NOTE:  Sen. Hank Sanders has written a weekly column for papers in his legislative district for the past twenty years.  These rural, weekly papers lack a web presence, and therefore a link to the publication is not available.  The column below is provided by Sen. Sanders’ office for inclusion in the Digest.

Senate Sketches #1004

by

Senator Hank Sanders

 

**********

An Open Letter to Members of the Alabama Ethics Commission

           

 

            I could not believe my eyes.  I really needed to understand because I could not believe what I was reading. 

            The, “I could not believe my eyes,” feelings first flooded my being in mid July when I received a fax of a July 17^th article in the Birmingham News (a copy is enclosed).  The note across the top of the fax said, “Can you believe this?”  I read it word for word.  I could not believe my eyes.  I still can’t believe what I read and neither can a host of others.  That’s why I’m writing this open letter to you.

            The article was about Post-Secondary, the two-year college system.  It was extremely hard hitting.  I have no problem with hard-hitting news articles.  What I could not believe were the words and sentiments expressed by Jim Sumner, director of the Alabama Ethics Commission.

            According to the article, Jim Sumner said the following: “You almost have to turn the culture upside down and start over.  Its so ingrained its almost like a mafia family.”  I could not believe my eyes!

            I need to understand because ethics complaints involving two-year college employees are, in all likelihood, pending before Jim Sumner at this very moment.  Even if Sumner believes the two-year college system is “almost like a mafia family,” how could he shout it from the perch of the largest newspaper in the state?  The 11,500 post-secondary employees must feel terrible with the director of the Ethics Commission placing every single one of them under a “mafia cloud of suspicion.”

            I want to give the benefit of the doubt to the Ethics Commission.  So do others.  We are having a hard time because Jim Sumner is the public face of the Commission.  His “mafia” statement is scary, but there is more.  He said, “It’s like pulling the linoleum back, and all these roaches crawling out.”  He also said, “It is a culture of just back scratching of the highest level.  I think there’s a lot of cross fertilization there… you take care of my wife, and I’ll take care of your son.”  Whether true or not, how could he state such with ethics complaints involving two-year college citizens probably pending before him and others certain to come?  How could he state such even if no ethics complaints were pending before him?

            Then there are two other statements which are not direct quotes, but the article attributes the sentiments directly to Sumner: (1) “He never saw the endemic crookedness that has marked the two-year system”; and (2) “Sumner believes it would be hard to find a two-year administrator without taint.”

            I do not understand why Sumner has such thoughts when some of our two-year college programs are receiving national recognition for excellence.  I cannot understand why he paints all two-year college personnel with such broad sweeping damaging brushes: “mafia”; “endemic crookedness”; “roaches”; and “taint.”  Doesn’t he know that such remarks do great damage to the Ethics Commission as well as these Alabama citizens? 

After reading Sumner’s remarks, how can anyone have confidence that the Ethics Commission will be fair and impartial?  How can he investigate another complaint involving two-year college personnel after publically espousing such deeply prejudiced positions?  How can you, after reading his statements, have confidence in his impartiality as director of the Alabama Ethics Commission?

When I first read the statements, I had a strong need for answers but I allowed it to pass.  Then I received a copy of a letter where a complaint filed against a Republican House member from Auburn was quickly dismissed without being considered by the full Commission.  Written across the top of the fax were these words:  “Can you believe this?” 

I remembered that a complaint filed against a Republican Senator from Vestavia Hills was quickly dismissed by Jim Sumner without any investigation whatsoever.  I also remembered that complaints filed against Democrats were strung out over years.  In fact I personally experienced his dragging out a complaint against me for three years. 

When I considered all these facts, my need to know grew more profound.  That’s why I’m asking you to please help me and nearly five million Alabamians understand so that our faith in the Alabama Ethics Commission will not be shaken to the foundation.

Your cooperation is very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Hank Sanders

 

            Now on to the Daily Diary.

