The Latest Banned from UNA

 

The month of February saw a new member added to the "banned" at the University of North Alabama. Christopher T. Maples has become the latest to garner a trespass notice from our local university.

The 18 year-old Maples is a May 2024 graduate of Florence High School where he was a star on the wrestling team. UNA does not normally publish the reasons for its campus banishments.

Is the Florence Public Library for Only Certain People?

 

Michael White is a community activist and frequent speaker at Florence City Council meetings. He is also the head of Vote 'Em All Out and had attempted to bring some citizens together at the Florence Public Library for a meeting.

We say attempted, because even though the group is non-partisan, he was denied the use of any of the library's facilities. Here's his take on it:

I decided it might be of public interest to have a meeting of those who are like minded and want to see new leaders in the city to discuss the upcoming election. I was contemplating where to have a meeting and I remembered that there were meeting rooms at the Florence library. I called the library and talked with the meeting room coordinator: Kaitlyn Belue. I told her why I was requesting a meeting space. Ms. Belue was very helpful and informed me that the room could only be used by non-profit or civic groups and none associated with an individual political candidate. She told me I could fill out the application at the Florence Lauderdale Public Library website and we ended the conversation.

I filled out the application online and used the name: Citizens for a Better Florence for the "group". I even went so far as to go online and fill in the preliminary application for a 501c3 status although this was not to be a non-profit organization. Only a group of citizens protesting local government and wanting to see changes made.Not one hour later I received the following email:

Hi, Michael
Thank you for filling out the form. After reviewing, we don't allow political groups to meet here at the library. I hope you can find an alternate space.
Thanks. Have a great rest of your day!
--
Kaitlyn Belue
Meeting Room Coordinator
Florence-Lauderdale Public Library
350 North Wood Ave.
Florence, AL. 35630

Today, I went to the library and started talking with Ms. Belue but almost immediately, I was approached by the "Executive Director" Abby Carpenter who told me that she would have to consult with the library board before approving my application. I asked her why and she could not OR would not answer. I did inform her in my defense that I know of at least one political group which meets at the library in one of the meeting rooms each month: The Lauderdale County Democratic Party. She would not address this either. She just kept repeating the line that she would "consult with the board". She was determined not to address my concerns so I asked her when she would let me know of the "boards" decision and she said: "Next week". I did ask for and received a copy of the "meeting room policy" and in reviewing the policy I was right. As I had tried to relay: the group I am proposing to have meet in no way violates the terms of the library meeting room policy. BUT, I may have been wanting to have a meeting Betterton and crew did not want me to have! This is a glaring example of WHAT we are up against in Florence and WHY we must work harder than ever to VOTE EM ALL OUT!

Reader Riffs: Jackie Hendrix

 

This is the first in a series of reader comments on various local issues:

Wait, so Jackie says trust him and owns Party Pros? What honestly else has he done in 6 months?

This has ZERO to do with his personality nor his moral compass and all to do with politics. What Florence dosent need is more of the Elite whom sit and dictate from the Ivory Tower. And we are to vote simply because he is whom he says he is ?? Come on, the citizens no longer wish for their money to be controlled by those who consider going without not being able to dine out 5 nights a week. Jackie Hendrix has no idea of the struggle of 87 percent of the citizens of Florence with just their utilities, nor does he care.

Florence needs real people in those council seats. We have homeless, we have Veterans living in the streets. There are districts with no Fire Houses, limited storm Shelters , road issues. A utility department that’s considered one of the worst in the state. And then we have the Jackie Hendrix's, the Ron’s, the Oliver’s, and good ol Andy sitting like a Cherry on Top . Where they rub their proverbial little hands together, lean back in those chairs and Spend the Taxpayers money as if they earned every dollar. Vote River Zurinsky he has an intelligent voice and promotes Florence well from The People Perspective. Isn’t this what a City Council is suppose to be about?

Eubanks & Sak Don't Pull their Punches

 

Monday's special Florence City Council meeting could have been billed as an off-label sparring match. If you haven't heard, the council voted 4-1 to provide Florence businessman Eugene Sak with a 20 year abatement on taxes involving his proposed new Reverb Hotel (Kaytrina Simmons was a no-show).

