Angel Arrested, But DHR Marches On

Angel Morris Gieske was arrested in Walker County last July. As of today, possible charges are still pending in four other northwest Alabama counties. We have not yet been able to contact the Walker County District Attorney's office; however, when we do, we will publish her court dates.

Oddly enough, both DHR offices in Colbert and Lauderdale Counties, where Angel still faces possible charges, say that her false credentials identifying her as a PhD in counseling have no bearing on the outcome of cases in which she was consulted. You might want to read that last sentence again to be sure you understood correctly. That's right--no bearing. So what were they paying her for if her wonderful reports on various dysfunctional families had no impact on their final recommendations concerning child custody?

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A word about Guardians Ad Litem. We understand that losers in custody cases are often bitter. We once saw the family of Andrew Daniel Scott call the GAL in Hottie Scottie's case a washed up alcoholic. Just a little demented, weren't they?

Now a mother has written us chastising the GAL in her case as homosexual. We understand her pain in losing her children over what could be trumped up charges, but we have it on pretty good authority that one's sexual orientation doesn't affect one's ability to earn a JD, pass the bar, or practice in a fair and rational manner.

We will say that we have seen some attorneys, all heterosexual as far as we recall, whom we considered idiot savants. In other words, they barely had walking around sense. These attorneys are few and far between, and we greatly admire our legal eagle friends and associates.

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Kudos to Dr. Barry Morris! He's called out the Testy Tourism Three, and we salute him as our latest Local Hero. We do think he fibbed just a little. We're sure he knows who wants Debbie Wilson out of her job and why. The Slime-Bowl-O-Rama will undoubtedly continue.

We'll have more on this tomorrow with commentary from two others. One of these two is our newest blogging team member who has chosen to be called "Number 99." Shades of Patrick McGoohan...

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We once saw an Italian movie in which one of the major sub-plots was the continual threat of terrorism. Bombs exploded around the central characters with regularity. That could never happen in the U.S., could it? Certainly not in the Shoals.

Yet, it seems terrorism of some ilk has arrived. Carmike Cinemas won't be showing The Interview, at least not on its opening date as the movie megacorp had previously announced. We'll guess only a few of our readers would have chosen the screening of this film--at an outrageous ticket price---as their primary Christmas entertainment. The point is if you should want to do so, you can't.

Terrorism is here. Think about it. The decisions our leaders make may not be influenced by any of us in northwest Alabama, but on the other hand, we all have input. God help us all, we're thinking Harry S Truman made a very wise decision.

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Shoalanda

UNA Conflicts of Interest?

Due to the three million dollar appropriation the City of Florence recently budgeted for the University of North Alabama's new science building, several have asked what constitutes a conflict of interest? In many cases, especially in small towns, almost anything could be made to appear a conflict of interest if one tried hard enough.

Libby Jordan, the wife of Florence City Councilman Dick Jordan, is on the university's board of trustees. Barry Morris, another council member, is retired from the university. If any Florence resident indeed felt there was a conflict, he or she should report the matter to the state ethics commission.

Our personal opinion? No one received any personal gain from the donated funds, and the new science building will increase enrollment among, hopefully, local students.

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Some associations are more difficult to analyze. A reader has asked about Dr. John G. Thornell (pictured). Thornell is provost at UNA and also serves as Vice President of Academic Affairs. It seems Thornell is also on the board of trustees at Columbia Southern University.

Offices for CSU are located in Orange Beach, Alabama, but its entire campus is the Internet. There are no traditional classes available from CSU, so is it in fact in competition with UNA? That's a difficult question. Looking at programs offered by CSU, we find Business and Criminal Justice among them. These two areas also compose a large percentage of UNA's curricula.

As with the two above referenced instances, it may be a question to be decided by the ethics commission...that is if anyone wishes to file a complaint. We're sure UNA is aware of Thornell's involvement with CSU. Officials at the university have probably been too busy recruiting Chinese students to give it much thought...



Shoalanda

World Class Pharmaceutical Center?/Publix a No Show?

Florence City Councilman Barry Morris has called a Chinese drug manufacturer's once proposed plans for the former Florence Golf and Country Club a "world class pharmaceutical center." Dr. Morris, since when does alternative medicine come under the definition of "world class pharmaceuticals?"

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Grocery Store Wars: Wish we still had a Winn-Dixie in the Shoals? Apparently the Birmingham area is the closest you'll find one. Now the chain has been purchased by Bi-Lo, a popular chain with several stores just across the state line in Tennessee. Will they open one here?

We won't hold our breath, but if you're hoping for that promised Publix, local gossip has it that it won't be coming either. Construction has been halted on the Cox Creek Pky location, and city officials aren't forthcoming with any answers. Perhaps that would make another great place for a world class pharmaceutical center, huh, Dr. Morris?

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Rare Sweetwater Creek postcard: Link



Shoalanda

Comments welcome. No profanity. No vulgarity. No libelous statements. Get it? Got it! Good...

Florence District Four: Who?

