Cherokee: The Shoals' Answer to Dodge City

Welcome to Cherokee, the town that law forgot, or forgot law, or perhaps never knew the meaning of the word. Once again this small western Colbert County town has thumbed its collective nose at the law, this time election law. So far Cherokee has not conducted a recount of the Malone-Mason council race, and Debroah Malone has been forced to file a lawsuit--a suit that costs the citizens of Colbert County actual taxpayer dollars as well as possible lost new business. After all, would you think it expedient to open a store or factory in a town that has the recent history of lawlessness ascribed to Cherokee? We thought not.

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In another local election, Wayne Killen defeated current Lexington mayor Bobby McGuire in the race for a council seat. Killen said the town wanted a change. Not all change is good, but this one obviously will offer more transparency in the workings of this small town's once tight-knit political machine. It was a long time coming.

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Last week, TimesDaily political columnist Mike Goens wrote of dirty politics in some local elections. He didn't mention names, and we haven't heard any specifics. If forced to venture a guess, we'll go with Russellville. The new mayor has his job cut out for him.

Shoalanda

Cherokee Council Members Named in Lawsuit

Cherokee Council Served

By C.R.

Four Cherokee City Council members Mike Malone, Daniel Steve Glover, Joe Franks, Patricia Mason and Cherokee City Clerk Melinda Malone have been named in a law suit. The papers were served on the named defendants late Monday afternoon by the Colbert County Sheriff’s Office.

The law suit states that the Plaintiff Marsha Allen was hired on June 14, 2010 as a part-time office worker and personal secretary to the mayor. Allen’s hourly rate of pay was $12.00 per hour and the Plaintiff has not been compensated since the week ending July 11, 2010. No other motion has been made to pay the Plaintiff at a different pay rate. The Defendants have taken no action to set the compensation as is required by law.

Further, the Defendants have at no point terminated the Plaintiff or afforded the Plaintiff a due process hearing and terminated her employment. The Defendants have continued to allow the Plaintiff to work without any compensation for her secretarial services performed. The Defendants intentionally and recklessly violated the Plaintiff's property interests and have continued to do so since the week ending July 18, 2010.

The Plaintiff has continuously shown up for work on dates and times set by the Mayor. The Plaintiff faithfully clocks in at the town time clock where all employees clock in and clock out each day. Defendant, Melinda Malone, as town clerk, is responsible for the removal of the time cards and preparation of the employees' payroll each week. Defendant, Melinda Malone, replaces the time cards with new time cards each week for each employee. The Defendant, Melinda Malone, has willfully failed and refused to remove the Plaintiff’s time cards and prepare a check to be presented to the council each month for the council’s approval. Defendant, Melinda Malone, has removed all other employees’ time cards and has prepared the payroll for every other employee of the Town of Cherokee except for the Plaintiff’s.

Defendant, Melinda Malone, has intentionally and recklessly violated the Plaintiff's property rights and interest. Defendant, Melinda Malone, is liable to the Plaintiff for deprivation of her rights, privileges, and immunities secured by the Constitution and laws in that the Defendant, Melinda Malone, has intentionally and recklessly refused and ignored the Plaintiff’s time cards and refuses to even prepare the paycheck for the Plaintiff to even be presented to the town council.

Defendant, Melinda Malone, as town clerk is responsible for presenting all claims, requisitions and demands against the town to the town council at its next regular meeting for its approval. Defendant, Melinda Malone, has intentionally and recklessly refused to present the demand of the Plaintiff's hours worked to the town council at the regular meetings or special called meetings for the weeks ending July 18, 2010 through the filing of this Complaint. Defendant, Melinda Malone, has failed to properly perform her duties and responsibilities as the town clerk and as a result has intentionally and recklessly deprived the Plaintiff of her property interest under 42 U.S. C. §1983.

The law suit further states the Plaintiff demands judgment against the Defendants, jointly and severally, for back wages owed, interest on said wages and attorney’s fees and expenses for violation of her constitutional rights and due process of law.

How about that for a Christmas present? I think the Defendants should take back their Christmas presents and hire a good attorney.

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So, you think you can draw? If the answer to that question is yes...and you have a bent for political or social humor, The Connection would love to publish your cartoons. Contact: traderconnections@yahoo.com.

