We Now Have Hospital Lift-Off!

After much money spent fighting Lauderdale County, mostly by Huntsville Hospital via Keller we strongly suspect, RegionalCare now has an uncontested go-ahead to build it's new hospital. We never
particularly cared for Joe Roach, former ECM head honcho under RegionalCare, but we hope he will send Keller some well-chosen hubris-inspired words at this time. They deserve it.

*****

In keeping with a medical theme, we're going to give Doogie Howser some advice. We have it on good authority that the older people get, the more they see their physicians. Ditch the Bama Bangs you're sporting in those photos. They don't exactly inspire confidence among those over, oh, 17 or so.

*****

Still on a medical theme, how do you break an eardrum? Maybe it's something new they've developed in Lexington? Should we look for a broken pancreas next?



Shoalanda

Angel Trees, Red Hair, & Nebulous Hospitals

A reader has informed us that Florence Mall will no longer allow the Salvation Army angel trees to be erected in the mall. Apparently they are allowing no charitable endeavors to establish any kind of base or event there.

This seems extremely draconian to us; however, we know that some years ago a Lauderdale County probate judge established the same rules for the courthouse. We're not sure who the new mall manager is, but we do welcome input from anyone connected to what was once Regency Square.

*****

It seems that a Muscle Shoals student has become disinterested in school since she may no longer sport red hair. This could be a good thing; the young lady can work her way through college as a sports referee. Do you think the word the TimesDaily education writer was seeking was uninterested?

*****

Ah, the TD will also be the subject of this topic. Robert Palmer recently wrote an article on a second microbrewery to locate in Florence--East Florence to be exact. Palmer first mentioned the proposed Entertainment District. The title is actually Arts & Entertainment District, and it's been official for some time. That doesn't mean that it won't be slow going or that our city council may not repeal their previous actions. We're pretty sure the owner of the Sweetwater Depot was not happy with Palmer's wording.

However, that is not why we're addressing Palmer's pitiful prose. He went on to say that much depended on if the new hospital is built. We have news for Palmer: Barring an ISIS terrorist attack on the Lauderale County seat or an unforeseen RegionalCare bankruptcy, the hospital will be built. We assume the word "if" was used to appease a few readers in Colbert County, but he scored no boy scout  badges with his wording on the Lauderdale side of the river.

*****

We're going to be addressing three ethics issues that our readers have brought up. These issues are unknown territory to us, so if any readers have expertise in these matters, we look forward to your educated comments. Note: That's "educated," not comments that suggest no one cares about ethics in local/state government or that we're picking on people unfairly.



Shoalanda

Now We're Told...

Helen Keller Hospital Appeal Phase II—Now we’re told this second round of appeals may take as much as one year. Why? Why is Keller, etal, prolonging what is a 99.99% certain victory for Regional Care and a new hospital in Lauderdale County? The word that comes to mind is vindictiveness...

Flooding in Tuscumbia? Now we’re told as many as 40 sites in Tuscumbia flood several times a year. Citizens seeking relief have been told there may be no repair.

Repair? That would indicate that flooding was once controlled. There’s no “repair” involved. These flood victims are asking the City of Tuscumbia to initialize some flood control in their areas. Why should this be too much to ask?

Perhaps these Tuscumbia flooding victims could move to Muscle Shoals? Yes, gentle readers, that was said with tongue in cheek.

Shoalanda

How Far Will Keller Go?/Randal Haddock

RegionalCare has won the current appeals battle with Helen Keller Hospital and is now presumably free to begin preparations for the new hospital in earnest. Not so quick, says Keller CEO Doug Arnold, rumored a distant cousin to a certain American army general widely celebrated…in Canada.

Yes, it seems Keller has at least one more appeal left. Will the Huntsville Hospital backed entity avail itself of that chance? We hope not, but we’re sure RegionalCare is prepared for that eventuality.

This whole brouhaha has gone on longer than a fight over an abortion clinic. Perhaps if Keller had put up as much money to offer superior services to patients as it has to block a new hospital on the north side of the river, it wouldn’t have to worry about going under?

