03/30/2011 Racking Horse Spring Celebration Marks 40 Years in 2011

Decatur , Ala. — The second largest Racking Horse Show in the United States celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2011. Featuring different classes and divisions of Racking Horses, entries from over 25 states will travel to Decatur to compete for honors, as well as over $21,000 in prize money in the Spring Celebration which kicks off the start of the Racking Horse show season. The 40th annual event is set for April 27 through 30 at the Morgan County Celebration Arena located at 67 Horse Center Road (off Highway 67 East) in Decatur.

The competition begins each night at 6 p.m. On Saturday night prior to announcing the Grand Champion, children are invited to participate in the “Stick Horse” class. This event allows children to bring their own stick horse for friendly competition in the arena. Every participant receives a ribbon.

According to event organizers, one of the more popular classes is the speed racking class, where horses are judged on speed. Speed racking classes will be held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. General admission for the nightly shows is $5 and free for 12 years old and under. On Wednesday evening, admission is free for attendees.

For additional information on the racking horse breed and a current show schedule, contact the RHBAA at 256.353.7225 or visit its website at www.rackinghorse.com.

3/26/2011 Marble-Size Hail

3/26/2011 – Hamilton, AL – Marble-size hail fell in the Hamilton area tonight. (See Picture – hail compared to penny)

03/24/2011 Smoke, Engines, and Music – Courtland Airshow and Music Festival set for September 23-24, 2011

MOULTON, ALABAMA – Top aerobatic performers from across the United States and live music will entertain crowds on September 23-24, 2011 at the Courtland Airshow and Music Festival. Thrilling aerial demonstrations will fill the skies while live music, food concessions and other family-friendly activities will fill the tarmac at the Old Courtland Air Base located at 1390 Sanderson Lane in Courtland, Alabama.

Seven nationally known aerobatic performers are slated for this year’s heart pounding event.

– Flying the Red Eagle and one-of-a kind Talon Eagle, Red Eagle Air Sports (www.redeagleairsports.com) entertains crowds with low-level precision formations including flat spins, torque rolls, multiple snap rolls, plus their signature maneuvers—the Torqued Eagle, Topcoat This, the Towering Centrifuge,  daring head-on passes plus more.

– The Red Thunder Air Show Team (www.tailwindonline.com/RedThunder) offers lots of smoke and wonderful sounds of big radial engine airplanes plus precision close formation warbird demonstrations.

– If the crowd is not already excited, Grayout Aerosports (www.grayout.com) and its G-pullin’ aerobatic maneuvers will sure to get one’s heart going.

– Greg Koontz and The Alabama Boys Comedy Team provide wholesome family entertainment with breathtaking aerobatic demonstrations in a Super Decathlon and world’s smallest airport – a moving truck.

– Greg Aldridge and his Super Chipmunk (www.aldridgeairshows.com) put on a thrill of a show with his low flying technique and upside down stunts along with lots of noise and smoke.

– Based in Huntsville, Ala., Wright Attitudes (www.wrightattitudes.com) is especially popular with children. His car top landing act and jet with his 1979 Ford Econoline jet-powered dragster van – also known as the world’s fastest van – provide in the air and on the ground action.

– Tennessee Valley Air Center owner and Airport Manager Jim Achord has teamed up with Chris Murphy, a captain for United Airlines based in Denver, Col., to form C and J Flying Circus featuring fast and loud individual and dual aerobatic routines.

This year’s Air Show includes a musical aspect to it in celebration of the Year of Alabama Music. Live music will run both days featuring local, homegrown as well as regional talent. The Alabama Blues Brothers is slated to headline on Saturday, September 24^th. Other performers include “the fastest guitar player in the South” Travis Wammack, The Ray Sparks Band, Ben Parker Project, and popular local group Southern Comfort.

“We are excited to have some of the finest aerobatic performers coming to Lawrence County for the 2011 Courtland Airshow and Music Festival,” said Kim Hood, executive director of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. “With the addition of live music, we hope the Air Show will become Lawrence County’s signature fall event.”

Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. both days. Admission is $10 per person which allows entry for both days. Proceeds benefit the Lawrence County Airport Authority and the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. For more information on the Air Show, visit www.tvacenter.com.  In the event of inclement weather, a rain date is set for Sunday, September 25^th.

