By Bob Stickley

If you don’t make a practice of voting, it will be very important to you to vote this year.

The race for governor in Alabama has begun to heat up between Robert Bentley and Ron Sparks. Both have positive views on what they will do if elected governor.

We as voters should study these programs and then vote for the man whom we think is the best qualified for the job, and not just because he is a Republican or a Democrat.

Also on the ballot in Russellville is the issue of alcohol sales. Although there are some opposed to alcohol sales, there are those who approve.

I guess the best option is to study all the views and decide what you feel is best for Russellville then cast your ballot according to how you feel — not on what someone else suggests.

Also in the November election is the race for sheriff of Franklin County. Our present sheriff, Larry Plott, is stepping down for retirement, and very deservingly I might add. He has been a good sheriff for many years.

We now have two experienced men running for the office in Capt. Shannon Oliver of the Russellville Police Department and Ray Hayse, who is currently the Chief of Police in Leighton and has several years of law enforcement experience here in Franklin County.

I remember when I first arrived in Russellville all I heard about were bootleggers. But as the years rolled by that seemed to disappear from our televisions and newspapers thanks to some good police work in our county.

Now all we hear about is drugs and drug busts and that is so sad that people stoop so low all for the mighty dollar.

I feel that our candidates will both keep a handle on things and bring the drug situation to an end some day soon.

I hope you can see how important it is to  get out and vote in November.