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This image of the Tuscumbia First Baptist Church appears to be pre-1950: Link

Shoalanda

Where Do You Get Your News?/Cherokee Mayor Arrested?

While we basically offer political commentary, there's a certain amount of news in many of our columns. Why? This news, and we consider it important political news, is not to be found in the TimesDaily, aka TotallyDecatur. If the TD does publish much of this news, it's one or two days after it appears either here or in the ShoalsInsider.

Like many, we hoped this would improve when Shelton Publishing took over the operations of our daily newspaper. Instead, it seems to have gotten worse. We have yet to read in the TD about the arrest of Leighton Police Commissioner Teresa Lannahan.

Then again, if the TD printed all the political news from Leighton and Cherokee, there wouldn't be room for the comics...or, perhaps, they would just be redundant.

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Summer is winding down, but you may still need a good fan. How about one from Greer Drug in Sheffield? Link

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Things just get more interesting in Cherokee. From C. R.:

Keeper of the Keys: Part Two

Sunday night after 9:00 p.m. Cherokee Town Clerk Melinda Malone found the locks to the clerk’s office changed. Melinda Malone called the police officer on duty and demanded a report be filled out. The officer refused because no crime was committed. The officer was 100% correct. The officer called his dad the Chief of Police and in turn the chief called Mayor Chuck Lansdell. Melinda Malone called Councilwomen Patricia Mason and she showed up to city hall and confronted the mayor.

The unelected Councilwomen Mason was demanding a report and wanted to know who authorized this action. The mayor informed Councilwomen Mason that Alabama law gave him full authority to run the day to day operations of the town and no council vote can override Alabama law. Councilwoman Mason and the town clerk were informed that if they changed the locks he would invoke his rights under Alabama law and have them changed back.

No Common Sense Needed To Apply

It would seem that a person who is educated on the laws of Alabama and has experience in enforcing Alabama laws would understand them better. Cherokee Town Councilman Steve Glover, a law enforcement officer in Lawrence County, was fit to be tied Monday morning after finding out about the town clerk’s office locks being changed. Councilman Glover called the Cherokee Police Dept. and demanded a burglary report be filled out and gave orders to have the mayor arrested for burglary. The police dept. refused the request. It would seem that a person that enforces burglary laws would know more about them.

Section 13A-7-5

Burglary in the first degree.

(a) A person commits the crime of burglary in the first degree if he or she knowingly and unlawfully enters or remains unlawfully in a dwelling with intent to commit a crime therein, and, if, in effecting entry or while in dwelling or in immediate flight there from, the person or another participant in the crime:

(1) Is armed with explosives; or

(2) Causes physical injury to any person who is not a participant in the crime; or

(3) In effecting entry, is armed with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument or, while in the dwelling or immediate flight from the dwelling, uses or threatens the immediate use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument against another person. The use of or threatened use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument does not include the mere acquisition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument during the burglary.

(b) Burglary in the first degree is a Class A felony.

(Acts 1977, No. 607, p. 812, §2610; Acts 1979, No. 79-471, p. 862, §1; Act 2006-198, p. 286, §1.)

Section 13A-7-7

Burglary in the third degree.

(a) A person commits the crime of burglary in the third degree if he knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a building with intent to commit a crime therein.

(b) Burglary in the third degree is a Class C felony.

(Acts 1977, No. 607, p. 812, §2612; Acts 1979, No. 79-471, p. 862, §1.)

The mayor had no intent to commit a crime and he has the right under Alabama law to be on city property. How Councilman Steve Glover keeps a job in law enforcement puzzles me. It should puzzle the Sheriff of Lawrence County.

The Colbert County Sheriff’s Dept. filled out a report on the no crime committed incident. With Labor Day approaching the Colbert County Sheriff’s Dept is back in the Click-it or Ticket program. The sheriff’s election in Colbert County must be over.

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Shoalanda



Prepare to Get Connected!

Breaking News from Cherokee

During the July 14th Cherokee City Council meeting several ethics violations were committed by the city council. A special called meeting has been scheduled by the Cherokee City Council for Wednesday July 28th @ 9:00a.m.

Several citizens in Cherokee have said Councilwoman Mason told a few people that the meeting is in relation to the ethics violations. Those on the council that committed any ethics violations are going to reverse or withdraw their vote.

