Rantings, Reports, or Tales from Cherokee?

Rantings, Reports, or Tales from Cherokee?

A Guest Commentary By

Pooh's Dad

I have read the so-called Cherokee tale about the fuel 5 times and I cannot make a lot of sense of all of it. How many calls did the fire dept answer in 2008, 2009? The amount of fuel attributed to the fire dept does not jibe with the amount of fuel a fire truck would burn. They get about 3 or 4 miles to the gallon; but they run constantly when on a fire or rescue call. In some instances they have been on-scene 8, 10, 12 hours or more. Duh??

Next the small amount shown for city equipment. It would take more fuel than shown just to cut the grass along the roadways. Again the back-hoes and tractors do not just start and stop every time they have to wait for other things to be done when they are on a street repair, etc. They do not get Mpg as you would measure.

I am not saying there may not be problem, but if you are going to write an article in an accusing manner, you should get your ducks in order and know whereof you speak.

It is a little transparent the way this person, (he, she, or it), is at times seeming to only show the side of Mignon and the Burger-king brigade. I for one, (even though I don't live in Cherokee) have never seen such B/S as this thing over fuel for the fire dept. I always just thought all towns paid for the fuel for the Fire-Dept. Next some idiot is going to complain about the gas for the squad cars.

I would be happy to discuss and see proof of all of these accusations.

Summer is coming and light bills will be going up so now would be the time to discuss that city-hall should only be cooled on the day of court and the night of city council meeting since most people who visit there are only on an in and out basis most of the time. Why cool the building 24/5? SAVE Money!!! RIDICULOUS??, yes but it makes as much sense as the fuel thing.

*****

From Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett concerning cruising on Jackson Avenue: “The problem that I see with it is not a real big issue, but it's going to take manpower from me to watch it.” Hmmm, he's going to watch it personally? Guess no one else is "unified" enough.



Shoalanda

The Opossum Fire & Who's On First (Responder)?

National Alabama Corporation - Building for Tomorrow; how apt a logo, since they don't seem to be building for today. Our source inside the plant feels an order for rail cars is inevitable, but can place no time frame on the much anticipated event. Apparently one thing management is not anticipating is a second fire, since our source has determined it was by management's order that the 50 plus fire hoses were removed last December.

The previous fire at National Alabama occurred in the early hours of Saturday, September 12, 2009, when an opossum invaded the plant's electrical sub-station. Gasoline powered generators kicked in when electrical power was interrupted, but vapors from the elevated equipment caused a ceiling/roof fire that damaged a 20 foot by 20 foot section of the plant. Per protocol, a 911 call went out to first responders, at that time the Barton Volunteer Fire Department.

Per our source, management at National Alabama was so disappointed in the leadership of the Barton force that it designated the better trained Cherokee department as the new first responder. While Barton would undoubtedly assist in the event of a major conflagration, Cherokee is indeed the fire department that would lead the other teams in attempting to quell the blaze. We doubt this is anything the Barton VFD announced in its newsletter.

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In the "For What It's Worth in Cherokee" department, a reader writes:

Thought I would let the good citizens of Cherokee know that Friday night when Melinda Malone was moving things out of her office to the new downtown city hall, Mignon was at the Middle School helping Melinda pack and move. Hummm, so she had access to all of the city documents that have been locked up, that even the mayor himself couldn't get into.

Our take? If ever a town needed a city manager, it's Cherokee.

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According to his blog, pedophile/sex offender advocate Derek Warren Logue has now finished relocating to Cincinnati. Until Logue's appearance on the scene, we were unaware of the existence of such advocates; the fact that they exist should reinforce our need to be ever vigilant of our children. We doubt that anyone is sorry to see Logue go...



Shoalanda

Groceries?/Barton Metro!/Coming Soon...

