Emily Hartline's Right to Sue

Pictured above is the grieving Carol Childers Davis...yes, that was sarcasm. The photo is strictly to illustrate to her supporters how broken up she is/was over the two deaths she caused in August 2018.

The main question from readers concerns the right of Emily Hartline to sue Davis or anyone else concerning the deaths. Yes, she has the right. The state had not, in its finite wisdom, terminated her rights to the children. She was their next of kin. She and her ex-husband can both sue Davis. This pair of miscreants could also sue the county/state/DHR, but a case against a sovereign entity would be much harder to win.

So many are saying they can pick and choose the laws they follow. Franklin County must be really special. Just don't try that in Florence.

There's little doubt that Davis is guilty of all charges the state has brought against her in the deaths or Roman and Haven Hartline. The wee bairns didn't have a chance in life...

Look At Our Faces And Tell Us You Don't Care That Carol Davis Failed To Keep Us Safe!

Jon Hatton Speaks?/Report to Law Enforcement

We have reports that Lauderdale County school superintendent Jon Hatton will be issuing a press statement on Tuesday. Do we believe the public will actually see this happen? In a word, no.

Not that Mr. Hatton seems to listen to the public, but if you are a Lauderdale County taxpayer and want some answers to any questions concerning the system you pay for, here is contact information:

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 278
Florence, AL 35631

Physical Address:
355 Co. Rd. 61
Florence, AL 35634

Phone: 256-760-1300
Fax: 256-766-5815

Hours 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

To those who say the name grouping of employee resignations was handled badly, we agree. Yet, why are you blaming this blog or anyone else who has published these names? Blame the Lauderdale County School Board. Call us filthy names and we will ban you. With parents like you, your children stand a 99% chance of failure in life. It makes us feel sympathy for Mr. Hatton for having to put up with this class of individual.

The big question: Do you have information about an affair/rape in which one of the male sex ring teachers was involved approximately two years ago? If you do, there is no statute of limitations on sex crimes. We can't investigate this, but the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office can. Contact them. You can also contact the state board of education.

If this is true, why did those who were aware do nothing? Oh, wait we know...don't talk about it and it really didn't happen.

Doing anything tomorrow afternoon? We suggest you get your football fix this weekend. Pundits say not to expect too much post season play in some circles this year. Good luck to your favorite team tomorrow, whichever it is. 

Meanwhile in a Lauderdale County High Special Ed Class...

Thanksgiving 2019

Often we're thankful, but in the rush of everyday life fail to express it. Let's resolve to say "Thank you" more often. These two simple words can make more difference than you know!

All of Us at Shoalanda Speaks

Sorry...They All Can't Be Innocent

While we originally had no intention of publishing the names of the seven Lauderdale County employees who were recently terminated (or resigned, if you prefer), we decided to list them in our blog after the school board posted its minutes early. In other words, we didn't let any turkeys out of the bag ourselves.

Are one or two of those who left the system not involved with the sex club? Yes, we believe at least two, both teacher's aides, had no part in any shenanigans. The others? Some have relatives who have contacted us blaming everyone but their loved one. 

One woman went so far as to state it was those who were dismissed and their families who were the victims here, not the children. All we can say is that she's entitled to her opinion, but when we answered her we suggested she had problems with her moral hard wiring.

What can those who may be truly innocent do to salvage future job prospects? The school board should be more than happy to issue these individuals a letter stating why they left the system. Either Jon Hatton or Mr. Will Joiner would be happy to sign such a document, we would imagine. We'll be happy to publish it here, if that's what you wish. 

THANKS FOR NUTTIN' ROGERSVILLE ADMINISTRATION 

To those who turned our school into an adulterous playground.

Thanks for nothing.   .

To those who cover-up wrong doing because 'image is everything'.

Thanks for nothing.

To those who are guilty but never apologize.

Thanks for nothing.

To those who continue posting crazy politician memes on Facebook.