The vote may have been a foregone conclusion, but the closing comments of District 4 Councilwoman Michelle Eubanks and Sak provided the entertainment. They appear not to like each other.

Eubanks: "I completely refute that no time and money has been put into it," she said. Eubanks has been opposed to the project from the start, saying she is wary of Sak's projects.

Sak:  "I'm surprised Michelle Eubanks voted against 200-plus new jobs in downtown Florence."

Sak also stated he hoped to break ground on the hotel by Fall of this year. That would technically give him until late December, but perhaps he was using Inspiration Landing timing terminology.

As usual, District 6 Councilman Jimmy Oliver mentioned all the tourists that the hotel would draw. We can see it now: Honey, you want to visit the Pacific Rim in Vancouver or the Reverb in Florence?

Jackie Hendrix Says You Need to Trust Him

 

Appointed Florence District 2 councilman Jackie Hendrix has announced that he will be seeking his first elected term in August. At this time, his only announced opposition is River Zurinsky. Candidates have until early June to declare officially.

Why does Jivin' Jackie think he's qualified? In his own words:

While serving on the council for the last six months Hendrix worked to enhance the strength of downtown Florence and all of district 2. If elected he plans to continue this work, prioritizing public safety, quality of life, and economic opportunities for the entire community.

That certainly talks all around it. How about actions? Sidewalk repair? Any kind of action on the WVNA monstrosity by O'Neal Bridge? Any job recruiting? Just any example at all...other than pickle ball.

If you look at Hendrix's resume' on LinkedIn, the only actual job you'll see is his ownership at Party Pros. His resume' also includes 11 volunteer positions. Volunteer means if you walk up and say "I'm in," you get to list that effort on your roster of accomplishments. 

Voters of Florence, aren't you tired of showboaters running your council? Aren't you sick of elected officials with more marriages than actual jobs? Isn't it time for someone who doesn't think "work" is a dirty word?

Rep. Ernie Yarbrough: Lacking in Biology

 

According to Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, life begins at fertilization - in other words, when a spermatozoon fertilizes an ovum. Yarbrough seems so sure of this, that he's attempting to pass a law in Alabama that declares it to be so:

Recently filed legislation in the Alabama House of Representatives would authorize prosecutions for homicide or assault if the victim is an unborn child from the moment of fertilization at any stage of development. 1819 News on HB518

Sorry, Ernie; did you sleep through biology class? Just as all Gaul is divided into three parts, conception is divided into two parts - fertilization and implantation.

In the entire history of the human race, no fertilized ovum has ever grown into a fetus/child/anything else without it being implanted into the body of a female. In case you think otherwise, we'll be happy to wait for you to look it up.

If you're wondering why our own Dr. Tim has failed to make Ernie aware of this, we're guessing he likes to snicker at Yarbrough.

If you're wondering how many fertilized ova never make it through the second phase, we were taught at least 51%, but that was in the last century. We've recently read this:

Research Variability: Studies on this topic show a wide range of estimates, from around 40-60% of fertilized eggs failing to implant.

What happens to the fertilized ova that don't implant?

If implantation doesn't occur, the fertilized egg exits the body during the next menstrual period.

Now we'll wait for the 2026 legislative session when Rep. Yarbrough will attempt to prosecute women who have a uterine environment that's inhospitable to implantation.

In case you haven't guessed by now, Ernie Yarbrough is also against IVF. Yes, really!

Rep. Ernie Yarbrough: Lacking in Vocabulary

 

Alabama legislator Ernie Yarbrough has introduced HB518, a proposed law calling for women who seek and possibly receive an induced abortion to be charged with assault or murder. Here is a direct quote from Yarbrough:

“[T]o fulfill this equal protection requirement, the lives of preborn individuals must be protected with the same criminal and civil laws protecting the lives of born individuals.”

Does Yarbrough think he's God? How does he know which fetuses will be born? Pictured above are ten happily married and pregnant women, but statistics tell us at least one will lose her fetus before her second trimester due to natural causes.

Just where does this word "preborn" come from? We've found two citations. One suggests a 1962 New York Times editorial, while another mentions the novel Dune published in 1965.

