republican Women, and Alpha Gamma Delta Alumni Association. Ronda and her husband Jason have four children, Margaret (5), Eli (7), Grant (14), and Hugh (15).
Ronda Walker: Sensationalism sells, and the truth be damned
If you were to read a headline that stated, “Dog found on roadside” you might not even take the time to read the full article. But if the headline stated, “Fifty mutilated puppies found on roadside” that would definitely grab your attention. How about, “Flashes of light seen in night sky during storm” versus “Unexplained flashes of light seen by dozens could be UFOs.” Sensationalism sells, and the truth be damned. The United States federal budget process is very complicated; I do not understand it and won’t act like I do. But in my best Schoolhouse Rock attempt I will sum it up like this: the President submits a budget request to Congress, then the House and Senate have to come to some agreement on what they want to do, then Congressional hearings take place, and eventually the document (much evolved from the original version) goes back to the President for signature. There are a kabillion (official number) programs that receive federal funds. So many programs, in fact, that our country has a $20 trillion deficit. Twenty Trillion Dollars. That is a ridiculous and unsustainable figure. President Donald Trump recently submitted his budget request to Congress, the first step in the process, and the media absolutely freaked out. When everyone got their eye on the White House budget, it was probably some smart Democrat staffer on the Senate side that said, hey, let’s distract the entire nation from looking at this budget by scaring them to death with a headline that reads, “President Trump to gut Meals on Wheels program – seniors nationwide will begin to starve to death within the week.” And that’s exactly what they did, and it worked. It worked because first, the general public does not understand the budget process and they actually believe the President can unilaterally set the federal budget. And two, it worked because the news said it was true, so it must be true. Wrong. Meals on Wheels, administered in central Alabama by the Montgomery Area Council on Aging (MACOA), is a phenomenal program with a life-changing impact on local seniors. This program ensures homebound seniors in our area receive a hot midday meal. In addition to a nutritious meal, the seniors get a friendly smile and loving concern by the volunteer delivering their meal. Meals on Wheels is a program I support both personally as well as publicly through the appropriation of county funds. MACOA is a well run and effective organization and I encourage everyone to donate to MACOA or your local Meals on Wheels provider program. Last week the media reported that the White House budget gutted funding to the Meals on Wheels program – that assertion is false. The White House does not make unilateral budget decisions, moreover Meals on Wheels isn’t even a federal program. This was all a ploy to confuse and distract us from the real issue of the day – our $20 trillion deficit. Twenty Trillion Dollars. As educated Americans we have got to learn to stop chasing these false headlines. We have got to stop blindly reacting to what we read in the media, social and otherwise. But oftentimes we get all Chicken Little about a false issue not because we mistakenly believe it. We oftentimes spread the false narrative because it will help us win an argument, or it will help our side look better. That horrible monster Donald Trump is starving seniors to death; I told you he is a bad President. Yet, that same angry person that just lashed out about Trump never said a peep when President Barack Obama went year after year, after year and never submitted a budget at all which threw agencies dependent on federal funding into a tailspin of uncertainty. Let’s take a look at what actually happened. The White House wants to cut funding to a federal program called Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). It is important to note that Presidents Bush and Obama both proposed cuts to CDBG as well, it just happened without all of this manufactured uproar about taking meals away from the elderly. CDBG funds are federal funds given to states and localities to use at their discretion – and the use and effectiveness of these monies has been questioned for years, thus the desire to scale back on the spending for this program. A few localities designate a small amount of CDBG funds to their local Meals on Wheels program, so those programs could indeed be impacted in the event CDBG gets reduced. However the vast majority of federal dollars to Meals on Wheels comes not from CDBG but from the Department of Health and Human Services through the Older Americans Act. And, the majority of money spent on this program comes from state, local, and private funding, not federal. Every day I read media reports and social media posts that are full of false information and opinion and people buy it hook line and sinker. It’s exhausting. Political spin and trickeration is nothing new. There are lies coming from both sides of the political aisle, likewise there is truth coming from both sides. As caring and involved Americans, we must do our due diligence, dig deep, and understand the facts for ourselves. Please never just rely on one source for your news, read multiple articles and authors and form an education conclusion. And, don’t forget to support your local Meals on Wheels provider! ••• Ronda M. Walker is a wife, mother of four and the Vice Chairman of the Montgomery County Commission.
