Local Nepotism in Government

If two or more relatives work in the same government system, is it nepotism? In a small school district or town, it could simply be there was no one else qualified for the job.

However, we know that some Muscle Shoals residents have accused the city of hiring unfit employees in order to placate/help current employees. Tuscumbia attorney Billy Underwood is currently representing two men, both master plumbers, who were overlooked for a person of much less experience to fill an inspector's position.

Here for your consideration are two reader comments:

* The music teacher at Trenholm is the superintendent's daughter-in-law.  The teacher's aide is a niece. (Note: the current Tuscumbia superintendent has recently resigned.)

Dr. Brian Lindsey

* After reading the reader's comments on cities and the MSCS superintendent.. Would anyone be surprised to know that the hiring of the MSCS superintendent violated state law which carries a fine and penalty? Yes, the board members found out about the law, and enforced it against family members they didn't want to promote or hire, but haven't fixed the real problem. Interesting that the superintendent is still in his job with everyone knowing they are in violation of the state law passed before they hired him. Nepotism in Muscle Shoals on steroids. No wonder the state legislators have to make laws - but somewhere in the passage of those laws, they will have to learn to be specific that it does pertain to Muscle Shoals.

*****

Meanwhile on a totally different subject in Lauderdale:

I WAS TOLD BY A LAUDERDALE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY THAT ONE OUT OF EVER 4 HOUSES IN LAUDERDALE COUNTY THERE IS SOME SORT OF METHANPHETAMINE ACTIVITY GOING ON IN IT-THIS WAS VERY EYE OPENING TO ME BUT I JUST THOUGHT THE PUBLIC OUGHT TO KNOW AND YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ UP ON THE DRUG & THE SIDE EFFECTS AND THE HAVOC IT CAN REEK ON YOUR FAMILY AS WELL AS YOUR COMMUNITY!

We wonder which deputy made this statement? The percentage seems extremely high, and we sincerely doubt it. If anyone has other info on this, please send it to us.

***** 

A reader has questioned why trusties working outside a jail could be a liability. No matter how honest these people are, they can inflict unintentional damage and a city could be sued. Some years ago a prisoner in south Alabama was operating a push-type lawn mower when he inadvertently hit a rock. The rock then crashed through the windshield of a passing car. The system found its liability insurance covered only employees on the payroll. It was an expensive oops.

A second reader, a city employee, has told us Sheffield does use trusties around the jail. If there is any way this can be expanded, now is the time. Sheffield has the potential to raise itself out of a generations long slump.

If anyone knows of conditions in the Sheffield jail, please contact us. We know that money is a factor there as well, but we hope the city at least tries to maintain a safe and secure environment.



Shoalanda