Apologies to the Shoals' Own "Jimmy Carter" - Judge Daniel Rosser

 

The news has recently been full of stories about President Jimmy Carter. Invariably, everyone who knows him has only high praise for him. In that sense he reminds us of Colbert Probate Judge Daniel Rosser.

Recently our blogger J. Redmon spotted a golf cart in downtown Tuscumbia that he thought belonged to someone transporting two very young children over city neighborhoods and, understandably, wanted it brought to light. Unfortunately, he was mistaken. 

However, it did prove how many who knew that it was Daniel's cart were extremely upset by the photo we posted. We hope that Daniel will forgive our enormous snafu.

In the meantime, J. is still looking for the rogue cart...

Pray for Daniel Rosser

The fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much. Let's hope that many righteous people take time to pray for Judge Daniel Rosser.

This past weekend, Judge Rosser had what his physicians are calling a second stroke. He remains in NI in Huntsville Hospital at this time and is not allowed visitors.

Please pray that the neurologists can determine what is causing Daniel's problems. Also, please pray for his family who are supporting him at this time.

Daniel has done much for Colbert County and the entire Shoals area. Taking time to say a fervent prayer in his behalf is not too much to ask.

Daniel Rosser Has Work to Do/50K in Overdrafts?

 Downtown Leighton, Alabama Business District

After we published our blog on voter apathy and poll worker malfeasance in Leighton yesterday, a reader suggested we do more than report the problem to our readers. Current Colbert County Probate Judge Tommy Crosslin pooh-poohed the incident of 50 District 5 voters receiving District 4 ballots. Since the buck stops with the probate judge, we would have expected some promise of "getting to the bottom" of it, but perhaps Crosslin felt he couldn't comment further since he's soon leaving office.

That brings us to Daniel Rosser. We supported, and support, Dan since we feel he's the most qualified for the position. We don't expect Mr. Rosser to do miracles within 24 hours of taking office, but we do expect more efficiently run elections in future. We hope to publish a comment from Dan shortly.

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It would seem Leighton has more pressing problems than poorly informed poll workers. It's been reported that approximatley 50K in payments to Leighton's waste disposal department were co-mingled with water department funds and apparently never returned.

Does one city department have to sue another city department in order to make this right? Again, the TimesDaily simply reported the situation, but asked no questions concerning how this happened and what was being done to correct it.

The TD also reported that Leighton had 50K in overdraft charges during the past year. Just a thought here, but after around one or two thousand in such charges, wouldn't the town learn not to write checks when there was no money in its accounts? Novel idea, we're sure, but it's worked for us.



Shoalanda

...For Tuesday We Vote/Autumn Wood

While every election is important, so many voters don't research, or sometimes even bother to check their ballot in, local elections. We hope each of you will vote Tuesday, no matter how you mark your ballots. Here are our picks on some pivotal local spots:

State:

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court - Bob Vance. Vance is a man of integrity; his opponent Roy Moore is a grandstander who cares only for himself.

Lauderdale County:

Probate Judge - William Smith. William is a practicing attorney with vast experience in service to his community and local causes.

Commission Chair - Quinton Hanson. Quinton owns a successful local business, and do we really need another term for Dewey Mitchell, the man Sam Pendleton has called the worst probate judge Lauderdale County has ever had? Quinton has promised more transparency in county government. Now that will be refreshing.

Commissioner District 1 - Roger Garner. Roger is a level headed businessman who promises not to use this office for personal vendettas.

Commissioner District 2 - Joe Hackworth. Joe is not aligned with any cliques and promises to bring a breath of educated fresh air to county government.

Superintendent of Education - Jennifer Gray. Jennifer not only has the best interest of the county school system at heart, she also has the "pieces of paper" to make her the best choice.

Colbert County:

Probate Judge - Daniel Rosser. Daniel is a practicing attorney. Jim Bonner has many good points, but no legal education and until only recently resided outside Colbert County.

Commissioner District 5: Tommy Oswalt. Tommy is a local businessman with no apparent hidden agenda.

Franklin County:

Probate Judge - Barry Moore. Barry has served well the past five years. His opponent failed to show up for the NWSCC sponsored debate. Connie Green has run more on the record of her late husband than on the platform of her vision for Franklin County.

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We continue to receive questions and comments concerning Autumn Marie Wood, the confessed killer of 14 year-old Brooklyn Ann Hollins. Therefore, we're republishing some facts of the case, along with some educated guesses concerning her fate.

Fact - Wood was denied juvenile status and will be tried as an adult.

Fact - Wood is charged with only Felony Murder. She cannot receive either the death penalty or a sentence of Life Without Parole.

