UNA Football v. Muscle Shoals High School Football

Three years ago, a third-string UNA football player tweeted a racist remark about the president. He was kicked off the team. We have no idea how many followers this young man had on Twitter; however, there were obviously complaints. Did UNA do the right thing? Well...he was third string, and we consider it no great loss if he'd been first string.

Fast forward to last month, and a man with a large Facebook following posted a highly critical meme concerning Chris Balentine, one that we felt was well deserved. Many commented, including several Muscle Shoals football players.

One woman had added some critical comments to the post, using no profanity, no racism, nothing that could have been found offensive. One Muscle Shoals player offered the extremely erudite rebuttal that the woman was a "lowdown f**king whore." My, my, did he learn those words from Coach Balentine?

No matter where he learned them, nothing was done to the young man. The entire post was later removed from Facebook. We'll be sure to check on the whereabouts of this young man in about five years.

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It's been reported that there was a called meeting of city officials in Sheffield last night. We have no other information on this, but welcome any from readers.

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Shoalanda

Updates on Sheffield Lawsuit/Chris Balentine

First we have a correction/addendum from a confidential source regarding the Tammy Holden termination hearing:

The council did see the emails but Steve Baccus said they were irrelevant to the case. Underwood had asked that Ian Sanford be a witness and be cross-examined which Baccus and the council said they would not do. Ian was called as a witness which the city council overrode. He was not allowed to be cross-examined by Holden's attorney. 

Ian was also asked to recuse himself from voting because of the hostile environment, emails, and recorded statement from him saying Holden's attire was appropriate. Sanford initially said he never said that, but acquiesced when he heard the secretly recorded conversation.

We also want to add that Streets & Sanitation Department head Bradley Bump's wife now works for the Tuscumbia Parks and Recreation Department. Somehow that doesn't sound less stressful.

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Meanwhile in Lauderdale County, we hear that Muscle Shoals Coach Chris Balentine's wife has filed for divorce. 

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Also in Lauderdale, Mackenzie Crosswhite remains missing. This is her second bunk, and we commented on a linked article that she should be grounded for life. Some felt she was the victim in all this. We have no idea what her emotional problems may be, but we do know her father is extremely worried about her. She's 17; she has to know what kind of impact this kind of thing has on others, as well as her own education (how much school has she missed?). Above all, we hope she is found safe. Here is a link to information concerning Mackenzie; it contains an updated physical description and more on the man the teenager is believed to have left with.

Mackenzie Crosswhite Missing

Shoalanda

Steve Modas Calls Out Chad Holden

From the Wife Beaters Should Not Be Allowed to Be Teachers Page:

Chad Holden has still not gotten back with me. These questions still remain unanswered . I never thought he would. Chad Holden is the most self centered person you will ever meet. He's principal of Muscle Shoals High School and on the School Board in Lauderdale County... I think he thinks he is too good to answer my questions... These are the questions I would like you to answer Chad Holden...I would like to know if you we're consulted in the decision to only give coach Balentine a 5 day suspension.... The news articles I read said that the superintendent consulted with the athletic director but your never mentioned you . As principal were you consulted ? If not why not ? Do you agree with his slap on the wrist punishment for breaking his wife's nose ? Does it bother you ? Do you think he should be around students without first at least getting some help ? Do you think what he did was worse than a girl coming to class with her hair dyed red ? You told her she couldn't come back until her hair was dyed back to its natural color ... You don't think your Coach should have had to wait until he had anger management classes ? You probably won't answer this and I guess you have that right but I'm going to make sure everyone knows that you won't answer these questions if you don't. My last question is are you concerned and will you take responsibility if he ever lost it at school like he did Halloween night and hurts a student and if you do think it's ok for him to continue teaching will you resign if he ever does ?

Editor's Note: Holden is not running for re-election in Lauderdale County.

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We're still waiting for info on just who was paying for Chris Balentine's "work" cell phone that was at the center of the melee Halloween night...

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A reader from Muscle Shoals has asked who profits from the advertising revenue produced from the LED reader-board at the high school. We have no idea. Anyone know? We do know that one advertiser is Adam Rue Auto Sales.

Shoalanda

Three Wise Readers Comment on Coach

Reader No. 1: Alabama needs more laws like it needs more legislators, but there should be one that prevents two drunk parents from calling on an underage child to drive them home when they're falling down drunk. What kind of memories will this young man have?

Reader No. 2: An awful lot of effort is being expended on a certain Muscle Shoals football coach in an apparent effort to make an incident of domestic violence 'go away'. Are such efforts usually afforded all others accused of domestic violence? Shouldn't the actions of a college-educated individual charged with the education of our children be held to a higher standard?

Reader No. 3: In regards to the 5 days suspension. Something that is being missed is that Balentine pleading guilty and being sentenced is an active sentence till he fulfills the terms of the pre-trial diversion.

Which means, until he completes the intervention for domestic violence/anger management and alcohol abuse intervention programs, he is under a conviction.

There would be grave consequences for a school system if, during this period of treatment, he were to violate the terms of his pre-trial diversion or have a fit of rage on or off school campus or during school sanctioned activities. Should that happen, anyone subject to being present or a victim of his illness can, and should, take everyone to court that has a part in his being on the public payroll and around our children.

The scuttle butt around town is how Lindsey publicly showed how insignificant Holden is. His comment about talking to attorney (Huntsville firm) and the AD to come to a decision...

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Shoalanda