*****

Blind Man on the Corner

We’re proud to announce our support of Randal Haddock in the July Lauderdale County runoff election. Haddock, a sheriff’s deputy, will be facing the current police chief of Lexington, Augie Hendershot.

Due to most 2014 elections being decided without the need for a runoff, a light voter turnout is predicted. We hope each registered Democrat in Lauderdale County will see this for what it is…a chance to change our ill run and justly maligned sheriff’s department into something we can be proud of.

As our regular readers know, we have several contacts in the sheriff’s office and the detention center. No matter who wins the Democratic runoff, no matter who wins the fall election, we’ll continue to update citizens of Lauderdale County on its sheriff’s department.



Shoalanda

Even Angel Has a Fan...

We recently blogged on a local hospice that bills itself as non-profit. A friend mentioned that Helen Keller Hospital also describes itself as non-profit. Of course, HKH usually takes that designation just a little too seriously. We do have to wonder, given some of the hospital’s losses in recent years, how HKH can afford its ever growing army of attorneys to fight against the new RegionalCare hospital in Florence. Surely Huntsville Hospital isn’t helping to finance that fight?

*****

Sources say the woman at the center of some local nursing home fraud has passed away. No word on any lawsuit, but we will keep attempting to find out more particulars on possible sidelined narcotics. If you have loved ones in nursing homes, don’t hesitate to ask about their care. If nothing is being covered up, the staff should be happy to address any of your concerns.

*****

A recent commenter on Angel Gieske has championed Angel as someone who helped unite families—no matter if there were “problems” with her credentials or not. Well, gentle reader, the problems also extended to her using a fraudulent address for her non-profit “agency” and lying under oath about it all. We’ll add that if credentials don’t really matter, a friend of ours, plumber by trade, has expressed an interest in setting up a practice in neurosurgery. Any one out there want to give him a try? We’re sure he has the best interest of any patients at heart...

Shoalanda

"Do We...Fund Something for Colbert County?"

Florence Mayor Mickey Haddock has asked, "...do we take monies from the city of Florence and Lauderdale County and fund something for Colbert County?” Mayor Haddock is referring to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and says it's open for discussion among members of the city council. We doubt the discussion will get far, at least we would be hard pressed to think of any rationale for supporting a Colbert County entity with Florence/Lauderdale money. We much prefer the City of Florence donate any extra money to the RegionalCare legal team to combat the Helen Keller Hospital lawsuits.

*****

No Hope? State representative Ken Johnson from Moulton has said there's "no hope" for keeping International Paper in Courtland. He and others are touting new industry. If each new industry employs 200, as the Jack Daniels cooperage is planning, it will take five to six new industries to make up for the loss--that's assuming former IP employees from other counties want to continue to work in Lawrence County.

Many new industries start out with only 50 to 100 employees. Realistically, Lawrence County may never recover its tax base. A sad epitaph: Lawrence County--home of the tired, penniless, and downtrodden.

Welcome to the other Alabama.



Shoalanda

CON Meetings Redux/Eyesore?!

Two days ago we commented on Rep. Greg Burdine's attendance at both Certificate of Need meetings in support of RegionalCare and a new hospital in Lauderdale County. Shortly after we published, Tom Whetstone of RC informed us that state senator Tammy Irons was in attendance for one of the two meetings. We apologize for that omission.

One reader sent a photograph of those who supported RC in person at the first hearing:

We regret that we don't have names for all the faces, but we do see Irons and Burdine. The reader who sent the photo stated that everyone placed themselves for the shoot. Very interesting...

*****

The TimesDaily has been producing a gallery of Shoals eyesores for the past few weeks. This week's was Tuscumbia, and among the normal run-down houses was one surprising entry:

The photo is by Matt McKean and shows the dilapidated state of two Deshler signs. We're going to assume the signs were erected by some booster group that has now disbanded or has simply forgotten this project. The sign on the right appears to be falling apart, and both are in need of fresh paint.

Surely some Deshler Alumni are willing to contribute toward redoing these signs? Someone? Let us know.

Note: This is a very worthwhile series of photos, and we hope Mr. McKean doesn't mind our using his excellent photo here in an effort to sham..., uh, encourage someone in Tuscumbia to do something about this.



