The Most Important Florence Election: Mayor

 

With seven candidates in the Florence mayoral race, a runoff is a given. Who will be the candidates?

Our prediction is Ron Tyler against either Steve Holt or Bill Griffin. Do we have a preference?

In the 2020 election, we supported Mayor Steve Holt. We were surprised that he lost to such an ineffectual candidate as Andy Betteron, even by 11 votes. We believe many Florence citizens learned their lesson during the past five stormy years.

If not for outside interference, we believe Mayor Holt would be well on his way to a third term. Do we believe he now should be given a second term?

That time may have passed. Is it time for another candidate to occupy the mayor's office? We posit that it is.

We encourage you to vote for Bill Griffin on August 26th. 

Bill Griffin's Campaign Calls Out Ron Tyler etal.

 

This video on behalf of Bill Griffin carries a wallop. We found it interesting that Mr. Dale didn't mention Billy Ray Simpson or Ricky Pickett (Yes, Pickett is back...again).

Trevor Dale Video

Every voting citizen of Florence should listen to Mr. Dale's words. Our city can do better. It's time someone stood up and did the right thing.

Doesn't Bill Griffin Make the Rounds in his District?

 

A house fire on Colorado Avenue in District 3 has claimed the life of one victim. Below is a Google photo of the property from October 2022:

Obviously the city building inspector needed to talk to the home's owner about the dangers of excess items on the porch and around the house. We understand that it's customary for Florence council members not only to take calls from citizens about these areas of concern, but to make regular drives, or even walks, on the streets in his/her district.

How did Bill Griffin miss this? The property had been in this condition for one year at least. If one does a quick Google street view of the entire street, this appears to be the only home in need of serious attention. Rep. Griffin had to have known about this home and the dangers it presented.

Perhaps Griffin was too entranced by the roadster out front to notice the dwelling itself?

*****

Bill Griffin Announces Candidacy for Mayor

 

Bill Griffin, a retired Florence educator, is currently the representative for District 3 in that city. Last week, he announced his candidacy for mayor of Florence. Griffin is the first to announce in that race, which is predicted to bring out several candidates seeking to replace current beleaguered mayor Andy Betterton.

We won't examine Griffin's entire platform at this time, but do want to address three aspects of his announcement:

1. Griffin mentions his support of a Salvation Army program (without actually mentioning the name of the church itself). As more and more has become known about the Salvationist Church, fewer have supported the organization. Many will find his mention of the church project less than desirable.

2. Griffin refers to the citizens of Districts 1 and 3 as feeling neglected and overlooked. Whether that's true or not, he does not represent District 1 which is the district of Ms. Kaytrina Simmons. Most citizens, when asked to compare, would rate Simmons' work with the council as highly superior to Griffin's. We would love to know how Kaytrina feels about being brought into this announcement.

3. Griffin made mention of many areas of Florence that need more support, yet failed to mention the underfunded animal services. We find this extremely troubling. We already have a mayor who has abandoned the FLAS, we certainly don't need another. 

There you have the first announced candidate for Florence mayor. We eagerly await those to come.

*****

Hello there, I'm Britta. I'm a beautiful beagle mix that's only three years-old. I'm waiting for you...yes, I am! Please come see me at the Florence shelter in the industrial park:

Think You're Above the Law? Bill Griffin Does

 

Regular readers know that our blog is a big supporter of following laws, regulations, and codes. Unfortunately, most individuals seem to think that these laws are merely suggestions or that they're above the law.

In case you're not aware, most cities, including Florence, have a law against operating an unmodified golf cart on city streets. Now Bill Griffin, the representative for District 3, has made a promotional video for East Florence in which he rides off on a cart headed east on Huntsville Road. (Approximately 2:30 on the video.)

Could any of us expect to do the same no matter our good intentions and not be given a citation? Hint: Don't bet your rent on it.

From the FPD: Golf carts on roadways are a dangerous mix.
According to an Attorney General's Opinion, a golf cart IS a motor vehicle within the definition of section 32-1-1.1(32) of the Code of Alabama that may NOT be used upon the sidewalk or sidewalk area.
A golf cart is NOT a vehicle within the definition of sections 32-1-1.1(81) or 40-12-240(27) of the Code of Alabama and, therefore, may NOT be used to traverse the public streets of a municipality.
Please, no golf carts in neighborhoods. Leave them on the farm or on the course!