It looked like several hundred supporters at the Lee County Courthouse for Jon’s formal announcement seeking the Probate Judge office.  From his Facebook page, this:  In 1971, Jon became the youngest of four boys to Neil Wayne Chase, Sr. and Dale Smith Chase of Opelika. The family resided in Dadeville, AL, and Jon remained there until he went on to attend Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia, AL on a baseball scholarship and Faulkner University. Jon returned close to home, to Auburn, in 1992 and has been a Lee County resident since. He has been married to Laura Fulford Chase, from Hartford, AL, for fourteen years. They have four children: Gracie (11), J.D. (8), Leslie Ann (5), and Emma Kate (1). Their children are actively involved in the Auburn Parks and Recreation system, and Jon has been a volunteer coach there for the past seven years. The family have been active members of Auburn United Methodist Church since Laura and Jon first joined thirteen years ago.

Started in 2000, Jon is the founder and owner of JAG Trucking, LLC, located in Opelika. He is currently a member of the Auburn Kiwanis Club. If elected to the seat of Probate Judge, Jon’s goal is to return accountability, accessibility, and attention to the Probate office through being a reliable employee who is accountable for all of his job requirements, accessible to the public at all times — realizing that his job is to serve them — and attentive to the needs of the office and those whom they serve.

No political comments on the election from me this week.  I’ll just sit back and watch. Sorry that Zorn didn’t get Ag Commissioner and that JoAnn Camp didn’t make the Family Court Judge again.  And Ted Little, out after 32 years.  If you had a “D” after your name it was like being “Toast” in Alabama, and the big Negative Ad push two weeks before the vote got Ted for sure.  I’ll just have a cup of coffee, as I’m not a fan of tea.

Some cool stuff this weekend in Opelika, and I’ll get that posted in the morning.  We’re ramping up for the Holidays and all the fun that brings.

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…)