Exclusive with Tuscumbia's Carol Burns

Note: Our series on Shoals area forums will continue tomorrow.

Earlier this week Tuscumbia Mayor Billy S. Shoemaker dismissed City Clerk Carol Burns, ostensibly due to misconduct. I spoke with Mrs. Burns today, finding her an articulate and charming lady. Obviously due to legal constraints, Mrs. Burns isn't able to comment on these charges directly, but she did relate her feelings on the current situation in Tuscumbia.

Mrs. Burns served in the Tuscumbia Police Department for sixteen years and hoped to retire there. As a major in the department, she was state president of D.A.R.E. and immensely enjoyed her work with the community. Mrs. Burns commented that making Tuscumbia safe was always her top priority.

While making plans for the future, life often gets in the way, and the retirement of former clerk Flora Hanback offered Mrs. Burns an opportunity she couldn't ignore. Despite her desire to serve in the police department, she realized the clerk's office provided safety and security that was lacking in law enforcement. The position had not been open for 34 years, and Mrs. Burns considered it a "once in a lifetime opportunity" and accepted the lateral transfer.

Asked about the charges and her reaction to them, Mrs. Burns wants the community to know that she did nothing wrong and she hopes the upcoming investigation will prove that. Throughout our interview, Mrs. Burns made her faith in God and His providence clear, and I wish her well in her future endeavors.

I will note here that Carol and her husband Wayne own and run the Thunderhill Race Track in Summertown, Tennessee. Carol wanted me to invite the public to its annual Christmas race in December. Admission is one item of non-perishable food and a gift for a child under the age of 14. Local ministries help the Burnses distribute these items to needy families in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. Last year the Christmas race enabled them to help 135 families. For more information, you may call 931-964-2120.

Thank you, Mrs. Burns, for what you do for our community. I wish you well in your future efforts.


What's up with this: It seems the town of Killen is now providing scoops to the local papers concerning its council members--As the Sewage Turns?