Winners...Plus Some Users & Abusers

Winners: Congratulations to those who are being sworn into office today. William Smith tells us that the investiture ceremonies for Billy Jackson, Carole Medley, and Gil Self will be at 3:00 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Courtroom of the Lauderdale County Courthouse. The public is invited to attend the event.

Users: There seem to be new storms brewing concerning the renovation of Sweetwater Mansion, aka the Weeden Home. We have no idea how many underage (or adult) volunteers are involved in the interior part of the restoration, but O.B.'s thoughts on the matter are well worth reading...

Sweetwater...Fail...Part I

Abusers: We offer the following account in the "For What It's Worth Department." This short narrative of Andrea Gonzalez' death was sent to us quite some time ago. If it should be true, it's unfortunate that the tale doesn't include the disposition of the body. We doubt the skull found in the Fox Trap Community north of Russellville is that of the missing girl. If it should be, we would hope either Kim or Paul Gonzalez would come forward with more information concerning Andrea's death.

An alleged communication from Kim to her mother that was then forwarded to a third party:

Andrea was in bed between me and Paul. I heard her gagging and I woke up. She had vomited all over herself and had wet the bed. I took her to the bathroom and took off her pajamas. I tried to clean her up with a towel, but she kept fidgeting, so I decided to put her in the tub.

I ran the water and lifted Andi into the tub and she started screaming. I didn't think the water was that hot, but I lifted her out. She just kept on screaming. I told her to be quiet and not to wake up Paul. I figured he was pretty much out of it, but he didn't like to be woke up.

I got some Noxema and started putting it on her legs, but that just made her cry harder and she started to yell. In comes Paul and he was mad. He told her to shut up, but she didn't. Finally he slapped her and she fell and hit her head on the tub. I kept trying to wake her up, but she wouldn't come to. He didn't mean to do it.

A drug addicted prostitute for a mother, an abusive pot-head for a father, and a pregnant easily-controlled stepmother--which of these three was capable of raising Andrea? Obviously none of them. We hear over and over, "I would never give my child up to the state," or "I could never let my child be adopted." Really? Would you rather he or she ended up like Andrea? Think about it.



Shoalanda

Praise the Lord & Pass the Confetti!

Billy Jackson easily defeated Jimmy Sandlin to become the next Lauderdale County Circuit Judge!


Congratulations, Billy!

Say Yes To...

Say "No" to Immorality
Say "Yes" to Integrity
Vote for Billy Jackson for Lauderdale Circuit Judge

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Say "No" to Paternalism
Say "Yes" to Dedication
Vote for Sherrie Perkins for Lauderdale Board of Education

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Say "No" to Nepotism
Say "Yes" to Honesty
Vote for Terrell Potter for Franklin County Sheriff

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As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. - Joshua 24:15

Shoalanda

Josh Willingham Endorses Billy Jackson/Cherokee Moving Toward Bedlam

Josh Willingham, Florence native and Washington Nationals baseball player, has endorsed Billy Jackson for Lauderdale County Circuit Court Judge Place 1. In Josh's own words:

I would like to encourage all voters to vote for Billy on July 13th. He will lead by example, experience and integrity as your Circuit Court Judge. A family man for your Family Court Judge. I don't believe you could make a better choice!"

We couldn't have said it better--he will lead by example--a family man for your Family Court Judge. If you're tired of "do as I say, not as I do" politicians, if you're sick of politicians using your tax dollars to give their friends a job, vote for Billy Jackson on Tuesday, July 13th.

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Two days ago we published a guest commentary by C. R. concerning the Leighton Police Department. We will be publishing some interesting feedback concerning that column tomorrow, but today we again publish a commentary from C. R. who was present at the Cherokee Town Council Meeting last night.