Over 15 businesses and organizations have come together to bring the Air Show to Lawrence County. Sponsors include Platinum level – Lawrence County Airport Authority, Tennessee Valley Air Center, The Albemarle Corporation and Martin Farm, Joe Wheeler EMC, Lawrence Medical Center, Cook’s Pest Control and Clear Channel Radio (WDRM 102.1); Gold level – International Paper, NHC Healthcare, CB & S Bank, Lockheed Martin; Silver level – Lawrence County Industrial Development Board, Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau; Bronze level – John Carpenter Ford, city of Courtland, Servico Gin, Family Security Credit Union; Volunteer level – Electrical Outlet, Southern Printing.

Organizers are still accepting sponsors and food vendors. For more information, call Jim Achord, owner of Tennessee Valley Air Center, at 256.637.0901 or Kim Hood at 256.974.1658.

About Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit business organization dedicated to uniting and engaging its’ members to ensure the ongoing prosperity and family-oriented quality of life in Lawrence County.  It strives to be a catalyst for growth and a unified voice advocating on behalf of its members. For more information, visit http://www.lawrencealabama.com

03/23/2011 WINFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY LAUNCHES SUMMER READING PROGRAM JUNE 2011

WINFIELD – Hop on board for the Winfield Public Library’s summer reading program beginning June 7, 2011. Readers from 3yrs old to 12 years of age will celebrate One World, Many Stories with folktales, music and more from around the world. Registration begins NOW till May 31, 2011. Stop in the library for a registration form and schedule.  The Public Library Summer Reading Program is a fun way to include reading and related activities into summer family time. It helps children maintain and improve reading skills. Families are invited to join the Read-to-Me portion of the program. Read-to-Me programs introduce the *summer reading* concept to young children, promote good will with parents, (who often have older children participating in the school-age programs), provide a family activity, and encourage reading aloud to children at home.

All programs are free of charge.

*Schedule*
June 7th – McWane Science Center
June 14th – Storyteller Lisa Hick
June 21 – Animal Tales
June 28th – Storyteller Marty Hoer

03/23/2011 Introducing New Southern Folklife Artists for 2011 Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival

Moulton, Alabama – From chickens and pigs to quilting and wood carvings, the “Down on the Farm” area at the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival introduces festival goers to farm life and a diversity of folk skills dating back to the pioneer days. The kid-friendly area comes complete with a Bluegrass music stage with live music running during the two-day event, antique tractors, a variety of live demonstrations, and much more.

This year’s Down on the Farm area will feature Larry Burns from Warrior, Ala. Burns is noted for his carefully and tedious creation of life-size animals using a chain saw. Some of his more notable pieces include a man-sized bear in a standing position, a mountain lion, a wolf, and an eagle with a six-foot wingspan carved from cottonwood. Visitors can see how Burns can turn an ordinary piece of wood into a full-size animal in just a matter of minutes. Three demonstrations will take place both days of the festival.

From Jasper, Ala., Mike Bagwell of the Back Country Horsemen of America will be sharing the importance of protecting our land and forests, and will be demonstrating an antique corn sheller and old implements used for forestry and logging work.

A variety of farm animals including chickens, goats, and pigs will be on display. Jimmy Parker of Vinemont will be bringing his pigs and sharing tips for pig farming and raising pigs as a source for food.

“This year’s Southern Folklife Artists will help illustrate the many folk traditions from yesteryear,” said Vicki Morese, event coordinator for the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival. “It is important for us to introduce our children to how our ancestors once lived and survived without the use of today’s technology.” Additional folklife artists lined up for this year’s event include demonstrations by a farrier, blacksmith, potter, quilter, chair weaver, and a stain glass artist.

The “Down on the Farm” area also features tractors ranging from antiques to today’s state of the art farming equipment. Members of the Lawrence County Classic Tractor and Engine Club will have approximately thirty antique tractors on display and will be available to share stories and discuss the importance of farming and preservation of farming equipment. In addition, the Club is providing peddle tractors for children to ride and is sponsoring a Peddle Tractor Pull on both days of the festival.

For more information, visit http://www.AlabamaChickenandEggFestival.com or contact Event Coordinator Vicki Morese at 256.905.0700.

