Consolidation Marches On?/Retail Report

Despite protestations by the Lauderdale County Board of Education that school consolidation is not being considered as part of its strategic plan, and the Times Daily’s unquestioning reportage thereof, the die may already be cast. Heck, they may actually believe their own BS, but the reality of the situation is that the manifest fiscal ineptitude of the Board and its executive management have placed such onerous burdens on current and future financial resources that school consolidation will become their only viable option in the not-so-distant future unless the Board alters its current trajectory.

Humbly submitted for your consideration by,

*****

A huge number of readers contacted us after our report on a possible Target store for Muscle Shoals. The bottom line was that more would like a regular report on retail establishments in the Shoals, both coming and going. Beginning today, we'll publish a brief statement on any retail developments as they happen, entitled:

Retail Report...

In 2017, J.C. Penney announced 138 closings, including four in Alabama - Jasper, Auburn, Bessemer, and Gadsden. Today it announced that at least 24 more stores would close across the U.S.; however, the retail giant refused to offer any specific locations. A large J.C. Penney has been an anchor at the Florence Mall since its opening in 1978. Before that, the popular department store had been a fixture in downtown Florence for decades.

In fact, J.C. Penney is the only one of the five original anchor stores remaining in what was once Regency Square Mall. For those who had rather wrestle Chequita for the last crab leg than shop at that retail merry-go-round on the parkway, Sears is no longer in business, Castner-Knott is now Dillard's, and Parisian and Pizitz are now Belk locations. 

Perhaps Muscle Shoals Can Soon Enjoy Its Own Friday Night Fights?

Target Coming to Muscle Shoals?

Target has announced that at least 23 new stores will be completed this year. Pictured below is a location in Columbus, Ohio, that is one of the more common store types and one that could be expected in any new construction in our area. Will there be such construction?

It's been rumored that the Target retailing giant is looking at property on Wilson Dam Road and Sixth Street in Muscle Shoals. If true, construction would not begin until much later this year or in early 2020, with a store opening in the latter half of 2020.

While we haven't been able to authenticate the information, we believe that it is quite possible. We also believe the Shoals can expect to see action on this retail project long before it does on Inspiration Landing.

How long before a jury reaches a verdict in the Chip Dillard trial? That's anyone's guess, but we predict it will be before the weekend. We've been asked why Tuten and Slusher presented such a short defense for their clients. Perhaps these seasoned attorneys felt the state hadn't proved its case and the less said on some things the better?

Pleasant Thoughts for Tim Staggs

It's Raining Again...How's Your Roof?

Amid all the social media posts concerning home flooding, we've seen quite a few mentioning a leaky roof. We may not have the answer to the standing flood water, but we do have a great one for the worn-out roof:

Digital Roofing

Yes, Digital is one of our paid sponsors. Rest assured we keep up with what our readers and others say about them. We wouldn't be giving the company any extra advertising if we didn't feel these guys are the best out there. 

Check out their website, then give them a call. There's no prize if you mention Shoalanda, but at least you'll make them smile!

What Happens if the Ag Center Isn't Built?

We continue to have readers send us many questions concerning the "proposed" Agriculture Center in Lauderdale County. One question keeps popping up: What happens if the center is never built?

Good question, but we have no answers. As we understand it, the board owns the 45 million dollar property where the event center is scheduled to be constructed. If something goes wrong, the board would then need to dump the real estate and disband. If that sounds easy enough, it most likely isn't.

Just as Sheffield will be stuck with infrastructure loans if Inspiration Landing isn't built, the Ag Board will be stuck with a huge chunk of property sitting just outside Florence. For almost 60 years, the area has been told it's just a matter of time until Highway 72 between Florence and Athens is lined with continuous business facilities. The last time we looked, that corridor wasn't 30% full of any structures.

We have no expertise in this and certainly no inside knowledge, but if the board disbanded, we would assume the property would revert to the county. We also assume that our county commissioners are praying this never happens, or at least that the citizens of Lauderdale have short memories.

We've also been asked why a seven member board. Obviously all such bodies work best with an odd number of members in order to prevent tie votes. According to news reports, most votes have been pretty much unanimous, so this has never been a problem.

