Editorial: Teachers convicted of sex crimes must not be paid
If the Senate does not pass a bill that prevents schools from paying teachers convicted of sex crimes, then there is something clearly wrong with government, common sense and humanity in the state of Alabama.
Editorial: Contribution to Tyson should mean nothing
Follow the money. That’s why political campaign contributions are made public … and that’s why so many campaign contributions are also masked.
Editorial: Take advantage of relief deduction on state return
There’s one way folks can help the earthquake victims in Haiti and help themselves just a little bit in the process.
Editorial: Definitive gambling law needed now
What happened early Friday at VictoryLand and Country Crossing is certainly to be debated across party lines and between those in the gambling industry and Alabama government for a long time to come.
Editorial: Gubernatorial forum has plenty to offer local voters
You can read campaign literature. You can watch television advertisements and listen to radio commercials. But nothing tells a voter more about a candidate than what comes directly out of their mouths when posed questions under fire in front of their peers, political rivals and a room full of people.
Letters: Basketball teams, officials should show more respect to flag
On Jan. 28 the Auburn University men’s basketball team hosted Ole Miss in a game it should have won ... but didn’t.
Letter: Lee-Scott girls JV basketball team deserves recognition
The junior varsity girls basketball team from Lee-Scott Academy just finished a record season Friday with 17 wins and no losses, earning the JV state championship in January.
Letters to the editor: God did not send us to judge others, but find Him in others
Every day I thank God for Jim Evans. He is the highlight of the Opelika-Auburn News. People are always welcomed to respond and today is my turn.
Letters to the editor: Bingo machine profits should not be taxed in Alabama
Bingo machines are addictive; they are like the crack cocaine of gambling. I have visited Las Vegas and seen people lined up to four-to-six machines putting money in and pulling the handles one after another.
Letter to the editor: Citizens should support bill for moratorium on death sentence
I appreciate your editorial reprint this week, “It is time moratorium put on death sentence.” It greatly disturbed me last week to read the U.S. Supreme Court 7 to 2 ruling (Holly Wood v. Allen No. 08-9156). The ruling upheld the death sentence of Woods, who reportedly has an IQ of less than 70.
Ted Little: Taxpayers’ dollars delivered back into community
Each fiscal year, members of the Alabama State Legislature receive a certain and generally equal amount of funds that are designated for Community Service Grants. Community Service Grants (herein referred to as “CSG”) are available to any organization or school that provides a service that directly ties back into a classroom or educational setting.
Bob Mount: Hard to put a definition on ‘geezer’
A Lee County establishment where gambling regularly occurs is Hardee’s on Marvyn Parkway in Opelika. The gamblers include well-known dignitaries, including a popular radio personality and newspaper columnist, a retired State Supreme Court justice, a country squire from Gold Hill, wealthy landowners, municipal officials and retired U.S. government officials.
Bob Sanders: Still missing those good old days
We were remembering 1948 ... That year, Uncle Jeff bought a Dodge with a radio in it, a first in our circle. Me’n cousin Ross would go girl hunting in it on Saturday nights. If we weren’t successful, we’d wind up back at the pool room. And finally, we’d sit and listen to Gene Nobles on WLAC before turning in.
Colette Robicheaux: Past must be remembered to appreciate present
The Auburn-Opelika area has been around for quite a while (since the 1830s), and many people believe that the region’s prime was long ago when life was simpler and more wholesome.
It seems to be the fate of every younger generation and every new era of society to be unappreciated by the older, wiser members of the community who remember the “good old days.”
Warren McCord: We have no right to trash the right-of-way
Communities cannot exist without roads and I suspect that even the staunchest advocates for small government acknowledge that building and maintaining roads are legitimate governmental roles.
Jerry Katz: Turning 60 just makes me busier
I thought with Massachusetts in the news the past few weeks, I’d discuss my connection with the state. I had planned to write about a book I recently bought: 60 Things To Do When You Turn 60.
But instead as I turn 60 I thought I’d let Mom know I’m doing fine.
Jennifer Foster: Getting the best from gubernatorial hopefuls
Lee County Republicans were treated to an entertaining evening with four of their seven gubernatorial candidates in attendance at a forum Thursday night.
Joe McAdory: Plenty of cash raised for job that pays $113K
The minimum annual salary for a Major League Baseball player is $400,000. The annual salary for being governor of Alabama is roughly $113,000. One job can make a difference in the lives of millions. The other can make the difference in breaking up a double play here and there.
Lisa Brouillette: Will 2010 be state’s year for reform
Alabama’s collective version of New Years’ resolutions seems to be calls for reform. Ethics reform. Constitutional reform. Environmental reform. Tax reform, especially as it relates to daily necessity — food.
Mary Belk: Black history deserves more than one month
All right class, sit up straight and pay attention. Does anyone know who performed the world’s first successful open-heart surgery? That’s easy. Dr. Daniel Hale Williams.
Paul Davis: Grandson gets a fiance, columnist gets a snake handler
Well, glory be! They did it. I mean a knee on the floor, candles burning, a ring made from great-grandmother’s diamonds, and to top it off a glorious fireworks display during a rainstorm in the front yard. Sarah said yes to Blanton. He placed a ring on her finger.
Mike Rogers: Stories of good news across East Alabama
With the Christmas season upon us and 2009 coming quickly to an end, all of us across East Alabama can reflect back on a year full of challenges during these tough
economic times.
Mike Hubbard: Commission needs more power to investigate
For the last several legislative sessions, Republicans in the Alabama House and Senate have proposed a package of tough ethics reform bills designed to hold public officials accountable for their actions.
testJoe Turnham: Ethics should never become a partisan issue
Lest anyone be misled, Alabama history clearly shows that the creation, funding, improvement and strengthening of the Alabama Ethics Law and the Alabama Ethics Commission, as well as the creation of the Fair Campaign Practices Act, were the handiwork of Alabama Democrats.
Barbara Patton: Busy weekend was productive weekend
Football games, ribbon cuttings, dedications, political fund-raisers, high school plays, Sunday school, church, and those in-between activities. It all adds up to one very busy weekend. Thank goodness, I was just in attendance and didn’t have to do any of the work. Many did and I know they slept soundly on Sunday night.
Velinda Wheeles: ‘Downtown Opelika’ kicks off Friday
I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather we are having. The calendars say that summer is just around the corner, but in downtown Opelika summer will make its debut Friday night at “On The Tracks Food and Wine.”
