Updates & Answers

Two interesting, but very different, criminal cases are in the limelight today. First, Hershel Dale Graham was sentenced to 14 years today. He will serve only two, assuming he behaves himself on five years of subsequent probation. He is scheduled to turn himself in Monday or put up 100K appeal bond money. Which will he do?

We have wondered about the many delays in sentencing; now we believe these postponements were to give Graham more time to come up with the money for an appeal bond. Will he win? We doubt it. It's our understanding that Joey Rushing dotted every "i" in this case. Mr. Rushing, as always, carried out his duties well.

We know the Andrasik family is deeply saddened that there was not a stronger sentence. Judge Terry Dempsey stated it was a difficult decision for him to make. How will it affect the retired rotund wrestler from Red Bay?

We doubt that a felony conviction will limit Graham very much. He doesn't work, and we doubt that he plans to travel to any exotic countries that would not allow a convicted violent felon a tourist visa. Graham's main problem may now be in controlling what those who know him have called a volatile temper. The fat lady hasn't sung yet, and the fat man may not be fat after two years in an Alabama prison.

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The second case? We'll let you read about it here:

How Can They Charge Manslaughter?

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Occasionally, someone asks us about our policy in reporting on past arrests/convictions. We never mention any past arrests, etc., unless the person is arrested again or thrusts themselves into the public arena to run for office or something similar.

We consider any crime/alleged crime to be off limits once it has been adjudicated and the person has finished with any legal requirements. Obviously, convicted sex offenders never finish their legal obligations. If the subject has been arrested again, we do discuss past arrests/convictions. These past arrests are not usually allowed in court. Should they be? It's our opinion that it depends on the case.

Justice is elusive, money and connections talk, and sheer geography may make the difference in any outcome. We don't see this as changing. We do suggest our readers lobby for justice--don't just sit back and trust the system to do the right thing in every case.

Tomorrow: Look who's up for parole...



Shoalanda

A Few Words About Joey Rushing

Shortly after we began this blog, a situation in Russellville was brought to our attention. A woman had been, for lack of another word, attacked by law enforcement in that town. No, she wasn't a criminal, and while we can't go into the details at this time, the woman was a victim of forces that should have been protecting her, but instead considered her collateral damage.

We were asked not to report on the incident since it could have cost two or more innocent individuals their jobs. If there comes a time when we can report on the physical and psychological attack, you will read it here.

We assumed, and wrongly so, that Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing was involved in this incident; as in believing he backed up the officers who committed this crime and asked others to lie to protect them. We examined every action of Mr. Rushing that we read about. If fault could be inferred, we did so, based on what we now believe was a very false assumption on our part.

After months of looking into Joey Rushing's record, talking to those who know him, and just general observation of character, we realized we were totally wrong. We've never informed Mr. Rushing of the attack that we had once believed he condoned; however, we hope he knows that at this point we admire his work ethic, his religious dedication, and the fact that he faces sometimes insurmountable odds in Franklin County to seek justice for those who've been so terribly hurt by violent crimes.

We see that Mr. Rushing is now taking some hits for prosecuting Hershel Dale Graham. We don't believe those who are criticizing him know all the facts...or perhaps they just aren't capable of rational thought. Perhaps to those individuals, it all boils down to guns and vigilante justice.

We're calling Joey Rushing our latest local hero. No matter what office he should run for in future, he will have our support. Thanks again, Joey. There aren't too many like you out there.

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From a reader:

I'm not able to comment on this site for some reason, so I'm sending you an e-mail. I know the lady who owns the home where Elijah Graham was arrested one night last fall. She didn't know Elijah. He just parked in her driveway to take some drugs, shoot up or whatever he was doing. It wasn't pot.

So if I read some comments right, my friend who really didn't want this dopehead on her property, should have just shot him and then called police? I'm pretty sure that's what will happen to Elijah at some point anyway.

