It’s a Wake up Call for Republicans in Alabama; Reclaiming Alabama in 2014 is Democrats Priority

Republican shouldn't be so happy

With the national elections now over, the focus turns to the Mid-terms where there will be many more offices up for election from local County races to U.S. Senate races. We all remember that in 2010 Republicans swept majority in many races even to take back control of congress. Well all I have to say to the Republicans is they shouldn’t be so happy, but instead be worried. It’s not their majority to hang on to for long. All of their political outraged and extreme politics is about to blow up in their faces, and you will see many long faces with shameful elephant tears.

On Tuesday I laughed, yes indeed I laughed all night till I fell asleep, and it was a laughter of joy for what America said on election night 2012, I laughed at that donkey that danced in the streets across the country, not because he won and declared victory, but because he defeated the extreme huge elephant that tried to destroy this country and our rights to fair democracy.

Oh yeah the extremist has been trying hard with much hate and determination to end the presidency of our great President Barack Obama, they vowed with heart to make him a one term President, but it failed.  Oh they really showed their true colors, whom they really are what they really believe.  We have learned that the Republicans want to suppress the vote as they did in the 1950’s or as far back as we can remember, we know that they don’t want Latinos and Hispanics participating in the election process, they don’t even want them in this country, they have no love for women rights, and they want the poor and middle class to break their backs for the wealthy. The Republicans don’t want the wealthiest Americans to pay more in taxes to support this country. That must change!

Quoted from the Al.com, Alabama Democratic Party chairman Mark Kennedy declared President Barack Obama's re-election on Tuesday as "a great victory not just for Democrats but for us all." Kennedy said that Americans, in rejecting Republican challenger Mitt Romney, "embraced building a bright future for all, instead of just for a few, and rejected the ugly politics of division."

After Tuesday elections it time for minorities, such as Blacks, Latinos, Hispanics, Women, College students, Poor and Middle Class citizens in Alabama to take a stand against this extreme political agenda that is trying to raid us of our rights. If you don’t take a stand now they will put a neck chocker on us and drag us and we will forever be in poverty and under the table. Well if we don’t want that to last it’s time for us to stand up and fight for what we believe. 

Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Mark Kennedy also believes that the returns on Tuesday showed a signal of change is on the way.  “Republican leaders have abdicated their responsibilities and focused their time and energy on petty politics and political games.” He told al.com.

Yes Democrats was eager to win Alabama back on Tuesday, especially in Jefferson County where Democrats sweep every judicial race on the ballot.  Republicans goals are to take every office they can from us Democrats as possible any way they can.

 When I look at the political map after Tuesday elections, there are some counties in Alabama that will be in play in 2014, not only in play but we as Democrats must turn out the vote in a larger number in 2014. We was close you all, I mean close but the get out the vote effort must be much more serious in 2014.

Below I listed a list of Counties and who we did and what we lost by, in many of these counties when I see 40% or more in election returns it shows strength, and I think of those votes that are not counted because they didn’t vote. If we turn the votes out in a larger number in these counties we have a chance to do some damage in 2014. The following county has been declared my hot bed for all blue alerts.  If we turn out the vote in these counties we can take back Alabama in 2014.

1.       Mobile, did you think Mobile would be on this list? 45% for DEMS fell short by only 10%

2.       Monroe, 46% for DEMS fell short by only 833 votes

3.       Clarke, 46% lost this county only 1,146 votes

4.       Jefferson, 47% lost this county by 6%

5.       Chambers, 47% lost this county by only 743 votes

6.       Pickens, 46% lost this county by only 671 votes

7.       Coosa County, 42% lost this county by 849 votes

8.       Butler County, 46% lost this county by 714 votes

9.       Pike County, 43% lost this county by 1,930 votes

10.   Tuscaloosa, 41% lost this county by 9%

11.   Madison, this county is still in play losing it by 10%

There is some work to be done and the work should begin today as you read this post. Democrats must focus on one theme, unity and getting out the vote. Voter registration will be a key to a victory in these counties for Democrats.

