August 2014T H E O F F I C I A L N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E S H E L B Y C O U N T Y , A L A B A M A R E P U B L I C A N P A R T Y

FEATURED:

BUILT IN BAMAALSO:THE RACE FOR DISTRICT 6 GBTARS SUMMER SCRAPBOOKPROPERTY TAX UPDATE

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Since our last installment of “The Chairman’s Corner”, a primary election on June 3 and a run-off on July 15 have both been recorded. It seems like it was only a few days ago when I was assembling some comments subsequent to candidate qualifying. February seems like such a distant memory, especially considering all the snow days as compared to the 98-degree heat I’ll walk into when leaving my office today. Seasons have changed and, while the offices haven’t yet changed, the individuals that will serve each office have been decided de-facto. Winners of Shelby County primaries become winners of the general election.

For the first time in years, the June 3 Republican primary ballot in Shelby County was dotted with competitive contests. Seven candidates for Alabama’s 6th congressional district, seven candidates for Alabama House of Representatives District 43, four candidates for sheriff, and two candidates each for State Senate District 11, Alabama House of Representatives District 73, and Shelby County District Judge. Aside from non-competitive contests for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, there were competitive contests for Secretary of State, State Auditor, and two places on the Alabama Public Service Commission. In the case of AL-06, for the first time in twenty-two years, an open, competitive contest was presented to the voters of our county. District 43 and AL-06 required a runoff, as did Secretary of State, State Auditor, and one of the Alabama Public Service Commission places. We are now looking in the rear-view

mirror at all that primary activity. Congratulations are certainly in order for the winners of each primary contest, and words of appreciation are in due all who participate in our primary process.

While we might all have a different list of notable occurrences of the season, there are probably a couple that might be consistently observed by all. One of those was the outcome of the race for Sheriff. While it would not a surprise to anyone that John Samaniego would ultimately be elected to that office, it was quite a commendable effort on the part of this campaign to do so without a runoff. In a four-candidate field, he pulled 55.41% of the vote, and carried all forty-nine of the precincts in the county. Avoiding a run-off in a field of four would have been deemed unimaginable when I completed the qualifying process in February, but John Samaniego did it. Congratulations to John and all his campaign team, and best wishes as he becomes only the third Republican sheriff in the history of our county.

Another of the surprises –not necessarily the result, but the manner in which it was determined- might be the runoff for Alabama’s 6th Congressional District. Considered universally to be in the lead up to the June 3 primary, Paul Demarco drew heavy endorsement support from an impressive array of elected officials. Additionally, Paul had, by all appearances, implemented a long-term “ground game” that would have been the envy of any campaign. Finishing first in the June 3 primary with 32.68%, with Gary Palmer coming in second to

Chairman’s Cornermake the runoff with 19.73%, the field was set for July 15. The roles reversed dramatically over the next six weeks. While Paul Demarco continued to garner endorsements from elected officials, Gary Palmer drew support from the field that accompanied them both June 3, and became the nominee to presumptively become only the third Republican to represent Alabama’s 6th Congressional District. He dominated the vote in Shelby County, winning all but one precinct, and that only deviation was a single vote disadvantage, carrying 70.5% in the county and 63% throughout the district. Congratulations to Gary on his impeccable runoff victory, and onto November 4 in “the reddest district in the country” to become our next congressman.

Without reservation, I admit to being exceptionally proud of Matt Fridy. He and I have shared much of the same vision for our party and its principles, along with numerous (and seemingly endless) conversations the past several years. We have worked side by side to advance both the party and its ideals, and last year Matt was presented the opportunity to run for the newly-created House District 73. To the surprise of no one, Matt launched a campaign that was typical of those he had directed successfully on behalf of an impressive array other candidates over recent election cycles. With 69.17% of the vote, Matt held consistent margins in each of the 19 precincts voting in that district, and became the GOP nominee for HD-73, and with no opposition in November, State Representative-elect for

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Editor-in-Chief Freddy Ard

Executive EditorAlan Reyes-Guerra

Creative Editor Laura Joseph

Paid for by the Shelby County Republican Party

1920 Valleydale Road, Suite 154 Birmingham, AL 35244

205-994-6497 • www.shelbycountygop.org

Table of Contents2 Chairman’s Corner

3 Executive Committee Meeting Notice

4 GBTARS Update

5 Republican Women of Shelby County Update

6 Update on Shelby Property Tax Division

7 Notice of SCGOP Quarterly Executive Committee Meeting

8 Democrat Candidate for AL 6 Withdraws

9 Gary Palmer Responds After Challenger Drops Out

9 Corey B. Moore Appointed Circuit Judge

10 AL, where manufacturing remains king

11 GKN Aerospace opens Engineering Center in Alabama

12 Protecting the New Age of Southern Automotive Manufacturing

14 ALGOP Candidate Training a Success

15 Chicago hosts RNC Summer Meeting

16 Featured Speaker: Gary Palmer

16 Morris named interim School Board Member

the county’s newest legislative district. Congratulations to Matt on this victory, and I have utmost confidence that he will be a stellar legislator serving this district, Shelby County, and all of Alabama.

