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Pell City
By Kellie L. Long
March 27, 2003

PELL CITY - Seniors and civics students at Pell City High School had an opportunity last week to show their support for Alabama constitutional reform.

   Kevin Garrison, a representative of Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform (ACCR), arrived at the school in his "signature" school bus and spoke to the students about the need for reforming the 1901 document.

   "We are trying to educate citizens about why the document needs modernizing," Garrison said. "We are at a crossroad in the biggest roadblock is the 1901 constitution."

   Alabama's constitution is the longest constitution in the world with 742 amendments.

   These amendments regulate everything from weed control in Jefferson County to bingo in Whitehall.

   Garrison told students that before 1901 most blacks in Alabama could vote, but as a result of the constitution that right was taken from them. The document also consolidated all governmental power in Montgomery.

   Pell City Mayor Guin Robinson, a staunch supporter of reform, told students about the difficulty Pell City had in getting an elected school board.

   "The people of the city felt we needed an elected school board," Robinson said. "But it had to be voted on statewide and be a statewide amendment before it could happen. It passed with an overwhelming majority in Pell City. Luckily it passed statewide, too."

   Robinson also shared a bit of Pell City History as well.

   He said Napoleon Bonaparte Spears was our first constitutional delegate. He was from Pell City and said in 1901 that the proposed constitution was wrong. It tied the hands of local governments, which, Robinson said, is exactly what they intended it to do.

   "Does Whitehall need to play bingo? I don't care and we shouldn't make that decision for them," Robinson said. "If Jefferson County wants to kill weeds, let them do it. It's none of our business."

   County Commission Chairman Stan Batemon also spoke briefly with students about how the constitution of a state or federal government serves as a blue-print for the state.

   "Alabama's blueprint is so complicated we can't build our state on it." Batemon said.

   Batemon, a long time advocate of home rule, told students that the reform would not come easy and that not everything in the current document needs to be changed.

   Batemon was recently appointed by Governor Bob Riley to serve on the committee to review reforming the constitution.

   Batemon said his committee addressed five issues: recompilation to take out parts the courts have decided are unconstitutional; propose a super majority requirement where three-fifths of the legislative body would have to approve a tax before it was levied; line item veto where the governor can veto and remove certain parts of bills rather than having to veto an entire bill; unearmarking of funds except those dedicated to education; and limited home rule giving more decision making ability to county commissions.

   "This is not going to be an easy task, but it must be done," Batemon said. "We're going to take it a little at a time."

   Pell City High School students signed ACCR's school bus in support of constitutional reform.

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