My name is Barry Moore and I am seeking re-election to the office of Franklin County Probate Judge, a position I have truly come to respect and enjoy over the past 17 years because of my ability to help my fellow citizens as a member of our local government.

Because I have lived in Franklin County all my life, and my roots run deep in this area, I have the honor of knowing many of you personally. And during my time serving as Probate Judge, I have had the opportunity to meet those I didn’t already know. But for those out there who may not know me or why I am seeking re-election for this position, let me tell you a little more about what I do and why this is more than just a “job” for me.

As Chairman of the Franklin County Commission, one of the most rewarding projects I have worked on since I was last re-elected was to bring reliable broadband Internet service to our county. In the times we live in, Internet connectivity is essential to our daily lives.

Many people need the Internet for work, school and for personal daily use in order to connect with their friends, family and loved ones. 
 And we saw even more clearly during the global pandemic how vital reliable Internet service is with so many businesses and services going virtual and many still maintaining some of these virtual practices even today.

I didn’t want any of our citizens to miss out on opportunities because of where they lived, so much time has been dedicated to this broadband project.
 Franklin County received American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as a result of the pandemic and $5 million was pledged to invest in broadband for Franklin County.

We have been working diligently with Investing in Alabama Counties (IAC) to ensure that the use of these funds complied with all federal and state requirements. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, we were able to preserve our citizens’ taxpayer funds so that they can be used in other areas of county management. It will be exciting to see the positive benefits of broadband in the coming months.
 But broadband service isn’t the only project I have worked on.

I have worked with federal and state officials to secure funds for the county roads and bridges, not because it’s my job but because I have seen the real-life impact these projects can have.

Hearing from citizens whose roads have been paved or have seen long-time problems addressed is always rewarding, and it has been a pleasure to work with our commissioners to make these types of projects a reality. Other projects were completed through ARC and Community Development Block Grants that we worked hard to secure, and it’s been great seeing how much these grants have helped our citizens as well. Seeking re-election will allow me more time to continue and complete many of these projects that have already been started and embark on new projects as well.

In the area of law enforcement, it has been an honor to support funding to ensure our hardworking men and women will be able to operate efficiently to protect the law abiding citizens of our county, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because I genuinely care about the safety of our citizens, and I believe in our law enforcement and appreciate what they do.

I will always support these men and women as chairman of the Franklin County Commission.
 When it comes to economic development, seeking re-election will allow me to continue working hard to support our existing businesses and industries while actively pursuing new opportunities that will benefit our citizens. There is more work to do in the creation of jobs, and I want to continue to be part of that so our citizens can support and raise their families here and truly make Franklin County their home.

Under my direction, the Probate Office and County Commission Office will continue to provide friendly, fast and efficient service to our customers because I believe it is important to treat those who come in our office the way we would want to be treated if we were in the same position. We have wonderful staff, and I am thankful for the jobs each of them do. And as Probate Judge, I will always make fair and unbiased decisions within the statutes of the law to protect the rights and estates of the citizens of Franklin County.

I believe it’s important for our citizens to have someone fair, knowledgeable and experienced to preside over these situations, and I am certain my tenure over the past 17 years reflects this. 
 I continue to be involved in groups and associations outside of the commission, such as serving on the Budget and Personnel Committee of the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG), serving as an Executive Board Member of the Northwest Alabama RC&D, serving on the Northwest Shoals Community College Foundation Board and serving as a board member of the Bear Creek Development Authority.

I have found that my participating in groups like these has given me access to important contacts within our state and local governments and has also provided me with valuable knowledge and experience I can utilize in my own position which ultimately benefits our county and citizens. 
 As has been the case for almost two decades, I will continue to use conservative values, common sense principles and my invaluable experience while executing my duties and responsibilities in this position.

I will continue to be a dependable, honest and diligent official, and I will continue to make it a priority to represent the working men and women of Franklin County by listening to their concerns and trying my best to resolve any issues when possible.

In my personal life, I have been married to Deedra Seale for 31 years, and we have a 23-year-old daughter, Ashton. I graduated from the University of North Alabama in 1990 with a degree in Business Management. I served in the Alabama National Guard for 23 years, served one year on active duty in Iraq and have been a lifelong Republican.

I have been Probate Judge in Franklin County since 2007, and it has been such a fulfilling and rewarding role.
 Being Probate Judge is more than just a job for me – it’s a way to give back to a community I’ve been part of my whole life, and I would very much appreciate your support for the Republican nomination during the March 5, 2024, primary.