Mobile County Landowners’ Association Forum

This forum was the first I’d been to that had both Democratic and Republican candidates speaking. They started at the top of the ballot and worked down. It was one and one-half hours after they started that I got to speak. My Democratic opponent spoke before me and my Republican opponent spoke after me. It was the first time I had seen Alan Zeigler in 26 years -- since I finished law school. There were at least another 50 candidates scheduled to speak after me.

General Conference

This was our first General Conference since the qualifying deadline (General Conference is when all 9 justices meet and discuss cases before the Court). Everyone was very businesslike. This was a heavier conference than we have had in a long time. We pushed hard and worked through into the afternoon. A little clean up and my cases will be gone -- to the Clerk’s Office for release or to the Reporter’s Office for her review. I headed back home in the afternoon. It was actually a pleasure to cook supper and enjoy it with George and Kelly. I actually like campaigning. I just hate the time I am away from my family. I don’t know if it will be easier or harder once the boys get home from college for the summer. George will have twice as many to cook supper for on the evenings I’m away. It’s a good thing he’s a good cook!!

Vote Deadline

I made it. Barely. I got my last vote entered just before the 10:00 A.M. deadline. After that, it was back home to Baldwin County. There were a few special writings and memorandums to be read in preparation for General Conference. The Forum tonight was in Foley. It is great to be back home (or almost) for a forum. There were few statewide candidates present for this forum. It is well attended though because the Baldwin County Commissioner and Sheriff’s candidates spoke.

Republican Executive Committee of Tuscaloosa County

After a quick dinner at Applebee's, Sarah and I went the Executive Committee meeting. They had a great turnout. I kept my speech short and answered lots of questions. I actually prefer answering questions to just talking because you get to talk to folks about the issues they are interested in. One topic of interest here was the handling of Capital Murder Cases. I have a whole lot of experience in that area as a prosecutor and as a judge so that was interesting and fun. Afterwards it was back to Birmingham to drop off Sarah and then home to my apartment in Montgomery. Once there it was no rest for the weary as I had to do some reading to get my votes in on time.

First Editorial Board Meeting of 2006

My first Editorial Board Meeting of 2006 was with the Tuscaloosa News. You must talk about your opponent whether you what to or not. I guess they are just trying to draw comparisons so they can make their endorsement decisions. They are in a beautiful new building. It was wonderful being back in Tuscaloosa. I spent three of the best years of my life there. I'm pushing the University of Alabama School of Law for law school for Sarah either next fall or a year later if she defers. During our down time I showed her a few of my favorite "haunts" in T-Town. We also went to the Law Library at the law school so I could use their wireless internet. The Law Librarian was most helpful. The Law Library was NOT one of my favorite "haunts" in law school.

Western Area Republican Club

I was the luncheon speaker for the Western Area (Jefferson County) Republican Club. This area is a very Republican area. Sarah went with me and after Scott worked on my new laptop computer, he joined us. The group meets at the Home Plate Diner in Hueytown. It was wonderful food and wonderful company. Probate Judge Mark Gaines was a co-speaker. Judges Huff and Ganius of the Bessemer Division of the Jefferson County Circuit Court were present. I got to meet Scott's mom and dad who live in nearby Pleasant Grove. No wonder their son is so special!!

General Conference Week Voting

I am still voting on General Conference cases. I have about three more to read by the Tuesday 10:00 A.M. vote deadline.

Easter Sunday

I was up at five and at Blackburn Park by 6:10 A.M. The folding chairs were already set up so I had rushed for nothing. My Kiwanis Club sponsors Bay Minette's Easter Sunrise Service in conjunction with the North Baldwin Ministerial Association each Easter. I was honored to be asked to bring the official welcome. We had a huge crowd -- big-time standing room only. I think it was because Dr. Henry Cox, pastor of First Baptist Church and President of the Alabama State Convention was bringing the message. Dr. Cox was great! It was the perfect beginning to a wonderful day. Next we had Sunday School and then a fabulous Easter Sunday service. I missed singing the Hallelujah Chorus (it was only played this year). Our church building was damaged by Hurricane Ivan so we meet in the gym of our Family Life Center. I hope we return to singing it when we get our new sanctuary built. We had a special Easter lunch and then I had to drive the boys back to Auburn (one of Shepard's back rear tires had a slit in it and we'll have to get a new tire this week.) I'm glad they discovered it on the way to church and not on the interstate back to school. It meant getting to spend more time with them although they slept much of the way back. They'll be home for the summer in a few weeks! I hope you Easter was as wonderful as mine!!!

Home Again

It was wonderful to get back home again. Tucker and Shepard arrived home for the first time since New Year's just before I got there. Shepard brought his friend, Chad, with him to spend Easter weekend with us. Chad is from Williamsburg, Virginia, which was too far away to go home for just a regular weekend. He is a nice young man and will be one of Shepard's roommates next year. Kelly and I spent part of Saturday finishing up some Easter shopping. George, the boys and Kelly got a home cooked meal Saturday night. (George joked that this is an extreme rarity these days -- actually it is true as I'm on the road so much). At that, George grilled the meat outside on the grill. I just marinated it and fixed all the side dishes. At any rate, it was mighty good. I would give you the menu but I'd sound like the guy on Southern Sports tonight who advertises for Mary B's biscuits by describing his mouth-watering evening menu every night. I love Southern Sports Tonight (I'm mostly a Paul Finebaum fan however) and my favorite part is his description of his evening menu. It's a great advertisement.

