Correspondence from Still to Martin; to Jones; to Floyd; to Vaughan; to Kirk

    Edward Still ® £3 Gg Pot 9 {> Cable: VOTELAW b/s a Telex: 6502416331 MCI 

MCI Mail: 241-6331 

  

attorney at law 

714 South 29th Street 

Birmingham, AL 35233-2810 

205/322-6631 

11 September 1986 

D.1. Martin, Esq. 
215 South Main Street 
Moulton, AL 35650 

David R. Boyd, Esq. 
Balch & Bingham 
P.O. Box 78 

Montgomery, AL 36101 

re: Dillard v Crenshaw County (Lawrence County) 

Dear David and David: 

As you know, the stipulation into which we entered with you 
provides that there will be a special primary election held on 4 
November, runoff on 26 November, and general election on 16 
December for the districts created under the remedial plan. We 
are concerned about preparations that are being made to conduct 
elections under both election plans under consideration. 

Would you let us know what steps you are taking on the 
following: 

1. that voters in these new districts are being identified 
and notified that they live in the district; 

2. that voters and potential candidates know that a special 
primary and election has been set; 

3. what qualification deadlines have been set for 
candidates and how they have been publicized. 

We are, of course, interested in having this special primary 
and election occur with as little voter confusion as possible. 
The cooperation of county officials is vital to that goal. 

We want to make our position clear. Consistent with the 
court’s order of 28 May and our stipulation with you, we contend 
that all county commission seats must be elected at these special 
elections. 

 



  

Sincerely,    
Edward Still 

ES/+ 

cc: Hon. Myron H. Thompson 
US District Judge 
P O Box 235 
Montgomery AL 36101 

James U. Blacksher, Esq. 
Blacksher Menefee & Stein P.A. 
P.O. Box 1051] 

Mobile, AL 36633 

Larry Menefee, Esq. 
Blacksher Menefee & Stein P.A. 
Fifth Floor, Title Bldg. 
300 21st Street North 
Birmingham AL 35203 

Terry G. Davis, Esq. 
Seay & Davis 
P.O. Box 6215 

Montgomery, AL 36106 

Julius L. Chambers, Esq. 
Deborah Fins, Esq. 
NAACP Legal Defense Fund! 
99 Hudson Street 

New York, NY 10013 

 



¥ 

: Edward Still ® Cable: VOTELAW 
Telex: 6502416331 MCI 

attorney at law MCI Mail: 241-6331 

714 South 29th Street 

Birmingham, AL 35233-2810 

205/322-6631 

11 September 1986 

Herbert D. Jones, Esq. 
P.O. Box 1618 

Anniston, AL 36202 

re: Dillard v Crenshaw County (Calhoun County) 

Dear Bert: 

As you know, the stipulation into which we entered with you 
provides that there will be a special primary election held on 4 
November, runoff on 26 November, and general election on 16 
December for the districts created under the remedial plan. 
Under our subsequent agreement, we have agreed to a single-member 
district plan with five districts, with the only remaining 
question being whether there shall be an additional at-large 
chairman. 

Would you let us know what steps you are taking on the 
following: 

1. that voters in these new districts are being identified 
and notified that they live in the district; 

2. that voters and potential candidates know that a special 
primary and election has been set; 

3. what qualification deadlines have been set for 
candidates and how they have been publicized; 

4. how you are informing candidates that file qualification 
papers for the at-large chairman position that the position is 
still subject to approval by the court and/or the US Justice 
Department. 

We are, of course, interested in having this special primary 
and election occur with as little voter confusion as possible. 
The cooperation of county officials is vital to that goal. 

We want to make our position clear. Consistent with the 
court’s order of 28 May and our stipulation with you, we contend 
that all county commission seats must be elected at these special 
elections.  



Sincerely, 

Edward Still 

  

ES/+ 

cc: Hon. Myron H. Thompson 
US District Judge 
PO Box 235 
Montgomery AL 36101 

James U. Blacksher, Esq. 
Blacksher Menefee & Stein P.A. 
P.O. Box 1051 
Mobile, AL 36633 

Larry Menefee, Esq. 
Blacksher Menefee & Stein P.A. 
Fifth Floor, Title Bldg. 
300 21st Street North 
Birmingham AL 35203 

Terry G. Davis, Esq. 
Seay & Davis 
P.O. BOX 6215 

Montgomery, AL 36106 

Julius L. Chambers, Esq. 
Deborah Fins, Esq. 
NAACP Legal Defense Fund 
99 Hudson Street 
New York, NY 10013 

 



‘Edward Still ® Cable: VOTELAW 
Telex: 6502416331 MCI 

attorney at law MCI Mail: 241-6331 

714 South 29th Street 

Birmingham, AL 35233-2810 

205/322-6631 

11 September 1986 

Jack Floyd, Esdq. 
Floyd Kenner & Cusimano 
816 Chestnut Street 
Gadsden, AL 35999-2701 

re: Dillard v Crenshaw County (Etowah County) 

Dear Mr. Floyd: 

As you know, the consent decree into which we entered with 
you provides that there will be a special primary election held 
for new districts 5 and 6 on 4 November, runoff on 26 November, 
and general election on 16 December. 

Would you let us know what steps you are taking on the 
following: 

1. that voters in this district are being identified and 
notified that they live in the district; 

2. that voters and potential candidates know that a special 
primary and election has been set; 

3. what qualification deadlines have been set for 
candidates and how they have been publicized. 