Ronda M. Walker: Beyond the Jeff Sessions’ nomination — the trickle down effect
For the past eight years conservatives in Alabama have balked at the policies of the Barack Obama Administration. Now it’s the Republicans turn to govern. The Democrats had a few years, now the Republicans will have a few years. Americans, we are a pendulum people. We sway back and forth between conservative and liberal leadership every few years. A quick glance at contemporary Presidential history proves my point: Harry S. Truman (D) Dwight Eisenhower (R) John Fitzgerald Kennedy (D), assassinated and replaced by Lyndon Baines Johnson (D) Richard Nixon (R), resigned and replaced by Gerald Ford (R) Jimmy Carter (D) Ronald Reagan (R) George H.W. Bush (R) Bill Clinton (D) George W. Bush (R) Barack Obama (D) Donald Trump (R) I assume you see the pattern. The Republicans will soon control the White House and both Chambers of Congress. However, the same swing pattern is found in Congressional elections, specifically in a midterm, which likely means the 2018 Congressional midterms will likely not bode well for Republicans. But for now we have a Republican at the top making cabinet selections and an Alabamian has been nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney General. Several Alabamians have held cabinet-level positions including a few Surgeon Generals – Regina Benjamin of Mobile and David Satcher of Anniston. Condoleezza Rice of Birmingham is most definitely a favorite daughter and she served as the National Security Advisor and the Secretary of State. Winton M. Blount, born in Union Springs and settled in Montgomery, was Postmaster General for Richard Nixon back when Postmaster General was still a cabinet level position. So while this level of power is nothing new to Alabama, the nomination of Jeff Sessions is different. Sessions is a current statewide elected official. We know him. Personally. We’ve shaken his hand at barbecues in rural Alabama, we’ve bumped in to him on our visits to DC and he’s taken the time to say hello and ask about the family. Born in Selma and raised in Wilcox County Sessions attended Huntingdon College in Montgomery and the University of Alabama School of Law. He and his wife Mary now live in Mobile. Senator Sessions, while being one of the most powerful men in the world, is definitely one of us. And now one of us has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump as the next Attorney General of the United States. Assuming Sessions’ confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Alabama will need a new U.S. Senator and the speculation is dizzying. But before we jump into the political what-ifs and maybes, I think it is important that we take a collective pause and enjoy the moment. The moment when our very own United States Senator, our highly respected native son, will likely transition from being a champion for Alabama to being a champion for America. That is a very big deal. But now let’s look beyond the Sessions’ nomination and consider the trickle down effect. Assuming Sessions’ confirmation to U.S. Attorney General, the Governor of Alabama has an appointment to make. As an appointee of Governor Robert Bentley myself, I will jump into the speculation fray and consider the route the Governor might take when making his nomination. In the summer of 2013 Jay Love announced he was leaving the Alabama House of Representatives, thus creating a vacancy in the House to be filled in a special election. Montgomery County Commissioner Dimitri Polizos was elected in that special election thus creating a vacancy on the County Commission. When a vacancy occurs on a County Commission, the Governor appoints an individual to fill the position until the next regular election. In December of 2013 I was interviewed by the Governor’s staff and subsequently asked to fill the remainder of Polizos’ Commission term. I was sworn in February 10, 2014 and had two years to serve before facing election to a full four-year term. So while the offices are vastly different, I would argue the Governor’s method of making an appointment will be somewhat similar in the case of Jeff Sessions. At the time the vacancy occurred on the Montgomery County Commission approximately twenty individuals reached out to the Governor and asked to be considered for the appointment. The same thing is happening now as individuals, both directly and through proxy, are making it clear to Governor Bentley they would like to receive the Senate appointment. While I was not privy to the internal deliberations, I can speculate on the scope of the conversations. First, the Governor wanted to appoint someone who knew Montgomery County, someone who understood the constituents they would represent. It was important that the appointee was knowledgeable of the issues facing the county. The Governor wanted someone who understood the strengths and weaknesses of local education, law enforcement, and economic development. Also, he wanted someone with a first-hand knowledge of the local personalities and flavor. And of course someone who had enough intelligence to differentiate between fact and fiction. That last consideration alone should keep several out of the running for Senate. I was raised in Montgomery County, educated in the public school system, and I made the decision to settle in Montgomery to raise my family. I know Montgomery; moreover I love Montgomery and want to see her succeed. Second, the Governor wanted an appointee who was willing to work with the current County Commission. The Governor had no interest in appointing someone who would cause trouble for the sake of causing trouble. Divisiveness and lines in the sand, he made clear, were counterproductive to progress. Governor Bentley wanted someone who was thoughtful and reasonable and willing to listen to all sides of an argument before making a decision. I believe my willingness to reach beyond partisan, racial, and ideological lines and do what was best appealed to the Governor. However, it was also important for the Governor that his appointee reflect the values and beliefs of the majority of the constituents of the district. The third commission district of Montgomery County is remarkably conservative. I am
