Pay attention, research before elections
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In My Humble Opinion
Jodi McDade
Last week I said “see you later” to someone who has become a very special person in my life for the last 4-5 years. He has also become a very significant person to Coosa County and the Weogufka area.
I’m talking about Sunny Eberhart, aka Nimblewill Nomad. Sunny made a trip to Missouri to see family back in June and then we thought he was coming back to stay until March. Unfortunately, that did not happen.
Sunny has loved his time on Flagg Mountain as our caretaker and ambassador. This was a place he loved, and he felt the magic that comes from that wonderful piece of God’s creation. After going to Missouri (where he was born) while the mountain was shutdown during COVID-19, he was so happy to be back “home” when we were able to open it back up.
He set in preparing for his “Last, Last Hike” which brought him (and Coosa County and the Pinhoti Trail) a lot of attention and media coverage. When he got back from his time hiking the entire Appalachian Mountain Range of more than 2,600 miles, he never really got a chance to settle back in to the quiet life he had enjoyed here. At the age of 83 becoming a media rock star was very overwhelming!
But even at his ripe age, he has now started planning his last, last, last hike on the Chisholm Trail next year. The Chisholm Trail is famous for being the way to move cattle from Texas to the Kansas railroads in the 1800s. It is soon to become the twelfth National Recreational Trail.
Sunny has already hiked all 11 of the current trails and wants to be sure to be one of the few who will have done all 12. So, he has headed back to Missouri for some slower paced, quieter time to prepare for this hike that will take three months next spring.
He will be greatly missed by many of us here, and he will greatly miss us. But Sunny has been moving from trail to trail all over the country for the past 20-plus years, and he felt the pull to move again. He hasn’t totally ruled out a return to our area in the future, but he is making no commitments at this point. We will just all wish him well and continue to follow him on his website.
Here is another travel update from my favorite occupation – RETIREMENT! This time I am not with my regular travel buddies, but with one of my cousins and her family/friends at Ft. Morgan. The highlight of the trip (besides the beach and pool) will be going to the Museum at the Pensacola Naval Air Center and watching the Blue Angels fly!
Since I left Equality last Saturday, I don’t have much in the way of local news or happenings this week, and I’m trying to be on a news blackout while I’m away. But, this past Monday night the Coosa County Republican Party held its monthly public meeting, and Sheriff Michael Howell, District 1 County Commission candidate John Forbus Jr. and District 3 County Commission candidate Ken Whitehead made presentations to the audience. I understand there was a very good turnout for the meeting, and they had an opportunity to ask questions.
We are now almost 60 days from the November 8 general election, and it is time to start paying attention and educating ourselves on the candidates – state, local and national. There will also be some amendments on the ballot that we REALLY need to research.
One of the main ones will revolve around the proposed changes to our State Constitution that are suppose to reorganize the document to make it easier to read and to remove some language that is outdated and/or racist in nature. Our constitution, dated from 1901, is considered the longest constitution of all the states.
Generally speaking, I have always held the opinion that, if in doubt, vote NO on any amendment to the constitution. I have been told that the committee who worked on this project has done a very good job and that they stayed within the boundaries that were outlined for them.
I am hoping that we can have someone from the Alabama Fair Ballot Commission at the next Coosa County Republican meeting on September 26 to go over the 10 ballot amendments with us. Mark your calendars for that meeting and please try to attend. More information will be coming as details are confirmed.
For us in Coosa County, most of the races on the ballot will be fairly easy to decide. In the general election it is basically party vs. party/Republican vs. Democrat. But there are going to be some independents and Libertarians to choose from, so please plan to get a sample ballot and do your research.
Last week I failed to mention the passing of Edsel Hughes and to offer his family my condolences. Mr. Edsel was a wonderful man, usually with a smile on his face and a friendly hello. I know he will be greatly missed.
Unfortunately, this week I must offer condolences to the family of Steve Baker who has been serving as the president of the Union Square Neighborhood Watch since the death of Kenneth Shaw. Steve stepped into big shoes to fill and did a wonderful job keeping all of us in the Equality and Union Square areas up to date and informed. He also will be greatly missed.
Everyone, please stay safe and continue to pray for our nation. We really do need help from God!