We are, of course, interested in having this special primary 
and election occur with as little voter confusion as possible. 
The cooperation of county officials is vital to that goal. 

Sincerely, 

AA 
Edward Still 

ES/+ 

cc: James U. Blacksher, Esq. 
Blacksher Menefee & Stein P.A. 
P.O. Box 1051 
Mobile, AL 36633  



  

Larry Menefee, Esq. 
Blacksher Menefee & Stein P.A. 
Pifth Floor, Title Bldg. 
300 21st Street North 
Birmingham AL 35203 

Terry G. Davis, Esq. 
Seay & Davis 
P.O. Box 6215 

Montgomery, AL 36106 

Julius L. Chambers, Esq. 
Deborah Fins, Esq. 
NAACP Legal Defense Fund 
99 Hudson Street 
New York, NY 10013 

 



  

   
; . 
E dwar d Still » Cable: VOTELAW 

Telex: 6502416331 MCI 

attorney at law MCI Mail: 241-6331 

714 South 29th Street 

Birmingham, AL 35233-2810 

205/322-6631 

11 September 1986 

Barry D. Vaughan, Esq. 

121 North Norton Avenue 
Sylacauga, AL 35130 

re: Dillard v Crenshaw County (Talladega County) 

Dear Barry: 

As you know, the consent decree into which we entered with 

you provides that there will be a special primary election held 

for new district 3 on 4 November, runoff on 26 November, and 

general election on 16 December. 

Would you let us know what steps you are taking on the 

following: 

1. that voters in this district are being identified and 

notified that they live in the district: 

2. that voters and potential candidates know that a special 

primary and election has been set; 

3. what qualification deadlines have been set for 

candidates and how they have been publicized. 

We are, of course, interested in having this special primary 

and election occur with as little voter confusion as possible. 

The cooperation of county officials is vital to that goal. 

By the way, I just noticed a typo in the notice sent by the 

clerk to the class and in the consent decree. Both refer to 

commissioners elected in 1994. This should be 1992. The 

confusion came about because 1994 is when the probate judge 

ceases to the chairman of the commission. What the consent 

decree should say is that the commissioners in office in January 

1995 will elect one of themselves as chairman of the commission. 

Sincerely, 

ie 

Edward Still 

ES/+ 

 



  

cc: James U. Blacksher, Esq. 
Blacksher Menefee & Stein P.A. 
P.O. Box 1051 

Mobile, AL 36633 

Larry Menefee, Esq. 
Blacksher Menefee & Stein P.A. 
Fifth Floor, Title Bldg. 
300 21st Street North 
Birmingham AL 35203 

Terry G. Davis, Esq. 
Seay & Davis 
P.O. Box 6215 

Montgomery, AL 36106 

Julius L. Chambers, Esq. 
Deborah Fins, Esq. 
NAACP Legal Defense Fund 
99 Hudson Street 

New York, NY 10013 

 



+ 

: Edward Still ® Cable: VOTELAW 
Telex: 6502416331 MCI attorney at law 
MCI Mail: 241-6331 

714 South 29th Street 

Birmingham, AL 35233-2810 

205/322-6631 

11 September 1986 

W.0. Kirk, Jdr., Esq. 
P.O. Box A-B : 

Carrollton, AL 35447 

re: Dillard v Crenshaw County (Pickens County) 

Dear Buddy: 

As you know, the stipulation into which we entered with you 
provides that there will be a special primary election held on 4 
November, runoff on 26 November, and general election on 16 
December for the districts created under the remedial plan. The 
issues being litigated now revolve around your plan of four 
districts (two of which are the same as the present districts) 
with the probate judge continuing to sit on the commission, and 
our plan for five districts. 

With either eventuality we contend that elections will have 
to be conducted according to the stipulated schedule. We are 
concerned about preparations that are being made to conduct 
elections under both possible results. 

Would you let us know what steps you are taking on the 
following: 

1. that voters are being identified and notified that they 
live in the revised districts under your 4-member plan; 

2. that voters and potential candidates know that a special 
primary and election has been set and that it will not have the 
at-large feature used in the past; 

3. that voters are being identified under our 5-member plan 
so that they can be notified as soon as possible, if the Court 
adopts our plan; 

4. what candidate qualification deadlines you propose to 
use with either eventuality. 

We are, of course, interested in having this special primary 
and election occur with as little voter confusion as possible. 
The cooperation of county officials is vital to that goal. 

We want to make our position clear. Consistent with the 
court’s order of 28 May and our stipulation with you, we contend 
that all county commission seats must be elected at these special 
elections.  



  

Sincerely, 

i f/ / 

il x ~ 74 

Edward Still 

ES/+ 

ccs: Hon. Myron H.: Thompson 
US District Judge 
P O Box 235 
Montgomery AL 36101 

James U. Blacksher, Esq. 
Blacksher Menefee & Stein P.A. 
P.O. Box 1051 
Mobile, AL 36633 

Larry Menefee, Esq. 
Blacksher Menefee & Stein P.A. 
Fifth Floor, Title Bldg. 
300 21st Street North 
Birmingham AL 35203 

Terry G. Davis, Esq. 
Seay & Davis 
P.O. BOX 6215 
Montgomery, AL 36106 

Julius L. Chambers, Esq. 
Deborah Fins, Esq. 
NAACP Legal Defense Fund 
99 Hudson Street 
New York, NY 10013