Candidates running for local offices in Franklin County had the opportunity to address voters at Saturday's candidate supper held at the Spruce Pine Community Center.
The event, one of only a few scheduled locally this political season, was hosted by members of the Spruce Pine Historical Society, and as always, featured a delicious meal and delectable cakes that were auctioned off.
Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver and his Republican challenger Joe Fike both talked about their law enforcement experience.
Fike's law enforcement career began more than 20 years ago when he was hired by the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office. Fike has served as Courtland Police Department Assistant Chief and Phil Campbell Police Chief. He's currently working as a police officer on the Calhoun Community College campus.
Oliver has been Franklin County Sheriff since 2011. He talked about the various duties of the sheriff beyond those of arresting people charged with crimes.
The sheriff serves as guardian/conservator for individuals deemed wards of the state. These are people who have no family or people to care for them. Oliver said he has been appointed guardian/conservator of approximately 30 people and this is a part of the sheriff's job most people aren't aware of.
There is no Democratic candidate for Franklin County Sheriff, so the winner of the May 24, 2022, Republican Primary will serve as the sheriff beginning in 2023.
The two Republican candidates running for Franklin County Board of Education District Two (Phil Campbell) are incumbent Terry Welborn and Curtis Baker.
Baker, who graduated from Phil Campbell High School, spoke about his lifelong support of PCHS.
“Ever since I got out of school in 2000, I've had a passion to give back to Phil Campbell School. I think we need a positive change and that starts with a new board member,” Baker said.
Welborn, who is seeking a fourth term, discussed some of the difficult times the Franklin County School Board, its faculty, administrators and students have faced the past 12 years.
“I love Phil Campbell. My kids graduated from there. My grand kids are going there as well. We've had some rough times since 2010, when I was first elected,” Welborn said. “We went through a devastating tornado in my first term and then the pandemic hit two years ago.
“So the board sat down with our superintendent and came up with the best solutions to educate our kids and keep them safe,” he added.
The candidates for the Republican nomination for Franklin County Board of Education District Four are Carol Murphree and Heath McKee. The winner of that primary will face incumbent Democratic nominee Shannon Oliver in November.
Murphree, a retired educator, explained why she chose to run for the BOE.
“This is my first political race ever,” Murphree said. “I was a school teacher in three systems and have been retired 10 years.
“I'm not running against anyone. I'm running for the children of Franklin County, Alabama. I have no agenda. I will work hard for them and that's why I got involved,” she added.
McKee did not attend.
Phil Campbell resident Eric Reason, public relations director for the Franklin County Republican Party, spoke and urged people to join the party's Facebook page. On Facebook, search “Franklin County Al (GOP) Republican Party.”
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