Shoalanda

Unneeded Certificate of Need?

It must have been a really interesting year--1974. Richard Nixon resigned, Patty Hearst was kidnapped, and the Federal government decided to rope in certain aspects of our health care. Why the latter? It seems the theory was too many hospitals or similar endeavors would increase health care costs for the consumer.

Approximately 13 years later, the Federal government abandoned its stance, but all but 17 of the 51 boards remained in effect, including the one in Alabama. Just what does our CON Board cover? Here's the basic list:

• Construction, establishment, or acquisition of new healthcare facilities, including:
• general and many specialized hospitals
• skilled nursing facilities
• intermediate care facilities
• skilled or intermediate care units in veterans' homes
• rehabilitation centers
• Ambulatory Surgery Center
• facilities for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) treatment (dialysis)
• some alcohol and drug abuse facilities
• home health agencies
• hospice
• Addition of beds or change of bed classification
• Any medical equipment whose associated cost is greater than $2,647,548
• New annual operating costs greater than $1,059,019
• Any capital expenditure for or on behalf of a healthcare facility or organization in excess of $5,295,096

Please note that the expenditure limits are indexed annually. The amounts indicated are for FY 2012.

Quite long for just the basics, isn't it? Don't you wish the government would take that much interest in payday loan stores?

*****

So what happens if the CON Board denies RegionalCare its request for a new hospital--at least the one RC wants to build? The denied party has 15 days to appeal; all appeals will be heard and acted on within approximately five months. And if RC should also lose the appeal? That isn't clear. A private source tells us they could apply again in 24 to 48 months, but we can't find that in any state literature.

And what if RC should decide a smaller hospital isn't worth its time or money? The Brentwood hospital conglomerate would then owe Lauderdale County 40 million. We don't see that happening, but it will nonetheless be interesting to see how this plays out.

*****

By now we assume Jerry Don Crowden is safely back in the Florence-Lauderdale Detention Center. We've had several readers contact us to say this was Crowden's third escape--not second as reported in PNS, but we've been unable to verify that.

If you missed the Pen-N-Sword article on Crowden, his release date is 2029. He isn't eligible for Good Time and we don't see him making parole. Of course, now he has a new escape charge. Here's hoping Lauderdale County tries him this time as a habitual offender.



Shoalanda

Fireworks on Tuesday

We may celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, but Lauderdale and Colbert Counties will have their fireworks on Tuesday, assuming no delays. May 28th is the expected date of a decision concerning the Certificate of Need for RegionalCare's new hospital and oncology center.

Keller has stated it's not opposed to a new hospital as long as it doesn't look new, shiny, or have any modern amenities. The next logical step would be to demand the new hospital be constructed next to a mega skunk breeding facility.

No, folks, Keller in its finite wisdom isn't opposed to the new hospital, only its lawyers are. Just like Liberace wasn't gay, but his boyfriend was.

*****

Why we love the Internet: It lets us know how people really feel. For years, our local, or semi-local, newspaper has promoted harmony between Lauderdale and Colbert Counties. Sure it would occasionally publish a brief article on small towns reminding citizens to shop locally, but the primary mantra was one of solidarity. Most of us believed it.

Now we have social media and other Internet outlets that allow the everyday Joe and Jane finally to get in a word. Now county commissions are at odds with each other, and citizens from each county are threatening boycotts of businesses from "across the river."

So much for solidarity...

*****

Our sympathies to the Holland and McGee families:

Biker's Body Found

Shoalanda

Liars & the Mentally Challenged

Helen Keller CEO Doug Arnold says that his hospital doesn't oppose RegionalCare's new facility in Lauderdale County. Really? He coulda fooled us. Why file a motion stating HKH opposes the new hospital? The river runs wide and deep.

Several Lauderdale county residents are supporting a boycott of any and all Colbert County businesses. Send us your comments, either in the comment section provided or via e-mail.