Ronda Walker: Colin Kaepernick’s Dixie Chicks moment
It was early 2003 and the ink was not yet dry on my graduate degree from the University of Hawaii. Packing had commenced as I prepared to move from my apartment in Honolulu back home to Montgomery, Alabama. I was selling most of my belongings to avoid paying to have them shipped. As I prepared my computer for sale, I pushed the eject button on the CD drive and out came my Dixie Chicks CD. It was my favorite. For many months prior, I spent a great amount of time in my on-campus office in Sakamaki Hall doing research, writing, and studying all while listening to the Dixie Chicks. The unique vocal sounds of lead singer Natalie Maines, coupled with the mix of bluegrass and pop coming from the instruments played by the Erwin sisters produced a unique, energizing, and exciting sound I thoroughly enjoyed. Of course I wasn’t their only fan; by 1997 the group had their first big record deal and they quickly evolved into a worldwide sensation. The awards began pouring in around 1998 and sold-out concerts were commonplace through the turn of the new millennium. The Dixie Chicks were at their peak in March 2003 when they began their world tour in London. At the same time America was still reeling from the devastating attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Americans were still bloodied, bruised and traumatized by images of planes crashing and bodies falling. It was in the midst of these emotionally turbulent times that Dixie Chicks lead singer, Natalie Maines, took the stage in London. A U.S. invasion of Iraq was imminent as a retaliatory measure and an attempt to slow the spread of Islamic extremism. Maines disagreed with President George W. Bush’s decision to invade. Maines was in London to sing songs, but instead she decided to make a political commentary to her largely non-American audience, “We don’t want this war, this violence, and we are ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas.” The Chicks, of course, were Texas girls themselves. While the concert crowd applauded Maines’ comments, the reaction in the U.S. was near apocalyptic. Maines’ remarks came as a slap in the face to many of her fellow Americans in general and country music fans in particular. The fact that Maines did not anticipate the impact her words would have on the majority of her country fan base shows a remarkable disconnect with reality. Her controversial remarks proved to be the beginning of the end for the Dixie Chicks. Album sales plummeted, songs that had topped the charts the week prior were no longer played on the radio, and concert tickets could not be given away. The Dixie Chicks went from being the top-selling all-female band in the U.S. to virtual oblivion overnight. Although most Americans defended Maines’ right to make her comments, many disagreed passionately with her decision to do so. It was not only what she said that had many upset, it was the way she chose to say it. In an effort to save her career, Maines offered a mea culpa, but her disingenuous apology fell on deaf ears. Maines would later retract that apology and double down on her initial remarks by stating, “I don’t understand the necessity for patriotism. Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? I don’t see why people care about patriotism?” Natalie Maines genuinely seemed confused at the anger and backlash over her comments. She did not understand why so many Americans were mad that she got on stage and ridiculed the president. She was simply voicing an opinion, her opinion, which she is entitled to. So how dare people berate her for her opinion! After all, our country was founded by a group of political dissidents. We were forged in the fire of stubborn discourse and disagreement. The freedoms we cherish allow our citizens to stand up and wave an angry fist in the face of controversial political decisions. That is the very essence of America. There is no question the Chicks had every right to express their opinion; likewise, the rest of the country has every right to reject that opinion. That is the American way, not that we have to agree with or tolerate every protest or opinion. Tell me your opinion and I’ll tell you mine. Disagree with me and I’ll disagree with you. Let’s wrestle over ideas and solutions for our collective problems, but please don’t assume everyone who disagrees with your opinion is intolerant, narrow minded, or ignorant. Enter NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his recent protestations of the great experiment known as America. Kaepernick refused to stand during the National Anthem, and later explained his actions by stating, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” Kaepernick’s protest, although not explicitly stated, appears related to the recent officer-involved shootings of black men. Kaepernick clearly has strong feelings about certain issues challenging the US right now and he has every right to express his concerns. I would go further and say his passion obligates him to join the struggle for a solution. He has every right to protest by refusing to stand during the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner.” Every right. Conversely, others have every right to be angry, horrified, and resentful of his choice of protest. If you want to get people’s attention, burn the flag or disrespect the anthem — it works every time. You cannot spit in someone’s face and expect them to shut up and like it. I can even agree with what someone says, but vehemently disagree with the way they chose to say it. Kaepernick knew exactly what he was doing; it was his strategy to draw attention to a national issue. But disrespecting an honored national symbol that represents a country people love and many have died for makes people angry. So angry, in fact, they are inhibited from hearing what