No, Rep. Yarbrough, preborn isn't the same thing as unborn...even here in Alabama. 

Previously: Pre-Born or Just Unborn?

Tomorrow: He's not so hot in biology either.

The Cafeteria Lady Got Unlucky

 

Amy Nicole Wigginton is listed as a cafeteria worker at Lauderdale County High School in Rogersville. She's 41 and "dating" a student under the age of 19. Court documents indicate that she took him to her home and "dated" him twice in March.

Wigginton may or may not be married. If she was earlier in the week, she probably isn't now. She's certainly lost her dream job.

As we write this, she has left the Lauderdale County Detention Center after posting a 100K bond. If convicted, she'll be a registered sex offender for life. Her boyfriend? He's probably getting pats on the back. Was it worth it?

*****

Earlier this week, we posted that our youth should be reminded always to follow the law. One local woman replied that this was a s**tty thing to say. 

This is what's wrong with rural Alabama.

(We used a photo of the alleged cafeteria worker with her husband that appeared in the Daily Mail. We understand that it has been removed, and we are removing it from this blog.)

"Hands Off" Protest in Florence on Saturday

 

There is to be a "Hands Off" protest in Florence on Saturday. Time and location? We haven't been able to determine that, but we advise avoiding major shopping areas.

While many groups are behind this protest, it appears that labor unions are the main supporters in Northwest Alabama. The protest has both good and bad points, so beware. We assume that the FPD will be monitoring the situation, but, as always, we advise a hard pass on these kinds of situations. Whatever you do, please don't drag any children into this mix.

*****

Billy Ray says something big is coming in two weeks concerning our Florence Police Department. We can hardly wait...

Billy Ray Simpson Asks If FPD Chief Holt Needs to be Fired

 

Billy Ray Simpson is running for mayor of Florence. For years, Mr. Simpson has called himself a "reverend," whatever that may mean. The term certainly isn't in the Bible. 

Then Simpson morphed into the Apostle Billy Ray. Does someone who doesn't know the meaning of the word "apostle" need to be elected to any city or other office?

At some recent point, Simpson began calling himself "Ambassador." We have no idea where this came from, but apparently it refers to the Florence Police Department. Perhaps it's because he knows the name of Martin Park?

Earlier this week, Simpson made a Facebook video criticizing the very department he professes to represent. He mentioned the possibility that some officers and even Chief Michael Holt needed to be fired. Obviously, Simpson knows more about the sad events at Southern Oaks Village than the police do...ahem.

We have two questions for Candidate Simpson:

1. Have you asked the Florence Police if the 13 year-old Colbert Heights student had any previous encounters with law enforcement in our city?

2. As for the 17 year-old being falsely incarcerated, are you not familiar with the law? Anyone taking part in a felony which results in a death may be charged with murder.

Simpson has twice run for mayor and once stood for the District 2 council seat. He lost all three races and he will lose this August. The sad thing is he's now sowing seeds of discord in the community with a false narrative. 

If he really wanted to help, he would ask the public to assist in finding any more youths who took part in the alleged triple-cross crime.

SOMETIMES IT REALLY DOES STINK

 

There were 3 main issues for discussion at the Florence city council meeting held on Tuesday, April 1st. And no this is not an April fool’s joke. Well, maybe just one. Look for it at the end.

Anyway, the first thing to get my attention was the last-minute addition of 2 agenda items pertaining to the tax abatements for Eugene Sak and his remodeling of the old Downtowner Motor Inn into a “ReVerb” hotel. At the last meeting he presented a rather complicated plan to somehow renew the amount of tax abatement he would get for the next 20 years if the hotel is built. This assessment may be wrong but honestly, I think that even the council did not know what was going on. Sak said he had petitioned the state of Alabama to get some kind of additional tax break from a new program toward the cost of construction. Sak stated he needed an answer by March 31st. As usual, Michele Eubanks was the one to catch the “inconsistency” and question why this was being put on the April 1st agenda at the last minute. One of Sak’s lawyers came to the podium and said that a few days would not count. Now anyway. City attorney Billy Musgrove tried to do some lawyerly clarification, but the explanation seemed lacking. Confused yet? That may be how it was planned. Anyway, Ms. Eubanks was the only no vote and Kaytrina Simmons abstained on immediate consideration. This tabled the item. If an agenda item comes before the council again by Sak, it takes it well past the “supposed” deadline. But look for another bite at the apple. After all, the snake did not give up the first time he tried to tempt Eve.

