Special: Muscle Shoals Rec Department

We're presenting two guest blogs from Leslie M. Shoals. The first was written before the suspension of the Parks & Recreations director and the second after:


NICE PUBLICLY FUNDED BATTING CAGE on 6th street near the railroad track thanks to the TAXPAYERS of MSC (as determined by Parks & Rec Director Rusty Wheeles.)

Problem - it's on private property and only for the use of the residents of the subdivision. We don't think the property owner would have been willing to go along with this kind of underhanded activity if he had known. But then again, when does a panhandler tell you he's selling you stolen merchandise?

THANKS to the HONEST insiders at MSC that spoke out on this - otherwise it would be another cover up and dirty little secret in the MSC pandora pond.

Insiders say the City Council and Mayor met on monday night in an executive session to ponder how to cover up the latest debacle. Afterwards, they determined in their minds a harsh and swift punishment for Parks & Rec Department Head, Rusty Wheeles would only be 21 days suspension without pay.

Maybe he can volunteer to pick up trash on the roadsides to pay the taxpayers back for his little pet project.

David Bradford, Allen Noles, Neal Willis, Mike Lockhart, Chris Hall, Ken Sockwell  -----  HOW MUCH are the taxpayers on the hook for the cost of the batting cage? How much did it cost US for the employees that were ordered to install the cage on private property?

City Council and Mayor have you heard you represent the taxpayers? You are no better than these employees that take liberties at our expense - which says a lot about YOUR CHARACTER - OR LACK THEREOF.

IT'S TIME TO PUT ALL OF YOU ON SUSPENSION - PERMANENT SUSPENSION.

The 2 new guys, Chris Hall and Ken Sockwell, have fit right in with the status quo - Cover up till the hardworking employees that DO want things done right happen to tell some of the faMily dirt, then, and only then, deal with the illegal activity by giving a little pat on the hand and wink wink.

It's not the first time. Why aren't employees fired for repetitive violations? Why have a civil service and rules when anything goes when you are part of the faMily.

MAKE A PUBLIC STATEMENT COUNCILMEN AND MAYOR - WE, THE TAXPAYERS DESERVE AN EXPLANATION.

YOU MEN ALL NEED TO BE ON SUSPENSION - PERMANENTLY.

TERM LIMITS!     YES - TERM LIMITS FOR CITY COUNCIL!

*****

http://www.timesdaily.com/news/local/recreation-director-suspended-days/article_3d30c16f-b808-5f7f-bd44-474a392b48f0.html

Times Daily reports:

"Bradford said he believes members of the city recreation board, a five-member advisory board appointed by the City Council, knew about the project, but it was not authorized by the City Council or himself."

According to the City website of the Council Organizational Meeting on November 7, 2016, the council members were appointed to the following "committees" (oversight, etc).

President Noles stated that the next item of business was the appointment of Council committees for the Council term of 2016-2020.

President Noles announced the following appointments: 

Police Department Committee Allen Noles, Chairman - Chris Hall - Neal Willis 

Fire Department Committee - Mike Lockhard - Chairman - Allen Noles - Neal Willis

Public Works Committee  Neal Willis, Chairman - Allen Noles - Ken Sockwell

Parks & Recreation Committee   Chris Hall, Chairman - Ken Sockwell - Mike Lockhard

 Administration Committee Ken Sockwell, Chairman - Chris Hall -  Mike Lockhard

One has to ask themselves - with 3 COUNCILMEN ON THE PARKS & REC COMMITTEE and 3 BEING A MAJORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL, WHO SHARES IN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEBACLE?

Shouldn't the council be suspended for 21 meetings for their participation? 

What about the others on the Park & Rec Board? What is their punishment?

Rusty Wheeles - it appears you had some "partners in crime" that are letting you take the fall for the team.

Oh, wait - we are faMily.

WHO "RE-IMBURSED" THE CITY FOR THIS LATEST DEBACLE? Bet the developer took the hit on this one. Not surprised, he is a stand up kind of guy.

I'm a betting at this point, it ain't the end of the Muscle Shoals Soaps.

Stay tuned.

Leslie M. Shoals