Rickey Stokes interviewing Josh Motley Subject: Flight School Next, and FRAM II
RICKEY STOKES: Josh, how long have you known Rhett Marques, and how did you get to know him? JOSH MOTLEY: I’ve known Rhett for more than 25 years. I grew up in the Battens Crossroads community, just outside Enterprise, and I’ve known him since long before he ever got involved in politics. He owned and operated a tire store in Enterprise for years, so I knew him as a local businessman long before he was elected to the Enterprise City Council or the Alabama Legislature.
RICKEY STOKES: Tell us a little about your background and your involvement at Fort Rucker. JOSH MOTLEY: I worked on the Fort Rucker Aviation Maintenance Contract for 15 years. During that time, I worked in several different classifications, most recently as an aircraft mechanic.
RICKEY STOKES: I’ve heard you were pretty involved with the union out there. What did you do? JOSH MOTLEY: I’ve held several positions within the union over the years. I was a shop steward for a long time, and in 2022, I became a Grievance Negotiating Committeeman, or GNC, at Shell Field. That’s basically what most places would call a chief steward. Then, in January of 2026, I became a Business Representative. Over the years, I’ve handled everything from individual employee grievances and contract negotiations to major federal contracting issues that could affect thousands of employees and their families.
RICKEY STOKES: How did your work bring you into contact with Rhett in his role as an elected official? JOSH MOTLEY: Well, since 2022, we’ve dealt with several issues involving the future of aviation training and maintenance at Fort Rucker. Some of those issues had the potential to seriously affect employees’ wages and benefits. When those situations came up, I reached out to elected officials who could help us get our concerns in front of the right people. Rhett was one of those officials. And I’ll tell you something about Rhett. In all the times I’ve called him, I can’t remember a single time when he didn’t either answer the phone or call me back shortly afterward. That might not sound like a big deal, but when you’re dealing with something that could cost people their livelihoods, being able to pick up the phone and actually reach someone matters.
RICKEY STOKES: What were some of the issues facing Fort Rucker employees? JOSH MOTLEY: The two biggest issues were probably Flight School Next and Fort Rucker Aviation Maintenance II, or FRAM II as the Army calls it. Both involved the future of major aviation contracts at Fort Rucker, and both raised some serious concerns about what was going to happen to the employees currently working there. And these weren’t small concerns. Depending on how those contracts were handled, employees could have faced losing nearly half their wages and roughly two-thirds of their fringe benefits. So we were talking about some pretty serious consequences for a lot of working families.
RICKEY STOKES: Explain Flight School Next. What was the concern? JOSH MOTLEY: Flight School Next was the Army’s initiative to modernize its aviation flight training program. The big concern for us was whether the Army was going to treat the new contract as a successor contract under the federal Service Contract Act. That’s important because the Service Contract Act has provisions that protect certain wages and benefits when a federal service contract changes hands. If those protections weren’t applied, we were concerned that employees could face some pretty substantial cuts. And you’ve got to remember, we’re talking about people who’ve built their lives around these jobs. They’ve got mortgages, car payments, kids to raise, and retirement plans. Some of these folks have been working at Fort Rucker for decades. And when you look at how much money those employees put back into the local economy, the consequences wouldn’t have stopped at Fort Rucker. They would’ve been felt throughout the Wiregrass.
RICKEY STOKES: What involvement did Rhett have in that situation? JOSH MOTLEY: I worked with Rhett and Congressman Barry Moore on the successorcontract issue. We explained what was happening, what our concerns were, and what the potential consequences could be for the employees. Rhett was accessible, he listened, and he stayed involved as we worked through the issue. Now, I can’t tell you everything that went on behind the scenes with the Army, and I wouldn’t pretend to know every factor that went into its decisions. But I can tell you about my own conversations with Rhett and the assistance he provided while we were dealing with it.
RICKEY STOKES: Once Flight School Next was addressed, was that the end of the contracting concerns? JOSH MOTLEY: Not even close. We had barely gotten through Flight School Next when we found ourselves dealing with another major issue involving FRAM II. Now, most people outside Fort Rucker have probably never heard of FRAM II. The current aviation maintenance contract is called FRAM I. The follow-on contract, which is scheduled to begin in January 2028, is called FRAM II. This is the contract that provides the aircraft maintenance and logistics support needed to keep the Army and Air Force flight training missions operating. And it supports a substantial number of good-paying jobs right here in the Wiregrass.