Thanks for nothing.

To those who turn a blind eye to wrong doing.

Thanks for nothing.

We are asking, on behalf of the students at LCHS, that the Lauderdale County Board of Education release a statement. 

IS THIS THE EXAMPLE THAT YOU WANT TO SET, ROGERSVILLE POLICE CHIEF, BEFORE YOU RIDE OFF INTO THE SUNSET?

IS THIS THE EXAMPLE YOU WANT TO SET, LAUDERDALE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION? WHAT ABOUT THE STUDENTS?

IS THIS THE EXAMPLE THAT YOU WANT TO SET, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS?

IS SO...……………THEN……...…...…………. THANKS FOR NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!

To the good teachers at LCHS that now have a dark cloud hovering over their heads. THANK YOU!!!! We appreciate and love you. We are sorry that you have to go through this.

To the good officers that keep us safe. THANK GOD FOR YOU! We are more thankful for you than you will ever know.

TOMCAT

LCHS class of 1937

LCHS Names/More Fallout to Come?

Since the names of terminated LCHS employees are now posted online, we're presenting screen shots of the board minutes in which their names are listed:

Several parents have emailed us asking what will become of their child's special ed classes. While we have no inside information, we would think teachers from other schools will be brought in to fill the void until permanent replacements can be arranged. Yes, this is very sad for these students. 

Second, we've had several who maintain that the terminations are not over. We believe it's possible that more will be asked to resign, but have no inside knowledge of this. Again, we would advise anyone who has the financial means to remove their child from this system and place him/her in a private setting. 

To those of you whose families have been affected, we say good luck!

Sex Club Not Only Vice Club in Lauderdale County Schools

The Lauderdale County School System has no shortage of "vice" groups that have spontaneously formed from time to time among its employees.  The system has recently had a board member from the Central area who had a well known affinity for some serious gambling with principals and coaches.  One of these principals was even discovered to have been selling school equipment to cover his gambling losses.  A past superintendent and her assistant are widely reputed to have used more than one campus space for their not-so-well-hidden pattern of dalliances.  It is also well known that a cabal of coaches and administrators conspired to relieve Rogers school of much of its sports equipment when they staged a break-in at the field house and then committed insurance fraud against the State of Alabama Department of Risk Management for the "stolen" gear.

All these things are just as wrong as members of a sex club engaging in group sex in a public place, and all these other offenses were committed on school grounds as well.  Yes, some of the people who engaged in the vices mentioned above were terminated, but many of them were not.  How LCBOE deals with errant employees just depends upon who they are and who they know, what church they attend, etc.  But you can surely expect some pious, self righteous crowing over this "sex" club peccadillo, because this kind of vice is just not as palatable to the good people of Lauderdale County as gambling, theft, and simple infidelity.

Speaking of the hypocrisy of disparate treatment, the school board's Director of Special Education must find this brewing scandal to be very uncomfortable indeed, given her well known extracurricular tastes.  I imagine at least a couple of her lieutenants are equally unnerved.

Humbly submitted for your consideration by,

The Lauderdale County School System "Sex Club" - Shame on the BOE

Your Cliff Notes version:

1. At this date, seven to eight are said to be involved. All but one are Lauderdale County School Board employees.

2. One is involved peripherally, as in he's alleged to have attacked one of the males who was involved in the so-called sex club. (Some guys just can't stand to share their wives - go figure.)

3. We currently have four names, but are not publishing any unless official charges are filed.

4. If one or two are charged legally in the (misdemeanor?) physical altercation, we will publish their names if all news outlets fail to do so. This charge could be in the realm of a felony since a school employee was attacked; however, that would be up to the district attorney's office. As of now, we have no details on the attack/altercation.

We had not originally planned to blog on this stain on the local education system; however, one event changed our mind. Has an innocent young man been fired?

1. Perhaps it was not the wisest act to disseminate information about this sex club and the terminations, but was it a "firing offense?" This man tells us he doesn't have tenure and has lost his job.