Ronda Walker: Homework — no child left outside
The lazy days of summer have ended and school is back in session. K-12 children across the country are strapping on backpacks and heading to the classroom for seven to eight hours each day. During their time at school they are learning the academic fundamentals of reading, math, and science and, if they are lucky, they get a few minutes of physical education and the arts. Their school day is jam-packed with learning, teachers encouraging students to stretch their knowledge base, and expand their understanding of the known and unknown. Children wake up early for school and arrive home mid- to late afternoon tired and ready to unwind. But they cannot rest or unwind because they are sent home with up to several hours of homework each evening. Apparently seven hours of school is not sufficient for instruction — but it should be. Excessive homework is a waste of everyone’s time. And that is not just my opinion, studies have shown there is no conclusive evidence homework increases student achievement. A Duke University professor recently concluded that while homework can have a positive effect on student achievement for older students, too much homework for any age is counterproductive. And there is no correlation between homework and student achievement in elementary grades. If your elementary child is required to do more than about 30 minutes of homework each evening, it is too much. My anti-homework stance is nothing new. Since the inception of formalized education in America, the issue of homework has been debated. Studies have been conducted, conclusions have been drawn, and opinions fortified. And the tide of homework volume has ebbed and flowed generally in tandem with real or perceived global advancements and competition. Perhaps the best benefit homework has generated is the strengthening of time management skills, perseverance, and responsibility of students who complete their work, especially if they have assistance from an adult or sibling. Those are indeed excellent benefits, ones that can be achieved in numerous ways without a significant volume of homework. My children are awake approximately 13 hours of each day. They spend one hour preparing for school, seven hours at school. By the time they reach home each afternoon they have about four hours before bedtime. Four hours is actually more time than most families have to spend together each evening. I have the great fortune of scheduling my day to ensure I am always home when my children get home from school in the afternoon. In our four hours post-school at least an hour is spent eating supper, showering, and getting ready for bed. That leaves about three hours for activities including playing outside with friends, sports practice, piano lessons, gymnastics, church, goofing off, watching TV, reading, household chores, and of course talking to their mom. Add an hour or two of homework each evening and their day equates to school, homework, and bed. That is not OK. Fortunately, many schools and school systems are rejecting the myth that more homework produces smarter students and higher test scores. Many teachers have read the research and reversed their position on homework. In fact, as I write, a news alert came across my computer about a North Texas elementary school teacher who sent a letter home with her students explaining she would not give homework the entire year because research has failed to prove a positive effect. Kudos. My younger children are in second and fourth grade and their teachers do an excellent job assigning age-appropriate homework. It rarely takes us more than 30 minutes to complete homework each afternoon, which often involves writing sentences using spelling words and a math worksheet. This time provides me the opportunity to understand what my children are learning at school and gauge any deficiencies they may have. Older children, like my teenagers, have more homework but still a reasonable amount for their age and grade level. Again, most teachers get it, but too many do not. Our goal is smart children who are well rounded emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Generally speaking, public education in America is struggling to provide a quality learning experience for all children regardless of their socioeconomic status, their gender, their race, and their family structure. Federal government-supported schools in America are forced into a one-size-fits-all model of testing, curriculum, and structure and it is failing many of our children. Fortunately, many systems are allowing their teachers the autonomy to think outside of the box and try varied approaches to learning. Learning takes place every waking moment. Learning is not limited to a worksheet or poster project. And too much homework actually degrades the learning process and weakens the family structure. A final note to parents: if you are allowing your child to fill their afternoon and evening hours on electronic devices, you are squandering a valuable opportunity to participate in their emotional and intellectual growth. You are as culpable for the failures of the education system as the teachers assigning too much homework. Let’s all do better. ••• Ronda M. Walker is a wife, mother of four and a Montgomery County commissioner.
