By Staff
Leada DeVaney, Hartselle Enquirer
When I was about five years old, I went with my mother to Smith Elementary School so she could cast her vote. It was the presidential election of 1975, pitting Gerald Ford against Jimmy Carter.
At the time, voters in Birmingham cast their ballots in closet-like booths, complete with curtains on the front and buttons inside.
To my five-year-old eyes, the whole machine looked like a big toy, sort of like the one we paid a quarter to ride in front of K-Mart.
My mother held my hand and led me into the voting booth with her. I asked to pull the levers but she wouldn't let me.
I guess five-year-olds can't vote.
I don't know who my mother voted for that day and I've never asked. What made an impression to me was that my mother took the time to vote. And she still does. I hope you all do, too.
As with most things, the truth lies somewhere in between. Our office here seems to be a microcosm of the city as a whole. There are some people who think alcohol sales will help the city. Others think legalizing liquor will change Hartselle for the worse.
Legalizing liquor is moral, political, financial and religious issue – you can't ask for a hotter potato.
The real test of Hartselle will be how the city responds to the vote – no matter how it ends up. Which ever side wins, everyone will have to work together to improve this city for the future.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could take all the passion and civic involvement from this issue and channel it into improving other areas of the city for the future?
On a statewide level, I'd ask for your support of Beth Chapman for the state auditor's office. Beth is a good friend and, more importantly, she would serve the state of Alabama well.
Whoever you decide to vote for, I hope you exercise one of our greatest freedoms and responsibilities.