The Burger King Four Ride Again

After the resignation of the Cherokee district four councilman, the balance of power shifted and the power the former Mayor Mignon “Mullet” Willis held was diminished. Glover, Malone, and Franks were in the back pocket of Mignon Willis. The citizens of Cherokee held out hope that the newly appointed councilwomen would bring a balance to the council, where both sides would have to talk and compromise. Those hopes and dreams were crushed Tuesday night. The new District Four Councilwomen Mason voted lock step with the burger king three. Now with a new member, the burger king four ride again and have the power to pass anything that the puppet master wants.

During the meeting Councilman Steve Glover stated we already have made a decision and Councilwomen Mason stated we have already called the Alabama League of Municipalities. This call did not happen during the meeting and how can the council already discuss an issue before it was discussed. A meeting before a meeting...hope the Alabama Sunshine Law was not broken. Councilwomen Lambert made a motion to pay the city's bills and no one seconded the motion, it died. If the city owes you money, well you are not getting it.

Last week the city clerk moved her desk so it would not be in front of the video camera. Councilwomen Lambert made a motion to move the desk back and take some blinds down in the clerk's office and no one seconded the motion, it died. After several citizens reported that the city clerk was at a ballgame last week while still clocked in at work, Councilwomen Lambert made a motion to set the work hours at 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. with a lunch break between Noon - 1:00 p.m. No one would second the motion and Councilman Steve Glover made a motion to table the decision on the matter. Councilwomen Mason stated the clerk is on salary and she should be allowed to take lunch when she wants to. Attention Cherokee Citizens, if you have city business, make sure to read your crystal ball before going to city hall, the city clerk might be there or might not.

During a discussion of city employees, Councilman Steve Glover stated Mayor Lansdell could not create another job position. Mayor Lansdell informed Glover a position was not created, an open part time city clerk position was filled. Glover stated the position was not open because Miss Watkins was filling the position of part time city clerk. Mayor Lansdell informed Steve Glover that his mother-in-law Miss Watkins hurt herself at city hall, has filed suit against the city and no longer works here. The Mayor told Glover, to make sure you understand, your mother-in-law is fired and Marsha Allen is hired. The crowd at city hall started to clap and cheer. The crowd was behind Mayor Lansdell and Councilwomen Lambert all night.

To show your support or displeasure with the council please call them and let them know how you feel.

District 1 - J.O. Franks (256) 359-4696

District 2 - Daniel S. Glover, Jr. (256) 359-4364

District 3 - Michael Q. Malone (256) 359-6413

District 4 - Patricia W. Mason (256) 359-4220

District 5 - Thelma Lambert (256) 359-4921

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What's up with this: Do UNA football players and the children of UNA employees get a free pass to break the law on campus? Stay tuned...

Shoalanda

Wash Your Mouth Out Or...

...killing two vivisectionists with one stone.

Certain words have always been unacceptable in polite society. We have it on good authority that they still are; it's just that less and less of society is polite these days.

Does anyone care? It seems some sites do have language filters, and that brings us to the TimesDaily forum. One can't post the word "fag" as a colloquialism for a cigarette. In fact, one can't even post the word Glucophage, since that's so obviously a way to call someone a homosexual. I trust you're following the TimesDaily's reasoning, since we aren't. What you can say is p*ssed off, or t**d, or several similar words that don't convey a strong anathema or social condemnation.

Are filters even the answer to this problem, or is it even a problem? We're not going to attempt to answer that question since our blog today is not about vulgarities, but the misuse and misspelling or common words--even if it took us two paragraphs to get there. There is logic to this approach; if the average person will strive to use words correctly, perhaps he or she will not feel the need to curse in order to express themselves. Let's look at some horrible and very public gaffes.

The Praisin' Cajun - We've all seen his online ads, but would you buy a car from someone who thinks "y'all" is spelled "ya'll?"

Bernie Delinski - This TimesDaily staffer once admitted he'd never heard the work "fob" and today suggested that inmate "trustees" perform work at the old Tuscumbia Post Office. We're pretty sure once they've been convicted, they're no longer trustees of any organization. Could Bernie have meant "trusties?"