Ronda M. Walker: Ethics in leadership
“Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.” -Samuel Adams If it isn’t illegal, then it isn’t unethical. That is the mentality many elected officials have adopted in our state and nation. Politicians wheel and deal in the gray area between right and wrong, craftily balancing on the line of legitimacy, careful not to slip a foot into the land of illegality. They carelessly push the limits of right and wrong with virtually no regard for what is actually right and wrong. When it becomes our goal as public officials to simply avoid activity classified as a criminal offense against public law, and we ignore our moral obligation to hold ourselves to a different, more stringent standard, we erode the public trust and become a significant threat to the stability of our democracy. Unfortunately, recent comments by our Governor demonstrate this skewed mindset that many have used as justification for their actions. I literally sat with my mouth agape as I read a quote from Alabama Governor Robert Bentley’s recent press conference. We have all heard the audio recordings of intimate conversations between the Governor and another woman who is not his wife. We have heard the allusions from the Governor himself to a physical relationship between he and a woman that is not his wife. Yet, he stood at a microphone recently at a crowded press conference and actually said the words, “I’ve done nothing – absolutely nothing – that is illegal or unethical.” Every fiber of my moral being was offended at the words he spoke. While the illegal portion of his statement is still being investigated, unless the audio recordings are one day proven false, the unethical portion of his actions has been splayed across the Internet and national news enough for everyone to know he has most certainly acted unethically, immorally, and without regard for the sanctity of the office he holds. The fact that he can say with a straight face that he has not acted unethically reveals the semantic game public officials often play to justify their questionable actions. When leaders decide to parse the meaning of criminal and ethical behavior when deciding on a particular action we lose our virtue, our freedom, and our greatness. Character matters, a great society cannot remain so without a common sense of decency, especially amongst leadership. We need leadership that holds truth inviolable. We need leaders that value honesty, integrity, loyalty, and respect for others above all else. That is ethical behavior. Ethical behavior is not about obeying man’s law, ethical behavior is about being a better person. About having a moral standard that governs everything you do. Doing the right thing even when no one is watching, doing the right thing even when you think no one is listening. If I know my neighbor is elderly, ailing, and struggling to care for his wife who has progressing Alzheimer’s and I do nothing to help meet their basic needs I have not violated state or federal law. If I fail to show my children physical love and affection I have not violated state or federal law. If I lie to my husband and engage in an extramarital affair I have not violated state or federal law. But in each case I have most certainly violated the basic moral and ethical standards of conduct that distinguish right and wrong in human action. I have revealed my character as self-serving and weak. And I have failed in my moral obligation as a neighbor, mother, and wife. Unfortunately, many elected officials do a quick-footed dance through questionable areas of personal activity with their biggest concern being the avoidance of prosecution. When public officials become more concerned about violating the law than violating the public trust they no longer serve the public, but themselves. We are too great a people to accept such disingenuous leadership. But unfortunately we have accepted it for generations. There are numerous examples of both local and national leaders, from all political parties, who have acted in ways unbecoming and who, instead of being chastised by the electorate have been given a pass. Seriously, some have even gone to jail for criminal offenses and enjoyed a baffling political comeback so perhaps I should not be so surprised that we turn a blind eye to infidelity. I was sworn in to the Montgomery County Commission in February 2014. Immediately after being sworn in I was told I must participate in a mandatory training program coordinated by the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) intended to educate new Commissioners on their role and responsibility. The first class I took was entitled “Ethics for Public Officials.” This class was facilitated by staff from the ACCA, the Alabama Ethics Commission, and a local attorney. One of the topics of discussion was the differentiation between an act being unethical and an act being in violation of the law. Unfortunately, this is a distinction elected officials insist upon using as their standard for decision-making. Is what I am about to do illegal, or simply unsavory? A portion of the Ethics training was led by Sonny Brasfield, Executive Director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama. As someone who has worked in and around Alabama politics for years, and has conducted numerous ethics training courses, I consider Mr. Brasfield an expert in this area. And because he summed up the truth so clearly and succinctly, I am going to quote Mr. Brasfield’s introduction to the discussion on ethics: “The Alabama Ethics Law is a criminal statute, which outlines behaviors that are legally permissible as well as those behaviors that are illegal. The illegal behaviors, if prosecuted, will result in fines, imprisonment or both. Following the Alabama Ethics Law does not mean that a public official or employee is acting in an ethical manner. In fact, there is no question that an individual can participate in unethical
Ronda Walker: Taking a stand for Martha Roby
