Michelle for the Win in Florence District 4

 

Until yesterday, we planned to offer no endorsement in the Florence District 4 race. For someone who has always taken care to ensure her votes were ethical, we felt Michelle's association with the F!rence advertising group was a major fail for Mrs. Eubanks, but one which in no way enriched her.

Josh Bowling? To be honest we've found him slightly dim in a few areas and, shall we say, not the best council material. Now, as pundit Michael White has pointed out, he seems involved with all the wrong people. 

Michelle's logo mistake aside, she's hands down the best candidate to represent District 4. Good luck, Michelle!

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From a Florence voter:

I don’t think that endorsement played out the way they expected this morning. In fact, it’s done the opposite now, more eyes are open and watching. People are starting to see through the smoke and mirrors of these bought and paid for politicians. You know, the good old boy crew the ones in Florence who think they own the city and can bully, silence, or manipulate anyone who dares to question them.

Today, the spotlight is on Josh Bowling. And rightfully so. Citizens are starting to ask the hard questions about his integrity, his motivations, and exactly whose company he keeps.

And ask yourselves a few questions while you're at it because none of this endorsement adds up. Not even a little. And the censorship on the post ??? Hmmm

Keep watching. It’s getting real uncomfortable for some of them.

Eubanks & Sak Don't Pull their Punches

 

Monday's special Florence City Council meeting could have been billed as an off-label sparring match. If you haven't heard, the council voted 4-1 to provide Florence businessman Eugene Sak with a 20 year abatement on taxes involving his proposed new Reverb Hotel (Kaytrina Simmons was a no-show).

The vote may have been a foregone conclusion, but the closing comments of District 4 Councilwoman Michelle Eubanks and Sak provided the entertainment. They appear not to like each other.

Eubanks: "I completely refute that no time and money has been put into it," she said. Eubanks has been opposed to the project from the start, saying she is wary of Sak's projects.

Sak:  "I'm surprised Michelle Eubanks voted against 200-plus new jobs in downtown Florence."

Sak also stated he hoped to break ground on the hotel by Fall of this year. That would technically give him until late December, but perhaps he was using Inspiration Landing timing terminology.

As usual, District 6 Councilman Jimmy Oliver mentioned all the tourists that the hotel would draw. We can see it now: Honey, you want to visit the Pacific Rim in Vancouver or the Reverb in Florence?

Michelle Eubanks, the TimesDaily, & Tourism

 

Florence Councilwoman Michelle Eubanks has recently faced a great deal of criticism from the public concerning the F!rence fiasco. At least some of the critics are greatly confused about Mrs. Eubanks.

We've seen many call the District 4 councilwoman an editor for the TimesDaily. While she did write at one time for our daily rag, she was never an editor, has never worked for the current editor, and has for some years worked as a publicist for the University of North Alabama. 

If concerned citizens want to play the blame game, we suggest they start with Melinda Morgan, Handy Dandy Andy's executive assistant. She seems to be the one to hold at least some of the keys to this debacle. Here's a bon mot for those who aren't aware: Melinda's mother-in-law Sandra Morgan held this position until about two years ago. Small world, isn't it?

Have you noticed how quiet Rob Carnegie has been through this whole new logo business? We thought rebranding was his specialty. Perhaps he's having to stump for renewed tourism in person. Now that would seal the city's fate.

TimesDaily Seeking New Reporter

In case you missed it in the TimesDaily classifieds, our local rag is seeking a new reporter to join their ever changing stable. Is someone else leaving or is the TD simply looking for someone to replace Cathy Wood or Michelle Eubanks? Let's look at the ad:

1. Excellent writing skills are required. - For the TD? Since when?

2. You need a reputation for quality and integrity. - Do the two go together? As for quality, see above.

One word of advice to Mike Goens--please try to find someone who can write an entire sentence without using the word "which."

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Sheffield Billiards - Photo by M.C.

We're adding Sheffield Billiards to our list of Shoals eyesores. This vision has to make Sheffield mayor Ian Sanford wince every time he drives by.

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Russellville Post Office c. 1949: Link

Shoalanda

It's Official: Michelle Eubanks to Shoals Hospital

Sources with Regional Care report that today is Michelle Rupe Eubanks first day with the hospital giant. On Monday, she will officially become the spokesperson for Shoals Hospital. We had reported earlier that the TimesDaily was downsizing; however, we're not sure if Mrs. Eubanks' departure is related to this restructuring or is a rung up the career ladder for the former reporter.

Related post: Let's Hire/Fire Some People

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The City of Florence has announced it will vigorously enforce the new texting while driving ban. The ban starts in two weeks, and it should be interesting to see the additional case load on Florence Municipal Court.

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Is McLaughlin the answer to problems with the weir at Cypress Creek? Many experienced rafters seem to think so. Perhaps the problem now isn't the answer, but getting the City of Florence to accept it.

McLaughlin Whitewater Design

Shoalanda

Michelle Eubanks to Regional Care?

From a reader:

Is it not interesting the Michelle Eubanks announces at Muscle Shoals Council meeting Tuesday night that she is leaving the Times Daily to take a position with Regional Care? Then, today she writes a glowing report in the Times about her new employer? Conflict of interest? Was this already in the works while she was still attending Keller Hospital board meetings and writing articles about them? Does this explain a lot of things about her past articles about Keller?

Let's give her the benefit of the doubt, just maybe she is going to "investigate and report" what happened to ECM hospital's employees retirement fund. Or maybe she will report Carl Bailey's severance package like she did Mr. Anderson's. Did it really include membership to Turtle Point country club despite the fact that ECM was sinking?

We've not been able to find any additional details concerning this, but if true, it does make one pause to reconsider what has recently been written concerning both hospitals.

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And from another reader, two conversations that reportedly took place in the Lauderdale County Sheriff's office where a new employee is training:

The first is a conversation which supposedly occurred between one of Sheriff Ronnie Willis' new PYTs and an unknown caller:

PYT: "Sheriff's Office."

Caller: "I need to speak to the Chief Deputy, please."

PYT: "Who?"

Caller: "I need to speak to the Chief Deputy, please."

PYT: "Who??"

Caller (frustration evident): "The Chief Deputy."

PYT: "I don't know who you're talking about."

Another conversation:

PYT: "Sheriff's Office."

Caller: "This is Jenoice. I need to speak to the Sheriff."

PYT: "I don't know if he's in, I can send you to his voice mail."

Caller: "I really need to speak to him. It's important."

PYT: "I can send you to his voice mail."

Caller: "This is Jenoice Bevis. I REALLY need to speak to him."

PYT: "WHO did you say you were with...?"

If true, we consider it karma. We've never been able to get Jenoice on the phone, and her employees don't suggest residence beyond the left side of the bell intelligence curve. Our tax dollars at work, folks.

Shoalanda