Tim Melson's SB256

 

Relating to any county where an agricultural authority has been incorporated pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 20, Title 11, Code of Alabama 1975; to provide, under certain conditions, for a portion of Tennessee Valley Authority in-lieu-of-taxes payments distributed to the county pursuant to Section 40-28-2, Code of Alabama 1975, to be distributed to the agricultural authority in the county to be used for the purposes of the authority. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: 

Section 1. In any county where an agricultural authority has been incorporated prior to September 1, 2017, under the provisions of Article 3, commencing with Section 11-20-70 of Chapter 20, Title 11, Code of Alabama 1975, for the purpose of constructing and operating facilities to promote agricultural business and economic development, 70 percent of the payments made to the county commission of the county pursuant to Section 40-28-2, Code of Alabama 1975, shall be distributed by the county, upon approval of a majority vote of the local legislative delegation residing in the county, to the agricultural authority to be used for the purposes of the authority, notwithstanding any other general or local law to the contrary. 

Section 2. All laws or parts of laws which conflict with this act are repealed. 

Section 3. This act shall become effective immediately 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 SB256 Enrolled Page 2 following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Translation: The Lauderdale Ag Center gets all the money; schools and city governments get didly. By the authority of Tim Melson, King.

As of today, this bill has made it 75% through the state legislature. Well, what the hey; Lauderdale schools didn't need any more money any way.

Tim Melson Wants Ag Center Free from Local Restrictions

 

White elephants. Hobby Horses. If we didn't have the lower species, how would we ever describe some of our politicians' boondoggles?

Our state senator Dr Tim Melson has been a busy little bee introducing bills into this legislative session. One concerns the Ag Center in extreme eastern Florence...as it now is.

We've read SB 27 several times; it jumps all over the place. Two things stand out to us:

1. Former board members would become directors emeritus and, while receiving no salary, would be compensated for their efforts at certain times...or something. Bro. Tim really needs to explain that one.

2. Ag Centers are exempt from rules, regulations, and laws governing the area where they are located. So, let's see...the Ag Board wanted the center in the City of Florence in order to get sewage lines extended, but doesn't want to live under its regulations. It seems to be the equivalent of a corporate "sovereign citizen." Does that mean it's free from remitting city sales tax? If so, does anyone trust Andy to step in and offer opposition?

As always, there are more questions than answers concerning the Ag Center. If anyone out there wants to oppose any of this, we suggest contacting Bennett Pugh who isn't afraid to stand against local con artists.

Senate Bill 27

Will Ag Center Open in Ten Weeks?

 

It seems the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office has its own posse; it's officially called the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Posse Mounted Patrol Division. In ten weeks, the volunteer organization will be holding a rodeo at...the Ag Center on Highway 72. Big Ta Da!

The organization's Facebook page shows a committee selecting from four sites on Ag Center property. We assume everything will be portable. In other words, don't expect working toilets or sinks. 

A spokesman for the group has said there will be seating for between 1,500 to 1,800 paying customers for the two day event. Will there be protesters? We have no idea, but the annual rodeo in Limestone has successfully managed to keep them at bay for several years. 

We wish the organization the best, even if we don't personally support that type of money-making endeavor. Or should we say money-making attempt? We predict cool March weather combined with the lack of amenities will keep many at home. 

If any of our readers do attend, send us your reviews of the Ag Center set up. Perhaps Inspiration Landing can learn something.

Don't Say You Didn't Know about the AG Center

 

How many comments have you seen from individuals who say they didn't know about the "rebranding" of Florence? We find references going back to 2015. It's that way with every new project. The AG Center? Please don't say you know nothing of how much money it's siphoned from schools, citizens, etc. Now the city and the AG Board are trying to sort out the sewer problem.

Here's an interesting blog from a reader:

Hello Florence, Alabama people. Has anyone other than me wondered how the Ag Center is putting in sewer lines? This has been the question of the day other than their new F! Logo. A local realtor has asked the question why developers can’t hook on to Florence sewer! Great question considering the Ag Center problems.

Florence has asked for Federal funds to pay for the AG Center sewer project. And since it’s Federal they are require to ask for public input concerning it.

There is a public input deadline of February 14, 2022, 5 Pm for members of the public who have concerns about the Ag Center projects impact on environment, including wetland, floodplains, or any historic properties. Email your concerns to ATRO-REO@eda.gov. Documents can be viewed at Florence City Hall or call 256-760-6300. Considering the homes directly across the road from this project, flooding could be a possibility.