About the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival

The Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival is an interactive agricultural experience offering old-fashioned fun, food vendors featuring chicken entrees prepared in a variety of ways, and live entertainment by popular regional bands and local favorites. The seventh annual Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival is scheduled for April 9-10, 2011 at the Lions Club Fairgrounds in Moulton, Alabama. Admission to the festival is $3 for adults and children 5 and under are free.

Sponsors committed for the 2011 festival consist of Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence County Commission, Lawrence County Board of Education, Carnegie Visual Arts Center, Logan Pharmacy, Wal-Mart, Marshall Durbin, Alabama State Council on the Arts, CB&S Bank, International Paper, Bank Independent, Joe Wheeler EMC, Pepsi-Cola, Southern Printing, City of Moulton, Alabama Farmers Co-op, Lawrence Medical Center, The Burch Agency, Dr. Don Beach, Lewis Innovative Technologies, NHC Healthcare, Lawrence County Antique Tractor and Engine Club, Home Depot, Regions Bank, Alabama Tourism Department, West Lawrence Water Co-op, Patrick Johnson Agency, and Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.

Education Partners are University of Alabama in Huntsville Engineering Department, Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University Poultry Science Department. Media sponsors include WAAY 31 TV, WALW 98.3, Valley Planet, Moulton Advertiser, 100.3 The River, WDRM 102.1, WTAK 106.1, Hot Stuff, WQAH 105.7, and Southern Family.

For the latest updates, visit the Festival’s website at http://www.alabamachickenandeggfestival.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter.com/alabamacef, and http://www.MySpace.com/alabamachickenandegg. To request a media kit or poultry-related photography, call 256.905.0700.

3/22/2011 Celebrate National Library Week and Create your own story @ your library® at the Winfield Public Library, April 10-16

Winfield, AL – Libraries are places for new beginnings. Whether you are getting your first library card, learning new computer skills or planning a trip, the library is the place where your story begins. This National Library Week, join our nation’s libraries and librarians and create your own story @ your library.

The Winfield Public Library is celebrating National Library Week with “Libraries, The Heart of Every Community” theme. Each day we will focus on city departments in our community. Come in and see our displays and find out more information about your community. We will have daily prizes, a ½ off book sale, magazine sale, raffle tickets to win 1 of 8 Sesame Streets own “Elmo Live!” (an $80 value) and reading fun. There will be something new every day of the week.

Every day, libraries across the country are helping people create their own unique stories. Whether it is by opening a book and exploring distant lands, or by learning how to use new technologies to find a job, people at our library are creating new stories for themselves.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.

For more information, visit the Winfield Public Library at 185 Ashwood Drive or call 487-2484

3/22/2011 Country Music Sensation Colt Ford to Perform Free Concert in Decatur

Colt Ford will perform a free concert on Sunday, June 19 in conjunction with the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament.

Performance Follows Crowning of 2011 Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year on June 19th

Decatur, Ala. – Colt Ford may not look like your average country music star, but his unique sound and story-telling ability, bigger-than-life stage presence, and connection to his fans have attracted the attention of people from all walks of life. North Alabamians will have the opportunity to see him when he performs a live concert on Father’s Day in conjunction with the Bassmaster Elite Series Dixie Duel Tournament. Sponsored by the Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the free public concert is set for June 19, 2011 at Ingalls Harbor.

Hailing from Athens, Georgia, Colt Ford performed over 250 concerts in 2010 including his Opry debut at the historic Ryman Auditorium. He recently earned his first ACM Nomination for Vocal Event of the Year for his collaboration with Jamey Johnson on single, “Cold Beer,” which can be found on Colt’s debut album, Ride Through The Country. The 46th annual ACM Awards air live on CBS at 8 p.m. EST on April 4, 2011. His new album titled Every Chance I Get featuring his latest single, “Country Thang” which is now available on iTunes, is expected to hit stores on May 3, 2011.

The 90-minute concert is part of a free family expo held in conjunction with the Bassmaster Elite Series Dixie Duel tournament. The Bassmaster Elite Series wraps up its 2011 season on Wheeler Lake June 16-19, 2011 and at the conclusion of the tournament, B.A.S.S. will crown the 2011 Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year.

The public is invited to attend the weigh-ins beginning at 3:30 p.m. Following the naming of the Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year, popular local group Southern Comfort will take to the stage followed by Ford. The celebration will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display. All activities take place at Ingalls Harbor located at 802 Wilson Street NW in Decatur.

