Judge Charles Langham to Retire from Bench in 2021

Morgan county commission December 2019 Volume 8 No. 1

25h Anniversary Tour ends in Decatur

Chairman: Daikin State’s history enhances life for on display at county residents Arts Center By Sheryl Marsh Communications Director By Sheryl Marsh Daikin America’s 25th anniver- Communications Director sary celebration of its industrial Two hundred years of state histo- existence in Morgan County in ry is on display at the Alabama September was a time of reflec- Center for the Arts in downtown tion for County Commission Decatur. Chairman Ray Long. Titled Making Alabama: A Bicen- He said the company is an asset tennial Traveling Exhibit was as- that continues to give to enhance sembled in the center’s Performing the quality of life for many resi- Arts building on Nov. 6th and will dents. Judge Langham at work in his office in November. He will continue to work until he remain there until Dec. 14th, according to Morgan County Archi- “From the time they started their retires in January 2021. industrial base here they have vist John Allison. changed and continue to change The exhibit opened in Montgom- the lives of people who live here. ery in March 2018 before begin- We are grateful and we celebrate their growth,” said Long. Judge Charles Langham to Please see Exhibit, page 3 During the celebration, which was held Sept. 12th at The Westin Hotel in Huntsville, Daikin officials announced plans to invest retire from bench in 2021 inside $195 million in the local facility Meet the candidates vying on State Docks Road. The expan- By Sheryl Marsh During his third year of 70. His time has arrived. for district court judgeship, sion is to begin in January and Communications Director law school he resided in He will hang up the robe pages 2,15 once it’s completed officials ex- Clues: Before entering the president’s mansion at and retire the gavel in pect to start adding 50 full-time the legal profession he the university. January 2021. Changes in absentee voting taught mathematics and jobs over a two year period for an Who is this person? “I’m going to miss it very for 2020 elections, page 5 annual salary of about $57,000. science at Snow Hill Insti- Morgan County District much,” said Langham. “I Daikin’s initial investment was tute in South Alabama. Court Judge Charles truly believe that God put Morgan County Schools, He went through the $150 million in the Decatur plant Langham. me in this place at this pages,10, 11 when it was established in 1994. University of Alabama, Judge Langham enjoys time and I believe that I’ve Today it has almost 400 employ- earning three degrees: BS work but his time is lim- made a difference for the ees with an average annual salary in commerce/business ited by a state law that good in the lives of chil- of $90,000, officials said. administration; Master of prohibits judges from run- To date the company has invest- Public Administration; ning for office after age Please see Judge, page 3 and Juris Doctor. Please see Daikin, page 2 2- The Voice of Morgan County December 2019 Daikin Walking into his office on the third Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 -year period; and during growth that will certainly floor of the courthouse, one quickly ed about $600 million in the construction $1.69 million in benefit our local communi- realizes his strong reverence for the th facility and the $195 million city sales and use tax plus ty.” -dren who appeared before me. You 16 president of this country. expansion will increase the $3.38 million in state sales In addition to the expansion have their future in your hands, know- “As a judge I try to model myself after total investment to about use tax. Daikin officials presented ing that your decisions will impact the Abe Lincoln, and based on what I’m $800 million. Local school systems will $200,000 checks to Morgan rest of their lives. It’s a great responsi- seeing today I need to,” said Langham. The expansion will add sev- benefit from the expansion County and the city of Deca- bility. A man came up to me at Publix “President Lincoln once said in an ad- eral components including which is predicted to yield an tur for projects to benefit one day recently and shared that he dress to Congress in 1862 that the polymer/monomer produc- additional $596,400 annual- residents. Morgan will use had adopted a son. He showed me a United States is the last hope on earth tion, utility systems, infra- ly for distribution between $160,000 of the money to picture of him, and thanked me for my for freedom, and I worry about that. structure enhancements, Decatur, Hartselle and Mor- help build a gymnasium at involvement in the matter. That really We have to work really hard to main- research and development, gan County schools, officials West Park in District 2. meant a lot to me.” tain that freedom and the judiciary officials said. said. During construction “For years, I’ve been looking With a legal career that exceeds 40 plays a role in ensuring that.” Initial spending for the ex- sales and use taxes for the at trying to build a gym at years, Langham has practiced law on a Langham dotes on a corner of his of- pansion will be about $147 school systems are expected West Park, but because of broad scale, and spent 28 years in pri- fice where he erected a library with million and with abatements to total $2.27 million. costs it was something we vate practice. shelves of books about Lincoln. granted the amount would Nails lauded Daikin for its didn’t feel like we could un- Shortly after graduating from