We’re one day from Halloween and six days from the presidential election. Good thing we didn’t scare easily.

Regarding these proposed amendments…

If there is one area on our ballots that requires further and intentional scrutiny, it has to be statewide constitutional amendments.

On most of the rest of the ballot you recognize the names and certainly the parties, and you’ve had months or years to develop your impressions of the candidates. But constitutional amendments don’t come with name recognition, aren’t exactly easy reading, and are often so local to someone else’s backyard that you wonder why they even let you weigh in on the decision.

But when provisions of Alabama’s substantial constitution limit a locality from creating a local law, you must amend the constitution to override the restriction. Just passing a state statute or local ordinance wouldn’t do that change the constitution.

So is the only amendment on next Tuesday’s ballot.

AL.com’s John Sharp reports that the proposed amendment would allow the Franklin County school system to sell a large piece of land for development. That land is in Walker and Fayette counties. State Rep. Jamie Kiel, a Republican from Russellville, said revenue from the sale of the land or revenue from leasing it would go to the Franklin County school system, and sales tax and property tax revenue, of course, would go to Walker counties and Fayette.

The most recent state report indicates that 71 percent of students in Franklin County are considered economically disadvantaged, meaning they either participate in the free or reduced lunch program or their parents do not have a high school diploma.

The land is along I-22. Kiel wasn’t afraid to make a real estate pitch: “If Buc-ee’s was looking for a location in West Alabama, this would be it.”

From a fast ship to a large reef

The final destination of a famous ocean liner will be on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

But first, AL.com’s Heather Gann reportsSS United States will spend time docked in Mobile.

It is now in Philadelphia and plans were for it to dock in Norfolk, Va., but officials in Okaloosa County, Fla., which bought the vessel, changed it to Mobile because of space, cost and access to the big boat while is docked.

It will be used as an artificial reef — believed to be the largest in the world.

The ship began life as a secret Cold War troop carrier.

According to the ship’s preservation service, on its maiden voyage, the 990-foot vessel crossed the Atlantic in 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes — which is still the transatlantic speed record.

The ship was decommissioned in 1969. Heather reported that her passengers over the years included Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Clinton (obviously not all while in office), Marlon Brando, Coco Chanel, Sean Connery , Duke Ellington, Salvador Dali. , Walt Disney, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne.

Representation at the World Series, the WNBA final

Several Alabama natives saw the pinnacle of their professional sports this month.

Last night, Slocumb’s Clay Holmes picked up a win in relief in the New York Yankees’ 11-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, AL.com’s Mark Inabinett reports.

He helped the Yankees avoid elimination in the best of 7 World Series. The Dodgers are up three games to one. Game 5 is at 7:08 Alabama time tonight.

WBRC also reports that Ramsey High School in Birmingham held a jersey retirement ceremony for Jaylyn Sherrod, backup point guard for the New York Liberty, who won the WNBA championship on Oct. 20.

citing

“We’re not trying to criminalize homelessness,” Young said. “That’s not what it’s about. It creates an opportunity for us to engage those people who are not receptive to receiving services from our outreach team.”

Mobile Homeless Coordinator Kendall Youngon three ordinances proposed by Mayor Sandy Stimpson regarding solicitation, lingering in parks or playgrounds after dark and blocking public sidewalks.

More Alabama news

Born on this date

In 1917, baseball player, manager and executive Bobby Bragan of Birmingham.

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