Ed Tease and Ronnie Lane? Are they innocent of affiliation is this miracle project...which could just as easily turn into a boondoggle? We have no idea on that issue either. We can offer out belief as to why all the board members are men. Males just seem to enjoy playing in manure more than females...

Lauderdale County BOE: Keeping Parents in the Dark?

At this point, two "stakeholder" meetings have been held to address the five year plan for Lauderdale County Schools. According to one who attended, the meeting addressed nothing of great importance, but was a venue to gather complaints from parents in order to use them later as ammunition to promote school closings.

Whether true or not, it is true that while consolidation was mentioned, the speakers refused to consider any questions concerning this more than possible future for Lauderdale Schools. So...sure you can ask, but we don't have to answer.

One of our readers facetiously asked why some competent, intelligent individuals hadn't run against current school board members. Perhaps some would miss the entertainment of having a school board president who's quoted in the local rag as saying THC has killed thousands?

School consolidation aside, did anyone ask about finances? How much money has Lauderdale lost in the past five years? why is Lauderdale non-compliant in so many fiscal areas? Surely, parents have a right to know...

Alabama Republicans Just Did Something Very Right

Besides standing water in roadways, we in Alabama may now have to extend our BOLO list to flying pigs and skating imps. Some Alabama politicians have just done something incredibly right, or at least 50% right, depending on your view.

In a pre-session meeting in Birmingham, our Republican state legislators just voted that in order to pass the increased gasoline tax, other taxes must be lowered. There was even talk of removing earmarking from taxation, but you and I may never see that particular move in our lifetimes.

So what will be reduced? Tax on groceries! This is a start, but haven't many promised to remove all taxes on food? Why, yes. Yes, they have. 

Perhaps we should look at it as a partial blessing. Indeed, the session hasn't started yet. Perhaps in the end all tax on groceries will be removed. Don't forget to contact your representatives to request that.

The new legislative session starts March 5th. Let's hope a positive trend continues in Montgomery. Just don't hold your breath...

Okay, they may not be flying, but at least they're moving in the right direction!

Human Trafficking? Or Just Pimping?

Several readers have asked the difference in Human Trafficking and Facilitating Prostitution. Not exactly a subject that comes up every day, is it?

If Chip Dillard and Tim Staggs arranged parties or meetings for their girls to meet Johns, that would be facilitating the act of prostitution. If they forced these girls to have sex with men for money which was then handed over to them, that would be human trafficking. We're sure there are gray areas in between that attorneys can shed light on, but the above description gives you the general idea. 

Disclaimer: Actual Staggs Girlfriend May Not Be This Attractive

That brings us to the girls. Are some more innocent than others? We have just read a TimesDaily account of testimony in which one young lady described having Dillard pay her fines and provide her with drugs. Was she surprised when he wanted sex in return? What did she think happened at "the mansion?"

That brings us to one of the most interesting aspects of this case. We've been told that as a last resort, Chip has people to shop in order to get off with time served. Until now, we've been pretty dubious of that claim. Apparently Tim Staggs wasn't the only one involved in at least prostitution. The question is: Were these unnamed men involved in making money from the efforts of these working girls?

And we're not just talking prostitution. If any of these women want to now claim they were forced to pose for pornographic photos, more dirty old men may be in for a surprise visit from investigators. 

Just think, if you feel like you need a shower after reading all this, just wait for the third week's testimony and stock up on extra-strength lye soap and a steel brush.

Chip Dillard's Sexual Assault Charge

When the initial indictment of Florence attorney Chip Dillard was handed down in May 2016, it included the charge of sexual assault. Certainly fondling someone quickly, even in public, is sexual assault, but this is definitely not the first image that comes to mind. Will jurors give him a pass for grabbing...well, whatever he may have grabbed?

Witness intimidation? That seems more problematic. Dillard has said he didn't mean anything by his off the cuff remarks. Still, an attorney sitting in jail would seemingly be more careful with his words if he were only joking.

Evidence tampering? This one seems like a slam dunk for the prosecution. Dillard undoubtedly had cell phones washed and then disposed of. How much time would one serve for that? 

More to the point, we've heard a few knowledgeable individuals say Dillard will walk with time served. If so, he will still have lost three years of his life. He will no longer have a license to practice in this state and might not be able to get one in any other state, at least for several years. 

