Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in North Alabama. Many are happy that Mac McCutcheon is back as chairman of the Madison County Commission – but with an incredible resume, many observers believe he won’t stretch it beyond this term. Still four years out, insiders are already scrambling for who will be at the helm commission. Of the incumbent county commissioners, all are facing paltry re-election competition this year, Phil Vandiver and Phil Riddick seemed to have expressed interest in the past, while commissioners Craig Hill and Steve Harraway are both well known and broadly liked. House General Fund Chairman Rex Reynolds, a former police chief and city administrator, has been top of many lists during his tenure, and this one would be included, although he may have higher opportunities on the horizon. Known commodities like State Sen. Sam Givhan or former Trump Prosecutor Jay Town could also toss their names in the ring – but with political newcomers like State Reps. Philip Rigsby and James Lomax, or Madison County School Board Member Heath Jones also having higher ambitions – the one thing we know for sure is that this race is heating up before the last one is over.