John’s Personal Employment with the Tuscaloosa County School System

When John announced his candidacy in July of 2009, he indicated that if successful in his bid for the State House, he would leave the Board of Education as soon as possible upon gaining meaningful employment.   He was not required to take this position since Board policy allows employees to campaign for and to serve in elective office.  John's position on the issue of "double-dipping" dictated his reasoning behind leaving the Board.

On September 28th, 2009 the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education voted to eliminate the position of Director of Community Relations and Community Education in it's newly implemented organizational chart. 

At this time, no timetable has been established for the implementation of this change in the organizational chart.

Property Tax Increases

Under no circumstances is John for increasing property taxes without a vote by the people.

Improving the Economy

Improving the state of the economy is one of John’s top priorities. He has seen the hardships of so many of his friends and neighbors, and he vows to work to help Tuscaloosa County emerge from this economic recession quickly.

Abortion

John is against all forms of abortion.  A pro-family, pro-life Christian, John believes in the sanctity of life and he believes that life begins at the point of conception.

Accountability and Transparency

Transparency in government promotes accountability. A transparent and accountable government is able to provide citizens with information on what the government is doing and how it affects the local community. John understands the importance of accountability and transparency in government and will strive to keep communication lines between Tuscaloosa County citizens and the local government open and available, especially when the “people’s House is doing the people’s business.”

Ethics Reform

John knows that strong ethical leadership is vital to every part of government. As he has done in establishing his reputation in Tuscaloosa County, John will commit to upholding a state of integrity in all that he does and work to see that those who serve our state and her people do the same.

Education

John knows that everybody is for improving education.  However, having spent the last 15 years as an employee of the Tuscaloosa County School System, he understands the challenges faced by students, parents, and educators better than most people.  John is committed to working with leaders of education and business and industry to find new and improved ways to serve our students in both K-12 and higher education settings. 

John believes that we should keep the good programs we have and improve those that need work and eliminate those that have outlived their usefulness.  Working with both business and education leaders will better prepare our community and our state for the future changes in the workforce and lead to greater successes for our young people.

Economic Development

John’s experiences with the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and as the Assistant Director of the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority uniquely qualify him to understand the challenges faced by local business and industries.  More than 80% of all jobs created are created from “small business”.  Existing business and industry are often overlooked for their ability to contribute to the economy and to assist the community as good corporate citizens.

John knows these people and he knows their stories.  John wants to work to attract new business and industry but not at the expense of our existing business and industries.

The Lottery

John is against the lottery.  As a Christian, and as a conservative Southern Baptist Deacon and Sunday School teacher at Calvary Baptist Church, John believes that all forms of gambling are wrong.

However, if gambling is ruled legal and permissible in the state of Alabama, John believes that it should be regulated and taxed.

Prayer in School

John believes that our citizens, especially our children, should be able to pray to Lord God Almighty any time and any place they would like.  John believes that this freedom is inherent to being an American.

The Pledge of Allegiance

John believes that children in Alabama’s schools should begin everyday, in every school by saying the pledge to “Old Glory” because we are one nation under God.

Quality of Life Issues

John believes that Legislative Discretionary money should be distributed to schools, volunteer fire departments, community ballparks and leagues, and municipalities within the district boundaries before it is distributed to groups outside the district.

This money should be used to help existing programs and projects and to help create new programs and projects, including roads and bridges, water and sewer, gas and other infrastructure improvements.  

John believes that this money should be distributed in the areas of greatest need and where the most number of people will benefit from its use.

Sunday Alcohol Sales