This month marks the anniversary of my first column in The Greenville Advocate and Luverne Journal. It seems like yesterday when I received a telephone call from part of the management team of The Advocate asking me to consider this assignment.

I remember very clearly my initial reaction to this request. It was one of reluctance because I did not feel I had the time to make this a meaningful column each week nor did I feel like there was enough material to draw from to do this each and every week.

I now must admit that I am delighted that the management insisted that I "give it a try." I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this column and I have tried my best to be objective and give you useful and interesting information.

The general theme of all my columns has been to report on legislative and governmental activities, but from time to time, as you know, I have ventured off into other subjects that I thought would be of interest to residents of Butler and Crenshaw Counties.

Let me say a "thank you" to The Greenville Advocate and Luverne Journal for this opportunity to share with those of you who read this column my insights and perspectives on governmental activities and other matters. I also want to thank you, my constituents, who read this column. Many of you have written me letters, telephoned me or just stopped me on the street, to mention some response you had to some subject or topic about which I wrote.

I find that we generally are in agreement, but I want you to know that I welcome the responses and reactions of those who may disagree with some position I have taken or information I have shared.

I can always benefit by having your thinking on any issue that you feel is of interest or importance that involves my public service.

I thought it might be of interest to outline for you some of the things in the regular schedule of your state senator. It might give you some idea of how I spend my time carrying out my responsibilities as your public servant. Below are some of the activities in which I have been engaged in as part of my job as state senator over just the past 30 days.

Attended meeting of Legislative Council at Statehouse in Montgomery; met with firefighters from throughout Pike County in Troy; attended Coosada City Council Meeting in Elmore County; spoke to Luverne Kiwanis Club; participated in two day meeting of Legislative Contract Review Committee at Statehouse; attended a luncheon with members of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles; met with firefighters throughout Butler County in Greenville; attended Millbrook City Council Meeting; spent two days at Point Clear attending Economic Development Conference as guest of Prattville Chamber of Commerce; attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Alabama Law Institute; met with the Wetumpka City Council; spoke to the Elmore County Commission; attended a Legislative Caucus meeting at Statehouse; spoke to and participated in a leadership program at Troy State University in Troy; spoke to Alabama Judges Association at Gulf Shores; and attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a new electric plant in Autauga County.

In addition to these specific activities, I have met with many constituent groups over this same period of time and have visited a number of state agencies in behalf of constituents who have matters pending in those agencies.

So you can see, this is a pretty busy job but I consider it an honor to serve. I will always try to justify the confidence you have placed in me.

If I can assist you at any time, remember "I'll go with you or I'll go for you" to help you solve any problem related to state government.