Prediction: The Lauderdale County District Attorney's office will give the jury the option of convicting Wood of Manslaughter. In this way, there is a greater chance Wood will not go free.

Fact: If convicted of Manslaughter, Wood will almost certainly receive the maximum of 15 years. Since it is a Class B felony, she will complete her sentence in five years (assuming good behavior) and also be eligible for parole in 20 months.

Fact: If convicted of Felony Murder, Wood will be eligible for parole after 10 years--sooner if she has support from community and competent attorneys.

Prediction: We're giving 51-49 odds that Wood will be convicted of Manslaughter.



Shoalanda

Daniel Rosser is the Man/Parole Protest

Daniel Rosser J.D.

Long time Colbert County Probate Judge Tommy Crosslin is retiring. Races for such seats are always interesting, and we've been surprised that more candidates didn't turn out for this position. Attorneys Daniel Rosser and Jenna Brooks Smith are both seeking the Democratic nomination.

Is one superior to the other? Yes and no. We've carefully looked at the resumes of each and they are surprisingly equal...except in one area: experience. Mrs. Smith could still be called wet behind the ears. That's not an insult; it's a simple fact.

Daniel Rosser is hardly elderly, but he has had enough experience that he should make the county one of the best probate judges in modern history. We sincerely hope Mrs. Smith will continue with her political aspirations and that we'll be seeing her on a ballot in the future.

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Darwin Scott Terry, who hanged himself in the Leighton jail late Saturday night, was serving his sentence for drug possession in the community corrections program and would have been released on December 2, 2012, barring new charges. The Lawrence County man had previously served time for theft and forgery involving family members.

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Jeffrey Noel Rickard will soon have a parole hearing. Rickard should serve his sentence day for day. Why? He raped and sexually tortured a four year-old girl with a hammer. Real nice guy, huh? You may protest Rickard by contacting:

The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles

CENTRAL OFFICE

301 South Ripley Street
PO Box 302405
Montgomery, Al 36130-2405
Telephone:  (334) 353-7771, 353-8067
FAX:  (334) 242-1809
TDD:  (334)242-0110

Re: Jeffrey Noel Rickard, AIS#189728

Shoalanda

Colbert County Probate Judge Race Heats Up

Daniel Rosser is currently the only announced candidate for the office of Probate Judge in Colbert County, but that doesn't mean several more won't be involved in the final fray. Rosser is running as a Democrat, and will presumably run against incumbent Thomas Crosslin, assuming the current judge doesn't decide to retire.

On the Republican side, Tommy Oswalt, owner of the Trojan House Cafe' in Muscle Shoals, has stated his intention to stand as a Republican, and now Jim Bonner, former candidate for the state legislature, has also unofficially entered the fray.

Bonner's name has only just been added to the ShoalsInsider's poll on the race, but for what it may be worth, here are the current stats on the four candidates:



Related post: Daniel Rosser

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It's been quite some time since we've added to our Shoals eyesore list, but today we have a doozy. The former Dairy King building on Montgomery Avenue in Sheffield has stood vacant for many years, well over 20 according to M.C. who was kind enough to take this photo for us--a photo that says is all.

Who is the current owner? Could he be someone who has the funds to begin immediate restoration of this property? If so, why doesn't he care? More later...



Shoalanda

Daniel Rosser Escapes Just in Time

Charles Daniel Rosser Jr. is a very busy man these days. A graduate of Deshler High School, UNA, and the Birmingham School of Law, Daniel is currently a Democratic candidate for Colbert County Probate Judge.

However, the name Daniel Rosser may be more familiar to the Shoals area as the current attorney for the small Colbert County town of Cherokee. Since succeeding Rebecca Narmore, Rosser has not had smooth sailing in the position of town attorney, but neither would have any other lawyer. Now, Rosser has wisely submitted his resignation.

Rosser has pledged he will remain with the troubled town until a replacement can be found. Considering Cherokee's reputation, that may be some time. Officially, Rosser is the first candidate of either party to announce. Current probate judge Thomas Crosslin has held that position for a number of years and is rumored to be considering retirement. He also has collected nine votes on the Courthouse Forum as the worst judge in Alabama--extremely subjective voting, but something to consider.

We wish Mr. Rosser the best of luck in his campaign, as well as a speedy departure from Cherokee. We doubt that if elected Rosser will continue to list that post on his CV.

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Congratulation to Alfie Crosslin, the Dragon Dog, on being appointed the official mascot of the Renaissance Faire. We can't think of anyone who deserves it more.

Related post: Saluting Alfie Crosslin



Shoalanda