SHAME ON YOU, Lauderdale County Board of Education. If there is more to this man's dismissal, you should make that clear to the public. If there isn't more, you should give him his job back. You're already in hot water up to your eyeballs over missing and misused funds, do you want this to be a top story for weeks to come?

2. To the school board member who has two family members involved in this debacle, you should resign. We won't hold our breath, but if Day Two/Three is this bad (you should see our mail box), what will it be like when more and more is leaked and children return from Thanksgiving break to find missing teachers, aides, or custodians.

For once, do the right thing!

Or A School Full Of Students...

Did Someone Place a Gun to Your Head...

...to force you to marry? No? Then we have some advice for you: Keep your pants on, especially if you're a school teacher...in a vacant classroom. 

Our prediction is that there will now be some more trash passing.

Parents, are you happy with such situations? You need to demand better teachers, better financial accountability, and better administrators. Keep demanding until the broken system sits up and takes notice!

If I Can Figure Out Which End Goes In First, I'll Take Care Of The Matter!

Meet Tyrus Mansell - Your Next Colbert County Commissioner!

We've always heard it asked: Who makes the better ditch digger - the man thinking about a better way to dig the ditch or the man thinking about how to get out of the ditch and move to a new job? If you have any doubts, it's the former.

So who makes the better county commissioner? The man who basically has no family, no long term ties to a county, and in fact who works in another county...or the family man who is seeking to better his home county, not simply to place another accolade on his political resume'?

We at Shoalanda Speaks want you to meet Tyrus Mansell:

Check Out His Facebook Page: Tyrus Mansell

While the campaign hasn't technically started, we believe the Colbert County voters should begin now to inform themselves about the issues. (Think animal welfare for starters.) The county just south of the river is poised to grow; let's not hold it back by electing those who seek only to serve themselves.

I'm Prince (the Canine-American Blogger) and I Approve This Message!

Want Sheffield to Keep Your Power Lines Clear?

Citizens of Sheffield, think your utility bills are too high? This might be one reason; from a reader:

I wish someone would explain why Sheffield Utilities repeatedly refuses to trim overhanging limbs that are tangled up in electrical lines connected to houses in the Village, yet a crew of utility workers was spotted yesterday clearing trees (no electric lines in sight) on the Lumber One property on West 20th Avenue. This is directly across from the entrance to the Inspiration Landing project.

What can you do? Very little. From what we've been told, phone calls don't achieve much. Your best bet is to show up en masse at a city council meeting and demand answers.

Good luck!

David Black Did What?

Republican candidates for the 2020 primary won't be certified until December 11th; however, we can be sure David Black is running for his current seat on the Colbert County Commission. A reader sent us a link to his website; it's very interesting to say the least.

Black has quite a lengthy list of accomplishments over the years, especially on the political side. Look closely and you will see that some touted feats are merely paying for advertising material. Look even more closely and you'll see that he appears to claim founding the Shoals Republican Club in 2019. Really?

We have no idea what much of Black's listed accomplishments have to do with Colbert County. The majority of his list involves work in Washington and counties outside the Shoals. 

We can say that he didn't list any areas in which he helped with Colbert County animal control/welfare. At least he was honest about something. 

The Colbert County Commission is a local governing body. We encourage all Colbert voters in each district to vote for a locally centered candidate who will move the county forward.

Who Thinks Brick & Mortar Retail Is Growing?

The Ag Center has a retail component. Yes, really. Perhaps it will even have video rentals and 24-hour photo developing. Who travels to a concert and takes a side shopping trip? Perhaps some do, but unless you want to make a weekend of it, you probably have no desire to shop before the big show, be it starring Elton or a walking horse.

Think locals will drive an extra five or ten miles to shop? Perhaps some will once. Don't count on that much repeat business. 

