Did you see where the state GOP isn’t allowing Dr. Robert Bentley to use the name “Dr. Robert Bentley” on the ballot.  He’s got to drop the title doctor, although he apparently did change it to include the doctor part. Same for Roy Moore, no judge on his name on the ballot. And Dale “Cowboy” Peterson, we know you’re a cowboy, but not on the ballot.

Guess that’s why Steve “Redman” Penland isn’t running for anything this year, although I understand he may be running from a few things.

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

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.

Former Alabama Lieutenant Governor Jere Beasley announced today that he will serve as Chairman of the Artur Davis for Governor Campaign.  “Throughout my involvement in Alabama politics over the years, I have witnessed Governors of all stripes; Republican and Democrats, liberal and conservative, but the best Governors had a definitive leadership quality.  I see that in Artur Davis and that’s why I’m proud to Chair his campaign for Governor,” Beasley said.  “I believe in Artur Davis’ ability to lead and bring people together to attract jobs and transform our state to unlock its full potential. He is the right man for the job, and I know that he can and will be Alabama’s next Governor.”  A veteran of Alabama politics, Beasley previously endorsed and supported Governors Bob Riley and Fob James, both Republicans.  In addition, Beasley served as Lieutenant Governor from 1971 – 1979, under Governor George Wallace.   (more…)

Alabama State Representative and candidate for Governor, Dr. Robert J. Bentley (R-Tuscaloosa) made the following statement today in regard to the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009:

“The American Clean Energy and Security Act, as proposed by the Democrats in Congress, will effectively serve as a death sentence for economic expansion in Alabama and in the South as a whole. In recent years many southern states, including Alabama, have been able to attract quality businesses that provide stable, well-paying jobs.  Much of this success has been because of the availability of high quality and affordable power sources.  If this bill passes, offered under the pretenses of protecting the environment, there is no doubt that the economies of Alabama, and the rest of the South, will suffer even more than they already have.

“Our environment is important, and we should seek to protect it so that our children and grandchildren may enjoy and learn from it for years to come.  However, we must draw the line when protecting our environment  becomes a shield for political maneuvering.  This bill is nothing more than an attempt by the liberal, Democratic members of Congress to enforce standards on businesses, which will in turn create a certain and drastic increase in taxes.  This is clearly a concerted effort to fulfill President Obama’s quest to ‘spread the wealth’ around. (more…)

State Representative Robert J. Bentley (R-Tuscaloosa) has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Governor of Alabama. He has scheduled a two-day bus tour of the state Wednesday and Thursday to meet voters. Bentley’s Tour brings him to Opelika on Thursday (14th) at the Lee County Courthouse at 8AM before traveling on to Dothan and Mobile. 

Robert Bentley, a Tuscaloosa dermatologist, was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives from District 63 in November of 2002 and ran unopposed for re-election in 2006.  He currently serves on the Agriculture, Education Appropriations and Internal Affairs Committees in the House.

“Serving in the state House has been a blessing and honor, but now the time has come to explore a new horizon and face new challenges to fulfill the deep commitment I feel to my local community, to our state, and to the people of Alabama,” Rep. Bentley said today.

Rep. Bentley will travel across Alabama by bus on Wednesday and Thursday to announce his candidacy during several press conferences. On Wednesday, the bus will travel from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham and Huntsville before ending the day in Montgomery. Thursday, the bus will travel from Montgomery to Opelika, Dothan and Mobile before returning to Tuscaloosa Thursday evening. 

Robert Bentley is a native of Columbiana, Alabama in Shelby County. He and his wife, the former Dianne Jones of Montgomery, have four children: John, Paul, Luke and Matthew. They have five granddaughters.

Well, it’s on the agenda if the folks in Montgomery can get anything done this year. That was a problem for the 2007 session and it appears to be again this year.  This allows us to do homebrew beer, which is technically a no-no now.

Section 1. (a) Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, a person who is not prohibited by Section 28-1-5, Code of Alabama 1975, from purchasing, consuming, possessing, or transporting alcoholic beverages may produce beer, mead, cider, and wine for personal or family use, and not for sale, without payment of taxes or fees and without obtaining a license.

(b) Beer, mead, cider, or wine made under this section may be removed from the premises where it was made for personal or family use, including use at organized affairs, exhibitions, or competitions, such as homebrewing competitions, tastings, or judgings. Beer, mead, cider, or wine made under this section may not be sold or offered for sale. Organizers of homebrewing competitions may charge competition entrants a fee and such fee shall not constitute a sale or offering for sale.

Read more about it at Daily Dixie!  And see who’s holding things up in the Alabama Senate.