Univer- “I find every book intriguing, filled total $195 million, according industrial investments. dertake,” said District 2 Daikin officials presented a replica of a $200,000 check to sity of Alabama School of Law Lang- with knowledge.” to Morgan County Economic “Daikin continues to be an Commissioner Randy Vest. Chairman Ray Long for Morgan County during its 25th anni- ham went to work as an Assistant Dis- He is involved with numerous organ- Development President Jere- outstanding community “Thanks to the generous con- versary celebration. The money is a gift to be used on a project trict Attorney under DA Mike Moebes izations and has received many awards my Nails. partner,” Nails said. “We ap- tribution of Daikin we feel for the community. From left: Daikin Executive Vice President/ in 1977. Langham prosecuted criminal including Humanitarian of the Year by The requested abatements preciate the major expansion it’s time to move forward and Plant Manager David Hendrixson, Chairman Long; Noriyuki cases until 1979 when he started his the Decatur/Morgan County Chamber private practice where he specialized in of Commerce. include non-education state announcement on their 25th make that dream a reality for Inoue, Chairman/ CEO of Daikin Industries, Inc.; Masanori To- and county property taxes of anniversary, and look for- all the youth in Morgan gawa, President/Rep Director/CEO of Daikin Industries, Inc.; probate estate, juvenile and family cas- Attorney Robert T. McWhorter, about $5.13 million over a 10 ward to their continued County.” and Yasuhiro Utsumi, President/CEO of Daikin America Inc. es. During that time he was an adjunct whose law office was next to Lang- professor of political science at the ham’s on Cain Street, said the judge is University of Alabama-Huntsville highly esteemed. (UAH), and he served as a special pro- “He’s one of the most honorable men bate judge. I ever met. He pays attention to the Five attorneys seeking A third district court judgeship was cases before him. Although he has created in 2008 and former Gov. Bob ruled against me many times, I know Riley appointed Langham to the posi- that in his heart he’s doing justice,” tion. Elections to fill the judgeship McWhorter said. to replace retiring judge were held in the same year, and Lang- Although he’s planning for life after ham handily defeated candidates in the the bench, he will be in office until the Five attorneys are vying for the judge- a high volume of misdemeanor and primary to become the GOP nominee. time comes for him to leave. ship that District Court Judge Charles traffic cases. She also writes all appel- He won with ease over a Democratic “We have a lot of cases, and I will be Langham will vacate in January 2021. late briefs to submit to the Alabama opponent in the general election and here working until the day I leave of- Four are challengers in the Republi- Court of Criminal took office in January 2009. fice, which will be around the first can primary election and one is run- Appeals and Ala- He laughs about an easy move from week of January in 2021. After that, I ning unopposed in the Democratic bama Supreme his office on Cain Street Northeast to will continue to enjoy life with my fam- primary. Primary elections are March Court. Before em- the courthouse. ily and a life of service.” 3rd. Primary runoff elections are ployment with De- “It’s funny, after I was elected I March 31. The Republican winner catur she worked moved right across the street. I’ve had About Judge Langham will face the Democratic nominee in five years with the a key to the courthouse since 1977 the general election on Nov. 3rd. Huntsville law firm Baggett of when Sheriff Van Ward gave it to me,” Family Price and Flowers. he chuckled. Wife: Sonja Nottrodt Langham; daugh- Meet the candidates Her career began in 2003 as an assis- Langham presides over a variety of ter Erin Wilkinson Ainsworth and her tant district attorney in Madison (Note: Candidates, except the Demo- district court cases including child sup- husband Avery and grandchildren County. cratic contender, are featured in al- port, child custody and civil cases. Clara Grace, 3, and Emory, 6. Education: Decatur High School phabetical order. Preference is not “And, I fill in where I’m needed. Church: Central United Methodist graduate, BS degree in accounting indicated for any individual) Judge Waters, Judge Craig and I are a from Mississippi University for Wom- Chairman Ray Long , second from left, TVA Representative Lauren Vandiver Pel- team and we get along really well. I Community Service/Awards en and Juris Doctorate from Samford Emily Baggett love the environment,” he added. Morgan County Children’s Policy to, Brook Hudson of Brewer High School and Johnny Turner, representative for University’s Cumberland School of Experience: Sixteen years of experi- The most rewarding part of his job, he Council, served as chairman 2014-2015 Congressman Mo Brooks are surrounded by students at Morgan County Schools Law; and while in law school she had ence in the legal profession and she said, is making decisions involving Past president Rotary Club of Decatur- articles published in the American Technology Park after Pelto and Long delivered a $4,000 check there from Tennes- has served as a prosecutor for the city children in child support and custody Daybreak see Valley Authority . Long applied for the TVA grant for the technology park. of Decatur since 2010. She prosecutes Please see Candidates, page 15 cases. Paul Harris Fellow December 2019 December 2019 The Voice of Morgan County –3 Judge

