Memorial Day 2021

 

In 2000, a national survey indicated that only 28% of U.S. citizens could define the meaning of Memorial Day. That was 21 years ago; we have to ask what the percentage is now?

Remembering all who have died in service to our country...

Shoalanda & Staff

Is UNA Failing the Shoals Area?

 

Perhaps it's a case of a horse refusing to drink after being led to water. It would seem logical that the closer one lived to an institution of higher learning, the easier it would be to obtain a college degree. Apparently that's not true for all.

According to the latest statistics available (2019), just over 25% of adults in Alabama have at least a four-year degree. For the purposes of the study, an adult is defined as anyone 25 and over. Florence has, if one counts Heritage Christian University, two institutions offering bachelor's and master's degrees. Wouldn't it follow that Lauderdale County would have a higher than average educational attainment?

Sorry. Lauderdale has a rate of 24.5%, or almost one percent less than the state average. Colbert has 18.1%, and Franklin trails at 14%. 

We know many who work in what's commonly called a trade who have college degrees. A university degree has been the "new high school diploma" for decades now. Is UNA failing? Are our high schools failing?

Look at bright side: At least Alabama has a real winner where it counts - Nick Saban and Alabama football...

Mural or Graffiti? Art or Vandalism?

 

The above graffiti isn't local, but it does illustrate the point of today's blog. Is one man's art simply another's vandalism? Take a look at almost any alley in downtown Florence. Some of the art is spectacular, while some is horrid. Will these hidden paintings be next on the city's agenda to hide or remove?

What about the murals not hidden away in the city's back alleys? Remember when the city paid to have this one covered up?

Who thinks this replacement looks any better?

Have heart? How about having some taste? Obviously those two fall into the graffiti category. How about this one?

The materials alone for the Fred's mural cost over $11,000.00. Now how about this one?

Nothing like paintings of storefronts to give the feeling of a woodsy park, right? Finally, this one.

What is it? What does it say or signify? Guesses are welcome. Is it art or vandalism? If Florence wants to cover up some hideously ugly walls, we suggest this is next on its list.

Friend Seeks Jessica Seeley

 

A reader is seeking Jessica Michelle Fine Seeley. According to our reader, Jessica left the area a year ago and she has not heard from her. She may be in Petersburg, Virginia. We attempted to gather some information from the Florence Police Department, but our contact told us none was available to the public. We do know she's not currently incarcerated.

If you have any information about Jessica, you may send it anonymously to Shoalanda.Speaks@gmail.com. We will forward it to the reader seeking to find Jessica. Also, please let Jessica know that her husband is in jail and cannot hurt her anymore.

*****

We believe in giving credit where due and commend Florence Mayor Andy Betterton for visiting Florence Animal Services during its recent fundraiser. We hope he continues to increase his support of the shelter and those who work there.

What Next for Old Martin/Mandolin Project?

 

The property at 301 East Tennessee Street in Florence has stood vacant for almost two decades. In 2006, Martin Ind. sold the empty building and lot to Anthony Kalliath, a Killen physician. At some point, the building that was once home to a bustling Sears store was razed due to black mold. Then came the graffiti.

The property is appraised at $187,000.00; however, actual market value would be debatable. The Bobo Family Group still wants to develop the property into upscale apartments. If this project progresses, it seemingly won't be with the assistance of the City of Florence.

While it might not bring new revenue into the city, surely the First Baptist Church could find good use for the property. Perhaps readers have other suggestions for uses?

Muslim? We Thought It Was A Cat Burglar...

A Dog Can't Walk into a Bar in Alabama

 

Alabama has been home to a cat cafe' or two for some time. The establishments, located in Huntsville and Birmingham, are more coffee shops than true eateries, but various drinks are served along with kisses from the moggies. We're not sure how this has jived with various Alabama Health Department rules, but it seems that dogs have been overlooked until now.

Yes, our legislature in its finite wisdom has established rules for doggy dining. Besides our canine companions having to stay away from food prep areas, they must also stay at least 12 feet from the bar. 

Thank heavens! We're saved from drunk Pekes running around Ricatoni's...

