‘Good night and good luck’

Posted on February 13, 2012 by JillNolin

For more than four years, I have covered the haps and mishaps of the city of Montgomery and Montgomery County (and later, the town of Pike Road).  I oft enjoy waxing sentimental about my time in Montgomery because not only have I met some incredible people and not only have I learned more about this city’s storied history, but I have also watched Montgomery’s downtown grow considerably in just a few short years (something I consider a significant quality of life issue). Let’s not forget that it was actually four years ago this month that the Renaissance Hotel at the Convention Center opened, which was a turning point for downtown.

But I will save all of the sappiness for my spare time. The point of this is to assign you all homework.

When I informed my editors that I was leaving and joining the Virginian-Pilot as the Norfolk City Hall reporter, executive editor Wanda Lloyd asked me if I had any advice on how to handle the beat in the future.  While I do have many thoughts on that, I thought it would be more interesting to hear what you have to say on the subject. So help me out here: What do you want to see more of in the future? Or, what are you tired of seeing? Send your comments to Wanda Lloyd. And, of course, be honest and direct, but let’s stay constructive.

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Councilman Calhoun, who is charged with DUI, releases a statement

Posted on February 4, 2012 by JillNolin

Montgomery City Councilman C.C. Calhoun is not denying that he drove while under the influence early Friday morning, but it is not clear what his legal strategy will be going forward.

Calhoun was charged with DUI early Friday, but unfortunately, attempts to reach Calhoun for comment were not successful Friday evening.

His attorney did, however, release the following statement to the media late Friday evening and past press time. Here it is in its entirety:

“First and foremost, I want to thank the Montgomery Police Department for the professionalism involving my traffic stop this morning. I respect the law and I am satisfied that this matter will continue to be handled professionally going forward and will proceed for me in the same matter as any citizen.

“I would also like to thank all of my supporters and the citizens of District Five who have expressed support for my family and me at this time. I consider it an honor to serve on the City Council of this great city and sincerely apologize for any action on my part that in anyway distracts from all the hard work and progress so many people have worked so hard to make a reality.

“Additionally, I look forward to having this matter finally resolved in the best interest of my family, supporters and the citizens of the City of Montgomery. ”

 

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Charter school legislation is also on the governor’s agenda

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Annie McCallum Bitter

Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange talked education priorities yesterday and today Gov. Robert Bentley, along with other legislative leaders, outlined their education agenda for the 2012 legislative session.

Governor Robert Bentley delivers his State of the State Address at the State Capitol Building in Montgomery, Ala. on Tuesday March 2, 2011. (Montgomery Advertiser file, Mickey Welsh)

And no surprise here – charter schools are on the docket.

We wonder what AEA will have to say about that.

But what was more eyebrow raising for this education reporter was a joint education legislative agenda that includes (wait for it) “student achievement in teacher evaluation.” A press release from Bentley’s office, states current evaluations don’t “paint the entire picture of the work of teachers.” The release goes onto to say a transparent evaluation tool is needed to capture the effort of educators.

“The use of student achievement data will be an important part of this transparent evaluation tool,” the release states.

The statement also stresses Bentley and other leaders intend to propose initiatives that offer local school systems greater flexibility. In fact, the word flexibility is actually used eight times in the press release.

Other high points from the press release include:

– A tax credit for classroom supplies, which would give teachers a $300 credit, is suggested to ease some of the burden for the many educators who spend their own money on classroom supplies.

Sidebar: I think everyone knows an educator or two or three or a dozen who spend out of pocket to furnish everything from crayons to Kleenex.

– The School Flexibility Act of 2012, which would “allow local school systems the opportunity to implement innovative strategies currently restricted by state law and policies.” Not a whole lot of specifics on this one, but basically if school systems agree to greater accountability they would get some sort of leeway. The devil’s in the details on this one.

– And, of course, public charter schools, which has been a hot topic in the Capital City in recent months. Remember:  Charter schools operate with greater autonomy and less restrictions than a traditional school, but still get public money.

“Charter schools legislation will initially be focused on underserved communities in Alabama,” the press release states.

Does that mean Montgomery?

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The mayor wants to see changes in public education, but what is his agenda?