*****

We usually make it a point not to comment on the ramblings of a certain blog, but the two bloggers who have made it their life's work to torment a local writer and anyone whom the writer claims as a friend have launched another inane attack on an innocent person. It seems someone's e-mail account was hacked recently. We know several individuals who through the years have had their e-mails taken over by spam artists. It's unfortunate, but it happens. Apparently it happened to one of these two women. Here's her post about it:

 Click to Enlarge

The blacked out areas reference the name of the person whom these bloggers hate and the name of a person whom they accuse of hacking into D.J. Bowers' e-mail. A friend sent us this copy to get our opinion, so we have decided to make it public.

First we looked at the e-mail addy of the sender. It's obvious to anyone with even a modicum of intelligence that it's not a U.S. address. A quick search determined the e-mail was sent from the Netherlands. Looking into it a little more deeply, we find the address belongs to a site called "Ziggo." The site is similar to ComCast or Charter Cable which offers a combination phone, television, and Internet service.

So unless the person Bowers is accusing of hacking her e-mail has a paid Ziggo account in the Netherlands or has hacked into one with a name similar to her own, we're pretty sure these individuals have again accused an innocent person of something he/she would never do.



Shoalanda

The Bid for Beds

 333 Combined Beds

How many beds should the new RegionalCare hospital in Lauderdale County have? RC has applied for a Certificate of Need that would allow for 300 beds. Its chief "rival" Helen Keller Hospital contends the new hospital needs no more than 234. In order to defend its position, HKH has used a statistical formula that would seem to prove its point.

If we used that formula, would HKH itself have too many beds? Our friend David has sent some extremely interesting data that seem to prove HKH is the proverbial pot:

Using information found on the Internet and according to the 2010 Census the following figures are very interesting:

    

County                        Population               Number of  Hospital Beds                     Ratio               

Lauderdale                    92,709                    300 (proposed)                                           309/1

Colbert                           54,428                     333 (HKH 185  + SH 148)                         163/1

Morgan                         119,490                     543 (DG 273 + PW 120 + HMC 150)       220/1

Madison                        334,811                    1161 (HH 951 + MH 60 + CMC 150)        288/1 

Ratio is the number of citizens per one hospital bed. According to this information Lauderdale County would have the fewest hospital beds available per citizen among the four counties listed with Colbert County having the most hospital beds per citizen. It would seem that closing Helen Keller Hospital would bring their bed ratio in line with the surrounding counties.

Out of 2037 total beds in the mentioned counties, 1702 are controlled by Huntsville Hospital. This doesn't include Morgan County, Lawrence County or Franklin County which all have hospitals in them controlled by Huntsville Hospital.

HKH - Helen Keller Hospital            185 beds

SH - Shoals Hospital                         148 beds

DG - Decatur General Hospital         273 beds*

PW - Parkway Hospital                       120 beds*

HMC - Hartselle Medical Center       150 beds*   (scheduled to be closed this year)

HH - Huntsville Hospital                     951 beds*   (includes 70 bed rehabilitation hospital)

MH - Madison Hospital                        60 beds*

CMC - Crestwood Medical Center    150 beds

* Owned or controlled by Huntsville Hospital

The judge presiding over the hearing will give his decision in a matter of weeks.



Shoalanda

Bribes? Where's the Proof?

We received this comment concerning the newly selected ambulance service in Florence and Lauderdale:

So what's the difference in this than what went on in Florence and the County? The bid was lower for Keller to do the ambulance service than Shoals. But Shoals won. The bid was lower for the county service but Shoals won. What about those who pushed for Shoals service in Florence? The new homes in Turtle Point and the new Mercedes that have been bought since then by those pushing for it? More underhanded crap going on over there like normal.

Interesting comment, and we wish its author would contact us via our e-mail with any info to back this up. As for the Florence City Council, none of them could live in Turtle Point Village since it's in Killen. As for the Lauderdale County Commission, we don't know the actual addresses of the four commissioners or Dewey Mitchell, the chair. We believe one commissioner lives in Rogersville while another lives in Waterloo.

No ambulance company will be, or can be, perfect; however, like Northstar before them, Keller failed to keep the promised EMTs on duty. In fact, it failed to keep the promised number of ambulances in Lauderdale County. Period.

If anyone has any proof that Shoals Ambulance bribed anyone, it should be turned over to the Attorney General. 

*****

Others have commented on the number of RegionalCare employees who live in Colbert County. We wonder if the Colbert Commission even considered them. RegionalCare doesn't want a hospital that can't make money. No new hospital, and RC will desert the ship for greener dollar signs. Will Keller then give all the ECM employees jobs? No? So they will probably leave the area to find work. Nice thinking, Commissioners...



Shoalanda

We're Naming Names...

Yesterday we blogged on the Colbert County Commission's petition to the state CON board. The commissioners asked the board to refuse RegionalCare authorization to build a new hospital. One of the most profound comments we have ever received came from "Uncle Gus" who asked if the commission would have acted similarly if the hospital were scheduled to be built on TVA land in Colbert County. Most of us would offer a resounding "NO" to that query.

So how should those in Lauderdale County and other areas which support the hospital fight back? Being human, the first thought that springs to mind is to boycott any Colbert County business or endeavor. Being logical, we do look beyond first thoughts.

The citizens and businesspeople of Colbert County, at least most of them, have nothing to do with their commission's vindictive stance. No, it's the commissioners themselves who should shoulder the responsibility for their childish actions.

District 1 - P. Rex Burleson

District 2 - David Black

District 3 - Jimmy Gardiner

District 4 - Emmitt Jimmar

District 5 - Roger Creekmore

District 6 - Charles Hovater

These six men are solely responsible for Tuesday's actions. They are the one's acting like five year-olds. They're the ones who should be held accountable. In days to come, we'll look at each of them.

*****

In perusing the Colbert County official page, we did find something humorous. Almost all towns and counties will profess to have "excellent schools." Colbert County seems to have only "very good schools." Truth in advertising?



Shoalanda

ECM: Human Life/DHR: Inhuman Tactics

We're bringing you a commentary on some recent events at ECM Hospital in Florence. We do know from others that layoffs continue. Other staff is lost to attrition.

Nurses? Floor nursing is strictly a young person's game, at least in this area. Why? We understand the nurse to patient ratio would be unacceptable in most areas. Check out the mandated nurse:patient ratio in California...than ask your floor nurse what his/her daily patient load is. It just might surprise you. (Hint: Be sure to ask at Shoals Hospital concerning night shifts.)

From a reader:

Regional Care wants to build a new multimillion dollar building.  It's going to be great for the economy of the Shoals area, and provide excellent medical care to the community and beyond. So tell me this, how is that going to happen when they keep laying people off?  So far this month they have laid off 2 registered nurses, 2 plant operations workers, 2 respiratory therapists.  That isn't counting the other positions they have done away with and told the nurses they could take a severance package, or apply for another position if one were available.  Regional claims they want to be employer of choice, and they expect complete loyalty from employees and staff.  Yet this is how they treat employees.

Administration has cut the number of nurses allowed to work for the given number of patients, yet we are constantly told to keep patients happy so they will give give good satisfaction scores. The public needs to understand that hospital care is not hotel care. Administration needs to understand that it isn't a sale they lose when the staff is minimal, but human life.

*****

Now let's return to the wonderful world of Alabama DHR. We've focused on the blog Stop DHR Corruption before. Due to a number of recent comments, we returned to the blog to find many more local complaints against DHR in general and Judge Billy Jackson specifically.

We're not going to address all these complaints today. We will address two issues. Yes, we supported Billy Jackson in the last election. It was a no-brainer--unless he hired his entire family, his personal lawn service, and the UNA Pride of Dixie Band, he couldn't have been worse than Judge Jimmy Sandlin in wasting tax payer money on cronies. Think Judge Sandlin didn't hire his cronies? He married one of his hires, didn't he?

We believe Judge Jackson to be a moral man. We don't know who, if anyone, will run against him in the next election. In today's world the law is like medicine, very specialized. Family court requires extensive knowledge, knowledge preferably gained before becoming a family court judge.

That being said, we know that family court produces very unhappy "losers." We don't believe every complaint is legitimate. Yet the number of complaints seems staggering. If you feel you've been wronged by any family court in Alabama, visit Kathleen Raskin's blog. Tell your story there, but more importantly, look over the links that allow you to file complaints. Telling us will not help you. Telling Mrs. Raskin may help you in the long run. Complaining now, as loudly and as often as possible, will generate change where needed.