And Tim Staggs? Will someone please take that man's Viagra away? And buy his wife a rolling pin?!!!

Chip Dillard: 1000 Days & Counting

Today marks the 1000th day of the incarceration of Florence attorney Edward Ray (Chip) Dillard. His trial is finally in progress, and the fast approaching verdict is anyone's guess.

Several who have been in attendance have stated the prosecution is not proving its case, but it's still relatively early in the trial. Human trafficking first, sex abuse and witness intimidation later. Are these the real reasons for Dillard's arrest?

On rare occasions, Dillard communicated with us about the cases of various clients. Others communicated to us about Dillard and his alleged drug use and smuggling into the Lauderdale County Detention Center. 

It's certainly been documented that Dillard had arrests in both Georgia and here for being under the influence. Most feel good potions aren't cheap, and Dillard wouldn't have been the first attorney to provide clients with a little something extra while they were locked away. During this period, Dillard was assigned to defend one our perpetual bad boys who has now amazingly reformed...good for him.

However, at the time, this long-standing miscreant attempted to blackmail Dillard. Whatever happened, Chip spoke to the judge and managed to have himself taken off the case. Obviously many knew that Dillard had at least been accused of providing prisoners with drugs.

Drugs are certainly playing a part in the testimony of the six women who have accused Dillard and Tim Staggs of recruiting them to enter into a prostitution scheme, then forcing them to remain. Was this the impetus for prosecuting the wayward attorney?

It's been said online that all of Dillard's accusers were of age. Not true - at least one was underage when she was brought into the whole sordid scheme. Depending on how well she cleans up to testify, this won't look good for either man.

What were they thinking? No...what were they thinking with?

Tim Staggs?

Field Trips on the Installment Plan?

Our blog on Central School field trips has brought in quite a bit of feedback. This is from one reader:

I've read someone’s post where they say the article isn’t 100% factual because the person left out that there is a “payment” plan offered & that makes it fair for all students. The 1st payment of $30 per person is due Feb 13. The rest is due by April. That’s $250 due in 2 months. In my opinion that can still cause a hardship on many and still be unaffordable! I personally know people that have had to borrow money to go on these trips. Anyway, you can add that so your post will be 100% factual.

As a 112 year old writer who can remember only two field trips during our entire pre-college school days (both taken on a blue Joiner bus), we're going with $250.00 excursions for a third grader as ridiculous. Our field trip at that age? About three miles to the 3-C Grill for an end of school treat.

Times change...

On a related note (and it is related), Alabama remains last in almost every area of education. Remember that math achievement survey from two years ago that included the District of Columbia? We came in 52nd. Anyone proud of that? Our schools need money in order to catch up, but instead our legislators give priority to unconstitutional laws, and our educators place football first.

Our lawmakers rail against illegal immigrants and huff and puff about illegal voting in California and Texas where illegals are everywhere, yet the test scores in those states are higher than Alabama's. If that isn't a sad commentary on our state's commitment to education, we don't what is.

Some things don't change...

If Muscle Shoals Really Cared...

The City of Muscle Shoals is always quick to take a bow for its illustrious music history, but it isn't putting its money where its bragging book is when it comes to Mic. Or is that "Mike?"

Mic, as he's usually dubbed, is the iconic neon sign that proudly proclaimed WLAY Radio. It belongs to the former owners of the station and, approximately five years ago, was reported to be in someone's "yard" awaiting an unsure $3,000.00 restoration.

Surely the city has a place this former landmark could be displayed? Letting this sign rot away doesn't speak well of the town truly caring about its music heritage.

J. Redmon is asking the 64 thousand dollar question:

What algorithm does Sheffield's Street Dept use to determine how close potholes have to be to each other before more than just one gets filled?

What does it take? Asphalt, manpower, time. Two of these entities require money, but you have to bet investors are taking note of the condition of Sheffield's city streets.

Maybe it takes losing 28 nuns and 16 puppies?

Proposed Inspiration Landing Attraction

About Those Field Trips...

A Lauderdale County parent presents some very interesting points about the field trips young students take today. In the very, very dark ages when Shoalanda was in school, most field trips lasted only a few hours and were overseen by parents who provided the transportation. Ah, it's a brave new world...and an expensive one.