In what was definitely the most closely-contested race on our ballot locally, HD-43 was also decided during the July 15 runoff. Arnold Mooney led the field of seven candidates with 30.08%, followed closely by Amie Beth Shaver with 22.63%, sending both into the runoff. I was privileged to moderate one of the forums for HD-43 back in May. To that panel of candidates, I expressed my pride as chairman and on behalf of our party, at the quality of candidates in the field for the open seat created by the retirement of Mary Sue McClurkin. That quality carried through the runoff, both in the character of the candidates, as well as the means both conducted the election. Once the results were tallied on July 15, Arnold Mooney had 53% of the votes in relatively high-turnout area. Congratulations to Arnold as he joins the Shelby County delegation and takes his considerable experience, skills, and integrity to Montgomery.

In another of the June 3 contests, current State Representative Jim McClendon took 62.66% of the vote district-wide (65.5% in Shelby County) in an imposing win over State Senator Jerry Fielding. Jim has been a fine state representative for Shelby County, and as with so many other of our elected officials, I am honored to call him a friend. Congratulations to Jim on his impressive primary win, and as he goes on to service

in the Alabama State Senate for District 11 representing a portion of Shelby County. For those of us who wear glasses, Jim’s win is of particular interest in anticipation of a new supply of cleaning cloths.

Retirement affected a District Judicial seat in Shelby County, with long-time Judge Ron Jackson announcing several months back that he would not seek another term on the bench. With 66.8% of the vote in a two-way race in June, Danny Crowson will become Shelby County’s newest Republican judge in November. Danny likewise produced a huge margin of victory, winning 45 of the county’s 49 precincts. Congratulations to Danny as he prepares to assume his role as District Judge.

Additionally, the Shelby County Republican Party congratulates other winners in the primary election in successfully becoming the nominees for their respective offices: Robert Bentley (Governor); Kay Ivey (Lt. Governor; John Merrill (Secretary of State); Jim Zeigler (State Auditor); Jeremy Oden (PSC Place 1); Chip Beeker (PSC Place 2); Kathy Peterson (State Exec Comm Place 3); Patrick Browning (State Exec Comm Place 6); Jody Trautwein (State Exec Comm Place 7); and Amie Beth Shaver (State Exec Comm Place 8).

For those whose campaigns did not produce the desired result, your participation as a candidate in the Republican Primary Election, regardless of the outcome, is fundamental to our system of government, as well as the process whereby elected officials are

... Continued, page 13.

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At the Greater Birmingham Teen Age Republicans’ year-end party, new officers and chairpersons were elected for the 2014-2015 school year, and two Seniors were awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Shelby County GOP.

Over the summer, GBTARS kept busy by spending a day in June building a Habitat for Humanity home on the west side of Birmingham, enjoying a fun night at the Birmingham Barons game in July, and volunteering at several events including the Alabaster CityFest, the ALGOP Summer Dinner, and the Alabama Minority GOP Banquet.

In preparation for another outstanding year, the Greater Birmingham Teen Age Republicans is hosting a membership drive. The club has printed new brochures, which are being distributed by the teens around all area high schools. In addition, either Club Sponsor Denia Petruzella or SCGOP Liaison Jason or April DeLuca will appear on the Matt Murphy Show on AM1070 to help bring awareness the GBTARS.

The newly-elected officers recently met to finalize the 2014-2015 calendar, and the first formal meeting of the school year will be on Thursday night, August 14th at Veterans Park. GBTARS members will discuss the calendar for the year and offer suggestions for speakers, community service projects, and plan two voter registration drives to be held at Spain Park and Hoover High Schools in October.

The September meeting will be held at Nino’s in Pelham, where the teens will host Heritage Action for America’s Steven Siao as featured speaker.

Left to right: Hope Ward, Cameron Covington, Mychale Cooper, SCGOP Chairman Freddy Ard, Will Shepherd, Michael Petruzella, and Matt Lovell.

GBTARS 2014/2015 Officers: Mychale Cooper Will Shepherd President/Publicity Chair Vice President Events & Education Chair

Matt Lovell Gracie Friedman Secretary Treasurer

Hope Ward Michael Petruzella Membership Chair Campaigns & Elections Chair

Cameron Covington Chaplain

Greater Birmingham Teen Age Republicans SUMMER SCRAPBOOK

Sarah Hill receives $1000 GBTARS scholarship Anna Shepherd receives $1000 GBTARS scholarship

Left: Several members of the Greater Birmingham Teen Age Republicans volunteered at the 2014 Alabama Republican Party Summer Dinner.