Scheduling Conflict: Florence City Council & Florence Historical Board

 

The Florence City Council meets every first and third Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. When are meetings for the new Historical Commission? The third Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. In other words, neither the mayor nor any council members will be able to attend the commission meetings unless something changes. Let's hope it does.

*****

Speaking of Florence history, here's an interesting review of Pope's Tavern by Winthrop Armstead from three years ago. We haven't seen much of Florence critic Winthrop recently. He seems to have left the scene around the time Robert White stopped posting on city council meetings. 

New Reality Show: Escape from Sheffield

 

Another inmate has simply walked away from the Sheffield city jail. Perhaps we should look on the upside that the city inmates are not being held for serious felonies. Still we have to ask: Jailers, are you paying attention?

*****

Sheffield? Just last week this blog had a much graver complaint against the city and other local authorities. How seriously do local police take domestic violence?

Yes, we know that abused women frequently return to their abusers. Should that dictate a lower standard of service from law enforcement who have sworn to uphold the law?

How about judging relationships? (See Lauderdale County deputies.) Do women living with men other than their husbands deserve less safety than their married counterparts?

If you feel you've received little more than lip service in such instances, contact us.

*****

One final take on Sheffield: The Slag Yard summer schedule? We've heard nothing else official, but a source well connected to the local and national music scenes told our blog that the Steeldrivers would never play this area? Why?

They have no desire to come into any contact with former band member Gary Nichols. Somehow we don't think they have to worry. As of today, he's still in the Lauderdale County Detention Center where he spends most of his time. 

Band has new lead singer. Wife has new husband. Kids left to fend on their own. Who thinks meth is worth it?

Discontent at Florence City Hall

 

Several employees at Florence City Hall have expressed unhappiness with recent events, or lack thereof. In the past, e-mails and newsletters have mentioned deaths of family connected to elected officials and employees of the city. This is not only an appropriate response to show sympathy and offer condolences, it prevents anyone from being out of the loop and asking about a family member that has passed away.

However, when the mother of Councilwoman Kaytrina P. Simmons died earlier this month, Mayor Andy Betterton failed to make mention of the event. Is District 1 not important to our mayor? Is Ms. Simmons' inconsequential to the city in Andy's eyes? Or is Andy perhaps too consumed with personal problems to run the city effectively?

Ms. Simmons, her family, and our city all deserved better.

*****

Meanwhile, at a convention of Alabama tourism directors:

Phalanges Follies - Part III

 

If you tuned in late, a Muscle Shoals resident forwarded a meme to us in which a Muscle Shoals police officer displayed an "obscene gesture" while standing next to Nick Saban. Needless to say, the humorous graphic elicited quite a response.

Then a second Muscle Shoals resident sent us a copy of an e-mail she received from the department after she complained. We dutifully posted the information and wished the officer a speedy recovery:

After publishing that blog, still a third resident commented with a photo. The top shot depicts the officer at Muscle Shoals Middle School on May 3rd...using his left hand quite well where cupcakes are involved.

Seemingly, it's all in the motivation.

Inspiration Landing Concerts: Half Truth, Half Hoax?

 

Quite the schedule, isn't it? We have no idea who put this together; it's just floating around Facebook.

The first two dates? Apparently, they are valid, plus one more that is actually selling tickets. The others? Not so much. Let's look at some of the bogus dates:

* Old Crow Medicine Show on October 7th? Their website says they'll be in Atlanta.

* Marshall Tucker Band on August 28th? Try Grand Rapids, Michigan.

* String Cheese? Ticket sites say simply "not playing near you."

* One or two others are free the days listed, but scheduled for dates in California the next day. It's a long drive, or do all artists have their own private jets these days?

Therefore, we're unsure what to think about the list with only three of the offerings mentioning the new venue on their websites. Our go-to entertainment guru says he's hearing positive things. Let's hope he's hearing right.

Why Is Florence Painting Southern Pipe's Wall?

 

On Tuesday, the Florence City Council authorized a total of $27,000.00 to paint a mural on a wall at the rear of property belonging to Southern Pipe and Supply, home office in Meridian, Mississippi. This total reflects $7,000.00 to Chandler Painting of Florence and $20,000.00 to artist Angela Faustina of Atlanta, Georgia.