We have to adopt a new voter education strategy to educate minorities, blacks, women, college students, poor and the middle class working families in Alabama. Traditional politics must be the thing of the past and we must move to a more moderate style of politics in Alabama, but in those democrat strong holds we have to be more progressive and dominate.  We have to establish an identity in all areas of the state and especially these counties mention above. Showing interest in the voters and citizens in these counties is a must, like more one on one campaigning, door to door and political education.

Turning out the vote in 2014 is our key for success. Alabama Republicans leaders are no different from those of the national GOP and their counterparts. These big elephants have endorsed every extreme Republican agenda and they want to impose it on the citizens of Alabama in a secret way.

Since taking control of the legislature in Alabama in 2010 the Republicans have not made any serious if any attempts for bi-partisan leadership to get the most important issues solved for Alabama. Instead they cut services for needed families, working families, education, and left our state employees with less. They cut jobs and we are losing more jobs on top of the jobs they have cut.  They want to paint this serious picture if they are getting the job done, and that we are better off under their leadership but we are not we are worst. Democrats, women, minorities, poor and middle class families we are not un-educated and we need to prove that in 2014.

Together if we stand as one and fight together we can take Alabama back from the extreme right wing party. Visit our FaceBook page and Like us www.facebook.com/ReclaimAlabama2014

Why is the Mayor and Council races in Prichard so Critical on Oct. 23rd?

With the election for a new mayor and council in Prichard just a over a week away. Many people don’t see or understand the importance of this election and how critical it is for the struggling city and its needs.

The theme of this campaign city wide should be “NO MORE, NO MORE, and NO MORE.” With the ever failing city that’s on the blink of collapse, people seems to be backing up and moving away from change instead of embracing change.  Well to me it hurts so badly, to see how people can go outside of their city and embrace change or the territory that represent as a leader. When you have your own people struggling to survive, its makes me wonder do they really care about their city and its people or the constituents they represent.

What happened to the courage, the fighting spirit and hope that once lived in the lives of our forefathers?  Is that courage, fighting spirit and hope still alive today? It makes you believe that it’s not in so many ways. I’m going to take you through some of those ways today.

I want you to just sit and think for a minute as you read this post wherever you are. Is the City of Prichard where you would like it to be as a city to call home and do business? Is your community the community that you want to call home? Are you receiving the best in quality of life from the City of Prichard? Is the leadership being honest with you in the aspects of City business and affairs?

In the past few weeks I have noticed that very little of our community leaders, pastors, and elected officials that live in and represent the City of Prichard and whom seeks your support when it’s their time, have not come out and said who they support or do they support change that represent the should be campaign theme NO MORE.

It’s time out for playing these crooked politics that ends up in backroom deals and handshakes for political favors and a pat on the back.

Now over the past eight years, honestly so many promises have been made and fewer accomplishments and then you have just poor leadership in place to move the City of Prichard forward. It’s simple the status quo has to go in order to embrace change for the better. It’s year in and year out and campaign after the next where they champion the success of their administrations and actions, however they don’t try to fix the much needed problems within the city, and that makes you wonder why not, or do they even care about its citizens.

There is a problem in Prichard, and it’s not with the citizens it’s with the leadership and those that supposedly be representing the people of this struggling city. The citizens and businesses of Prichard want more and they want better. How can an administration or elected official ask the citizens and businesses to invest in a city that is not investing in itself.

Take a ride through Prichard, and you can look at the city for yourself and know that they the City of Prichard are not getting what it deserves. The infrastructure and image of this city is terrible. I have walked through the districts of this city and have heard complaints from the citizens to know they are not happy and want better themselves. The communities are in bad shape, drainage and sidewalks are fading away and much environmental concerns arise when you see the ditches and waterways in the city and communities. The street lighting and streets needs overdue repairs. The blight of abandon homes is outrageous, and come to find out the City of Prichard Housing Authority owns a majority of them. A couple of elderly citizens complained to me that the City of Prichard want even come out and clean around the houses or fix the abandon properties, which causes a problem for their property and residence. Now is that leadership?

When you take a ride down Wilson Ave, a district that can be the thriving sources for businesses in the City as it once was; you will find yourself on a bumpy ride. That’s how bad the streets are on Wilson Ave and others. So where is the leadership?

But here it is the current mayor Ron Davis and his hand pecked supporters have went around the city to purchase small bill boards that no one else have seem to invest in to advertise on and post up campaign lies to deter the voters or just keep them from the polls as such as the false campaign lies on the green mailers he and his supporters continue to put out.

