Rash of break-ins in Eoline / Pondville area

By Daniel L. Bamberg

Daniel@Centrevillepress.com

Over the past three weeks citizens in the areas of Pondville, Eoline and two of the most widely traveled roads around those areas Bear Creek Rd. and Ingate Pass have been alarmed.  A rash of burglary and burglary attempts have occurred in the area.

In most cases the break-ins have resulting in some sort of loss of property.  According to Bibb County Sheriff Keith Hannah these presumably stolen items include electronics, guns and games.  Hannah also explains that the eight break-ins which have occurred in the area of concern have all happened between late morning and mid-day. 

“These cases are still under investigation.  Warrants are in hand and we expect arrests to be forthcoming,” Hannah said.

In one particular incident a resident was alarmed to discover a man in the backyard holding a television set.  The home occupant shot at the suspected thief. 

Sheriff Hannah and his investigators believe that these break-ins are connected. 

If you have any information regarded this or any sort of crime you are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office (205-926-4683).

Woodstock Woman Sentenced to 2 years

By Daniel L. Bamberg

Daniel@centrevilleprss.com

On April 7^th, 2001 a federal judge sentenced Daphne Miller Brooks of Woodstock to serve 2 years in prison.  This was the result of a charge, which totaled an embezzlement of $878,481.

Brooks, a former member of the Bibb County Chamber of Commerce and former Councilwoman for the town of Woodstock, pled guilty in December to mail fraud, securities fraud, filing false tax returns, and criminal forfeiture. 

In a plea agreement, which was reached between Brooks and the government it, suggests she embezzled money to pay personal credit card bills between October 2001 and March 2008.

Brooks composed an emotional apology to her family, church, community, and the McDonald family.  “I would like to say that I am sorry.  They were truly good to me.  I didn’t take their money because I deserved it or wanted to hurt them,” said Brooks.

Several members of her community including neighbors, church and family members wrote letters of support for Brooks.  These letters described her as compassionate and unselfish.

It seems, Brooks began embezzling money from an Equity Development Corporation account while working as a bookkeeper for McDonald Management.  Brooks, who has no known prior convictions, had been a citizen many considered upstanding.  She was not only a part of the community through civic organizations but was active in her church and in Bibb County’s education system. 

According to Brooks’ attorney Derek Drennan, after her husband was diagnosed with a liver disease that eventually proved terminal, she began taking money in various ways.  Drennan suggests that Brooks used the money to travel back and forth between home and the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.  Her husband was in Jacksonville to receive a liver transplant. 

Drennan also explains that after her husband took ill, resulting in disability, he began to gamble.  Brooks began traveling with her husband to casinos.  As the couple were losing money, Brooks was still trying to provide for her son who was attending Dartmouth. 

The judge explained that he weighed the testimony of those who wrote letters on her behalf as well as other aspects.  In conclusion, however he expressed that it was hard to ignore the amount she had taken and how long she had been taking it. 

Brooks will serve two years in prison based on her agreement with the District Judge. Judge David Proctor suggests that he was sentencing her to far less than the 33-month minimum sentencing guidelines. Proctor also ordered her to pay back everything she stole from Equity Development Corp. while she worked as a bookkeeper.  She has also been ordered to pay $948,840 in restitution.  Her final court debt is over $1.8 million dollars.

Centreville Police Chief Awarded Officer of the Year

By: Daniel L. Bamberg

Daniel@Centrevillepress.com

 

He began his law enforcement career in 1977.  The Alabama Fraternal Order of Police has recently recognized his efforts and accomplishments.  Centreville Police Chief Mike Nichols, who is also a member of the 4^th Judicial Drug Task Force, which includes Bibb County, was recently awarded “Officer of the Year” at the annual Alabama F.O.P. Banquet.

Nichols began his law enforcement career with the Perry County Sheriff’s Department. After serving for nearly 5 years he came to Bibb County to work with the Centreville Police Department.  He would eventually become Chief of Police there and still serves in that position today.  He is one of the most recognized individuals working the Bibb County area, and one of the most respected in the county’s law enforcement community.

“I think Chief Nichols is a fine officer.  He’s held other positions n the local F.O.P lodge,” said Bibb County Sheriff Keith Hannah.  “I am extremely proud of him as is all of the local law enforcement.” 

The 2010 Annual Alabama F.O.P. Banquet was held on March 27^th through March 29^th.  On Saturday the 28^th Nichols was awarded plaques from the State F.O.P. as well as recognitions from the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives.  There are over 60 F.O.P. lodges across the state and a single board member represents each.  These board members make this decision each year to honor the police officer that they feel has had an outstanding career in the line of duty. 

“I am extremely proud that one of our officers was selected.  This is a great honor for Chief Nichols and for us as well,” said Bob Jamison, State Trustee with the Alabama F.O.P. and board member for F.O.P. Lodge 44.  “Chief Nichols has been a great worker not only for his city but for the F.O.P. and the Chief of Police Association.”