Posted on January 24, 2012 by JillNolin

Todd Strange

It’s no secret that Mayor Todd Strange has – perhaps more so than any other mayor in Montgomery – taken an active role in public education. You also may have noticed that Strange has developed a close working relationship with Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Thompson, especially over the course of the last year.

So what exactly is the mayor’s agenda when it comes to education? Strange laid out what he sees as the most important future projects for MPS during an editorial board meeting this morning with the Montgomery Advertiser.

- Charter school: As we all very well know by now, the mayor is all about charter schools, although they are not currently allowed in Alabama. Strange has been plying Gov. Robert Bentley with pleas to change that, but it appears that the real work will be with the legislature. For one, Montgomery legislator Alvin Holmes, who is a democrat, is vehemently opposed to the concept because he sees charter schools as a disguised attempt to bring back segregation.

“The governor would like to do a try-me kind of deal. Eight or 10 or 12 or something like that. I’m not sure exactly where the legislature is. (Bentley) wants to do artistic and different kinds. And that’s fine, as long as we in Montgomery, Ala., get one at least. I would like to have two or three.”

If the legislature will approve the enabling legislation, Strange wants to see Thompson’s idea of an all-male academy implemented. That school would serve about 500 “mid-grade kind of males,” Strange said.

The goal of this school would be to teach them “what it is to be responsible and what it is to be a man and what it is to have work ethic and what it is to (enter) parenthood.”

- Vocational education: Remember the days of welding and wood-working classes? Well, Strange wants to see a return of that kind of education for the students who do not have the grades for the career academies or magnet schools and who really have no interest in college. As he has said in the past, Strange wants to show kids that “blue collar is cool.”

“Essentially, we’ll go back and teach the trades,” Strange said.

“The secret is having industry be the instructor,” he added.

- Work with the churches: Create an organized system where churches are paired up with neighborhoods so that kids can be connected with mentors. Some churches already do this, but a more formal system would encourage other churches to participate so more neighborhoods (and their kids) can be touched.

- Support the superintendent on the east Montgomery high school project: Strange’s position on the east Montgomery high school appears to be in line with Thompson’s ideas for the new, much anticipated campus.

In addition to setting up an International Baccalaureate program at the school, Thompson also apparently wants to gradually populate the school rather then fill up the school through drastic rezoning measures.

“That’s going to be a true neighborhood school. You’re going to be able to walk or ride (your bicycle to school),” Strange said.

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Smith says attack on her status as a democrat is racial

Posted on January 23, 2012 by JillNolin

Aimee Cobb Smith

Aimee Cobb Smith’s name found its way on a list of steering committee members for a republican gubernatorial candidate’s campaign more than two years ago, and now that list has found its way into the race for Montgomery County District Court Judge Place 3.

It remains unclear how exactly Smith, who is a democrat, ended up on the list for Bradley Byrne, but she says her name was listed by mistake and that she never campaigned for Byrne.

Smith was enraged to discover that the list had become political fodder in the campaign, as she believes the allegation that she is affiliated with republican candidates is rooted in racism.

“I want it known that I did not participate in (Byrne’s) campaign in any form or fashion,” Smith said.

“It’s mudslinging, and it is a smear attack. It’s not an attempt to say I’m not qualified. It’s not an attempt to say I lack experience. It’s simply an attempt to say, ‘Don’t vote for her because she’s white,’” Smith also said.

Smith said she never asked for a correction because she did not learn about the list until about a year ago.

Troy Massey in 2008 when he was a municipal judge in Montgomery

Smith’s opponent, Troy Massey, declined to comment on whether he or his staff made issue of the list. But Massey’s campaign manager, Cal Franklin, said the Massey campaign was not responsible for any attack on Smith’s legitimacy as a democrat. He added that he can’t speak for Massey supporters, though.

“It’s not coming from the Massey campaign. What some of the supporters are doing, I do not know,” Franklin said today.

Franklin added that if Massey took issue with Smith’s status as a democrat, he would take it up with the Alabama Democratic Party.

“If we wanted to challenge her credibility, we would have done that at the Democratic Party level,” Franklin said Monday.

So did Smith campaign for Byrne?

Heather Sellers, a republican who campaigned for Byrne, said she couldn’t speak to the list, which is now more than two years old, but she did say that – to her knowledge – Smith did not participate in the campaign. But Franklin noted that names do not just accidentally show up on steering committees for gubernatorial candidates.