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The Republican Women of Shelby County recently donated thre books via the Mamie Eisenhower Education Initiative to the Shelby County Library System: Charles Krauthammer’s Things That Matter, Mark Levin’s The Liberty Amendments, and Dr. Ben Carson’s America the Beautiful.

Republican Women donate books to the Shelby County Library

The Shelby County Chapter of Alabama Republican Women was requested and chartered in 2011.

Officers at that time were Kathy Peterson, President; Christy Riggins, VP, Dawn Ray, Secretary and April Deluca, Treasurer. All are still members with the exception of Christy Riggins, who has moved to Atlanta.

As a result of our growth, in 2013 we were awarded AFRW’s largest increase award of 123% at the annual Alabama Federation of Republican Women meeting. Dawn Ray accepted for the club.

We have been meeting at a private home for the past year and a half. Due to the increase in membership and because we have been hosting candidates for office both in Shelby and state-wide, we have moved

to the Shelby Services Building for our meetings. Our meetings occur on the third Saturday of the month at 1pm.

Along with the Republican Party we support the repeal of Common Core. We have been in Montgomery trying to get the Alabama senate to support our repeal. Although unsuccessful this year, we will try again next year. We are also supporting all those who are running for office in Alabama who are against Common Core.

For those who are interested in joining RWSC, our dues are a modest $35 yearly for members and $25 for associate members.

I can be reached at nshirley@att.net. Dee Shirley

RWSC Update

Please join us for our next meeting

Saturday Aug 16th 1:00 p.m.

Shelby County Services Bldg, Pelham

Don Casey will be our featured speaker, and will address Quo Warranto, and how

it is used to hold elected officials accountable under the Constitution.

Hope you will be there and bring a friend!

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There have been several updates to Shelby County’s Property Tax Commissioner’s office in recent years, resulting in improved efficiency, cost savings, and improved customer service. Our Property Tax Commissioner’s Office is one of the most technologically advanced property tax offices in the State. Property Tax Commissioner Don Armstrong and his team are to be commended for the outstanding job they do for Shelby County Taxpayers.

After a number of days and hours looking for a program that would address the workflow and processing that Commissioner Armstrong felt would be best for Shelby County, the office partnered with a software vendor who provided a great product at a very reasonable cost. The Property Tax Commissioner’s office has implemented the new software program within each of the 5 departments: Assessment,

Appraisal, Mapping, Business Personal Property and Collections. The implementation of the new software program has allowed the Property Tax Commissioner’s Office to work smarter and more efficiently.

Approximately 90% of paper files have been eliminated by scanning documents into the system and attaching them to the parcel or account to which they relate. This equates to approximately 93,000 parcels for real property and approximately 14,000 for Business Personal Property. Keeping records digitally improves office efficiency because more than one employee can view the information at the same time.

In addition, property tax assessment has been completely automated and all exemption information (approximately 12,000 accounts) is scanned into the system, which allows employees to

look up information while they are talking to a taxpayer, and greatly improves customer service.

Shelby County has a state-of-the-art Mapping System that is not only used by the Property Tax Commissioner’s Office but all of Shelby County. Our mapping system has helped Shelby County use the information from these maps to secure matching in-kind funds on highway and other projects.

Collections were also updated, providing the office with a way to give the Taxpayer a receipt with a copy of their check on the receipt. The processing and posting of checks has allowed the Property Tax Commissioner’s office to complete each day’s work, even during the busy time in December, without requiring over-time. All posting and processing for the year end is finished by the 3rd of January. The new system

Updates to the Shelby County Property Tax Commissioner’s Office

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allows the office to process checks into an account that is sent directly to the bank and posted to the taxpayer’s account at the same time, which improves efficiency.

But perhaps the process that has saved the most time and money is the Business Personal Property process. We began improvements in this division five years ago and the new process has been in place for four years. The office has eliminated filing and mailing of multiple page forms, at a savings of $20,000+ in postage. Taxpayers are able to file online, saving them time and money as well.

Perhaps most importantly, it allows the Business Personal Property division to do our job without any over-time. Five years ago, the Business Personal Property Department was working two hours of overtime every day after January 1st each year, plus every Saturday during February, March and part of April to complete the job on time. Since then, the office has been able to eliminate two

full time positions in the Business Personal Property department.

Currently, the office is bringing in IBM SPSS Statistic’s statistical software to help produce reasonable county appraised values conclusions. Commissioner Armstrong feels that this will help this office arrive at a reasonable value that will be consistent across the County for the areas in which it makes sense to use this process.

