Is the Town of Killen Ethically Challenged?

The town of Killen has a zoning board; however, we're not sure the town knows what it's for. It seems one board member lives or owns property on Locke 6 Road. It further seems that a builder has requested a zoning change for property on Locke 6 Road; he wants to build apartments on land that is currently zoned R-1 (totally single family dwellings).

Obviously the zoning board member who lives on the road in question should not be allowed to vote. Yet that's not the problem. The problem is the board member, whose property will be devalued, has not been allowed to speak as a private citizen. 

It gets better. If the decision should go against rezoning, as the board member has wished, no apartments will be built in that location. Pretty straight forward. So why is Florence Utilities already moving power lines and cutting trees on the property? Perhaps it's a coincidence? Or precognition? Or...oh, well, you fill in the blank.

The zoning meeting was at 5:30 this afternoon. Did anyone feel a disturbance in the force about that time?

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Now here's another one of life's little mysteries. Three morally challenged youths are alleged to have stolen a flashlight from Walmart in Muscle Shoals last Thursday. Police are rumored to have given chase from Woodward Avenue to George Wallace Boulevard where the chase ended in a flipped vehicle and three ejected youths. Was it a jewel encrusted flashlight? 

Two of the young (probable) thieves are in good condition. The third? He's in critical condition. His own fault, you say. Yes, it was. Still, even if you don't care if the young man dies, the city will have to face a lawsuit if the account of the chase can be proved. No one should be happy over this outcome for any reason.

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Now we have a Marine colonel (retired) who's running for the Senate against Doug Jones and Roy Moore. Barring anyone digging up any major dirt on Col. Busby, he may just get a sizable chunk of the vote.

We'd been told to expect a Monday surprise, but we hadn't anticipated this one.

Killen/Starkey Shooter Trial

If any candidates have last minute announcements, please send them now so they can be published before the election. All readers living in incorporated areas are asked to take the time to vote on Tuesday. If you don’t, please don’t complain to us at a later date.

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No, it’s not too early to start thinking about runoffs. Several elections are featuring three candidates, and Florence’s mayoral race is boasting a field of five. While two of the mayoral candidates will garner what may be considered a miniscule amount of votes, these will be votes the top three won’t get. We’ll be very surprised if there isn’t a runoff in that race, a runoff where the majority of registered voters will sit home and say “ho, hum.”

And PresBO wanted to make voting mandatory for every citizen…

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Killen?

Town of Killen Municipal election is Tuesday, August 23, at First Baptist Church. Polls open at 7:00 am and close at 7:00 pm. Running for Council are as follows and in alphabetical order for each place. Names will appear on ballot as:

Council Place 1
Ryan Blessing
Robert White

We like Ryan Blessing and you should too!

Council Place 2
Don Owens
Mary Ann Rippey

Mary Ann Rippey has what it takes.

Council Place 3
Pamela Hardison
Connie Parrish

No recommendation, except that both need to learn how to use the Internet for their advantage.

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A time out from election talk to say a few words about…the Olympics. The U.S. medal count is great, and it should be. Look how large our country is. Have you noticed who’s ranked second in the medal count? It’s Great Britain. For all our British cousins residing here in the Shoals, we say “Way to go!”

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We continue to receive comments on recent legal verdicts, some fair, others unfair. Remember, a judge can’t sentence a defendant if the accused hasn’t been convicted. It seems pretty straight forward, but some still don’t seem to get it.

If you think our system in Alabama is lacking in…oh, common sense, just look at Florida. John Marshall Fitzgerald went on trial on Thursday in the attempted murder of Rivers Starkey. By Friday night, a jury of 12 was’t able to agree on a verdict. We would have thought four shots fired into an unarmed man would be pretty easy to comprehend, but apparently not.

Mistrial in Attempted Murder Trial

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Note: Everyone with I-Phones or other Apple products should now be able to see the posts of our friends at PNS.

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Mark Parker Out in Killen

Just released from WAFF:

Killen Mayor confirms the new council's decision to remove Mark Parker as Police Chief. No reason given as to why the decision was made. I'm told each new administration has the decision to keep/remove the Police Chief & they voted to terminate him. Officer Brian Hammond has been named Interim Police Chief.

Mark Parker 

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If you haven't yet voted, be sure to do so!

Shoalanda

Heart's Cry Thrift Store

Do you hate Wal-Mart? Or perhaps you just hate the Wal-Mart/Target/K-Mart parking? Are you interested in going green? How about saving some big bucks?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you should try Heart's Cry Thrift Store on US 72 in Killen. Located directly across from Brooks High School, Heart's Cry is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The large store carries everything from household items to designer clothing to books. Much of their merchandise is new, with tags still attached. Other items are gently used and can be had at a bargain price. Besides used items, Heart's Cry offers some unique handmade items that make perfect gifts for the holidays. The store averages over 400 sales a day, so if you see something you like, you'd be wise to snap it up!

It should be noted that while the store is owned and managed by Faith Chapel, its revenues go to support medical and similar needs of deserving Shoals families. In other words, if a shopper is a Methodist, he needn't worry about the store funding Presbyterian doctrine, etc.

While there, enhance your shopping experience with a free cup of coffee. Tell them Shoalanda sent you.


What's up with this: Early this morning, the grandson of a Florence funeral director was injured in a home invasion. No matter our feelings about this youth's actions, Stanley Elkins has been a friend in times of need for many in the Shoals. Remember Holland Elkins in your prayers tonight.