Walking into his office on the third Continued from page 1 floor of the courthouse, one quickly realizes his strong reverence for the -dren who appeared before me. You 16th president of this country. have their future in your hands, know- “As a judge I try to model myself after ing that your decisions will impact the Abe Lincoln, and based on what I’m rest of their lives. It’s a great responsi- seeing today I need to,” said Langham. bility. A man came up to me at Publix “President Lincoln once said in an ad- one day recently and shared that he dress to Congress in 1862 that the had adopted a son. He showed me a United States is the last hope on earth picture of him, and thanked me for my for freedom, and I worry about that. involvement in the matter. That really We have to work really hard to main- meant a lot to me.” tain that freedom and the judiciary With a legal career that exceeds 40 plays a role in ensuring that.” years, Langham has practiced law on a Langham dotes on a corner of his of- broad scale, and spent 28 years in pri- fice where he erected a library with vate practice. shelves of books about Lincoln. Shortly after graduating from Univer- “I find every book intriguing, filled sity of Alabama School of Law Lang- with knowledge.” ham went to work as an Assistant Dis- He is involved with numerous organ- trict Attorney under DA Mike Moebes izations and has received many awards Judge Langham holds picture of President Abraham Lincoln that he got from a in 1977. Langham prosecuted criminal including Humanitarian of the Year by shelf in the library he erected in his office in honor of the 16th U.S. president. cases until 1979 when he started his the Decatur/Morgan County Chamber private practice where he specialized in of Commerce. probate estate, juvenile and family cas- Attorney Robert T. McWhorter, Service above Self Award, Rotary In- Morgan County Mental Health Associ- es. During that time he was an adjunct whose law office was next to Lang- ternational ation, past president professor of political science at the ham’s on Cain Street, said the judge is Olympic Torch bearer, 1996 Lions Club of Decatur, past president University of Alabama-Huntsville highly esteemed. Volunteer of the Year, Association of Morgan County Big Brothers/Big Sis- (UAH), and he served as a special pro- “He’s one of the most honorable men Retarded Citizens ters, “big brother”, past president bate judge. I ever met. He pays attention to the American Red Cross, chairman, Mor- Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding A third district court judgeship was cases before him. Although he has gan/Lawrence Chapter Together, volunteer created in 2008 and former Gov. Bob ruled against me many times, I know Tennessee Valley Outreach Rescue United Way of Morgan County, volun- Riley appointed Langham to the posi- that in his heart he’s doing justice,” Mission, past president, current board teer tion. Elections to fill the judgeship McWhorter said. member were held in the same year, and Lang- Although he’s planning for life after ham handily defeated candidates in the the bench, he will be in office until the primary to become the GOP nominee. time comes for him to leave. He won with ease over a Democratic “We have a lot of cases, and I will be opponent in the general election and here working until the day I leave of- Exhibit took office in January 2009. fice, which will be around the first He laughs about an easy move from week of January in 2021. After that, I Continued from page 1 his office on Cain Street Northeast to will continue to enjoy life with my fam- “Just like the Smithsonian where not the courthouse. ily and a life of service.” -ning a 19-month trek showcasing everyone has the opportunity to view “It’s funny, after I was elected I throughout the state. The display has a Smithsonian exhibit in Washington, moved right across the street. I’ve had About Judge Langham been in 66 counties in the state and its not everyone can make it to Mont- a key to the courthouse since 1977 tour ends in Decatur. gomery to see Alabama Department of when Sheriff Van Ward gave it to me,” Family Presented by Alabama Humanities Archives and History’s unparalleled he chuckled. Wife: Sonja Nottrodt Langham; daugh- Foundation, the exhibit brings togeth- “Voices” exhibit,” said DeKeyser. Langham presides over a variety of ter Erin Wilkinson Ainsworth and her er artistic collages, interactive com- “What we are putting together gives district court cases including child sup- husband Avery and grandchildren puter tablets and audio medley of them that opportunity.” port, child custody and civil cases. Clara Grace, 3, and Emory, 6. song and storytelling about the state In addition to the traveling exhibit, “And, I fill in where I’m needed. Church: Central United Methodist from the time it became a territory organizers in local communities have Judge Waters, Judge Craig and I are a and its transitioning into statehood. arranged displays to spotlight their team and we get along really well. I Community Service/Awards The audio delivers a message of hope counties’ history. love the environment,” he added. Morgan County Children’s Policy for the future, also. In Decatur, plans for the local exhibit The most rewarding part of his job, he Council, served as chairman 2014-2015 AHF Executive Director Armand and activities include a special display said, is making decisions involving Past president Rotary Club of Decatur- DeKeyser said organizers wanted to of unique artifacts and documents on children in child support and custody Daybreak make sure the exhibit was made avail- cases. Paul Harris Fellow able for all Alabamians to see. Continued on page 4 4—The Voice of Morgan County December 2019 Water lines, fire hydrants made the difference Gum Pond Volunteer Fire Department earns better grade

