BC Voters League celebrate 45 years during Annual Banquet

By Felicia Farnsworth

The Bullock County Voters League held their Annual Banquet on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at South Highlands Middle School. This year signifies the celebration of forty five years of service to Bullock County. Their motto is “Working to make Bullock County a better place during our lifetime.”

The tables were decorated with white table cloths, navy and light blue table runners were laid vertically on the main table, with blue and white carnations for centerpieces with silver and blue confetti pieces placed around them. The music was provided by Mrs. Robinese T. Williams. Reverend Nathaniel Copeland, Pastor Person Chapel A. M. E. Church gave the Invocation. The Honorable Sean Dees, Superintendent, Bullock County Board of Education, gave greetings to the banquet guests, as did the Honorable James Tatum, Bullock County Probate Judge, the Honorable Roderick Clark, Union Springs Mayor, and the Honorable Roy Murray, Midway, AL Councilman.

Guests were presented with a buffet style dinner which included baked or fried chicken, vegetables, rice, potato salad, as well as dinner rolls and cake for dessert. The guests were given sweet tea or lemonade to quench their thirst. While guests enjoyed their dinner, Mrs. Williams blessed them with her musical talents. Speaking on the occasion was Reverend Sidney Jernigan, Jr. followed by the Honorable Robert L. Turner who was given the pleasure of introducing the Guest Speaker, the Honorable J. C. Love, III, Montgomery County Probate Judge.

Judge Love was appointed as the Probate Court Judge for Montgomery County by Governor KayIvey on November 15, 2019. He is the second African American Judge and first licensed attorney since former Probate Court Judge Perry O. Hooper, Sr. (1965-1974.) Judge Love was born and raised in Montgomery, AL and attended Montgomery Public Schools.

He graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in 1997 and attended Morehouse College in Atlanta,GA where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Judge Love attended Boston College Law School where he graduated in 2004. Judge Love spoke about the importance of voting and the impact it has on our community. Judge Love gave a history timeline about African American voting rights and talked about the importance and power of their vote. “In recent years we have seen another cycle of progress followed by setbacks and the struggle for voting rights. The election of Barack Obama, the first African American President of the United States, was seen as a significant milestone in the fight for racial equality. However, his election was followed by efforts to rumble black voting rights hindered the minorities’ convenience,” stated Judge Love during his speech.

After Judge love’s speech, Mrs. Ruth B. Turner sang “Hero” by Mariah Carey. Turner’s solo was followed by Miss Morgan Mason, BCHS Senior Class President, Future Teachers of Alabama State President, who gave recognition to special guests. Ms. Essie B. Thomas, President, gave out three awards. The award for their Outstanding Community Service to the Citizens of Union Springs and all of Bullock County was presented to The Unique Achievers. The Outstanding Activism Award was presented to the late Susie Ellis. The Outstanding Public Service Award was presented to the late Prestic Faulk. The Ellis Family and the Faulk Family accepted the awards on their loved ones behalf. Ms. Essie B. Thomas stated in a message to all, “Working to make Bullock County a better place during our lifetime, we make tough decisions and we make these tough decisions without fear, yet respect to all. The Bullock County Voters League is built on unbeatable determination, on vision, on courage, on faith, and on imagination. We ask that you become involved in making Bullock County a better place during your lifetime - TODAY - join the Bullock County Voters League.” Reverend Keith Baker, Pastor Jones Chapel A. M. E. Church gave the Benediction.