District Four In Lavender

Is there a perfect representative? For our state? For our various towns? Since total perfection is unobtainable, we have to seek the best for our purposes and that can be relative.

Currently Barry Morris, a former professor of Economics at the University of North Alabama, represents District Four in Florence. Because of his past and current ties to the college, he is unable to vote on any issue concerning UNA. It also makes his voting on anything concerning the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA) iffy.

This further makes him a liability when he cannot adequately represent his constituency. Morris has also from time to time taken a different path from his fellow council members, and that can be either good or bad. Here's a quick bio of Barry Morris:

Barry Morris retired as Professor and Chairman of the Economics and Finance Department at the University of North Alabama in the summer of 2008 and is currently serving as the University Foundation's Director of Planned Giving.

He was elected to represent District 4 in August 2008. He is Chairman of the Planning Committee and a member of the Finance Committee and the Utilities Committee.

He is active in Rotary International, having served as the President of the Florence Club, and Assistant Governor and Coordinator of Programs for District 6860.

Barry and his wife Suzanne have three sons, Scott, David, and Dean and are members of the First Christian Church of Florence.

Earlier in the week, the first of what we are sure will be many announced he's sounding out the community concerning running for the council in 2012. We'll have more on this possible candidate later.

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How to handle the current boondoggle concerning outstanding warrants in Lauderdale County? Sheriff Ronnie Willis may not have the answer, but one of our faithful readers does. From Joseph Tully:

A simple solution is find room at the detention center, in an area where inmates are not allowed, and keep the warrants there. Its really the best place for them since a deputy always in the past had to stop by dispatch to pick the warrant up on the way to jail. A detention officer can confirm a warrant just as easy as a dispatcher can.



Shoalanda

Is Steve Holt Serious?

Shoals Chamber of Commerce President Steve Holt shocked many in the community when he held up National Alabama as an example of what other countries can do for this area. Said Holt:

If you look at the more recent investments in this market — National Railcar began as a Canadian operation...

If Mr. Holt, or anyone else, thinks that the RSA's deal with Canada's National Rail Car is a success in any sense of the word, we see the need for more psychiatric treatment centers, not foreign business.

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It also came as a shock that the Guizhou Shenqi Group is now being touted as wanting to build a graduate level college specializing in health care management. That's a far cry from the manufacture of natural medicines, whatever that may entail.

We have to wonder why, if Councilman Barry Morris' version of the proposed enterprise is correct, it hasn't been pointed out before. It's not surprising that some considered the possibility of a money laundering operation being involved.

Yes, the Shoals needs economic development from wherever we can get it. If Dr. Morris knew more about the company than was originally stated, he should have come forward much earlier; however, the field of heath care management is far removed from pharmaceuticals. Unless someone clarifies this company's interest in the property, we suggest Sam Pendleton and James Barnhart were correct in asking questions of this Chinese gift horse.

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The Lauderdale County Sheriff's office and its dispatch center are being temporarily separated in order to remodel the courthouse's second floor offices. More than one person has suggested to us that Sheriff Ronnie Willis prefers that arrangement be made permanent after the renovations are complete. Should the sheriff's dispatch operation be permanently housed with the county's 911 offices? Just what are the pros and cons? We welcome further input from the community, input both to us and the county commission if there should be a tremendous downside to this arrangement.



Shoalanda

City Has No Plans for Country Club?

If you live in Florence, or perhaps just shop frequently in the Lauderdale County seat, some of your tax dollars just made 100 individuals $20K richer. Why?

We're not sure. Mayor Bobby Irons has announced that the city currently has no actual plans to expand the current landfill into the Golf and Country Club property--it just didn't want this wonderful deal to slip through its municipal fingers. We know that Councilman Barry Morris' father-in-law benefited from the sale. Who else received money from the purchase of this stately white elephant?

Surely the city didn't buy the FG&CC in order to ensure more paying customers for its Blackberry Golf Course, now hard pressed to compete with two Robert Trent Jones Golf Courses? In our column yesterday on the small Colbert County town of Cherokee, we mentioned the expression "follow the money." It may not have applied to that comical circus near the Mississippi state line, but we have no doubt it does here.

Now we not only own a luxury golf course and club house, we'll be footing the bill for its upkeep. Located on the edge of the city with little use, how long until vandals discover a new venue for their senseless graffiti and destruction?

We expected better from our council. We're just not sure why.


What's up with this: A reader has informed us that Pasquale's in Muscle Shoals has closed. Indeed, it has. Too bad the city to the south of Florence didn't see fit to bail our this icon.

Shoalanda

City of Florence Owes England Auto Salvage an Apology

Last night the Florence City Council voted to purchase a 157 acre tract west of Florence. The land is currently in use as a country club and 18 hole golf course; if the council has its way, in six or seven years at least part of this land will become the new landfill.

Councilman Barry Morris, who previously voted against tearing down a dilapidated trailer park in order to erect patio homes, recused himself from the vote. Had his father-in-law not owned part of the Florence Golf and Country Club property, he would have voted in favor of the purchase.