“We are very excited and look with great anticipation to what we hope to be a very special Father’s Day for many,” said Tami Reist, president of the Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “All eyes will be on the city of Decatur and the state of Alabama for the announcement of the Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year, and whether you are an avid fisherman or not, everyone is invited to be a part of the festivities. The free concert with Southern Comfort and Colt Ford will sure to be a memorable conclusion to the day-long celebration.”

To learn more about Colt Ford, visit www.coltford.com. For more information on the Bassmaster Elite Series, contact B.A.S.S. Communications at 407.566.2208 or visit www.bassmaster.com.  For more information on the free concert and family expo, contact the Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028.

About The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCCVB)

The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and economic growth in Morgan County.  For information on special events and attractions in Decatur, contact the DMCCVB at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028; or visit its website at www.decaturcvb.org.

3/21/2011 Haleyville Native Mark A. Forester – Lifetime “Coming Home” Segment

Mark A. Forester

A video crew came to Haleyville, Alabama in January to shoot a segment for the Lifetime series “Coming Home”. The family was notified the segment on Mark will air on Sunday, March 27 at 9 p.m. CST on the Lifetime channel.

You can visit the “Coming Home” website at Lifetime “Coming Home” and also visit a page that has been set up in memory of Mark here.

Original info for this story came from HBTV.US

03/15/2011 Winfield Public Library Story Hour

Story Hour Thursday March 17th at 3:30 pm. If you have any questions please contact Director/Librarian Regina Sperry at the Winfield Public Library at 205-487-2484 or visit them on the web at www.winfieldcity.org/library

03/15/2011 Contests Galore Bring Egg-citement to 2011 Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival

Young contestants try their hand at the Egg Toss contest during the 2010 Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival.

Moulton, Alabama – The Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival invites children and adults to enter one of its seven chicken- and egg-themed contests and games sponsored by businesses and organizations across North Alabama. Each year, attendees take part in the many egg-citing activities in hopes of winning one of the great prizes or simply for a good laugh for all to enjoy. Where everything chicken and egg is celebrated, the seventh annual event is set for April 9-10, 2011 at the Lions Club Fairgrounds in Moulton.

The one with the most bones left on the plate wins the WAAY 31 BBQ Chicken Wing Eating Contest, sponsored by John’s Bar-B-Que. The 2010 contest produced a tie for fir

st place with 40 wings in 5 minutes. The WAAY 31 BBQ chicken wing eating contest is scheduled for both days of the festival and participants must be 18 years and older. Registration is $5 per person and those interested can register at the festival one hour prior to the event. Winners on both days receive a Chord Buddy, a guitar learning device.

The Hard-Boiled Egg Eating Contest, sponsored by NHC Healthcare and 103FM WEUP, is open to adults 18 years old and older to see who can eat the most hard-boiled eggs. The 2009 winner ate 25 eggs in 5 minutes. The hard-boiled egg eating contest takes place on both days of the festival and those interested can register at the festival. Winners on both days receive $100 for first place and $50 for second place.

The WTAK/Burch Agency Chicken Poker Run offers a scenic ride through Lawrence County and a chance to win $100. The ride begins at Foster Harley-Davidson located at 595 Highway 72 in Tuscumbia. The route travels to Doublehead Resort located at 145 County Road 314 in Town Creek, Saint’s Grocery located at 8899 Alabama Highway 101 in Town Creek, Billy Mitchell Jewelry located at 1 County Road 101 in Moulton with the final stop at the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival. Each location is a stop for participants to draw a card. The winning hand receives $100, with $50 for the 2nd best h

and and $100 for the worst hand. On-site registration is available at Foster Harley-Davidson the day of the ride at $20 per person. The first 100 to register are guaranteed a free t-shirt. To download a registration form, visit http://www.alabamachickenandeggfestival.com and click on “Contests”.

Sponsored by Dr. Don Beach, Egg Roulette is a contest where contestants literally walk away with egg on their face. Two contestants are provided with six eggs of which five are hard-boiled and one is raw. At the sound of a whistle, each contestant must immediately select an egg and smash it to his forehead. The loser of the game is the first person to have egg on his face. The winner advances in the single bracket tournament for a chance at winning $500 for his designated charity. Festival organizers are searching for non-profit organizations to participate. Each organization is to provide an elected official or local celebrity to play on their behalf. The Egg Roulette contest is scheduled for Sunday, April 10 beginning at 2 p.m. A registration form is available for downloading at www.AlabamaChickenandEggFestival.com and click on “Contests”.  The deadline to register is April 1.

