Marvin E. Oliver has qualified to run for Mayor of the Town of Boligee in the August 23rd municipal election.
Mr. Oliver was born in Maitland, FL and was an honor graduate of Robert Hungerford High School in Eatonville, FL. He received his BS degree from Alabama State University and his Masters degree from the University of Alabama. In 1973 he was employed by the Greene County Board of Education as a music instructor at Birdine Jr. High School in Forkland. In the fall of 1980 he was transferred to Paramount High School in Boligee. He became a resident of Boligee in 1985 and in 2000 he was assigned to work at Paramount, Carver and the newly former Greene County High School. For five years, he was the only music teacher in the school system.
After working in the local system for 42 years he retired.
He and his wife of 20 years, Maggie, reside in Boligee and since being retired have acquired an interest in seeing the Town of Boligee advance far beyond what it is today.
Oliver said, “Since moving to Boligee, I have seen the town all but disappear. Boligee had two stores, a restaurant, a laundromat, ABC store, a garage, Boligee Cafe, the Post Office Town Hall and Arrowood Apartments. Now all that is left are the Post Office, Town Hall, Boligee Cafe and Arrowood.
“I want to spearhead the effort to bring Boligee back to life. I want to give the citizens of Boligee reasons to be proud of Boligee once again. I know that there is a lot that needs to be done but I am committed to this challenge. I love living in Boligee. I have a vision for Boligee. I want to see Boligee grow and prosper. My goal is prosperity for Boligee.”
“Good things don’t just happen. They happen when you have strong, positive, effective leadership. This is why I want to be your mayor,” announced Reginal J. Spencer, Eutaw City Councilman.
The following lists some of my training and achievements: Attended Alabama Law Enforcement Academy in 1990; Employed by Eutaw Police Department in 1991; Attended Alabama Canine Law Enforcement Training Center in 1994; Served as Assistant Police Chief in 1994; Promoted to Chief of Police in 1997 (supervising as many as 15 employees); Member of E911 Board since inception in 2003 (Budget Committee Chairman); Promoted by Greenetrack as Director of Security Department 2007-present (supervising a many as 85 employees); Member of the Board of Equalization from 2010-2012; Elected to the Eutaw City Council in 2012; Member of New Generation Church; married 27 years to Linda Rancher Spencer, 6 children and 8 grandchildren.
As you can see, I have been actively involved with the citizens of this community and have kept this city safe for many years. I am no stranger to hard work and possess the leadership to serve this city well. As your Mayor, I will continue to represent the people of this great city, by not only protecting its citizens, but by making sure that all citizens of this city, no matter their income level or background, will be well respected. I will represent the interests and voice of the people. After all, the sum total of a city is its people.
As your Mayor, I will seek out projects and programs for our youth that will provide life-long skills. Similarly, I will work with the city council to help attract businesses to our city. I will seek out funding from the state and federal government to bring programs and provide jobs that will benefit our community as a whole. Finally, I will care about your interests and hear your voice as citizens of this city.
I am Reginald J. Spencer, and I am asking for your vote. I would love the opportunity to be the next Mayor of the City of Eutaw.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 26: Mothers of the Movement (L-R) Maria Hamilton, mother of Dontre Hamilton; Annette Nance-Holt, mother of Blair Holt; Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner; Geneva Reed-Veal, mother of Sandra Bland; Lucia McBath, mother of Jordan Davis; Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin; and Cleopatra Pendleton-Cowley, mother of Hadiya Pendleton; Lezley McSpadden, Mother of Mike Brown and Wanda Johnson, mother of Oscar Grant; and Lezley McSpadden, Mother of Mike Brown deliver remarks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25. (Photo by Paul Morigi/WireImage)
Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (R) speaks during an event with former Attorney General Eric Holder and the anti-gun violence group Mothers of the Movement at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., April 20, 2016. Clinton is joined by Nicole Bell, fiance to Sean Bell, (L), and Tanya Brown-Dickerson, mother of Brandon Tate-Brown, both of whom were killed by police. REUTERS/Charles Mostoller
On Tuesday night, July 26, 2016, Hillary Clinton was officially nominated as the Democratic candidate for President of the United States, the first woman nominated by a major party for the presidency.
A night Hillary Clinton’s campaign designed to showcase her many years of involvement in social justice causes hit an emotional high point Tuesday with an appearance by a group of women whose sons or daughters were victims of gun violence or encounters with law enforcement.