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We're going to agree with our reader. We doubt Hershel Graham would have wanted the homeowner to have treated Elijah in the same manner he treated David Andrasik.



Shoalanda

J.J. Common Among 126 Arrested in "Spring Clean"

Yesterday we reported as many as 300 were on tap to be arrested in "Operation Spring Clean." As of Tuesday morning, 126 had been officially identified, and warrants were still being requested and served. The Franklin County Times online has now listed the 126 who were first to be arrested, and one name caught our attention:

John James Common, 28, 503 South Carrol St., Russellville, two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (within 3 miles of a school and/or housing project)

From our December 20, 2011, blog:

John James Common, aka J.J., is a familiar figure around Russellville. It's hard to miss his small truck with the bullet holes in the passenger door. Common, 28, has several convictions involving drugs and is no stranger to prison. Our sources in the Russellville Police Department say he has his own entrance with a revolving door.

On parole for his drug offenses, Common was wearing an ankle monitor yesterday when he broke into the home where his ex-girlfriend was staying and attempted to kidnap the 21 year-old. This is the same girlfriend he once hit in the belly while she was pregnant. We're pretty sure they've kept his bed warm at the Limestone Correctional Facility. We're also pretty sure he qualifies as a habitual offender. 

"28 year old John James Common is facing Burglary, Theft, Attempted Kidnapping, Assault and Domestic Violence charges after the incident." Let's hope J.J. stays away for a long time...

From a December 31, 2011 comment:

JJ has been in and out of trouble all of his life, well every since I knew him (which was when he and I were 14). Right after I first met him he beat up a younger kid really bad and went to detention (1998),after that he got into trouble for raping a mentally challenged girl,he plead guilty but was a juvenile at the time)1999). The he went to jail for drugs got out on house arrest got pulled over with drugs in the car took off running and was caught...at that time he had a gun and crack-cocaine in the vehicle he abandoned. He was sent to prison((2003-2005 not sure the exact date) Then he got out again and starting back selling drugs. He was involved in a wreck that killed a woman and broke his hip. He was arrested shortly there after for you guessed it drugs. While in Franklin County jail he got a charge for prison contraband,and bribing an officer. They sent him to prison(2007) Oh and did I mention he was again on house arrest when he got arrested this time...broken hip and all. He got out 2010 and been arrested probably about 3-4 times since. One time was in Lauderdale county for shooting at someone. He was on FEDERAL house arrest monitor during this last little stint he pulled. Oh and let's not forget about him running onto the Russellville football field to shoot a player he had a problem with back a few years ago.

Apparently J.J. didn't stay away for any appreciable time. Yes, prisons are crowded, but do we need John James Common back on the streets of Russellville in another three months? We're sure District Attorney Joey Rushing will have his hands full due to this drug sting; nevertheless we hope he pays special attention to J.J. Revolving door doesn't even begin to describe Common's recidivism adequately.

Ah, so much crime. Let's add a little romance to the story. An employee of the Franklin County Jail tells us Common will be taking a court ordered paternity test during his stay...



Shoalanda

Are Some Accused Criminals Getting Lucky?

Are some possible bad guys luckier than others? If they're running from the law in Lauderdale County, they just might be.

We mentioned two weeks ago that the sheriff's dispatch center upheaval to the basement of the courthouse left Lauderdale deputies unable to run checks for outstanding warrants. Originally it was thought this oversight would be corrected after the initial weekend move, but apparently deputies are still unable to obtain this info from the isolated dispatchers. Was this extremely poor planning? We would say so.

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The next Franklin County grand jury will meet in September. Considering the ABI's evidence against former Russellville Police Sergeant Jeremy Shane Hall, an indictment seems a foregone conclusion. Will Joey Rushing prosecute? Since the Franklin County District Attorney has obviously had dealings with Hall in the past, a recusal seems in order.

How about Judge Terry Dempsey? Will he try the case? According to our sources in Franklin County, Judge Dempsey once represented Hall in another matter before being elected Circuit Judge; ergo Dempsey's recusal is a given.