All this from a mayor and city council who cannot make enough derogatory comments about the two England brothers salvage businesses that lie outside the city limits. Now we will have an expanded landfill, razed golf course, and polluted Cypress Creek, all adjacent to a major state highway (part of it just christened the Stewart Cink Parkway), because the Florence City Council wants an easy way out to dispose of future garbage? Or is that the only reason?

We hear other rumors, but at present they are just that--rumors. Like Mike Curtis' and Tammy Irons' votes/non-votes on a substantial raise in the Alabama Legislature, we won't forget what happened last night. All of North Alabama will be watching.


Finding humor where you may: One wag in the TimesDaily Forum this morning suggested Florence rename the Stewart Cink Parkway to the "Stinkway." It does have a nice ring to it.

Shoalanda

Influence: Good or Bad?

When the Florence City Council meets this afternoon at five o'clock, will Dr. Barry Morris (pictured) be voting on the proposed purchase of the Florence Golf and Country Club? There's a possibility that the vote will not come up, but if it doesn't today, it will in two weeks. So, why should Morris not vote?. It seems his father-in-law is former Florence mayor Bill Batson, a major stockholder in the property.

If you think the whole dump issue stinks, both literally and figuratively, you're not alone. Should the city purchase the 157 acres and be unable to use the property due to environmental restrictions, we hope it will be able to sell the former club house and golf course at its purchase price. If the city is able to use the acreage legally, we hope state environmental watch dogs nip at the council's heels with every move they make. And the smell just gets stronger...

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Concerned about parental rights? Grandparents rights? Family law in general? Then you need to check out the Alabama Family Rights Association. ALFRA is composed entirely of volunteers who seek to overhaul unfair and antiquated state laws concerning parental and custodial rights. Our friend Mark Davis, author of Why Judge Suttle? is an active member of this worthwhile group who tirelessly gives of his time to ensure the quality of family life in Alabama. Thank you for all you do, Mark.

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Family members tell us that Brandi Lee Campbell has been apprehended and is currently incarcerated in the Muscle Shoals Jail. We wish them the best in getting help for Ms. Campbell.


Shoalanda

Just Say Nay - Dump the Dump!

A Letter to All Citizens of Florence & All Other Conservation-Minded Individuals:

It's been said "You can't fight City Hall." Well, we say we can--especially if City Hall is wrong. We are asking all residents of Florence to take part in this campaign to save the Florence Golf and Country Club. While we firmly believe 95% of a municipality's business should be just that--theirs and no one else's, something of the magnitude and beauty of this property belongs to the Shoals, just as does the New Deal mural in the future Tuscumbia City Hall.

While trash and garbage are a fact of life, that does not mean we should give these dregs of day-to-day living a place of prominence in our community. Perhaps the next step would be to raze the 1948 Art Deco Rogers Department Store building and install pay toilets. We have every confidence that the elected and appointed officials of Florence can design a plan for solid waste disposal that does not include the destruction of 157 acres of beautifully landscaped property and an edifice of architectural integrity.

We ask you to call or e-mail the following Florence officials with your concerns:


District I - Sam Pendleton - 760-6401, spendle@bellsouth.net


District 2 - Dick Jordan - 760-6402, djordan@mjcarterins.com


District 3 - Hermon Graham - 760-6403, hermon1@comcast.net


District 4 - Barry Morris - 760-6404, bkmorris@una.edu


District 5 - James Barnhart - 760-6405, jhbarnhart142@comcast.net


District 6 - Andy Betterton - 760-6406, andy@abetterton.com


The first, and perhaps only, vote on this issue will be Tuesday, November 17th, at 5:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building auditorium. We encourage all who can to be there. We humbly and sincerely ask everyone to make a long and loud protest of this purchase to the above named council members.

Thank you,

Shoalanda (E. A. Truitt, publisher)

"Duh " Award Goes to Florence's Barry Morris

Those who read our May 21st blog will recall the opposition of some North Florence residents to a proposed patio home development. Tuesday night, the Florence City Council approved the zoning change measure.

Council member Barry Morris, who toils by day as a professor of economics at UNA, cast one of the two dissenting votes. After the meeting, Morris made the following not so pedantic statement:

"I believe we're on the verge, gentlemen, of making a very bad precedent in the development of Florence," Morris said, where land adjacent to R-1 zones will become zoned at a higher R-2 density.

Mr. Morris, unless all of Florence is zoned R-1, there are already many R-1 districts adjacent to those regulated as R-2; you may even find some that connect to business districts if you look closely. You have displayed as much illogical reasoning as those who have opposed this project, a development that will replace a trailer park no less. For your district's sake, please think before you issue any more statements to the press.

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In addition to Tina Parker, Polly Ruggles has announced her intentions to run for Colbert County District Judge. Ruggles is a cousin by marriage to Federal Attorney Alice Martin. Among her qualifications listed is "mother." Perhaps she also makes a fantastic apple pie?

Morris photo courtesy of UNA