The second issue was brought up by David Carson in the citizen’s remarks section concerning the consent agenda items. For those unfamiliar with the city of Florence agenda, there are two sections of items. One is called consent where request from department heads and other payments such as reimbursement for trips by the mayor are listed. These require no discussion and are voted on together with a yea or nay vote. Then there are the regular agenda items. These are supposed to be either for non-budgeted items which involve a significant amount of taxpayer money or for zoning and other regulatory changes. But there have been times when a department head would request an agenda item which involved millions of taxpayer dollars, and it is placed on the consent agenda. It has never really been clear to me if this is by mistake or on purpose. This was the case with the $9+ million-dollar remodel of Veteran’s Park into a Tennis and Pickleball complex. These are usually caught by a councilperson or by an attentive citizen to the business of the city of Florence. Such as David Carson. He has been responsible for several multi-million-dollar items being moved from the consent agenda without discussion to the regular agenda with LOTS of discussion. Every now and then he finds one that slips under the radar. He did in this meeting. Item (k) on the consent agenda read as follows: Resolution to file a settlement of the liability claim filed against the city for property damage sustained at 2200 Berry Ave, Florence, Al, for an amount not to exceed $160,000, sponsored by Bill Musgrove. When it was time for remarks on agenda items David asked if a city dump truck ran into a house. Why the large amount? And why did some details of the liability claim not at least be presented somewhere in a resolution or even discussed in the meeting? With this Billy Musgrove just said it was attorney/ client privilege rules that apply but a follow up question from me would have been is not the defendant in this case to some extent be the taxpayer in the city of Florence? Mr. Carson’s question was never addressed by the city council.

Then we come to the malodorous part of the meeting. There has been a raw sewage leak in the 1100 block of Wood Ave at 7 points for several days now. I was first made aware of it on Facebook postings but smelled the odor myself firsthand when I went to Peck Hardware. Let me just put it this way, it was not the smell of jasmine in the air. There was an article in the Times Daily from Bernie Delinski in Saturday’s edition which I think captured the situation very well. The sewer pipe in that part of North Florence is at least 50 years old and made of clay. The city says the leak is not from the pipe but from a conduit that is linking the pipe to the 5 businesses in the block. The business owners, or at least those interviewed in the article, feel the city should take care of replacing the conduit or the feeder line. At the work session Tad Cole, department head of solid waste and recycle, says it cannot be fixed by the city without a special resolution. And that was how it was left at the meeting. There has been much discussion on social media concerning the city of Florence not updating the city sewer and drainage pipes. These past few days many jabs taken concerning this situation have been aimed at the city and particularly District 1 councilperson, Kaytrina P. Simmons. Some of them have seemed over the top. But some have been funny. One that was posted on April 1st seemed to be an April Fool's Day joke that said: “Kaytrina Simmons is running for her “TURD” term on the Florence City council.” I thought it was clever although kind of gross but evidently Kaytrina Simmons was not amused. She said she had been personally attacked when the time came in the meeting for remarks from the council were. Anyway, it seems the crap is in the streets even if it has not hit the fan yet. And it still stinks.

The Plot Thickens at Harlan Elementary

 

From an informed source:

and it continues....

Principal Casteel’s actions at Harlan have continued to raise serious concerns about misconduct, intimidation, and cover-ups. And of course Shaw and the rest of the Florence City School board is all about joining in to sweep this under the rug.

During an incident, Casteel physically interacted with an officer—an act that could and should have led to an arrest. all on school campus and in the hallways (camera footage anyone??)

Instead of supporting law enforcement, the principal attempted to take control, even trying to seize evidence from the officer.

A few days later, the principal sent a carefully crafted email to staff, seemingly meant to discourage future contact with anyone if it wasn't him. The timing raises serious questions: Was this an attempt to suppress reports and protect the school’s image over student safety? yet again.... 