From a parent:

“My child has been attending Central Elementary for a few years now! During the 3rd grade year there was a field trip offered to the Aquarium in Chattanooga. The cost of the trip was (I don’t remember the exact price) between $150-$200. Mr. Helton was asked by several parents if there was an alternative if someone couldn’t afford this & they were told no. Although, after talking to some parents I found out that we could drive up and pay to go into the same places as the “group” BUT if your child didn’t pay the astronomical fee, they would be EXCLUDED from certain activities!

Ex... After the IMAX there was a educational class and only the kids that were in “the group” were allowed to attend. Then, After the Aquarium they went on a dinner cruise & ONLY the ones who paid were allowed to go. After speaking with other parents I found out that this was by the request of Mr. Helton to the dinner cruise company. (A parent had made a call to the cruise company and was told by them that he (Mr.Helton) specifically requested that NO ONE other than the ones in his “group” be allowed to dine with them. This parent was told by the company that if it weren’t for that request they could have allowed for some to pay separately).

The 4th grade field trip is to a museum, buffet, & a hands on science center. It is a fee of $125 and the letter states “If you want to drive separately, we cannot stop you from doing so, however we have been told tours will be strictly for our folks aboard the bus and others in personal cars won’t be able to join us at our tour stops” 

I called these places and they told me ONLY at the request of the person planning the trip will they not allow extra people to pay!! 

I am saying all this to say, this needs to STOP!! 

Burt Helton is purposely excluding children that, for what ever reason, can’t go on the bus! Whether it be for money or health reasons! One mom told me she gets violently car sick & cant ride the bus so she hasn’t been able to attend because Mr. Helton said the only option is for her to pay the same fee as everyone else then drive! The majority of the fee that is being charged is for the Charter Bus. I was told there was a mom that drove to Chattanooga last year, it was her and 4 kids, she stayed in a hotel room the night before and still paid less than it cost for a parent & child to ride the bus! 

This is sickening that a principal that is suppose to “love the kids” will do this to children!! 

The 4th grade trip will cost $250 for a parent & child to go. If I were to drive and pay separately it would cost me less than the $125 per person! 

He either needs to give another option that don’t just cater to his “rich kids” or stop hosting these elaborate field trips! So many parents feel as if he does this to exclude the not so privileged children and not only that, it causes a hardship on many of the parents that do come up with the money to go. I don’t know of any other school in the county that has these kinds of field trips and myself and many other parents think this needs to change! 

Enough is enough!!

Yes, I made this anonymous because I’ve learned what kind of community this is and I don’t want my child ostracized because I spoke out.“

Remember E.J. who shot the service dog? If he isn't quaking in his boots right about now, we predict he will be in 48 hours. Pray for justice for Mia!

Two "Closing" Takes on the Ag Center

Undoubtedly, in the months to come there will be news concerning the future agriculture center set for Eastern Lauderdale County, but for the time being we feel most of the known facts concerning this endeavor have been presented to the public. We have two short blogs from Uncle Zack and the Lauderdale Luminary to wrap things up. We hope to hear from both in the near future on similar issues of local concern and know that the Luminary will have much more to say concerning the dire financial straits of the county school system.

On TVA in Lieu of Taxes:

ALDEPA is an organ of the Alabama Legislature charged with performing routine financial and legal compliance audits of state and local boards, commissions, and agencies.  One might imagine that the Ag-Center Board would be subject to annual audits by ALDEPA, but the cabal that comprises this particular board may be able to avoid this scrutiny.  How?  Well, as an organ of the Alabama Legislature, ALDEPA is subject to the oversight and direction of the Legislature's "Committee on Public Accounts". 

I do not know whether Senator Melson or Representative Greer are members of this committee, or whether they wield any influence over it.  In either case, the ability of Ag-Center Board members to shield their own board from an ALDEPA audit gives the appearance of a gross and blatant conflict of interests.  A complaint to the Alabama Ethics Commission might be in order here...

Humbly submitted for your consideration by,

Speculation:

Some of the information that I recently wrote concerning the Ag Center was somewhat speculative. That is because the Ag Authority has not been very transparent in their plan. In my final thoughts about the proposed Agricultural and Developmental Center I will relay what is 100% fact.