Members of Chief Nichols family were also at the banquet to witness the recognition.  Those in attendance were: his wife Wanda, son Kevin Nichols, daughter-in-law Laura Nichols, grandson Ryan Nichols, his daughter Lawanna Feldman, granddaughter Madison Feldman, granddaughter Katelin Feldman, daughter Kim Simmons and granddaughter Carlee Simmons. 

“He’s done a great job in law enforcement and it is certainly well deserved,” said District Attorney of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, Michael Jackson. 

 

 

Bibb "Out of the Box"

Calvin Miller “Strength in the Wings of Eagles”

 

By Daniel L. Bamberg

Daniel@Centrevillepress.com

It is written, ”They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” 

This famous verse from the book of Isaiah in the Holy Bible delivered a message, which carried one local Vietnam War Veteran from his lowest depths to his highest personal summits. 

His name is Calvin Miller and though he is currently bound to a wheel chair, that condition appears to be only an illusion.  Just minutes into speaking with this man he appears stronger than many men standing upright on two legs.  He has the unrestrained balance of compassion, courage and conviction which one can find in nearly every Vietnam Veteran, but then he has that extra something.  There’s a specific “true grit” in him that one only finds in a certain people.  He doesn’t need to tell me he is a Marine, it seeps out of his eyes, the window into the soul.   

Miller was born in Birmingham and lived there until he was 4 years old.  When the steel mines shut down his mother and father moved the family to New Jersey. At 17 years of age, Miller signed up with the U.S. Marine Corp.  During his 6-year contract with the Marines he served 2 tours in Vietnam as a company sniper. 

Miller’s current position in a wheel chair was not due to war injuries but rather strokes he suffered in 1994.  Miller came out of Vietnam without serious physical scars, “only scratches from the jungle,” he explains.  Like so many who served in the most notorious military conflict of American history, Miller did, however, suffer many mental scars.  His story is, however, more than anything else one of determination, conviction, and ultimate triumph. 

After many years of remaining silent Miller no longer has a problem talking about the war with someone who will take the time to listen without judgment. “There was a long time I wouldn’t talk about Vietnam.  Then, when people asked a question and I gave them an answer they didn’t seem to believe things were as bad as they were.  I didn’t understand how they could believe one way or another if they were not there,” Miller exclaims.  

Miller also stressed that many people seemed to ask a lot of stupid questions concerning Vietnam.  If one thinks it is easy to understand one of the main questions he was likely asked repeatedly.  Miller however explains that he had never been one to answer stupid questions politely.  “If someone asks me a stupid question I will give them a stupid answer.  If they ask me something serious I will answer it, but you better be ready to hear what I have to say,” he expressed.  This particular stupid question was not asked of Miller for this story. It didn’t need to be asked.  After all, he was a sniper; the answer lies pretty clear in that title alone. 

“Went we went into Vietnam it was different than any other war the United States had ever been in, because it was not a war at all.  It was a police action.  The moment I landed they issued me a rifle and told me I would be issued ammunition once I got to my outfit.  I turned and explained that I wasn’t going anywhere without ammunition.  Had we come across the enemy what was I supposed to do, point my rifle at them and shout ‘bang, bang’?  I explained to them I would not go anywhere without ammunition and if they had a problem with that they could throw me in the brig.  They eventually issued me ammunition and sent me on my way.”

“We had to do a lot of crazy stuff in ‘Nam.  You’d be surprised what you will do when you have to.  You’d be surprised what you will eat and drink when you have to.  You couldn’t come across fresh water in Vietnam; that is why they gave us iodine pills.  Some of the water looked like coffee with cream.  We scooped the water into our canteens, dropped two iodine pills in, shook it up and waited for 30 seconds and chugged a little.  Sometimes it upset my stomach, but I wasn’t thirsty. 

“The biggest lie the American Government ever told the American soldier in Vietnam was that we would always know the enemy when we saw them.  This couldn’t have been more inaccurate,” Miller stressed.  He went on from here to tell a very gripping and heart breaking story about a friend of his who was killed by a child sent to martyrdom by the child’s own mother.  This story is extremely graphic is nature and unfortunately cannot be printed in a family publication.  Yet the point of it all should illustrate exactly how difficult the Vietnam conflict was for the American soldier.  The vast majority of those who served in combat witnessed things most of us have never experienced and hopefully never will. 

The war for Miller, as with most Vietnam Veterans was literal hell, but nothing could prepare them for the senseless and cowardly assaults many would face at home.  There was to be a light at the end of the tunnel for the survivors of war, but those they believed they were serving were taking the part of the blackout.