By Sheryl Marsh said. “We tried to find money of-way deeded. The engineers Ebenezer Volunteer Fire De- of the Year, and Chief Dennis Communications Director for the project, and we talked did all the paperwork for the partment and he moved from Holmes was named Fire Firefighters provide invaluable with Sen. Orr and met with deeds. We finished in March junior to firefighter at age 18. Chief of the Year.” service when extinguishing flames the governor’s cabinet in 2018.” After the project was In 2005 he joined Eva VFD An Emergency Medical and providing emergency assis- 2014, and we collaborated completed, Hill said 240 of and three years later he unit- Technician (EMT) since tance to those in distress. with Cullman County Water the 260 homes were covered ed with Bethel-Gum Pond . 1985, Hill has numerous cre- The team of Bethel-Gum Pond Department. In 2014 we and in the lower grade area. He maintains membership dentials that he uses in his Volunteer Fire Department is an broke ground for the project The department is still able with the Eva department. career at Cullman Fire and example of that dedication as evi- with help from the Morgan to cover the 20 remaining “We have a great working Rescue, and in his volunteer denced by being named Volunteer County Commission and homes in the area, Hill said. relationship with Eva, and we role. “It’s all about the fire Fire Department of the Year in count engineers, who had to Hill became a junior fire- are equally proud that the departments,” he said. “I 2014 and 2017 Morgan County As- go door to door to get rights- fighter at age 14 with department was named VFD enjoy doing what I do.” sociation of Volunteer Fire Depart- ments. In addition, the department’s Chief Michael Hill was named Fire Exhibit Chief of the Year in 2018 by the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs, Continued from page 3 month of December for the an award he received in February actual bicentennial month. 2019. loan from Morgan County We’re looking forward to “It’s about Gum Pond, not about Archives. honoring the state’s bicen- me,” Hill said. “The County Com- “It’s amazing that these tennial on Dec. 14th,” said mission has played a major role in communities are planning Morgan County Archivist improving the department, espe- to celebrate their history John Allison. “We’re hoping cially District 3 Commissioner Don and the 200 years of Ala- to get the exhibit on a per- Stisher. It’s a ‘win’ for the whole bama as a state,” DeKeyser manent basis. We have to commission, the county and the said. “We are honored to be submit some paper work, fire department.” able to be a part of this epic but we’re hopeful that we Hill, who became chief of the de- undertaking.” will get to keep the exhibit partment in 2008, explained how “We’re lucky to be one of here at the archives.” improving water lines and adding the last locations to have fire hydrants moved the depart- this exhibit during the Please see events story, page 12 Alabama’s exhibit ment from Grade 5 to Grade4 in 2013. “A lower grade improves a department’s standing. It’s graded from one to 10”, Hill said. The lower grade resulted in decreased insur- ance premiums. He said homes must be within 1,000 feet of fire hydrants for service and of 260 structures in the department’s coverage area only 88 were affected by the lower rat- ing, and others were in Grade 9. To reduce the number of homes in the Grade 9 category, Hill said the department worked with the Coun- ty Commission, Sen. Arthur Orr and other agencies to acquire fund- ing for a water project, which in- Officials and leaders were among the first to view the state’s cluded replacing 2-inch and 3-inch water lines. traveling exhibit after it arrived in Decatur. From left: Archi- “We installed 10 miles of 6-inch vist John Allison, Sen. Arthur Orr, Chairman Ray Long and His- Morgan County’s exhibit water lines and 40 hydrants,” Hill torian Wylheme Ragland. December 2019 The Voice of Morgan County—5 Changes for absentee voting to be applied in 2020 elections Special benefit for permanently disabled voters