Sponsored by the Patrick Johnson State Farm Agency, attendees eight years and older can try their hand in tossing an egg from increased distances to see which team

can toss a raw egg the farthest and catch it without breaking. The Egg Toss contest is free and registration is at the festival. Competition times are held both days of the Festival.

Think you can cluck the loudest?  Then enter WDRM’s Chicken Clucking Contest. Listeners of WDRM call in to the radio station beginning March 28th to qualify for the contest to be held Saturday, April 9th. Those qualifying will strut their stuff on the Logan Pharmacy Stage where the festival’s audience chooses the best clucker and takes home the $100 prize.

From now until April 8th, adventure seeking enthusiasts can participate in a 21st century treasure hunt with the Geocache game held in conjunction with the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival. The geocaching form with the GPS coordinates and questions may be downloaded from the “Contests” section of www.alabamachickenandeggfestival.com. Participants determine the locations of the hidden caches from the provided GPS coordinates and visit the location to receive the answers to the questions. Completed entry forms are entered into a drawing at the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival and t

he winner receives a chicken basket full of festival souvenirs. The deadline for completed entry forms is 4 p.m., April 8th and may be dropped off at or mailed to the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, 12467 Alabama Highway 157, Moulton, Alabama 35650.
For registration information and complete rules on each contest, visit www.AlabamaChickenandEggFestival.com and click on “Contests” or call 256.905.0700.

About the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival

The Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival is an interactive agricultural experience offering old-fashioned fun, food vendors featuring chicken entrees prepared in a variety of ways, and live entertainment by popular regional bands and local favorites. The seventh annual Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival is scheduled for April 9-10, 2011 at the Lions Club Fairgrounds in Moulton, Alabama. Admission to the festival is $3 for adults and children 5 and under are free.

Sponsors committed for the 2011 festival consist of Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence County Commission, Lawrence County Board of Education, Carnegie Visual Arts Center, Logan Pharmacy, Wal-Mart, Marshall Durbin, Alabama State Council on the Arts, CB&S Bank, International Paper, Bank Independent, Joe Wheeler EMC, Pepsi-Cola, Southern Printing, City of Moulton, Alabama Farmers Co-op, Lawrence Medical Center, The Burch Agency, Dr. Don Beach, Lewis Innovative Technologies, NHC Healthcare, Lawrence County Antique Tractor and Engine Club, Home Depot, Regions Bank, Alabama Tourism Department, West Lawrence Water Co-op, Patrick Johnson Agency, and Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.

Education Partners are University of Alabama in Huntsville Engineering Department, Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University Poultry Science Department. Media sponsors include WAAY 31 TV, WALW 98.3, Valley Planet, Moulton Advertiser, 100.3 The River, WDRM 102.1, WTAK 106.1, Hot Stuff, WQAH 105.7, and Southern Family.

For the latest updates, visit the Festival’s website at http://www.alabamachickenandeggfestival.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter.com/alabamacef, and http://www.MySpace.com/alabamachickenandegg. To request a media kit or poultry-related photography, call 256.905.0700.

03/15/2011 Celebrate National Library Week and Create your own story @ your library® at the Clyde Nix Public Library April 10-16

The Clyde Nix Public Library is celebrating National Library Week by holding a ½ price book sale. Also, patrons will be able to enter their names for door prizes to be given away Friday April 15th. For more information call the library at 921-4290

03/15/2011 Saddle Up for the Morgan County Sheriff’s Rodeo March 25th and 26th

Decatur, Ala. – Cowboys and cowgirls across North Alabama are invited to two nights of roping, riding, and bull riding action when the Morgan County Sheriff’s Rodeo rolls into town. The annual rodeo is set for March 25-26, 2011 at the Morgan County Celebration Arena located at 67 Horse Center Road in Decatur.

Gates open at 7 p.m. both nights with Senator Arthur Orr leading the opening ceremonies. The professional competition produced by Lone Star Rodeo Company features calf-roping, bareback riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, bull riding, and more.

