THE GRINCH THAT STOLE THE PARKING DECK

Let me recap the Florence City Council work session and meeting from 12-03-2024. This is the time of year that kicks off the holiday season, and in the spirit of good cheer and peace on earth, I am going to compliment the council for one action they took. They removed the original agenda item that was kicked down the road at the last meeting and placed on this agenda to demolish the “original” parking deck at the corner of Tennessee and Pine Streets. When I checked with my agenda sleuth at city hall, I was told it probably would not come up again until after the new year. So that gives the old parking deck a reprieve from the wrecking ball....for now anyway.

Let’s get to the votes on the agenda items at the meeting. It was kind of a smooth meeting, but two agenda items got passed in the consent agenda that really needed "further discussion" in this reporter's humble opinion. One was resolution (f) a proposal to sign a contract with a company called "The Ground Guys of Northwest Alabama”, to provide lawn care for the Southhall house, the Kennedy Douglas Center, Pope's Tavern and the Indian Mound in the amount of $2,083.33 per month not to exceed $25k a year. One question I had: Do we not have a LAWN CREW we already employ full time on the City of Florence payroll to take care of mowing the grass? And to cut 3 city lots each about 50’ wide and the grass on the Indian mound has a going rate of $25K a year? Man, and to think when I was a teenager, I mowed half acre lots for $10 a cutting! Of course, that was back before the gas-powered mower came along.

At the work session. Bill Jordan used the famous Jordan double talk, well actually the Jordan “mumble”, to try to justify the expense saying it would save paying overtime and Brian Murphy, Art and Museum Dept. head who is responsible for the property in question, just sort of stood there. AND THIS WAS PASSED! If this is not a prime example of a waste of taxpayer money that is going on in this town, I do not know what is.... well, I COULD make a list but that wasn't even the biggest waste of money at this meeting. There was another: agenda item (bb) which was a MATCH for funds from the state of Alabama Land and Water conservation fund in the amount of $437,073.32 which will be used to renovate the campground at McFarland Park. For those who have not seen the plans for this project, it appears only to involve pouring new pads for parking spaces for campers at the park. No remodeling of bathrooms or pavilions added, just some parking pads. The taxpayer is getting hosed TWICE on this deal. Once from the state and then from the city. That is almost ONE MILLION taxpayer dollars that will go down the river after a flood or two. Your tax dollars may not be working, BUT they can sure swim!

Let me end the report of the meeting on a positive note in the Christmas spirit. The lighting of Wilson Park is coming up Friday. And there was a ceremony from the beautification board for the lighting of the “official” Florence Christmas tree on North Court St. It was a beautiful event. Downtown Florence is in the holiday spirit with the streets decked out in Christmas decorations and the stores open for business. And as you shop and eat and are generally merry at this special time of year........think of a poor brave parking deck. Proudly clinging to life and being used by shoppers while gallantly defying the wrecking ball that the mean old Grinch is trying to lob its way. The Grinch may look like Santa with his round belly and white hair but there is a hard heart underneath his sweater vest, and he has his greedy hand on the lever to knock our noble parking deck down. We need another Christmas miracle on Pine Street.

The Alabama Onion & More

 

If you haven't yet found The Alabama Onion, you've been missing something. There have been spoofs of the Shoals previously, but they haven't stayed around long. Let's hope the Onion is here to stay.

The Alabama Onion

*****

The Shoals Tatler is also usually spot on. We would like to see more from this Florence District 6 wag.

The Shoals Tatler

*****

Christmas is just around the corner. There are currently two John W. Morgan prints available on eBay - one very hard to find: George Colbert's Stand on the Tennessee River:

What Would Andy Do with the Money?

 

It appears that Andy Betterton is planning a run for a second term as mayor of Florence. This marks 30 years that the registered Democrat has been either running for or elected to public office. He has a war chest to prove it.

If the current Florence mayor should run and lose (the latter is pretty much a foregone conclusion), 2025 would likely be his last foray into politics. Whether he runs in 2025 or not, he will have to decide the disposition of his accumulated campaign funds.

Legally, he can donate the money to charity or pass it on to another candidate. If he should choose the latter, whom would be the beneficiary of Andy's generosity, should it be $10.00 or $10,000.00? We asked a political science guru who believes Betterton would donate the funds to the Democratic Party.

For those who have asked, no, Andy can't keep the money for personal use; however, the main takeaway here seems to be a cautionary tale. Be careful when donating money to a candidate. It may wind up where you would least want it.