Gov. Robert Bentley appointed his former campaign rival to head the newly created Alabama Rural Development office. On the surface it would appear to be a Machiavellian political maneuver. However, he simply wanted to get the best person available while at the same time saving state dollars.

By his own admission, Sparks never really wanted to run for governor but would have chosen to run for Agriculture Commissioner again if he had not been prohibited constitutionally from seeking a third successive term. Last year’s race for governor was void of the acrimony generally displayed in a gubernatorial contest. Bentley and Sparks actually got to know each other and became friends in their cordial battle.

The appointment angered some of the hardcore partisans in both ranks. Bentley could care less. Sparks probably realizes that if he wants to enter the political arena again he will probably have to run as a Republican.

At the same time Bentley picked Sparks, John McMillan selected his Democratic opponent, Glen Zorn, to join his administration.

Zorn and McMillan are in their 60s and have been in the agri-business their entire adult lives, and both were extremely well-qualified to be agriculture commissioner. Zorn, a Covington County native, had been assistant commissioner for eight years. McMillan simply reappointed him to his position saying, “Glen and I were able to get to know each other this past year when we both ran for the office of commissioner. We share many of the same goals for the State’s number one industry and plan to work together to promote Alabama agriculture and industry.”

McMillan’s inauguration reception, held at the Cattlemen’s Association Building, was probably one of the most festive and well-attended events on Inauguration Day. It had a distinct Baldwin County flavor. McMillan and his wife, Kathryn, have deep roots in the former potato-growing county. He represented them in the Legislature at one time. His twin brother, Steve McMillan, took the seat when John left to become conservation director in 1979. Steve is now one of the most senior members of the House of Representatives.

Bentley’s appointment of Sparks and McMillan’s choice of Zorn are not only magnanimous gestures but good for Alabama.

While I am doling out accolades, allow me to tip my hat to our new Attorney General Luther Strange. To his credit, Big Luther realized that making Alabama whole from the BP oil spill would be his No. 1 priority as AG. He also stood up and said, “I am going to personally handle it myself.” In his second week in office, he was in New Orleans in front of the federal judge overseeing the adjudication and arguing Alabama’s case.

For years Alabama’s attorneys general have doled out lucrative contracts to their cronies and contributors to do jobs that assistant attorneys general are paid well to do. Strange is spearheading our mission to get our fair share of economic damages suffered during the 2010 oil spill. The amount of money that the Education Trust Fund lost in tourism dollars is significant. Luther is also determined to not let go until we discover and are properly compensated for the long-term ecological damage caused to our Gulf Coast.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers’ political column appears weekly in 72 Alabama newspapers. He may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.