This the status quo mayor that has made many promises and have delivered on a few, I give him that credit but on the other hand has failed the city that he promise to bring back to life. He lives in a community where a bad environmental odor has taken over, and as mayor has failed to help the citizens until a local Eight Mile Community Citizen Association step forward and seek answers and help. The status quo mayor has sit and watch the water and sewer rates rise over the past (8) years under his watch and has not come out in support of lower rates until the citizens become outraged and nearly voted him out of office in the first of election on September 11^th. Now he is campaigning with lies once again and putting it on his opponent, as if his opponent is the problem.

A once thriving Prichard Business district along Wilson Ave has been torn down instead of rebuilt. Crime and drugs in the city has taken its toile on the city and the citizens are just tired. Look at the former Greer’s shopping center off Hwy 45, that center that could be one of the City most thriving center’s has faded away and the parking lot is just terrible. Now you can’t tell me that is effective and positive leadership.

Last but not least, the mayor has hired and pays the city attorneys more pay than the city employees will ever make. Have the city employees even gotten a raise?  And then don’t forget the retiree’s pension fund. Oh, the money those city attorneys is making off the citizens back, should be going toward the retirees pension fund. The mayor takes credit for solution with allowing the retirees to draw some of their due benefits, but it was Councilman Troy Ephriam that proposed and fought for the retirees to get their needed and due payments that is still underfunded, and on the other hand the current status quo mayor proposed to re-enter the City into bankruptcy because he didn’t want to pay the retirees any payments. Now that’s the truth.

The Mayor has found money to do so many other things that he desire and his friends desire, but could and still can’t find any money to pay the retirees their fair share or make the much needed repairs that the city needs.

But this is the most serious part of this critical election, the question of where are the leaders that wanted to represent you the citizens of Prichard? Where is that leader that is currently representing you in various offices? Is they concerned and care about you and the struggling city that they claim to represent and wanted to represent.

It time and time again that the people elect those that neglect their constituents once they are elected, and start playing that if you are not in my political camp then HELL with you.

Yeah I am talking about that State Representative you elected, State Senator, Council person, and even that County Commission that represents Prichard. They all claim to be working together for the better. They all have not come out publicly to say whom they support or do they support change for the better of Prichard. Um, that’s a serious question in a critical election as this. Those same representatives campaigned year and year on promises of change as well, and that they want a better Prichard.

I even find out that the former mayor Charles Harden has endorsed and is currently supporting Mayor Ron Davis in the run-off election, after he has run for the same seat three times against Ron Davis…lol. Is he serious? He campaigned over the past 8 years that Ron Davis has failed the city. Now all of a sudden he is doing a great job, because Charles Harden may be looking for a job.

Former candidate Teresa Fox Bettis, have not come out to support either candidate to my knowledge after she lost handily. This is another former candidate that campaign to the citizens on change and a better Prichard. But now have gone to the sidelines with a silent voice. What happened to the hope and change?

And the candidate that I once believe was doing a great job and standing up for the citizens, has gone silent and to the sidelines as well. Severia Campbell Morris the candidate that raised so many concerns about the high water and sewer rates and personally said she think the city needs new leadership have found herself in a un-disclosed corner. Was she promised a political favor or scared of the political backlash. I don’t think her supporters are.

Are all of these so called representatives and once want to be leaders who they say they are? Some that I have not mentioned are concerned about their campaigns in the next couple of years. Like the House District 98 race, Senate District 33 race and County Commission District 1 race which all share the city of Prichard. They are afraid of the political backlash and how it will affect their races and endorsements come their next election in 2014. But you remember all of those that are in office now have campaign on change and better of the City of Prichard, because they all believe it’s the crossroads of Mobile County.

You don’t see either of them out publicly endorsing a candidate or embarrassing change. Some have gone all the way to Charlotte to embrace change, when their own city and communities in their own districts are struggling and trying to embrace change and move forward.

Now many question my motive for this posting, however no there is no need to question my motive. Because here it is, it’s simple and to the point. It’s because I care about Prichard and its citizens. I want to see the once thriving city return to where it once stood on positive standings. It’s time out for the lying to citizens and depriving the citizens of their votes and support on false hope. The citizens of Prichard are hurting and they are hungry for change and they have been lied to so many times and their votes have been taken for granted over and over again. The status quo must go.