Posted in elections, Montgomery County courts, politics | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Nearly $76k already raised in Probate Judge race

Posted on January 13, 2012 by JillNolin

Reese McKinney

So far, a considerable amount of money is being funneled into the race for Montgomery County Probate Judge, which probably means the advertisements, robocalls and mail-outs are not far behind.

The incumbent, Reese McKinney, is easily leading that fundraising effort so far. As of his December report, which was filed on Dec. 30, McKinney had raised about $54,000.

Steven Reed, a democrat, had raised about $12,500 as of his December report, which was filed on Jan. 2.

Michael Martin, also a democrat, had raised about $9,600 as of his December report, which was filed on Jan. 3.

For more details, such as the list of contributors, check out these reports:

Reese McKinney — November campaign finance report

Reese McKinney — December campaign finance report (part 1)

Reese McKinney — December campaign finance report (part 2)

Michael Martin — November campaign finance report

Michael Martin — December campaign finance report

Steven Reed — November campaign finance report

Steven Reed — December campaign finance report

Posted in elections, politics | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

What are folks saying about Meadows’ decision not to run for reelection

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Annie McCallum Bitter

So by now you’ve probably read that Montgomery County Board of Education President Charlotte Meadows does not intend to seek reelection, a decision that caught some (including this education reporter) off guard.

Board President Charlotte Meadows

So what did some other noteworthy Montgomery Public Schools officials have to say about her decision? Let’s recap here since there wasn’t enough space in Thursday’s paper to include those comments.

Fellow board member Melissa Snowden, who is also a friend of Meadows, said when she heard the news she was surprised and disheartened.

“I am disappointed. I’m really hoping she’s going to reconsider before Friday,” she said.

(Note, Friday is the filing deadline for the upcoming election.)

Board Member Melissa Snowden

“She has such a strong skill set for the school board and I just really think our county is going to be hurt if she doesn’t run again,” Snowden continued.

Snowden, who is also up for reelection this year, does plan on running. She said the decision to run again and commit to six more years on the board is a tough one for any board member.

“I thought that I could certainly do a lot of different things with the time I use for school board responsibilities, (but) I have a passion for students, especially Montgomery County,” she said. “I feel like I’ve learned so much and I’m not ready to walk away from trying to move our district forward.”

Superintendent Barbara Thompson

Superintendent Barbara Thompson, who at times has had a strained relationship with Meadows, was diplomatic with her respond Wednesday when reached late that afternoon by phone.

“I think board members have to make their decisions based on what’s going on in their life. I think we have very committed board members and I have been grateful for their commitment while I’ve been here. They are very passionate about what they do,” she said, adding she hopes Meadows’ replacement will be someone equally as passionate. “You always hate to lose someone off the board who is very passionate about what they do.”

Thompson said the highlight of Meadows’ presidency was the closing of schools and how the board worked together to accomplish that.

“I think those were very productive meetings where we worked together,” she said.

Board member Mary Briers, who too has had a tenuous relationship with Meadows, said she felt Meadows might do well in a different political arena and wished her well in whatever she may choose to do.

School Board Memeber Mary Briers

“Just like with anything else in life you need to know when to hold them and know when to fold them,” Briers said, adding perhaps this is simply the right choice for Meadows.

Briers did acknowledge conflict between the two.

“We’ve tried everything to really work together. Sometimes you have to pick your battles and maybe she thinks this is one she doesn’t have to have,” Briers said. “I wish her well in whatever she chooses to do. She’s a hard worker. For one reason or another the chemistry was not there to do a good job.”

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Committee on committees to talk about committees as a committee

Posted on January 12, 2012 by JillNolin

Brace yourself. This will sound so bureaucratic that you will think it must be satire, but no, really — the Montgomery City Council’s committee on committees will meet today.

Richard Bollinger smiles after being sworn in last year.

This is actually more significant than such a name implies. Let’s also not forget about the recent to-do over Councilman Glen Pruitt’s efforts to create an ad hoc committee to study the feasibility of a city-run school system. Even during that discussion, new councilman Richard Bollinger asked about the council’s standing committee on education (which is also tasked with health and recreation issues).

That alone makes it work it to pay attention to what happens with these committees, some of which have not met in years. But there’s more: The composition of these committees makes a difference.