By Sheryl Marsh Communications Director Legislation passed earlier this year made changes to absentee voting that includes a benefit for those who are permanently disabled. In addition, the legislation modified the process for applying for an absentee ballot, according to Morgan County Circuit Clerk Chris Priest. “In previous elections voters would apply for absentee ballots, receive the ballot and return identification with the completed ballot. Now, they must include a copy of valid identification such as driver’s license or state iden- Circuit Clerk Chris Priest and Deputy Circuit Clerk Janell Conner pore over election material. tification card, when applying for an absentee ballot. They will not receive a ballot without identification,” Priest explained. Area security meeting Voters must submit the ID with a mailed application or when applying for the ballot in the circuit clerk’s office, Priest said. “If a voter requests an application without ID, we will send it back to them and that would delay them getting an absentee ballot,” Priest said. “Basically, the new process makes it similar to voting at the polls.” The legislation provides for people who are permanently disabled to apply once to receive all absentee ballots during the election cycle, the same privilege given military troops. After they apply for an absentee ballot for primary elections, subsequent ballots will be automatically sent to them, Priest said. The changes will be effective begin- ning with the primary elections March 3rd. Absentee voting will begin January 7th and voters may begin applying for absentee ballots on Jan. Morgan County Emergency Management Agency hosted an area meeting in September of the U.S. Coast Guard’s area Maritime 2nd, Priest said. Security Committee for table talk exercises. The exercises entailed discussions among various agencies about their respective Due to presidential races, Priest pre- roles and their response to certain emergencies. The exercises focused on port security and preparedness in the Decatur area. In dicts increased participation in ab- attendance were federal, state and local representatives, including first responders, and representatives of private entities. A sentee voting, and Probate Judge Greg Cain says there will definitely be facilitator guided participants in discussion of one or more scenarios. About 40 people participated in the sessions. a higher turnout at the polls. 6—The Voice of Morgan County December 2019 Helping others County hosts annual silent auction to benefit United Way Morgan County’s annual Si- put on for United Way of Mor- The charitable event was held Later, they returned to claim this edition. lent Auction for United Way gan County,” said Commission Nov. 7th in the Emergency their winnings, and some won Local businesses was a major success thanks to Chairman Ray Long. We en- Management Agency auditori- multiple items. AutoZone, Sixth Ave the generosity of local busi- courage residents to shop with um in the basement of the All proceeds went to United AutoZone, Beltline Road nesses that donated quality them during this holiday sea- courthouse. Way of Morgan County. Buffalo Wild Wings merchandise for bidding. son. It’s also a good event for Employees enjoyed the event To show appreciation to our Chick-fil-A Cook’s Pest Control “We can’t thank our local our employees to be able to and they are serious bidders, local merchants we have Cricket By The Creek merchants enough for their come together for this worthy checking on their bids placed a listing and adver- support of this event that we cause.” throughout the day. tisement of their businesses in Continued on Page 8 Thanks Silent Auction Donors!