I have known Martha Roby for 20 years, since she was a smart, independent thinking undergraduate at New York University and I was a low-level staffer for U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby in D.C. In a town given to fakes, I liked her immediately. Martha is, and always has been, one of the most genuine individuals I know. We both grew up in Montgomery, and we both settled back in our hometown after we got married. Martha’s passion for public service was cultivated throughout her childhood by parents who were leaders in their church and community. Volunteerism and giving back are a large part of who she is. Therefore, it was no surprise when she stepped up to serve her community on the Montgomery City Council. Her Council district was the most diverse in the City and she proved to be a dedicated servant leader to all of her constituents. She was well liked by those she served and was respected for being the type of leader who jumped into the trenches to fix problems. She is hard working, smart, and genuine and she took those attributes from Montgomery to Washington, DC to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. If you live in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District you know Martha Roby. You’ve met her, you’ve seen her at your community meetings, you’ve watched her on the 6 o’clock news, and you’ve bumped into her shopping for groceries at the local Publix. She is deeply rooted in her community and she genuinely loves the people of Alabama. I had the privilege of working for my friend Martha Roby for three years after she was elected to Congress. I often said of the long hours and stressful work that I would never do it for anyone I didn’t personally love and respect. As I sat in meetings with her, traveled the district with her and saw her interact with constituents her energy, passion, and likability never ceased to amaze everyone she met. I remember once when she walked into a room in her southern Alabama district a woman rushed to embrace her. They wept together as the woman told Martha of the recent loss of her husband. Another memory is of Martha standing on the tarmac giving handshakes and hugs to each member of the 908th Airlift Wing before their deployment, and as the plane taxied down the runway she did not leave, but stood arm in arm with the families being left behind. And there are many examples of Martha refusing to invite the media to cover her selfless acts, helping those in her district devastated by trial and tragedy. Many are the times someone has shared a deeply personal story of what Martha Roby has done for them. Martha is not only compassionate, she is a smart conservative. Alabama is a Republican state. But the irony of our current situation is a small group of individuals has decided to attack some conservatives in leadership for not being conservative enough. Martha Roby’s votes in Congress clearly reflect her conservatism and the values of her constituents. Moreover, she has proven to be a reasonable and likable voice on Capitol Hill. She consults with military leadership at Maxwell-Gunter and Ft. Rucker to ensure she supports legislation that strengthens our military and helps our veterans. She has veterans from across the United States calling her office for help because they know she is one of their strongest advocates in Congress. Her actions have proven her dedication to our men and women in uniform. Agriculture is the number one industry in the state of Alabama, and in the 2nd district specifically. Martha Roby has a great relationship with Alabama’s farmers and with the Alabama Farmers Federation and together they work hard to craft legislation that helps Alabama farmers. Martha Roby routinely meets with mayors, small business leaders, educations, and everyday Alabamians. She listens to their concerns and their ideas and she takes that information back to Washington and votes accordingly. Yet, a small group of DC political operatives has published a misleading “scorecard” attacking Martha Roby. It’s ludicrous, really. Thirty-six mayors in the 2nd Congressional District signed on to a letter of support for Martha Roby. Military leaders, farmers, and small business owners have all voiced their strong support for her. Martha Roby answers to the people of Alabama, not to D.C. political scorekeepers. It is easy to become frustrated with politics. Too often we see politicians making bad decisions in their public as well as their private lives. Our nation is in debt, some federally funded programs are on an unsustainable spending path, and we have enemies both foreign and domestic who wish to do us harm. Now, more than ever, we need leadership that is smart, aggressive, and in it for the right reasons. Martha Roby is that leader. When I am asked what kind of person I want to represent me in Washington my answer is Martha Roby. I know her as a wife, mother, daughter, and friend. She sat with me and prayed with me as I endured chemotherapy treatments and she loves my children like her own. But I do not support her simply because she is my friend. She is my friend because she is an amazing individual who happens to be the best leader in Washington, DC that Alabama has ever seen. She serves the people of Alabama proudly. And make no mistake, her service is not without personal sacrifice. The 2nd district is fortunate to have a leader like Martha Roby in Washington; she has earned our appreciation and continued support. • • • Ronda M. Walker is a member of the Montgomery County Commission, a wife and a mother of four.
Ronda Walker: Schadenfreude
We take pleasure in the pain of others, especially the pain of the rich and famous. I cannot explain why humans react this way, but scientific studies have proven through MRI and other imaging that the human body experiences positive physiological reactions when we see others fail, especially if those failing are rich or famous. Imagine a handsome, wealthy, superstar athlete that plays for the team you don’t like. How easy is it for you to hate that guy? You did not even have to be a Denver Bronco super-fan to gloat at the sight of Cam Newton getting sacked repeatedly in the Super Bowl. You did not even have to be an Alabama fan watching a former Auburn Tiger fail to experience euphoria at the sight of a sulking Newton mumbling one-word answers at the post game presser. You just need to be human. While Newton’s stumble from the top is one of the most explosive issues on social media the day after Super Bowl 50, it will go down in the annals of history as just another example of the mighty falling, it happens every day. You have probably forgotten all about it, but it was just a few years ago after a tough loss in Super Bowl XLIV that losing QB Peyton Manning chose not to shake hands with rival QB Drew Brees, instead Manning hurried off the field sulking, and extremely frustrated with a painful loss. For an athlete to become overwhelmed with disappointment and frustration in the wake of a mega loss is both understandable and forgivable. What is neither understandable nor forgivable is the unapologetic hatred and vitriol people express toward those who tried, yet failed. Did Newton handle the loss well? Absolutely not, but please do not give me the line that anyone should be above letting their