Steve Stanley Did...but Didn't...but He Did!

 

We've recently reported on two sets of terminations by Sheffield mayor Steve Stanley. The first involved police officers Wes Holland and Kaegan Cook. 

Now according to an article in the TimesDaily, the Sheffield Civil Service Board wrongly approved the terminations before allowing the officers to have a hearing if they so desired. The terminations are now on hold. Nothing like reading the directions...

Then we have the three legal terminations. The City also now says the firings of municipal judge, prosecutor, and attorney are not official. In the same breath, Stanley indicated that applications are welcome and interviews will be held after December 6th. Clear as mud.

As much as we feel the mayor of Florence is lacking in leadership qualities, we're giving the "Incompetent" medal to Steve Stanley.

August 2025 is coming!

Racism at the Sheffield Civil Service Board?

 

Remember those four applicants for Sheffield police chief? Only One Qualified

A source tells us that the only qualified candidate is Black. That could change since the deadline to apply is December 6th. What if it doesn't change?

Is the Sheffield Civil Service Board thinking of revising the education/supervisory requirement? Perhaps the list of preferences should lead with: Anyone Out There Actually Want to Work for Sheffield; Anyone at All?

If the City does change its requirements, we see another lawsuit in its future. Ah, well, at least it's trying to get better legal representation...

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Happy Thanksgiving 2024

 

As things are looking up today in our war-torn world, let's all pray for God's peace on earth, as we give unending thanks!

And what would today be without this?...

Only One Qualified Applicant for Sheffield Chief?

 

Our source at Sheffield City Hall tells us that there have been only four applicants to replace former police chief Ricky Terry. Before you say that's not too bad, only one fulfilled the basic requirements.

There are 11 requirements listed, with one applying to veterans only and one to be fulfilled after hire. So the job requirements are basically nine in number to apply. 

We have to agree with our informant: Why is anyone who can't meet the basics even applying? Are they special? Hmmm...

Two Days and Counting

 

If you're a Colbert County resident, you're invited to the Community Thanksgiving Dinner in Tuscumbia or Cherokee. That is if you're human.

What about those Colbert residents with four legs? The shelter is still in need of donations to make their holiday special:

But let's not forget the little ones in Lauderdale:

Want to donate something special to the Florence shelter? They would love to have:

* Boiled Skinless Chicken or Turkey

* Canned Tuna

* Canned Pumpkin

* Green Beans

Steve Stanley Cleaned House on Friday

 

Gone is the Sheffield municipal judge. Gone is the City prosecutor. Gone is the town's attorney. Steve Stanley reportedly terminated each of them late Friday.

It appears that Mayor Stanley is attempting to clean up Sheffield. After all, the FBI is in town sniffing around and asking questions for which there are no nice, pat answers.

Were Leigh Anne Landis, Ben Gardner Jr., and Keith Worsham surprised? Perhaps they were pleased to be out of that cauldron of corruption (think Inspiration Landing).

Any attorneys out there want their jobs? The City is taking applications. One caveat: No Birmingham School of Law grads need apply.

Florence City Employee Complaints?

 

One of the best local Facebook pages is City of Florence, Alabama Employees & Retirees. Not all who read and contribute to the this site are actually associated with the City, but most are...and it's an eye-opener.

The new city hall has recently been a frequent topic of discussion. Is there mold? Has it been eradicated? Were City leaders misquoted in the news? No matter where one stands on these issues, it's been eye-opening to read some comments from employees who work in the municipal building.

Some say they don't work for the taxpayers, but the City. Say what? The most interesting comment for us has been the following:

Working with the public is never easy. That would be nowhere more apparent than with a town government office where most who visit are already extremely ticked. Employees deserve hazardous duty pay. That being said, it's never a good idea for an employee to use vulgarities about the public, especially on a public venue. As Councilman Jimmy Oliver once said to a crude Brian Murphy - Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

Football & Flooding in Muscle Shoals

 

Once again, Friday night football playoffs remind us of many broken promises. Muscle Shoals Coach Basden has lost yet another chance at a state championship losing to A.H. Parker by more than 3 touchdowns!!!! He placed his bets on his recruits as good student athletes left because of his underhanded and illegal recruiting.