The goal of the Shelby County Property Tax Commissioner’s Office is to get the correct value on property, whether it is increased or decreased, in the most cost-effective way, with all Departments working together. The office also uses part-time workers that are trained to move into areas where they are needed as the work load moves from department to department.

Although Commissioner Armstrong hasn’t completed a formal cost analysis on the savings since the implementation of the new

software and processes, he estimates that with the reduction of four positions, approximately $20,000 savings in postage in Business Personal Property and overtime, and also additional overtime savings in Collections, savings are in excess of $150,000 per year.

Commissioner Armstrong says that he really enjoys his job, saying, “God blessed me with this job at a time in my life when I needed to be busy, and He knew best.” and the workers in the Property Tax Commissioner’s office, ”We have great people working in this office and the job would not get done without their ability and commitment to serving the Taxpayers of Shelby County.” Don Armstrong was appointed as Shelby County’s Property Tax Commissioner September 17th, 2005.

Quarterly Executive Committee Meeting NoticeThe next quarterly meeting of the Shelby County Republican Party Executive Committee will take place August 15 at 7 PM at the County Services Building located at 1125 County Services Drive in Pelham. Meetings are open to the public.

Our Featured Speaker will be Gary Palmer, Republican Nominee for Alabama’s 6th Congressional District. For more information, please see page 16.

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Democrat Contender for Congress in AL 6 Withdraws

By Kyle Whitmire, al.com

The Democratic candidate for Alabama’s 6th Congressional District has withdrawn from the race leaving the Alabama Democratic Party just a few short weeks to find a replacement.

On Wednesday, the Democratic nominee, Avery Vise, sent a letter to state Democratic Party chairwoman Nancy Worley explaining that new business opportunities would make it impossible for him to give the race the time it deserves.

“I have tried unsuccessfully to recruit a new candidate,” Vise wrote in the letter. “While I could have remained just a name on the ballot, such a token level of representation serves neither the party’s interests nor mine, and it doesn’t further my goal of generating a full and open debate.”

Vise was considered to be a longshot in the strongly conservative Republican-held congressional district. Last month, Gary Palmer won the Republican nomination after a runoff against state Rep. Paul DeMarco.

In his letter, Vise said that gerrymandering in the state had made party competitive races difficult, if not impossible.

“Alabama is a conservative state, but gerrymandering has manipulated the boundaries of legislative districts to eliminate any semblance of competition,” he wrote. “Such lopsided districts discourage candidate recruiting, voter engagement,

competitive elections and responsive elected representatives.”

According to Vise, gerrymandering the neighboring 7th Congressional District to create a majority-minority district has diluted Democratic influence throughout the state, and he said he hopes a case now before the U.S. Supreme Court could end the practice. The Democratic candidate for Alabama’s 6th Congressional District has withdrawn from the race leaving the Alabama Democratic Party just a few short weeks to find a replacement.

On Wednesday, the Democratic nominee, Avery Vise, sent a letter to state Democratic Party chairwoman Nancy Worley explaining that new business opportunities would make it impossible for him to give the race the time it deserves.

“I have tried unsuccessfully to recruit a new candidate,” Vise wrote in the letter. “While I could have remained just a name on the ballot, such a token level of representation serves neither the party’s interests nor mine, and it doesn’t further my goal of generating a full and open debate.”

Vise was considered to be a longshot in the strongly conservative Republican-held congressional district. Last month, Gary Palmer won the Republican nomination after a runoff against state Rep. Paul DeMarco.

In his letter, Vise said that gerrymandering in the state had made party competitive races difficult, if not impossible.

“Alabama is a conservative state, but gerrymandering has manipulated the boundaries of legislative districts to eliminate any semblance of competition,” he wrote. “Such lopsided districts discourage candidate recruiting, voter engagement, competitive elections and responsive elected representatives.”

According to Vise, gerrymandering the neighboring 7th Congressional District to create a majority-minority district has diluted Democratic influence throughout the state, and he said he hopes a case now before the U.S. Supreme Court could end the practice.

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Gary Palmer responds after Democratic challenger drops out of 6th District race

By Madison Underwood, al.com

Republican Gary Palmer, a candidate for Alabama’s 6th Congressional district, responded to news Thursday that he is now without a Democratic party challenger following the withdrawal of Avery Vise from the race.

On Thursday, Vise made public his withdrawal as the Democratic nominee for 6th district Congressional seat, citing an increase in his business that will both leave him little time to campaign and draw him out of state.

Gary Palmer, now the sole major-party candidate in the race, responded to that news Thursday with a short statement reaffirming his intentions in the race.