emotions show during tough times. Imagine walking out of your divorce attorney’s office to be greeted by local news reporters asking you how you are feeling? How did this happen? What went wrong? Or when you lost the big client at work or when you got a side stitch and could not complete the marathon after months of training. Imagine your greatest failure being fodder for the nightly news, for the local blogs, or the neighborhood tabloid. You would be speechless and might even throw a punch or two. You would certainly be furious at the audacity of anyone to kick you while you are down. Ironically the loudest chest pounding and harshest finger wags come from those who have actually never tried much of anything. Perhaps it is our own sense of personal failure or disappointment that makes it so easy for us to turn on one another. You don’t see Peyton Manning running down Cam Newton today; in fact Manning said Newton was extremely humble when he congratulated him for his win. Fame, wealth, and notoriety while part of the American Dream, are far from an American right, thus the battle between the few haves and the masses of have nots. We are jealous of those few who have made the ultimate achievements and we compare their lives with those of our own. Our mediocre life in Middle America is not what we dreamt it would be. Perhaps we did not take risks, work hard enough, or take a leap of faith when great opportunities presented themselves and we wish we had. When we sit in our den and watch a football game on TV and rejoice in the failures, mistakes, and missteps of others it says a lot more about us than it does about those on the screen. Schadenfreude is a German word that literally means harm-joy. It refers to the feeling of joy or pleasure when one sees another fail or suffer misfortune. You’ve experienced it even if you are horrified to admit it. It does not only relate to our attitude toward sports figures, although that might be it’s most obvious application. Politics is a taboo subject at social functions because it conjures such deep and passionate opinions and emotions. We watch men and women we have never met debate issues that we do not fully understand and we actually have deep hatred in our heart for some of them. It’s sick really, but it is the American way. Do we revel in the misery of others because we are jealous of them or is it because we are just so thankful their misery did not befall us? My guess is it is a combination of those reasons. University of Alabama football fans hate Cam Newton because Cam played for their greatest rival Auburn University and he enjoyed tremendous success. It’s really that simple, but most Alabama fans will not admit that. Instead they will say Newton is an arrogant, self-serving player who made some bad choices in his younger days and deserves to be hated. But we all know if Cam Newton had donned the crimson and white, it would be the Auburn fans rejoicing today. The fact is the Bronco defense served as a salve to Alabama fans still nursing old wounds. It’s not Cam Newton Alabama fans hate, they don’t even know Cam Newton, they hate anything to do with Auburn. Likewise, it’s not Hillary Clinton or Ted Cruz people hate – we hate their politics, what we think they stand for, but that differentiation is lost during the attacks, and we go from disagreeing with an opinion to hating an individual. Nothing has made our collective schadenfreude so ugly as our access to social media. We open our Twitter and Facebook each morning, or we tune into the 24/7 news cycle and we are bombarded with angry, hateful, critical speech and images. From the safety of their momma’s basement, unemployed middle-aged men condemn the decisions and actions of others. Operating under a pseudonym, young college kids with more arrogance than common sense pound out berating comments under every article they read online. Behind
Ronda Walker: Fiscal conservatism, the true American dream
Do you realize that home ownership is an American dream not an American right? The same is true with vacations, cars, and designer clothing. Not everyone gets to enjoy all of the amenities America has to offer and the sooner we accept that the better off we will be. Moreover, the sooner we end our bondage to the debt-driven life the more prosperous we will become as individuals and as a society. We rail about wasteful government spending and unsustainable budget deficits but the truth is most of our personal financial practices are as bad as the financial practices of most governments. Thanks to financial institutions with overzealous lending practices, coupled with individuals with little to no fiscal responsibility, people buy homes they cannot afford. Add to that buying pattern a recession, and now we have foreclosed homes sitting in neighborhoods all across America. Shame on us. What does it mean to live within your means? Unfortunately it is a concept that most Americans care nothing about. Consider this: if you don’t have the money, don’t spend the money. If you have ever paid for a Disney vacation on a credit card then you are not living within your means. If you find yourself swimming in holiday debt come January, you are not living within your means. If you have a nice house and two cars, yet you cannot ever seem to make ends meet you are not living within your means. For some, being fiscally responsible is not a priority and I guess those individuals are clicking off of this article about now. But for those that care about being responsible with their money, for those that believe it is important to spend wisely, build savings, and give generously then please read on. There was a time when it was shameful to be indebted to another person and individuals would work tirelessly until they could pay their debt in full. But by the 1980s the American work ethic had been replaced by a new debt driven consumerism. We devolved from a personal savings oriented society to a debt accruing oriented society. Where families once endeavored to build their savings, they now had a credit card burning a hole in their wallet. There was no more reason to skimp and save, just put it on the plastic! Just as your family income is limited, government funds are also limited. As an elected official with responsibility over a one hundred million-dollar budget, I have to constantly make difficult spending decisions. Setting budgets for various departments that serve the residents of Montgomery County is a challenge. Deciding which extra-governmental organizations receive assistance and which do not is difficult. I take my fiscal role seriously. I am the overseer of tax dollars that were hard