Reasons Not to Buy Groceries Before Snow

1. You have no teenagers who consume $100.00 of food every 12 hours.

2. You have a fridge the size of Wisconsin.

3. You have to justify the extra 2K expense for 4-Wheel drive on your vehicle.

4. You need to lose weight and when was Dan ever right anyway?

5. You need a great story of deprivation to tell your grandchildren.

*****

Several readers commented on Cherokee's role in any future fire at National Alabama. It seems the community of Barton has a volunteer fire department that would be in command of such a situation, with Cherokee as first backup. Locust Shores and other departments could be called in as needed.

We discussed chemical fires with one reader who tells us that even a small department would have some resources to fight such an event; however, we doubt it would be enough to control a flash fire in a mile-long facility.

Another reader broached the possibility that the hoses were not intentionally discarded, but stolen over the holiday break. We doubt that scenario due to the extensive security at the rail car plant; however, if true, after six weeks the hoses should have already been replaced.

For those in Cherokee who took great umbrage to our article...the intent was not to degrade the Colbert County town due to its financial problems, but to showcase the distinct possibility of great financial loss at National Alabama in case of a major fire.

*****

For those who do want another humorous look at Cherokee, be sure to check in tomorrow for J.J. Ray's latest take on the town and its financial crisis.

*****

Is someone expecting an AARP card this week? Happy birthday, Jim!



Shoalanda

!!! Fire Drill at National Alabama !!! or Murphy's Law at Work

We all know Murphy--he's that unlovable Irishman who makes sure "if it can go wrong, it will." Apparently Murphy has been working overtime at National Alabama, aka the Barton Rail Car Plant. Yesterday we presented three hypothetical murders; today we'll present a hypothetical fire...at the Shoals' largest hypothetical employer. Doesn't the phrase "hypothetical employer" really suit National Alabama?

After a fire at the Barton facility in August 2009, you know the manufacturing plant is on its toes to prevent any major recurrence...or at least it should be. We would think unannounced fire drills would be standard at National Alabama, the fallen star in the RSA's crown, so let's take a look at one.

The alarm sounds; employees scramble. Is is a drill or is it real? The smell of smoke wafts through the mile-long plant--it's real. Trained workers reach for the more than 50 fire hoses fitted strategically around the plant, but something's wrong. The hoses aren't there. Even worse, it's rumored they were tossed into a dumpster in one of the plant's routine renovations...this in a plant that could be considered unused...feel free to smile at that one.

That's right. Apparently over the two-week Christmas break all the fire hoses were removed from the building. Did someone think they weren't needed? After all, what in the mammoth plant would be highly inflammable? According to our source, plenty.

Among the highly combustible materials at National Alabama are paint, solvents, and cutting oils (all by the barrel full). Since welding is involved in rail car manufacture, there are also various compressed gases...and if the hypothetical fire should reach the ceiling? The roof is made of plywood and rubber.

Ah, but you, gentle reader, are saying, "Have no fear. The fire department will save the day." Really? Just which fire department has jurisdiction over Barton. If you guessed Chuck Lansdell's volunteer brigade from Cherokee you are indeed astute at geography.

The Cherokee Volunteer Fire Department, the same fire department that has just had it's fuel allocation slashed, the same fire department that is selling at least one of its trucks. Yes, that same Cherokee Fire Department will be the one to attempt to save National Alabama. Notice the adroit placement of the word "attempt" in the previous sentence.

We have to wonder what Dr. David Bronner would say if his beloved National Alabama burned to the ground. If the fire produces no injuries and the facility is properly insured, he just might breathe a sigh of relief.



Shoalanda

Florence Herald Reprints/Cherokee Eve of Destruction II

1884...the year the Florence Herald debuted. Some old issues are on microfilm at the Florence Library, but for those genealogists and historians who like to work in pj's, the Florence Herald is about to make it easier for you. Back issues starting in 1958 are now online. Scanning the entire Herald archives will be time consuming, so check back frequently for new issues or add your name to their e-mail list.

The Florence Herald Back Issues Online

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We received an interesting response concerning our Saturday blog:

"Why in the name of J. Edgar Hoover would Waco belong in a list of calamities/tragedies that affected innocent citizens?"