“When I decided to run for the 6th Congressional seat of Alabama, I felt the need for someone to represent the common every day

person, along with small business owners and their employees against the tidal wave of new regulations and taxes that are coming from non-elected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C,” said Palmer. “This is the message we will continue to share with residents of the 6th District from now till November 4.”

Palmer’s release did note that the Alabama Democratic Party has two weeks to find a replacement for Vise on the ballot. Vise said in his withdrawal letter to ADP Chairperson Nancy Worley that he tried unsuccessfully to recruit a candidate to run in his place.

The ADP could still name a candidate at a meeting of the state Democratic Executive Committee, but any non-Republican candidate will likely find running an uphill struggle in the solidly-Republican 6th District. Vise noted in his letter to Worley that he

“stood practically no chance of winning in the heavily Republican 6th District.”

Libertarian Party of Alabama candidate Aimee Love, an Irondale novelist, will challenge Palmer on the Nov. 4 general election ballot. Robert Shattuck, who ran unsuccessfully against Palmer in the June Republican primary, is conducting a write-in campaign.

Palmer beat Republican run-off challenger Paul DeMarco in July to grab the GOP nomination. The winner of the Nov. 4 general election will replace retiring U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Vestavia Hills.

Corey B. Moore appointed Circuit JudgeUpon receiving notice of the appointment of Corey B. Moore to fill the Circuit Judge, Place 1 vacancy, Chairman Freddy Ard released the following remarks:

“As is always the case with these matters, I have been fully confident in Governor Bentley’s judgment in making the appointment to fill the vacancy for Shelby County Circuit Judge Place 1 that resulted from the retirement of Judge

Hub Harrington. Personally, and in my capacity as chairman, I congratulate Corey Moore on his appointment as Shelby County’s newest judge and Republican official.

“I know Corey to be a person of integrity, and furthermore, am confident that he will demonstrate the exceptional qualifications, temperament, and suitability to serve the cause of justice and

law in our county. Additionally, I welcome Corey to the family of Republican elected officials in Shelby County. His past support for the Shelby County GOP has always been most appreciated, and I look forward to his further contribution in public office as we continue the legacy of excellent elected officials here in our great county.”

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Alabama one of the few U.S. states where manufacturing remains king

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the United States has over the past twenty-three years gone from a manufacturing-centered economy to one that is reliant on the health care and social assistance industry to provide jobs for the largest percentage of its citizens.

“In 1990, the manufacturing industry was the leading employer in most U.S. states, followed by retail trade,” explained BLS analyst Frances Osei-Bonsu. “In 2003, retail trade was the leading employer in a majority of states. By 2013, health care and social assistance was the dominant industry in 34 states.”

The map at right, created by the Wall St. Journal, shows how the top industries by employment have changed from state to state between 1990 and 2013. (

But one thing that sticks out from map is that the state of Alabama did not change colors. While the bulk of the country shifted from yellow (manufacturing) to blue (health care), Sweet Home Alabama remained a state that makes things.

As a matter of fact, Alabama is one of only four U.S. states in which manufacturing was the top industry every year between 1990 and 2013. Even Michigan, once the unrivaled king of American auto-manufacturing, had its manufacturing sector overtaken by the health care and social assistance sector from 2009-2012.

As of 2013, manufacturing was the largest industry in just seven states,

down from 36 in 1990.

With Alabama’s booming auto manufacturing, budding technology sector, and high-flying aerospace industry, the “Made in Alabama” tag is poised to really mean something to companies and consumers around the globe for decades to come.

To see an automated map that shows how the largest industries in each state have changed from year to year, head over to the BLS website.

By Cliff Sims, yellowhammernews.com

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GKN Aerospace Opens Composite Design Engineering Center in Alabama

excerpts via governor.alabama.gov

Governor Robert Bentley announced that GKN Aerospace has opened a new composite design engineering center at its Advanced Composite Structures (ACS) facility in Alabama, enhancing the capabilities of the Elmore County operation that serves major North America-based manufacturers.

The center expands the established design for manufacturing (DFM) operation at the ACS facility. Working with customers such as HondaJet, Bell Helicopter, and Airbus, the Alabama operation has achieved improvements in manufacturing speed, reliability and cost for critical structures on a variety of aircraft programs.

“Our new composites design engineering center enables a vital expansion of the design/development engineering support we provide to our customers, significantly increasing the number of highly skilled engineering personnel based at our growing Alabama facility,” said Daniele Cagnatel, Chief Executive Officer, GKN Aerospace – North America

Governor Bentley said Alabama and U.K.-based GKN Aerospace have enjoyed a long, collaborative relationship that provided a solid foundation for the company’s decision to locate the composites design engineering center at the Tallassee facility.

