Anniston Star, November 06, 2002

Hess, Abbott elected to Calhoun County Commission, Downing and Henderson retain seats

By Jason Landers and Charlotte McIntosh
Star Staff Writers
11-06-2002

The face of the new Calhoun County Commission was shaped Tuesday by name recognition, support of home rule and one of the county's most volatile issues, chemical weapons.

Incumbents Robert Downing and Eli Henderson retained their seats, while former commissioner J.D. Hess and political newcomer Rudy Abbott cashed in on popularity to gain strong victories in districts where the incumbents had left to seek higher office.

Within months, the Army will begin destroying deadly chemical weapons in Calhoun County's back yard. Fresh off new victories, the newcomers see that issue as one that will definetheir terms.

District 2

Downing, 49, a Democrat, held off a strong Republican challenge from Larry Sylvester, 62. With all of 12 boxes reporting, Downing captured 51.5 percent of the vote compared with Sylvester's 48.5 percent. Runners who had been keeping tabs at polling places across the district delivered the news to Downing, who was at home surrounded by family.

"It was a very hard-fought and clean race," said Downing in measured monotone that hid his excitement. It was clear the commissioner was pleased with the outcome. "We are very proud to have won this race We took our case to the people in an up-front and honest way, and the people decided."

His case to the voters was that the county needs home rule - either limited taxing and/or zoning authority. Where he differed most from Sylvester was on the issue of chemical weapons. Downing, who distrusts the Army, openly opposes incinerating the weapons, while his challenger expressed confidence in the Army and incineration, the Army's preferred method of destroying the aging munitions.

"My positions on a whole array of issues from chemical weapons to home rule are well known, and we were able to prevail," Downing said. Managing growth will be the greatest issue facing the new commission, Downing said.

District 3

Henderson, 65, a Democrat, won a third term in office by capturing 58 percent of the vote in a race against Republican challenger Johnnie Alexander, 57, who received 42 percent.

Laughter competed with the blare of election-night coverage from a television set at a victory
celebration attended by friends and family at Henderson's home.

The consummate politician, all Henderson wanted to talk about was how much better he could have done if "we had gotten out a better explanation of home rule."

It was the central theme he pounded home throughout the campaign.

The county is one of three in the state that collects no sales or gas tax. "We have essentially no money to fix roads and bridges," Henderson said, adding he is committed to lobbying the legislative delegation to change that.

From Henderson's perspective, the biggest issue facing the new commission is the road system. As for chemical weapons, he said, "It's obvious there is a lot of problems with the issue. I just wish the county had more local authority to address it."

District 4

Republican commission veteran J.D. Hess received 66 percent of the vote, while his Democratic opponent, Jerry Vowell, received 34 percent. Hess will replace Randy Wood, who served one term and left to run for state House District 36.

Hess said eight years of experience on the commission made the difference in the race. "I think people looked at my experience and what we had accomplished when I was in office before," Hess said.

Hess said his four years as a commission observer gave him time to get a better feel for public opinion. "People apparently don't want home rule," Hess said.

But Hess wants voters to have a chance to approve home rule or vote it down if the issue comes before the state Legislature.

Hess said preparations for a chemical accident will be the commission's top issue. He wants the newly elected commission to be briefed on the status of the incineration efforts before deciding how to approach the issue.

"We want schools to be protected. That is one of the top issues right now," he said, adding that the weapons must be destroyed.

"We need to burn this and get it out of here. We need to do it, but we want to be ready for it," Hess said.

District 5

In District 5, Democrat Rudy Abbott received 78 percent of the votes while his Libertarian
opponent Carol Hagan received 22 percent. The former Jacksonville State University baseball coach will replace Lea Fite, who left the commission to run for state House District 40.

Abbott said his biggest challenge in the race was winning the Democratic primary. "This is a strong Democratic and Republican district. By and large, it is not Libertarian," he said.
For the retired coach, there is "no question" that the incinerator is the most important issue hefaces. He spoke strongly on the subject. "Incineration affects every single person in the area. Everything else pales in comparison," he said, adding that the commission should ensure federal funding for school and resident safety is put to good use.

Abbott said he plans to address other issues during his term, including road and bridge repair and construction, the development of a research triangle at McClellan, and relieving jail overcrowding.

As for home rule, Abbott said voters would not support giving commissioners taxing authority, but he would like the commission to gain zoning powers.

"I strongly feel that home owners in the country deserve protection. If you've been paying on a nice home for 10 years, I don't feel like they should be able to put a hog farm out there (next to the house). But we can't stop them," he said.

District 1

Democratic incumbent James "Pappy" Dunn ran unopposed in the general election after defeating Henry Sterling in the primary