Thinking back each year as Muscle Shoals High School football recruits always fall short of the illusion of winning a state championship we can't help but remember the promise Coach Basden made every time he opened his mouth the first few years at Muscle Shoals. 

Basden came to Muscle Shoals from a little 3A school having won 3 state championships. In that little pond he came from, it must have been easier for his recruits to knock off the schools they were recruited from. Basden learned the art of poaching the best players from his competition in the little 3A classification

However, when coming to a little larger pond (aka swamp) called Muscle Shoals, he found his smaller pond recruiting was more lucrative than in the 5A & 6A classifications he came into. But, he still promised for the first few years that he would have a state championship in 5 years or he would leave - wrong.

Now, we're gonna give him the free pass on the first 5 years - but reasonable people (superintendent and board) should consider the millions and millions of dollars thrown at a failing football coach for the last 16 years and invite him to leave. Perhaps the hundreds of millions could be used in a better way -  a novel idea of raising the achievement in the classroom and ACT testing may seem like a silly thing to these "smart" people managing the failing school system, but surely they are embarrassed at the 36% proficiency in math, not to mention the failing grades in science and other core subjects.

So, let's do some real brainstorming here. Since the City Clerk, Ms. Brittaney Walters has told the city council they would (and did) approve her robbing the earmarked flood control taxes you and I pay and has put 2.7 MILLION DOLLARS in her new "capital projects" account. God help our good friends in Nathan Estates, Cornelius Landing and Beacon Point when the next floods come, and they will.

Maybe Ms. Walters will save the day for the schools and hire her good buddy Scott Basden. He is absolutely a "project" and work in progress and will fit right in with her and the office sitters she has surrounded herself with.

Another idea would be - Instead of paying a friend to decorate city buildings, she could bring the rec manager Wooddall to city hall to oversee Ms. Walters weekly remodeling jobs and Basden can run the recreation department. After all, he is used to sitting in his office at the Muscle Shoals Football Taj Mahal all day with assistant coaches - it's obvious they aren't writing new game plans.

So, my fellow citizens of Muscle Shoals Swamp, when you pay those taxes, remember that 2.7 million dollars was taken out of the flood control special tax account for the whims of an incompetent mayor and city clerk. The city council owns this debacle from the top down. 

OH YEAH - there is an election next year - REPLACE EVERYONE OF THEM!!! Vote in Muscle Shoals. Take our city back - MMSCGA.

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The above writer has indicated a flood account steal of 2.7, while our first informant had indicated only 2.5. Oh, well, what's a fifth of a million more?

Handy Dandy Andy Officially in Mayor's Race

 

What illustration says "Andy's in the race" better than a poster for a turkey drop? Yes, citizens of Florence, from filings with the Secretary of State, it appears that bumbling ol' Andy will again grace ballots next August.

Betterton will see opposition from former police chief Ron Tyler and current council member Bill Griffin. Will there be more to join the fray? We await...

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Andy's latest bumbling pronouncement? From a recent TimesDaily article: Visitors to the city judge us by the city hall.

The city hall? The city hall!!! What about the mayor? Don't corporate scouts take a look at Andy while they're here?

A Poor Deluded Soul Wants a Shoals Kroger

 

Earlier today, we read some poor deluded Florentine's post, most certainly under the age of 50, who wanted no part of Publix. After all, why can't Florence have a Kroger?

For those about to enter the "elder" territory officially, there were three grocery chains in Florence as we grew up, and none is now extant in any of the Shoals towns. Ironically all three were located in the same block in downtown Florence and all are now homes to restaurants.