This new mural has created quite a bit of controversy. We have a few questions:

1. How much, if any at all, will Southern Pipe reimburse the city? 

2. Will Southern Pipe be responsible for future upkeep of the mural?

3. Is this the first of many murals to be financed by the city?

4. Since the prep work was beneath the bid law threshold, how was Chandler Painting selected? The company is owned by Danny A. Chandler and has a two-star rating on Google Business.

5. Where was the opening for a mural artist advertised? Many Shoals artists have stated they knew nothing about the project.

6. Who are on the Arts Committee that selected Ms. Faustina to paint the mural?

7. How are members of the Arts Committee selected?

To be continued...

*****

We received several comments and private messages from local artists who had not been made aware of the mural project. Yes, we know that painting a mural is much different from painting on canvas, but we admire all the local talent in the Shoals. Code word here is "local."

We were made aware of Margaret Crockett Myers. We love her work! (if you'd like to be showcased here, please let us know.)

Tenure & Racism

Tut, Tut. The Person Who Wrote This May Have Been Fired Due to Grammar!

From a reader:

I have a good friend who was let go from Lauderdale County. This was her 3rd year no complaints, this would have been her 4th year and tenure year. They let her go without a reason or anything just boom no job next year, no warning or anything, If a principal has that much power that all he has to do is let someone go, no wonder there are so many sex scandals in Lauderdale County!

And this is the principal's 2nd year if I understood right! So that means the principal can just build the school around him and his favorites and not what's best for the kids? I'm Just asking since I saw your article and it just doesn't seem fair to a teacher who puts so much into a place for someone to do something without a reason, or perhaps a personal reason.

First, we'll clarify that the figures used in yesterday's blog were for non-tenured teachers only. Second, to answer our reader's question: Yes, the BOE can fire any untenured teacher without cause. If any of the terminated teachers (or non-renewed teachers, if you prefer) want to take legal steps, that is up to them, but such cases are extremely hard to win.

*****

Posted in our Facebook comments:

“There are myriad reasons a teacher could be non-renewed, most of which include no wrongdoing.”
Some include:
- “Failure to conduct classroom management”
- Teaching and holding accountable failing students and then flunking them. Headcount and graduation rates = $$$
- Not a part of the “good ole boy clique”
- A non-acceptable W/L record
- Budgetary reasons.
- A relative of an employee about to graduate from “collage” with a teaching degree (a rarity now) who needs a slot; but that slot is filled.
- Sex with a stu....wait....that is swept under the rug now. Only after overwhelming evidence does that dirty laundry come to light...see UK Daily Mail.

*****

Just when we thought the saga of controversial museum director Brian W. Murphy was over, a citizen brought him up during the comment period of Tuesday's Florence City Council meeting, comparing him to Ferdinand Sannoner. Yes, we've heard at least one detractor rage against Murphy over his origins (Buffalo, New York); however, that's not the problem most have with the city employee.

This is the problem most have concerning Murphy's qualifications to run any city endeavor:

Lauderdale Terminates Nine Teachers

 

Let the petitions begin: The Lauderdale County Board of Education is not renewing the contracts of nine teachers for next year. Some parents are irate, while others are pleased. Of the nine, we've heard complaints about only one. Other than that, we know nothing; we doubt that it relates to any past scandals.

On the flip side, 103 are being rehired, making the terminations slightly over 8% of the faculty. These numbers don't include support personnel. If you're wondering what the national average is, according to one source, it's just over 2%.

Here's the list taken from the May 12th board meeting:

BROOKS ELEMENTARY
 

1. Rebecca Dawn Kelley           Pre-K Lead Teacher

LAUDERDALE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
 

2. Whitney Evans                      Science Teacher
3. Kayla Kelley Vandiver         Special Education Teacher

LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
 

4. Cody Lee Taylor                   P.E. Teacher

ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL
 

5. Hannah Potter                       Pre-K Lead Teacher
6. Nathan Berryhill                   Band Director
7. Nicholas Siegel                       History Teacher

WATERLOO HIGH SCHOOL
 

8. Meagan Morris                      Elementary Teacher

WILSON HIGH SCHOOL
 

9. Brandon Balentine                Science Teacher

No Obscenity, Just COVID Neuropathy

 

Several days ago, a Muscle Shoals reader sent us a meme/graphic involving a police officer seemingly making an obscene gesture in public. Several readers wrote to defend the officer with some rather outlandish statements, including the ubiquitous "everybody does it."

