Battle reelected to fifth term as mayor of Huntsville

Over the years it has occurred to me that the real governing in our state, and more than likely in every state for that matter, is done by the mayors. We have a reservoir of the best people in our state who are mayors. The mayor of a city is the chief cook and bottle washer. Most Alabamians view their mayor as their best friend in the political world. They know their mayor. They have either watched him grow up or, if the mayor is older, the mayor has coached them in little league baseball or taught them in Sunday School.

They know their mayor personally and call on him to help solve their problems. Their mayor can resolve their daily problems within minutes. They look to their mayor to make sure they have a good school system, their roads are functional, to make sure they are safe in their homes from crime, and that their garbage is picked up timely. The mayor’s office is where the rubber meets the road.