The Chamber is Now a Political Authority and Polling Agency

 

From a Muscle Shoals watcher:

Political races bring new faces and opportunities for positive change, but also brings out the crazies, "authorities on everything," and a host of others who weigh in with their thoughts, which would include me as the latter.

I research and form independent opinions with insight to past performance (or lack of) of current elected officials. The devil is always in the details. There seems to be a few people who are especially worried and involved in the Muscle Shoals politics this year which causes much more research and time to understand the "why" and "what there is to gain" behind these folks.

In this address to Shoalanda, let's look at Caitlyn Burns:

CAITLYN BURNS, Shoals Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

Facebook Posting Monday, 8-11-2025 @ 9:09 am.

I made this post originally on August 14, 2020. It felt important to reiterate many of these points today (on the final day to register to VOTE in the upcoming municipal election):

1) The Shoals is an incredible place with incredible potential. The resources are present for growth of all kinds. Please consider voting for positive, aspirational, forward-thinking leaders. You deserve that. We all do.

2) The Mayor that you elect in two weeks will be the face and voice of your City to Congressmen, international business leaders, potential investors, and countless others. Be certain that the first impression they give is one that garners immediate respect.

3) Campaign finance reports are public record. Who is putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to supporting a particular candidate? What do you know about these donors?

4) Mayors and Council Members do NOT run as Republicans or Democrats. Instead of asking them pointedly about a party affiliation, ask them about their platform.

5) If you live in Muscle Shoals, you must vote for all five "Places" on the City Council. They serve "at large."

6) If you live in Florence, Sheffield, or Tuscumbia, you will only be voting for the City Council person that will serve your District. If you need to know which District you live in, contact me and I'll find out for you!

Finally, almost every candidate for any office is running on jobs and recruitment of business and industry. I think you would be stunned to know that only a handful of them have consulted with me at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce and/or the team at the Shoals Economic Development Authority. I question their sincerity if they are not approaching those of us who focus on those very things day in and day out.

Voting on August 26th is imperative. Each candidate for Mayor and Council has trudged miles in the heat and invested their time, energy, and money into earning your trust. Regardless of whether you intend to vote for them, thank them for their effort. This has not been easy.

My response:

Many Long time residents of Muscle Shoals and the Shoals are very aware of the Shoals Chamber and its' landlord SEDA.

In spite of the social issues inside the building that houses their activities and the parties laden with booze, we also see Chamber board member(s) provocative dancing on the street corner of the event/party venue and are bold enough to post their rather questionable behavior on their social media sites.

While the Chamber touts their funding from "members", let's be clear - the City of Muscle Shoals is a member of the chamber through the tax dollars that you and I pay as well as the Muscle Shoals Water & Sewer Board, Electric Board and the North Alabama Gas Department where Caitlyn Burn's father is the director. Therefore, citizens and rate payers of the aforesaid entities have a huge investment in the Chamber, its activities, and lack of professionalism.

The Chamber's federal 990 non profit organization report for the last 2 years shows ---EXPENSES OVER REVENUE OF $209,716.00. THAT IS SPENDING TWO HUNDRED NINE THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTEEN DOLLARS MORE THAN BUDGETED That mandated federal 990 report is available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/630943956

It is also noteworthy that executive director Burns is paid 11% of the total budget and spends more than the Board of Directors budget and is still employed. That doesn't speak well of the Chamber Board of Directors.

There will be more to report as time allows, but we have to ask these questions:

1.) Why would candidates ask Caitlyn Burns or her staff for advice given her poor business, financial, and social issues at the Chamber?

2.) is it prudent (or legal) for an employee at the Chamber that works full time on yours, mine, businesses, and donors money as a "CONSULTANT/POLLING" contractor for Mayor Lockhart. His campaign finances show 2 payments ($2000.00 & $1000.00) to Alyssa Crow (full time chamber employee). Is this legal? Is this ethical? Is this the norm at the Chamber? https://fcpa.alabamavotes.gov/PublicSite/Reports/ReportWriter.aspx https://fcpa.alabamavotes.gov/PublicSite/Reports/ReportWriter.aspx

3.) What does Caitlyn Burns have at stake in the Muscle Shoals elections? Could it be the creation of a new position in City Hall for a "girl Friday" as another layer of employees and wasteful spending that she has interviewed and was given the job - after the election?

4.) How does the part 4 plus years of this Mayor and Council neglecting the city and our citizens be whitewashed by the handful of irrational and liberal tax and spend (more than you bring in) radical left? The ones who have the most to lose are squealing the loudest.

BTW - there are only 4 places on the ballot Ms. Burns.

I think these simple questions are enough to digest at this time.

For obvious reasons Ms. Burns (or is it Jackson?) has not divulged all the details. As I said earlier, the devil is in the details (and closets), but the citizens of Muscle Shoals have long memories. We love and value our neighbors and schools but don't like what is happening to our beautiful city.

For me and mine, we don't need a failing chamber's director talking down to us.

The old sayings "Those who live in glass houses, should not throw stones" and "birds of a feather" apply too well.