Seems the city has applied for a $1,672,895 grant to fund the ag center sewer with AG Center matching 30%. Residents of Florence have outdated sewer lines according to what I’m reading and developers must pay to hook on to Florence. Seems to me that updating residential sewer system would be a top priority over AG Center? This proposal even says: Notice is hereby given that the project is proposed to be located in or may affect a floodplain and/or a wetland as defined by Executive Order 11911 and/or 11990. What about the environmental impact it’s already had. There was a huge population of deer and wildlife that inhabited that area. Every time I drive by Bell Meade I see dead deer. They have no where to go.

Now don't say no one told you...

Pithy Remarks to the Lauderdale County Commission...and its Counterparts

 

Some of us may be lucky enough to have a job which one percent of the time offers some glamour. You know, the free banquets where people actually tell us they're glad to meet us or where we have our photo taken with the governor. 

The other 99%? That's a lot of hard work and a huge amount of difficult decision making. That's (read this twice, it's the main point!) so consumed in minutiae and correcting other's bad decisions that you often have to eat lunch at your desk instead of shopping for that new vehicle you've been wanting. It's called being a good employee/public servant who gets the job done without complaining.

How much time has the Lauderdale County Commission spent on needless chatter about the new Ag Center, a totally unneeded white elephant that is currently robbing local school children of funding? In case any are unaware, the "county commission" was for years called the "road commission" because that was the bulk of its responsibility. How are local residents going to make it to that much awaited Pink Floyd concert if the road to their subdivision is washed out?

From a valued reader: This is in response to the post about the water pipe in Waterloo where the commission has failed to maintain the road. The commissioners in this county flat out are terrible, our roads are awful and in need of repair. Drainage ditches are also in need of being scooped out. There is a road in Eastern Lauderdale that has so many potholes in it that the road has fell apart and sunk in. The commission’s answer about paving that road is always “We don’t have any money”. There would be money if the wasteful spending for the grand and glorious Ag Center would’ve not been built. Our so called leaders have scammed the people of Lauderdale Co. with this Ag center. I guarantee elected officials from state senators, state representatives, county commissioners, and school board members are getting kickbacks some where and that furthers the corruption in this county.

No, road repair may not be as glamorous as opening night at a new county monstrosity, but it is much more in the scope of your jobs. People don't care if you secured a new bocce ball court for Rogersville or a new space needle for Waterloo if they can't get out of their driveway without a pontoon boat. 

Those who write to us universally think local leadership doesn't rise to even a mediocre level. You might want to think about that long and hard.

Ag Authority Answers/School Consolidation

 

For those who came in late, here are the two questions a local activist presented to the Ag Authority:

1. Who was the lumber company that cleared the site, how much money did the Ag Authority receive for clearing the site, and has this company made or will make a political contribution, directly or indirectly, to any board members?

2. Privately, elected officials who are also Ag Authority board members have indicated to Florence City officials that they are declaring “war” on Florence. They now plan to take ALL TVA in-lieu-of tax money and force Florence to provide sewer service. Is that true and why are these elected officials trying to punish their constituents?

The board's answers:

1. Oakley Forest Products, along with others, cleared the land and paid the Ag Authority approximately $160,000. A brief search of campaign contributions revealed Rep. Phillip Pettus and Rep. Lynn Greer have both received $1000 from the company awarded the construction contract.

2. Sen. Melson would neither confirm or deny that additional TVA in-lieu-of tax money will be taken from schools and municipalities. Rep. Lynn Greer indicated it might be a possibility.

*****

Read the second answer. Do you want Lynn Greer to decide if Lauderdale County Schools consolidate? The survey has already been done. Once the money is taken form the school system, it will be simply a matter of a school board vote to consolidate the schools.

We have one or two bloggers here who live in the county; however, none of them has a child in the school system. In other words, this blog has no horse in this race. If you have concerns about consolidation, YOU are the one to make your opinion heard. 

Don't say no one has ever told you it's coming...

More Questions for Ag Board

 

First, there has been a question about "rural area." Yes, according to government guidelines, Florence is a rural area. 1. It has a population of under 50K. 2. It is over 50 miles from the nearest metropolitan area.

Sorry to break that to anyone who mistakenly thinks this is L.A.

*****

From the Ag Center Transparency Project:

1. Who was the lumber company that cleared the site, how much money did the Ag Authority receive for clearing the site, and has this company made or will make a political contribution, directly or indirectly, to any board members?

