Scooping Bernie & Sherhonda...

We often have readers who send us artwork, poems, songs, or catch phrases related to our blog. We don't usually publish them--not because they aren't articulate, funny, or catchy, but because we are composed of many here. Some who don't write regularly do contribute regularly. It's a team effort.

Still, one song recently sent to us comes to mind. One verse says:

I wanna write just like Shoalanda,
I wanna scoop Bernie and Sherhonda.

For those who may not be familiar with our newspaper, the Totally Decatur, Bernie and Sheronda refer to two writers, both very accomplished. Yet, it's not hard to scoop them (In fairness, Bernie Delinski is the only one of the two who does hard news). Why?

There may be a thousand "whys," but obviously one salient point is that only good news should cross the printing press concerning Shoals business. Should it really be this way? A good newspaper can publish bad news without it being editorial in nature; that seems to be something the TimesDaily hasn't learned.

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Now we come to two scoops from earlier today. First from the Quad-Cities Daily:

Fernando King Arrest

Here's the scoop from Pen-N-Sword that has to have been covered up by the TD:

Navistar is Gone

We have to ask why the powers that be in Decatur didn't want this published...

Shoalanda

Contact Us?/Richard Edward Agee Jr.

You want to contact us? It's not hard; our e-mail is listed in the left sidebar, as well as an icon to reach our Facebook page where you can post or send a private message. If you can read and write, you can contact us. Thanks for your cooperation.

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On the Navistar front, it seems the Barton plant terminated its chief metallurgist this past week. We've had questions concerning National Steel Car repaying pension funds. As yet we have no answers...

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Pen-N-Sword has an interesting report on an alleged Franklin County rape; so far no word in the TimesDaily:

Richard Edward Agee Jr.

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From L. R. Barrett:

Tomorrow 10:00 a.m.

• Book Signing Event at Muscle Shoals Library~ PREMIERE OF OUR FIRST CHILDREN'S BOOK - FINDING THE BEAUTY WITHIN (Reading Level 4th Grade) Authors L R Barrett-Durham & E G Glover

Shoalanda

An End to Navistar Complaints?

A source at Navistar Barton has indicated air quality and other working conditions have caused over 20 employees to leave the would-be truck manufacturing facility. Unionization has also been widely discussed--something we're surprised hasn't already taken place.

Perhaps the new tenant FreightCar America will do much to correct some of these problems. The company's press release states it will occupy approximately 25% of the mile-long plant. It might be fortuitous to Navistar if FreightCar expands to fill the entire manufacturing facility. Financial pundits have not exactly predicted a banner year for Navistar.

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A source reports that Corey Leighann Thornton has contacted friends to relate she is safe; however, it appears the Franklin County woman has now made the area's most wanted list.

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Part of the Railroad Bridge may be history, but you can still own a copy of the original plans for the historic drawbridge: Link



Shoalanda

Justice Delayed in Franklin County?

The Franklin County trial of former Vina teacher Kimberly Bynum has been delayed for the fifth time; her new day in court is scheduled December 10th. The relative newness of the sex charge against Bynum may be behind the delays, but those affected by Bynum's case certainly wish for the proceedings to take place as quickly as possible. Similarly, the Felony Murder trial of Hershel Dale Graham, also in Franklin County, has been postponed for the fourth time. We're not sure who holds the record for the longest string of postponements--Tommy Arthur or Tre' Wells or someone else, but we hope Graham's attorneys don't come close to breaking the record.

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We're glad that Grace Episcopal Church has had something of a reprieve; however, much of the garniture has been stripped and sold. The Quad-Cities Daily has an album of pictures taken just before the windows, mouldings, and pews were removed.

Grace Episcopal Church

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Apparently Navistar has had another blow to its well-being, albeit a small one. Pen N Sword has the latest Navistar updates, plus all Navistar articles archived for easy perusal.

Navistar Supplier Bankrupts

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Shoalanda

James O'Neal Wilson To Have No Bond

Florence resident James O'Neal Wilson has been denied bond in Lauderdale County today. What the eventual charges against Wilson will prove to be depend heavily on the toxicology report. Wilson has a history of drug abuse and DUIs plus convictions for theft.