No, for any who think retail still means K-Mart or Sears, think again. These businesses thrive in a town with a population under fifty thousand:

1. Restaurants

2. Auto Service/Repair

3. Grocery Stores

4. Beauty/Barber Shops

5. Spas

6. Garden Shops

7. Dollar Stores (Even these have suffered with the advent of Wish.com)

8. Antique/Junque Shops

9. Hardware Stores

You may be able to think of a few more types, but you get the general idea. If you or your family want to shop for upscale apparel, home furnishings, or gifts, you'll probably head to Bridge Street or the Galleria. Your first thought certainly won't be "Let's go to the Ag Center."

Ag Center board member Roger Garner said of the latest planning: "These current steps might seem like monotonous things right now, but it's also exciting to see it get to this point."

Monotonous? Think he meant mundane? Perhaps minutiae? Think Mr. Garner or any of the board members know where any of this is going?

What Shoals Residents Say about the Salvation Army

It's recently been big news that the fast food icon Chick-fil-A has dropped the Salvation Army Church from its list of charity donation recipients. Props to the makers of the best chicken sandwich ever!

Yet, this Georgia based company isn't the only one who no longer supports the Salvationists. We invite any of this church's supporters to take a careful look at just what this organization stands for.

Locally? This is what some have posted on the local church's Facebook page:

* I have endured abuse at this shelter not only by residents but staff dorothy would laugh with the people threatening me and when I told captain they put her on temporary leave and hired her back how is that justified she would yell cat fight and meow over the intercom to steer everyone up I was then later attacked by a girl from the shelter because she was kicked out I left shelter with no electricity on in my new place because dorothy was working and the residents where starting on me I have let captain wendy know what was going on and sadly dorothy is still working there the residents do all the chores there when staff are present......

* I would not recommend working for them.The Salvation Thrift store in Florence, Al. does not appreciate their employees. This is an organization I admired for so long until I worked for the manager, she has personal issues that she needs to resolve instead of taking it out on the employees.I understand we all are human and make mistakes but for me I was not allowed to question anything and I was spoken to as if I was,really of no importance.This was occurring before I was hired, It became worse when I refused to allow the manager to speak to me in a negative way in front of the customers.She admitted she was,exhausted,worried about donations, had been looking for a home to buy with no luck...basically taking it out on Loranda and myself.Loranda told me she was tired of how she was being treated but could not quit because of the bills she owed...I was trying to stand up for her and myself by simply trying to calmly talk things out, Pam does not understand good,communication. Who is my witness? Loranda and my Lord.Pam speaks against the Captains, it,was a hard place to work if,you are an honest person. The actual work and the customers I loved.Minimum wage, you are worked hard while the manager and her friend do not work as a group effort. I would recommend donate yourself to those in need, continue to give from your heart.Pray for those who are in power and do not use it,in a Christian way.Jesus is not just for Sundays, he us our way of life 24/ 7. God bless .

* I'm sorry when you kick the family out that has a two-week-old baby and two other small children that ain't cool that's not Godlike

Does the SA Church ever do good works? Of course it does. So did John Wayne Gacey and Jimmy Savile; that doesn't mean we should overlook their evil actions. This Christmas, give to a local charity which helps local citizens no matter their color, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. Don't stop there; demand your local government do the same. Let's all work to make the Shoals a better place to live.

Nancy Got Her Gun

If you follow politics at all, you know there's currently a battle between two factions of the state Democratic Party. For many years, Nancy Worley has been head of the Alabama Dems and doesn't want to give up her position or any other perks related to the position's grace and favor. 

A rival faction has now taken over, although this coup is being challenged in court. They say Nancy and her gang are out. Nancy was reportedly worrying about how she would even begin to remove her personal items from the party's offices where she had ruled for so many years.

Then the usurpers came to evict her. She didn't go. Yes, Nancy threatened them with a gun she said she had in her possession and knew how to use. They left, but came back later to change the locks.