“I left for Vietnam with 77 buddies, two of those came back.  When I flew back there was 110 Marines on board, I knew nobody.  After spending 13 hours in the air the first thing we did was fall in formation and then all 110 of us bent down and kissed the ground because we were so glad to see home again,” recalls Miller

“The moment I made it off the terminal, the first word I heard from a civilian was, ‘How many babies did you kill?’  Those things didn’t make sense.  People called those that didn’t get killed murderers.  When it comes down to me or the other guy getting killed I am going to try my best to make sure it is the other guy.  People didn’t understand that.  They didn’t understand the situations you come across in war,” he stressed.

The 13 year long Vietnam War lost more than 58,000 American men with an average age of 19 to 20 years old.  “These guys never had a chance to live, but here in America the Vietnam soldiers were baby killers and an insult to the country.  They were kids doing what they had to do to survive, doing their duty,” suggests Miller.

“I was good at what I did, but am not proud of it.  Many people in this country do not know what it costs to be free.  A lot of my buddies lost their lives in the name of the freedom.  Meanwhile people in this country sat back and ran their mouths about Veterans,” he explained.

“People assumed that everything should be okay because we made it back alive, but everything wasn’t okay.  Nobody would listen.  Nobody wanted to listen.  Through people’s lack of understanding and many not caring, a lot of good people went through a lot of additional pain and suffering, here in the very country that they believed they were serving,” explained Miller.

“I went through 19 years of delayed stress.  It almost cost me my family.  I lost jobs.  I didn’t care anything about anyone. I couldn’t put up with people or crowds and I became an alcoholic.  I had nightmares and cold sweats for a long time.  I’d relive every kill over again,” Miller explained.  While he does admit that the nightmares still occur today, they are not as frequent as they were at his lowest points. 

As Miller’s life seemed to be falling apart however he found strength and inspiration in an iconic American symbol and a verse from the Holy Bible. He has a collection of eagle memorabilia, mostly ceramic figurines.  He explains that he is proud the United States chose the eagle as the national bird. 

“To me that is one of the greatest signs of strength.  The idea of the eagle and that verse in Isaiah Chapter 40 has gotten me through the roughest times.  Nothing could keep me down.  I got down but I never stayed down.  As long as I can mount up with those wings nothing bothers me,” Miller explains.

“When I came home from the war I made two promises to myself, never pick up a weapon again and never go hungry again.  I have kept those promises.  I don’t get angry anymore.  I got over being angry a long time ago.  My wife helped me get over my anger.  She is proud of the fact that her husband was a Marine and loves me the way that I am.  She was a literal godsend for me.

 

“The country is trying to do better for the Vietnam Veteran and they are doing better, but it still isn’t enough.  Trying to do anything through the Department of Veteran’s Affairs is an act of Congress.  I have to fight tooth and nail just to see a doctor.  It doesn’t make sense to me.  Most Veterans do not want more than they deserve, but this government spends unlimited money on countries and people who do not like us, but when it comes to spending two cents on their own people it becomes a debate.”

 

In spite of the literal hell, which soldiers experienced from Vietnam, many of them attribute this war to certain positive aspects in their own personality.  Miller is no exception.  “It made me stop and think – to look at things with my eyes wide open, not half closed,” Miller explains.  He uses the “pro versus con” exercise in life and explains that it helps people see both sides of any equation.  “Bad did outweigh the good in Vietnam, but it made the Marine Corp a bright spot of my life.  It helped make that brotherhood so much tighter. When you are a Marine, you are a Marine for life.  We are part of a brotherhood that this country will never understand.”

Miller understands that patriotism is a love for country even when you do not agree with your government.  Amazingly, despite everything he has endured or suffered, Miller suggests if his country needed him to do it all again, he would without hesitation.  “I love my country that much,” he explains.  “I fought for and would have died for the morals, respect, values this country once believed in.  Now those things are going away fast, but I would still die for them.  I love my flag and believe it stands for those who died for it.  I believe the flag represents strength. Nothing is more beautiful to me than an unfurled Garrison flag (U.S. flag 20’ x 30’), blowing in the breeze,” Miller concluded with an honest smile.  Though a tear never glazed his eyes there was a sincere passion in every word he spoke, yet his oral cadence never changed tone at any point. 

He suggested that at one point he never understood why he survived Vietnam, but now knows that he needed to raise his four children.  Those children are now adults.  Once his children were raised Miller moved to Arizona.

Shortly after, he moved to Bibb County in 1991, a place he hadn’t seen since his early childhood.  He moved to West Blocton, where his parents were originally from.  Miller began working in West Blocton as a mortician.  He explains that his service as a mortician was a way of coming to terms with Vietnam.  He explains this was giving something to people, giving families a peaceful final vision of their loved ones. 

It was while working at a funeral home that he met his wife, Wanda.  After suffering two strokes, which eventually bound him to a wheel chair he could no longer perform the duties of a mortician.  Even then Miller did not stay down, much like the eagle, he simply carried on.  Until very recently he worked as a local substitute teacher.  “I told my kids I would see them graduate and I kept my promise.  This past year I saw the last one get his diploma,” Miller said. 

