Editorials
One vote can make a difference
The phrase one vote can make a difference may seem like an over-used cliche to get an apathetic voter to a polling place, but there are times when it turns out to be true.
While there were clear winners in political races for state offices and Cullman County offices, that is not the case in two neighboring counties.
When all of Tuesday night’s runoff ballots were counted, the Republican race for the District 2 seat on the Morgan County Commission between incumbent Richard Lyons and Ken Livingston ended up tied. In Marshall County, Russell Kilpatrick led Marsha Keller by 13 votes in the Democratic circuit clerk’s race.
Morgan County officials are hoping a handful of provisional ballots will point to a clear winner in the commission race. If not, the county’s Republican Party chairman could determine the winner, not exactly the way a contest should be settled.
Marshall County’s Democratic circuit clerk’s race will not be certified until the absentee ballots cast by military serving oversees will be counted. Hopefully, there will be a clear winner there, too.
There have been ties in races before. A decade ago, a Limestone County school board race ended up tied. A flip of a coin by the county sheriff determined who filled the seat for the next four years.
A decade earlier, the outcome of the mayoral race came down to a single vote.
It is entirely possible that an equally close vote could happen here in Cullman County in November. The winning vote totals in the Republican and Democratic races for probate judge this past Tuesday, for example, were within 200 votes of each, hinting at a close contest in the fall.
Several very important races will be on the ballot here in the general election. There is always a chance one of them could come down to a single vote.
Don’t stay home on election day and then wonder if your vote could have made a difference.
- Editorials
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Business Casual: Football season is here
Today brings one of my favorite seasons of the year, with the kickoff of college football season (Roll Tide, by the way) set to begin tonight with a few games on ESPN, leading up to the big kickoff Saturday.
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Business Casual: Football season is here
Today brings one of my favorite seasons of the year, with the kickoff of college football season (Roll Tide, by the way) set to begin tonight with a few games on ESPN, leading up to the big kickoff Saturday.
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Small town restaurants are the best
Since I live in Cullman, I rarely leave the city limits when I’m looking for somewhere to eat.
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Fourth of July is finally here
Fireworks, barbecue, American flags, swimming — the Fourth of July is finally here.
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Pets to packs
If you’re a pet owner, you are an animal lover. Whether you’re a dog person or cat person, the family pet is a beloved creature that, more often than not, has the run of the house.
Recent events have brought to light a problem that is seemingly less and less unusual: The hoarding of animals.
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Don’t fool yourself. Klan rally: It‘s about more than illegal immigration
Cullman has a rich German history. Her residents pride themselves on strong Christian values, a strong work ethic and willingness to come together for the better good.
- Editorial: It's about more than illegal immigration
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Avert a new health crisis
In the Cullman city or county school systems, if a student is determined to have head lice, they will not be allowed to return to school until a health care provider determines the student in question is clear of head lice.
The reason is simple, if not obvious. It is in the best interest of those in the school system to contain an outbreak.
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Give all a raise
Cullman’s police officers make a good point when they say they’re underpaid.
We agree. Working on a police force is a difficult, stressful and potentially dangerous job, and we believe police officers need to be reasonably compensated for the risks they take and the vital role they serve in protecting Cullman’s citizens.
But they aren’t the only ones who tackle a tough-but-rewarding job with low pay. Teachers fall into the same category. So do social workers and journalists (we have to throw ourselves into the mix, don’t we?)
- One vote can make a difference
- Verdicts send a message
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Business Casual: Football season is here
