“Senator Sanders, have you heard, and if so, what do you think about Gov. Bentley dissolving the Black Belt Action Commission and the Alabama Rural Action Commission and putting those functions in the Alabama Office of Rural Development under Ron Sparks?” Those may not be the reporter’s exact words, but they are as close as I can recall. I don’t recall my exact response but I want to share what I would like to have said.

I think it is wonderful that Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Ron Sparks to head Alabama Office of Rural Development. After all, Gov. Bentley is a Republican and Ron Sparks is a Democrat. I appreciate Gov. Bentley reaching across lines of differences such as political party to make such an appointment. It speaks well of him.

Of course I had heard rumors that the Black Belt Action Commission and the Alabama Rural Action Commission would be dissolved. In fact, I had just placed a call to Bentley the day before but he was out for the remainder of the day, so I did not speak with him. I did, however, speak with Sparks.

Both of these entities, BBAC and ARAC, were created by executive order of Gov. Bob Riley and both could be rescinded by executive order. I served as co-chair of BBAC from the beginning. I personally know that the Black Belt Action Commission did good work in the six plus years of its existence. I think the Alabama Rural Action Commission did good work as well in its two or three years of its existence. Still, I understood why they were dissolved.

The real issue is rural development. And the Black Belt is real rural. I believe that Bentley is entitled as governor to have and advance his vision in the way he decides. He is also entitled to place his stamp on the implementation of that vision.

In my humble opinion, the Alabama Black Belt presents even greater rural development challenges than other rural areas of Alabama. This is based upon culture, history, demographics, etc. Therefore, a specialized approach rooted in transformation is required. That cannot be done outside-in but must be accomplished inside-out with outside assistance.

This is a reality taught to me by my nearly 40 years of struggle in the Black Belt.

.

ww