It's 1950, and...

* The local university is rampant with crime against women.

* A local pol has just used his influence to secure a job for a family member.

* Florence has lost a fantastic opportunity to a larger city.

* Colbert and Lauderdale Counties are at each other's throats.

* Many local cities are turning their backs on the animal problem.

* Locals are moving north to find good jobs.

No, wait. That may have been 1950, but it's still true in 2013. The more things change...?

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We've received many comments on the local ambulance wars over the past months. We've saved all that has been forwarded to us and plan to do at least one blog on what's wrong...and right...with local ambulance service. We welcome reader input on this and all issues.



Shoalanda

Nothing Wrong with an Attractive Sow's Ear

There's nothing wrong with wanting to do better and be better. There is something wrong with failing to comprehend or admit one's limitations. The 450#, 78 year-old ballet dancer isn't going to perform Swan Lake for the president. Neither is the Shoals going to be New York City...nor should it want to be.

Many boats have already sailed in the success regatta. In fact, they sailed so long ago that the winner, usually Decatur, has already retired many of them. Things are tough all over.

We see people laugh when a new business is announced which employs only 50 workers, but should they? Announce one new business a week and see what that adds up to. It won't make up for the loss of International Paper or (the mythical) National Rail Car, but it's a start.

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We love to read of increased enrollment at UNA and of all the activity on campus, but somehow committing crimes or dumping crime victims doesn't seem to be one we should be proud of--yet it happens pretty often:

Alleged UNA Rape

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Maybe it's time to take a hiatus from recruiting new industry, students, etc., to check on nurturing and keeping what we already have?



Shoalanda

Bronner Hog Tied

Like Dr. David Bronner or not, it's obvious a resolution passed by the RSA board will severely limit his ability to invest RSA funds. Bronner just may become the Internet Explorer of Alabama investing:

 

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International Paper has donated 10K to Lawrence County schools. That should go a long way once IP officially leaves the building. Any of our readers done much sight-seeing in Lawrence County recently? Moulton is its richest city. Think about it...

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Ever notice when Florence/Lauderdale law enforcement discuss a serious crime, they usually state it began at a club in Sheffield. Hmmmm...

Shoalanda

Gary Hugh Stancil: Another Blot on Franklin County Schools

Subjects Taught Physical Education

Bio I have been a physical education teacher for 14 years.  I received my MAEd and BSEd degrees from The University of North Alabama(2001, 1993) and  a BSEd (social science) from THE University of Alabama (1989).  I am Phil Campbell High School graduate (1977).  ***** "Gary Hugh Stancil, 54, 5272 U.S. 43, Spruce Pine, was indicted on four counts of attempting to commit a controlled substance crime and one count of second-degree manufacturing a controlled substance, Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said." ***** Well, that might explain the cadaverous look... Shoalanda

Did Someone Say It Was Impossible?

 

 Photo courtesy USA Today

Ahem, way to go Auburn! Let's keep that crystal football in the state!

The Staff at Shoalanda Speaks

A Little Customer/Client Service, Please?

Mr. Gibbs: A Heavenly Shelter Rescue!

We receive scads of e-mails about bad customer service or inferior service or lost/stolen items/pets. We choose not to publish these since we don't have space, they are subjective, and our blog deals with mainly political/criminal issues.

However, we're aware that many business owners don't know how they or their employees are perceived by the general public. Some don't care, but some are simply oblivious to problems in their business. We were impressed by this blog and hope everyone reads it:

Changing Vets or Mr. Gibbs' Revenge

We wish we could have been there...

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While on the subject of local blogs, we'll move on to OB's Corner. OB, while hardly objective when it comes to the University of Alabama, is a great sports writer. We may make some radical feminists very unhappy here by stating that, while many women love football, it's usually the male of the species who analyses and dissects the coaching and plays. OB does a great job of this, and we would like to see him start a second blog dedicated to local/state sports. How about it, OB?

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Has Twitter increased gambling or made it easier to participate? An interesting article:

Rutland's Private Gambling Tweets

Shoalanda

It Is 2013, Isn't It?

 

From a reader:

I just saw your post on the Tuskegee request, I know why this was requested. I sat on the visitor side for the game with my son, the racial slurs to both us and the people of Florence became so bad we left the game at halftime. I reported this to the police and we were told we were sitting in the wrong place. This is 2013 isn't it? It was our fault so I guess we were fair game to be called names unprovoked. I then told the officers if I had been saying those thing I would be escorted out, he only responded to tell me to sit on the other side…..so yes segregation does exist today, only reversed it seems.

It's a sad commentary on our society no matter which side spews the racism.

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Another reader on yesterday's post:

When I saw the post I assumed from the way it was written that applications for the job were just a formality. 

Really? Who woulda thunk it? The things we learn from our readers...



Shoalanda