The Mothers of the Movement, as the eight women call themselves, provided one of the starkest contrasts between the two party conventions.
Republican nominee Donald Trump focused repeatedly on “law and order,” and his convention featured repeated calls of “blue lives matter.” The Democrats put a spotlight on the complex issues of urban violence, easy access to guns and the accusation that systemic racism has warped the criminal justice system.
In their remarks, the mothers portrayed Clinton as an ally in their movement.
“I didn’t want this spotlight,” said Sybrina Fulton, whose 17-year-old son, Trayvon Martin, was shot and killed by a Neighborhood Watch member in an act that sparked a national debate over Florida’s stand-your-ground law, which allows use of lethal force in some circumstances.
She praised Clinton for having compassion and understanding to support grieving mothers, courage to fight for gun safety legislation, and a plan to repair the divide between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
“This is not about being politically correct. This is about saving our children,” she said.
“Hillary Clinton isn’t afraid to say ‘black lives matter,’” said Lucia McBath. “She doesn’t build walls around her heart. Not only did she listen to our problems, she invited us to become part of the solution.”
McBath’s 17-year-old son, Jordan Davis, was shot by Michael Dunn in Jacksonville, Fla., on Nov. 12, 2012, after an argument over whether Davis and his friends were playing music too loudly. Dunn, a white software developer, ultimately was found guilty of first-degree murder.
The decision to invite the mothers provided a way for Clinton’s campaign to associate itself with the Black Lives Matter movement in a way that featured less politically charged personalities than some of its youthful champions.
Still, the mothers’ appearance has caused controversy. The Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police said its members were “shocked and saddened” that widows of fallen police officers were not included in the lineup.
Democrats responded that there was no conflict between honoring the majority of police officers while putting a spotlight on victims of police misconduct.
Former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. said from the podium that “black lives matter,” but also talked about his brother who served as a police officer. “There is no tension between protecting those who valiantly risk their lives to serve … and ensuring that everyone is treated fairly by police,” Holder said.
Presenting the mothers on the same night that Bill Clinton spoke was also a way to potentially associate him with the movement’s goals and defuse a point of tension within the Democratic coalition.
The former president has clashed publicly with Black Lives Matters protesters at a couple of campaign events after they challenged him over the anti-crime bill he signed in 1994, which they blame for the sharp increase in incarceration rates of young black men.
Experts have argued over how much impact the Clinton-era crime law had on incarceration, noting that much of the increase took place years before the law passed.
But the law has become a potent symbol, and the tension over it has made some Democrats worry that younger black voters might not turn out to cast ballots for her in November at the high levels that the Democrats need for victory.
While Hillary Clinton has embraced some of the causes championed by Black Lives Matter and has tried to break with the legacy of the 1990s on criminal justice issues, neither she nor the movement have fully embraced each other.
The relationship she has forged with the mothers has played a significant role in her effort to communicate her criminal justice policies.
Two weeks ago, she appeared at a historically black church in Philadelphia with one of the women, Tanya Brown-Dickerson. Clinton spoke at the church in the aftermath of the deaths of two more black men in policed-involved shootings and the lethal rampage directed at Dallas police officers patrolling a Black Lives Matter demonstration.
“People are crying out for criminal justice reform,” Clinton said at the church. “Families are being torn apart by excessive incarceration. Young people are being threatened and humiliated by racial profiling.”
On Tuesday July 19, 2016, with a giant orange railroad engine as a backdrop, the Alabama Gulf Coast Railroad held a briefing in Mt. Hebron, in Greene County – north of Boligee, to gather support for its $16.1 million Western Alabama Rail Improvement Project.
7th. District Congresswoman Terri Sewell, State Senator Bobby Singleton, State Representatives McCampbell and Howard, Greene and Sumter County Commissioners, Greene County Industrial Board members, representatives of industries along the railroad route and executives of the railroad participated in the briefing.
The Alabama Gulf Coast Railroad is a 348-mile railroad connecting Columbus, Mississippi with Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida on the Gulf Coast. The tracks pass through Pickens, Sumter, Greene, Marengo, Clarke, Washington, Wilcox, Monroe and Escambia counties on the way to the Gulf Coast. The Alabama Gulf Coast Railroad is part of the Genessee and Wyoming Railroad Company, which owns several hundred short line railroads in this country and internationally.