Willie Cook in 2008

Let’s harken back two years to consider the pet licensure program that almost was. When Councilman Willie Cook was chairman of the public safety committee, the issue of vicious dogs was front and center and an ordinance regulating pet ownership was on the fast track for enactment. But then Cook suddenly died while in office. When Jim Spear took over as chairman, he had no interest in changing the law and the issue went away. (Spear actually thought the prevalence of stray cats was a bigger problem for Montgomery).

So stay tuned or check out www.montgomeryadvertiser.com later to find what issues may be of interest to this new City Council. The meeting is today at 2 p.m.

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Remembering Lloyd Youngblood

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Annie McCallum Bitter

It’s pretty tough to cover the life and career of a beloved educator that spanned decades and touched countless lives in a single newspaper story.

Lloyd Youngblood

Lloyd Youngblood

So we thought we would share a bit more here about Lloyd Youngblood, who is the longtime Montgomery Public Schools educator who died Sunday in the area’s first traffic fatality of the year. He worked for the system for about 23 years and retired in 1995 as principal of Montgomery County High School.

Since his death Sunday many have shared memories and recounted stories of a man who was completely devoted to his family, colleagues and students.

Dorothy Lawson was Youngblood’s longtime secretary while he served at the helm of Montgomery County High School. Dawson said Tuesday she’s worked with a lot of principals in her time, but none like Youngblood.

Lloyd Youngblood, center, at Montgomery County High School on Jan. 31, 1992. (Montgomery Advertiser file photo, Mark Miller)

“He was one of the most concerned principals I worked with,” Lawson said, adding she worked in the school system for 25 years. “His main concern was the children.”

She said Youngblood was simply concerned about student achievement and how to encourage students to excel. Lawson said he was more a father figure than an administrator.

“I’ve never worked with anyone that was that concerned about children excelling,”  she said. “Principals are usually disciplinarians. He believed in that too, but his main concern was he wanted the children to excel.”

Like many others, Lawson said, Youngblood would always continue to keep up with students long after they’d graduated, including her own daughter. Lawson said he was simply wonderful.

Lloyd Youngblood, at Montgomery County High School on Jan. 31, 1992. (Montgomery Advertiser file photo, Mark Miller)

“You just don’t find that. I worked with several principals but I never worked with one like him,” she said. “He treated all of us just like family.”

And here’s a taste of what readers had to say about Youngblood on what is currently one of the most read and commented on stories on the Advertiser’s site.

“He had a huge impact on my life, and he was one of my biggest role model. He will be missed.” — Charlie Peterso

“Great man with a huge heart !”
– Tomekia Meek Varice

“A man admired by all. The greatest of Woodford High in Luverne, AL. He kept discipline and order in the school even with a smile. Every student was his child. R.I.P. Mr. Youngblood.”
– Patricia Merritt Madison

“Truly one of a kind.”
– Winifred E. Campbell

Funeral services for Youngblood will be held Friday at noon at St. John’s A.M.E. Church.

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Alabama Supreme Court opinion doesn’t help Warner out

Posted on January 10, 2012 by JillNolin

Patricia Warner

Sorry for my absence lately, but a recent Alabama Supreme Court decision is worth a little backtracking.

As you may recall, it was thought that an appeal before the Supreme Court could possibly affect the outcome of Patricia Warner’s case before the Alabama Court of the Judiciary (COG). But even if that were so, the effect would not likely be a positive one for Warner.

Like Houston County District Judge John Steensland Jr., Warner retired during the time the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) investigated complaints against her. Both retired after complaints were filed against them but before the commission formally issued its formal list of charges.

Since Steensland had already retired when the commission’s complaint against him was filed, he argued that the COG lacked jurisdiction. But since the complaints against Steensland were initiated prior to his retirement, he was fair game for the JIC and COG, according to the Supreme Court.

Interestingly, though, this comment was included as a footnote in Friday’s opinion: “We leave for another day the question — not presented here — of the consequences of a judge’s retirement before a complaint is filed with the JIC.” You can read the entire opinion here.

At this point, it is unclear if a favorable ruling for Steensland would have benefited Warner, since Warner has already initiated the process of settling with the JIC. The settlement makes it a moot point now.

The details of that settlement have not yet been made public, but the hearing will be held on Jan. 27 in the Supreme Court courtroom.

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