At the time, we felt the only excuse for this hand sign would have been neuropathy, and according to a police response to one citizen who complained, this is indeed the case. According to the MSPD, this officer was a victim of COVID and has residual peripheral neuropathy with no feeling in his fingers.

We're happy to learn that this officer meant no disrespect to Mr. Sabin or anyone else. We also wish him a speedy recovery and a return to his normal duties.

Tripping Along the Sidewalks of Florence

 

We know of more than one person who has e-mailed or called Florence District 2 councilman Dick Jordan concerning the state of sidewalks downtown. It's a bit like Inspiration Landing...still waiting for a response after all these years.

A reader has sent us still another problem with the walkways:

...the sidewalks in Florence? At Beltone on East Tennessee Street I had to take my mom there today and an elderly woman almost fell off of the sidewalk because it is so high and uneven. Two other ladies have fallen there already. My mom had a hard time getting her leg up high enough to get on the sidewalk. The lady that works in there said she has called the city of Florence over and over and the mayor's office and nothing has been done yet. They have a wheelchair ramp but it’s so far away the elderly people cannot walk that far.

We're not saying Dick and Andy are useless, but Dick and Andy are useless. If anyone is having the same problem (and we're sure they are), try calling the city engineer or Melissa Bailey. If they can't personally help, it's possible they can direct you to someone who can.

An Erudite Take on a Living Wage

A very savvy take from a reader:

I read your recent post "Time To Pay for a Decent Wage". This concept has been bugging me lately too.

My entire industry is still shut down from the pandemic. I was furloughed from my previous employer last summer (which means I made it further than a lot of my industry cohorts) and decided to sell my house to take the profit to provide for myself, as I was doubtful the government would actually come through on extending unemployment. Fortunately it was extended. But unfortunately most conservative-leaning states are doing away with it thinking it is holding people back from entering the workforce. As someone who knows a hell of a lot of people I also don't know of anybody not going back to work just to draw unemployment. Many folks I know have also found new jobs and in many cases unemployment was tough even with the federal boost. 

I do agree with the writer of "Decent Wage" although I have little service industry experience. The little I have had has been quite demoralizing either through terrible customers/guests or very unreliable co-workers. 

But I also started considering the math. Recently a friend posted that a local restaurant was looking to hire kitchen staff. I reached out to inquire to find out the starting wage was $8.50 an hour. In most instances I've worked in restaurants the owners and/or managers do not want employees to be scheduled for more than 32-35 hours per week in order for them to not steer into overtime. $8.50 x 35 = $297.50. Times that by 4 for a month and you get $1,190 (which adds up to less than $15,000 a year).

Everyone I know that lives elsewhere are always astonished when I tell them how low the cost of living in the Shoals Area is. In surveying apartment costs I have seen some generally tolerable ones in the $400 range and decent apartments in the $650 range. So let's settle to the lower-mid there and consider someone who is self-reliant.

Rent: $500

Cell Phone: $100

Internet: $40

Utilities: $100

Groceries: $160 ($40 per week)

Car Loan: $250

Car Insurance: $78

Gas: $80

Total: $1,328

This very modest budget is already losing $138 per month and I didn't even take taxes out of their paycheck, nor did I budget for student loans, health insurance (or associated costs), general credit card debt, any form of entertainment, childcare costs and the list goes on.

Also, I believe even without the federal boost, unemployment is still $287 per week (or close to that). So technically people still don't make any extra by finding one of these jobs.Councilman Jimmy Oliver has discussed at council meetings that the restaurant owners he's met with downtown are all complaining about the worker shortage and they're all blaming it on the federal addition to unemployment (which these governors are only shorting by about 2 months before the campaign is currently set to end). Mr. Oliver could be looking after many voting citizens and asking the business owners why they can't pay a basic living wage. It's a shame for the cost of living here to be as astonishingly low as it is, residents still have to struggle off the wages being offered.