earned by the residents of my county and I will manage those dollars to the best of my ability. Each month the County Commission has a long line of departments, groups and individuals seeking government dollars to aid their project or service and sometimes we have to tell them no. It is imperative that I balance the basic infrastructure needs of the county with the need to ensure the health and general welfare of the citizenry. The budget must be balanced, spending decisions must be wise, and debt must be minimal. My approach to governing as a fiscal conservative did not begin when I was sworn into office. It began many years before when my husband and I first got married and we committed to live within our means. The same standards I apply to my family budget I apply to the Montgomery County Commission budget. I will admit, in my personal life I am sometimes swayed by my children to splurge on an unnecessary item. I occasionally give in and buy them some candy from the check out aisle. The same is true with work, but I assure you that is the exception and not the rule. When my husband and I married neither of us was in a great place financially. He was divorced, paying steep child support payments, and living in his aunt’s basement in Lowndes County. I had just finished graduate school, had a few thousand dollars in student loan debt, and had cashed in my small 401k a few years earlier to buy a nice red Mustang. Although in our early 30s we were starting from financial scratch. As our wedding date approached our friends and family wanted to know where we were going to buy our new home. They were surprised and confused when we told them of our decision to rent a two-bedroom house not far from downtown Montgomery. It was a small house in what was quickly becoming a sketchy neighborhood, but the rent was low so we made it work. My husband and I both worked hard and made modest salaries so it confused everyone further when we told them of our decision to live on my husband’s income and put my entire paycheck directly into a savings account. We lived simply, but we did not go without basic necessities or even an occasional splurge. We had one emergency credit card with a five hundred dollar limit, which went unused, we had a small amount of student loan debt we chipped away at each month, but most importantly we had a growing savings account. At the end of that first year we had enough money to put a nice down payment on a home of our own. Again, friends and family chimed in assuming we would buy a newer home in a newer area of town. We didn’t. We bought a nice older home in a central Montgomery neighborhood. We got twice the square footage for half of the price of a newer home. Sure we qualified for a much nicer home, but we were not lured into that debt trap. After some paint and new light fixtures our new house was perfect for us. After the home purchase
Real Men Wear Pink because we all have a part in Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In case you’ve been living under a rock and have missed all the pink, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. There are events, runs, and fundraising efforts like the Real Men Wear Pink campaign happening not just throughout Alabama but across the nation. I’ve always been a little skeptical of the need for the in-your-face-style campaigns that seem more geared toward keeping public relation firms in business than to actual prevention or information, but this year that has changed. First the first time I get it. I’m joining the masses to promote awareness. No, that doesn’t mean I’ll be donning pink every day for the rest of the month, it means I’ll have real and honest discussions with my girlfriends about cancer. Until this year, I knew nothing about breast cancer. Last Christmas a relatively new friend, Ronda Walker, was diagnosed with the disease and I began following her journey to kicking cancer’s butt. If you haven’t read Ronda’s personal blog “Merry Christmas Cancer,” you’re missing out on one of the most uplifting and spirited women I’ve ever met. She’s penned some amazing content for our site too (like this post about Daughters Day). Beyond Ronda’s personal struggle with breast cancer it seems more people than I realized have been touched by the disease. In Jefferson County, Commissioner Sandra Little Brown frequently speaks of the struggle she faced fighting her own battle with cancer. In a recent interview with Over the Mountain Journal, Little Brown said, “I wish that everybody that went through what I went through could have that support that I had to help pull me through. I want to be able to give that same support to other women who are affected by this disease. One out of 8 women are and that’s too many.” Most recently David Magee, senior director of content for Alabama Media Group – a man (yes, you read that correctly) who I’ve met several times and who has a storied career in journalism, books and radio – posted on AL.Com that he too has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Reminding us amid the flurry of pink that men too have have a place in both education and awareness. Knowing friends affected, reading the statistics, and wearing a pink ribbon, however, doesn’t make us any more aware. I hope you take a moment to research the disease and talk to those you know who have or continue to be affected with it. Check out Cancer.org and look into your local chapter of the Cancer Society, The Birmingham Chapter, who are doing great things. In closing, I’ll leave you with this line from Ronda’s post from last week, I couldn’t say it any better myself: The problem: the misnomer of awareness. October became breast cancer awareness month in 1985 – 30 years ago – so it stands to reason we should all know a lot about the disease, right? Wrong! Wearing pink doesn’t make you aware of the reality of breast cancer any more than wearing a jersey makes you a football player. As I sit here in the midst of my breast cancer fight, I am astounded at all I did not know about breast cancer this time last year. By mid-October last year I was tired of seeing all of the pink, I was tired of hearing about mammograms, I was ready to move on to November. Little did I know at the time breast cancer was growing like wildfire in my body, spreading into my lymphatic system, ready to kill me. I was 42 years old when I was diagnosed and in spite of the 30-year-long awareness push I actually knew very little about breast cancer. From someone who has been in the game – who had her butt singed by the fires of hell and lived to tell about it – please let me make you a little more aware about breast cancer.
