Well it’s football season again.  Many of us, especially in the South, look forward to it for months.  In my house growing up, football was a good thing.  Listening to Auburn Football on the radio was a Saturday ritual in my home, and going to the local high school game the night before was close to it as well.  On very special Saturdays we would drive to Jordan-Hare where I got to see childhood heroes like Fast Freddie Smith, Joe Cribbs, Bo Jackson, and Chris Woods in action.  I got to play “side yard” games between the fence and the first row of the stands as the spectators cheered us on during those lopsided games where Auburn was leading by large margins.  I shared popcorn with my dad and we cheered until we couldn’t sing at church the next day.

Football is a great sport.  Sure it has it’s share of of self-aggrandizing young men using their talent for short-lived gratification.  But even for those young men, the game itself teaches lessons that can raise them up to a higher level.  Football is an ultimate team sport.  Although the Bo Jacksons of the world can do a lot with a little, no running back or quarterback can consistently do well without the aid of their blockers.  No Defensive linemen will get many sacks if the defensive backs can’t cover their receivers long enough for the quarterback to be caught.  Foot ball is also a sport of intricate details which requires lots of practice and preparation.  You have to learn techniques and plays during the week in order to accomplish your goals on the weekends.

That’s why I almost always encourage those kids who come before me in Lee County Family Court to stay involved or get involved in sports.  Sports can teach great life lessons about accomplishments through selflessness, production through preparation, and accomplishing great goals one play at a time.  If those kids can learn those lessons on the field, I’ll see far less of them in the Court Room.

Football is also a great fan sport.  There are few better ways for a young child to spend a Saturday afternoon than playing wide receiver or cheerleader with their family next to a tailgate party on a university lawn.  For the fans like the players, the question at the end of the day is are you better off now than you were yesterday.  I am convinced that if we’ve invested an afternoon of mutual enjoyment with our family then we are.  And while your at it, bring someone else along that may not have a family to go to a ball game with.  You might help paint a picture for them of what family should be like.  Then maybe one day, when they are a momma or a daddy, they’ll have an idea of how great family can be if you put in some time, dedication, and preparation.

The attached is an ad we are running thanking those who have helped us and reminding everyone to go vote Mike Fellows for Lee County Family Court on Tuesday.

<Thank You Ad with list of some supporters.>

TEAGUE ENDORSES FELLOWS IN TUESDAY RUNOFF FOR FAMILY COURT JUDGE

Dewey Teague, former candidate for Lee County Family Court Judge, is ready to let everyone else know who he is supporting in the July 13^th runoff election, and it’s Mike Fellows.

Fellows was the clear leader in the Republican Primary initial election.  He won 17 of 24 Lee County Boxes, but in a four way race he was not able to get the majority of all votes cast which was necessary to avoid a runoff.  Fellows faces challenger Margaret Mayfield in the runoff.

Soon after the primary, Teague said he was “99.9% sure” who he would be supporting and on Tuesday he made it official.  In his public announcement Teague said “I have been working in Family Court and working with children in Court for 30 years, and I know the personalities and the people in that Court.  I also know a lot about the needs of the children and families that come through that Court. For the last seven years I’ve often gone before Mike Fellows where he’s heard my client’s cases as a judicial referee.  He has always been fair and has always shown a genuine concern for the lives of the people that were before him.  There is no question in my mind that Mike’s judicial temperament and his genuine concern for Children and Families make him the clear choice on July 13^th.”

Fellows says he is grateful for Teague’s trust and support:  “I am very grateful to Dewey for his support in this runoff.  One thing I can say about Dewey Teague, is that in all the cases he’s brought before me in Court, I can’t remember one where I thought he wasn’t seeking the best interests of the children involved-even if it meant he took some personal heat.  Dewey knows both of the candidates in this runoff well, so when he stands up to support me, it means a lot.”

In regards to Teague’s supporters, Fellows says “I would love for all those who supported Dewey to vote for us next Tuesday so we can accomplish our joint vision of changing children’s lives to change our community’s future.  This campaign is not about me it’s about the people that come through that court.  Family Court affects everyone. Dewey ran his campaign the same way so I hope his supporters will follow his lead and turnout and vote for us at the polls on the 13th.”

If you’d be willing to show your support with a yard sign in Lee County,  send us an email at Fellows@FellowsforFamily.com.