If convicted, what kind of sentence could he expect? With his previous convictions, Wilson should face Life With Possibility of Parole--none of the previous charges involved violence. Will he be convicted? Witnesses have already testified that Wilson was driving the truck registered in his name. We're not going out on too long a limb to say the case against James O'Neal Wilson should be a slam dunk.

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As we stated earlier in the week, many of our readers seem totally unaware that our blog is mainly editorial in nature. Just today we answered a reader:

You omitted the fact that we at Shoalanda always ask, even beg, for opposing viewpoints as long as they don't support violence or sexual abuse. We get very few who take us up on our invitation.

We make no secret of having Republican and conservative leanings. We also make no claim to being more than editorial in nature. We do often present news stories that are not covered in other media.

Please consider this an invitation to write something for us. We look forward to hearing from you soon...

BTW, the term "wonk" applies to anyone, student or not, who delves into the minutiae of a subject.

The above invitation is sincere. We welcome guest editorials. The individual to whom we addressed the above recently commented on two guest columns--one supporting widgets and one against. He apparently didn't like either blog. Do we like widgets? We have no opinion on them, but we were happy to publish the opinion of two of our readers. So have at it, faithful readers, send us your thoughts on widgets, family court, or mug shots. We'll publish them...

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Some interesting news about our local Navistar plant: Layoffs

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Shoalanda

Navistar Announces New 18-Month Plan

The new CEO of struggling Navistar has announced an 18-month plan to bring financial stability to the cash-strapped company. This plan includes reducing the workforce by 700 in order to increase capital. In other words, no new hires at Barton or anywhere else unless essential.

And after 18 months? No one seems to know; Navistar itself is shooting for a period without any new disasters. That may sound glum, but isn't that a good day for most of us?

However, one financial analyst has stated:

The management team at Navistar is beyond incompetent and reaches into the realm of imbecilic. After being delisted from the NYST it apparently still has not mastered basic accounting – as the SEC has launched another probe into its accounting practices. However, it is the lack of coherent strategic thinking and continuing failures in execution that truly illuminate how mediocre the “leadership” team is at Navistar. The board must be equally inept for tolerating such sustained poor performance. During the Great Recession Nav was rescued by the US Military’s desperate need for mine resistant vehicles, however, there won’t be a rescue from Uncle Sam this time. The current engine debacle is not root cause of the company’s problems, just its most visible. The company’s core truck business is imploding and its declining market share and mounting losses are simply a period to a sentence Ustian has been writing since he was elevated to CEO.

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We had incorrectly reported that Matthew Fox had been denied youthful offender status in June. It seems his hearing was only postponed; Judge Jackie Hatcher will be making a ruling soon, but we can't see Fox receiving this plum.

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A reader commented on our article concerning the Natalie Chanin-Billy Reid organic cotton field:

I am quite sure that Mr. Reid will offset the costs of the free T-shirt and party by raising the price on the already expensive shirts and clothing. There is statistically no difference in this organically grown cotton and the typical harvested cotton. By the time is makes it to the manufacturer it will have been washed and cleansed in numerous chemicals which are probably just as bad as the pesticide. At the price of these items it is really sort of an insult to ask people to freely come and weed their fields.

Shoalanda

Thoughts on Smokehouse/Navistar Stock Down

Several readers have commented on the recent closing of Florence landmark Smokehouse Billiards, asking if we planned to dedicate a blog to the East Tennessee Street eatery. The TimesDaily seems to have thoroughly covered the subject, but we do have two comments.

If ever asked the identity of the first woman to breach the establishment's doors, you would be correct to answer Linda Ronstadt. Our second comment concerns some memories of city employees. Apparently it was the custom of some to enjoy half and half at lunchtime. Perhaps, gentle readers, you would do well to complete your business with city hall before noon. Looking on the bright side, that doesn't seem quite as decadent as the three martini lunch.

Note: The current owner of the Smokehouse has recently announced plans to be open in a larger location by August 1st. 