2. Privately, elected officials who are also Ag Authority board members have indicated to Florence City officials that they are declaring “war” on Florence. They now plan to take ALL TVA in-lieu-of tax money and force Florence to provide sewer service. Is that true and why are these elected officials trying to punish their constituents?

Both these questions deserve answers. 

*****

Now, is everyone ready for Lauderdale County school consolidation? Don't say you didn't see it coming...

Ag Center Forges Ahead

 

The Ag Center is making progress; it now has a dedicated Facebook page. We're not sure who's editor of the page, but we're guessing either Melson, Greer, or Pettus. Why? It would seem tact isn't a strong point with the editor.

After Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Will Powell dismissed a citizens' lawsuit, this was posted:

Today, the judge threw out the frivolous boondoggle lawsuit. The Authority has always done everything by the book. The event center and workforce development centers are still on track and will continue to move forward.

Considering the prospects of the Ag Center, we're vastly amused at the lawsuit being called a boondoggle. Just take a look at the above artist's rendering of the facility. Apparently it comes with three grain silos for added authenticity. 

And if it does fail? Look on the bright side: The Zip City Trading Post has been looking for larger quarters...

Opposition to Ag Center Mounts

How Some Pundits See The Ag Center

Opposition to the announced Lauderdale County agriculture center continues to mount. This is not surprising; we wonder only why it's taken so long for more to come forward.

From its first announcement, the center has met with criticism from the public:

Ag Center Transparency Project

Lauderdale Republicans Condemn Ag Center

Now some concerned citizens have filed a lawsuit against the center that has been slowed only moderately by COVID-19:

Lauderdale County Citizens for Responsive Government

Will this lawsuit slow or stop the center that is supposed to be completed by the fall of next year? We have no concrete projections on yes or no, but advise everyone to stock up on popcorn.

And what of a similar boondoggle across the river - Inspiration Landing? Has work ever begun on Phase I? (Yes, we know a modicum of work has been done on Phase II, if that makes sense to anyone.)

Has anyone congratulated Ian Sanford on gettin' out while the gettin' was good?

About Those TVA In-Lieu-of-Taxes...

Two local cities recently had lunch...

Muscle Shoals: How about our high school; it looks like an Egyptian temple.

Florence: How about our new middle school; we had the ghost of Frank Lloyd Wright design it.

Muscle Shoals: How about our mall; it's still hanging in there.

Florence: How about our mall; we've got Belk and Dillard's.

Muscle Shoals: How about all we've been doing with TVA in-lieu-of-tax money?

Florence: Uh, yeah...Hey, how about them Lakers?

Cheer up, Florence. The new Ag Center is sure to need a lot of pooper scoopers to work for minimum wage.

 It Was Either Me Or The Kids

The Ag Center Marches On...

I'm Roy Horse & I Can't Wait!

Coronavirus or no, the Ag Center marches on. In 36 months (barring new COVID-19 outbreaks), Lauderdale will have its Ag Center. Instead of the opinion of an arts consultant, we thought you might want to read the opinion of an economist:

Ag Center Follies

We will add one thing: Check out the 300K annual Lauderdale County contribution? Really? Anyone else know about this?

Two Takes on the Ag Center, etal.

From a regular reader:

What this AG Center is is nothing but a publicity stunt by the Lauderdale Co. BOE especially Ronnie Owens and Tim Melson. It’s going to be unused and be vacant just like the Coliseum. Why do we need it? It’s a waste of taxpayer money when there’s other things that need to be done in the school system and in the county infrastructure. School buildings are in disrepair and are infested with mold. The roads in this county are a joke. Our representatives from State Senators, County Commissioners, and school board members are a bunch of eunuchs. It’s a shame we are represented by these; don’t we have anyone better?

Heads I Win, Tails You Lose!

So the usual suspects in Congress are pushing hard for "relief" funding for state and local governments as an offset to the tax revenues that localities have lost during the Covid-19 shutdown. So what does this mean for the Shoals? It means that the sun rises in the East and that snakes take care of their own, as always! It means that the anal sphincters who dreamed up Inspiration Landing and the Ag Center, monuments to their own egos and political hubris sold to us under the guise and illusion of public benefit, will now have their ill-advised, self-interested, boondoggle projects unwillingly subsidized by every American Taxpayer if the leftists in Congress get their way.

This sort of thing is why many of us who possess penetrating insight and discernment do not even waste our time participating in our sham elections, elections that are little more than farcical diversionary contrivances that are designed to mollify the masses with an illusion of participatory democracy. Left, Right, or Center, the political power structure has the system rigged, and you are sadly naive if you believe otherwise.