And state Democrats wonder why the party gets so few votes. Just when we thought Nancy and her sidekick Joe Reed couldn't get any more cray cray, they do. 

Looking for an escape from good mental health? Visit Alabama...

Mo Said What?

Mo said what?

And we thought Will Ainsworth was the one with the alcohol problem.

Is it just us or do any of our readers think the Alabama-Auburn game just became much more interesting? Joking aside, best wishes to Tua.

Speaking of sports, can Chase Glover tell us which of these super talented young ladies are the twins?

Yeah, Chase, We'd Like to Know as Well!

Rogersville Police Chief to Retire

According to the East Lauderdale News, longtime Rogersville police chief Terry Holden is throwing in the towel. Holden has certainly received his share of criticism over the years; however, we wish him the best in any honest endeavors he may pursue in the future.

Now, whom will Rogersville select to run the beleaguered department? The mayor and city council have not shown responsiveness to the general public in the past. All too many look at the small town as either a speed trap or a fly in the county's soup. 

No, the new chief will not receive the highest pay in the state, or even Lauderdale County. Perhaps someone will apply who genuinely wants to make a difference?

The Notations Aren't Ours, but We Totally Agree with the Sentiment!

Did Florence City Schools Pass the Trash?

It's been a while since we've had to use the term "pass the trash." For those who aren't aware of the expression, it refers to school systems dismissing a teacher who is a sexual predator or physically abusive to students, but failing to report him to the proper authorities. These schools then even provide recommendations for these wonderful educators.

Did the Florence City School Board do that last year when it called a special meeting to "accept the resignation" of choir director Bradley White, but made no mention of the rationale? White went on to work with a church choir at Auburn and then returned north to Calhoun County where he's now in just a spot of trouble.

While we hope this isn't the actual case, it certainly seems a good possibility. If White had a "boyfriend" among the Alexandria High student body, you can bet your cranberry sauce that he at least tried for one at Florence High.  Let's hope Calhoun County gives him more than a slap on the wrist.

Pass the Florence trash...

Hey, Brad...a little depilatory wax will clear that right up.

Too bad it won't help your legal problems...

UNA Needs Scott Morris Back

For some years, Scott Morris was the editor of the Decatur Daily; he then transferred to the TimesDaily. Later, he resigned to work with the Flor-Ala student newspaper at the University of North Alabama. Then the university, for reasons that are disputed, let Morris go.

We're not sure what adult staff helps these students now, but we can see a difference in the publication since Morris is no longer in charge. A reader sent us a most humorous gaffe that was posted last month in the campus news.

It seems that managing editor Chase Glover wrote a sports story on basketball stars the "Wallen Twins." After the very perturbed reader sent us this information, we couldn't resist a test to see how many others know of the "Wallen Twins." Not surprisingly, no one that we asked did.

In Glover's defense, he doesn't appear to be from the Shoals area. Yet, he is total proof that campus newspapers need a competent adviser. How many more fantastic employees is the university tossing out the window in its search for the almighty dollar?

Or Research...

So Which One Was Fired?

From Natural Bridge to Birmingham, we don't think any town is immune to employee-centered scandals. We do think smaller towns are more prone to these since there's a smaller pool of employees and these employees are often forced to work in close proximity to one another.

We recently mentioned a situation where heads were about to roll. Guess which one has. You actually have three choices: His, Hers, Theirs. 

We are hearing from some that his is about to go also, but our opinion is that it won't. We would like to be proved wrong. Judging from several fairly recent incidents in Northwest Alabama, this male city government figure has nothing to fear.

Ladies, a word. You're married, right? You have kids? Or he's married? He has kids? Or you're both married? Even if you both should be single, work relationships are usually frowned upon, especially when the general public comes to know.

If you can't think of your husband sitting patiently at the dinner table waiting for you, at least think of your career. We'll be happy to place monetary bets that when it all comes down, you'll be the one out in the cold.

Think about it...

Go Play Fetch With Someone Else!