Kroger left the area in May 1986, and we sincerely doubt will ever return. From a retail blog: Kroger Co. told 300 employees at its stores in Florence and Muscle Shoals that it had sold the stores to an undisclosed buyer, said Ed Collins, president of Retail Clerks Local 1577, the union which represents the workers at the stores. "They (Kroger) informed us they could not afford to operate those stores without wage and benefit cuts and would have to close them or sell them," he said. "We heard the new employer is Jitney-Jungle and they are going to hire 400 employees." So much for the benefits of a strong labor union, at least in that case. The Shoals lost all four Kroger stores in one swoop of corporate greed and revenge. The original Florence Kroger is now Rosie's Mexican Cantina.

The A&P? After adding a second location on the new Florence Boulevard, both stores closed. The entire chain ceased to exist after a bankruptcy in 2016. The former downtown location is now home to Flo-Bama.

H.G. Hill Grocery was acquired by Winn-Dixie, then closed down all local stores years later. Just this year, Aldi has purchased the entire Winn-Dixie chain. The Court Street home to H.G. Hill now houses Mugshots.

While we regret Publix's preference of real estate for its north Florence store, at least it will offer another choice for those who don't care to venture that far beyond Needmore. So, don't mention Kroger...you might jinx it.

A&P on Court Street

Tax Musical Chairs? (Let's Hope It Doesn't Flood in Muscle Shoals)

 

Oh, what a tangled turkey web...

* Muscle Shoals has a half-cent sales tax voted on by the people and earmarked specifically for flood control. There's even a separate account and all that...all official like.

* Now the city council has agreed to usurp 50% of that for the general budget. To be totally honest, one council member (David Moore) voted against it, but the rest applauded the mayor and city clerk's idea and rubbed their sweaty fingers in glee.

* The big borrow, well actually a steal, is to begin January 1st, but see the next point.

* On November 18th, the city clerk Brittany Walker had 2.5 million dollars transferred from the flood control account to the general budget fund due to an alleged projected shortfall.

* Finally, if you feel bad about all this, just think how funny it is that the mayor and clerk have never managed to figure out who the moles are in their offices. Big snicker, guys!

Props to David Moore who is not happy with what he seems to feel is sloppy flood control and poor maintenance of the town's retention ponds. 

There once was a Muscle Shoals mayor;

He was a pencil pusher, not a dragon slayer.

His clerk was even slower,

But was still quite the go-er.

Too bad the citizenry is the cheated payor.

End Times: We Actually Support RFK and his MAHA

 

It's hardly anything to brag about to say we regularly read the Daily Mail. Yet we do and many years ago read a short article about the differences in American and British ketchup. Yes, you read that right. It seems the US red condiment contains much more than its UK sibling...and we don't mean good things.

Over the intervening years we've read and heard much more about how chemicals added to preserve our food or make it more palatable are actually making us sick. Go abroad for a month? In two weeks, you'll feel like a new person. It's scary.

Now, Robert F. Kennedy, the thrice-married adulterer who promotes the theory that vaccines cause autism, is about to clean up our food, or so he says. We say, gasp, more power to him. We never thought there would be a day when we would support him in anything, but it has now come.

If you've had any experience with this change of diet while living overseas, feel free to tell us about it. If you have experience in any diet improvements, write it up for us. We desperately want to Make America Healthy Again.

Circle the Wagons (at Florence City Hall)

 

When this reporter arrived, the chairs were all arranged in a circle in the auditorium of the Florence city hall for the special called meeting by President Kaytrina Simmons to discuss the plans for the new city hall building. The few reporters and spectator citizens who showed up for the meeting were not included in the “circle of trust” evidently. Our suggestions and ideas were outside the circle. In the circle was Kaytrina Simmons, Jackie Hendrix, Blake Edwards, Jimmy Oliver, Bill Griffin and Michele Eubanks along with 2 or 3 department heads, city attorney Billy Musgrove and representatives from Lambert, Ezell and Durham architectural firm.