“This research center reflects the company’s confidence in Alabama and the state’s capabilities in the industry,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “We expect that this project will

result in the creation of 30 new, high-paying positions at the GKN facility in Elmore County. These will be knowledge-based jobs that produce aerospace advancements and new technology – and the work will be done in Alabama.”

“As we have made our plans for this center, the State of Alabama, Elmore County and the City of Tallassee have all been excellent partners, closely involved, offering assistance with training and facilities expansion,” Cagnatel said. “We are very appreciative of this support and we are proud of the strong and effective partnership we have with the state.”

Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield said the move by GKN Aerospace illustrates how the state has become an attractive location for knowledge-based jobs in the design and engineering fields within the aerospace industry.

“Alabama can offer advanced manufacturers what they need to succeed – a skilled workforce, great job-training programs, business-friendly policies and meaningful cooperation,” Canfield

said. “This announcement from GKN Aerospace shows that Alabama can also provide an ideal location for research and development activities that support advanced manufacturing.”

The Tallassee facility, located about 35 miles from Montgomery, has been in operation since 1985 and today employs over 1,000 people, producing composite aerostructures for key aerospace industry partners. The Alabama plant boasts 380,000 square feet of manufacturing space, after a 120,000-square-foot expansion announced in 2005.

“GKN Aerospace has been a major contributor to the economic vitality of Elmore County,” said David Bowen, chairman of the Elmore County Commission. “GKN Aerospace is the county’s largest manufacturer and, through its growth, will continue to have a tremendous presence in the state’s aerospace industry. The Tallassee facility has been one of the company’s most productive facilities in the world. We’re committed to helping them achieve even more success.”

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by Cameron Smith and Terry Bowman; alabamapolicy.org

Since 1993, Alabama has become a powerhouse of automotive manufacturing. With a strong market in the U.S., Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, and Honda continue to show signs of increased production. That is great news for Alabama’s workforce and state economy. The good news does not stop there.

Because of Alabama’s legislative successes to create a welcoming environment for manufacturing business, new facilities and suppliers are positioned to spring up all around the state. Others are taking notice.

In July of 2013, Business Facilities moved Alabama up to the number two position on its Automotive Manufacturing Strength Ranking. Just behind Tennessee, Alabama so impressed the editor of the magazine that he said: “Mercedes-Benz’s long-term commitment to Alabama was followed by a parade of auto giants who have vaulted the state into the top tier in U.S. automotive production, with 880,000 vehicles produced in 2012. The state has laid out the welcome mat for foreign investment and is working proactively to make sure a skilled workforce is readily available by offering on-site training.”

He added, “We expect Alabama to be a leading player in the U.S. automotive industry for years to come.”

Alabama’s workers building an impressive industry must not allow an old-Detroit political machine to come between them and their employers.

Notably, both Tennessee and Alabama are right-to-work states that prevent employers from requiring union membership as a condition of employment. The growth of automotive manufacturing in right-to-work states has been so compelling that even Michigan, a historic union stronghold, passed a right-to-work law in 2012.

Yet the United Auto Workers (UAW) remains intent on unionizing the South. The UAW has targeted the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant for a major organizing push.

Protecting the New Age of Southern Automotive Manufacturing

UAW president Bob King, has acknowledged just how important it is to unionize the plants in the South. “If we don’t organize the transnationals, I don’t think there is a long-term future for the UAW,” he said.

If the UAW is successful in its attempt to unionize Volkswagen in Chattanooga, the UAW will bargain to be the ‘Exclusive Representation Agent’ for everyone in the bargaining unit – guaranteeing for them that every hourly employee in the facility will have to accept the contract

ALABAMA’S WORKERS BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE INDUSTRY

MUST NOT ALLOW AN OLD-DETROIT POLITICAL MACHINE TO

COME BETWEEN THEM AND THEIR EMPLOYERS.

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restrictions that they negotiate with the manufacturer.

In other words, every hourly auto-worker will then be associated with the UAW whether they want to be or not. Conservative union members and manufacturing employees will quickly find that the UAW’s one-size-fits-all representation spends millions of dollars every year to advance an extremely liberal political agenda and influence elections from the presidential level all the way down to local school boards.

While Chattanooga may be the immediate bulls-eye of the UAW’s organizing attempt, its broader target encompasses Alabama’s manufacturing heart. For all Southern workers, especially those with conservative perspectives, the threat to their freedom and opportunity is real.

When all is said and done, the UAW is a hyper-political organization with perspectives and policies

that failed in Detroit and do not fit with Alabama’s mission to create automotive jobs and economic opportunity. Even though some of Alabama’s auto workers have expressed their opposition to the UAW, the battle will continue.

