My long-time friend and Atlanta Braves ticket partner, Bob Esdale, retires this week after 30 years as clerk of the Supreme Court of Alabama. For me this means that on the way to Turner Field and back, we might be able to talk baseball instead of Bob constantly having to answer calls from lawyers needing help with a case they’ve filed or justices checking on their opinions or just wanting to shoot the breeze.

The clerk of the court, aside from the legal tasks he or she is assigned, must also serve as the traffic cop for the myriad activities of the justices and their staffs. It is not an easy job, much more difficult than “tiptoeing through the tulips,” but one that my friend has performed adroitly throughout. I can attest to that, having worked there with him myself for half his tenure.

Robert Graham Esdale is a native of Birmingham. He graduated from the Gulf Coast Military Academy, and served two years in the U.S. Army before enrolling at the University of Alabama where he received a B.S. in law in 1953 and an LL.B. in 1954.

He practiced law in Birmingham for 20 years before becoming Vice-President and General Counsel of Moore-Handley, Inc. where he served until November 1983. He also served as Municipal Judge for the town of Pelham from 1975-1983.

If my count is correct, Bob, during his career on the court, served under seven chief justices, one acting chief justice and at least 16 associate justices. He and his wife, Susanne, have six children and lots of grandchildren to keep them company.

Enjoy your retirement my friend.

State’s opt-out on Obamacare to up cost

In a report to its customers this month Blue Cross says that health insurers that offer plans on the federal exchange will have to “pay to play.”

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that, starting in 2014, a user fee will be collected from health insurance issuers participating in states where the federal government will be operating the exchange.

The fee is designed to help support the operations of an exchange in these states. At this time the state of Alabama has indicated it will not operate a state-based exchange; therefore, according to Blue Cross, its small group customers must pay the HHS proposed user fee of 3.5 percent of monthly premiums on plans offered through the exchange.

And again, since Alabama will not create a risk adjustment program, we must pay HHS another $1 fee per enrollee. Then there is what is called a “Traditional Reinsurance Program Fee” that will cost $63 per member for benefit year 2014.

I continue to be amazed at our governor’s position that will cost many of the people in this state the opportunity for health care and cost the rest us millions in unnecessary payments simply to feign defiance toward Obama. Again, I ask Dr. Bentley if he and his family accept care under the low cost state employee health plan. And if he does, how can he not help the hundreds of thousands of our uninsured fellow citizens have the opportunity to provide themselves and their families with health care?

New law protects Elders

Jack Bradford of Deatsville, State President of AARP Alabama writes that Alabamians had a good reason this year to feel good on World Elder Abuse Day last Saturday. The reason is the recent passage of a law by the State Legislature called the “Protecting Alabama’s Elders Act.”

The new law spells out what elder abuse is, makes it easier to prosecute, and increases the penalties for the most serious offenses. It should especially help to combat financial exploitation, which is often complicated by family relationships and even legal authorizations. The new law makes it clear that a power of attorney is not a license to steal.

Bob Martin is editor and publisher of The Montgomery Independent. Email him at: bob@montgomeryindependent.com