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Clarke cattlemen hold annual meeting
At the annual meeting of the Clarke County Cattlemen's Association held at Clarke Prep School in Grove Hill, new officers and directors were also elected. President Duelon Dunagan was succeeded by Ray Clarke. Alan Moseley was elected vice president and Charles Reeves secretary treasurer. Powell told the group that the Alabama Legislature will convene for its annual session Feb. 5. After three years of surplus income, the state is facing a $500 million shortfall. "That [a budget shortfall] always kind of makes me nervous because of talk of a tax increase," Powell said, looking at State Rep. Marc Keahey who was in the audience. "Bad word," Keahey responded.
The state organization has a political action committee but it is one of the smallest in the state. Powell said the group relies on its network of county associations for grassroots contact with local legislators. The state allocates $1 of membership dues to its PAC but that amounts to only about $10,000 or $12,000 a year. Individuals contribute a little more through a PAC Club. Fifty cents of check-off funds are used to promote the industry and the state organization is working with Auburn University to revitalize its livestock program. There are a lot of dog and cat veterinarians but too few large animal vets across the state, Powell explained. "We are putting the carrot out to get people to come to the rural areas to be [large animal] vets," he explained. The state organization has worked with the Department of Transportation to change the exemption for vehicles from 10,000 pounds to 26,000 pounds to help cattlemen pulling trailers with pickups intrastate. Powell said federal officials may not allow the change, however. Membership dollars also support the state cattlemen's magazine, one of the best in the country, Powell said. The Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation is funded by the Cattlemen's specialty tag income. The foundation funds youth programs, including 28 scholarships. The Alabama Cattlemen's Association will hold its annual meeting in Birmingham Feb. 1 and 2. Clarke County cattleman Charles Reeves will be named a lifetime director in recognition of his work, Powell said. Ann Harrison of the Clarke County Cattlewomen's Association recognized local scholarship winners. Taylor Nicole Harrell received a $500 scholarship and Kimberly Wilson and Annie Harrison received $250 scholarships each. Door prizes were given away during the evening and Billy Tinsley of Livingston Stockyards returned to auction cakes to benefit the cattlewomen's scholarships. Directors elected Saturday included James Dixon, Sammy Fendley, George Clarke, Alan Moseley, Earl King, Chip Harrigan and Ray Clarke. Other directors include Stacey Dunagan, Clint Bagley, Jackie Rush, Charles Reeves, Billy Reeves, Sammy Shields and John L. Harrison.
Powell also attended and spoke at the Washington County Cattlemen's Association, held Friday night in Chatom.
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