RICKEY STOKES: What happened when the FRAM II contract was released for bidding? JOSH MOTLEY: Well, when the Army released the solicitation, our collective bargaining agreement wasn’t attached to it. Instead, contractors were being directed to base their labor bids on the federal area wage determination. Now, that was a major concern because those wage determination rates were substantially lower than the wages and benefits our members had negotiated through collective bargaining. So here we were, having just spent months dealing with Flight School Next, and now we were looking at essentially the same problem all over again. We were concerned that our members could potentially lose nearly half their wages and about two-thirds of their fringe benefits. And in my view, the solicitation wasn’t properly accounting for the successor-contract wage protections under the Service Contract Act.
RICKEY STOKES: What did you do when you discovered the problem? JOSH MOTLEY: I immediately contacted Rhett and Congressman Barry Moore. The deadline for contractors to submit their bids was July 14, 2026, and it was coming up fast. We were trying to get the issue corrected before that deadline. But July 14 came and went, and the correction we were asking for hadn’t been made. But we didn’t stop working on it. We kept communicating our concerns and pushing to get the collective bargaining agreement properly included in the solicitation.
RICKEY STOKES: How did the FRAM II situation eventually turn out? JOSH MOTLEY: Well, on October 13, 2026, the Army reopened the solicitation for revised proposals. And the next day the amended solicitation was published with our collective bargaining agreement attached. That was a very important development because it addressed the issue we’d been raising about protecting the employees’ negotiated wages and benefits. Now, to somebody who doesn’t deal with government contracting, that might not sound like a whole lot. We’re talking about attaching a document to a contract solicitation. But that document represents the wages and benefits these employees have spent decades working to earn and maintain. So for the people whose livelihoods depend on those jobs, it was a pretty significant development.
RICKEY STOKES: What can you say about Rhett’s involvement throughout the FRAM II process? JOSH MOTLEY: Well, from my experience, Rhett stayed accessible and engaged while we were trying to get the issue addressed. And I think it’s important to point out that we didn’t get the correction we wanted before the original bid deadline. July 14 came and went, and we still had a problem. But we kept working on it, and Rhett continued to be someone I could call and talk to about what was happening. Ultimately, the Army amended the solicitation and included the collective bargaining agreement. Now, I can’t tell you about every conversation that took place within the government, but I can tell you what I personally experienced and the assistance I received along the way.
RICKEY STOKES: Why are these contracting issues so important to the Wiregrass? JOSH MOTLEY: Because Fort Rucker isn’t just a military installation. It’s one of the economic foundations of southeastern Alabama. The people working on these contracts live all over the Wiregrass. They buy homes here, shop at local businesses, eat in our restaurants, and raise their families in our communities. And when you start talking about cutting the wages and benefits of large numbers of those employees, that doesn’t just affect the people working at Fort Rucker. It affects the entire local economy. Think about what would happen if all those families suddenly had half as much money coming into their households. The consequences could be devastating, not just for those families, but for businesses and communities throughout this region. That’s why these contracting issues are so important.
RICKEY STOKES: Looking back at these experiences, what has stood out to you about communicating with elected officials? JOSH MOTLEY: I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned is just how important accessibility is. Look, I don’t expect every elected official to agree with me on every issue. That’s not realistic. When we’ve got a problem, I need to be able to explain what’s happening, get somebody to listen, and keep the lines of communication open while we work toward a solution. In the situations I’ve talked about, Rhett answered or returned my calls, listened to what I had to say, and stayed engaged. And that’s something I can tell you from my own personal experience.
RICKEY STOKES: Are you speaking on behalf of the union in this interview? JOSH MOTLEY: I’m speaking strictly about my own personal experiences and the interactions I’ve had with Rhett Marques and Barry Moore.
ENTERPRISE: The Enterprise Police Department is committed to serving every member of our community fairly, professionally, and with respect.
Recent joint law enforcement operations involving the Enterprise Police Department, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) have focused on violent crime, illegal firearms, repeat offenders, and protecting the safety of our residents. These efforts are driven by criminal activity and legitimate public safety concerns, not by a person’s race, ethnicity, religion, neighborhood, or socioeconomic status.
We also want our community to know that ICE was NOT brought into Enterprise for the purpose of conducting sweeps or roundups of undocumented individuals. Our focus remains on public safety, lawful enforcement, and holding those who engage in criminal activity accountable.
We understand that some residents may have questions or concerns about these operations. We remain committed to protecting constitutional rights, maintaining the highest professional standards, and ensuring that concerns regarding law enforcement conduct can be addressed through appropriate channels. Our mission is simple: to protect our community and help keep Enterprise a safe place to live, learn, work, and raise a family.
Thank you for your continued support and for helping us keep Enterprise safe.