He and his wife now live in Centreville.  “She is the first person who has ever loved me for being me.  She was there when nobody else would be.  We have our momentary disagreements but we do not argue.  She’s my inspiration,” concluded Miller.

As April 30^th 2010 becomes the 35^th Anniversary to the end of the Vietnam War we take time to honor those who served.  We take a moment to reflect on their unnecessary but unselfish sacrifice.  We look to learn from the past.  We remember the Vietnam Veteran. 

All month long, the Centreville Press, through Bibb ‘Out of the Box’, will honor these brave men with stories.  We have come to a time where the Veterans of the past wars are nearly taken for granted.  It is important we learn what it means to be a veteran and the importance of their duty.  The present generation has already made a share of war veterans.  Let us learn how to better present the American military with the proper dignity that their service deserves.

Bibb "Out of the Box

George Fleming “A Heart for Service, a Life of Duty”

 

By Daniel L. Bamberg

Daniel@Centrevillepress.com

In 2006 Von Fleming became the first non-military individual her husband, George, opened up to concerning the Vietnam War.  He had been diagnosed with colon cancer.  Recently his doctor explained to Fleming that the cancer was clear.  With a clean bill of health and one of the most humble personalities I have ever come across, Fleming discussed the Vietnam War in depth with me.  Many Vietnam Veterans have been warm and friendly to this reporter.  Many of those have also been emotional, but nothing could have prepared me for the courage of Fleming’s interview. 

Though he is now retired George Fleming was one of the most respected lawmen to ever wear a badge in Bibb County.  He served nearly 25 years in local law enforcement.  Sixteen of those years were spent as Chief of the West Blocton Police Department.  The last eight years of that time was spent as Bibb County Sheriff.  If ever there was a human born with the blood to truly serve, it is this man.  Before becoming a Sheriff was even a gleam in his eyes, Fleming was serving his country in Vietnam.

He was born in Cordova, Alabama in 1936.  His father was a Naval Veteran of World War II.  In Fleming’s youth his family would move around a lot.  As a teenager he worked on a dairy farm in McCalla.  Once he turned 18 years old Fleming joined the U.S. Army and become a Military Policeman.  He would move from Fort Jackson, South Carolina to Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Fort Bragg, North Carolina before being stationed in Frankford, Germany. 

He began writing his future wife, Von, in 1954.  On April 6, 1957 he visited her for the first time at her home in Brent; twenty-four days later they were married.  Fleming proposed to her in his letters, but she never gave him an answer to that question.  “I remember my mother telling me how crazy it was to marry someone I had never laid eyes on.  I wasn’t about to say ‘Yes’ to someone I had never met in person, but I told her a man will write more in a letter than he will ever tell you in person,” said Von.  On April 30^th the couple will celebrate their 53^rd anniversary. 

Fleming and his wife would move around a lot during this time.  He was stationed in France, Germany and even historic Yuma, Arizona.  Nothing could have prepared them for the orders he would eventually get in 1967.  George Fleming would have to leave his beloved wife behind and join his fellow countrymen in Vietnam.

It was just before the time of the Tet Offensive.  George was with the 90^th Replacement Company and stayed with them for 2 days until he was given orders to join the 716^th MP Battalion in Saigon.  “I thought this would be an easy tour.  Saigon is a town, not in the jungle, but on our way there, we got shot at,” he explained.

“I get to my unit and was given orders by my Sergeant to become the Platoon Sergeant of the 1^st Platoon.  I would be responsible for 26 men.  I was a little worried, but felt better about after being briefed and trained for about a week,” said George.

His platoon patrolled the roughest parts of Saigon, which included the docks and the shoreline.  “I found out really fast that this wasn’t going to be an easy tour,” he said. 

Every morning his platoon would travel and patrol a road, which went down to the coast.  When they went down it meant the road was opened for travel.  At night when they came back up it meant the road was closed.  If the patrol was off the road anyone who was seen on the road was subject to attack.

One night while closing the road his platoon came under attack and they had to jump in a nearby rice paddy.  Two U.S. helicopters flew over to provide air coverage at to spotlight the enemy.  It was the first attack George experienced but it wouldn’t be the end and unfortunately it wasn’t the worst to come.

George paused for a moment and slowly said, “On the morning of January 31^, 1968…” It was at this point when his lip began quivering but he fought hard to hold back the tears.  This was the date that the Tet Offensive began. 

The military campaign which has been called “The Tet Offensive” was a conspired effort by the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army to attack the South Vietnamese and the United States by bombarding military and civilian command and control centers in order to create an uprising in Saigon.  The idea was to end the war in a single blow.  It was the most destructive and savage military action of the enemy to the South Vietnamese and the U.S. during the entire Vietnam conflict.