Alabama Lawyers Hall of Fame

The Alabama State Bar Association held its second induction ceremony for the Alabama Lawyers Hall of Fame. There are now 8 members. The members are elected from nominations by the Alabama Board of Bar Commissioners. This year a Baldwin Countian (from way back) was elected, Judge Harry Toulmin. Judge Toulmin was a federal territorial judge for the Mississippi Territory and then the Alabama Territory (of which Baldwin County, a county older than the state was a part) and was a leader in the movement for statehood. After Alabama became a state, he became one of Alabama's first Circuit Judges. He also wrote the first Alabama Digest, a collection of Alabama court decisions. Sam Crosby, Baldwin County legal historian, reminds us of Judge Toulmin at almost every Baldwin County Court System official function. Sam Crosby, who was two years ahead of me in law school and whom I met as a first year student while serving as a time-keeper for the Moot Court Board of which Sam was a part, is a candidate for President-Elect of the Alabama State Bar. The election is in May. Good luck, Sam!!

Republican Women

No one should discount the importance of Republican Women in Republican politics in the state of Alabama. They are the workhorses of the party. If you want something done and done well, ask a Republican Woman to do it. All the clubs are strong and have great leaders. They are lead at the state level by numerous stars including state ARFW President, Virginia Howard.

Knollwood Republican Women

I visited and spoke with the Knollwood Republican Women on April 12. They are a very active group of Republican Women lead by Luci Sheffield. Steve Windom's mother, Connie Windom, and mother-in-law, Ina Becker, are both members of this group. Also in attendance were Chess Bedsole, candidate for State Auditor, George Callahan, nominee for State Senate, and Chief Sam Cochan, candidate for Mobile County Sheriff (I believe there are 12 candidates in that race). It was a great meeting and I enjoyed meeting my new friends and supporters.

Palm Sunday

We had a huge crowd in church. I love the children processing in with palm branches. Our choir performed its Easter Cantata. It was a great start to Holy Week. This in one of my favorite times of the year.

Qualifying Deadline

It was no surprise to anyone that the Republican Party has a bevy of candidates for the numerous offices on the ballot this year. It's oblivious we're the party to win with. It will be a very interesting Republican primary. I'm glad I've been out there criss-crossing the state for over a year now campaigning. Now we move into the countdown to the Primary.

Alabama Federation of Republican Women Legislative Days

This year's Alabama Federation of Women's Clubs Legislative Days was, I believe, the best ever. Fran Whitaker did an excellent job of organizing the event. It is an election year so everyone was there. The Candidate Forum was excellent. My favorite part of the meeting was the luncheon speech by Dr. Diane Hassan. She spoke about pre- and post-liberation Iraq and her gratitude to President George W. Bush, the United States Armed Forces and the American people for freeing her people. I can't wait to read her forth-coming book.

Samford University

Oral was held in the auditorium at Samford University. We heard one case and the Court of Civil Appeals also heard one case. Dean John Carroll hosted a lovely luncheon for us after the argument at the Cumberland School of Law Great Room. Dean Carroll taught me several valuable lessons many years ago when he was in private practice and I tried a case in which he represented the opposing party. He was a great lawyer and Federal Magistrate Judge and now is doing a tremendous job as Dean of Cumberland. I love the Samford Campus. It is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Every time I am there I have to drive around the campus just to enjoy the beauty of the architecture. Following the luncheon it was back home to more reading on Division Cases.

Friends Are Friends Forever

Following the Birmingham Bar Foundation's lovely reception at the Jemison Art Gallery, I went out to dinner with dear friends from my law school days at the University of Alabama School of Law who live in the Birmingham area. We had a great Italian meal and enjoyed catching up on what's been happening in our lives recently. Those friends were: Monie Allen, Joanne Boyd, Judge Patricia (Tricia) Yeager Furhmeister, and Janet Wilson Taylor. I had known Tricia and Janet at Auburn. They were Political Science majors and my roommate was a Poli-Sci minor. I met Tricia at a Poli-Sci party and Janet and my roommate, Lee Ann, were constant study partners. I met Joanne and Monie during the first few weeks of law school. Joanne and Janet, along with Debbie Long were law school housemates of mine. We lived in a great house on 13th Street near the law school. Tricia and Janet were in my wedding. It was wonderful having the opportunity to visit with them.

Oral Argument at Cumberland

The Court went to Birmingham to conduct oral argument at Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. We were honored with a reception hosted by the Birmingham Bar Foundation at the Jemison Art Gallery downtown. It was lovely and was a great opportunity to see old friends. It was great for me to see my friend, Marda Walters Sydnor, the President of the Birmingham Bar Association. Marda and I worked together in the Attorney General's Office in Montgomery when we first finished law school. We both were engaged and planned our weddings together. Our cohorts beginning our legal careers in the A.G.'s Office in 1980 included: Judge Bucky McMillan, Dudley Motlow, Mike Horsley, Tommy Jones, Mark Ulmer, and Nancy Stoddard. Our boss then is now Presiding Circuit Judge Charles Graddick of Mobile.

Division Vote Week

April 3-7 This is Division Vote Week. Circulation deadline was last Thursday and votes are due by 10:00 A.M. Friday. That gives us a little over one week to read all the division cases and vote. This month the See Division's circulations are fairly heavy and there's a lot going on this week. It's a good thing our work is transportable. I took a box load of cases with me to read in my room while the Court is in Birmingham.

Campaign Update

As many of you know, on Friday, the last day to qualify for the Republican primary, Alan Zeigler qualified to run against Justice Stuart. To read the full story, click here.

Justice Stuart is looking forward to highlighting her 25 years experience as a judge and prosecutor against an opponent that has no judicial experience. With Election Day less than 2 months away, our Grassroots Team will soon be gearing up to make sure that our party will have an experienced, conservative and fair justice on the ballot in November. Justice Stuart will continue to campaign across the state and take her message to the voters of Alabama. Click here to view Justice Stuart’s campaign schedule.