WIREGRASS: As Halloween approaches, families across the Wiregrass are preparing for an evening of costumes, candy and trick-or-treating. While it’s a night of fun, parents, children and motorists are reminded to take extra precautions to help keep everyone safe.
Parents are encouraged to make sure children carry flashlights or glow sticks and wear costumes that are visible and allow them to see clearly. Masks that block vision and costumes that drag on the ground can create additional hazards.
Children should use sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible and look both ways before crossing the street. Trick-or-treaters should also skip homes that don’t have their lights on, since a dark porch usually means residents aren’t participating. Being kind and polite goes a long way, so remind children to say thank you at every door.
Motorists should slow down in residential neighborhoods and stay alert for children who may suddenly enter the roadway.
Parents should inspect candy before allowing children to eat it, making sure packages are sealed and have not been damaged or opened.
Families are also encouraged to watch for trip hazards around homes, including uneven sidewalks, steps, decorations and extension cords. Battery-operated lights are a safer alternative to candles and open flames.
Pet owners should keep animals secured during trick-or-treating, as costumes, doorbells and excited children can frighten pets.
With a little planning and extra awareness, families can enjoy a safe and memorable Halloween. Stay alert, be kind, look out for one another and have a happy Halloween in the Wiregrass!
HOUSTON COUNTY: Houston County voters will pick from a long slate of federal, statewide, judicial and local candidates and decide four constitutional amendments in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, according to the county’s sample ballot.
The official ballot is titled the General and Constitutional Amendment Election for Houston County, Alabama. The sample is a common ballot, but some offices appear only in certain precincts, so what each voter sees depends on where they live. The races below are grouped the way they appear on the sample: statewide and federal offices first, then county offices, then the contests that vary by district.
Governor, Congress and Attorney General
The ballot opens with a straight-party option: voters may mark the Alabama Democratic Party or the Alabama Republican Party. Each of the following races is “vote for one,” and every race includes a write-in line.
Governor
Doug Jones (D)
Tommy Tuberville (R)
Lieutenant Governor
Phillip Ensler (D)
John Wahl (R)
U.S. Senator
Everett Wess (D)
Barry Moore (R)
U.S. Representative, 2nd District
Shomari C. Figures (D)
Rhett Marques (R)
Attorney General
Jeff McLaughlin (D)
Katherine Robertson (R)
Judicial races
Voters will weigh in on seats on Alabama’s highest courts and on the 20th Judicial Circuit. Only a Republican candidate is listed in several of these races; the Supreme Court Place 8 race lists both parties.
Associate Justice, Supreme Court, Place 7
Brad Mendheim (R)
Associate Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8
Ashleigh Meyer Dunham (D)
Greg Shaw (R)
Court of Civil Appeals Judge, Place 4
Benjamin M. Bowden (R)
Court of Civil Appeals Judge, Place 5
Matt Fridy (R)
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 4
Mary Windom (R)
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 5
Riggs Walker (R)
Circuit Court Judge, 20th Judicial Circuit, Place 5
Todd Derrick (R)
Other statewide offices
Six more statewide offices, plus a State Board of Education seat, are on the ballot.
Secretary of State
Wayne Rogers (D)
Caroleene Dobson (R)
State Treasurer
Rosilyn Houston (D)
Young Boozer (R)
State Auditor
Violet Edwards (D)
Andrew Sorrell (R)
Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries
Ron Sparks (D)
Corey Hill (R)
Public Service Commission, Place 1
James O. Gordon (D)
Matt Gentry (R)
Public Service Commission, Place 2
Sheila D. McNeil (D)
Jim Zig Zeigler (R)
State Board of Education, District 2
Jamie McCurry (D)
Tracie West (R)
Countywide races
Every Houston County voter will see the following countywide contests. Each lists a single Republican candidate, along with a write-in line.
Chairman, Houston County Commission
Brandon Shoupe (R)
Houston County Sheriff
Donald J. Valenza (R)
Houston County Revenue Commissioner
Greg Holland (R)
Houston County Coroner
Kendall Glover (R)
Races that vary by district
The sample ballot includes a section labeled “These Offices Run by District.” Voters will see only the contests for the districts where they live.
State Senator, District 28
Billy Beasley (D)
Brent Comer (R)
State Senator, District 29
Donnie Chesteen (R)
State Representative, District 85
Aristotle Onassis Kirkland (D)
Rick Rehm (R)
State Representative, District 86
Paul Lee (R)
State Representative, District 87
Jeff Sorrells (R)
State Representative, District 93
Steve Clouse (R)
Houston County Commission, District 1
Letetia Daniels Jackson (D)
Jeffrey A. Williams (R)
Houston County Commission, District 2
Tracy Adams (R)
Houston County Commission, District 3
Ashley E. Enfinger (R)
Houston County Commission, District 4
James Ivey (R)
Houston County Board of Education, District 2
Scott Long (R)
Four statewide amendments
All Alabama voters will answer the question “Shall the following Amendments to the Constitution of Alabama be adopted?” Each amendment has a YES and a NO option.