We can't say who will be tapped to hear the case, but a member of the Attorney General's staff will in all probability try it. Other sources have theorized not just former female jail inmates will testify against Hall, but additional women from the private sector. Perhaps they should sell tickets.

Related Post: The Criminal Case Against Jeremy Shane Hall



Shoalanda

Russellville Arsonist Indicted/Numerology, Anyone?

James Elton Faulkner Jr., a Russellville homeless man, has been indicted in the Christmas day fire that destroyed three East Lawrence Street buildings, including the Art Deco structure that formerly housed Spry Funeral Home. The 46 year-old derelict, known around the Franklin County seat as "Sonny," has had a string of previous misdemeanor drug arrests.

In November 2010, he was arrested for burglary and theft of property from a home also located on Lawrence Street. District Attorney Joey Rushing anticipates an August trial for Faulkner. Meanwhile in Colbert County, there have still been no arrests or indictments in the December 26th Sidelines II fire.

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Venturing northward to Lauderdale County, sources say Sheriff Ronnie Willis has abruptly, and perhaps even arbitrarily, assigned his deputies new badge numbers. Besides the expense related to new badges, those in the sheriff's office say Courthouse personnel were extremely displeased with a new enumeration system that forced the editing and refiling of arrest and other records. Perhaps the good sheriff has taken up numerology?

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Now a big apology to a good friend. April 22nd was Pride Tompkins' birthday--we believe it may have been his 29th or 30th. In any event, we failed to wish our favorite Lake Lawyer a fantastic day. Wonder if he got that new yacht?



Shoalanda

Reedtown Rapist to Serve Three Years

Mark Anthony Hurley, dubbed by local law enforcement the Reedtown Rapist, will serve at least three years and one day in jail for his latest rape. Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing deemed the split sentence the best way to ensure Hurley would do a substantial amount of time in prison and, considering previous jury verdicts, we agree.

After his release from prison, the 34 year-old Hurley will then face five years of probation. Any violation of the terms of his probation will send the Reedtown Rapist to prison to serve the remainder of his twenty year sentence. Mark Anthony Hurley's record goes back at least ten years; besides several rape/assault charges, Hurley has also previously been convicted of second degree escape.

Related posts:

The Reedtown Rapist Is Free Yet Again

Rushing to Judgment

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Whippoorwill Hollow Films is seeking actors and writers for a comedy sketch they're filming for YouTube. If you think you have what it takes, contact Steve or Sheri at 256-412-5186.



Shoalanda

Jerry O'Dell Kelley Gets 25 Year Sentence

Less than a month after his escape, convicted First Degree rapist Jerry O'Dell Kelley has received two concurrent 25 years sentences in Franklin County. Kelley, who committed his original crime in Michigan, was in the Franklin County jail for failing to register as a sex offender in Alabama when he managed to pull off an impromptu exit.

Kudos to Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing for securing such stiff sentences for Kelley. We doubt that this bad boy is a prime candidate for parole.

We do wonder why Kelley chose a large public park as his post escape destination. Surely a thinking person would have chosen a truck stop or similar entity where he would not be recognized while awaiting a ride. We have to consider the possibility that Kelley, whose previous victim was a nine year-old girl, knew his escape would be short-lived and planned to make what he considered the most of his temporary freedom. Fast work by the Tuscumbia Police may have saved another child from this waste of oxygen.

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Doubt that sex offenders usually blame their victims? Consider today's TimesDaily article on Alexander Ray. Ray, who is charged with sodomizing a nine year-old girl, claims his victim took advantage of him. We sincerely hope that Ray's future dorm mates will do exactly what he claims his victim did.

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Remembering Richie Hayward:




Shoalanda



Get connected in September!