The $16.1 million dollar proposal would enhance tracks and make minor and major repairs to 114 bridges between Columbus and Mobile and Pensacola. These repairs are needed to accommodate larger standard rail cars that carry 286,000 pounds of freight. Currently the AGC-RxR can only accommodate cars with a capacity of 263,000 pounds – a crucial difference of 23,000 pounds.
The AGC-RxR connects with five A-1 North American Railroads, most of which are using the larger cars. Improving the tracks and bridges would allow for the AGC railroad to carry freight more efficiently for less cost to its industrial customers along the route.
The $16.1 million dollar proposal has been submitted to the U. S. Department of Transportation, as part of the TIGER Program. The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER Discretionary Grant program, provides a unique opportunity for the DOT to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives and cross regional and state lines.
Bill Jasper, President of Alabama Gulf Coast Railroad, indicated that of the $16.1 million, the company and customers along the route were providing $7,031,000 (42%) and the State of Florida DOT was providing $769,000 (5%) in matching funds. The request of the Federal government was for $8.3 million (53%).
Congresswoman Terri Sewell expressed support for the project. “These TIGER discretionary grants are highly competitive and we must answer tough questions about its impact and benefits to local communities in terms of job creation and new economic opportunities for depressed communities. This project will do a lot to impact economically depressed counties in my district, which is why I support the project,” said Sewell.
Mike Davis, manager of Chemical Waste Management in Emelle, Alabama (Sumter County) praised the project and said, “ Chem-Waste is looking at bringing in more waste in a waste-by-rail system. We have increased our tonnage in recent years by 28% and have also increased our employment by 28%. We see rail and connections with northern sources of waste as a way to grow and increase our business.
We know that the bridges must be strengthened to bring in full cars of waste supplies to our facilities.”
Ken Tucker, president of the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama, said “ This project will bring workforce training opportunities, job creation and employment to the entire western Alabama corridor to the Gulf. Many of our graduates want to stay and work and live in the Alabama Black Belt but they are forced to move away. This project will bring opportunities to the unemployed, under-employed and graduates of our university. We hope it is fully funded.”
Phillis Belcher, Director of the Greene County Industrial Development Authority, said, “Our Crossroads of America Industrial Park, in Boligee, lies along the route of the Alabama Gulf Coast Rail Road. We have a switch and a spur of tracks that come into our industrial park, from the main rail line. We recently improved our tracks and we are ready for the increased development that will come from this needed Federal infrastructure project.”
Another participant in the briefing said, “You have to be careful and make sure that when the Federal government provides support for this kind of project that the benefits actually flow to the people and communities that need them the most.
Bill Jasper urged people who support the project to write a letter to: Anthony Fox, Secretary of Transportation, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, D. C. 20590.
MAYOR
Carl Davis
Hattie “Barnett” Edwards
Reginald J Spencer, Sr.
Raymond Steele
DISTRICT 1
LaTasha Johnson
James “Truck” Lewis
DISTRICT 2
La’Jeffery “Chris” Carpenter
Stanley Luscious
DISTRICT 3
Joe L. Powell
DISTRICT 4
Shelia Smith
DISTRICT 5
Bennie L. Abrams III
I, Johnnie M Knott, Election Manager, do hereby attest that the above names have been submitted to appear on the official ballot for the Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, August 23, 2016.
Respectively submitted: Johnnie M Knott
Editor’s Note : The Democrat provides each candidate for office with an announcement, which includes a photograph and up to 300 words. Please contact us to make arrangements for your news story.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the voters of the great City of Eutaw for electing me to serve as your Mayor for the past four years. I would like to thank you for your confidence and your vote.
By the way, this is an election year. There are four men running for mayor again, against me, a woman trying to make a difference. The last four years were a challenge, but by the grace of the God I succeeded. I have secured over $5.2 million for the City of Eutaw, which will cover new digitally-read water meters as well as a new water tank, and two hundred new fire hydrants. We will also be able to replace the pipes on Hwy. 14. The road that runs by Merchant & Farmers Bank (Prairie Avenue) is in the process of being paved. I’ve had new traffic lights installed – all in a four-year period. Just imagine what I will do if given the opportunity to serve another four years.