At a recent work session meeting of the Lauderdale County Commission it was discussed that a millage tax, which translates to a total of nearly $10 million, is set to expire on October 1, 2021.

That money is divided annually between Lauderdale County and Florence City schools.

Before that time arrives Commissioners must approve a request for a referendum to be held. A date will be set and the citizens of Lauderdale County will vote on the tax renewal.

At that time we will know if our schools will continue receiving $10 million a year or not.

This coming on the heels of the Lauderdale County Ag Authority withholding TVA in lieu of tax money from our schools.

How can the Ag Authority Board move forward with the construction of the Ag Center with such a dark cloud hanging over our heads?

How can our Lauderdale County Commissioners follow through with their commitment to give $10 million to the Ag Authority in light of circumstance?

How can the Lauderdale County Board of Education, in good conscience, begin construction of the Workforce Developmental Center (aka the new Allen Thornton Trade School) when they do not yet know if they will be cut $5.8 million every year beginning in 2021? 

Uncle Zack

Ag Center & Inspiration Landing: A Match Race

If you aren't a sports fan, the term match race designates a competition between only two entities. We're going to apply this term to the Ag Center and Inspiration Landing; which will be finished first? 

Readers who have commented on the two projects have indicated the Ag Center will open its doors first. This is a good guess since the AC is funded totally with our tax dollars. Yet Inspiration Landing isn't a completely private endeavor. In an era when cities complete for something called a Buc-Ee's convenience store, you can bet Sheffield is up to its neck in financial commitment to its now doubtful project.

At this point, the future of Inspiration Landing seems to hinge on recruiting investors. Those who pump money into a project usually want a large financial return, meaning IL has to bring the tourists to Sheffield in droves. Yes, John Elkington's Beale Street project was a huge success, but owing to the size of Memphis, most of its visitors are locals out for a night on the town. How far would you drive/boat/fly to visit a resort set in a geographic area where such things as fall and winter exist? Just to tour certain recording studios? Perhaps even more importantly, could IL count on any repeat visitors? 

Agriculture Center in Baton Rouge

Still, we'd be more apt to bet on success for IL than for the AC. The proposed Ag Center will have 10,000 seats. How many does Von Braun have? How about the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo? Both facilities also seat 10,000 and are very well established non-USDA projects. The Agriculture Center in Baton Rouge seats just under 6,800. Like many agriculture centers, the Parker facility is connected to a major state university - in this case LSU.

Will big acts come to the Shoals? Don't count on Pink Floyd anytime soon. Most of these ag-centers host music festivals similar to the Keller or Watermelon Festivals and not major concerts. Could the Lauderdale Ag Center count on even that? How about 4-H shows? We doubt there are that many people in the area who don't wish to pretend cattle commit suicide in order for us to consume the British national dish, much less want to look at the poor little things before they're led away to slaughter. Horse shows? Dog shows? Cat shows? Should Westminster be concerned about the competition?

Democrat Lora Morrow who opposed Rep. Lynn Greer last year has asked what happens if every county in the state builds an agriculture center. Look at the facility in Lee County, Mississippi, that many confuse with the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo. It was pretty much a failure, with local government eventually handing over ownership to a local college. 

We can at least envision the possibility of success for Inspiration Landing. The Ag Center? Obviously there's something there that the average Joe & Jane Shoals aren't aware of. Perhaps it's all a cover for a new presidential bomb shelter in case the Krazy Korean decides to push a few buttons?

A Valentine for 2019

TVA sends the State of Alabama a sort of Valentine greeting on a regular basis. The money TVA pays the state is in lieu of property taxes, and the state then forwards 78% (in some cases more) of the payment to the counties and cities served by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Think a lot of money.

That payment is partially made to the county commission, which in turn doles out the funds either per law or on a basis of need. In the past, Lauderdale County has determined that one great need is education. Not exactly rocket science, is it?

In April 2017, Lynn Greer of Rogersville introduced a bill in the state legislature that would require Lauderdale County to pay the Agriculture Authority (Ag Center) 1.2 million dollars a year from the 5.6 million dollar annual payment. At that time, Greer stated the money would be taken "off the top" of the TVA payment to Lauderdale County. First things first and all that.