Angus Leon Eledge: A Waste of Oxygen

Lauderdale County authorities have found accused child rapist Angus Leon Eledge living in his car at a camp ground in South Elgin. Eledge is accused of raping and sodomizing a six year-old Franklin County girl in January. It's taken almost nine months for the wheels of justice to move this far in Eledge's case; we hope his trial will be swift and his punishment, if found guilty, severe. Eledge faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted by a jury of his peers.

Just who is Angus Leon Eledge? According to public records, his most recent permanent address was 100 Lakeshore Drive in Killen. His profile on a social networking site provides little more information.

Born on November 4, 1975, the 33 year-old claims only two friends in Facebook--both adult woman named Amy. Amy H. lists Eledge as her only friend and proclaims her love for the accused child rapist. Eledge repays her comment by asking the identity of the two pre-school age girls in her photo album.

Recent comments on various local forums have portrayed Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing as inept. Let's hope the evidence will speak for itself in this case and that Eledge will remain incarcerated for the rest of his natural life.


What's up with this: Last night Russellville High School introduced students in its new ROTC program during halftime ceremonies at its opening home football game. Congratulations to RHS for this forward-thinking program--and they did it all without Roger Bedford's help.

Shoalanda

Joey Rushing v. Robert Tuten Redux: A New Trial for Christie Scott?

Is a new trial in the future for convicted child murderer Christie Scott? If so, we can certainly expect defense attorney Robert Barry Tuten of Huntsville to request a change of venue--and in all probability obtain one this go round. Tuten, a slightly portly man with a greying beard, hardly cuts an imposing figure...until he speaks. Tuten is quite easily the savviest attorney Joey Rushing has faced during his stint as Franklin County District Attorney, yet Rushing won the case due to overwhelming circumstantial evidence that Scott deliberately killed her older child for the insurance money. Convicted of the crime, Scott has already been transferred to death row in Wetumpka's Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women. Joey Rushing can now breathe easier, or can he?

From an exclusive report by Huntsville's WHNT 19:

On July 23, after Christie Scott's conviction, the state filed a motion to be allowed to enter the burned home on Signore Drive in Russellville to collect evidence, including electrical boxes and outlets and a television console from Mason's bedroom.

The family feels the action shows the state doesn't have a case and is trying to rebuild one. However, Rushing says his office is only being thorough in the event another trial is necessary.

Obviously Rushing believes a new trial is a distinct possibility. Such requests by defense attorneys are always perfunctory, but in Scott's case, Tuten may have the appeals court on his side. During the trial it was revealed the prosecution had failed to present the defense with the electrician's report on the wiring in Mason Scott's bedroom, instead sending only the electrician's invoice--"shoddy work" according to Tuten.

More importantly, the state lost two of the electrical outlets that were removed from the victim's room. Rushing could offer no plausible explanation for their disappearance, but maintained that over two thousand photographs of the charred boxes were enough to prove the state's case.

Local legal eagles don't expect a ruling from the appeals court for at least six months. We have to wonder just how much more of the evidence Franklin County authorities can lose during that time.


What's up with this: Christie Scott has made the People You'll See in Hell website. With so much knowledge of the future, you'd think they would be offering stock market tips instead.

Shoalanda

Should Christie Bray Scott Die?

Joey Rushing says convicted murderess Christie Michelle Bray Scott should die. Joey Rushing says a lot of things.

The Franklin County District Attorney is quoted in Thursday's TimesDaily as stating:

There's nothing worse than a mother murdering a child for insurance and because they didn't want him.

We're not sure to whom the word "they" refers. Observers said Christie couldn't handle the child. Friends said Jeremy was more interested in work and possessions than he was his own son. William Markam, the man who admitted on tape to being Christie's emotional lover said he didn't care for the child, a child he thought should have been "whooped" more.

Surely, these others in Mason Scott's life deserve some of the blame for his death. No, they didn't murder him, but they apparently made no attempt to intervene in what was obviously a pathological situation, a textbook dysfunctional family.

This morning Joey Rushing will request that Judge Terry Dempsey sentence Christie Scott to death by lethal injection, an Old Testament eye for a eye. Surely spending the rest of her natural life in the hell hole that is Tutwiler Prison would be enough punishment for this sick, sick woman.

Then again, let's not forget defense attorney Robert B. Tuten says it's not over yet...


What's up with this: It was the observation of several in the Franklin County courtroom that Joey Rushing should ditch his pink candy-striped English tie and take some lessons from the very GQ Doug Evans.

The Reedtown Rapist: Rushing to Judgment

Joseph S. Rushing prosecuted the Hotskees rape case against Mark Anthony Hurley, winning a conviction; however, Rushing used what the Alabama Appeals Court later termed inadmissible evidence of yet another previous rape. While not appearing on official Alabama sex offender records, Hurley had committed a very similar sexual assault for which he was convicted in 2000. From court records:

She testified that she first met Hurley on April 7, 2000, at a friend's house. She testified that a group of her friends was at the house when she arrived. Hurley was there, but she did not know him. Hurley took part in the group's conversations and mentioned several times going to the Waffle House breakfast restaurant. After he asked several times, she eventually agreed to go, observing that the appellant appeared to be a "nice guy." She testified that she went alone with him to the Waffle House "[j]ust to go eat." Instead of taking her to the restaurant, however, Hurley took her to his apartment, explaining that he needed to make a telephone call before they went to the restaurant. Hurley asked her to come into his apartment while he made the call. When they entered the apartment, Hurley lit a candle and pretended to make a telephone call before asking her if she wanted to go to the Waffle House. When she replied that she no longer wanted to go and asked that he take her back to her friend's house, he agreed and proceeded toward the front door. She testified that he then closed the door and pushed her toward the living room into a chair. As she begged him to take her home, Hurley began trying to take off her clothes. He proceeded to pull her pants down; he did not remove her underwear or remove the tampon she had inserted earlier before forcibly raping her. After he finished, she asked him to take her home. Although Hurley initially blocked her at the doorway, he finally agreed and drove her back to her friend's house. She testified that no words were spoken on the return drive.

During Hurley's second trial for the Hotskee rape, Joey Rushing, now Franklin County District Attorney, was forbidden to introduce the above facts and otherwise failed to prove force in the Littleville incident. To the delight of Hurley's Reedtown family and friends, the self-proclaimed gang banger was found not guilty.

Hurley returned to Reedtown, but moved often, and in March 2008 was indicted for failing to comply with the sexual predator registration act. Receiving only probation for that crime, Hurley once again remained free.

Now the Reedtown rapist has been accused of a fourth illicit sex act, specifically the rape of a 17 year-old girl on June 7, 2009. His alleged victim stated she was beaten during the assault that took place at Hurley's Filmore Street residence. Hurley had disappeared by the time officers arrived at his home with the arrest warrant, and U.S. marshals joined the Russellville Police force in a massive man hunt. Six days later, acting on a tip, authorities found Hurley at the residence of Desmond Hamilton.

However, the public should not yet feel safe; Mark Anthony Hurley is again free. The Reedtown rapist posted a $75,000.00 property bond and has returned to his home to await trial. Let's hope Joey Rushing makes it stick this time.


Tomorrow: Inside the Christie Bray Scott murder trial.

Christie Bray Scott - Murderer or Misjudged? - Part III

As Christie Scott turned herself in, Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing and Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett held the obligatory news conference and photo op. The bearded Rushing reiterated the basic facts of the indictment--three alternative accounts of capital murder, after which the often beleaguered Hargett mumbled over the sadness of it all, failing to remember if Mason was in kindergarten or first grade.

In the nearby courtroom, Circuit Court Judge Terry Dempsey refused bond in the case, even though both Scott's father and husband, with whom she was now ostensibly reconciled, testified that the former Alfa representative was no flight risk. Adorned in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs, Scott was returned to the Franklin County Jail where she has remained.