The first idea to came from Jimmy Oliver who relayed the cost from the architects had placed the current plans for the city hall building as designed to be at least $55 million dollars. The city has already borrowed $48 million. Mr. Oliver said the city council did not need to borrow any more money. Jimmy had discussed with architect Calvin Durham the possibility of altering the plans from a 6-story building to two 3 story buildings utilizing the lot on the corner of Tennessee and Pine streets after demolition of the parking deck which currently was on the property. The gist of his plan would involve cutting back on non-essential spaces like conference rooms and shrinking the city auditorium space. It all sounded very reasonable.

Then Blake Edwards chimed in. His idea was to keep the blueprints the same as comprised with 6 stories on one city lot and just not finish the top 2 floors. He said the city could finish them later if need be. This sounded to me like building a 3-bedroom house and borrowing extra money to build a 5-car garage on the structure. Just in case.

And finally, there was the plan given by Jackie Hendrix. Jackie started his presentation with the caveat that it might not be the most popular with the department heads or the architectural firm; Lambert, Ezell and Durham but why not incorporate the current city hall building into the proposal to remodel and add onto? At this, your faithful reporter had to sit on my hands to keep from clapping. (Remember, my enthusiasm was outside the “circle of trust”) 

Sure enough, he almost got instant backlash from the department heads saying they were operating in cramped spaces as is. Andy Betterton started saying how the building department had found asbestos in the building. One or two other council people started objecting to no room for growth. But “Justified Jackie” was NOT deterred. He started explaining that he is only saying a study needs to be done of how much it would cost to incorporate the current building into any plans and to justify to the citizens of Florence that EVERY option for the new city hall had been considered.

It was a long meeting and seemed to go round and round in circles. The seating was appropriate. Like the story of the three bears, Jackie Hendrix’s proposal seemed JUST RIGHT! But the meeting ended, no decision was made on which way to go and Goldilocks still didn’t know how much the new city hall was costing her in tax money.

Equal Justice Initiative Has Its Eyes on Sheffield

 

Sheffield. What can you say about Sheffield? One of the two Sheffield bloggers who toil here once wrote some beautiful comments on what the city was like in its glory days. Yet a Florence friend has mentioned one of the few points of friction between her parents was her father opposing her mother's shopping in that Colbert town due to its "wild citizens."

When asked about the current situation in Sheffield, Colbert Commissioner Tori Bailey replied: “There has long been a kind of disconnect between communities of color and law enforcement. Unfortunately, many of us do not feel that law enforcement is actually there to serve and protect.”

According to attorney Roderick Van Daniel and the Equal Justice Initiative, he is currently representing five Black and Latino citizens in suits against the City of Sheffield. (We can't keep up!) One of these lawsuits was originally filed by Dennoriss Richardson against former Sheffield police officers Ricky Terry, Max Dotson, and three others, accusing them of physical abuse. Since the death of Mr. Richardson, the plaintiff is listed as his wife Leigh Richardson.

On November 23rd, there will be a march at 2:00 p.m. for "Justice, answers, and truth" about Richardson's hanging death. Participants will march from the Sheffield City Hall to the Colbert County Courthouse. We wish them safety and success. Readers are invited to send in their accounts of the event.

Attn: Florence - How Is This Explained?

 

The City of Florence needs change in at least two departments - one being Parks and Recreation. How many of you use the City's recreational facilities? Oh, you say, you don't but they bring in tourists for tournaments, etc. Really? The big tournament must choose between Florence and Madison, so which wins? Don't you think it might just be the town closer to Huntsville with its myriad of other entertainments?

Speaking of Madison, that city is currently having a weekly civics course to bring more citizens into the government mix. Recently, one topic was recreation. Take a look at this visual:

Huntsville, the largest city listed, Budgets $51.80 per person for recreation. And Florence? $217.56 per citizen. All figures are using latest 2024 data.

Is there something wrong with this picture? Could part of it be Bill Jordan's new pickle ball courts that only a few will use? Could part of it be Andy Betterton's complete lack of common sense?

