Senator Harri Anne Smith of the 29th Disctrict Alabama

My prayers go out to all the people of Alabama especially those hardest hit by the devastating weather this evening.

As I stood with colleagues in the Senate listening as location after location was named, being touched by tragedy, and devastation, I found myself answering calls on Senator Allen’s (From Tuscaloosa) desk phone as he was receiving call after call on his cell. One by one Senators heard of devastation, injuries and possible deaths from their hometowns and constituents, everyone scrambling to assist those whose areas were worst hit. 

Announcement after announcement of fellow legislators and colleagues,  families ,friends  and constituents in harm’s way, caused sadness, fear , and a sense of urgency throughout the Capitol City. First responders and emergency personnel were summoned from around the state as the news kept rolling in.

Tonight I’d like to thank all those who reacted with professionalism and fearlessness to come to the aid of all who are suffering.

My prayers continue for everyone suffering tonight, emergency personnel, and everyone who has come out to help, or been touched by this tragedy. I ask that everyone from the Wiregrass and all of Alabama join me, keeping these people in our thoughts and prayers.

Harri Anne  

Video clip Tornado in Tuscaloosa 

The five women in the Senate pointed out last week that no women were on seven of the Senate’s 20 major committees.

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh announced Tuesday that Democrat Tammy Irons was being appointed to the Energy Committee and Banking and Insurance Committee; Democrat Priscilla Dunn to the Business and Labor Committee; Democrat Linda Coleman to the Judiciary Committee; Democrat Vivian Davis Figures to the Education Committee; and Republican Harri Anne Smith to the Tourism Committee.

Marsh says he hopes the action shows the Senate leadership has responded. He added Coleman to Judiciary at the last minute after initially leaving a woman off the panel.

Baseball Is Back In Newton

A new era of baseball begins in Newton with opening day ceremonies.

Posted: 4:38 PM Apr 16, 2011

Reporter: Ben Stanfield

WTVY.com

Newton, Ala. – Baseball opening day in Newton is more than just a start of a new season. It’s the start of a new era bringing life back to the diamond.

Fields that have stood lifeless and empty during baseball season for years thanks to a dormant league were alive and well with new added luxury thanks to some local political figures and their fundraising efforts.

New scoreboards. New playground equipment. A new experience in Newton. Baseball is back and better than ever with the help of some Alabama Legislators.

“It’s great for the parents and grandparents involved with this to give their kids some extracurricular activities to go to,” Alabama Representative Steve Clouse said. “Boys and girls, it’s for all of them, and I think its a great thing.”

Representative Steve Clouse along with Senator Harri Anne Smith threw out the first pitch to start a brand new era of baseball in newton. Both agree that in order to make Alabama better for tomorrow… They have to start with tomorrow’s leaders.

“The kids are really excited today, and this means so much to this community,” Senator Harri Anne Smith said. “It gives them an activity to play a team a sport, learn character principles, and it’s just a great program. I am so proud to have helped with a small part in this today.”

Smith and Clouse both worked with the community to raise funds for digital scoreboards and overall park restoration. Residents say it boosts hometown pride knowing that a facility like this is so close to home.

“It’s all about children,” Thomas Henderson of the Newton Baseball League said. “These parents and children, we’ve worked hard. We just want them to have fun. We want to have our league and have a summer program just like everyone else does, and just let the children enjoy life.”

When Clouse and Smith threw the first pitch, it was more than just a ball crossing the plate. It was a hometown pride shining through a baseball.

They were both presented with a plaque as thanks from the town of Newton for their help in making this day possible. It was a memorable day for the town.

The money total obtained to help the league and the park ranged at around $13,000.

Incumbent State Sen. Harri Anne Smith fought through an independent candidacy and a federal indictment to hold on to her District 29 seat, defeating Republican challenger George Flowers.

With 98 percent of the precincts in, Smith defeated Flowers 56 percent to 44 percent. She returns to a Senate that Republicans were fighting to gain control of from Democrats for the first time in 136 years. Smith said it was too early to think about whether she would caucus with Democrats or Republicans.

“I’ve said all along that the biggest caucus to me is the people here,” Smith said. “So tonight is a little too early to look ahead. I’m just proud to be re-elected.”

Smith was ousted from the Alabama Republican party prior to the primary season for her endorsement of Democratic Congressional candidate Bobby Bright in 2008. It is a violation of Republican by-laws for a Republican to endorse a member of another party in which a Republican is running. A month ago, Smith was indicted on federal corruption charges in what prosecutors have called a vote-buying scheme to try to secure passage of an electronic bingo bill.

Smith called Tuesday’s win a vote of “trust.”