Absentee Ballots are now available at the Lee County Justice Center in the Clerk’s office. If you won’t be around on July 13, please vote absentee. You can either go in, or you can do it through the mail. The absentee ballot request form can be found on our website at this link.. If you’re doing by mail, do it quickly so you can mail it back to the clerk so she receives it  before election day.  Of course don’t forget to mark Mike Fellows for Family Court (Circuit Judge 3).

Well today is the day it all starts back up.  We are asking everyone to put their yard signs back up and if you need one, let us know so we can get you one.  We are obviously very encouraged by the fact that we received almost a third more votes than our closest competitor in the primary, however it’s still zero – zero on the scoreboard and the only votes that matter now are those cast JULY 13th.

We intend to keep this race about us and our vision for the service that Family Court can be to Lee County and to lives of those that come through it, and we ask for your support.  Tell your friends and neighbors to check out our web page.  Sign up to help on the How to Help page and ask your friends to do that as well.  Suggest that your Facebook friends join the I LIKE MIKE FELLOWS FOR LEE COUNTY FAMILY COURT GROUP.  Or suggest your own way of helping.  We’re open to new ideas.

Thank you all,

Mike

If your not going to be around July 13th for the runoff, PLEASE VOTE ABSENTEE.  An absentee ballot application is attached.  Just click on the orange link below, print it, fill it out, and mail it to the Lee County Circuit Clerk as indicated and they will send you a ballot, which you can return to them.

Absentee Request Form Link

Once the ballots are printed up and available at the clerk’s office, you can also take this application up to the Lee County Justice Center and give it to the clerk and the clerk will give you a copy of the ballot, which you can fill out there and return to the clerk to have your vote counted.

If your not going to be around July 13th for the runoff, please vote absentee.  An absentee ballot application is attached.  Just print it, fill it out, and mail it to the Lee County Circuit Clerk as indicated and they will send you a ballot, which you can return to them.

Well, it’s a very rewarding experience to see such a large group of people come along side us and support us in our mission to protect children, families, and fairness in Lee County Family Court.  It’s so encouraging to not have to go it alone.  Obviously there are those times when we are called to go it alone when necessary, but it is certainly much easier to work along side others dedicated to the cause.  Fellow-laborers can make it seem like a little less labor and a little more fellowship.  So thank you to all our fellow laborers.  We have six more weeks of fellowship until the runoff, which is July 13.  Have all your friends circle their calendars.

Click the link below to view:

\”I Believe\” Mike Fellows for Lee County Family Court

Q: What makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

A: Really that’s the voter’s decision. Obviously, it helps that I’ve had almost 7 years of bench experience as a Referee where I’ve heard a lot of cases, with few if any being overruled. But the real reason I’m doing this is that I have a God-given passion to help the hurting, guide the misguided, and protect the innocent.   … Read the full response to this and other questions here.

F4F Fans

We had a full house at the Lee County Republican Club last night.  It was good to see so many new people there and so many who are interested in the Family Court race.  If you missed it, here is a video of my portion of the evening….  Video: Mike Fellows speaks to the Lee County Republican Club

OA News Article  Here.

Fox 5 Video:  Russian Child makes it home to Auburn. This is the continuation of a story posted a while back.  Read the story of how Auburn Couple Zac and Allison Boman got through the Russian shutdown of adoptions and the great volcanic cloud to bring their new child Rebekah home to Lee County.

I certainly understand the Russians’ frustration with the lady in Tennessee who tried to send her adoptive child back.  Nothing makes me more upset than when a parent comes before me in Court and asks me to allow her to basically abandon her child to the State.  It is very sad that one lady in Tennessee has not only deprived her child of love but hundreds or thousands are missing out on unconditional love as a result of this selfish woman’s act as well.

Never the less we are all elated that Rebekah has made it here!

My wife and I drove to Albany, Georgia Sunday morning to hear, James McDonald, one of her favorite speakers, talk at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany.  The Music was wonderful and James delivered an excellent talk on handling trials in our life.

A bonus for us was that Sherwood Baptist Church is the church that produced the movies “Facing the Giants” and “Fire Proof“.  (click to view video trailer).  Amazingly, many of the actors in the movie are church members.  So it was almost like going to church with movie stars- if movie stars went to church.