At this time, I’m asking for your support and vote in my re-election campaign for Mayor on Tuesday, August 23, 2016. You may be asked to go out to the polls to vote for a different candidate for this position for a number of reasons, but I’m asking for your support because I’m the person not only with experience but with the dedication and a strong determination to continue to move Eutaw forward.
During my four years as your Mayor I feel I’ve demonstrated exceptional commitment, loyalty and hard work. But my job is not over yet. I need your support and trust again, because I’m determined to move Eutaw to the next level with your help and support.
Therefore, let my experience of forty six (46) years as a public servant, of which 34 years were with the county, 8 years on the Eutaw City Council, the last 4 as Mayor, stand for something.
Omarosa Manigualt with Donald Trump at the convention
Former Apprentice star Omarosa Manigault breathed new life into her career by announcing her title as Donald Trump’s campaign director of African-American outreach on live television.
Manigault, a longtime supporter of the presumptive GOP nominee, and former Vice Chair of the National Diversity Coalition For Trump, solidified her position during a Monday interview with MSNBC‘s Craig Melvin.
Melvin pressed Manigault on the recent polling in Ohio and her home state of Pennsylvania, where Trump’s support from African-Americans stands at an astounding zero percent. “I just spent an amazing weekend with African-Americans for Trump, about 300 of them,” she said.
“I’m just wondering who they called because those numbers would be flawed according to the people who have come out to support, had an amazing faith-based service yet with African-Americans who support Donald Trump, had an amazing reception yesterday evening with African-Americans who support Trump,” she continued. “So I look at the data, but my reality is that I’m surrounded by people who to want see Donald Trump as the next president of the United States, who are African-American.”
Well, the numbers don’t lie and if Manigault has any chance of sustaining success in her position, she now knows where she can start.
Manigault pivoted to touting Trump’s economic prowess as a principle for his readiness to lead the country. Though the controversy with Trump University’s multiple lawsuits stands as a stain on Trump’s economic record, and considering the questionable tactics he’s taken with his personal finances (filing for bankruptcy, refusing to make his tax returns public when prompted), Manigault still believes her candidate has “an incredible vision for this country.”
Hillary Clinton made it clear Monday she isn’t about to let the GOP cast Donald Trump in a softer light at the Republican National Convention.
During an emotional speech before the NAACP’s national conference in Ohio, Clinton painted her likely Republican opponent as a President Obama-hating, white supremacist sympathizer who was once investigated for refusing to rent apartments to African-Americans.
“He might say otherwise if he were here, but of course he declined your invitation,” Clinton told members of the historic civil rights group. “So all we can go on is what he has said and done in the past.”
Her comments come as Republicans are expected to launch a wave of attacks against her as part of the first day of the convention’s theme: “Keep America Safe Again.”
Clinton, who is poised to receive the Democratic nomination for President next week, kicked off an aggressive campaign to register 3 million new voters in the coming weeks.
“This man is the nominee of the party of Lincoln and we are watching it become the party of Trump,” she said to cheers. “That is not just a huge loss to our democracy, it is a threat to our democracy. … Donald Trump cannot become President of the United States.”
Her voter registration campaign will include 500 events at diverse locations including minor league baseball games, college campuses and hair salons.
“Your votes count more than ever,” Clinton told the crowd.
Hazel Dukes, president of the NAACP New York State Conference, tried to head off GOP criticism by lauding Clinton’s service as Secretary of State.
“She strengthened national security, championed human rights and opportunities for women and girls across the world,” Dukes said. “She was instrumental in restoring American standing in the world.”
At Tuesday’s regular City Council meeting, Mayor Hattie Edwards distributed copies of letters from USDA Rural Development transmitting closing instructions for the $2,219,000 loan and $788,000 grant package for improvement of the City of Eutaw water system.
“We have been working on this $3 million package for more than three years. We have met all of the conditions and the project which will replace the old water tower in Eutaw, replace and extend water mains, install electronic water meters, repair 52 non-working fire hydrants and other improvements, is now ready to be bid,” said Mayor Edwards.
The letters which came from Ronald Davis, State Director of USDA Rural Development and Theresa Long, Area Director in Tuscaloosa set August 18, 2016 as the date to open bids.
City Attorney Ken Aycock indicated he has been taking with the various parties including a bank that will provide interim construction financing for the project while under construction to make sure all requirements are in place. The engineer for the project is Burns Whittaker of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, who designed the project.