Finding the strength to fight his memories George Fleming continued his story.  “At about 2:30 in the morning we woke up to the Tet Offensive.  We had 20 people on 2 ½ ton trucks under fire, going to Quarters.  The Viet Cong exploded 4 claymores,” George explains before pausing to fight back more tears.  “Seventeen of the twenty men were killed,” he concludes for a moment. 

“Then we were called to the Embassy.  A hole had been blown through a wall surrounding the Embassy and the Viet Cong tried to get through.  We shot the first three or four who came through the wall.  The Viet Cong never got into the embassy.  When it was over we killed 19 and captured one,” George explained.  “We lost 23 men out of our battalion in 12 hours.”

A photo of the Embassy attack was recently published in “Vietnam” a magazine published by HistoryNet.  Fleming is seen walking with his M16 in the background.  Due to the graphic nature of the photo the photo could not be run in this publication.

The Tet offensive went on for about a week many American lives and those of the South Vietnamese were lost.   The Mini-Tet came about a short while later but was immediately discouraged by the armed defense of a “ready for anything” U.S. Military.

“If they had just cut us (the military) soldiers rather than letting the politicians run this war we could have walked through Vietnam in a week and come home,” George explained.

After George came home following his first tour he was met by a protestor at the Denver Airport, but soldiers who were being deployed looked at those coming home and explained they would take care of the situation.

A little over a year later he would make a second tour of Vietnam. It was no cakewalk but based upon his story it appears it was less hellacious than his first tour.  During this time he was a member of the 981^st Sentry Dog Company.  The unit was appropriately nicknamed “Hell on Paws.”  When news guys came in George was in charge of pairing them with a dog and training them to ship out.

George and his wife recently visited Battlefield Park in Mobile, Alabama.  They visited the monument of “Little Joe,” the heroic war dog who saved the lives of a unit under fire, including the life of his handler. “Once I read the story I lost it, because I helped train that dog,” George said. 

With all the literal hell soldiers experienced in Vietnam some stories are actually quite humorous.  George was open enough to share a few of his own.  During George’s second tour as a dog trainer and handler he experienced a situation, which began extremely serious but ended with a great punch line.  “This dog and his handler were in a bunker while we were being shelled.  The bunker was hit.  I looked around and didn’t see the dog or his handler.  So I immediately went to the other side of the bunker and saw the dog lying on top of his handler on the other side.  I was expecting the worst but when I got closer I didn’t see any blood and they looked unharmed.  I asked the dog handler if he was okay.  He raised his head up and said, ‘Don’t talk to me I’m dead.’  Then he laid his head back down. 

While it took over 25 years for George to speak about Vietnam with a civilian he admits to having some personal struggles but doesn’t seem to focus on those much today. 
“The World War II veterans represented America’s Greatest Generation.  To me the Vietnam Veterans are the forgotten generation,” he explained.  George remembers hearing a civilian say, “The Vietnam War is over and it is time to move on.” 

“A lot of people do not understand.  There are still World War II veterans fighting the Japanese and the Germans every night.  There are still Vietnam veterans fighting the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army every night,” George explained.  “It is a hard thing to see the guy next to you fall and realize you are okay,” he stated.

“I think the good Lord has truly blessed me.  We used to say we were lucky but we know now we have been blessed,” George expressed.  “I wish all of the veterans had the chance that I did to come home safely.”

While he was stationed in Vietnam during both tours George kept in close contact with his wife. “He wrote me everyday.  Sometimes it wasn’t more than two or three sentences but he made sure to let me know that he was okay.  I didn’t watch the news or read the newspapers while he was away.  The one time I watched the news I saw where 2 MPs had been killed in Saigon.  I was very concerned but the phone rang almost immediately after I saw the story.  It was George calling collect from Vietnam.  We talked 3 minutes and I slept good that night.”

After he retired from the military George realized the only thing he knew was being a policeman.  Naturally he joined law enforcement.  He would eventually become West Blocton Chief of Police.  Sometime during this stretch his wife, Von recalls George looking around in Brent and telling her “You know someday I might want to be Sheriff of this county.  It was her mother that encouraged George to follow his dream.  After serving 16 years as Chief of Police in West Blocton, Fleming ran for Sheriff.  He was elected and then re-elected 4 years later.  Fleming would not seek a third term.  After nearly 50 years of being a man of service George Fleming would slow down.  Yet even now his wife explains he keeps himself occupied. 

Current Bibb County Sheriff Keith Hannah has stated on several occasions, “George is one of the toughest men I have ever known.”  He dedicated one half of his life to serving his country and another half to serving his community.  He served with the 716^th MP Battalion, the most highly decorated military police battalion in the United States Army.  He is a living institution of pride, courage, conviction, and humble service and even without anyone saying thank you he would do it all again.

“The greatest thing anyone can for a veteran of war is to thank them for their service.  It’s a simple thing, but it doesn’t happen a lot.  The first person that thanked me was at BJ’S (Restaurant in Brent) a few years ago.  He must have seen my hat.  A man came up out of nowhere and said thank you,” Fleming expressed.

