I know it's a new year, but I wanted to reflect on 2023 and share some of my observations and accolades from the past year.
My old friend Mac MacArthur has been the executive director, chef and bottle washer for the Alabama State Employees Association for 26 years. He is one of my best friends and we talk about once or twice a month. Our conversation lasted an hour as we enjoyed his colorful talk about Alabama politics. No one knows the political story of Alabama or the political history of Alabama better than Mack.
MacArthur accomplished something unprecedented for state employees in state history. State employees have received cost-of-living increases in five of the past six years. Additionally, they have benefited from having states absorb most of the increased costs associated with health insurance increases. In the past, state employees received cost-of-living raises about every six years.
I continue to be impressed with State Senator Will Barfoot. He became very effective in only his second term. He's very popular around the Capitol and very popular in the Senate district. If you polled Crenshaw County, Elmore County, the eastern suburbs of Montgomery, and his home town of Pike Road County, Will would be the most popular public official in those venues. He is also the clear and impartial chairman of the State Senate Judiciary Committee.
But Barfoot probably won't outshine Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone. Despite his young age, Mayor Gordon Stone has become a legend. Gordon was elected to the small community of Pike He Road City Council in 2000. In 2004 he became the first mayor. He has planned and overseen Pike Road's remarkable growth from a community of less than 1,000 people to a city of approximately 10,000 today. He has been the mayor of Alabama's fastest growing city for 20 years.
It seems like only yesterday that Gordon and the beautiful Ellen Moseley were young lobbyists on Capitol Hill. They met around Goat Hill and got married. They have been married for 34 years. Mr. Gordon is President of the Higher Education Association. Ellen's father was the superintendent of Ozark City Schools for many years.
We're talking about Montgomery area politicians, and Montgomery State Sen. Kirk Hatcher is the real deal. He is a genuine and honest gentleman. He is truly an educator and a church leader through and through. he is not a politician. He is a Christian public servant who loves the community and church where he grew up.
Senators Kirk Hatcher and Will Barfoot have become good friends of mine and often seek my advice on Alabama politics. I have told both of them over the years that they have more power and influence as one of 35 state senators than one of 435 members of the U.S. Congress. Mr. Barfoot (R-Pike Road) and Mr. Hatcher (D-Montgomery) would have been considered favorites for the Republican and Democratic candidates for the newly created 2nd Congressional District. But it looks like they took my advice and settled on a state senate seat. They both have a better lifestyle than being one of 35 Alabama senators and spending every night in their own bed in Montgomery rather than traveling back and forth to Washington every week to be the last to be lost on America's totem pole. We guarantee that you will have a great time. House of Representatives.
The Alabama Community College System takes its rightful place as the king of higher education in the state. With 24 universities and more than 130 locations, and an enrollment of 155,000 students, Alabama is the primary means for businesses large and small to supply workers and managers for today's economy. I am. Jimmy Baker did a great job as Prime Minister. Years of experience in state government and, more importantly, in the corporate/private sector gives him the foresight to lead the development of today's most needed jobs for Alabama's economic and manufacturing growth. Ta.
Jimmy Baker has a right-hand man who has evolved into a mainstay. Dr. David Walters, Vice Chancellor for Adult Education and Special Projects and Systems His Initiatives, is exactly what his title says. He wears three hats and works tirelessly. Both of his titles are full-time department head jobs. He is a true workhouse for Jimmy Baker and ACCS. He is a tireless worker, enjoys his job and is successful. He believes in his mission and is passionate about it. Although he juggles his three jobs, he still finds time to enjoy his family.
It will continue next week.
