We have no voice if we do not vote

By Joe McAdory

Thought I’d remind folks the millage property tax increase, which is expected to help fund local education, will be up for vote Tuesday. We can voice our opinions one way or the other about this issue, but the most important opinion of all is our vote. If we do not vote, then we really do not have a voice.

Anyway, we will publish columns from Auburn City Schools Superintendent Terry Jenkins and Opelika City Schools Superintendent Mark Neighbors on the issue in Friday’s newspaper. Saturday, reporter/columnist Jennifer Foster takes a closer look at the proposed 7-mill increase. Monday, former Lee County Schools administrator Larry DiChiara, now with Phenix City Schools, gives his two cents.

In the meantime, we will continue to publish letters from readers on the subject. Bear in mind that space is limited and time is running out.

TO, Langham and Leinart provided stiff opposition

By Joe McAdory

Through 98-consecutive games at Jordan-Hare Stadium, I’ve seen a long list of great football players walk out of the opposing tunnel. I said last week I’d deliver a list of the 10-best. I learned that was more difficult than previously believed. First, it’s hard to remember all of those great players and I’m sure I left some off of the list. Second, of the ones I do remember, it’s hard to narrow that list to just 10. It’s unfair that far too many of the great players I remember were the ones either running, catching or throwing the football.

In no particular order, here’s what I came up with:

Reidel Anthony, WR, Florida
Antonio Langham, DB, Alabama
Terrell Owens, WR, UT-Chattanooga
Daunte Culpepper, QB, Central Florida
Chris Samuels, OL, Alabama
Shaun Alexander, RB, Alabama
David Pollack, DL, Georgia
Matt Leinart, QB, Southern Cal
Marcus Spears, DL, LSU
Jevon Kearse, LB, Florida

Others that almost made the list: Danny Wuerffel, QB, Florida; Terrell Davis, RB, Georgia; Kevin Faulk, RB, LSU; Reggie Bush, RB, Southern Cal; Mike Williams, WR, Southern Cal; Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss; David Greene, QB, Georgia; LaRon Landry, DB, LSU; Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech; Bradie James, LB, LSU; Richard Seymour, DE, Georgia; Matt Stinchcomb, OL, Georgia; Garrison Hearst, RB, Georgia; Alex Brown, DE, Florida; Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas; Shawn Andrews, OL, Arkansas

Next week: Auburn’s 5-biggest touchdowns in the streak.

School officials to speak out on tax increase

By Joe McAdory

With the 7-mill property tax increase on the ballot next Monday, we asked local school administrators to write columns about why each respective school system in the area needs the funding.

In coming days, we will publish columns from Auburn City Schools Superintendent Terry Jenkins, Opelika City Schools Superintendent Mark Neighbors and Phenix City Schools Superintendent Larry DiChiara. Each of their columns have been submitted to the newspaper. We remain hopeful that a column from a high-ranking official within Lee County Schools will be submitted. We understand that the system was in an interim period without a superintendent. It’s important to the citizens of Lee County that this school system also has a say-so in the proposed tax increase.

The columns will run, beginning Thursday, on page A4.

I-85 construction in Georgia slowing me down

By Joe McAdory

If there’s one thing I can’t deal with it’s traffic. Whether it’s after a sporting event or simply in the drive-thru line at a fast food restaurant, my blood begins to boil. Call me impatient.

But I noticed a potential traffic hazard for years to come last Saturday on a trip to Atlanta. Interstate 85, beginning in Meriwether, is under construction almost all the way to the airport. Looks like the Georgia DOT wants to increase the highway’s width to six lanes. Not a bad idea. But in the meantime, it’s going to create traffic slowdowns and backups until the project is complete.

I looked at my map in hopes of finding a quicker way to the ATL, but did not.

Soon, Alabama DOT workers will begin to six-lane the interstate through Lee County. At least I know a few shortcuts in this neck of the woods.

Where were you when Elvis died?

By Joe McAdory

Do you remember where you were when you learned Elvis Presley was dead? I can’t believe it, but I do. I was in a bedroom watching an Adam-12 rerun (Miami Vice for old-schoolers) when the teletype flashed across the bottom of the screen.

Aug. 16, 1977. The King is dead.

Legions of folks held a candlelight vigil at Graceland in his honor Wednesday night, and into Thursday. Some were sad. I guess they were all shook up. Graceland went live Wednesday night on CNN’s Larry King show as Elvis’ former wife, Priscilla, gave the reporter a tour of the joint. One look at Priscilla and I immediately asked, “how old is she?“ She doesn’t look very old. Plastic surgery may have helped. And that very dark, straight hair kinda gave her a witchy look, not that she’s mean or anything. Anyway, I just learned that Priscilla is 62. Wow. That means she was 43 when the movie “The Naked Gun” hit the screens back in 1988.

Off of my Priscilla kick, I’m a big Elvis fan. His fall is a sad story, but you can’t deny his vocal magic and on-stage aire. My five-favorite Elvis songs are Kentucky Rain, An American Trilogy, Suspicious Minds, Jailhouse Rock and Peace in the Valley.

I’m going to Graceland one day. But you couldn’t pay me to eat one of those peanut butter and banana sandwiches.