August 2025 is coming!

Stanley Hopes to Overcome $54K Loss in Future Budgets

 

Sheffield mayor Steve Stanley recently announced that the city's liability insurance premium increased by $53,982.00 for the 2025 budget year. He hopes to reel in costs in future years.

Why does Steve Stanley think he'll be around in future years?

Stanley lay the cost of the increase at the door of the police department, citing at least four lawsuits, plus the damage to city property involving reckless officers. He specifically mentioned replacing former Chief Ricky Terry and terminating Wes Holland and Kaegan Cook.

Holland was a long time Tuscumbia officer who had migrated to Sheffield in the past few years. Cook had been named in a recent 15 million dollar lawsuit filed by a Florence chiropractor and later accused of a second unknown infraction.

At least one of the four suits* facing Sheffield goes back five years. It seems that, as usual, it's too little too late from Steve Stanley. We have many readers in Sheffield, and each who contacts us mentions new leadership coming in 2025.

* We continue to see four suits against Sheffield listed in the press; however, we believe the actual number is five - three from black males, one from a white male, and one from a white female.

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A Teacher Speaks Out/Spring Park

 

We've received an interesting comment from a local teacher (not in the Lauderdale County system):

My school is experiencing a rash of incidents that we refer to as 'open defiance': 'You cant tell me what to do.' 'You aren't the principal.' 'I don't have to listen to you.' 

Common thread? They're ALL Freshmen. Couple that with a constant shortage of Disciplinary Referral forms, discipline forms 'getting lost', or disciplinary issues taking WEEKS to be addressed, it all adds up to ONE THING: plausible deniability. 

Schools are being pressured to 'reduce disciplinary issues'. Such looks 'bad' on the State 'report card'.

THAT'S what's going on. EVERYWHERE.

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Spring Park will be getting its semi-annual cleanup this Saturday. If you think the city of Tuscumbia is on the ball with this, think again. This is the second year that an organization called Beautify Tuscumbia has taken things into their own work gloves and arranged to rid the recreational area of much of its litter and filth. Thanks to this organization for caring  more than the city.

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Rogers Assailant Was 13 Years Old

 

Over the past two days, we've received around 100 reports of various assaults at Rogers School in Green Hill. Some referred to the same incidents, but there is still a troubling number.

We will publish reports that can be verified, but will not use names of children. We need certain info to publish: Names (not used in our blog), age, time, nature of crime, reports (or problems reporting), and punishment if any.

Even with a large number of parents contacting us, we have only one that we can verify with the above info.

Victim: Male junior varsity football player

Perp: Male - 13 years old 

Crime: He and some friends attempted to sodomize the other young football player with an inanimate object.

Report: Yes. No problems mentioned reporting.

Punishment: 30 days in school suspension

We have no idea how the perp's family handled this, but it's proof of some major problems in his home life. The victim's parents apparently agreed to this punishment; we are surprised they didn't insist on more legal repercussions for this lovely teen thug. The boy's coach? Many think he encouraged the situation.

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That brings us to a recurring theme among those who have reported - the reports somehow become "lost." If you report an attack on your child, you should be given (if at a county school) the deputy's name taking the report and a number for future reference. No report should just be "lost."

We'll be addressing this issue again in a few days.

PAVE PARADISE, PUT UP ANOTHER PARKING DECK

 

There was a meeting held today in the mayor’s conference room at Florence city hall annex of the building and planning committee. It consisted of Andy Betterton along with Melissa Bailey and Gary Davidson meeting with Kaytrina Simmons, Jimmy Oliver and Jackie Hendrix.

The main topic of discussion at the start of the meeting was the demolition of the “old” parking deck at the corner of Tennessee and Pine Streets. Five bids had been submitted for the demolition the least of which was around $700K from a company out of Birmingham. As he has done for almost 2 years now, David Carson was on hand to record the meeting for his Facebook page: Florence, Al Open Meeting Project. I am including a link to this video so interested citizens can see for themselves the meeting unfold as it was recorded.