This incident isn’t just administrative overreach—it’s about the safety of students, the integrity of the school, and whether the administration is actively suppressing crucial information. 

Who is the administration really protecting—the students or the school’s reputation?

This demands further investigation.

What CP Didn't Do

 

Everyone loved CP. Who wouldn't? After all, at only 17, he...

* Has been recruited by UNA

* Has been recruited by Murray State

* Has been recruited by North Dakota

* Has been recruited by UAB

* Has been recruited by Jacksonville State

* Has been recruited by Kennesaw State

* Has been recruited by Yale 

* Has been recruited by Dartmouth

* Has been recruited by Middle Tennessee

* Has been recruited by Auburn

* Has been recruited by Florida State

* Has been recruited by Troy State

* Has been recruited by Mississippi State

* Has been recruited by South Alabama

* Has been recruited by University of Tennessee

* Has been recruited by Michigan

* Has been recruited by Samford

* Has been recruited by UT - Martin

* Has been recruited by Georgia Southern

* Has been recruited by University of West Georgia

* Was the male athlete of the month for entire state in 10/2023

* Was WAFF's player of the year for 2024

* Was Region's Most Valuable Player 2024

* Was All State for both 2023 and 2024

* Went home to Russellville and left his 13 year-old friend dead at a Florence apartment complex

You may want to read that last one again.

We may not know exactly why CP, rising athletic star that he is, has been accused of involvement in a murder/robbery, but we know the police had to hunt him down at his home in Russellville and arrest him at 3:00 a.m. the next morning.

No matter how many friends/fans say he never intended to rob anyone, there's no denying how the encounter ended and what CP's actions were, or should we say weren't. 

Somehow, we don't think all those fancy universities want CP on their football team now...

Note: Illustration is a stock image.

"Nobody's Butt Is Worth $1,200.00"

 

If you're out of the loop, raw sewage has been running down North Wood Avenue at Seven-Points. Yes, as you wait in line for your order at Mickey D's, you're treated to a stench straight from Mumbai on an August afternoon. 

The problem is the broken line is private. The latest take is that it's a line used by several businesses - not the City. The projected cost of digging up the street (and that's not including fixing the pipe) is 48K. 

There's been a back and forth between the City, a few businesses, Rep. Bill Griffin, and Rep. Kaytrina Simmons on just what needs to be done. Meanwhile, used toilet paper is creating its own version of snow on the asphalt in March.

Now you may think this is the story, but as they say: Wait, there's more! One local store owner wants to know why Florence says it can't invest the 48K, an amount reportedly not in its budget. This same woman has found something odd that is in the City's budget.

Yes, the City of Florence has purchased one office chair for $1,200.00. She doesn't care who got it, she say's no one's butt is worth that much. We agree.

We didn't pay half that much for our recliner that doubles as an office. Someone, in fact several individuals, needs to ask about this during the next council meeting. Because if it's Andy's ample glutes that are enshrined in the chair, he needs to just head on home right then.

He Was Only 13

 

The news reports are calling Wednesday's alleged robbery a plot - a plot concocted by a 17 year-old and a 13 year-old. That's right, the dead boy wasn't even 14 as most reports said. He was 13 years and 11 months. Now he'll be that age forever.

His obituary is online; it mentions all his family. On paper, he appeared loved. If the Florence Police are correct in theory, how did this boy, one might even say little boy, who proudly wore his middle school football uniform in photos, come to lie dead in an apartment complex parking lot?

Our blogger J. Redmon has often mentioned the problems with today's children. Something like this really brings it home.

Something needs to be done. Let's hope Sunday's sermons carry some pithy remarks for all of us.

What Is Wrong with These Guys?

 

It's been a violent week. First, a 25 year-old Lauderdale County man is charged with Felony Murder after a deadly barroom brawl. He should have known better. Now he's looking at a minimum of 15 years in prison. All over a woman?

Then we have the 27 year-old Rogersville would-be bank robber. Looking at his age, no previous record, and alleged actions, we're going with schizophrenia. No matter the cause, two innocent people were shot, and he's dead.

Now for the cherry on top, a 14 year-old masked Colbert Heights 8th grader has committed armed robbery...or attempted to. Over an I-Pod no less. It cost him his life. People are calling him a child. Child or not, he should have known better. Did he think it was cute?