In case you think this was just a "county" thing, Greer's bill eliminated a $305,000. yearly payment to the City of Florence. At the time, the city accountant stated that it would have been nice if Greer had consulted anyone about his bill. Yes, wouldn't it have? As for Florence City Schools, the loss of this revenue amounted to $127,000. 

At the time the bill was passed, it was supported by Lynn Greer, Tim Melson, and Phillip Pettus. Larry Stutts opposed it. In answer to Stutts, Sen. Tim Melson stated concerning the benefits of the Ag Center: “People who worry about their own little world with their own budgets don’t see the windfall.” Ah, yes, we believe that's called Maslow's hierarchy of needs - something Sen. Melson should have learned about years ago, but perhaps only those with more education than a medical doctorate can understand that. (Hats off to those with a Masters of Law.)

Approximately 30 days after Greer introduced the bill to divert the TVA payments, the new legislation passed. In one vote in Montgomery, Lauderdale County schools and many other entities lost tens of thousands of dollars in funding. The City of Florence School System has redone its budget and is presumably still educating its students in a responsible manner. The Lauderdale County School System is headed toward financial ruin. Happy Valentine's Day...

A post script of sorts: 

1. We used the 78% state payment to county figure that we believe is correct. We will note that Robert Palmer of the TimesDaily has indicated that the remittance is only 50% of TVA payments. Perhaps the Lauderdale Luminary could weigh in on this?

2. We believe Sen. Tim Melson is an honorable man. We also believe he needs to think before he speaks. Before any readers ask if our writers are good examples of this, remember that we're not here to win any elections or popularity contests. We're here to inform the public. We can't wait until Lauderdale County begins to consolidate schools to hear the public ask why no one informed them.

Lauderdale County Schools Lost HOW MUCH Money?

As mentioned in a previous post, the Lauderdale County Board of Education reported a $619,000 decline in its fund balance in 2018. The Board’s 2019 Budget projects another decline of more than $835,000. Unfortunately this projection of increasing losses may itself be overly optimistic. 

Using the Board’s reported expenditures for the first four months of the 2019 Fiscal Year as a basis for projection, the Board’s total expenditures for the year will outstrip projected revenues by $3,500,000 if the current monthly rate of spending continues. If this projection is realized, the decline in fund balance for the year will be over four times greater than expected. 

At that rate the Board’s fund balance will be zero in less than three years. Bottom line? If the Board continues on its current trajectory, the school system will not only have to borrow to build a new vocational school, but it may also have to borrow simply to meet payroll.

Humbly submitted for your consideration by,

Local Murder for Valentine's Day!

Want to send your cross-country sweetie a little something for Valentine's Day? Something straight from the Shoals? It's not too late with Kindle!

First we suggest Love is Murder, a compilation of 30 short stories edited by Sandra Brown. The local part? One of the entries is by the late Beverly Barton from Tuscumbia, and it's set in Florence. Is the local detective out to save the heroine or to make sure she doesn't testify in an important murder case? Send it instantly with Kindle:

Love is Murder

Next on the fiction front is Murder on Lido Drive. Athens author Cassandra Clairage blends two real life Colbert County murders into one in this series opening novella. See if you can detect which ones:

Murder on Lido Drive

Finally in the true crime section, if your dear one wants to learn more about murder in the Shoals, our collection of 13 local murders is just the thing:

Murder in Muscle Shoals

Remember: Nothing says true love like murder!

Lauderdale BOE Seeks Advice from (Survey) Monkey

It hasn't been that long ago that some in the Waterloo area laughed when we mentioned the strong rumors of their school closing. Now fewer and fewer individuals are laughing as the Lauderdale County Board of Education moves closer and closer to a giant consolidation plan that some say can't be stopped. 

First, the Board has asked for input. Here's the link in case you think your opinion will actually sway the powers that be in Lauderdale education:

Lauderdale Education Questionnaire

Second, the Board has announced a series of meetings where the public will hear the basics of whatever it deems to tell them and where they can presumably offer input. Here are the dates:

2/21 - Lauderdale County High School

2/25 - BOE Annex

2/26 - Central High School

3/7 - Brooks High School

Our opinion? No one who blogs here has children in the Lauderdale County system, so any opinions we have are based on wanting the best for the youth of the area in general. What we have now is not working, at least the way that it should. Our children deserve more. Is consolidation the way to achieve that? 