Two members of the church staff also wrote “The Love Dare” book, which goes along with the “Fireproof” story line and is a 40 day challenge to improve your marriage.   If you haven’t seen these movies or purchased the book, I highly recommend both.

The book especially gives very practical knowledge about improving your marriage.  For example, on page 133 it reads “Don’t you want married life to be a place where you can enjoy free expression of who you are, growing within a safe environment that encourages you even when you fail?  Your spouse does too-and love gives them that privilege.  If your wife or husband has told you on more than one occasion that you make them feel beat down and defeated, you need to take these words to heart.  Make a commitment to daily let go of unrealistic expectations and become your spouse’s greatest encourager.  And the person they’re created by God to be will begin to emerge with new confidence and love for you.”

Good advice isn’t it?

Below is a blog post from my friend Zac Boman at his blog “Home Called Grace“.  He and his wife Allison are adopting a young orphan girl from Russia.  Zac’s touching words from Russia however are as applicable in Lee County as they are in Moscow and the kids that come through Lee County Family Court, in many ways have the same needs and the same dangers.  I encourage you to read about what God calls “pure faith”. (James 1:27):

We stood in the Moscow Holiday Inn lobby and waited on our driver, Vitali, to pick us up and head to the airport. We were to catch our flight to Astrakhan, Russia to see our daughter for the first time in three months and finish the process of bringing her home. Like I usually do I looked through the big rack of tourist brochures while we waited. I noticed several pamphlets for “gentlemen’s clubs” and “escort services”. And I guess it was the daddy welling up in me, but I couldn’t help but ask myself “wonder how many of those girls were orphans?” Read More…

The miracle of adoption and foster parenting. Lee County churches have all the resources necessary to provide for all of our foster children and orphans. I would love to use Family Court to help encourage area-wide involvement in adoption and foster parenting.  This is a great short video discussing the miracle of loving these children. Please share it with others so that they might consider being someone’s hero.

VIDEO:   Adoption- God’s love in action.

-Mike Fellows, Candidate for

Lee County Alabama Family Court Judge

“Whether we like it or not, we have the opportunity– and the obligation, to be present-day patriots. The road ahead is not a clearly paved one, but I’m up to the task and pray there are more teens out there who desire to stand up and speak out for the truth.“  – Sarah Hinds,  Present Day Patriots Blog.

Read this young high school senior’s blog and it will give you hope for our future as Americans.  Young people like this might just pull America back from the brink.

Sometimes in Family Court, even in Lee County, Alabama, we see so many young people who are making poor choices because they’ve been deceived, that we can forget that there are young women and men out there who see through the deceptions of momentary satisfaction and reach -even fight- for things higher than themselves.  We also forget that often the only difference between those that make healthy choices and those that do not is belief.  One believes the truth and one believes a lie.  That’s why it is so important that at every point possible we reveal truth and expose the lies.  One place where that is especially important is in Family Court and that’s why I want to be Family Court Judge.

Yard Signs supporting Mike Fellows’ bid for Lee County Family Court Judge are in.  Please support us by signing up for one on the How to get involved section of the How to Help tab at the FellowsforFamily.com website.

Before we got married, we thought we had a lot in common. But now we seem to be so different. What should we do?

Here’s a quick frank video discussion that begins to address this reality.  I am convinced that the largest part of marriage difficulty is dealing with the differences.  Those differences may take many forms but dealing with them is always a necessity if we are to preserve our marriage.  Lee County’s Family Court wouldn’t be so overloaded with cases if more of us could figure this one out.  A web video isn’t going to fix this for any of us for sure, but it might be a start, and not addressing the problem certainly won’t result in a solution.

It is reported that things got ugly today at an anti-gambling rally today in Montgomery.  Those connected to the gambling industry apparently physically took over the stage of an anti-gambling event near the Alabama Statehouse-even refusing to heed orders by the capital police to leave.  OA news has live streaming here.

Thankfully we don’t see as much of the side effects as Macon County, but Lee County Family Court certainly sees it’s share of desperately poor families who are that way in part because they have donated their checks to the bingo machines down Highway 85.  It’s an addiction that destroys families.  How depressing it must be to be addicted to giving away your own family’s food money.