Photo by Dave Reasons

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Our favorite Barton company can't seem to get any good news. Navistar stock has fallen 38% in the past three months. From Seeking Alpha, July 11:

NAV has had an eventful first half for the year, and it heavily relies on the second half to improve its earnings, after showing losses for two consecutive quarters and missing earnings by 397% and 264% in the last two quarters respectively. However, the slow forecasted growth in Brazil and India means that the incremental revenue expected from these markets may not be realized. This, coupled with the internal problems faced by NAV such as potential hostile takeovers, engine compliance issues and towering warranty costs, gives us the notion that NAV is not expected to rise this year.

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Happy Birthday, Mary Carton!

Shoalanda

Some Navistar Basics

A new type of truck engine Navistar developed to meet tougher emissions standards hasn't passed muster with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And a court recently invalidated a deal with the EPA that allowed Navistar to keep selling its noncompliant engines.-- Crain's Business, June 25, 2012

In case you're wondering just how much of Navistar's total production was affected by the court ruling, it's 25%. The company's troubles have been fodder for several financial publications in recent days, but just how serious are these setbacks? Some analysts have suggested Navistar has a new traditional engine in the works to fall back on. If they have, they're not saying. If they don't?

Several financial pundits have predicted the possibility of bankruptcy, citing: "Company's high costs, low margin, slower sales in some key markets and overall poor financial performance." and "Navistar is highly underfunded."

Does any of the above financialese translate into information that will predict the future of the Barton plant? If anything stands out to us, it's simply the possibility that growth at the plant will be slower than what had been predicted. Let's hope that's the worst case scenario.

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Rumors? What? Here in the Shoals? If you've been trying to sort through several new rumors concerning the proposed site of the new RegionalCare hospital, here's a great run down:

RegionalCare Rumors

Shoalanda

The Curse of the Shoals: Navistar to Lose 3 Billion?

If you're over 40 or so, you've probably heard the term "Curse of the Shoals." Simply stated, it means if anything good business wise comes to this area, it quickly goes south. Could this be the case with Navistar?

Apparently not all is well with this industrial giant. Known for its engine production, Navistar has placed its eggs in the basket of EGR technology, a type not yet approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (and this is just one of several problems now facing the manufacturing giant). Obviously Navistar's competitors don't want this new technology approved. What if it isn't?

Pundits at CNBC feel that the loss of 4K jobs and eventual bankruptcy would be inevitable. For those who wish to delve a little deeper into this possibility, here's the link to Herb Greenberg's article:

Bankruptcy as an Option at Navistar

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Are the bigwigs at Helen Keller Hospital, executives whose salaries are paid by Huntsville Hospital, now telling employees at the Colbert County facility that it's only a matter of time until HH buys out RegionalCare? More on this later...

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Sex offender of the week profile:  Robert Henry Locklayer

Shoalanda

Juggalos Face March Indictment/Navistar News

Ronald (Ron Wikkid) Weems & Laurel (Chubbylette) Pruett

Sources in the Colbert County District Attorney's office state the cases against Ronald Weems, Laurel Pruett, and Matthew Fox will be presented to a grand jury in March. Ostensibly, the February docket was full; however, we hope this also means co-conspirator Ashley Fawn Greenhill will have been arrested in the interim. The family of murder victim Amanda Taylor needs as much closure as possible.

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While Navistar has yet to make an official announcement concerning the exact product to be manufactured in the former National Alabama plant, we've received reports that 50 workers have recently been added to the force and 50 more should join them by the end of the month. The first series of classes for new job recruits is scheduled to begin January 24th at Northwest Shoals Community College.

We're still hearing that the Navistar facility will be producing parts for the MaxxPro military vehicles. If so, it's sad that war is the driving force bringing an upturn to Shoals economy, but we're nevertheless thankful for the much needed boost.

Related post: Military Contract for Navistar Barton?

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Call it Rogers Hall or call it Courtview, its beauty is undeniable. This 1907 photo postcard can be yours for $19.90 on eBay: Link



Shoalanda

Comments welcome. No profanity. No vulgarity. No libelous statements. Get it? Got it! Good...