Workers should absolutely have the opportunity to freely associate with each other and explore with their employers to improve their workplace and product quality. At the same time, Alabama’s workers building an impressive industry must not allow an old-Detroit political machine to come between them and their employers. If workers strive to maintain the current manufacturing climate, the new automotive era will continue to grow right here in Alabama.to ensure that costly prison space is focused on those who pose a long-term threat to our public safety, not those we are simply mad at.

As Alabama looks to the future of its criminal justice system, it can turn to many existing resources.

Recently, the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center joined with Alabama U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance to host a Prison Reentry Summit at Samford University. Now, Right on Crime, an initiative for conservative criminal justice reforms anchored by a statement of principles signed by luminaries such as Jeb Bush, Newt Gingrich, Bill Bennett, J.C. Watts, and Ed Meese, is joining with Alabama’s conservative think tank, the Birmingham-based Alabama Policy Institute, to help leaders address this important issue.

Alabama still has time to change its course. State leaders can choose to enact polices that have been proven to protect public safety while lowering the cost to taxpayers.

Terry Bowman is a 17-year UAW member in Michigan, and the President and founder of Union Conservatives, Inc., a 501(c)4 non-profit organization with members in 35 states. Cameron Smith is Vice President and General Counsel of the Alabama Policy Institute, a non-partisan conservative think tank located in Birmingham, AL.

Chairman’s Corner ... continued from page 3

selected. As chairman, I want to express on behalf of our county party sincerest appreciation for your willingness to engage in this process as a candidate for elected office. Having experienced it myself, I know a campaign loss is disappointing, and hold empathy for the measure of emotion you undoubtedly feel. While not adequate consolation for an undesirable election outcome insofar as your own candidacy is concern, I hope these remarks will at least convey a recognition for the rigors, effort, time, and expense that you have invested in your candidacy.

Contested primary elections are our party’s method of determining the eventual nominee for each

office. The county party provides the structure in which the primary election is conducted, and does not determine the outcome. A healthy county Republican Party – and ours is undisputedly dominant - endures and thrives when individual GOP activists are encouraged to be involved in primary elections in support of the candidate of their choice. With our party’s nominee chosen, we move forward to the general election. As with many such cycles over the last three decades, we do so with the absolute assurance that the Republican nominee will win this office because of the value the Republican brand provides in Shelby County. All primary participants are encouraged to continue ongoing participation, involvement, and tangible support for the organization in which we all have much pride.

For the winners, a primary victory is probably sufficient gratification for election outcome insofar as your own candidacy is concerned, I you are likewise commended for the rigors, effort, time, and expense that you have invested in your candidacy. As you begin preparations to fill the office for which you were elected, you are urged you to always be mindful of the enormous value the Republican brand in Shelby County affords you, and to avail yourself of the opportunity to provide meaningful financial support for its ongoing mission. Finally, in your exciting and crucial role as an elected official, I look forward with confidence to your application of sound Republican principles as you make decisions affecting the county.

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via algop.org

The Alabama Republican Party is committed to preparing our candidates for the General Election, and last week we provided a two-day training program in Montgomery for candidates and political activists from all over the state. ALGOP arranged for The Leadership Institute from Arlington, VA to lead the training for over 60 candidates and political operatives. Their training on new technologies and methodologies was designed to sharpen the political skills of the participants.

The Leadership Institute is a conservative organization, founded in 1979 by long time Virginia Republican National Committeeman and activist Morton Blackwell. The Institute is the center of conservative activist training; no other organization provides more training to conservatives each year.

The Institute’s mission is to increase the number and effectiveness of conservative activists and leaders in the public policy process. The Institute identifies, recruits, trains and places conservatives in government, politics and the media.

Those attending the school learned the nuts and bolts of how to succeed in the public policy process. The Institute strives to produce a new generation of public policy leaders unwavering in their commitment to free enterprise, limited government, strong national defense and traditional values.

One of the key topics, that most attendees found most beneficial, was the latest fundraising

techniques. The number one issue for candidates is typically asking for money from friends, family and other potential donors. The Leadership Institute helped the participants come up with fundraising tactics and strategies, and ways to ease their nerves on how to make “the ask”. In addition, they were trained on how to track down the money that they requested.

Participants were also given the opportunity to rehearse their media skills by participating in an interactive “question and answer” session with a trained media professional from the 2012 Romney Presidential Campaign. They held group projects to help simulate participants with what

ALGOP Candidate Training was a Huge Success

a real campaign would be like, which gave them a way to foster relationships between one another. Participants walked away with the confidence to run a campaign as well as how to help move Alabama forward through the political process.

Photos from the Alabama Republican Party’s Candidate Training

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Chicago hosts Republican National Committee Summer Meeting

by Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun-Times

The Republican National Committee will hold its summer meeting in Chicago in August, with featured speakers including former Vice President Dick Cheney, Rep. Paul Ryan R-Wisc., Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Nebraska GOP governor nominee Pete Ricketts, who is a part-owner of the Chicago Cubs. and an agenda item ratifying Cleveland as the site of the 2016 presidential nominating convention.