Of particular interest is two points brought up in the meeting. One, that the cost of the new city hall had risen since the original design was submitted. It was now north of the $50 million dollar range. And two, that the mayor had cancelled a meeting called by Kaytrina Simmons to discuss the city hall project with the entire council and instead had discussions with only Jackie Hendrix and Jimmy Oliver. This seems to be an ongoing problem. The question this reporter must ask is: WHY? Watch the video and draw your own conclusion.

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If any of our readers have parked in the new Florence deck, send us a quick review...

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Veterans Day 2024

 

Veterans Day. Armistice Day. Remembrance Day. However you refer to November 11th, it's a day to honor those who have served our country. To each and every one, we say thank you!

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Did you know that March 13th is K9 Veterans Day? Since we've never honored our retired military pups before, we're going to salute them as well today. We think you're all pawfully wonderful assets to our country!

 

What's Going On at Rogers High School?

 

We've always told our readers (mainly disgruntled parents) that high school lasts only four years. Your child will graduate and move on, leaving the teachers and staff behind to muddle through...or perhaps actually inspire. No matter which is true of those who man the high school halls, it's very temporary, grit your teeth and think of the future.

Now it seems that a great many are unhappy with events at Rogers High School. Some want the superintendent, the principal, and the SRO to be shown the door. There's even a petition: 

Remove Jerry Hill, Sabrina Malone, SRO Brad Potts from LCS system for Negligence

The problem is the "problem." The petition mentions sexual assault. In other words, it's not just lunch room squabbles or troublesome athletic practice times. It's sexual assault, or at least what we suspect is sexual abuse using the term in the Alabama Code.

This is not something to be covered up. You can sign the petition and hope for the best (don't bet your homecoming corsage) or you can make a report to the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office or One Place of the Shoals. 

It's 2024, and this isn't a Carry On movie. No female (or male) students should be subject to unwanted touching or even worse. Good luck!

He Gave "Snowmasters" New Meaning

 

Lexington's own "multi-millionaire" will soon be leaving the area. Charged three years ago with 39 counts of money-laundering, Francisco Guerra has pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to bribe a government official.

While his sentencing date hasn't been set, Guerra faces up to five years in federal prison, a fine of 250K, and forfeiture of 280K he acquired through illegal means. 

Currently, Guerra is promoting Pi cryptocurrency. While it's free to join his possee, experts say it's a pyramid scheme benefiting only a few: Scam.

Who will run Snowmasters, etal., while Guerra vacations in Club Fed? We'll post updates when available.

Steve Stanley Shakes up Police Department

 

On the evening of November 6th, Sheffield mayor Steve Stanley called a closed-door meeting. At that time, Stanley terminated two police officers. The identity of the officers has not been made known at this time.

Our source has told us there may be more terminations in the days to come. The officers have the right to appeal to the civil service board, but our prediction is that the sackings will be upheld.

The terminations came only days after Chief Ricky Terry announced his retirement. We have to ask if Sheffield has enough baskets to hold all the rolling heads?

Stay tuned...

Can't Change Nation's Course? Change the Shoals!

 

In ten months, the Shoals will be going to the polls to elect new city leaders. Two of the towns already have announced candidates, so it's not too early to begin thinking about what we want and need.

Pick out the top three needs for your hometown and send them to us. We'll publish (without names) for the candidates to read. If enough people stand up for what's right, the leaders can't ignore their town's problems any longer.

As for us in Florence? Here's our top three:

1. Increased support for animal services (Perhaps we should say ANY support, since Andy has thrown this department to the curb).

2. A review of all department heads, checking qualifications, and making changes where necessary.

3. A review of the city's charitable giving to local churches - don't give to one if you don't give to all.

Now it's your turn. Send us your thoughts, and we'll revisit the issue of city needs on a regular basis until the August 2025 election.