“When the man walked away tears were welling up in George’s eyes.  It meant that much to him,” said

George is the commander of the honor guard with the American Legion Post 47 in West Blocton and proudly dedicates some of his time to researching the truth behind the Vietnam War.  “It is an honor for me to call myself a Vietnam Veteran,” George concluded.

George and Von Fleming live in West Blocton at their home for many years and are surrounded by their children and grandchildren.

As April 30^th 2010 becomes the 35^th Anniversary to the end of the Vietnam War we take time to honor those who served.  We take a moment to reflect on their unnecessary but unselfish sacrifice.  We look to learn from the past.  We remember the Vietnam Veteran. 

All month long, the Centreville Press, through Bibb ‘Out of the Box’, will honor these brave men with stories.  We have come to a time where the Veterans of the past wars are nearly taken for granted.  It is important we learn what it means to be a veteran and the importance of their duty.  The present generation has already made a share of war veterans.  Let us learn how to better present the American military with the proper dignity that their service deserves.

 

 

 

 

 

Qualifying Ends, Candidates for 2010 official

By Daniel L. Bamberg

Daniel@Centrevillepress.com

On Friday April 2^nd, all candidates for offices available in 2010 were made official.  In Bibb County the Democratic Party, which initially seemed it would not generate any competition for the Republican opposition, had many last day official announcements.

The following persons have officially qualified and will either be seeking election or re-election in November 2010.  The party primaries will be held on Tuesday, June 1^st.

Bibb County Elections

For the office of Bibb County Sheriff the incumbent Keith Hannah of West Blocton, will be seeking re-election this time as the Republican candidate.  His Democrat competition will be Carl Griffin of Brent.

For the office of Bibb County Superintendent of Education the incumbent Dr. Don Elam will be seeking re-election as the Republican nomination.  Dr. Steve Morgan of Lawley, currently the principal of Cahawba Christian Academy will also be seeking the Republican nomination.  Whichever Republican candidate wins the June primary will then face Greg Blake of West Blocton for the office in November.

For Bibb County Board of Education – District 3 seat Republican incumbent Mike Oakley of Centreville was the only man to qualify.

The Bibb County Board of Education – District 4 seat has been vacated by the incumbent Gary Monk, who is running for Bibb County Commissioner.  The Republican Party has qualified two candidates for the seat.  Billie Dailey of Woodstock will face off in June primaries against her opponent Maria Kornegay of West Blocton.  Attorney Richard Pittman of Woodstock has qualified for this seat in the Democrat Party.

For the Bibb County Commission - District 2 seat incumbent Ricky Hubbard of Brent, has qualified to run for re-election as a Republican.  Jerry Moreland of Centreville will also run for the same seat in the Republican Party.  Reginald Boddie of Brent has qualified for this seat as a Democrat.

For Bibb County Commission – District 4, Republican incumbent James Kelly of Woodstock will face Democrat Gary Monk, who currently serves on the Bibb County Board of Education in District 4. 
State Elections of Bibb County Districts

For Alabama House of Representatives District 49, Bibb County’s own April Weaver will run in the Republican Party against two other challengers, Jim McClain of Alabaster and Jack Gray of Helena.  This trio will face off in the June primaries.  The winner will be afforded the privilege of facing no competition from the Democrat Party.  The incumbent Cam Ward vacated this seat in order to run for Alabama Senate District 14.  Ward, a Republican has been given the distinct pleasure of running unopposed for the seat vacated by incumbent Hank Irwin, who is running for Alabama Lieutenant Governor. 

State-wide Elections

Republican candidates Bradley Byrne, Roy Moore, Tim Bonds, Bill Johnson, James Potts, Robert Bentley, Charles Taylor have all qualified to run for Alabama Governor.  Meanwhile, Democrats Artur Davis and Ron Sparks are in the middle of a tight race for the Democratic Governor nomination. 

Democratic candidate and incumbent Lieutenant Governor Jim Folsom Jr. will seek re-election without facing any competition within his own party. Hank Irwin, Gene Ponder, and Kay Ivey will seek the Republican nomination for that seat.  Ivey recently stepped away from the race for Governor as polls suggested she didn’t appear to have much of a chance.  Early reports show she seems to have a greater chance at receiving the G.O.P. nomination for Lt. Governor in June.

Controversial incumbent Attorney General Troy King will seek re-election but will be faced with early competition from fellow Republican Luther Strange.  The winner of that race will then go on to oppose the winner of 3 Democratic candidates also seeking this seat.  James Anderson, Michel Nicrosi, Giles Perkins are seeking the Democratic nomination.

Republican United States Senator Richard Shelby will seek re-election but he will first have to get by Clint Moser if he plans on receiving his party’s nomination.  William Barnes and Simone De Moore will battle within the Democratic Party to face the winner of the Republican primary. 