Military Contract for Navistar Barton?/Publix & Propinquity

Navistar's Military Vehicle MaxxPro

It now seems those pre-Christmas layoffs at the RSA/Navistar plant in Barton weren't just the work of a Grinch. Sources close to the former National Alabama plant say the untimely terminations were the result of new, more stringent background checks.

Why were such background checks necessary? It seems the American Motors HHMVWs, or Humvees, lost favor with the military some time ago. The preferred vehicle for desert combat is the mine-resistant MaxxPro, a Navistar product.

Does this definitely mean the new Navistar facility will be producing components for the MaxxPro or a similar vehicle? We should find out next week...

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What do Wal-Mart, Publix, and propinquity have in common? They're all elements in the local battle for your buck. Many thought it odd that Publix would have located so close to Florence's existing Wal-Mart, yet Publix probably thought it an ideal location. Routine Wally World shoppers can easily drive to the new Publix to finish off their weekly shopping. It's why you often see restaurants and hotels clustered together; if one doesn't provide what the customer wants, he has to only drive or walk next door.

Now Wal-Mart is planning a second super center...one not remotely close to any major shopping area. (Sorry, Big Star and CVS--you're just not a destination unto yourself.) Those cash spending customers from the western end of the county or southern Tennessee will now be isolated from the new Publix, Target, Regency Square Mall, and K-Mart, assuming the latter stays in this area. You can't say the Wally World honchos don't know their marketing.



Shoalanda

Comments welcome. No profanity. No vulgarity. No libelous statements. Get it? Got it! Good...

Navistar Firing?/Saluting Tim Kent

It's less than ten days until Navistar is expected to make their big announcement and we finally learn what will be replacing National Alabama at the RSA super complex in Barton. A new year is always the perfect time to start a new project, but unfortunately it seems Navistar's plans have necessitated the firing of some personnel. Termination--not a very nice Christmas present is it?

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The Shoals area is steeped in history, especially that of the Civil War. Tim Kent is a local military aficionado and historian. He's pictured here at the grave of our local Gen. James Deshler. This morning Tim will be working at the Tuscumbia Cemetery to replace headstones of unknown Confederate soldiers. Kudos to Tim for keeping our history alive and in good repair.

Tim Kent's Civil War Tales

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Russellville Municipal Building pictured on a 1940's postcard: Link



Shoalanda

Comments welcome. No profanity. No vulgarity. No libelous statements. Get it? Got it! Good...

No Mahindra?/Bailey Quarters Joins Us

For some time, we have labored in the vineyard of blogging with only three regular contributors. Among those who have submitted several guest commentaries is Bailey Quarters. She will now become a regular contributor, usually focusing on either comment, addenda, or rebuttal to what has been previously written here. We hope you'll enjoy Bailey's Bailiwick.

Who Buys the Beer?

A few years ago I was traveling to Nashville for the weekend when I realized Loretto would probably be both the cheapest place to buy gas and the last stop to buy a TimesDaily in Tennessee. When I got in line at the store to pay, there were seven men in front of me, and while I waited three others took their place behind me. What did these ten men have in common?

They all were purchasing beer, some in large quantities. Since it was around 3:30 on a Friday afternoon this was probably a usual scenario. What else did these men have in common? I wouldn't have wanted to have met any of them in a dark alley. Sure, they were dressed for work, not a wedding, but they didn't give off any vibes of civic responsibility.

This is what the Southside Baptist children will be seeing next to their playground if TNS Convenience Store is given a license to sell beer. Think about a football field. Then think about 187 feet. The distance of the store to the church playground is just 62% of the length of that football field. Would you want your children that close to a constant steam of who knows what? I wouldn't.

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The Wall Street Journal is reporting Mahindra Navistar will not be locating at the RSA facility in Colbert County. Obviously, such a large project should be kept under wraps as long as possible in order to finalize important details. We still have hopes that this Indian industrial giant will partner with Navistar in Alabama.