Decatur Pepsi Cola Bottling December 2019 The Voice of Morgan County—7

Sixth Avenue Beltline Road 8-The Voice of Morgan County December 2019 December 2019

Jamie Hood Jewelers Auction Jimmy Smith Jewelers Lynn Layton Chevrolet Continued from page 6 Parker Real Estate Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. Domino’s Pizza Sexton’s Inc. Gobble - Fite Lumber Co. Shumake Furniture Goody 2 Shoes Starbucks Hardee’s-Sixth Ave. Tennessee Valley Pecan Co. The Home Depot Thompson Tractor Huntsville International Airport TownHouse Galleries

Left, Employees placing bids; top right, employees checking bids; Bottom right, employees and officials wait to see if they won.

Thanks silent auction donors December 2019 The Voice of Morgan County— 9 Commissioners’ Report

Districts prepared for winter weather

By Sheryl Marsh Communications Director Commissioners have stockpiled salt, sand and reserved equipment in preparation for winter weather, while continuing routine road maintenance. In addition, they are planning for major road projects for spring and summer. Clark Vest Stisher Abercrombie District 1 Commissioner Jeff Clark has multiple projects scheduled in of the Association of County day duties include installing provements for your safety machine to cut out rights-of- addition to routine maintenance. Commissions of Alabama driveway pipes and ditch as you travel.” way more effectively. Along “We finished the mowing season Board of Directors. maintenance for drainage, District 4 Commissioner with all that, we’ve cleaned after Thanksgiving, and we are cur- District 3 Commissioner and upgrading center line Greg Abercrombie is finish- off the lot where the new rev- rently trimming trees,” Clark said. Don Stisher‘s shop employ- and edge stripes on pave- ing a project on Union Hill enue and tag office will be “We are getting ready to start a pro- ees are grading gravel roads ment for improved night Road. built. It will stand on its ject at the intersection of Hudson and patching potholes daily. time driving.” Stisher said. “We just built a new bridge own, and that will make it and Pleasant Hill roads. We are go- “We’re catching up on pot- “I want to tell residents to there, so we’re finishing wid- more convenient for resi- ing to make improvements to drain- hole patching before the win- beware of the orange signs ening the road and repav- dents.” age there, and we are going to ter rains, also and we are on roadways, which indicate ing,” Abercrombie said. All the district shops are straighten the intersection at Mod- scheduling and ordering ma- work zones for the men and “We’re also looking at paving stocked with supplies and aus and Old Moulton roads. Those terial for several upcoming equipment that are there to another road in the Cotaco machinery to deal with win- projects will take us several months culvert replacements. Day to repair problems or make im- area, and we bought a new ter weather. to complete. We plan to start replacing the narrow bridge on West Morgan Road, also. We plan to help Priceville backfield on the new Marco Drive extension. We’re just waiting on them.” District 2 Commissioner Randy Vest’s shop employees finished mowing for the season and a project of rebuilding shoulders and resur- facing roads is completed. “We started replacing cross pipes and making repairs prior to resur- facing Iron Man Road, which will be our “Rebuild Alabama” project,” said Vest. Design work for recently approved county buildings is being completed and in the preparation stage for letting bids.” Also, Vest said he is working with the engineering department on sew- er design for construction of a gymnasium at West Park. In addition to overseeing his district shop Vest has District 3 Commissioner Don Stisher encourages motorists to be mindful of county trucks like the one in this photo when traveling in the dis- been busy with duties as an officer trict.. The orange sign on back of the vehicle indicates men at work. The shop crew is patching pot holes throughout the area. 10—The Voice of Morgan County December 2019 Morgan county schools

Sharing our stories

Student wins state award School board member reaches master’s level

Priceville Junior High eighth grader Catherine McWhorter (third from right) Morgan County Board of Education member Mike Tarpley achieved mas- won state competition to receive the Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial Middle School ter’s level in the Alabama Association of School Board’s Training Acade- Brochure contest sponsored by the Alabama Society Sons of the American Revo- my. Superintendent Bill Hopkins Jr presented the certification to him, lution. which shows the date of the achievement from AASB during the county school board’s Oct. 10th meeting. To reach the master’s level Tarpley had to complete four levels of the training academy, and make a commitment to continue annual training.