Lee County Judge Jake Walker issued a prison sentence Friday to  mother who as part of an earlier plea deal admitted abandoning her child who was later found dead in a ditch in May 2008.  “Efernia McClendon began sobbing the moment she learned she would spend the next 10 years in prison…McClendon pleaded guilty last month to manslaughter for causing the death of a newborn baby girl in 2008 and was sentenced by Lee County Circuit Court Judge Jacob A. Walker III to a 10-year prison term.  Walker denied her application for probation Friday and upheld the plea agreement.”o-a news article

I just don’t understand how people do these things, but thankfully it doesn’t happen very often in Lee County.  One situation that does often come before me in Family Court is a situation where a parent has basically abandoned their child socially, emotionally, academically, or even physically.  I don’t know if there are any cases that come before me that test my patience more than one where it is clear a parent is desiring to give up on their child.  Usually, I send the children out, read the parents the riot act, and hit them with a hefty fine.  But there should, in my opinion, be more consequences for parents whose neglect leads to  their own child having legal issues.  One of the things I intend to do if I’m elected Family Court Judge is to work more closely with the new District Attorney to hold parents accountable for the irresponsibility that leads to their children’s delinquency or other demise.

-Mike Fellows

This week we see yet another instance of liberal’s attacking the weak, especially if the weak are a threat to their power.  This weekend, the irreverent carton sitcom, Family Guy, made fun of a Child with Down’s Syndrome, whose mother was described as the Governor of Alaska.  Clearly this Child with Down’s Syndrome is a threat to the Liberal Elites because of who his mother is and the fact that she allowed him to continue living after learning of his disability. Read More…

Josh Agerton has a touching story story on his blog about Kirra Hawke and the simple act of doing the good you know you can do.  Far too often we get preoccupied with the far off and forget about doing what we know to do right now.  For years Lee County Family Court Judge Richard Lane has recognized kids like this through his Character in Action program.  If anything we should only increase the praise we lavish on those young people who do the good they know to do.  Kudos to Kirra.

Well, the “controversial and divisive” Tebow Superbowl commerical, turned out to be anything but.  Planned Parenthood et. al. certainly have a little egg on their face this Monday morning for their public outcry against the very idea that an ad  might call attention to Tebow’s climb out of adversity.  Here’s the rest of the Tebow story.

There has been a lot of noisy opposition during the last few weeks to Focus on the Family airing a commercial during the Super Bowl that reportedly discusses how Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow is a product of what was a high risk pregnancy and a very stressful time for his parents.  It reportedly will address that Tebow’s mother was advised to have an abortion but didn’t.

Where is the controversy in that?  What is it about Tebow’s mother’s choice that is so controversial to these people?  Are we to be upset that a woman chose to have a baby and he grew up to be a great football player and role model?

I for one can’t wait to see what all the anxiety is about.             See Focus on the Family’s Response

Statistics show that “approximately 1300 new stepfamilies are formed every day in the US, and it’s predicted that by 2010 there will be more stepfamilies in the US than any other type of family.”¹

Focus on the Family’s look at 5 different types of stepfamilies can highlight the unique challenges each stepfamily may encounter.  Read more.

Mike Fellows will be attending the Gubernatorial Forum Thursday night, 6:30 pm at the Opelika Performing Arts Center at OHS.

LIVE VIDEO: Alabama 2010 Republican Gubernatorial Forum | Opelika-Auburn News.

A deployment ceremony, was held at the Opelika High School Auditorium this afternoon, for the 111th ordinance group of the National Guard.  Because of church and my children’s propensity for irritability when they are hungry, I went alone.  I wish I hadn’t.  There are few scenes more moving to me than a soldier saying goodbye to his wife and kids so that my wife and kids are secure in their Freedom.  I wish my children would have been there to get a little more tangible view of the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make for the rest of us.  Opelika and Lee County however made a strong showing of support for these humble heroes.  OA News Article Here.

Article about how life gives life without costing life.  By the simple acting of saving the cord blood from our youngest daughter, another’s life has apparently been saved.  Article

One hundred and fifty two years ago the Federal Supreme Court claimed the right to declare who among us are fully human and who are not.  As a result, a slave by the name of Dred Scott was determined to have no Constitutional rights because the Court said he was not a person, but property.  On January 22^nd, thirty-seven years ago, the Federal Supreme Court, in the case of Roe v Wade, again claimed the authority to determine who among us are fully human and who are not.  Again the Court’s edict determined that the ‘nots” weren’t protected by the Constitution.  In that case, the Federal Court went further and actually ordered the States to cease offering full protection to the “nots”.  It leaves one to wonder who the next “nots” might be.