Republican incumbent Spencer Bachus will seek re-election for U.S. Congress in District 6.  He has not been opposed by the Democrat party but will need to defeat Stan Cooke within his own party.  Bibb Countian Paul Lambert recently dropped out of the race and instead chose to run for the Bibb County Republican State Executive Committee in the Place 1 seat.

Republican incumbent Beth Chapman will be running for re-election as Secretary of State.  She will face Democrat opponent Scott Gilliland in the November elections. 

Democratic candidates Charley Grimsley and Jeremy Sherer will seek their party’s nomination for State Treasurer.  Meanwhile Republicans will run George Wallace, Jr. and Young Boozer head to head in order to determine their candidate.  Republican incumbent Kay Ivey vacated the seat after she made the decision to run for Governor, followed by her decision to run for Lieutenant Governor. 

Democrat Deborah Pauser will run against Republican Tommy Bryan in the race for Judge of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. 

Republicans Dale Peterson, Dorman Grace and John McMillan will seek the Republican nomination for Alabama Agricultural Commissioner.  The winner of the June Primary will face Democratic candidate Glenn Zorn.  Democrat incumbent Ron Sparks who is running for Governor of Alabama, vacated the seat.

Republican incumbent Samantha Shaw will face Democrat challenger Miranda Joseph for Alabama State Auditor. 

Any further pending news regarding the Alabama 2010 election will be reported on Bibblogger as it occurs.  Please visit centrevillepress.blogspot.com.   The Democrat and Republican Primaries will be held on Tuesday, June 1 2010.  Brent and Centreville residents will be faced with a vote for an alcohol ordinance on Tuesday, May 11^th. 

Please exercise the right so many have fought to preserve in this country and cast your vote.  It is everyone’s civic duty.

Child’s life honored by South Bibb Dixie Youth

By Daniel L. Bamberg

Daniel@Centrevillepress.com

“On June 27^, 2009 we lost a friend, a child and a son – but heaven gained an angel.  Kelsie Avery will remain in all of our hearts forever.  He left his memory in the minds of many players, coaches and fans of South Bibb Dixie Youth Baseball.”  These are the words engraved on the back of a plaque given to Kim Marsh and Chelsie Avery, the parents of Kelsie Avery, last Friday night at the opening ceremony for the 2010 Dixie Youth Baseball Season.

Keslie began playing with the league when he was only 3 years old.  In June of last year the young boy was lost tragically in a drowning accident at a pool. He was only nine years old. 

Perhaps the slight chill in the air was fitting last Friday evening.  Yet the moment leaders of the organization began a presentation to Kelsie’s mother and father, warmth seemed to encompass the baseball diamond.  As South Bibb Dixie Youth Coach and Officer, Danny Caffee, on behalf of the program, dedicated the 2010 baseball season to the child, loved and adored by his smile, time seemed to stop and the wind seemed to stop blowing.  This wasn’t a bad thing, but a very good thing.  One could hear a pin drop and almost hear the patter of little Kelsie’s feet run the bases within Caffee’s cadence. 

“Kelsie was a great kid.  He was super nice and had great, supportive parents. At 3 years old, he spent much of the time playing in the dirt and crying.  Kelsie and Kim would run the bases together to keep him from playing in the dirt.  Seeing his mom run the bases brought laughter to his face and ours,” explained Caffee. 

“He was as fast as lightning.  I remember in one game I stopped him on first and everybody shouted ‘go, go, go.’  From then on if he hit the ball, I could never stop him at first; he kept going unless they got him out at home plate. His loss last year was tragic and these coaches and these players will miss him.  We are dedicating the season to him,” Caffee concluded. 

Kelsie was an outgoing child according to his mother, Kim Marsh.  “He never met a stranger.  He was an honor roll student, excelled in every sport he played and was a likeable child always smiling,” she explained.

Don Miles Jr. coached Kelsie a few times during his short life.  “In our next last game of the regular season last year he pitched a great game, but he wasn’t happy when he left the field.  I asked him what was wrong.  He looked up and said ‘I am not going to be able to pitch the last game?’  I said, “No”.  So he was mad.  Well, in the last game we needed two runs to win the game in the last inning.  We had one on and he hit an inside-the-park homerun for us to win the game.  That’s one of those things I will always remember about him.  He was a great kid and a great ball player,” explained Miles. 

“He was a good baseball player.  He could hit and field good.  He helped our team and we loved having him on our side, we are going to miss him a lot,” said Trey Miles, son of Don Jr. and former teammate of Keslie.

Kelsie has now been honored along with his locally famous great uncle, Sp. 4 Willie Gardner Jr., the U.S. Army Vietnam hero who became the first black soldier to have a structure named after him in Bibb County.  Like Gardner, Kelsie was known for his smile, and you can almost see his uncle’s grin in his face if you look at his baseball photograph.  He will be etched in this county’s memory forever and his young life, taken all too soon, will be preserved in the hearts of a community.