Again, the jury is still out on that question. We solicit comments from all concerned citizens whether they have children in the system or not. No matter anyone's age or social standing, it's human nature to cling to tradition. It's sad not to have a high school that one can follow, yet no one can expect any institution or program to last forever. We advocate keeping an open mind on consolidation...as long as the public isn't blindsided by the school board in its quest to... Hmmm, to save money? Or to something else? 

Who's the Colbert County Leaker?

There's been some intrigue recently in Colbert County. In case you missed it, a story was leaked to Russ Corey at the TimesDaily concerning removing Colbert County from SEDA, the local industrial recruitment board. The tale presented to the media was that Tommy Barnes, a county commission member, had written a formal proposal to be voted on. This wasn't true.

To some, this seemed like a minor distinction, while to others it seemed like a major smear campaign against Mr. Barnes. Would anyone want to lie about the good commissioner? Supposedly, David Black has accused Jimmy Gardiner, and Gardiner has accused Black.

Isn't it nice to know that these guys work so well together?

Have some ideas on the SEDA situation? If you think it should be disbanded or if you think it's the greatest thing since pimple cream, tell us how you feel.

Scraping the Barrel Bottom for Investors?

First, how does one attract investors to a major project? If the economy is right, can't someone like John Elkington merely crook his little finger, as in sending out a prospectus? That didn't seem to work at the Forge or Saddle Creek. 

Now we understand Elkington is bringing investors here...or plans to. That's good, but doesn't this mean these investors are the more choosy kind, the kind who won't simply take Elkington's word that the project will succeed?

Years ago, we heard of a young bride whose husband picked her up at the Muscle Shoals airport, then promptly became lost. As they drove down Second Street, she began to cry. Was this the beautiful Shoals she had been told about?

Then more recently there was the review of that aluminum giant adjacent to Park Place. The writer laughingly told of his family screaming for him to turn around, telling him he had to be lost. There was nothing worthwhile to be found in the immediate area. 

If you were an investor, one known for shrewd but cautious decisions, how would you react? And how will several Sheffield property owners react to being told after all these years that their eyesores are now a major liability? Will they hasten to Sherwin-Williams to buy their redecorating materials or will they drag their feet in court until Elkington says "Enough!"?

From J. Redmon:

Sheffield's prosecutor and municipal judge are wanting more frequent courts. Currently, Sheffield's municipal court clerk is working FULL-TIME for Muscle Shoals as Court Clerk and Magistrate WHILE continuing to work FULL-TIME for Sheffield. Does anyone see a problem IF Sheffield increases the number of times it holds court each month? 

Mexican Flag? Send Us Proof

Returning briefly to the Salvationist Church, a local attorney has contacted us that it's legal for a government to contract with a church to administer a taxpayer funded program. The program itself must be kept entirely separate from any church teaching.

That last statement would seem almost impossible in the case of day/night uses of Salvationist buildings and equipment. We also question if collaborating and co-mingling of funds for a project is quite the same as administering it. It will be interesting to see if the SA/Florence collaboration does bring legal challenges.

We have received two unrelated complaints about the Salvationists, one of which we condone and one of which we initially laughed at, but then reconsidered. The first complaint accused the SA coven of stealing children with DHR's help. 

Consider this: By the time a child is actually taken away from its biological family, the situation has to be extremely bad. We have to believe parental rights should be terminated. If these Salvationists will offer the abused children a permanent home, we feel this is much better than a life of abuse that will turn them into a new generation of criminals.

The second complaint against the Salvation Army? The local church flies the Mexican flag? We at first assumed that it was for some special program or the other, but after asking for details, we were told the female half of the current captain duo is a Mexican national. We believe the woman probably has dual citizenship, but the salient question concerns flying the Mexican flag or displaying it above its U.S. counterpart.

If anyone can back this accusation up, please send us the photos, and we'll publish them. If it should be true, perhaps it's best to remember that these people are always transients who will move to another posting in a relatively short time and that problem will be solved. 