The citizens of Prichard deserve better and they deserve more. The citizens of Prichard deserve a clean and safe community and community with the best of Quality of Life. The young people of the city deserve more activities and programs to help them advance their lives. The seniors of the city deserve more day programs and activities. The city of Prichard should embrace and support its educational opportunities for the students of the city. Prichard should also be in the business of supporting businesses and not running businesses away. The City of Prichard should be in business of recruiting quality jobs for its citizens and working class families.

This election is critical and the people of Prichard cannot continue to receive poor leadership. This type of leadership has those that desire to vote, not want to cause of they feel it’s not worth casting a vote for the same ole politics and leadership. And we wonder why out voter turnout is low and why our young people want get involved in the political process. What a role model that is.

You take the time and think, is this the Prichard you want to see or do you want to see a better Prichard.  My answer is that, the Status Quo is not going to get a better Prichard.  The NO MORE, NO MORE, and NO MORE have to rise above it all. Hope and Change have to come alive once again at home before it can happen abroad.

Citizens of Prichard don’t be deterred or discouraged, get out to vote on October 23, 2012 for change. 

Voters in Prichard favor Troy Ephraim for Mayor in new poll

The race for Prichard next mayor is on and the voters is pretty firm on who they are supporting to be the next mayor of their struggling city.

Councilman Troy Ephraim 

With the run-off election to be held on October 23, 2012 throughout the City of Prichard, the “POLITICAL BEACON" conducted another poll on the race for mayor to see once again what the voters of Prichard have in mind. We conducted a general poll of 612 likely registered voters in the City of Prichard from September 15-September 28 and we ask the likely voters who is their choice for Mayor of Prichard.

It is a clear choice for the likely registered voters, with the many problems facing the City of Prichard are still fresh on the citizens and voters’ minds, they have not forgotten about the word “Change”. Councilman Troy Ephraim once again lead in the poll, this time by a wider margin.  Here are the results from our most recent poll.

Troy Ephraim - 51%
Ron Davis – 43%
Undecided - 6%

Councilman Troy Ephraim is favored by 51% of the 612 likely registered voters we polled for the upcoming runoff election, with incumbent mayor Ron Davis trailing by 8 points in the most recent poll conducted by the Political Beacon, shows that people are dissatisfied with the current leadership and status quo of the City. However there are 6% percent of those likely voters are still undecided, those voters must vote for one or the other and each candidate must work to court those potential voters.

What will matter the most in this upcoming run-off election is the voter turnout. Each candidate must turnout their respective voters and supporters on October 23rd. Troy Ephraim carry majority of the voters on Election Day September 11th, but not enough to avoid a runoff with Ron Davis.

Mayor Ron Davis 

The Political Beacon conducted a similar poll of 327 likely registered voters back in August before the regular scheduled election of August 28^th, before it was canceled due to the potential threat of Hurricane Isaac. In that poll it showed a tight race with Ephraim edging out Davis by 2% percent.  

This round of voting is the final say in the race for Prichard next mayor. No more runoffs winner takes all. So if this election means anything to you then you as a voter in Prichard need to make your way to polls on Election Day.

We also ask the 612 likely voters which of the following issues matters to you the most in this election.

Water & Sewer Rates:   26%
Jobs:   12%
Infrastructure:   22%
Crime:    23%
Economic Development:   16%
Other:    1%

High water and sewer rates and crime has been plaguing the City of Prichard for quite some time now and it’s the number one concern on the likely voters mind at 26%, and Crime came in second with 23% and Infrastructure taking its place with a tight 3^rd.

We also asked the likely voters, has the candidates done enough to put forth their plan on lowering water and sewer rates in the City?

Yes – 34%
No - 59%
Somewhat – 7%

Both candidates have just a few more weeks to make their case to the voters on why he should be the next Mayor of Prichard. It is very important for all voters and citizens in the City of Prichard be active and exercise your right to vote, because it indeed matters.

The polls will open on October 23, 2012 from 7am -7pm. You are more than welcome to call the city hall for your respective polling precinct.