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President's Message - Volume 54, Number 2 - 2010
I learned quickly that you hit the ground running right after the convention and you don’t stop.
The 2010 regular session of the Alabama Legislature ended in late April. I woke up the next morning and thought, “Now that the session is over, what’s a President to do with all his time?"
Getting into the officer rotation for the Association a bit later than normal (most of you probably remember I stepped in as “first” vice president less than two years ago), meant I had only one year’s worth of “inside” exposure to the duties of the ACCA president. But I learned quickly that you hit the ground running right after the convention and you don’t stop.
In the fall there is the establishment of the Association’s budget, a two-day Board of Directors planning session for the up-coming year, the work of the ACCA steering committees, development of ACCA Legislative Program and attendance at all the ACCA district meetings. And that is just the first three months.
Once the legislative session begins, things get even more intense. Until you serve as president of this organization, you don’t fully understand or appreciate what the organization does to represent counties in Alabama. You also don’t understand the enormous responsibility that falls on the shoulders of the president.
I enjoyed every minute. But I guess I expected the entire year to be just as hectic as the first three months. And, for a long time it was very demanding. With the end of the session, however, I suddenly found myself with some time on my hands, and those frequent calls from the ACCA staff slowed down, too.
This shift in activity got me to thinking about my year so far as president. I am very proud of the progress we’ve made – the smooth transition, for our new executive director, the new focus on several important initiatives, the new educational program that kicked off last month in a very positive way, our legislative successes and the positive work of our Task Force on Health Insurance Costs. And several other projects are to be completed before Ricky Burney becomes president in August.
Reviewing the last nine months also helped me focus on something that had slipped my attention somewhat during the 16 years I have served on the Escambia County Commission and as a member of this Association. It is remarkable how, on almost a daily basis, the decisions made by previous ACCA presidents and previous ACCA boards impact our day-to-day operations in Escambia County. Likewise, the decisions made this year and during the next few months will impact all counties for years to come.
For example, in November the voters of Alabama will decide on the 140 persons who will serve in the Alabama Legislature for the next four years. During that time, they can have an enormous impact on county government and the way it serves the citizens back home. Decisions made during the next four years will very likely survive for decades to come.
If we are active in this election cycle and if we help encourage a positive relationship between the counties and members of the Legislature, the impact can be very positive. If we fail to follow through with our responsibilities – if we think the year’s work ends with the conclusion of the legislative session – counties may pay a dear price.
It is important that we question candidates about their view of county government and that we actively help them understand their responsibility to support county government while at the same time also respecting the separate roles played by the Alabama Legislature and Alabama’s 67 county
commissions.
To help you with this communication, the Association has published its first Legislative Candidates Guide. The guide establishes talking points for county officials to use when meeting with candidates for the Alabama Legislature and should serve to foster better communication and to establish a strong foundation for a positive relationship between counties and their elected representatives in Montgomery.
The document outlines both Financial and Administrative issues that will confront those persons who will be elected to serve in the Legislature. It also suggests the county “position” on issues such as unfunded mandates, public safety costs, county revenue, county budgeting, and roads and bridges. It also describes the important influence of our affiliate organizations and the Association’s role as the “voice” for county government in Alabama.
If you do not have a copy, you are encouraged to get one from the ACCA office and to put it in the hands of those persons who are seeking your support. Read the document and be prepared to discuss it with those who seek your help.
As we move toward the conclusion of this year in the life of the Association, it is important that we remember our responsibilities and that we keep our eyes on the lasting impact our efforts can have on county government. The session might have concluded in April, but there are still many things for the President (and each of us) to accomplish.
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