The legislature was on spring break this past week, which gave me an opportunity to travel throughout my senate district to visit with some of you and to present some grant checks.

I was able to travel to Lawrence County where I presented three checks, totaling $1,750, to the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce for their youth leadership and scholarship programs, $500 for Speake School for students to attend the FFA convention, $5,000 for the Mt. Hope Volunteer Fire Department to assist with their equipment and training needs and $500 for the Mt. Hope School to assist with their yearbook program.

Thursday, I traveled to Fayette County where I presented $500 to the Hubbertville School for their reading program, $500 to the Animal Outreach of Fayette, $500 for the A.L. Franks Memorial Scholarship Fund and $1,000 for the Fayette County High School golf team. Judge William Oswalt along with Representative William Thigpen and I also presented a grant to the Newtonville Community Center for some repairs and upgrades.

From Fayette I traveled to Lamar County where I presented $1,000 to the Lamar County Genealogical Society, $500 to the South Lamar School reading program, $2,500 for the Sulligent School to assist with a new school sign, $325 for the Lamar County High School softball program, $1,000 for South Lamar School for playground equipment and $1,000 to the Lamar County Historical Society. I appreciate my good friend, Judge Johnny Rogers, helping me with the presentations.

It is a privilege for me to assist with these school and community projects as they not only enhance the quality of life in our senate district but, also assist with economic growth and development. You may rest assured that I will continue to work hard on your behalf to see that our tax dollars are returned to us.

I am pleased to report to you that the Alabama Department of Transportation will be opening bids on two important highway projects in our district on March 28. In Marion County, there will be a highway project that includes traffic striping, markings and legends on various county roads. It is important that we have these good, safety features on all of our roads and I appreciate the work being done both in Marion and Winston County. In Winston County, they will also striping various county roads to help improve the safety of travel for citizens and businesses.

Please also note that the Alabama State Council on the Arts is beginning a new grant season for community and school art programs. The eligibility requirements as well as grants available can be found on the Council's website at I would encourage any interested organization to go online and apply for any of these grants for which they may be eligible. Arts play an important part in the overall quality of life for our community and schools and I support the Council's efforts in promoting the various arts especially in our rural communities.

It was good to see warmer temperatures return to the area as well as some much needed rain. Unfortunately, for some of us, this also brought strong and damaging storms. My prayers are with all of those who have suffered damages to their property as well as with those who have suffered personally.

This coming week, we will be back in Montgomery where hopefully we can get past the Republican senators slow down tactics and get back to work.

Please continue to contact me at the following: