Get Their Goat--Get Informed!

Starting today, we're adding the Goat Hill widget to our blog. Many of the bills being introduced in our legislature concern the Shoals; many concern all citizens of Alabama. To paraphrase Dick Biddle, "Be a good Alabamian. Be an informed Alabamian. Many thanks to Matt Osborne for tweaking this widget for us!

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Sue Schmitz has been in the news again--her Federal sentence may be close to coming to an end. Did she deserve the original sentence? We will leave that for others to decide; her work, or non-work, with the C.I.T.Y. program was not local--although our tax dollars did support it.

However, we have recently received some extremely interesting news concerning Rhonda Bogus, the past director of Florence's C.I.T.Y. program. Sources have informed us of an ethics complaint filed against Ms. Bogus. Apparently she was in over her head in her role as director of that program. Our sources also state that vast amounts of money were wasted on non-essential items, including having an interior designer hired to assist in laying out the classrooms, choosing the furniture, etc.

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Do you need to file an ethics or similar complaint? We'll be focusing on such filings in the next few days. In the mean time remember: Just because they're either elected or appointed to serve the public, it doesn't mean they haven't decided at some point to serve themselves first.



Shoalanda

WVNA/WLAY plus More From Cherokee

WVNA/WLAY Off-The-Air Because Of Rent Dispute

A Guest Commentary By

Steve Wiggins

I was truly surprised to find one morning that WLAY AM-1450 on the dial was off the air. Then I read in the Times-Daily that both ‘lay and WVNA AM-1290 were going to be dark for several weeks.

It so happens that the property owner of the land where both radio stations have their transmitters more than tripled their rent and forced the stations to look elsewhere for a site. So now the owner, URBan Radio Broadcasting, Inc., has engineers from several of their stations across America scrambling to find a suitable transmitter site and secure FCC approval for it. Not an easy task.

Meanwhile ex-landlord Elton Darby, Jr., is keeping silent on why he did what he did. I tried to contact Mr. Darby five times in the past week, but have had no success in getting his side of the story.

I spoke with General Manager Dale Powers at URBan’s Shoals Radio Group in Tuscumbia on July 7th . He told me that Darby’s action took him completely by surprise.

Mr. Powers said that it was his understanding that lease negotiations were settled. Evidently he was mistaken. Mr. powers arrived in The Shoals last November. At that time negotiations between URBan and Mr. Darby had been on going for several months. According to Mr. Powers, Mr. Darby had approached URBan with the desire to sell the broadcasting company the property and towers. URBan decided it was in their best interest to continue leasing the property, and declined the offer. Then, at the end of May, URBan was informed that the rent on the property and towers was going up sharply.

This could not have come at a worse time. Radio stations, particularly AM stations, are having a rough go of things nowadays. Their revenues are dropping faster than a barometer in a hurricane due to a combination of forces. The worldwide economic downturn has curtailed many traditional radio-advertising sources, namely local mom and pop businesses. The second major threat to AM radio is New Media: The World Wide Web in general, and XM/Sirius satellite radio, as well as talk and music from wireless sources like the phone companies. Because of dropping ad sales, stations are trimming expenses wherever they can. And that is the case for WVNA/WLAY. Sometimes cost cutting becomes the decision point between continuing, or pulling the plug on the whole shebang.

So why the debacle? We may never know the whole story. Was Mr. Darby mad because URBan declined his offer? Was he being vindictive because the company wouldn’t pay his asking price? Did he think it was reasonable to give a Broadcaster, who had been at the site since the early 1950’s three days notice before tripling the rent? I wanted to give Mr. Darby the benefit of telling his side of the story, but I couldn’t reach him. Sorry.

This is not a simple story of a landlord-tenant dispute. This story is about the uprooting of two radio stations that have for decades been an institution here in The Shoals. They mean something to us. And when they suddenly go off the air because of a simple money dispute, and without any warning, the residents here suffer an injustice. How much money and power is enough? When is it time to start thinking about a legacy? Mr. Darby’s father, Elton, Sr., founded WVNA. His name will forever be attached to the radio station’s history, for better or worse. I find it quite ironic that the individual who may have set the wheels in motion for the station’s demise, is the son of the man who put it on the air in the first place.

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That was Steve's first guest commentary, and we hope it won't be his last. Since we're continuing to receive numerous guest commentaries concerning Cherokee, we will be publishing one each day in addition to our other regular material.

Here's another great update from C. R.:

Rumors of a Recall

One day after the Cherokee City Council fired the city attorney and part time city clerk, rumors of a recall have surfaced. One local citizen stated "by Monday there will be a petition out to recall the fools on the town council". On a local blog cherokeecobra.blogspot.com a post calls for the citizens to rise up and take back the town. The poster encourages all Cherokee citizens to unite and demand State Senator Rodger Bedford and State Rep Johnny Mack Marrow sponsor a bill that would allow a recall. Currently Alabama law does not allow a recall for a Class 8 Municipalities. The petition would show Sen. Bedford and Rep. Morrow that the people of Cherokee have the majority support of the citizens.

What Will Happen

Becky Watkins was hired as an part time clerk under former Mayor Mignon Willis. Becky Watkins turned in a letter of resignation. Watkins was called back into work after the resignation by city clerk Melinda Malone. While at city hall Watkins hurt herself and is now filing a workers comp claim against the city. Because Watkins was brought back to work after she resigned Mayor Lansdell fired Watkins because she was never rehired by the mayor or city council. Several citizens complained to Mayor Lansdell that the full time city clerk was taking off too much and leaving the city hall closed too often. Mayor Lansdell hired former full time city clerk Marsha Allen in the open part time position.

During the 14 July meeting Steve Glover, Patrica Mason, Mike Malone, and Joe Franks voted to fire the part time clerk Marsha Allen and rehire Councilman Steve Glover's mother-in-law Becky Watkins. Sources at city hall believe the firing of Marsha Allen and rehiring of Councilman Steve Glover's mother-in-law were illegal. Steve Glover should not have voted on the issue because it related to his mother-in-law. Patrica Mason should not have voted because she is related to Marsha Allen's son. The vote was 4-2 and when the two illegal votes are removed the issue would be tied and not passed. Since the vote was illegal, Mayor Lansdell could move to fire Becky Watkins and hire Marsha Allen again. The next few days should be very interesting.

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We've received several inquiries concerning Jimmy Sandlin's abrupt termination of Juvenile Officer John Winston; however, we have no further news on the situation. If any readers have additional info on this or other Sandlin terminations, please forward it to us for publication.


Shoalanda

Shoals Family Success Center/John Winston

We were recently contacted, in a very cordial way, by the director of the Shoals Family Success Center, an entity current Circuit Judge Jimmy Sandlin helped establish. The director indicated that the entire 200K grant for informing the public of the state's "food stamp" program would certainly not be going toward salaries only.

Corinne Reese invited us to contact her for more information. We usually run a few days behind in follow up for such invitations, but were impressed by her attitude and seeming dedication to her job. Then we received a second e-mail from an employee of the center. Here's the result of your tax dollars at work, or perhaps we should term it "how in the world did a tax payer funded program hire someone with this attitude and level of education."

Instead of hiding behind a blog, why don't you go to the Center and learn more about what they do...you have no idea where this money is going or how it's allocated. Yet - you misinform people in order to "tintilate". Employees of the Center are grossly underpaid and overworked. You have absolutely no clue how MANY families and children have been helped by that organization. Learn more about your "subject" and be responsible, instead of sitting in judgement and spewing silly tripe about large salaries. Large salaries in a nonprofit organization? Oh please...get a grip and get informed. THEN put out correct information. You're a fool.

Needless to say, we don't think we'll be making that call. Glad to know this employee is so happy with her job...

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Also from our mail bag:

Yesterday, Jimmy Sandlin fired John Winston-long time probation officer for the Juvenile Court. John the only minority on the team has handled the kids who misbehaved at home. (the ungovernables) I find it interesting that judge waited until the day after the election. The juvenile court staff do serve at the pleasure of the juvenile court judge.


Shoalanda

Praise the Lord & Pass the Confetti!

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


Congratulations, Billy!

Kenneth Eugene Smith & Jimmy Sandlin

He made a mistake; he's sorry. He has apologized to the public and asked for the forgiveness of anyone he has hurt.

That being said, he wants a second chance. He will never repeat his misguided actions--he will do only good in the future. He will be the asset to the community he has always believed himself to be.

Should he have that second chance? Yes or No? Only one answer please...

Oh, are we discussing Kenneth Eugene Smith or Jimmy Sandlin? Does it matter? All the facts presented above apply to both men. So, yes or no?

Surely you wouldn't say no to Kenneth Eugene Smith who murdered Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett, but say yes to Jimmy Sandlin who used taxpayer funding to create a job for his friend. After all, that would be hypocritical, wouldn't it?

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News from Cherokee by C. R.

Several people in Cherokee Wednesday morning saw Cherokee City Clerk Melinda Malone at a JV cheer leading meeting around 8:50 a.m. till 10:00 a.m. Malone must not be worried since her husband is on the City Council and new City Councilwomen Mason thinks it is OK for Malone to leave anytime she wants, as long she puts up a note on the city hall door. Someone needs to put a note on Mason that states "if only I had a brain."

Councilwoman Patricia Mason's husband has been running his mouth around town and might get his wife in trouble. The husband John Mason has told several people that Patricia Mason and the other council members Glover, Malone, Franks and city clerk are getting along so well. They get together all the time to discuss city business. The meetings have been going on for over two weeks at a house in Cherokee. That would explain the comments that Glover and Mason made during the council meeting, Councilman Steve Glover stated we already have made a decision and Councilwomen Mason stated we have already called the Alabama League of Municipalities.

John Mason did not stop there. He stated the four are actively trying to run off Mayor Lansdell and Councilwomen Lambert. The replacements, Mignon Willis would take Lambert's council seat and Councilman Steve Glover would take over as Mayor.

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Shoals Blogs: Our blog directory is officially open for those who would like a preview of the Shoals area blogs we link to our sites. If you're aware of any we have missed, please send us the link.


Shoalanda

Riley to Appoint Patricia Mason?

Our source in Cherokee states Bob Riley offered the open District 4 Cherokee Council seat to William "Smitty" Smith, who demurred. Riley then offered the minority seat to Patricia W. Mason, who is expected to accept before the next council meeting Tuesday night.

Mason has long been vocal in her opposition to various town boondoggles, including Mignon Willis losing the television cable contract and various infightings within the Cherokee Police Department. To further quote our source:

Everyone in Cherokee knows Mason speaks her mind, so Tuesday night's council meeting should be a real barn burner. Bring your popcorn, lawn chair, and pepper spray and enjoy the show. The council work session starts at 5:00 p.m. and the council meeting will be at 6:00 p.m.

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We understand Colbert County Sheriff Deputy Chris Knight does a great Charlie's Angels impression, booty-bumping and all...

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K's Cove Books and Treasure in Elgin has started a new Facebook page. Be sure to check it out and become a fan: link

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Jimmy Sandlin's latest ads depict his two children stating they're proud of their dad. I can't speak for everyone here at Shoalanda, but I'm certainly proud of mine. If he was late coming home from work, my mother knew there was a wreck on O'Neal Bridge--not that he was with another woman...


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

Prosecutorial Misconduct - Even in the Shoals

Most of us have heard the term prosecutorial misconduct even if we tend to consider it just typical defense attorney rhetoric; however, this past week the term has been featured in almost any newspaper we peruse. From former Governor Don Siegelman's accusations of misconduct leading to his felony conviction to accounts of the first murder trial of Decatur's Daniel Wade Moore, we've seen how pervasive such accusations have become. Perhaps like sexual child molestation, the term has not become more ubiquitous, but only the reporting of such.

Currently we have Siegelman and Huntsville businessman Alex Latifi hurling charges of prosecutorial misconduct against Florence's Alice Martin, while Martin investigates Alabama Attorney General Troy King for similar charges, while King investigates county family court judges including Lauderdale's Jimmy Sandlin (or not--depending on whom answers the phone in Montgomery). Is there an honest individual still out there or is our anthem now victory at any price?

Before we say such things only happen in other places, let's take a look at the Shoals. Our March 10, 2009, column concerned Lauderdale County's Judge Mike Jones. Jones recently recused himself in the Keith McGuire rape case on the grounds that he had worked in civic projects with the defendant's father, Lexington Mayor Bobby McGuire. Yet, only weeks later, Jones refused to recuse himself in the Allen Wilson assault trial. Wilson's attorney had twice asked for the jurist's recusal on the grounds that his client had been an avid supporter of former judicial candidate Alice Martin.

Jones has been no stranger to such controversy, once failing to declare a mistrial in the capital murder trial of Nathan Boyd. In October 2000, Boyd faced a possible death sentence for the murder of restaurant owner Danny Sledge. During his trial, Assistant District Attorney Doug Evans (pictured above) withheld information concerning the testimony of a prosecution witness. Both Boyd defense attorneys, Tim Case and Jean Darby, immediately requested a mistrial, but Judge Jones refused to consider that option and immediately ruled against them.

Three years later, Evans was again accused of prosecutorial misconduct, this time causing a mistrial in the capital murder trial of Donald Wayne Darling. Darling's story is the stuff of pulp fiction and deserving of a movie of the week. Here we will just say that at the time of Darling's first trial, now District Attorney Christopher Connolly called Evan's actions "outrageous prosecutorial conduct." Needless to say, Connolly refused to retain the assistant district attorney during his administration, but Doug Evans now works for District Attorney Joey Rushing in Franklin County.

After reading this, will any of us sleep more securely tonight. I somehow doubt it.