This writer has long enjoyed powerful oratory, even if one may not agree with the content of the oratory. Somehow, some messages are so sacred,that one would not put them into the category of powerful oratory, but are more the delivering of the heart. This morning (03/13) I heard a message unlike many I have heard in my life.
George Wallace, Jr., accompanied by his lovely and charming wife Elizabeth, was the speaker for the monthly meeting of the Mid-Alabama Republican Club. George has served as State Treasurer, an office in which he received high marks. Wallace founded the PACT pre-paid college tuition plan, a plan which he left with an A+ rating. Perhaps no individual has served so successfully as State Treasurer as has George Wallace, Jr. In the 2010 election, George Wallace is running to serve again as Alabama State Treasurer, with hopes to rescue the ailing PACT program.
But today, George spoke only a few minutes about the Treasurer’s office. For about twenty-five minutes, Wallace held the capacity audience spellbound as he spoke of the founding of these United States and continued on to evaluate the current times in which we live.
I cannot remember being moved to tears by a political speech and I seldom weep in public. But the passion and conviction that came forth in this speech brought tears to my eyes. Wallace spoke powerfully of the heritage of this country and the greatness of the state of Alabama. Wallace,Jr. challenged his hearers that this country can be taken back from those who would re-define the intent of the founders of this free Republic
At the conclusion of the speech, longtime conservative activist, Dr. Gil Wideman, spoke up to say that Wallace is in the wrong race, that he should be running for Governor.
Why did this speech stir the audience so? Today, George Wallace held nothing back. George spoke almost with an abandon of interest in public opinion. The speech just laid open the facts of our perilous times and the determination to stand firm, regardless of the consequences. The strength of this speech reminded me of two other Wallaces. First, this speech reminded me of George’s dad–four-term Alabama Governor. The elder Wallace stirred crowds like no one else in his generation. But this speech also reminded me of the piercing speech by William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) in the Braveheart movie.
When I find that God has placed a love for this country, a desire to see our country survive, and a discerning of the issues, as he has in people like George Wallace, then I know that God has determined that this country may well survive our perilous times.

Escambia County Republican Party Chairman Jeff Peacock said the field is open and is looking good for the 2010 elections.

“I’m excited about the upcoming elections locally and statewide,” Peacock said at the local party’s meeting Monday night. “We certainly have a chance to do well in the 2010 elections.”

Several candidates were on hand for the meeting, with state treasurer hopeful George C. Wallace Jr. as guest speaker.

Wallace said during his address to the more than 30 Republicans in attendance that being treasurer again for Alabama wasn’t something he thought he’d ever do.

“I didn’t intend to ever be involved in the political world again,” Wallace said. “But there are times when you just get a call on your life that you have to answer.”

Wallace said there are many reasons for his return to politics including a desire to protect the money of the people of Alabama — and, in particular, the problems with the Prepaid Alabama College Tuition fund.

“What brought me back to seek the office of state treasurer is the PACT program,” Wallace said. “I want to work to help shore up the program. I’ll work for the protection of tax payers dollars like no one you’ve ever seen.”

Wallace previously served two terms as state treasurer before leaving the political world. He is seeking election to the office again in the November elections.

Monday’ meeting was also used as a venue for announcing a run for office by a local candidate.

Cindy Jackson, who currently serves as bookkeeper and secretary at W.S. Neal Middle School, announced her plans to run for the District 4 seat on the Escambia County School Board.

“I had checked into running for the seat in the last election but it just wasn’t the right time,” Jackson said. “I’ll be retiring this year but I still want to play a part in education.”

Jackson said she will have 29 years of service in education and believes that experience will give her a good understanding of what is needed in county schools.

“By running for school board I can make a difference,” Jackson said. “After working in the system for all these years I can see where some things go lacking. I’ve worked with teachers, students and parents that has given me experience and a chance to see what can and should be done.”

The District 4 seeat is currently held by Richard Hawthorne, who was indicted last year on ethics chargs stemming from his job at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.

Other Republican candidates addressing the local party members included state Rep. Alan Baker, who announced his bid for re-election. Mike Jones and Greg White, who are seeking election to the House District 92 seat being vacated by Speaker Seth Hammett,  also introduced themselves to local party members. Dorman Grace, a candidate for commissioner of agriculture and industries, also spoke to the group.

The Escambia County Republican Committee holds monthly meetings regularly scheduled for the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. Meetings alternate between Brewton and Atmore locations. The March meeting will be held in Atmore with a date and place to be announced.

Published: Tuesday, September 29, 2009

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Former State Treasurer George Wallace Jr. wants his old job back and wants to save Alabama’s financially troubled prepaid college tuition plan.

“I want to end my political career where I started it and shore up this program,” Wallace announced Tuesday.

Wallace will face Terry Dunn, a Southside businessman, in the Republican primary on June 1. Jeremy Sherer, a Birmingham attorney, is the lone Democratic candidate. The incumbent, Republican Kay Ivey, is running for governor.

Wallace, the son of former Govs. George and Lurleen Wallace, served two terms as state treasurer from 1987-1995 and two terms on the Public Service Commission from 1998-2006. Wallace ran for lieutenant governor in 2006 but lost the Republican runoff.

Dunn has served in party posts, including being a member of the State Republican Executive Committee, but is making his first race for statewide office. He said Wallace’s well-known name won’t affect his campaign plans.

“I’m in it to win it,” he said Tuesday.

Wallace, 57, said he thought he was through with politics until participants in Alabama’s Prepaid College Tuition Plan began to contact him about the plan’s financial problems. Participants turned to Wallace because he and Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. persuaded the Legislature to start the program in 1990.

For nearly two decades, parents paid a fixed amount into the program when a child was young, the state invested the money, and the child got four years of tuition at a state university. The program began to falter when its stock investments plunged in value and tuition rose faster than anticipated. Now financial experts say it needs as much as $1 billion to meet its future tuition obligations for the 48,000 participants.

Wallace said he wants to shore up the program without raising taxes on anyone by using money from several existing state sources. By doing that, he said, the participants will get college degrees, land higher paying jobs and pay more taxes to the state.

“This is not a bailout or giveaway. This is an investment that has worked well,” Wallace said.

Responding to Wallace’s announcement, Dunn said, “Neither he nor any other candidate can solve the PACT problems. It will take a bipartisan commitment from legislators in the next session.”

He predicted that will happen when the Legislature convenes in January and the tuition plan will become a non-issue by the primary election.

August 26, 2009

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Former State Treasurer George Wallace Jr. is considering running for his old office.

Wallace, a Republican, says he expects to make a decision within a month.

Wallace served two terms as treasurer and helped start Alabama’s prepaid college tuition program. Wallace says he thought he was finished with politics after losing the lieutenant governor’s race in 2006, but many people have encouraged him to run again and help shore up the financially troubled tuition program.

If Wallace runs, he will join Republican Terry Dunn and Democrat Jeremy Sherer in the race. Both said Wednesday they plan to stay in the race if Wallace enters it.