Danville High students Emma Broadfoot and Gadge Wigginton, members of the school’s Drama Club shared highlights from a past trip to New York City during a school board meeting in October. The students participated in a professional acting class and visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In addition, they attended two Broadway shows and dined with cast members. While in New York the students visited the 9-11 Memorial Museum and enjoyed a Statue of Liberty Harbor cruise. They toured China Town, Little Italy, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, During a school board meeting last month Superintendent Bill Hopkins the Rockefeller Center; and they took in a New York Knicks game. Twelfth grade presented a plaque to Chase Taylor for being a 2020 National Merit English teacher Leah Norman is the Drama Club’s sponsor. Scholarship semifinalist. December 2019 December 2019 The Voice of Morgan County—11 About The Voice of Morgan County

The Voice of Morgan County is a product of the Morgan County Commis- sion and none of its content may be re- produced without permission from the governing authority. The commission established the Commu- nications Department, from which the quarterly publication was created in 2012, and it currently goes into more than 48,000 homes throughout the county. It is produced by Communications Di- rector Sheryl Marsh.

Rx cards available The Morgan County Commission has free Rx dis- count cards for county residents. Collectively, the cards have resulted in more than $200,000 in sav- Veterans Day at Cotaco Junior High ings for people who have used them.

Retried Chief Warrant Officer Chris Royal, former classmate of Cotaco Junior High Assistant Principal Brandon To get your card please go to our website: Tew, delivered an inspirational message to students during a Veterans Day program. Royal, who served four www.co.morgan.al.us and click on Coast to Coast to tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, encouraged the students to be their best and to help others. He is a survi- vor of a mass shooting at a military base, and he medically retired after 17 years in the Army. Royal received the request one. We will mail it to you. There are no Purple Heart for bravery. eligibility requirements. 12—The Voice of Morgan County December 2019 Special events planned around state’s traveling exhibit

By Sheryl Marsh at some of our state’s iconic Communications Director images, including some made While the state’s traveling in the Tennessee Valley that exhibit is showcased at the cover a rich array of subjects Alabama Center for the Arts’ and themes.” Performing Arts building, sev- Displays will also include eral programs are scheduled to portraits and images of North celebrate Alabama’s bicenten- Alabama during the Civil War Glenn Wills nial. with a view of occupied Hunts- Historian Frances Osborn ville; and the Scottsboro Boys. Robb, author of Shot in Ala- “We’d like to encourage eve- bama will present a history of ryone to come out and see the photographs from the 1800s exhibit. I guarantee you’ll on Dec. 3rd at noon. learn something you didn’t “Photographs have been know about our state,” said part of Alabama’s culture since Morgan County Archivist John the winter of 1839-1840 when Allison. “We have our own Frances Robb the first photographs were exhibit with artifacts that illus- made in Tuscaloosa by a Uni- trate the history of Morgan tennial, Glenn Wills, author of bama exhibit will be at the guest speakers who will share versity of Alabama science County, and we know it will be Forgotten Alabama and More center from Dec. 2-Jan. 14. humorous and inspiring read- professor and a former medi- a great learning experience for Forgotten Alabama will be at A bicentennial celebration ings that illustrate events from cal doctor from Florence, “ everyone who comes to the the center to discuss an exhib- will be held at the facility at 5 Alabama’s history. Robb said. “North Alabama center.” it of his photographs in the p.m. on Dec. 14 and will in- has a wealth of interesting At noon on Dec. 14th, the offi- ACA’s Visual Arts Building clude entertainment by Deca- All events are free and open photographs. We’ll take a look cial date of the state’s bicen- gallery. The Forgotten Ala- tur Youth Symphony and to the public.

Sponsor of this publication

Branch Locations

211 Lee St. NE

1830 Modaus Road SW

1309 Stratford Road SE Support local businesses December 2019 December 2019 The Voice of Morgan County—13 Retired employee Fields returns to courthouse as voter registrar A familiar face returned to the courthouse to begin a new position in October. Renee Fields, retired chief clerk of the revenue commissioner’s office was sworn in as a voter registrar by Probate Judge Greg Cain. Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate appointed her to the position. Fields’ husband Jack and their son Jason were present at the ceremony. She joins Chairperson Adonis Baily and Regis- trar Amy Hamilton to make up the Morgan County Board of Registrars. Cain administered the oath of office to Bailey and Hamilton during the ceremony, also. Gov. Kay Ivey re-appointed Bailey, and state Auditor Jim Zeigler re-appointed Hamilton. The Morgan County Board of Registrars: From left, Adonis Bailey, Amy Hamilton and Renee Fields. Each regis- A huge crowd, including county residents and trar was appointed by three different state elected officials. elected officials attended the ceremony.