Billy Jackson - Yes, we do think he will make a fantastic Lauderdale Circuit Court Judge, but we're also pretty sure he's not an "alumni" of UNA as his website informs us. Mr. Jackson is an "alumnus."

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Now, for that second vivisectionist... OB's Corner recently featured a blurb for handmade specialty soaps. If you've never used any of these luxurious highly-scented soaps, you've been missing a real treat. Patricia Daniel sells her Daniel Tradition soaps at First Fridays in downtown Florence.

If you can't wait until the next First Friday, K's Cove in Elgin has a large selection of handmade soaps in a variety of fragrances, plus other handmade gifts and a huge selection of used paperbacks.

Between Patricia and K, we should have enough soap for the political name-calling season.

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We may have to apologize to Quinton Hanson for stating he hasn't taken a real stand on any issues. We see where he recently Tweeted about the security dangers of the office copy machine. Well, we didn't say it was a logical stand.


Shoalanda

Money...or Justice?

Money...or Justice

A Guest Commentary by

Germaine Lauderdale

People initiate legal proceedings in court to obtain justice. But what is there to do when none is found?

It is especially risky to speak an ugly truth publicly, but how can change occur without awareness?

For an observer to understand, information is required. One must know the conditions at a particular home, what forced a family to court in the first place, what the judge knew, how the court intervened (or failed to intervene), as well as what resulted.

Getting information to the public is a risk, emotionally, physically, and financially. Public judgment heaped on top of these already heavy burdens helps no one. Is the messenger the appropriate target?

Read the forums. Read the websites. Read the blogs. Examine who endorses whom and for what purpose. Like attracts like. Supporters know the illegal, immoral, and unethical actions, and still, they are using the full might of their reputations, their money, their time, their energy to endorse a very weak man who has shown us, over and over and over again, the stuff of which he is made.

"The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them." Maya Angelou's words are applicable.

We have seen his work for six years in our area. This election affects our families and friends; it matters in the most important ways.

Be an informed voter in the upcoming run-off election. The information is there for you because someone took the risks necessary to provide it.

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When we received the above guest commentary, it was without title. We have taken the liberty of naming this blog, taking the title from Jimmy Sandlin's political ads. He says there's one million reasons to vote for him--the one million dollars in court and social work funding he states he's responsible for. Money talks, but in this instance we hope every voter in Lauderdale County will also hear the echo of ethics that have been kicked to the curb.

Wednesday's TimesDaily published a photo of Billy Jackson with his wife and four daughters. This picture of a united family was worth more than a thousand words. In fact, it's worth more that Jimmy Sandlin's million reasons.

We proudly endorse Billy Jackson in the July 13th runoff. One million dollars can't come close to buying what this man possesses and what he will bring to the office of Circuit Court Judge.


Shoalanda

Titanic Tuesday

No, we don't think the state is sinking like a certain ocean liner from the last century; we feel this is one of the largest and most important elections for Alabama and its Northwest counties in many years, if not decades. We urge everyone to vote today. It's your future--take control.

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Good luck to all those whom we endorsed. We also wish the best to Chad Coker, James Hall II, John Odem, and Billy Jackson--all fine candidates who, if they should be chosen by the electorate, would make great District and Circuit judges.

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Our poll in the Colbert County District Judge's race closed at 1:59 this morning. With 549 votes cast, the results were as follows:

Parker - 198
Coker - 187
Ruggles - 70
Milam - 51
Johnson -43

We look forward to comparing our results with tonight's actual tabulations.

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In the next few days we will be launching a blog directory for the Shoals Area. If you have a blog not currently listed with us, please email us the pertinent data. All listings are free.


Shoalanda

In Judge Sandlin's Locker

In a recent blog, we asked what kind of change Judge Jimmy Sandlin had brought to the Lauderdale Circuit Court. We stated that the lives of Judge Sandlin's family have certainly changed since he was elected on the platform of saving marriages. One of Judge Sandlin's children has contacted us to say that he supports his father in all that has happened and has taken part in Sandlin's advertising campaign.