The Franklin Free Press has named the 14 year-old's alleged accomplice. We'll have more on that tomorrow, but for now let's just say if this 17 year-old is guilty of what Florence Police say he is, he's in more trouble than anyone could have imagined - as in Life Without.

Q&A About Court Street Homicide

 

Q. Why is there so much discussion about this death?

A. One reason is the location; not too many people have been murdered on Court Street in the last century.

Q. Exactly what time did the fight happen?

A. According to the TimesDaily, Brandon Davis struck Jeremy Benson at around 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, March 16th.

Q. Was this during a pub crawl?

A. According to one of our readers, it was not. "Shamrock the Block" was on March 22nd.

Q. How old was Benson?

A. Florence Police stated his age as 44; however, Benson's social media indicates he was turning 46 on March 25th. Davis is 25.

Q. What caused the fight?

A. An officer testified in court that it was reportedly over a woman.

Q. Was the fight at On the Rocks Bar?

A. The altercation reportedly began in the bar. Reports indicated it was unknown if any blows were exchanged inside. Davis' fatal blow to Benson occurred on the sidewalk outside the establishment. 

Q. How was the Senor Tequila eatery involved?

A. According to the restaurant manager Carlos, that establishment often assists FPD by providing CCTV of the area. Senor Tequila at 105 is located directly across from On the Rocks at 110.

Q. Was Davis inebriated?

A. According to the officer quoted in the TD, he was.

Q. What was the victim's cause of death?

A. An EMT on the scene indicated a brain bleed; however, autopsy results are not yet published. (Wasn't this EMT stating something beyond the scope of his practice?)

Q. Is Davis still in jail?

A. No. According to official records, Brandon Davis posted 100K bond and was released.

Q. If convicted of Felony Murder, what kind of sentence should Davis expect?

A. Felony Murder (comparable to Second Degree Murder in many states) carries a sentence of 10 to 99 years. Lauderdale County could offer Davis a plea of manslaughter, usually carrying a sentence of 15 years (no CIT under these circumstances).

Q. Is Davis still employed by Lauderdale County?

A. Sources say he now works in a family business, so his arrest will not affect his employment.

Q. When will Davis go to trial?

A. We'll publish that information when it's available. Judging from recent cases, a trial or plea could be many months in the future.

Q. Any takeaways from this incident?

A. If you just absolutely have to drink, please do it at home.

Update: Florence info on Mr. Benson's age is correct. There are two, or were two, Lauderdale gentlemen with same name. The deceased was 44 and would have been 45 on May 25th. The other Mr. Jeremy Benson presumably celebrated a happy 46th birthday on March 25th.

Kollin Blake Barber Memorial Ride

 

A Memorial Ride and Market to Curb Veteran Suicide. First Saturday of April. Natchez Trace Harley.

Be a friend. Tell a friend. It’s going to change lives.

Vendors already confirmed:

Grammys Monograms

Smoke & Bones Art

Big Dreams Art Collective

Scentsy by Ashley Eckert

Kick Rocks

Hummingbird Hideaway Custom Creations

Bad Dream Creations

Pug Rugs

Nevermore Oddities & Tattoo Parlor

Food Trucks confirmed:

DonutNV

The Wright Wiener Inc.

If you would like to be a vendor, donor or preregister as a rider you can message us or click the link below

We have pulled sponsorships because so many people are going to be running so many great sales where the money will come back to our fundraiser. We are also no longer taking food trucks.

https://givebutter.com/VxZP3A

From Zip City to Kilby?

 

Brandon Phillip Lloyd Davis states on social media that he's from Zip City. More specifically, public records indicate Wilson Branch. One could call Brandon a "country boy." His Facebook would seem to verify that, with photos of off-roading and similar pursuits. 

But on the night of March 15th, Brandon ventured into downtown Florence for a night out at On the Rocks. It was a tragic mistake. While many business owners would vehemently deny our view, spending the night at a bar is never a good choice.

There Brandon met and became involved in an altercation with Jeremy Benson. It didn't end well.