• Amendment 1 (Act 2026-341): Provides for an election to fill a vacancy in the office of Lieutenant Governor if it occurs in the first two years of a term. It also lets the Legislature set the salaries of the Lieutenant Governor and legislative officers, and requires a legislative officer to approve any legislative spending on travel.
• Amendment 2 (Act 2026-378): Creates a process for merging two or more neighboring county school systems into one consolidated system. The State Board of Education would have to conduct and publish an impact study, a procedure would be set for protesting a proposed consolidation, and the board would adopt rules.
• Amendment 3 (Act 2026-379): Requires local boards of education to adopt policies under which every public K-12 school recites the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each school day. It also requires a policy authorizing student-initiated, student-led prayer.
• Amendment 4 (Act 2026-424): Requires local boards of education to adopt policies under which each public K-12 school broadcasts or sanctions a performance of the first stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner at least once a week during school hours.
Marking the ballot
The ballot instructs voters to blacken the oval completely next to their choice. A voter who spoils a ballot should not erase it but ask for a new one. The ballot is printed on both sides, so voters should look for the “Continue voting on back” notice.
This article is based on the Houston County sample ballot for the Nov. 3, 2026, election. The sample includes several ballot styles, and the contests listed above may not all appear on every voter’s ballot. Voters can confirm their own districts and polling place with local election officials.
The most important message is to exercise your right to vote on Tuesday November 3rd and vote for the candidates of your choice.
Dozens of children gathered at Johnny Henderson Family Park on Thursday afternoon, eagerly awaiting the moment they could finally hear two simple words: “Go play!”
That moment came as the City of Enterprise, Ala. celebrated the grand opening of the park’s new playground, welcoming families back to one of the community’s most popular recreational spaces. As soon as the ribbon-cutting ceremony concluded, children hurried to explore the new equipment, racing toward slides, climbing structures, swings and other features.
Parents also had an opportunity to experience the improvements firsthand, including designated play areas for different age groups, expanded opportunities for active play and shade structures designed to make visits more comfortable for families.
The approximately 9,520-square-foot playground replaces the park’s former equipment with a larger, more modern and inclusive play space designed to serve Enterprise families for years to come.
“Today, we’re building for the future, with a space designed to welcome children of different ages and abilities and give more families the opportunity to enjoy time together,” Mayor William E. Cooper Sr. said during the ceremony.
The new playground features separate play areas for toddlers and older children, along with swings, slides, climbing structures, tunnels and musical play elements. Accessibility was a priority throughout the design, which incorporates accessible pathways, ramps and inclusive play features intended to help children of varying abilities play together.
The design goes beyond minimum accessibility standards established by the Americans with Disabilities Act, including a play structure designed for children who use wheelchairs. A dedicated toddler area accommodates children ages 12 to 24 months, while a larger tower structure offers additional opportunities for older children to explore and challenge themselves.
Shade structures and durable turf surfacing also contribute to a more comfortable play environment, while interactive features encourage physical activity, creativity and social interaction.
For Cooper, the playground represents more than a recreational upgrade. Drawing on his more than 40 years in education, he reflected on the joy of childhood and the importance of creating opportunities for families to spend meaningful time together.
“As a band director, I’ve heard my share of noise over the years,” Cooper said. “I’ve heard trumpets, drums, and plenty of instruments playing all at once! But there is another sound that I don’t think anything can quite compare to. That’s the sound of a child’s laughter.”
Cooper shared his hope that the playground would become a place where families could step away from the busyness of everyday life, enjoy time together and create memories that last for generations.
“Some of the children I worked with years ago are now raising children of their own,” he said. “And I hope those families will bring their children here to play, laugh and make memories of their own.”
Blake Moore, Director of Community Services and Recreation, welcomed attendees and recognized the Enterprise City Council for supporting the project, along with the City employees whose work helped bring it to completion.
The City’s Public Works and Enterprise Parks and Recreation teams played an important role in preparing the site and completing improvements. Street Department and Sewer Department crews assisted with removing the former playground equipment and preparing the area for construction. The Parks and Recreation team also contributed to site preparation, installed irrigation and sod, and helped ready the grounds for the opening.