The RNC announced that its site selection committee gave the nod to Cleveland to host the 2016 convention, contingent on successful final negotiations with the city. The full RNC will officially vote to award the convention to Cleveland at the Chicago event, but that vote is expected to be just a formality.

“It is going to be in Cleveland in 2016,” RNC chairman Reince Priebus said on FOX News “Happening Now.”

“The Republican National Committee has chosen Cleveland and we couldn’t be more excited. I think that it is a city that’s on the rise. We’re excited about it. They’re building the entire lakefront out. I’ve got to tell you, if you haven’t been to Cleveland lately it’s a real surprise how beautiful it is down by that lake and we’re excited about bringing the RNC to Cleveland in 2016,” he said.

The date of the 2016 convention is still uncertain, with the RNC aiming at late June or early July, depending in part if the Cavaliers get in the finals.

“We’ve picked two different start dates that our legal team is negotiating with Cleveland on. It’s either going to start on June 28th or it will start on July 18th. So as you go through all these contracts so people understand what goes into it, you have to obviously make sure you have enough hotel rooms. In the case of Cleveland you have to make sure you can get into this arena. Obviously if the Cavaliers are in the finals it makes it difficult for a June 28th start,” Priebus said.

“The theme for the meeting is “Victory 365,” where the RNC will showcase what we’re providing candidates up and down the ballot – from boots on the ground to new technology and digital and data capabilities,” the RNC said in a statement.

This will be the last RNC meeting before the November elections; officials will “update our members on what’s happening out in the field for the midterms, all the things with the field program and our digital and data program,” said RNC spokesman Kirsten Kukowski.

Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum was designed by I.M. Pei

Food Network Magazine named West Side Market America’s “Best Food Lover’s Market”

Tour a 1925 steam ship, the William G. Mather, at the Great Lakes Science Center

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For 24 years Gary Palmer led the Alabama Policy Institute (API), a research and education organization whose purpose is to identify, develop and promote sound public policies that emphasize a limited government, free markets, the rule of law and strong families. API, which is ranked as the most influential conservative organization in Alabama, is very involved in working with the State Legislature and the Governor’s Office to provide detailed research and analysis on such issues as charter schools, state employee pension and benefit reform, rewriting the state constitution as well as developing solutions and ideas for improving state government.

Gary served on Governor Robert Bentley’s Alabama Commission on Improving State Government. He was appointed by former Governor Bob Riley to the Governor’s Task Force to Strengthen Alabama Families, served as an advisor to the Alabama Aerospace, Science and Industry Task Force and served on the Governor’s Welfare Reform Commission, during the James Administration. He is a founding director of the State Policy Network, the professional service organization for America’s state-based, free market think tanks and he served on the State Policy Network board of directors for six years, the final two as president.

Palmer has received the Roe Award which pays tribute to

those in the state public policy movement whose achievements have greatly advanced the free market philosophy and also recognizes leadership, innovation and accomplishment in public policy. In addition, Palmer received a Focus on the Family Leadership Award from Dr. James Dobson. Widely published on state and national issues, Gary is respected for his public policy expertise and has been ranked as one of Alabama’s 40 most influential leaders.

He is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management and he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Mobile.

SCGOP FEATURED SPEAKER:

Gary PalmerRepublican Nominee for Alabama’s 6th Congressional District

The Shelby County Board of Education approved Kevin Morris as the interim school board member during the Aug. 7 meeting following the resignation of Board Member Steve Martin, which went into effect on July 31.

Board Member Peg Hill made the motion to appoint Morris to the board and Jane Hampton seconded the motion. Board Member Jimmy Bice abstained from voting.

“I certainly don’t want to vote against this candidate, because he’s a fantastic candidate,” Bice said.

“It was a heart wrenching decision, very challenging,” Board President Aubrey Miller said during the meeting, noting the worthiness of all candidates.

“This is one of the most difficult things we’ve ever had to do,” Hampton said. “We had a lot of great candidates.”

Morris ran against Martin for the position in 2012, losing the race with 48 percent of the vote.

Morris, who lives with his wife and three children in Wilsonville, is the

Morris named interim School Board Memberby Ginny Cooper McCarley, Shelby County Reporter

vice president of the American First Federal Credit Union.

“Coming from the business world outside of (education), my financial background, the different processes I’ve been involved in…I think that I could bring that professional approach,” Morris said.

When asked what change he would bring to Shelby County schools, Morris said he would not make drastic changes, but seek to be involved in the process.

“I want to roll up my sleeves and support the process that is already ongoing,” Morris said. “We’re doing something right here.”