Records indicate that Benson and Davis shared March as their birth month, with Benson being 21 years older than Brandon. Friends of the victim have reported that Brandon dramatically outweighed Jeremy. For whatever reason (and you may want to insert alcohol here), Brandon slugged Jeremy. Here reports differ as to the nature of Jeremy's injuries, but whether it was one punch or many, Jeremy Benson is now dead and Brandon Davis is charged with Felony Murder.

Sure, it may be pleaded down to some type of manslaughter, but if convicted, Brandon will not be residing in Zip City for some time. Was it worth it?

*****

Several individuals have commented that the press release from Florence Police was restrained, to say the least. If Brandon Davis' social media profile is correct, he works for the City of Florence. The City of Florence also happens to lease On the Rocks the right to use the sidewalk in front of its establishment at 110 North Court Street. 

What can you say about small towns?

Where Are Mayor Stanley's Priorities?

 

It wasn't all that long ago that Sheffield mayor Steve Stanley personally visited a Montgomery Avenue retail store to have it out over an expired fire extinguisher. Really?

Does the good mayor not see the wrecked and abandoned vehicles that dot almost every street in his not so fair town? Our J. Redmon has told us he's spotted at least 11 such vehicles on the streets near his home within a five block radius. Just what does that do to property values?

Sheffield currently has laws on the books concerning derelict vehicles; why aren't they being enforced? Perhaps Stanley is merely hoping to wait it out in the shadows until next August?

*****

While we don't see Steve Stanley running again, we otherwise have two candidates who are: Bennett Pugh and Brian Vandevender. Will there be anyone else? There's slightly over two months until qualifying begins.

Revolt in Rogersville

 

Regular readers know that we're no fan of Rogersville mayor Richard Herston. Our "beef" with him goes back years to a time when drag racing in the industrial park was upsetting many residents. Herston indicated that he had never given anyone a permit to drag race any where in his town. That was completely true - he had given the drag racers a parade permit for the industrial park. Herston is, if anything, the epitome of a politician.

Now recent storms have wreaked havoc in many areas of Rogersville. That's not anything one is ever completely prepared for, and cleanup has taken weeks. It may be months before all storm debris is removed from lawns and rural roads.

Yet, Herston is seeking to speed up the process:

As you can see, the good mayor has amended his first edict; however, most citizens remain upset that the town has offered so little help in their cleanup efforts. How many homes are occupied solely by women who are physically incapable of this massive cleanup...and perhaps don't have the immediate cash to hire a tree crew to assist? Even when males are present, they usually work five days a week. There aren't enough local laborers to remove debris from the entire town in a "timely fashion."

Our friends at the Alabama Onion have a totally appropriate take on this:

A Flood of Protests in Muscle Shoals - Part III

 

“Daddy’s Boys” Have Flooded the City with Corruption

If any Muscle Shoals resident has been searching for their ongoing “Flood issue” answers, this article will explain everything. We are about to dive deep into Mike Lockhard’s deepest secrets.

Butch Fleming, and Ryan Kennedy are in charge of alleviating “water runoff” on city property’s, pertaining to Residential, Commercial, and Industrial city owned “right of ways”. Their sole responsibility is to engineer, construct, and divert excess “water runoff” to the retention ponds. They aren’t responsible for the retention ponds, but they are responsible for getting that water TO THE RETENTION PONDS. Weather that be having drainage ditches installed, culverts installed, piping installed, having dirt or slopes “graded” for proper water runoff, etc. 

 

Butch Fleming, Department Supervisor for the City of Muscle Shoals Public Works Department has been in this position for 25 years, this year(2025). Butch’s wife works at the Muscle Shoals Water Department. His father, Sol Fleming retired from TVA after 27 years of service, and he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a Muscle Shoals home building contractor for more than 50 years. He was a member of Muscle Shoals Street Rod Club, Exchange Club, Muscle Shoals Planning Board and Highland Park Church of Christ. When the time came 25 years ago to hire the new public works department supervisor, it was an obvious choice as to who the City Council was going to hire. Everyone LOVED Sol Fleming, as he was a great man, with DEEP ties with Muscle Shoals politicians. So they hired his Son, Butch Fleming expecting the same greatness his dad had to one day shine over this lovely city. 