By completing portions of the work in-house, City employees helped control project costs while demonstrating the value of collaboration among City departments.
Moore thanked the employees who contributed to the project and recognized the Enterprise Rotary Club for its continued commitment to community service and support for Enterprise Parks and Recreation programs.
Rotarians regularly volunteer at community events, including Spooky in the Park on Friday, Oct. 30, and Festival in the Park in the spring. Proceeds from these events are reinvested in the community, including support for local parks and recreation programs.
Pastor Matt Jordan of First Methodist Church Enterprise, AL., who is also a member of the Enterprise Rotary Club, offered the blessing over the new playground and the families who will enjoy it. Reflecting on Rotary’s guiding principle of Service Above Self, Jordan’s prayer underscored the importance of serving others and creating opportunities that strengthen the community.
The City’s commitment to providing an updated, inclusive play space for Enterprise families reflects that same spirit of service. With the support of Mayor Cooper and the Enterprise City Council, along with the work of City employees, the playground represents a lasting investment in the children and families who call Enterprise home.
Representatives from GameTime, the company behind the new playground, also attended the ceremony. Drew Warren shared information about the design and accessibility features that make the playground a welcoming space for children of different ages and abilities.
The playground improvements were funded through the City’s Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Improvement Program as part of Enterprise’s continued investment in parks, recreation and community amenities. The playground and adjacent splash pad closed in August to accommodate construction and protect the safety of park visitors and crews. Although the splash pad was not part of the playground replacement, its proximity to the construction area required a temporary closure for the remainder of the 2026 season. It is expected to reopen in spring 2027.
With the new playground now open, the City welcomes residents and visitors to enjoy the expanded play space at Johnny Henderson Family Park.
For Cooper, the best measure of the project’s success will not be found in the playground’s size or equipment, but in the joy it brings to the children and families who use it.
“Sometimes, I think we adults need to take a lesson from children,” he said. “To slow down, let go of our worries for a little while, and remember what it feels like to be carefree. To run, to play, to laugh, and to find joy in the simplest things.”
As dozens of children demonstrated on opening day, that joy is already taking hold.
“May this playground always be filled with that kind of joy. May it be a place where children grow, families come together, and wonderful memories are made for years to come.”
AMERICA: They see your posts. Every one of them. The grandbaby at the pumpkin patch, the grandbaby covered in birthday cake, the grandbaby asleep on Grandpa’s chest. And they are, according to sources close to the situation, fine. Totally fine. Just scrolling slowly and sighing audibly in the kitchen.
An informal, unscientific survey of the nation’s “I-wanna-be-a-grandparent” community reveals a population in a holding pattern. Many report having already purchased tiny socks “just in case,” and at least one household confirmed a fully stocked toy closet that has not yet met a single toddler.
Even more telling: many have already chosen their grandparent names. Sources confirm the shortlist includes Grammy, Mimi, Gigi, Lolly, Pop, and Papa, with some households reporting a “name of choice” that has been practiced in the mirror, on the dog, and once, regrettably, on the mail carrier.
“I’ve been Mimi since 2009,” said one hopeful grandparent-to-be, who has not yet been called Mimi by anyone. “I’ve got the name picked out. I’ve got the rocking chair picked out. I just need someone small enough to call me by my chosen name.”
“We dream of cuddling those angels,” said another, gazing wistfully at a stroller they swear they only bought because it was on sale. “We want to take them on outings. We’ve already planned the outings. There’s a spreadsheet.”
The adult children, meanwhile, are reportedly “too busy.” Sources describe the offspring as occupied with careers, travel, and “figuring things out,” a schedule so packed that experts say it has left no room for the one thing their parents have been quietly rehearsing for since roughly 1998.
Despite the delay, the would-be grandparents remain committed to supporting their children, should those children ever decide to have children who need supporting. Offers on the table include free babysitting, unlimited snacks, and a lifetime supply of “back in my day” stories.
“We’re not pressuring anyone,” added one grandparent-in-waiting, while casually leaving a baby book on the coffee table. “We just want you to know the door is open. The cookies are baked. The rocking chair is warmed up. And the name is ready, whenever you are.”
As this writer prepared to post, local grandparents were reportedly still liking everyone else’s grandbaby photos, with only a slight tremor in their typing fingers.
Experts say the best advice for those still waiting is simple: keep the faith, keep the guest room tidy, and keep a little patience in reserve. Good things come to those who wait, even if they come with sticky fingers and a very strong opinion about snacks and bedtime.
Anyone with a grandbaby to spare for hugs is encouraged to contact the nearest hopeful grandparent. They will be thrilled. They have been ready for years. They even have a name for it.