And the argument "learn a trade" or any variation of that doesn't apply here. Everyone can learn a trade, yes... sure. These businesses will still need employees and if their employees can't even make ends meet, what's the point? 

The "Gay" Tea Video

 

We're not going to speak for all who blog here from time to time, but Shoalanda herself will admit to often being about as hip as a Festrunk brother. So when we began receiving copies of a new video being widely circulated in Shoals cyberspace, we didn't quite get the full impact...at first.

What in the world is "tea?" A quick check of the urban dictionary informed us that it's the 411/skinny/dirt on a gay person or perhaps told by a gay person to other gays. 

There are good, bad, and mediocre politicians out there. If they're abysmal, it's not because they're gay. We should all remember that in case Roy Moore initiates a new purge. 

Let's also remember the object of good leadership should be helping as many in the community as possible, not adding to the coffers each reporting period. It's not telling lies and making outlandish promises to be elected. 

Unfortunately, the politician in question is about as honest and caring as Shoalanda is hip...

No Gasoline? Don't Blame the Former Mayor...

 

Before COVID, we'd reconciled ourselves to a possible life changing event. After all, short, fat Korean man might eventually get a bomb that would make it to Guam. Our lives would change, perhaps forever. We never expected a plague straight out of Stephen King. 

We also never expected a gasoline shortage of any magnitude. Of course, there's really not a shortage, just a supply problem. Shall we blame Biden? How about the hackers? No, we can't blame them. If we did, we'd have to rethink Mayor Holt being responsible for the hacking of Florence Utilities. Then again, perhaps it was Agatha (Andy) all along?

*****

Speaking of the plague... Have you noticed how many comment on Facebook that they're happy the vaccine is bringing the number of victims down, but don't want to take it themselves? It's certainly their choice, but what if everyone felt that way? 

One question: If you now contract COVID, do you want us to feel sympathy for you?

For those who've had a long 14 months:

Time to Pay a Decent Wage/FB Page

 

First, our blog Facebook page is again accepting posts. Apparently we had to authenticate again, even though we had done so a few years ago. All unposted blogs from Shoalanda and Shoals Crime are now on the page. If you've previously viewed the offerings on our personal page, there's nothing new, so just ignore them. 

*****

There's much to be said both pro and con for raising the minimum wage. A reader sent us this take on hospitality workers leaving for greener pastures:

This from the industry people. We are not being heard. Ok, so Alabama's unemployment rate is 3.8%. Which is lower than it was prepandemic. The whole "Nobody wants to work" saying is really biting me in the ***. As a hospitality worker, let me enlighten you non-hospitality workers on a few, cold, hard facts. 

#1. When the pandemic started and everything shut down, we were laid off. Yes, we drew unemployment a few weeks. But when our businesses opened back up, if we didn't go back, our benefits ceased. Period. 

#2. We didn't feel safe was not an option, so we found better jobs that were either remote from home or paid better. 

#3. We finally realized we don't have to work every night, weekend, holiday to provide for our families. We can so do better. So we did. 

#4. When employers got that PPP, several did not bring back employees nor compensated the ones that were there. 

Yet no one is talking about that. I personally know not a soul riding out unemployment. I do however have several friends that found a better way of life that doesn't involve a base pay of 2.13 an hour to deal with ***holes who expect great service with subpar pay. 

When all this started "If you're so afraid stay home" was everywhere. Now you're pissed they stayed home? "Fast food is the bottom, find a better job." They did, and now your ****ed? 

Let's not forget the lives that were lost from covid because they worked guess what "hospitality." When the extra unemployment runs out, we will still have a shortage of employees in the industry. Because people have moved on and learned trades, went back to school, and bettered themselves like everyone on the internet told them to. 

The problem is not lazy people (which they are out there, nothing new.) The problem is people realize they deserve a living wage and they found a way to make that happen. People are leaving the service industry in droves because they are not being paid fairly, treated fairly and they are Tired! 