Now on to Ryan Kennedy, the Muscle Shoals Public Works Assistant Director(2nd in command). Ryan’s wife is a School Nurse in a Muscle Shoals School. Ryan has been employed with the city for 18 years. Ryan’s great uncle owned Arnold’s Truck Stop on Hwy 72, and his Grandmother owned Jody’s Restaurant next door. His Grandmother fed City Council members, civil service board members, Policeman, Fireman, and political figures HUNDREDS OF TIMES FOR FREE. Don’t believe us? Ask any retired City of Muscle Shoals Affiliate. On the very night Ryan was hired to begin his career with the City of Muscle Shoals, his father (a Retired City of Muscle Shoals Assistant Fire Chief) coincidentally bought a Quizno’s dinner for each and every Civil Service Board member. As you would expect, with full belly’s and happy hearts, they all 5 chose to hire Mr. Kennedy.  

All of this is so wrong in so many ways…if “Nepotism” had a story to tell, this is it sadly…but this is ONLY THE BEGINNING. 

Butch and Ryan are over the Public works department, containing the “Street Dept” and the “Sanitation Dept”. The Street Department is the group that is responsible for being told how to properly alleviate water runoff, install catch basins, install pipes, etc. Under the mismanaged leadership of Mike Lockhard, Butch Fleming, and Ryan Kennedy, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of dollars have been spent on Pipe, which has been sitting UNUSED for several years. While homes flood, these unused pipes continue to waste away as no plans are drawn up for installation. 

Also last month, amidst all this mismanaged money, Lockhard purchased 2 BRAND NEW FORD F-150’s for the public works Department. One going to Butch, and the other going to Joseph Campbell (Sanitation Dept Lead), totaling a WHOPPING $116,000!!!!!

Not only is the department's money, projects, and time being mismanaged, the Street Department is short 2 employees. Both of which were FIRED THIS MONTH!!! Let us explain. In October of 2024, Megan Scott was hired by the Civil Service board to be a Laborer at the Street Department. The first female employee to work for the Street Department in MUSCLE SHOALS HISTORY. She is an extremely hard working single mother, with a kind heart that can’t be matched. Her spirit radiates to everyone she comes in contact with. Over the course of the following months, she was bullied, made fun of, sexually harassed, cussed out, and discriminated against for being a hard working young woman. 

As time passed, they bullied her to the extremes. Making her get up in a bucket truck with NO PRIOR TRAINING, running equipment with NO PRIOR TRAINING, all because they wanted to MAKE FUN OF HER FOR NOT KNOWING HOW TO RUN EQUIPMENT SHE WAS NEVER TRAINED ON. With hate in their hearts, Butch and Ryan made a plan to fire her. Several days before her 6 month probation period ended, she was told by both Ryan and Butch that she was not performing “as well as the men”, and was tested on her physical ability to “perform her job properly”. Later that day, Human Resources Director Jalen Johnson was called down to the Department, and they made Megan form a catch basin, pour the catch basin with hundreds of pounds of concrete, and smooth it off as it dries. Keep in mind, this job is always performed with 5 or more MEN AT ONE TIME. 

Noticing this horrific mistreatment of a single mother, Senior Equipment Operator of 23 years Chad Gibson walked down there and expressed his safety concerns, and expressed how this situation “was not in any way, shape, or form” a way to test out the new employees ability to keep her job. She also had not once in her entire time at the Street Department ever poured a catch basin. After it was all said and done, she executed the job perfectly. Overjoyed with excitement, she felt as if she was in the clear. The next day, Chad and Megan were both fired for “being defiant, and ill mannered” the previous day. 

Megan was fired 3 days before her 6 month probation period ended, and Chad Gibson was fired after 23 years of service. Chad is considered a Hero to stand up to the tyranny of the “Daddy’s Boys”, and knew what they were doing to Megan was morally unacceptable. We need Chad and Megan back working for the Muscle Shoals Street Department, as both were extremely valuable employees. The EEOC has gotten involved with Megan’s case, and Chad has taken legal action to get his job back. 

The only thing that will stop Butch and Ryan is a NEW MAYOR...Muscle Shoals, LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mic Dropped...