Opelika’s election to replace Dr. William Lazenby, who died in a recent accident at his home, was an easy win for longtime Oplelika businessman David Canon.  Canon’s 439 votes was enough to carry 65.3% of the voters that turned out for the city election.  Tank McCollum grabbed 2nd place with 193 votes (28.9%) and also-ran grabbed 40 votes (6%). The election was for the Ward Five position.(Source: City of Opelika Website)

From a Press Release on Tuesday… The City of Opelika officials were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Dr. William Lazenby following an accident at his home on Monday evening, June 14th.

On a personal note:  Dr. Lazenby and I had served on the Keep Opelika Beautiful board  together.   He’s always been one to be involved in the community to levels greater than many people will ever know.   He loved his family, and also loved the city and it’s people in a special way.  He will me missed.  I’m glad that I was able to meet one of the good guys along the way.

Here’s a quick link to WANI’s website with the current/final numbers in the races tonight.  Click Here to See results!

With the June 1st Primary election approaching, here’s a rundown of races that affect Opelika and Lee County.   Of course there are several major state races and a  Constitutional Amendment on the ballot.  I’ll cover that in another post.

Circuit Court Judge, 37th Judicial Circuit, Place 2 ~ Republicans: Chris Hughes, Brian Mosholder, Bobby Poole & James Thrash

Circuit Court Judge, 37th Judicial Circuit, Place 3 – Republicans: Mike Fellows, Margaret Mayfield, Dewey Teague, Melissa “Missy” Thomas [This is the Family Court Position]

District Attorney, 37th Judicial Circuit – Republican: Lance Abbott, J. Gary Black & Robbie Treese

District Court Judge, Lee County, Place 1 – Republican: Wes McCollum & Steve Speakman

Lee County Commission, District 2 – Republican:  F.D. (Butch) Brock & Johnny Lawrence

Lee County Commission, District 4 – Republican: Keith Elliott & Robert Ham

State Representative – District 83 – Democrat: George “Tootie” Bandy & Ronnie Reed

So, Redman and I headed to grab a beer and avoid the politics at the Lee County Courthouse… So here’s our perspective, from not at the event, and not real news, and don’t get angry…

Politicians gathered in Court House Square to meet the folks with the voting power…  After watching the Tim James commercial about common sense we wondered if supporters were off to a local Mexican restaurant for supper after dinner.  And was that ad also prepared in Spanish?  I think not.   There’s an idea for you U-Tuber’s.  And the weather got a bit chilly, so cool in fact that many of the politicians decided to keep their hands in their own pockets, for a change.   Okay, so if you attended, you can make some real comments, or just add to the fun with personal thoughts of all this political stuff right now.  (Photo Credit: Susan Fillippeli on Facebook)

The Alabama Legislature has found a compromise that shores up the state’s prepaid college tuition plan with nearly $548 million over the next 17 years. It also keeps the state’s promise to pay tuition for 44,000 students.  The Senate approved the plan 23-8 Wednesday and the House agreed 85-7 Wednesday night. Democratic state Sen. Ted Little of Auburn says the legislation saves Alabama’s Prepaid Affordable College Tuition plan.  But Democratic Rep. John Knight, who is chief operating officer of Alabama State University, predicted the bill will be challenged in court because it caps tuition increases for PACT participants at regional universities. (Source WSFA)

Sorry, but wasn’t this the right thing to do?  The state takes taxpayer dollars for their kids college and then defaults! Sure, bad investments over the past two years, uh, we’ve all lost some of our retirement, but a promise from the state is a promise.  Join the conversation and make a comment.

Gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis will unveil his plan to create jobs and transform Alabama’s economy at a press conference in Auburn on Thursday.  Davis’ plan, “Securing Our Economic Future,” will outline policies to grow Alabama manufacturers and small businesses, invest in small towns and rural communities and attract the high-tech, high-wage industries of the future to Alabama.

Davis will meet with members of the media at J & M Bookstore at 115 South College Street at 9:30AM

As politics heats up in coming weeks and months, I’ll start sharing some of the emails and press releases being sent over to the Opelika Daily News.  Today from the Republican Camps!

A poll conducted last week commissioned by a Montgomery political consulting and public relations company indicates the races for Governor and Attorney General in the Republican primary are very open, with many voters still undecided.

At a news conference today, Public Strategy Associates announced the results of the poll conducted February 3-4 by Baselice & Associates, Inc., an Austin, Texas polling company. PSA brought Mike Baselice, CEO of the polling company, to Montgomery to explain the details of the survey of 1,007 likely Republican primary voters.  (more…)

From Congressman Mike Rogers, On Wednesday, January 6th from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., I hope you’ll join me in Opelika at Jimmy’s for a “Congress on Your Corner” event. Feel free to stop for a visit. The location is 104 South 8th Street in Opelika.  Bring your concerns, your ideas and any issue you may need assistance with. I hope to see you there. For more information, please call my Anniston office at (256) 236-5655.  (Source: Rogers Newsletter)

Alabama Assistant Attorney General James Thrash has announced his candidacy for Lee County Circuit Court Judge, Place 2, a position being vacated by retiring Circuit Court Judge, John Denson. Thrash has been serving as an Assistant Attorney General for the last four years representing the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. He had previously been in the private practice of law in Lee County for nineteen years.

“I am uniquely qualified to serve the citizens of Lee County as its next Circuit Court Judge because of my diverse business background, broad range of legal experience and a commitment to public service.” Thrash graduated from Opelika High School in 1979 and then earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alabama in 1983. In 1986 he graduated from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama. Thrash was in the private practice of law in Lee County where his practice consisted of business, corporate, banking, creditor, real estate, workman’s compensation, domestic relations, criminal defense, bankruptcy, social security disability and probate matters. He has practiced in all the trial courts of Alabama and has tried hundreds of cases during his career.

Among his cases were several jury trials including trials for capital murder, medical malpractice, automobile collision cases, condemnation cases, and wrongful termination. He served as Judge Richard Lane’s referee in the Family Court of Lee County where he presided over child support and juvenile trials and would make recommendations to Judge Lane for disposition of the cases. He currently serves as an Assistant Attorney General representing the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Scrap Tire Commission. He has tried enforcement cases throughout the State and has tried cases before the Environmental Management Commission. He is a member of the Alabama State Bar and serves on the Environmental Sections Executive Committee, and as its Treasurer. James and his wife, Cindy Henderson Thrash, reside in Opelika with their teenage son, James Ray Thrash.

As a family, they worship in the fellowship of First Baptist Church of Opelika. The primary for Lee County Circuit Judge, Place 2, is scheduled for June 1, 2010, with the general election following in November.