Sponsor of this publication 14-The Voice of Morgan County December 2019

Candidates

Sponsor of this publication December 2019 The Voice of Morgan County-15

Chairman Ray Long and District 2 Commissioner Randy Vest pose with other commissioners from Alabama during a visit to Washington. In October.

Takisha Guster Gholston Kevin Raymond Kusta He is the only Democrat running for the Experience: More than 15 years of district court judgeship. Candidates Experience: Seventeen years of experience in the legal profession and Experience: Twenty-eight years of experience in the legal profession and he is currently practicing in the Deca- experience in the legal profession. He Continued from page 2 she currently serves as a special pros- tur law firm of Ball worked 13 years of his ecutor for Alabama & Kusta. His work career with Legal Ser- Journal of Trial Advocacy, one of Department of Hu- in district court in- vices of North-Central which, has been cited numerous times man Resources cludes juvenile de- Alabama. Most of his in secondary sources and appellate and the city of De- pendencies, termi- legal practice there dealt court documents in other states. catur. In her pri- nation of parental with domestic and civil vate practice she rights, juvenile de- issues in district court, represents clients linquencies, small which included child sup- Holland Patrick Caver in civil, domestic rela- claims, district port, custody, evictions Experience: Sixteen years of experi- Kusta tions and criminal Gholston civil and criminal, pa- and consumer issues. He has a vast ence in the legal profession and he has cases. In addition, she ternity actions, child support, estab- amount of experience in juvenile court, maintained a law serves as a Guardian Ad Litem in lishment/enforcement, and custody also. He’s had a private practice in Mor- practice in Hartselle pending domestic relations and civil disputes. In circuit court he handles gan County since 2004 and here he has during his career. cases in district and circuit courts; circuit civil and divorce cases, custo- heavy concentration in criminal law and His work is primari- and in pending adoptions, guardian- dy and protection from abuse. In pro- he is one of the contract attorneys for ly in district court. ships, conservatorships, wills and bate court he handles cases involving indigent defendants in circuit court He is a Guardian Ad estate cases in probate court. She is commitments, probate of estates, criminal cases. Litem for juvenile Caver an adjunct professor at Calhoun adoptions, guardianships and conser- Education: Graduate of Sheffield High and mental health cli- Community College where she teach- vatorships, name changes, wills, leas- School, an Associate of Arts degree from ents. He created and is instructor of the es legal research and writing. Before es, incorporations, powers of attorney Northwest Alabama Junior College and “Social Media and the Law” program opening her law office in Decatur in and living wills. a BS degree in political science and his- and he goes throughout the state talk- 2005, she practiced law for two years Education: BA degree from Univer- tory from the University of North Ala- ing to teens and parents about the dan- with Huntsville Attorney Joe N. sity of Alabama where he majored in bama. He earned his law degree from gers of cellphones and social media. He Lampley. political science and history with mi- Samford University’s Cumberland is instructor of the “Teen Trauma Pre- nor studies in computing technology School of Law. vention” program in Morgan County Education: BA degree in political and applications. He earned his Juris where he teaches teenagers about pre- science from Auburn University and Doctor from Samford University’s vention of dangerous behavior. a graduate of the University of Ala- Cumberland School of bama School of Law where she was a Law. He’s a member of American Education: Graduate of Danville High member of Bench and Bar Legal Journal of Trial Advocacy. Morgan County Commission School and he has a bachelor’s degree Honor Society and the Law and Psy- in human resources from Faulkner Uni- chology Review; she is immediate Paul R. Holland versity and a law degree from Birming- past president of the Morgan County Running unopposed in the Demo- ham School of Law. Bar Association cratic Primary. @MorganCoComm 16—The Voice of Morgan County December 2019

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