This Sunday many Lee County churches will observe national Sanctity of Human Life day. Those of us who made it this far in life should be thankful- thankful for the lives we love, and thankful that so far we are not a “not”.

I read a wonderful book a few years ago by Alan Keyes called “Masters of the Dream”.  It looks at African American history and points out how so many who went before him were truly masters of the dream.  So what does that have to do with Lee County Family Court? Read More…

I believe that family is a foundation of our freedom, both as individuals and as a nation. Family is the unit which is entrusted with the job of teaching us to govern ourselves, to sacrifice short term pleasure for long term gain, to work together, and most importantly to love -not the love we feel but the love that is commitment to the betterment of Read More…

Mike Fellows\’ Auburn Tea Party Speech April 2009 (<–click on orange link to view)  I apologize in advance for my voice on this video.  This video picks up right in the middle of an emotional moment.  Anyway if you can get through that I think you will see many of the core principles I believe in.  Read More…

My name is Mike Fellows and I am  a candidate to follow Judge Richard Lane as Lee County Family Court Judge. Since Judge Lane appointed me to be his Referee six years ago, I have heard thousands of stories from the hurting people of Lee County. I’ve seen those children who have only the Court to protect them from abandonment or abuse. I’ve seen Read More…

Mike Fellows Announces that He Will Be a Candidate for Lee County Family Court Judge, (Circuit Judge, Place 3)

For Immediate Release, Saturday, July 18, 2009

Well over a hundred supporters converged on an Opelika Restaurant Friday night as Lee County Family Court Referee Mike Fellows announced that he will be a candidate for Lee County Family Court Judge. The position is currently held by Judge Richard Lane who is expected to retire at the end of this term.  The event was dubbed a kick off for the “Fellows for Family” campaign.

Fellows is a graduate of Auburn High School, Auburn University and The University of Alabama School of Law.  He has been a practicing attorney in Lee County for 12 years.  He is a partner at the law firm of Gullage, Tickal & Fellows in Opelika.

In 2003 Judge Lane appointed Mike Fellows to serve as a Family and Juvenile Court Referee- a part time judicial post.  For the last two years he has served as the primary Referee.  For over six years, Fellows has heard and made findings of fact as a Referee on cases affecting children and families throughout Lee County. With this move he is taking his part time passion and seeking to make it a full time service.

“As a Family and Juvenile Court Referee, I preside over cases involving boys and girls and moms and dads that haven’t reached their potential because they’ve been distracted from the right path or because they’ve just never been shown the right path,” said Fellows.  “I am seeking the position of Family Court Judge to continue in what I’ve come to see as a ministry of service to those who find themselves in the worst of circumstances, which I believe affects the whole of Lee County.”

Fellows plans to build on the strong foundation laid by Judge Lane in the Lee County Family Court.  “As Lee County’s next Family Court Judge, I pledge to:

• Utilize my experience hearing, deciding, and making findings of fact in thousands of cases in the Lee County Family Court over the past 6 years.
• Rule in a way that seeks to strengthen families and assure that children are protected.

• Keep families together whenever possible and helping them to protect and provide for their children when it is not.
• Apply the law as it written to the facts in each case and avoid legislating from the bench.
• Maintain my commitment to fairness and finding a just resolution to the cases before me.
• Continue the Character In Action program begun by Judge Lane.

In addition to his six years of experience as a Family and Juvenile Court Referee, Mike Fellows has served as a prosecutor for the cities of Opelika and Camp hill.  He served on the staff of then Congressman Bob Riley in Washington and later volunteered to serve as an Attorney for the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on the Constitution.  He has been a member of the Lee County Republican Executive Committee for 7 years and a member of the Alabama Republican State Executive Committee for 3 years.  In addition, Fellows serves as a Board Member for East Alabama Youth for Christ and The Way Ministries.

Mike Fellows is married to the former Carrie Hinds and they have four children.  They are active members of Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn.  Click here for News Article