Along with the high-impact stock and competition, family-friendly entertainment includes professional clowns and a variety of kids’ activities such as a Best Dressed Little Cowboy and Cowgirl contest and face painting. During intermission, children will be invited to participate in a hay search to find Chuck E. Cheese tokens and to race for tennis balls for a chance to win prizes including a $100 gift certificate to Academy Sports + Outdoors.

Cotton candy, popcorn, cowboy hats, rodeo t-shirts, and other western-themed merchandise will also be available for purchase.

Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children and can be purchased beginning March 15th at all branches of People’s Bank in Morgan County and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, located at 119 Lee Street NE, 2nd floor.  For credit card purchases, contact the Morgan County Celebration Arena between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, at 256.584.6725. Admission at the gate is $12 for adults and $10 for children. Children four years old and under are admitted free. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local charities.

For more information, call the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office at 256.351.4800.

About The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCCVB)

The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and economic growth in Morgan County. For information on special events and attractions in Decatur and Morgan County, contact the DMCCVB at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028; or visit its website at www.decaturcvb.org.

10/04/2010 STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE MILLICAN

Monday, October 4, 2010 2:53 PM

Editorial from the Desk of Representative Mike Millican

Like Electricity and Highways in the 20th Century, Broadband is the Next Great Infrastructure Effort

Infrastructure is a key word for any developer, entrepreneur, industrial recruiter, or public official looking for opportunities in economic development. If there is no infrastructure to support expansion, to move people or goods, there is no room for growth.

There must be road and bridges, electrical grids and natural gas lines, to support all types of business.

Now add one more infrastructure need for future development: broadband access. Moving data is becoming just as important as moving goods and material for companies, and the availability and adoption of broadband internet access throughout the state of Alabama is now a critical economic development issue.

The state has been aggressive in planning for broadband expansion.

Last year, Connecting ALABAMA was created to help move the state’s technology infrastructure forward. Over the past year the program has been mapping broadband availability, and creating a plan to extend high-speed data access throughout the state. The project won a Federal grant to get started, and since its inception more than $235 million in grants have been awarded to build and expand the state’s data infrastructure.

In our state history, we are no strangers to being aggressive when building infrastructure for economic development in Alabama.

At the beginning of the 1930s, most of Alabama did not have electricity, and less than one in ten rural households. Electric companies felt it was either too expensive or unprofitable to extend electricity to most Alabama homes, especially in the country.

A New Deal agency created under Roosevelt, the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), helped start cooperatives and other incentives to extend power to all areas of the state. By the end of the 1930s, 90 percent of rural homes had power, and it not only transformed the farm, it provided for the expansion of industry in hundreds of small communities.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Gov. Jim Folsom created the Farm to Market Road Program, creating the largest expansion of highways into rural communities ever seen before. The idea was that better roads would help farmers get their products to market and to stimulate the economy. The program used $650 million in federal, state and county funds to pave more than 18,000 miles of roads across the state, an unheard of sum at the time.

Now we take for granted the highways that were built during that time. Yet before those highways were built, many Alabama counties had few roads that could move trucks in and out. The highways we have today are the basis of the state’s economy.

It is clear that government can have a positive and effective role in expanding infrastructure. Now it is time for the state to assist with broadband.

We have already been expanding broadband through our public school technology effort ACCESS. We have been working hard to bring state-of-the-art distance learning technology to all Alabama schools. All high school students can now take online classes, and we have the largest increase in the nation on the number of students taking Advanced Placement Courses, and a huge expansion of students using distance learning.

It has been a huge effort to improve the data infrastructure in our schools, and the Alabama Department of Education has partnered with state universities and the Alabama Supercomputer Authority in Huntsville to make it possible. These efforts will also help Connecting ALABAMA do their job in expanding access to homes and businesses.

Importantly, the students taking online courses are also learning to rely on broadband access. With that knowledge comes demand, and consumer demand is the basis of any sustained development.

In the future high-quality data infrastructure will be as important and hopefully as common as electricity, telephones and roads. More than likely, it will also have just as great an economic impact as when the power lines and pavement stretched out to every corner of the state.