Stop DHR Corruption

Shoalanda

Our Readers Speak...

On RegionalCare CON hearing:

* Of interest to those who are following the CON, I would refer you to a recent news article where HH is challenging the practice of Crestwood Hospital, their closest competition, of doing invasive cardioangiography without the presence of an open heart surgery program. Ironically, this is going on at HKH, which is supported by HH, and one of their arguments has been that it is perfectly safe. Testimony by the cardiac surgeon during the CON said that it is legal but probably not ethical to do so given the fact that there might be need for open intervention if difficulties occur. It is ironic that HH will support one of their own in this endeavor but feels like it is wrong for their competition to provide the same service. Anyone with doubts about what is going on in this entire matter is being blinded to the truth.

* Huntsville Hospital is trying to get a monopoly on the health care. Lauderdale County needs their own hospital and I hope everyone supports Regional Care. Our daughter was recently admitted to ECM and then transferred to Children's Hospital. We got excellent care while we were there. I don't want to go to Colbert County for hospital stays. We get the new hospital and we will get new doctors coming in.

* My husband's cousin (in his late 50's) recently had quadruple by-pass surgery at ECM. His surgeon was a doctor who is new to the area who had been practicing--successfully--at UAB. He decided he liked this area to raise his children instead of Birmingham. My husband's cousin received excellent care. He is now home, and on his way to recovery. Lauderdale needs a new hospital, we need more primary care physicians to replace the ones who are retiring at a disturbing rate! As the voice said in Field of Dreams: "If you build it, they will come."

On attorneys in the news:

* People wonder why attorneys have a bad name. (Name Censored) is a prime example. I guess the Shoals area has a short memory.

Editor's note: We chose not to identify the subject attorney, in keeping with our policies, since any alleged crimes have been dealt with. Just consider us the blind man on the corner. Anyone having issues with local attorneys should contact their county bar association.

On rogue blogs:

* They'll do anything to try and promote their agenda of gossip and trashing people they don't even know. I feel sorry for people like that. They have no life of their own, so they have to (be) all up in everybody's business 24/7. 

* They need to grow up and move on. No one cares what they have to say. Well...occasionally it is fun to read and laugh at their level of crazy, but only occasionally. Most of the time it is beyond rational thought and can't really be deciphered with logic or reason. That's not funny...that's just sad.

* I see they copy your or O.B.'s blog word for word then add a short comment. Can't you sue them for that?

Editor's note: While it is a copyright violation, speaking only for us without consulting O.B., they just aren't worth it.



Shoalanda

What's Up at RegionalCare?

ECM (Photo courtesy of Quad-Cities Daily)

One of RegionalCare's founders is leaving the company to "pursue other business endeavors." It seems John Rutledge is out, while remaining partner Martin S. Rash is now Chairman. Will this affect the new Florence hospital? Perhaps at this point, we should be asking if this will extend/delay the current CON hearings?

Shake-Up

*****

Open House

with

CONGRESSMAN
MO BROOKS

to mark the opening of his new

Shoals District Office

in Downtown Florence

Tuesday, February 19, 2013
1:30pm – 3:00pm
102 South Court Street, Suite 310
Florence, AL 35630

Shoalanda

Questions? We Got 'Em

A frequent commenter has noted Muscle Shoals Mayor David Bradford was absent from work 60 days last year. Upon checking with our sources, Mr/Ms Mal is totally correct. Now the question would seem to be: Just how long is Turtle Season in Northwest Alabama?

*****

The Westminster Interfaith Caring Place, an adult day care, is in dire straits thanks to plans for RegionalCare's new hospital. When last we checked, CEO Russell Pigg has agreed to aid displaced renters financially; why not this worthwhile and much needed endeavor?

*****

The Jackson Ford, aka Ghost, Bridge is almost history. The county is paying Shotcrete of America to remove what's left of the dilapidated structure. We have to ask if at least some of the work could not have been done by Lauderdale County Detention Center trusties? And what of the scrap metal from the dismantled edifice? Does it belong to the county or is Shotcrete charging to haul it away and then selling it? And why doesn't the TimesDaily ask these questions?