Many historians believe that the French Revolution was excessively violent and bloody...but maybe the French people were just sick of liars, cheats, snobs, and business as usual. "Vive La Liberté"

Justitia Adventus, Sic Semper Mendaces

Humbly submitted for your consideration by,

No Work on Ag Center or IL until Vaccine is in Wide Use?

While this is Alabama where we like to live dangerously, just how many sane and rational individuals do you think will want to gather in a group of two to eight thousand people? How does this bode for Sheffield's Inspiration Landing or Lauderdale County's Ag Center?

Okay, at this point no one really thinks IL has much of a chance. Probably not even the luxury home sales side of the project once the real estate slump hits...and it will hit. Yet the Ag Center seemed a done deal until the pandemic.

Like Legionnaire's Disease through a hotel ventilation system, how quickly do you think a super bug could permeate an enclosed arena? Remember, we're not talking Alabama or Auburn football games here; we're talking second tier music groups at best...and 4-H shows that over 50 grandparents won't even come out for now.

Vaccine? Even if one is developed in three months (which we highly doubt), it will first go to medical personnel, then public safety employees. Will enough people take it to create herd immunity? 

Sorry, folks, a lot of tax dollars just flew out the window.

Who Thinks Brick & Mortar Retail Is Growing?

The Ag Center has a retail component. Yes, really. Perhaps it will even have video rentals and 24-hour photo developing. Who travels to a concert and takes a side shopping trip? Perhaps some do, but unless you want to make a weekend of it, you probably have no desire to shop before the big show, be it starring Elton or a walking horse.

Think locals will drive an extra five or ten miles to shop? Perhaps some will once. Don't count on that much repeat business. 

No, for any who think retail still means K-Mart or Sears, think again. These businesses thrive in a town with a population under fifty thousand:

1. Restaurants

2. Auto Service/Repair

3. Grocery Stores

4. Beauty/Barber Shops

5. Spas

6. Garden Shops

7. Dollar Stores (Even these have suffered with the advent of Wish.com)

8. Antique/Junque Shops

9. Hardware Stores

You may be able to think of a few more types, but you get the general idea. If you or your family want to shop for upscale apparel, home furnishings, or gifts, you'll probably head to Bridge Street or the Galleria. Your first thought certainly won't be "Let's go to the Ag Center."

Ag Center board member Roger Garner said of the latest planning: "These current steps might seem like monotonous things right now, but it's also exciting to see it get to this point."

Monotonous? Think he meant mundane? Perhaps minutiae? Think Mr. Garner or any of the board members know where any of this is going?

Lauderdale Republican Executive Committee Condemns Ag Center

How does this affect the standing of Tim Melson, Lynn Greer, and Phillip Pettus in the local Republican Party?

Resolution on Proposed Agricultural Center in Lauderdale County, Alabama 

WHEREAS, $45 million has been proposed for an Agricultural Center in Lauderdale County, Alabama; and 

WHEREAS, a 40-year bond issue of up to $46 million has been authorized by the Agricultural Authority Board; and 

WHEREAS, the establishment of the Agricultural Authority Board to oversee the construction and operation of the Agricultural Center was passed without adequate input from the public; and 

WHEREAS, $1.2 million in annual in-lieu-of tax dollars allocated to seven cities and in Lauderdale County, the Lauderdale County Board of Education, the Florence City Board of Education, and the Lauderdale County Commission has been appropriated and redirected to the Agricultural Authority; and 

WHEREAS, the two cent gasoline tax, which was promised to expire when the RTI Golf Trail bond issue was paid off, was extended for Lauderdale County and directed to the Agricultural Authority without consent of the taxpayers; and 

WHEREAS, the bill to extend the two cent gasoline tax had to be rewritten to extend the tax only to Lauderdale County and exempt Colbert County before the bill could be introduced; and 

WHEREAS, no feasibility study for the project has been completed; and 

WHEREAS, the Alabama Republican Party Platform specifically states "We support lower tax models that adequately fund government without undue waste or programs better facilitated by the private sector"; and 

WHEREAS, the Agricultural Center as proposed is antithetical to the fiscally conservative principles of the Republican Party of Lauderdale County, Alabama; 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lauderdale County Republican Party Executive Committee does not endorse nor does it support the existing proposal to create an Agricultural Center in Lauderdale County, Alabama.

Joshua Dodd, Chairman 

Ralph Long, Secretary

John Hargett,, Treasurer