            Saturday – I left Selma shortly after 6:00 a.m. traveling 200 plus roundtrip miles to Epes, Alabama for the 39^th Annual Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund Meeting.  I worked with Black Farmers, shared in a powerful breakfast program and spoke to the gathering of farmers, farm leaders and others from across the South.  Among the Federation leaders I talked with were Ralph Paige and Jerry Pennick (Georgia), Woodrow Keown (Arkansas), and Ed Cline and Daniel Bustamante (Texas).  I returned to Selma to visit Douglas Sanders recovering from an operation and work into the night.

            Sunday – I did Radio Sunday School, Radio Education and Sunday Review.  I participated in Sunday School and treated Fannie and Bobby McKenzie to dinner.  I made remarks at the following pastorial anniversaries: Dr. C.A. Lett of Calvary Baptist Church; and Reverend Joshua Davis of Shiloh Baptist Church.  I talked with various persons including the following: Carolyn and Kirk Wheeler of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Youlanda Curtis and Inez Curtis of Washington County; Lorraine Capers of Selma; and Dr. James Mitchell of Wallace Community College.  I worked into the night on Sketches and various other matters.

            Monday – I completed Sketches and talked with the following: Joyce Bigbee and Norris Green of the Legislative Fiscal Office; Dr. Carol P. Zippert of the Greene County Democrat; Porter Banister of the University of Alabama at Birmingham; Billy Atchison of Alabama Power; Ola Morrow of the Dallas County Local Legislative Delegation Office; SCLC National President Charles Steele; County Commissioner David Manzie of Wilcox County; Lobbyist Don Gilbert of Montgomery; Lowndes County Superintendent Dr. Daniel Boyd and his assistant Yvette Patterson; Chris Barrineau of the Senate Democratic Caucus; Marilyn Hulett, daughter of recently deceased civil rights leader and former elected official,  John Hulett; and newspaper reporter Al Benn.  I discussed various matters with Congressman Artur Davis over lunch before traveling to Greene County on education matters.  I returned to Selma to visit the sick and work into the night.

            Tuesday – I talked with the following: businesswoman Yvonne Thomas of Dallas County; Lula Palmer of Conecuh County; Whitehall Mayor Johnny Jackson; Larry Raby of the Legislative Reference Service; Craig Pouncey of the State Department of Education; and Jim Littleton of the Alabama New South Coalition (ANSC).  I also participated in the radio talk program, Legal Notes, with Perry County Circuit Clerk Mary Cosby Moore.

            Wednesday – I talked with the following: Ashvin Parika of the Dallas County Health Department; Rick Heartsill of Birmingham; Dr. Paul Hubbert of AEA; and Representative Linda Coleman of Birmingham.  I shared lunch with Senator Vivian Davis Figures, Brenda Allen and Renita Davis.  I hosted the talk radio program, Law Lessons.  I participated in several other meetings, shared in a late night conference call with several ANSC leaders and worked into the night.

            Thursday – I talked to the following: Lester Brown of Greene County; Ron Jones of the Alabama Department of Public Examiners; Thomas Moore of Demopolis; Stephen Martin of AEA; Senator Roger Bedford; Lobbyist Joe Fine; Ginger Avery Buckner of Alabama Trial Lawyers; and Larry Palmer of the C.I.T.Y. Program.  I shared lunch with Joyce Bigbee of LFO and traveled to Montgomery for a meeting and to lift the spirit of the sick.

            Friday – I began the day with an 8:00 a.m. meeting and met repeatedly throughout the day.  I also talked to the following: Joe Espy, chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama; Dr. David Jones of Sumter County; Ted Quant of New Orleans; John Zippert of the Federation; Sharon Wheeler of the Senate President Pro Tem’s Office; and John Solomon of the Selma YMCA.  I began writing Sketches and shared lunch with Coach Johnny McCalpine and Dr. James Mitchell both of Wallace Community College.  I participated in a conference call with Steve Raby and Stephen Martin.  I traveled to and from Marion Junction where I made remarks at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Revival.

EPILOGUE – Sometimes we allow violations to go unaddressed.  Then something less significant happens that changes everything.  It becomes the “straw that breaks the camel back.”  That’s what happened to me.

<< Home