NEWS

James Phillips
Assistant Managing Editor
Tuesday, Nov 10, 2009

DORA — Howard Garrison wants to be the voice in Montgomery for residents of state Senate District 5.

That’s what his campaign handouts say, and that’s what Garrison told voters during a tour of the district Monday.

“We’ve had a great time today,” Garrison said outside Green Top Bar-B-Que in Dora. “This is our fourth stop of the day and we have four more to go. We’ve had the opportunity to meet several folks and we want to impress upon them that we are going to be a voice for the people.”

Garrison, a Republican, is seeking election to the Senate seat currently being held by Sen. Charles Bishop (R-Arley). Garrison was born and raised in Jefferson County. Senate District 5 is made up of western Jefferson County, northeast Tuscaloosa County, Walker County and southern Winston County.

Garrison is a University of Alabama graduate and is a partner at Duckworth Morrison Garrison real estate company in Tuscaloosa. He has been married to his wife, Ashley, for 40 years. They have two sons, Haston and Lee Garrison, and are the proud grandparents of 2-year-old Michael Lee Garrison. The couple attend Christ Episcopal Church in Tuscaloosa.

“Ashley and I have already been traveling around the four counties that make up District 5,” he said. “We have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many wonderful people and we have been very encouraged and humbled by the amount of support we have received. I am committed to working hard for every vote in each of the four counties that make up District 5. To me, there are no county lines. I’m running to represent every community and to be a senator for all of District 5.”

During his tour on Monday, Garrison met with a group of people eating breakfast at Jack’s Restaurant in Carbon Hill. He also visited the Walker County Courthouse in downtown Jasper, before going to Allison Equipment Inc. in Arley. While in Arley, Garrison said the campaign made a $500 donation to Meek Elementary School.

“I had seen that Meek Elementary was one of the top rural schools in the state,” Garrison said. “They do an excellent job in instructing students but they do have some funding problems. The campaign wanted to show them what an outstanding job we think they are doing by giving that donation.”

Garrison went on to say that education is one of his top priorities.

“I think we need to work in the area of pre-K,” Garrison said. “We need to expand Alabama’s First Class program and also expand the Alabama Reading Initiative. If we can reach children at an early age, they are more likely to be successful in school and to stay in school.”

While at Green Top, Garrison said economic development will be another priority of his campaign.

“We need to improve infrastructure and maximize the economic impact of I-22,” he said. “Getting the last five miles of the interstate finished is a key to the future economic development of Walker County and west Jefferson County. I will do my part to make sure it is finished as quickly as possible.”

After the Green Top stop, the tour went to portions of Jefferson and Tuscalossa counties.

“We have enjoyed meeting people today and we look forward to meeting many more before this election is over,” Garrison said.

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