“I want my two year old son, Kendarius  to have a sense of who his brother was.  I want him to be able to look at the plaque and with a sense of pride, say, “That’s my brother,” explains Marsh.  “Until Kelsie died I had no idea Dixie Youth was this close, but they were there when I needed them most.  I thank them for acknowledging my son, because he truly loved the game,” she concluded. 

Caffee ended the speech with the following statement. “Memories are ways of holding on to those we love.  The 2010 Dixie Youth Season is dedicated to the memory of Kelsie Avery.  We love you and miss you, God Bless.”  Following this, Kelsie’s father threw the first pitch of the season to Caffee’s son.  

West Blocton native awarded Officer of the Year in Baldwin County

By Daniel L. Bamberg

Daniel@Centrevillepress.com

Kenneth Seagle, a native of West Blocton, was recently awarded “Officer of the Year” in Baldwin County. While those who have worked with and who still work with Seagle consider him a strong and conscientious law enforcement officer, his award of “Officer of the Year” is the result of his heart. 

Seagle is a law enforcement officer with the Loxley Police Department. Early last year Officer Seagle answered a “loitering” call from an industrial building owner.  When Seagle arrived on the scene, and after searching the building thoroughly he found a young woman and her 11-year-old child living there.  The woman explained to the officer that she had recently been laid off from her job and was evicted from her home.  Seagle explains it was at this moment he realized how fortunate he was and how tragic this woman’s situation had become, especially considering she had a child to take care of.  He promised her that he would help in any way he could.

The next day he began looking for a low-income place to move the single mother and child into.  “I found out the child was an A student and after the eviction she had begun failing.  The more I found out the more it made we want to do something.”

Within a few days and with the help of the local Police and Fire Departments Seagle had found an affordable home for the woman and her child.  These community servants even helped get her utilities turned on.  At first it appeared for naught.  As soon as these things were accomplished nobody could find the mother or her child.  Seagle however eventually got a call that they had been discovered and wanted to talk to him.  He met up with the mother and child and took them to their new home.  They were obviously emotional and overjoyed.  Seagle explains, “This is when the job is most rewarding.  Part of our duty is to serve, we don’t just arrest people and write tickets.” 

Seagle became a police officer in 1998, when he was hired at the Perry County Sheriff’s Department.  In 1999 he served with the West Blocton Police Department.  He has also served the force in Flomaton.  He came back to West Blocton some years ago and worked parttime with the West Blocton Police Department and fulltime at BF Goodrich.  A few years ago he moved to Loxley, Alabama to be closer to his son.

While he misses his hometown, Seagle explains that Loxley is the perfect fit for him.  “It is a small town not much bigger than Centreville, which is nice.  For a cop we have a lot of heavy traffic on Highway 59 – or Gulf Shores Parkway.  So we deal with a different element there.  It is a good balance,” explains Seagle. 

The West Blocton native certainly has come a long way as he recalls, “I went to the Academy with Woodstock Police Chief Lenn Price, know Sheriff Hannah and Chief Deputy Weems well, and I’ve had my butt chewed out plenty of times by Chief Mike Nichols.”  Now those members of local law enforcement can gleam, as one of their own is honored miles from home for his heart , courage and compassion.

County Workers Return to 40 Hour Work Week

By Daniel L. Bamberg

Daniel@Centrevillepress.com

During the regularly scheduled meeting of the Bibb County Commission on Tuesday, March 23^rd county workers finally got something to cheer about.  After nearly a year of working 32-hour weeks, the Commissioners made a motivating decision to allow their workers to begin a full workweek. 

Following the flood problems in September of last year the county has been behind on roadwork.  Continuous rains and normal conditions added to the damage that event presented have put Bibb County’s road crew farther behind than they have been in some time.  Bibb County Engineer Steve Avery expressed, “This is the furthest we have been behind since I began working here.  We have got to do some serious catching up.”
Commissioners addressed the possibility of returning to forty hours during a work session held one week before the regularly scheduled meeting.  This work session was called in order to see how feasible it was from a financial standpoint.  Other commissioners like James Kelly were also concerned about getting the most from the additional 8 hours.  Kelly explained that organization needed improvement so time is not wasted. 

“We do not have the numbers to support a 40 hour week but we have a lot of work we need to do.  I believe we should got back to four 10 hour days and re-evaluate from month to month,” explained Avery.  

“Our best shot to keep this going is for the road crew to be self supporting over the next several months.  We do not need to get in a position where we have to borrow more money,” explained Commissioner Ricky Hubbard. 

Commissioner Jerome Chism expressed, “I am one of those who worked on the road crew.  I worked my way up through the ranks and I know exactly how difficult their job is.  I want to commend the road department for their work and their patience.  I believe they are ready to roll and expect they will go above and beyond, because for several months their pockets have been empty.”

Commissioners unanimously agreed to increase the week for county road workers.  While money is still tight, Engineer Avery appeared to show a sigh of relief.