City Engineer, Torris Babbs commented that the work would begin with replacement of the water tower as phase 1. The City of Eutaw has an existing grant from the State of Alabama – ADECA-CDBG funds to repair the water tower. A portion of this grant remains, after it was determined that the old water tank, built in 1921 was un-repairable, which will be used toward this total project.
Babbs also reported that work on the resurfacing of Prairie Avenue, between the Courthouse Square and Highway 43, is proceeding on schedule and that bids for this project will be opened on July 25 at City Hall. “There will be several projects going on in Eutaw starting in August and going through the fall of the year and longer,” said Babbs.
Babbs also pointed out that he had observed several building projects, like roof replacements, room additions and others, that persons had not secured building permits from the City, before doing the construction work. All construction work in the city, residential as well as commercial, requires a building permit according to Babbs, the Mayor and City Council. Councilwoman Shelia Smith suggested that the City put out more notification, in the newspapers and other places, of these requirements.
In the absence of the City Clerk, Deadre Thomas, who is out on medical leave, the City Council approved employment of Ms. Johnnie Knott, retired Circuit Clerk of Greene County, to be interim city clerk and absentee election manager for the upcoming city elections on August 23. The council also approved a list of city election officials to serve for the municipal elections.
The qualifying period for the city elections closes next week on July 19 and absentee ballots will be available soon thereafter.
In other business, the City Council:
• approved travel for Derick Coleman, Police Chief to a training meeting on August 1-5, 2016;
• paid bills and claims for the period May and June 2016;
• reviewed a request from Hodges Smith, to rearrange some property boundaries on four acres of land purchased for construction of the Greene County Fire Fighters Association offices and training facility on Prairie Avenue at J Street;
• approved providing security and assistance in collaboration with the Greene County Commission for the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival;
• heard from a number of citizens in the audience praising the work of city employees, especially police and first responders, for their dedicated work and service.
Shown L to R: Commissioners Lester Brown, Tennyson Smith and Michael Williams, Assistant County Engineer Calvin Culliver, County Retiree Jackie R. Hill, County Engineer Willie Branch, Commissioners Corey Cockrell and Allen Turner, Jr.
The Greene County Commission, at its monthly meeting held Monday, July 11, 2016, presented Mr. Jackie R. Hill with a special Certificate of Recognition for his dedicated service to Greene County. Hill is retiring after working 18 years as a skilled equipment operator with the County Engineer’s Department. During public comments, Hill thanked the commissioners for their support and cautioned that they make sure workers hired to operate county equipment know how to do so. “The only time a machine stopped on me, it was out of gas,” Hill remarked. The various financial reports and budget amendments were presented by CFO Paula Bird and accepted into the county’s record. Bird noted that budget amendments represented a status of the remaining county budget. “The figures reflect what has been spent and what remains for this fiscal year,” she stated.
The commission accepted the resignation of Assistant Engineer, Calvin Culliver, who was employed in the County Engineer’s office for approximately three years. County Engineer Willie Branch was authorized to advertise for the position of County Assistant Engineer.
The commission approved the appointment of Margaretta Bir to the Greene County Health Systems Hospital Board from District 2.
In other business the commission approved the following:
* Request from Engineer Branch to declare as surplus and sell two dump trucks at $263,190 and one Lowboy truck at $110,670.
* Request from Engineer to order three dump trucks at $134,625 each and one lowboy at $114,458.
* Request from Engineer to consider loan from Merchants & Farmers Bank for financing new trucks as necessary.
* Contract from Cooks Pest Control for Eutaw Activity Center at initial cost of $100 and $50 monthly.
* Request to enter into supplemental agreement #1 for Geotechnical Services (bridge over County Road 86 over Little Buck Creek) for $18,216 and authorize the Commission Chairman to sign all necessary documents.
* Agreement for preliminary engineering for bridge on Flag Road over Spencer Creek at $72,938 and authorize Commission Chairman to sign all necessary documents.
* Request from Engineer to accept the bid regarding new shop building.
* Request from Engineer to advertise for equipment operator.
* Appointment of Commissioner Lester Brown to negotiate with Greenetrack CEO regarding rental payments.
* Tabled the request from the Society of Folk Arts & Culture to make courthouse restrooms available to the public during week end of the festival.
Mayor Hattie Edwards
