My brother, John Norton, is the most hardworking and understanding person I know. Our daddy died when John was six months old and Mother raised eight children. We all did do our share.
Before John was a teenager, he cut grass and caddied at a golf course. From 14 until he graduated from high school in 1963, he worked at a drive-in restaurant.
John attended Troy State College with the aid of a loan. To qualify, he had to demonstrate scholastic ability and financial need. He then attended college and law school in Birmingham while working three jobs and attending school full-time. One job was at the Red Cross, which paid him $100 a month and gave him a place to live.
John is a little man with a big heart. John has empathy for the poor, needy, less fortunate and the elderly. He understands your needs and will work to satisfy them. If elected, John will close his 40-year law practice and serve as mayor on a full-time basis. I am family, but I cannot imagine a better-qualified person to be the mayor of Anniston.
Ann Norton Edwards
Montgomery
Stewart for a new vision
I was lucky enough eight years ago to meet Vaughn Stewart. On first meeting him, you see his intelligence, drive and charisma. He lives all of his life this way. He has always proved himself as an ethical lawyer and judge and he is no different in personal matters. If ever an occasion would arise to help a friend, he would be there — as long as it was still the right thing to do. He doesn’t play favorites — just right.
Vaughn Stewart will be the one to move our city to a new place, a good place. He has the direction, intelligence and ability. He would never lower himself to a shouting match or a fistfight. He knows how to keep the city of Anniston moving forward, using his brains and the vision of a greater Anniston. I urge all voters to elect Vaughn Stewart on Aug. 28. Our town not only needs the leadership he will bring, but we deserve it.
Jana Payton
Anniston
Welch for upward mobility
Anniston is at the crossroad for upward mobility or spiral downfall. If a candidate has sat on the sideline with solutions to this “city in crisis” and has done nothing, he or she should not be considered for the job of leadership.
Ann Welch has been and still is actively involved in the improvement of Anniston residents, not because of her job responsibilities but because she genuinely cares about people. Ann does not voice her civic contributions because she feels “what you do from your heart, speaks for itself.”
For many years, with the help of others, she established the paper pantry at Regional Medical Center for families of newborns; arranged for free mammograms and pap smears for women, both services not for a select few but for all in need. Quiet leadership is her style; she will listen to your concerns and engage you in the solution. Ann is methodical in her thinking and most effective in the execution of any plan.
Anniston needs a quiet, dignified, honest and trustworthy person who does not possess a hidden agenda. Let us not sit on the sideline; be involved. Vote Ann Welch, mayor for Anniston’s upward mobility.
Cynthia Hines
Anniston
Stewart is a builder
By electing the right mayor for Anniston, this community can remodel “The Model City” one brick at a time. Vaughn Stewart is the only candidate capable of laying the foundation for the rebuilding process. This rebuilding process will not be easy and the city has to have a great leader at the helm. Vaughn is that man.
Vaughn is not about personal gain, power, money or recognition. Vaughn is a fourth-generation Annistonian and has a long, enduring love for our “gem” city. His vision is well thought out, comprehensive, unifying and completely doable. Hearing him share his vision literally breathes hope into anyone who lends him an ear.
Having been in education for 21 years, I especially love his ideas for the schools in our city, such as more vocational programs and finding grants for our schools. The Piedmont City Schools, through a grant, has supplied every resident Internet service and Macbooks for every student. Technology is knowledge and knowledge is power. We could do the same for Anniston students.
He wants our young people to return to this beautiful area and be able to work and live in a vibrant, growing city. I can feel the urgency of people here for big change. He lights that spark that will motivate our community to work together and make that happen.
Vaughn is exactly what Anniston needs. He has realistic plans, has excited residents behind him who are ready to help, has the ability to get people working together and he has the energy needed to work until the job gets done. We all have a vested interest in this city, and Vaughn will not forget that. So take the first step in the remodeling process. Go to the polls on Aug. 28 and vote for Vaughn Stewart for mayor. Then pick up a brick and help him start building Anniston back to its former glory.
Debbie Frame
Anniston
Oxford needs Rollins
I want everyone in Oxford to know the Ken Rollins I know. Yes, I am biased because I am his daughter. I am writing because I know him better than anyone, other than God.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army and worked in the air conditioning and heating business, becoming service manager for two companies. He worked in Nashville for six years and finally worked at Anniston Army Depot, retiring with 32 years combined service.
He formed a Vietnam Veterans chapter in Anniston, and was elected to three terms as the Alabama State Council President. He served 10 years on the Calhoun County 9-1-1 Board. He worked for more than 10 years with the Special Kids Fishing Tournament.
He is responsible for the design and, along with Eli Henderson, the building of Centennial Memorial Park. He was appointed to the State Board of Veterans Affairs in 2004. Shortly after his appointment, he made a motion to build the fourth veterans home. In September, the ribbon will be cut on the $50 million Veterans Home in Pell City.
