What Else is Mayor Lockhart Lying About?

 

From a Reader:


By now, most people have seen the news accounts of the Muscle Shoals City Council work session and meeting held on Monday, July 14th.

There's a lot that could be said, but at the end of the day, I think we can all agree that public money should be subject to public scrutiny. The audacity of those sitting on the council to remain stone faced without commenting on the issues of flooding, dead animals and the health hazards for the taxpaying citizens living in Beacon Pointe was an embarrassment to most of the audience. While some council members sat with their backs turned to those who addressed the council, the others either hid behind those whose backs were turned, or just plain stared at the citizens as they spoke. Mr Lockhart blew them off and then placed blame on the county commissioners for the water problem in Beacon Pointe subdivision. I reached out to my county commissioner and found the truth, which is, the county does not have a pumping station and does not pump water onto Beacon Pointe. In plain language - Mr. Lockhart lied to the public and the press. What else is he lying about? Why didn't even one of the council members correct that lie? Do these council members and mayor have an oath to support each other regardless of dishonesty? I am very concerned, as all of the citizens should be.

What is equally troubling, is that no council member or mayor took the opportunity to present documentation of plans to address these aging problems they have ignored for the past 4+ years. They were rude, and unapproachable. There may be a plan in the future for an elaborate presentation on social media, or a press conference to announce more promises of projects and maintenance plans but they missed their golden opportunity to be responsive, honest, and accountable. According to their rules, you have to disclose what you are going to speak to the council about before you arrive, which should have given them time to plan. More importantly, if the council members and mayor have a defined plan and each doing their jobs, they should have been able to rattle off every detail in their plan to the issues presented.

For me and my family, we will vote on August 26th. We will not vote for any incumbent. This group of people have increased our taxes, failed to keep our city clean, have patched a few streets with no real paving projects, and more importantly, I researched this council's budgets over the past 5 years and find it very alarming at the money they have blown. Important community services like the library has been cut due to lack of funding .Our police department can not compete with neighboring agencies with the compensation and benefits packages our hard working law enforcement deserve Flooding, well, that will not be solved by these in office at this time. I would tell you to call Mr. Lockhart or one of the council members but you're wasting your time. Not a one of them has returned my calls over the last 4 years. From what others say at the coffee shop and social gatherings, I am not alone. I think the most common comment is, "I guess we will hear something since it is an election year".

That is not acceptable. I pay my taxes every day, I expect a professional and responsive group of people every day, not during an election year.We don't know what a new mayor and council will do, but we do know if we continue with this group of people, our city will continue to live under a cloud, hearing empty promises, dirty politics and continue to deteriorate.

I will vote, my husband, children, and grandchildren will vote. We will not give our precious votes to anyone that is so disrespectful and dishonest as what we have in office today.

God bless our City.