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FARMERS AND OTHER PIKE COUNTY LEADERS ENDORSE SEN. WENDELL MITCHELL
 | | Sen. Wendell Mitchell was endorsed by members of the Pike County Farmers Federation and other local leaders during a press conference Tuesday in Troy. |
TROY, Ala. -- Sen. "Walking" Wendell Mitchell received endorsements Tuesday morning from local farmers and other Pike County leaders during a press conference at the Pike County Cattlemen's Park.Mitchell represents Senate District 30, which includes Pike, Autauga, Butler, Crenshaw, Elmore and Lowndes counties. He is seeking re-election to his eighth, four-year term. Pike County Farmers Federation President John Dorrill spoke of Mitchell's support for agriculture and rural Alabama. "Sen. Mitchell sponsored and helped pass an important bill to cattle producers earlier this year," Dorrill said. The bill (HB561 / SB413) updated the state veterinarian's responsibilities to include "care of livestock, animal husbandry practices and control of contagious and infectious diseases of livestock." It also strengthened penalties for animal cruelty by establishing minimum fines for repeat offenders. The law precludes local and county governments from establishing a patchwork of different laws governing livestock care and handling. Without this protection farmers could see regulations enacted that would cripple the state's livestock industry and hinder economic growth. Dorrill also praised Mitchell for sponsoring a bill that strengthens laws regarding timber theft. The new law allows law enforcement officers to seize equipment in the possession of a person charged with a felony offense involving the theft of timber or lumber. "Sen. Mitchell also sponsored a bill that reduces expenses for producer-funded checkoff audits," Dorrill added. "That law changed requirements of audits from annually to every two years, saving thousands of dollars in accounting fees each year." Other local leaders spoke on Mitchell's behalf, including Pike County Farmers Federation Board Member Bill Hixon, who also serves on the Pike County Cattlemen's Association board, and Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas. Click here to watch a video from the news conference.
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