Probate, commission candidates square off in forum

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July 12, 2006

Evan Belanger The Cullman Times Wed Jul 12, 2006, 09:52 AM CDT

Competition for the much contested probate judge position tightened Tuesday as candidates squared off in a televised political debate.

The forum was broadcast live from the Channel 2 Television studio in Cullman.

Participating candidates were Republicans George Spear and Bridgette Little Reeling, and Democrat Leah Patterson-Lust.

Lust’s Democratic challenger was unable to attend due to a conflict, according to moderator Randal Shedd, who is himself a former county politician.

During the debates, candidates were asked prepared questions and allowed two minutes each to respond. Viewers were also able to call in questions for the candidates.

Notably, on the Republican side, Reeling and Spear clashed over the necessity of previous legal experience for a judge.

While Reeling, who is a legal assistant, stood by her claim that any judge should have at least some legal experience, Spear fired back, saying the most important aspect of the probate judge is compassion.

“Anybody can learn the law.” he said. “You can’t always learn compassion.”

Spear went on to claim it was “a slap in the face” to former probate judges and the people who elected them to say the office needs someone with legal experience.

Reeling responded metaphorically:

“If I’m going to go see a doctor, I want someone with a medical degree,” she said.

“One aspect of the job is the legal side, and it’s an important one.”

On other questions, the candidates responded similarly, calling for shorter lines at the probate office and more use of satellite offices.

In the Democratic portion, Patterson-Lust, who had no opposition in her debate, was afforded the full 30 minutes to give her responses.

During that time, she called for more satellite offices and electronic record keeping and filing to improve services.

“I can assure you I will definitely do everything in power to run this office as efficiently and effectively as possible,” she said. “My strength comes from my experience and my knowledge.”

Patterson-Lust is currently the director of social work at Cullman Regional Medical Center.

‰ Also Tuesday night, Democratic candidates for the Place 2 County Commission seat Robert L. Harbison and Norman “Pete” Tucker squared off.

Both called for improved road maintenance through fiscal responsibility and more grant money.

They also agreed that the county’s park system should be returned to the control of a board.

“I think the current board and the commission could work this thing out,” Harbison said.

“The commission has more important matters it should be taking care of,” Tucker said.

They differed slightly on where Cullman’s future water resources should come from.

Harbison said he thought all the county and its various entities need to work together to find a new source, but he still backs the proposed Duck River Dam project “100 percent.”

Tucker said he was open to many options, but whatever the solution, it must allow all the separate entities in the county to work together to find a new source.

They also touched on the internal lawsuits that have hit the County Commission recently, each condemning them as a “waste of taxpayers’ money.”

“When you let personalities become the primary issues, it becomes a problem,” Tucker said. “Outside lawsuits happen and can’t be avoided, but you should never have an internal lawsuit.”

“How many miles of roads could have been black topped and paved if we had been able to avoid those lawsuits?” Harbison said.

The political debates will be rebroadcast on Channel 2 Television Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., and at the same times July 17.

The candidates will face each other in runoff elections July 18.

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