Everyone must remember that Councilman Steve Glover was told by the Mayor and City Attorney that he was committing a violation and he did it anyway. What has changed his mind?

This is kind of like sex. Once you get the girl pregnant, it does not really matter if you withdraw or not. It has already happened.

Thanks to C.R. for this interesting (and humorous) report.

Cherokee Ethics Violations/Leighton Memories

ETHICS VIOLATIONS REACH MONTGOMERY

By C. R.

Several citizens present at the Cherokee City Council have formally filed ethics complaints against multiple city council members. The ethics violations occurred during the July 14 council meeting. After being advised by City Attorney Becky Narmore that it was illegal to vote on matters involving a family member, Councilman Glover and Councilwomen Mason still voted on matters that related to their family and violated Alabama Law. The complainants state they have evidence to prove the violations occurred and will testify against the council members. Other ethics complaints will be filed for other violations committed during other council meetings.

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Memories of Leighton: The Tale of a 1960’s First Generation Corvair & a Future Colbert County Sheriff Candidate

by Lecia Ford

(The name of the car thief in this story has been changed to John Smith. Lecia's account of a memory from her youth was inspired by C. R.'s commentary Second Chances.)

In the 1960’s a father for a daughter, that should have been a boy, purchased a 1962 (the year of her birth) First Generation Corvair, green in color, with push button gears on the dashboard. The daughter, daddy’s pick of the litter, so they say, would learn how to drive in a cow pasture in the Green Machine. She would show out in front of the cousins and visitors on holidays. They would all line up to take the next ride around ‘town’.

When the Green Machine would pull up to the gate, (a loading shoot that was used for cattle) “next in line” she would say and they would pile in the little Green Machine. Around and around they would go, from the front to the back of 20 acres. Dodging cow patties, and sinkholes, the passengers would ‘whoop and holler’, and dread the time their country ride would end.

Summer was a fun time in the 60’s. Neighbors were relatives and relatives were friends, friends were loved ones. Everyone would gather for food, fun, fellowship…all in the middle of the 20-acre plot, and there would always be the Green Machine. The Green Machine was one fun ‘toy’, although it was the main transportation for this father to travel to work and back every day, it was a ‘toy’.

It happened on Main Street, Leighton, Alabama, where it was safe to leave your car windows down, your screen door unlocked for the evening breeze to gently cool the sweat off your brow. A safe place to raise your children, to be taught right from wrong, and if you disobeyed, you were corrected; by whatever means it had to be. Granted, we were never beaten, we may have thought we were, and before it happened we were always told, ‘this is going to hurt me more than you’, a quote that you never really grasp until you have children of your own. Only one day in the late 60’s would it prove to be a mistake, a mistake that would never be forgotten...

Two young men, one of which went by the name John Smith, would walk right up to the Green Machine and drive away, unknown to the father who was busy working providing for his family. The father went home that afternoon; the disappointment on his face could only be read by one, the pick of the litter.

It broke his heart to have to tell her that the Green Machine was gone, but he did it. When the Green Machine was recovered, it had been submerged in Gnat Pond, on Sixth Street, and painted with a can of spray paint, RED…

The father would not file charges against the two, ‘they were just being boys, maybe they will learn a lesson, give ‘em another chance’… (Leighton, A Place for Second Chances). The sentence for one of the young men? The Green Machine had to be sanded and the original green restored. The color was back, but the glory was gone. The Green Machine would never run another day…

I find it strange, I suppose, that a ‘future political candidate’ would never apologize for an act such as this, and considered his ‘punishment’ stupid, silly, and embarrassing--after all, it was ‘just for fun’. And proclaim…

" If elected, I will be a 24 hour sheriff-working harder than any other. I will fight drugs, solve property crimes, help get your possessions back, and serve the public for your safety." John states, "As Colbert County Sheriff, I will fight diligently to keep illegal drugs off our streets and out of the hands of our children. Drugs are a poison that ruins the lives of thousands of young people every day. We must work together to rid our county of this evil and give our children a safe learning environment that allows them to reach their potential."

“I am not afraid to stand up for you!”

And John Smith was not afraid to take a vehicle in broad daylight, paint it and submerge in a pond...