Our statement holds, but we have no desire to hurt Judge Sandlin's family. We have stressed to this young man that he is welcome to write a blog for us and we will be happy to publish it; however, it appears he does not wish to.

How about other change that Sandlin has wrought? Obviously, for every winner in family court, there is a loser, but we have previously been impressed by the work that Patricia Locker has done to bring certain court problems to light.

Patricia has begun a website called In Judge Sandlin's Locker. We invite you to visit this informative site and judge for yourself.

Yes, we support Willson Jenkins, a man we think will make a great judge. If there should be runoff between Sandlin and Billy Jackson, we will support Jackson. Let's bring morality back to the bench.

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Shoals Republican Club Hosts

Alabama State Senate Candidates

Jerry Freeman and Angela Laughlin

Thursday, May 27th

The Shoals Republican Club will host Republican Alabama State Senate District #1 candidates Angela Laughlin and Dr. Jerry Freeman on Thursday, May 27th from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse Restaurant on Cox Creek Parkway in Florence.

Each candidate will be given time to introduce themselves and speak about the important issues facing our state and the Shoals area. Alabama State Senate District #1 encompasses all of Lauderdale County and a portion of Colbert County, including Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, and Sheffield. The Republican Primary for Alabama State Senate District #1 is Tuesday, June 1^st.

The Shoals Republican Club meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month. All meetings of the Shoals Republican Club are open to the public. For more information, contact Shoals Republican Club President William Smith at (256) 767-4529, or ShoalsRepublicanClub@gmail.com.

Shoalanda

Lauderdale Circuit Judge Place 1 - Not a Hard Choice

It is an honor and the fulfillment of a life-long dream to serve as your Family Court Judge. My heart and passion has always been for this Court. It is here that I can best apply my experience and background to make a difference in individual lives. - Jimmy Sandlin


Jimmy Sandlin has certainly changed many lives during his present term as Place 1 Circuit Court Judge in Lauderdale County--just ask his wife and children how their lives have changed. Or perhaps you could ask the taxpayers how they feel concerning those who benefited from the new jobs Sandlin created in the legal and social systems revolving around family court.

Just say no to Jimmy Sandlin, but if not Sandlin, who? Former District Attorney Billy Jackson and Florence attorney Willson Jenkins are opposing Sandlin in the June 1st Democratic primary. Jackson has previously run as a Republican, but now wears the mantle of the Democratic Party--quite a change in political direction. Jackson's website offers little but the basic rhetoric associated with campaigns of this nature, leaving the voter to wonder what Jackson actually brings to the race other than a moral compass not seemingly in Sandlin's possession.

We invite our readers to look closely at Willson Jenkins, a candidate with a vision for Lauderdale County and its courts. No, it's not a hard choice; we're happy to endorse Willson Jenkins for Circuit Court Judge Place 1.

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Today is Mother's Day. We know that we have friends who have recently lost their mothers, and even for those whose mothers have been absent for some time, the day is always difficult. If you still have your mother, we hope you will make every day Mother's Day.

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We recently added Coffee with Cathy to our blog links. Cathy Wood is a freelance writer for the TotallyDecatur, uh, TimesDaily, and we think you'll enjoy her witty work. Today we're adding a new blog, OB's Corner. OB is responsible for the Shoals Trivia Contest and is also a fixture at many Shoals area forums.


Shoalanda

Who Murdered Little Miss Sunbeam's Killer? - Part V

Judge Mike Suttle took the charges of prosecutorial misconduct in the Donald Darling murder trial so seriously that he ordered a jury trial in the matter; however, the Lauderdale District Attorney's office appealed the ruling and won. Now, Darling was to face a second trial for the murder of Wilburn May Jr.