Answer:
Because 74 Innocent people, including more than 20 children, two pregnant women, and Koresh himself were massacred by their own government.

Sorry, sir, our government didn't massacre anyone, at least at Waco. Waco is a prime example of social Darwinism. We're pretty sure a logical argument won't change your conspiracy-filled mind, but here goes...

Were those at Waco in their own homes being battled by the elements (Katrina)?
Were those at Waco in school attempting to earn an education (Columbine/Virginia Tech)?
Were those at Waco serving our country (Columbia)?
Were those at Waco carrying on day to day business (Oklahoma City)?
Were those at Waco buying groceries or talking with their elected officials (Tucson)?

No, those at Waco were defying the orders of Federal Marshals...and you have sympathy for them. Please tell that to a young woman we know who lost her grandfather in the Oklahoma City bombing. We're quite sure she would have a much less cordial response than ours.

*****

And now more from C.R.:

Not So Non-Profit

Did you know that the Cherokee Rescue Squad charges the patients' private insurance? When a patient calls for an ambulance the Cherokee Rescue Squad charges the patient for the call, normally four to five hundred dollars. If the person does not have insurance nothing is charged.

Not to be out done, the Cherokee Fire Department charges five hundred dollars for a house fire. If you get into a wreck and become entrapped in your car, that will cost over one thousand dollars to free you. If the person does not have insurance nothing is charged.

Service Area

The Cherokee Fire Department service area is from Allsboro to Barton. The Cherokee Rescue Squad's service area is even bigger. The fire department has gone to Oakland to help on an entrapment and the rescue squad has done patient transfers to Memphis and Birmingham. When both departments return to town they fill up at the city gas pump. The Cherokee citizens should not have to pay for this.

Scared

These rumors have been circulating around Cherokee for awhile now. After the last council meeting I started to ask a few questions about the rescue squad. Within the last two weeks the Rescue Squad seems to be trying to silence this story. A local citizen claims they saw the rescue squad ambulances filling up at a local gas station. A source inside the rescue squad claims this is an attempt to stop these issues from coming up at the council meeting.

Illegal Fuel

A source inside the city hall claims the city does not have any on road vehicles that require diesel fuel. The only city equipment that requires diesel fuel is the city's backhoe.

Another source told me the fuel used by the fire department and rescue squad is off road diesel. It is illegal to drive any vehicle on the roadway that has off road diesel in the gas tanks. The person driving the vehicle and the person that supplied the fuel could be charged.

What Action Should be Taken?

No employee’s benefits or pay should be cut until all discretionary funds are cut. This would include diesel fuel for the two volunteer departments, the fire truck payment, funds for the library, and senior center. The city should cut off all funds until an audit is done on both volunteer departments. That should save the city around two thousand dollars a month. If that is not enough then cut the four hundred and thirty dollars payments. This would save the city around another two thousand a month for a total of four thousand dollars a month. That would be forty eight thousand a year saved. If that is not enough then make one of the city/sewer workers part time. That would save another two thousand a month. The city only had one full time city/sewer worker until the Willis administration.

Conclusion

The Cherokee Rescue Squad and Fire Department receive grants, Property tax add-ons, and insurance payments. No city worker's pay or benefits should be cut until all discretionary funds are eliminated. There is a rumor that the city council will use a state law and make a move to replace the fire chief and fire marshal. If they are not willing to help the city get out of financial trouble then it might be the time to use that law and replace them.

The Colbert County Sheriff’s Department needs to investigate the allegations about stolen money at the Cherokee Rescue Squad. It could help build their 911 case.

Do not give either volunteer department money until an independent audit is done. If the Cherokee Rescue Squad and Fire Department want free fuel from the city then the city council should appoint all of their officers and board members.

If the rescue squad has really started to buy their fuel, the city council should still officially vote to cut it off.

Another possible solution could be to temporarily make the cuts till June. At that time reevaluate the need for the cuts.

Shoalanda