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Facebook page of Christopher Lee Sutherland, arrested yesterday in Tuscumbia for possession of child pornography: Link

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Our sincerest sympathies to Brad Holmes and his family in the passing of his father Keith Alan Holmes. Our prayers are with them at this time.

Shoalanda

To Dye or Not to Dye?

Apparently there's no middle ground when men dye their hair. Perhaps someone should tell Quinton Hanson that the Mel Gibson Look is out this season. (Left-Q. Hanson; Right-Greg Burdine-Candidates for HR District 1)

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The Shoals Turn Signal Blues: According to the latest Phewwww Report, 49% of Shoals drivers don't use signals to turn or change lanes; 49% illegally signal for the driver in front of them; and the remaining 2% have given up driving due to nervous breakdowns caused by the other 98%.

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CHEROKEE COUNCILWOMAN AND MAYOR WORK TOGETHER

By C. R.

The heavy rains have taken a major toll on Cherokee city streets, sewer, and drainage systems. Several citizens have been calling their District 4 Councilwomen Mason complaining about two major drainage problems. Two street coverts have become damaged and allow water to overflow the street. When the water starts to overflow several houses become over run with water. The property owners contacted Councilwomen Mason and asked for help. Councilwomen Mason stated that the problem would have to be presented to the council at a future meeting.

On Sunday Councilwomen Mason went to Mayor Lansdell’s house and informed him of the problem. Monday morning both street coverts were replaced with new and bigger coverts. The problem was fixed within 24 hours of the mayor being made aware of the problem.Councilwomen Mason decided to cross some imaginary line created by the former Mayor Wills and ask for help. The mayor responded very quickly to the request and had the problem fixed.

It appears that everyone on the council has got so tied up trying to protect a loved one's job or to get a loved one a job that they have forgotten what their main job is. To serve the citizens of Cherokee and help them when the need arises. On Sunday Councilwomen Mason put aside all preconceived notions and did what was right. Mason served the citizens of Cherokee and allowed the mayor to do his job, to oversee the city’s workers and allocate its resources. Both street coverts were fixed and a possible law suit was adverted. I would like to thank Mayor Lansdell and Councilwomen Mason for working together and making the citizens of Cherokee the priority for one day. We can only hope that the entire council will learn from this.

Shoalanda

Josh Willingham Endorses Billy Jackson/Cherokee Moving Toward Bedlam

Josh Willingham, Florence native and Washington Nationals baseball player, has endorsed Billy Jackson for Lauderdale County Circuit Court Judge Place 1. In Josh's own words:

I would like to encourage all voters to vote for Billy on July 13th. He will lead by example, experience and integrity as your Circuit Court Judge. A family man for your Family Court Judge. I don't believe you could make a better choice!"

We couldn't have said it better--he will lead by example--a family man for your Family Court Judge. If you're tired of "do as I say, not as I do" politicians, if you're sick of politicians using your tax dollars to give their friends a job, vote for Billy Jackson on Tuesday, July 13th.

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Two days ago we published a guest commentary by C. R. concerning the Leighton Police Department. We will be publishing some interesting feedback concerning that column tomorrow, but today we again publish a commentary from C. R. who was present at the Cherokee Town Council Meeting last night.

The Burger King Four Ride Again

After the resignation of the Cherokee district four councilman, the balance of power shifted and the power the former Mayor Mignon “Mullet” Willis held was diminished. Glover, Malone, and Franks were in the back pocket of Mignon Willis. The citizens of Cherokee held out hope that the newly appointed councilwomen would bring a balance to the council, where both sides would have to talk and compromise. Those hopes and dreams were crushed Tuesday night. The new District Four Councilwomen Mason voted lock step with the burger king three. Now with a new member, the burger king four ride again and have the power to pass anything that the puppet master wants.

During the meeting Councilman Steve Glover stated we already have made a decision and Councilwomen Mason stated we have already called the Alabama League of Municipalities. This call did not happen during the meeting and how can the council already discuss an issue before it was discussed. A meeting before a meeting...hope the Alabama Sunshine Law was not broken. Councilwomen Lambert made a motion to pay the city's bills and no one seconded the motion, it died. If the city owes you money, well you are not getting it.