God, Greed, Fraud, Schools, and Taxes

Introduction: Below is a very enlightening essay by The Lauderdale Luminary on the proposed Ag-Center, the county school system, and more. We were curious about the religious makeup of the Ag Board. Here is a list of members and their religious affiliation, if known. If there should be errors, we apologize in advance and will be happy to update the preferences.

Tim Melson - Church of Christ

Lynn Greer - Southern Baptist

Phillip Pettus - Conflicting information; he either "attends" the Church of Christ with his wife or is a member.

Ed Tease - Unknown

Joe Hackworth - Church of Christ (Fringe)

Roger Garner - No preference

Ronnie Lane - Unknown

According to most statistical information, the largest religious group in Lauderdale County is the Southern Baptist Church.

Reflections on the Ag-Center Cabal

Operating under a smokescreen of ambiguity and double-talk, members of the Lauderdale County Ag-Center Authority Board, along with their allies at the Lauderdale County Board of Education and Northwest Shoals Community College, are hell bent on shoving this Ag-Center boondoggle down our throats, despite the sober and reasoned reservations of the citizenry about the need or the market for such a facility. In fact, their obvious and deliberate avoidance of these considerations strongly suggests that the private interests in this project far outweigh any potential public benefit. If the gumshoes at the Times Daily could remember what expository journalism is, perhaps they could shine some light into this dimly lit corner.


From the stories I've read about the Ag-Center project thus far, it would seem that the participation of the Lauderdale County Board of Education in this venture is considered a key factor in its predicted success. According to public statements by school board members, the proposed construction of a new vocational school at the Ag-Center site will require the school system to borrow tens of millions of dollars. I suppose we should all just forget about the fact that this same school board has already chosen to hand over $250,000 of TVA tax funds annually to the Ag-Center "Authority", or that this same school board has allowed its athletic programs throughout the county to rack up over $2,000,000 in red ink, or that this same school board has capriciously wasted over $600,000 just to enlarge its administrative office campus, all while the district's fund balances continue on a steady decline. I suppose we should all just consider ourselves fortunate that we have such a gifted group of financial experts to saddle the Lauderdale County taxpayer will even more debt.


So the school board now intends to borrow tens of million of dollars using a bond issue. So what does it take to borrow money in the bond market? In a word, "disclosure". Full disclosure to be exact. The laws and regulations governing the securities markets require institutional borrowers like the school board to submit very detailed and specific documentation before their debt securities can be sold to investors. The board's most recent audit is a required part of this documentation, so I decided to take a look at this report as issued by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.


After a diligent search of the Examiners' report I was struck by one glaring omission. A little background first - financial reporting standards require reporting entities like the board to disclose any significant contingencies as part of their audited financial statements. This means that if the board is aware of a circumstance that could lead to a significant financial consequence, then the board is supposed to disclose this circumstance in its financial statements. So then, the glaring omission of which I speak is that I can find absolute no mention in the board's audited financial statements of the EEOC "equal pay" lawsuit now pending against the board in Federal Court, a case that holds strong potential for a very costly outcome.


Returning now to the disclosure requirements governing the securities markets, I wonder whether the board intends to carry this glaring omission forward from its audited financial statements into its submissions to the bond underwriters. Doing so might be considered willful fraudulent misrepresentation of a material fact by Federal regulators, but I would so love to see this obtuse tribe of troglodytes test those waters.


Now, a question! Why is anyone surprised that Senator Melson wants sectarian religious instruction to be offered in publicly funded facilities? After all, Senator Melson and the majority of members on the Ag-Center Board and the school board are all prominent members of the same Christian sect, as is a plurality of the county's population! All of you short-sighted fans of theocracy out there must be down right orgasmic nowadays.


Yes, our currency does have "In God We Trust" printed on it, and the Founders did indeed invoke the Creator often in our founding documents, but these were admonitions to each citizen to trust in the Creator he understands, rather than trusting in tyrannical kings or governments. This becomes especially clear when one considers another motto also emblazoned on our currency - "Novus Ordo Seclorum" or New Secular Order - neither kings, popes, nor prophets shall rule us! It is tyranny to compel taxes from a public comprised of many beliefs and then use those taxes to promote any particular notion of truth. The presumption of these zealots boggles the mind, does it not?


Humbly submitted for your consideration by,