“I am so honored. It’s been a long road and the people were very, very good to me. I am very pleased the people have confidence in me,” Smith said. “This was absolutely the toughest race I’ve ever had. George is a wonderful friend of mine and a great person. My friends were his friends and I tried to be very respectful in this race.”

I am beyond humbled, and extremely honored that Ms. Phyllis White Polston, of Samson, approached me about appearing in an ad for me.

I met her under the absolute worst of circumstances, but through that tragedy, we have grown to be friends. She and her family remain in my prayers daily.

-Harri Anne Smith

Expresses Innocence, Confirms Her Commitment to Stand Up For The Wiregrass

October 4, 2010 – Montgomery, Ala – In a surprise move by The Department of Justice today, Senator Harri Anne Smith was picked up by Federal Marshalls and detained on unsubstantiated charges just one month before the election.

“This is an outrage. This is a nakedly political move, coordinated by prosecutors in cahoots with The Governor’s office to deny the people of The Wiregrass their right to vote and their lawful representation,” Smith said. “I am 100% innocent of these charges. We are not going to allow this to happen! I am committed to fighting these charges, and winning this election.”

This latest development comes on the heels of The Republican Party in Montgomery throwing Smith off the ballot for the June primary election, and her seeking ballot access as an Independent candidate. Smith and her campaign collected over ten times the number of signatures needed for her to be on the ballot as an Independent. Recent polling showed Smith leading her Republican opponent by as much as 70%-30%.

“First they tried to throw me off the ballot, and now they are trying to throw me in jail,” Smith said. “There is no limit to what these people will do to stop me from fighting for your right to vote, and standing up for The Wiregrass.”

Smith’s campaign spokesperson said that once all of the political shenanigans and rank electioneering came to light, he was positive the people of Senate District 29 would vote to re-elect her.

Taylor, AL-Senator Harri Anne Smith, alongside area official and business leaders, announced a project that will provide 350 new jobs for the people of the Wiregrass.

Vantage Sourcing currently employs about 250 people at its Dothan location. Vantage Co-owner Scott Stanford said they will open second location in Taylor by early January. The new call center will employ about 350 people, Stanford said, and represents a $3 million investment.

Taylor Mayor Joel Napier, Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver, Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks, Dothan Chamber of Commerce President Matt Parker, and Senator Harri Anne Smith worked together tirelessly to make this possibility a reality.

Vantage Director of Business Development Kim Redd thanked Harri Anne and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Ron Sparks for their help. Redd said it was a challenge to find a suitable training facility large enough to hold 250 trainees at a time; especially during the holiday season. It was decided the Houston County Farm Center was the best choice.

“Training that many people was a huge challenge. We knew that the farm center would be losing revenue that is dearly needed to support agriculture programs like 4H and others that support children. We did not want to do that in this time of budget constraints,” Harri Anne said in today’s announcement. “I got on the phone with my friend Ron Sparks. I said ‘I need some money from the Agriculture Department to help with jobs.’ He said ‘Jobs, Yes!’ I want to thank him for saying ‘Yes’ to jobs in the Wiregrass.”

Sparks said, “This is an example of government working together; city government, county government and state government. This is not the first time Sen. Harri Anne Smith and I have worked together and it won’t be the last. This is how you do it.”

Taylor Mayor Joel Napier said, “This is the biggest project in Taylor history and it will help the whole area with creating jobs and commerce. We appreciate all the organizations that have helped us with economic development and being in a position to make this project happen is exciting. We thank the Vantage family for their investment and confidence in our community.”

Other organizations recognized or their involvement are as follows: Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), Alabama Power, CenturyLink, Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Dothan, Houston County Commission, Town of Taylor, Town of Taylor Industrial Development Board and the Alabama Department of Revenue.

SLOCOMB:  They came from all over Geneva, Houston and Dale County in a show of support of Republican Alabama Senator Harri Anne Smith.

More than 500 people gathered in Slocomb tonight for a time of meet and greet the Republican District 29 Senator, Harri Anne Smith. They shared a time of Senator Smith speaking about her conservative record in the Senate, a time of great fish and good entertainment.

The fish fry was held at Nate’s Oyster Bar in Slocomb. The crowd was overflowing in the parking lot and lined up to shake hands with Senator Smith and her husband Charlie.

Smith is seeking re-election as an Independent. While her record is conservative, the elite republican forces from Montgomery choose to try and dictate to the people of Geneva, Houston and Dale County who could run and not. When Republican Senator Smith stood up to your governor Bob Riley and certain wealthy men who try to play dictator over the wiregrass, they group decided to not let Smith run as a Republican.