We're just not sure the T-20/T-40 pickups are the best fit for the Barton facility. Mahindra is currently being sued by 350 US dealers for breach of contract. The Indian automaker has failed to deliver promised vehicles to these dealers, and no end to the suit is in sight.

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Comments? We are still getting comments that are unpublishable. For that reason, we will be adding this admonition at the bottom of each blog.

Comments welcome. No profanity. No vulgarity. No libelous statements. Get it? Got it! Good...



Shoalanda

Mahindra Automotive Coming to Shoals?/Amanda Alert Petition

Mahindra T-20/T-40 Pickup

Just what is Mahindra Automotive and what will it do for Barton/Cherokee and the Shoals? The Indian automotive giant is a part of Mahindra & Mahindra, a huge conglomerate founded in 1945 and based in Mumbai. From their Navistar Truck website:

Indian roads can be more than a little challenging thanks to wide variation in terrain, inclement weather, and a large percentage of unpaved or unmaintained routes. To succeed, you need a transportation solution that can handle it all. We designed the Mahindra Navistar truck ground-up in India to excel in Indian conditions, so that you have a more than able partner in your business.

At the core of our Heavy Commercial Vehicle range are our revolutionary MaxxForce engines. These state of the art engines deliver high performance at high fuel efficiency and meet EPA and Euro emissions standards. Join us at the cutting edge of pro-environment business solutions.

Our trucks come in two sizes, depending on the load carrying capacity – the MN25 and MN31, which can carry 25 and 31 tons respectively. The MN25 offers you best-in-class ride and handling with its four-point suspended cabin, optimized steering and suspension, and low turning radius for excellent maneuverability. Its generous cabin space makes your ride pleasant for you and a passenger.

The MN31 features a strong and durable suspension, rugged chassis aggregates, robust brakes and heavy duty axles to handle its superior torque—all low maintenance and easy to repair. The roomy cabin seats three people to accommodate personnel needs on long trips. Bring along a co-driver or passenger—or enjoy the ample space yourself.

We met both Indian and European safety standards to make sure you’re safe even in adverse driving conditions.

Assuming total production of the T-20/T-40 truck line should move to the Navistar plant near Cherokee...well, perhaps considering our track record, we shouldn't count our trucks until they're off the assembly line.

We can definitely say that Mahindra has refused proposals to produce their trucks in U.S. states that do not have "right to work" laws; in other words, don't expect old-time Detroit wages to be paid at the Barton facility.

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Yesterday we speculated that the new RegionalCare hospital will be built on Locker land located off Hwy. 47 northeast of Florence. This large tract of land is actually owned by Mrs. John Locker Sr. There has also been speculation that former ECM CEO Joe Roach didn't wish to pay fair market value for this choice parcel. Perhaps RegionalCare will now be forced to offer a realistic price if they want construction to begin next year.

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Are you often perplexed concerning missing adults and police policy? Here's your chance to change existing laws:

Amanda Alert Petition

Shoalanda

National Alabama Calls It Quits!

While it may be great news (we sincerely hope) that there will be new jobs coming to the Shoals when Navistar takes over the Barton facility on January 1st, what of the 120 or so employees who now toil in the vineyard of rail car manufacture? What of others who specifically trained as welders in order to qualify for a job that will not be forthcoming?

Apparently when TimesDaily reporter Trevor Stokes let the cat out of the bag months ago, the powers that be were indeed looking for a new company to take over the mile long plant. Why the smokescreen? Or should should we call it something more sinister?

Related post: Bronner to Sell Rail Car Plant?

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Now, about those law suits... We assume a company that manufactures automotive engines will not be taking over the debt and legal responsibilities of National Alabama. Looks like our state retirees are out of luck.

Obviously you win some and you lose some. The Shoals lost here, and Dr. David Bronner will write it off and rest on his other investment laurels. Our main problem is the lack of truth that has been forthcoming from both the company and the local press. Our local rag didn't have to report on all the successes of National Alabama--mythical achievements--yet it did. What does that tell us?

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If you're like us you love new blogs. A reader recently sent us a link to one written by "coach422002." My, my, we can certainly see how some bloggers do give others a bad name. More to follow...



Shoalanda