Last week the city clerk moved her desk so it would not be in front of the video camera. Councilwomen Lambert made a motion to move the desk back and take some blinds down in the clerk's office and no one seconded the motion, it died. After several citizens reported that the city clerk was at a ballgame last week while still clocked in at work, Councilwomen Lambert made a motion to set the work hours at 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. with a lunch break between Noon - 1:00 p.m. No one would second the motion and Councilman Steve Glover made a motion to table the decision on the matter. Councilwomen Mason stated the clerk is on salary and she should be allowed to take lunch when she wants to. Attention Cherokee Citizens, if you have city business, make sure to read your crystal ball before going to city hall, the city clerk might be there or might not.

During a discussion of city employees, Councilman Steve Glover stated Mayor Lansdell could not create another job position. Mayor Lansdell informed Glover a position was not created, an open part time city clerk position was filled. Glover stated the position was not open because Miss Watkins was filling the position of part time city clerk. Mayor Lansdell informed Steve Glover that his mother-in-law Miss Watkins hurt herself at city hall, has filed suit against the city and no longer works here. The Mayor told Glover, to make sure you understand, your mother-in-law is fired and Marsha Allen is hired. The crowd at city hall started to clap and cheer. The crowd was behind Mayor Lansdell and Councilwomen Lambert all night.

To show your support or displeasure with the council please call them and let them know how you feel.

District 1 - J.O. Franks (256) 359-4696

District 2 - Daniel S. Glover, Jr. (256) 359-4364

District 3 - Michael Q. Malone (256) 359-6413

District 4 - Patricia W. Mason (256) 359-4220

District 5 - Thelma Lambert (256) 359-4921

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What's up with this: Do UNA football players and the children of UNA employees get a free pass to break the law on campus? Stay tuned...

Shoalanda

Leighton: A Place for Second Chances

Editor's Note: We have published several blogs and tidbits from our friend C. R. We have never found his information to be anything less than factual; however, in today's guest blog, we are substituting the names of various Leighton employees with those of prominent Democrats. Have fun reading...

Leighton: A Place for Second Chances

A Guest Commentary By

C. R.

The city of Leighton, Alabama has been in the news a lot lately. Too bad none of it seems to be good. The mayor has been accused of sexual harassment. The charges were dropped, and the mayor was given a second chance to redeem himself. An officer was recently fired for exposing himself to a female officer. This was the officer's second chance to redeem himself and he failed.

Where is this leading? It seems that Leighton has become the place to work if you have had problems in the past. For example, the police chief's last employer before Leighton was the Tuscumbia Police Department. Then Tuscumbia Police Department officer Al Gore had to resign because of a sexual harassment claim filed by a female prisoner. Officer Gore was later cleared of all allegations.

There is a newer officer at the Leighton Police Department, Officer John Edwards who resigned from the University of North Alabama Police under a cloud. He was responsible for the police training academy at UNA, and shortly after the former chief at UNA resigned, so did Officer Edwards.

Now Leighton has hired another new person, Officer Bill Clinton. Bill has worked at the Sheffield Police Department and more recently at the Colbert County Sheriff's Office. Officer Clinton resigned after having a wreck on duty that resulted in an alleged drug test failure. Now the Leighton Police Department has given Officer Clinton a chance to redeem himself.

These are not the only ones over the last few years. Just recently, the female officer who was sexually harassed by a fellow Leighton officer was dismissed from her current job at the Sheffield Police Department for failing to show up for work. We cannot forget the former Alabama State Trooper who resigned from his job for allegedly having improper pictures on his state laptop was then hired by Leighton. He now has moved on to TVA.

City employees confirm that the police chief and mayor had a major blow out. The two men were at a meeting regarding problems at the police department and got into a verbal argument and had to be separated.

Now there are rumors that that Mayor Lawayne Harrison has sexually harassed a new job applicant. Time will tell if that is true or not.

Does it pay to give people a second chance? Normally it would not hurt to help someone reform, but when the job comes with uncontrolled power, does it make sense to place the public at risk? The citizens of Leighton will have to answer that.

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From our mail concerning the new Cherokee Town Council member Patricia Mason, it would seem many think our adjective of "outspoken" was putting it mildly. A few have even compared Mrs. Mason to Betty McKinney.

Some enterprising Cherokee residents should print tickets to Tuesday's town council meeting. Whatever the price of admission, it should be worth it.

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