Gene Canavan

Over a year ago I wrote a byline for TAPPI about change, obviously referring to the change in the Presidency.  Quite frankly the political events of this fall both nationally and in Alabama completely over shadow the election of our first black president.  I wrote then and repeat now that mistakes are going to be made.  President Obama has made his share as have those in Congress and in State legislatures.  Now is the time we must wait and watch again.  How are our newly elected officials responding to mistakes and errors, both those in the past and those to come?  Pointing fingers?  Working toward solutions?

In case you missed it, Alabama will have a Republican governor and a majority in both State Houses come January.  This is the first time it has happened in 136 years.  The next couple of years will be very interesting indeed.

And when will they learn that the state of our economy drives elections?  Not too many years ago an investor could count on an increasing stock market in an election year. Gee that sure has changed.  Now you have to invest wisely all the time.

And while I'm on pet peeves, I washed my hands in a gas station restroom yesterday and was faced with a hand air dryer with a sign: this device Saves Trees.  I'm going to start a campaign - eat corn & save peas.  Makes as much sense.

Last week we had our first freeze of the season along with freezing rain.  Many country bridges iced over and caused accidents and near misses.  Several students said that if they knew the roads were so bad they would not have come to school.  We were fortunate that none of our students were directly involved in mishaps.  However this does emphasize that in the south we are just not prepared for severe cold weather, particularly in rural areas.

I hope everyone has a great holiday season.

Gene Canavan is retired and lives in Prattville, Alabama, USA