By May 2004, Darling had been released on bond, and Lauderdale District Attorney Steve Graham had resigned. Graham's successor, then Republican Billy Jackson, knew the Darling family socially and recused his office from the second trial. Even Judge Suttle's role was questioned due to his announced support of Darling's defense attorney Chris Connolly, Jackson's Democratic opponent in the upcoming election. Suttle refused to step down and presided over Darling's second trial, now moved to Decatur.

During the trial, the defense team introduced evidence that included an alibi for Darling and accusations against one of May's ex-wives as well as a known drug associate who had not been seen since May's murder. On July 23, 2004, a Morgan County jury found Donald Wayne Darling II not guilty of the murder of Junior May. Suttle then authorized protection for the Darling family as they left the courthouse due to alleged threats from the May family. Darling himself spoke of his relief to have an unencumbered future.

What did Donald Darling do with his freedom? Less than four months later, the now 20 year-old Darling was accused of attempting to break into a condom vending machine at a Central Heights mini-mart. He pleaded innocent to the misdemeanor charge. Two years later, Darling was arrested for breaking into a convenience store to steal cigarettes; a short time later an intoxicated Darling was arrested by an observant off-duty deputy immediately after breaking into a truck in the Central community.

Do Darling's post acquittal criminal actions indicate he was in reality guilty of killing Junior May? They certainly indicate Donald Wayne Darling II placed little value on his freedom. As for who did murder Little Miss Sunbeam's killer, one of the strangest cases in Shoals crime history is still officially open.


What's up with this: Does Parker Griffith morphing from Democrat to Republican cancel out Billy Jackson changing his affiliation from Republican to Democrat?

Shoalanda

Billy Jackson Has Grown Donkey Ears

Perhaps we should call him Bottom...it seems the former Republican District Attorney is now sporting long ears and referring to himself as a Democrat. To what end?

From 2002 until 2004, Billy Jackson served as Lauderdale County District Attorney, but lost his appointed position to Democrat Chris Connolly in the next general election. Later, Gov. Bob Riley asked Jackson to consider running as a Republican for State Senate District 1; however, Jackson demurred due to the demands of his private law practice.

Now, Billy Jackson has announced that he, like Willson Jenkins, will seek the position of Family Court judge. Perhaps those who have informed us Jimmy Sandlin will renege on his promise not to seek re-election were mistaken, and Jackson calculates his best chance will be as a Democrat? Perhaps there are other reasons?

If Jimmy Sandlin does run for a second term, the anti-Sandlin vote could be evenly split between Jackson and Jenkins--not a happy prognostication. In any event, Jackson's entry into the fray almost assures a runoff in the Democratic primary. Any Republicans left out there?

Photo by Matt McKean


Will Rogers: "I'm not a member of any organized political party. I'm a Democrat."

Shoalanda

Billy Jackson

Much has already been written about the selection of Lauderdale Circuit Judge Mike Suttle‘s successor. While the ShoalsInsider reported six attorneys have applied in the initial selection process, another source has e-mailed us that in fact seven contacted selection committee head Leslie Johnson before the January 29th deadline. First reports on any news item are usually subject to change; therefore, the discrepancy is not surprising.

The ShoalsInsider has also published the names of five of the probable candidates, something the TimesDaily has so far not addressed. Whether the SI list is totally correct or not, one name stands out--that of Billy Jackson.

For a short time, Jackson was a Republican District Attorney for Lauderdale County and proved the office could be run efficiently and fairly. Let us hope that Mr. Jackson is indeed one of the applicants and will make the committee’s short list. The committee has previously stated that the application for the position did not inquire political affiliation. Certainly this is desirable; however, most of the members are long time associates of the local bar and know who belongs to which party. Whether that will make a difference in their vetting process remains to be seen.

No matter your political preference, don’t fail to make your wishes known to Gov. Bob Riley. We here in North Alabama are often treated as the proverbial step-child; we need to let Montgomery know we are here and we vote.


Reminder: There have been three fires in the Shoals area within the past 24 hours. Households with pets should remember to place decals in both front and back windows for the benefit of emergency personnel.