Don Bray, a successful Woodmen of the World insurance agent in Winston County and self-proclaimed world's greatest chef, arranged for Huntsville defense attorney Robert Barry Tuten to represent his daughter. Tuten, a summa cum laude graduate of Jones School of Law, specializes in capital murder cases and has in the past represented such defendants as Natashay Ward, the Huntsville woman accused of starving her three children to death, as well as Andrew Pakhomov, the UAH physics professor tried for the murder of his wife.

Tuten also asked for a change of venue, another request denied by Judge Dempsey. Dempsey has stated the jury pool for Scott's trial will be increased by 300, bringing the total to 500 individuals in hopes of selecting a fair and open-minded jury. Tuten announced last week that the jury selection process, which begins today, may take as long as five days. He also refused to rule out a second request for a change in venue if he is unhappy with the final selection.

Franklin County is no stranger to murder cases in which a young child was the victim; however, this is the perhaps the first case involving someone of Christie Michelle Bray Scott's socio-economic standing in the community. Her family's money and position have bought her the best defense attorney; it remains to be seen if such factors will influence jurors from provincial Franklin County after they see the photos of Mason's charred body.

Photo of Franklin County Courthouse courtesy of Capitol Shots

A member of V.O.C.A.L. will be in the courtroom and provide us with periodic updates in this case.

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.

This Child Was Abused Twice

While not equal to sexual abuse, the physical abuse of a child is untenable. When our elected officials fail to act against the crime, it amounts to a second act of abuse.

It seems Franklin County resident Raymond McKinney shook his four-month old son until the child developed a brain bleed. While the child did not die, he has permanent brain damage and will in all probability suffer seizures the rest of his life. McKinney was charged with a Class C felony.

After McKinney's arrest, his mother Ruby McKinney threatened the life of her daughter-in-law if she should testify. When the child's mother reported Ruby, the elder McKinney was also charged with a Class C felony. Are these two acts comparable? Apparently Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing thinks so.

The two trials are set for early this year. If you feel that Raymond McKinney has been insufficiently charged for his heinous act, please contact Mr. Rushing and let him know that you are in disagreement with his call on this one.


What's up with this: The Shoals is filled with talent, especially the literary variety. Tomorrow we will publish the first in a series of book reviews by a new edition to the Shoalanda team. Don't miss it.

Quinn's Ranch Deer Hunt

I recently reported that Quinn's ranch was sponsoring a January 2009 deer hunt for its charges--homeless, problem, and orphaned youths. Apparently, this is not the case. The deer hunt, scheduled for the 3rd of next month, does not involve the youths themselves, but adults who wish to participate at $50.00 an entry.

It seems that one, if licensed and acting within the laws of whatever area one wishes to hunt, may pay the fee and enter the bodies of one buck, one doe, and one pair (hopefully a mated couple so as to cut down on the deer population and avoid retribution from surviving spouses--I think someone made a video game out of that scenario).

The press release makes mention of the family fun at the end of the day when the dead animals are weighed in. Ah, yes, family fun in Red Bay apparently isn't what it used to be. Just remember: The family that kills together makes a lifetime of memories for those long,cold prison stays to come.

It seems Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing is on the board at Quinn's Ranch, advertised as "faith based," perhaps in Cthulhu or the Nazi Party--who knows? You may remember Joey Rushing is quoted prominently on the web site DumpYourWifeNow.com. Nuff said.


What's up with this: Medicaid, not famous for its expedient use of taxpayer money, is now rating local nursing homes. If you or a loved one should need the services of such local endeavors, remember to check the credentials of those doing the rating--it may surprise you.

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In response to the comment, the article referenced is from April 2007--"Will Pimp for Pizza." While I infer Mr. Rushing feels any publicity is good publicity, a self-proclaimed Methodist minister and elected official would do well to steer clear of such sites (He knows it's there, he's been informed before). Franklin County has had only too many scalawag pols and police officers in its recent past. Neither Rushing nor Chris Hargett is setting a good example.