When Anniston Police Officer Justin Sollohub was killed, he immediately proposed and followed through in building the Justin Sollohub memorial in Centennial Memorial Park.
He wrote (with the assistance of the state legislative office) four pieces of legislation designating Alabama official memorials to law enforcement and fire fighters killed in the line of duty, as well as the official Alabama Iraq and Afghanistan memorials.
I don’t have room to tell you all the things he does, but I will say that I graduated from Oxford High School and I have voted for 12 years. I feel this vote will be the best vote I ever cast, not as his daughter but as a resident of Oxford. Vote for Ken Rollins, Place 2, Oxford City Council, and see the ideas he has for the city that everyone will love.
Leah Rollins
Oxford
Stewart works for youth
Before actually meeting Vaughn Stewart, my attention was caught when I heard his passion for strengthening Anniston’s schools. Everyone knows that many businesses choose locales based upon the reputation of a city’s schools. We also know that the younger generation is our future and we must provide them with the educational and employment opportunities that will help them be successful and contributing citizens.
Vaughn is willing to work for our youth to make more opportunities available and to be a positive role model in so doing. Making streets safe and providing more opportunities for senior citizens are also top priorities in Vaughn’s plans for change.
Aside from admiring Vaughn for his ideas and plans, I admire the way he is down to earth and easy to talk to. Not only this, but Vaughn literally energizes people with his positive vibes and passion. We need a mayor who is capable of breathing new life into this city. Vaughn Stewart is the candidate who can accomplish that.
My support for Vaughn doesn’t stop there. I have watched the way he gets people working and moving together. The City Council has been like a body that is out of line, and Vaughn is skillful enough to get the council working together as a coordinated unit. True leadership is hard to come by, but Vaughn has demonstrated such leadership through high school, college and his entire adult life.
I wholeheartedly support the mayoral candidate with the plans, the passion, the energy and the capability of carrying Anniston into a new and promising tomorrow. That person is Vaughn Stewart. Please take the time to vote on Aug. 28 and join me in selecting Vaughn Stewart as mayor of Anniston.
Mary Springer
Anniston
Selase offers promise
Praise be to God Almighty for raising up in Anniston a uniquely gifted and equipped warrior in Seyram Selase for such a defining moment, where vision, commitment and discernment are crucial for leadership. Far too much blood has stained the streets of Anniston for the right to vote for our ballots to be taken for granted by more do-nothing politicians.
We’ve had a dozen years of frivolous lawsuits, continual discontent and childish rhetoric; enough with the drama and theater and politics as usual. It is time for an Anniston councilman who offers promise, bringing energy and hope for the city he loves with unequivocal passion and desire to enable, empower and improve the quality of life for all its citizenry. That could only be Seyram Selase.
On July 21, a Saturday, my Heavenly Father graced me to reach 60 years young. Not only am I extremely grateful, but because of the enthusiasm, encouragement and dedication toward higher learning from Seyram Selase, I’m pursuing a degree at Gadsden State in paralegal studies. Often we’re complacent or convinced we can’t do it or we don’t deserve better. Vote Seyram Selase, Aug. 28. We deserve better.
Darryl Ross
Anniston
Henderson has experience
I am writing to endorse Mike Henderson for Place 3 on the Oxford City Council.
Mike has the experience, connections and proven ability to get things done. As a former City Council president, Mike helped develop a strategic plan that led to many of the completed recent capital projects, such as the public library and municipal complex, and also current projects such as the Bynum Community Center and Civic Center. He initiated meetings with the Oxford Board of Education and supported raising the appropriation to the school to assist with financial issues and allow them to offer additional courses in music, art and languages without raising taxes. He also traveled to New York to meet with Moody’s investment officials to assist in obtaining funds for the new high school and Freshman Academy.
Mike is a good, Christian family man and makes decisions based on what is best for all residents of Oxford. He believes in transparency in government and has no hidden agenda. His only goal is to improve the quality of life for all. Please join me, my family and friends in voting for Mike Henderson on Aug. 28.
Boice Turner
Oxford
Stewart has a plan
Because I know Vaughn Stewart very well, I feel I can speak for the kind of man he is. Vaughn is a very intelligent individual, excellent communicator, fair and even-tempered.
Vaughn worked in his family’s cleaning business as a young man and learned early on how to treat other people. He also developed a strong work ethic. Vaughn was then, and still is, a high achiever who holds himself to high expectations. He goes over and beyond the call of duty to accomplish whatever he sets his mind to. If he says he is going to do something, you can be sure he will.
Vaughn Stewart also has the type of background that is needed for City Hall. He has spent 15 years as a municipal judge, is familiar with how the city works, is well respected in the community and understands the problems facing this city. Vaughn has researched solutions and developed plans that will put Anniston back on track. And he will involve the entire community in making that forward progress.
To sum it all up, Vaughn Stewart will be the best mayor this town has ever had. Elect Vaughn Stewart on Aug. 28.
Shirley Forbus
Anniston