And before you come at me, I still work at a restaurant. Let me also add, as a single Mom at a point in my life, the industry helped me raise my kids. Right now, single Mom's have also started working from home while also homeschooling which is not easy. And big majority of waitresses and bartenders are single Moms. So there is another reason why 'No one wants to work."

Sheffield Man Rapes, Threatens to Kill Daughter

 

A Sheffield man is currently in jail in Metro Nashville after he allegedly raped his own 14 year-old daughter and then threatened to shoot her dead if she told anyone. Are all our readers sick yet?

Pictured above is a screen shot of the arrest taken from uber popular Tennessee crime site Nashville Scoop. While the article doesn't give the address of Travis Wade McGraw, it's in Sheffield. Specifically, the moral degenerate lives on Dover Avenue. Before that, McGraw lived in Tuscumbia and Florence. 

If McGraw did this to his own daughter, and there seems to be incontrovertible evidence that he did, what would he do to a neighbor? Or to a stranger he met in some isolated location? Parents, keep your children safe. Ladies, be sure you know what kind of man you're marrying and/or having children with. News flash: Some men improve with age, but there's no guarantee. Marry a serial killer, you just may get a serial killer for life.

Note: Thanks to a friend for sending us this. It's difficult to publish, but it needs to be common knowledge.

Is Shawn Childers' Killer Now Dead?

 

Robert DeShawn Childers disappeared from north of Florence over four years ago. While his body has not been found, many in his family sadly believe he's deceased, murdered by an abuser.

This psychopathic abuser who told so many falsehoods to the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department, who had a minor criminal record and was wanted in Florence, has now died. Did his death remove any chance of finding Shawn?

At one point after an online news article was published, this person of interest contacted us and others, asking how he could turn himself in for outstanding warrants. This came from a man who had been arrested many times and certainly knew how to find the police station. Nevertheless, we responded as politely as we could. Nothing more came of this.

Obviously, the man whom many believe killed Shawn liked to play with people. He certainly told enough total fabrications to the Childers family. Did he ever tell anyone the truth?

If you have any information on the location of Shawn Childers, now is the time to come forward. This career petty criminal and manipulator can no longer harm you. The Childers family is still hurting; please contact authorities now.

Saluting Our Mothers...or Most of Them

 

It's Mother's Day again. Today marks our second such day in at least a partial lockdown of regular life. We salute all mothers for getting through this, but...

But we're going to be slightly more serious this year. We're asking all mothers not just to be role models, but also not to be enablers. Why now?

Just over eight years ago we published a blog about a young man, fresh out of juvenile confinement, who orchestrated a home invasion. He pistol whipped a woman...a totally innocent woman...in her 80s. Then this young man fled the scene in a new sports car his mother had purchased him as a gift for surviving his incarceration. A quick look at his Facebook page told the world just what he thought of his mother and her boyfriends. Was she ultimately to blame for his actions?

No, not ultimately, but she was an enabler. As of this second, the man is residing in a lockup in some Alabama county, hopefully on his way to another long prison sentence. When local online news published our eight year old blog in connection with this story, at least one person chastised us for even mentioning his mother.

Let's be clear: This horrible excuse for a human being would in all probability not be where he is today if his mother had not made excuses for him, pampered him, and supported his every action...all the while paying more serious attention to her men friends than she did her own son.

If you're a young mother, learn from this horrible tale. You may not have to answer legally for your children's actions, but nevertheless you do hold a great deal of responsibility. Make sure you're there for them in the right way.

Shoalanda

Campaign Against Rogersville Speed Limit

 

There's now quite a campaign against the 45 mph speed limit just east of Rogersville. If you're interested in knowing more about the move to raise the limit or make other changes in Rogersville, you may wish to contact Steve Modas on Facebook. Mr. Modas is the father of the Rogersville store clerk injured in a recent incident with a wanted felon.

We've mentioned this speed limit several times in previous blogs. We've always used it as an example of an inane law that should be followed simply because it's the law. We remain firm in that belief. Laws are not ours to pick and choose from.

That brings us to the UTV issue again. We'll be addressing it in the next few days.