Contact Information:

State House: Room 128
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-7768 Home: 995 Country Estates Drive
Hamilton, AL 35570
Home Phone:
FAX:
(205) 921-3214
(334) 353-3350
Email:mike.millican@alhouse.gov

02/25/2011 STATE SENATOR ROGER BEDFORD CAPITOL REPORT

SENATOR ROGER BEDFORD

CAPITOL REPORT
Friday, February 25, 2011

It was my pleasure to be able to deliver several grants in the senate district today. In Russellville grants were presented to

Russellville Middle School for the media center, Russellville High School for the volleyball team and Robotics. Grants were also presented to Phil Campbell High School, Tharptown Elementary, Franklin County Junior High, East Franklin Junior High and Northwest Shoals Community College.

It is a pleasure for me to be able to announce that on February 25, the Alabama Department of Transportation will take bids for 4 highway projects in our legislative district. It is important that we do all that we can to improve the quality of our highways. Especially after the ice and snow caused freezing of the highways. In Colbert County, the lighting of the intersection of County Road 312, commonly called Haley Drive and County Road 35, commonly called Garner Lane in the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park. This lighting will greatly improve the safety, as well as the looks of this area. There are 3 projects in Marion County with the first being the resurfacing from State Road 142 from State Road 118 U.S. 278 to State Road 171. This is Phase 1 of the resurfacing program set for FY211. The second project in Marion County is the resurfacing of County Road 35 to State Road 17. The third resurfacing project in Marion County is the resurfacing of State Road 253 from State Road 74, U.S. 278, to County Road 49. This is Phase 1 of the FY211 project. I have been over all these roads and I know

that they need the resurfacing and lighting projects. I know that this will help improve the overall safety of travel in these areas. You may rest assured that I will continue to fight to see that we get our fair share of highway dollars returned to our senate district. We are making our roads safer, it also improves tourism and the ability of our district’s industries to get their goods to market.

This past week I received an update from the Senior Rx program. You will recall that this is a free drug program which I originally created and was known as TEMP, The Elderly Medication Program in our Senate District as a pilot project. Since the program’s inception in Region 1(2001), I am pleased to report the following numbers for this program: Clients served in Region I, 4,487. Savings to Clients in Region I, $21,819,706.00. Statewide clients served, 42,729. Savings to Clients statewide, $206,433,783.29. FY2010 Region I: Savings to clients=$2.4 million, SeniorX Funding Statewide= $2.5 million.

Please continue to contact me about your views and concerns at the following:

Alabama State House
11 S. Union Street, Suite 738
Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone: 334-242-7862  Fax: 334-242-4736

Russellville Office
PO Box 370
Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: 256-332-6966, Fax: 256-332-6967

Email: senbedford@aol.com
Website: http://www.senatorrogerhbedford.com

2011© http://www.49countynews.net

03/11/2011 Mr. Louis Hicks Goggans to be at the Clyde Nix Public Library for Book Signing

Mr. Louis Hicks Goggans will be at the Clyde Nix Public Library Monday, March 28th from 4-6 pm. to sign and sell his book “Hamilton High School Football: The first 100 Years”. This book is different from Goggans’ first book, “Hamilton High School: The first 100 Years”. This new book is all about Aggie football and the band the last 100 years. For More Information Contact::  Starr Montgomery clydenix@yahoo.com

NEW HAMILTON POLICE CHIEF HIRE DATE & SALARY SET

HAMILTON – The Hamilton City Council met on Tuesday, March 8, 2011. One item on the agenda was to set the hire date and salary for the new Police Chief. Chief Ralph Conner will begin his new position with the City of Hamilton on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the annual salary of $48,000.00.

jmays@49countynews.net

03/10/2011 WALL STREET JOURNAL IN PHIL CAMPBELL?

Pictured (L to R) Rita Barton, Mayor Jerry Mays, Wall Street Journal Reporter Sumathi Reddy, Former PC Mayor Ted Murray

PHIL CAMPBELL – Sumathi Reddy, a reporter with the Wall Street Journal, visited the small Northwest Alabama town of Phil Campbell on Thursday, March 10th. She visited for research into the town’s history for an upcoming story in the Big Apple’s prestigious publication. The story is a mix about the history of the town, the fact that the town is the only one named first and last after a person in Alabama, about a New Yorker named Phil Campbell and the upcoming Phil Campbell Hoedown / Phil Campbell Convention.