Shoalanda

Jock Bo Riley Sentenced

A regular Lauderdale County reader was the victim of Jock Bo Riley many months ago. Since that time he's had little assurance that Riley would indeed pay for his crime. Now Riley has been sentenced for a least another of his legal lapses. Riley, accused of attempted robbery in February 2011, was sentenced to serve time in a community corrections program following treatment at a rehabilitation facility. From a local news report:

Jock Bo Riley, 30, 270 Franklin 44, Russellville, pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary and second-degree receiving stolen property on Nov. 30, 2011, and received a 10-year sentence split with a year to serve. According to Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing, Riley was given an opportunity to go to a long-term rehab program before he was sentenced for those charges.

The charges Riley originally received stemmed from 2011 incident where a string of criminal activity ultimately led to his arrest by two different agencies. Riley is accused of entering an occupied residence on East Avenue in Russellville during the early morning hours of Feb. 2, 2011. After Riley was confronted by the residents, officials said he demanded money and made a gesture to suggest he was armed. Reports indicate Riley fled the scene a few moments later without obtaining any money or property from the residence.

Riley was caught several blocks from the scene of the incident by night shift officers and was later identified by the residents as the man who had entered their home demanding money, officials said. According to reports, Riley was also found in possession of 2002 Chevrolet Corvette that had been reported stolen from Florence several days earlier and was turned over to the Florence Police Department before being returned to Franklin County. After he serves his Community Corrections sentence, Rushing said Riley will also receive five years probation.

Related post: Jock Bo Riley

*****

A car enthusiast once visited the old Anderson's Bookland downtown. Not finding what he wanted, he asked the clerk if they carried Vette Views. He was quite confused for several seconds when the clerk replied, "No, but we have Dog Fancy and Cat Fancy."

*****

It's been reported that at least one of the ten unacquired properties in the Brandon Block sits in the middle of the proposed new construction. Can one resistant homeowner hold up the new RegionalCare hospital? CEO Russell Pigg has stated all property must be acquired by October 1st; however, the CON hearings have been postponed until February 2013. Will this affect their timeline as to purchases? What happens if a homeowner should die during this possible delay in construction? Would the heirs be held to the sales contract?

Remember: If it can go wrong, it usually does.



Shoalanda

Sentiment, Progress, Section Eight, Welfare, and You Can't Tell the Players without a Program...

Today's TimesDaily ran a front page story on the plight of renters who may be evicted from the Brandon Block property if RegionalCare is successful in obtaining title to the entire six block area. At least three commented on the article via Facebook, two taking the position that any holdouts were just seeking more money and one vowing to fight the hospital giant. Michael White asked us to chime in...if we could do so without the bias he felt was only too apparent in the TD article. Let's look at some of the issues:

1. Renters - If renters (that's in any area) don't have a lease, they should be aware they can be evicted with notice, but without any financial compensation for the expenses involved. A lease works for protection of both landlord and renter. No lease--no way to fight back. We'll add that while RegionalCare is not legally bound to assist in helping these renters move, if many are forced to redo their budgets in order to move, they will be seeking aid from DHR. In other words, if RC doesn't pay, the taxpayers will.

There are many costs in moving that can easily blow a budget. A renter can't get his current deposit back before moving, but has to come up with a second deposit for a replacement home/apartment. Moves take time, and that means missing work. If the renter has lived in a certain location for years, the utility deposit in Florence has since gone up and they will be expected to pay the difference no matter how timely their past payments have been. Borrow a truck for the actual move? Sure, you can try that. How about the pregnant woman who can't move heavy furniture? We'd like to think neighbors will help out, but in reality she may have to hire someone. Anyone who says moving is easy hasn't moved recently.

2. Section Eight - Mr. White mentioned the renters being Section Eight. We doubt that all the renters are, and those who utilize that program are not all lazy as Alex Buchanan has suggested. We would like to think there are still young couples who are frugal enough to seek modest rental housing while saving for a down payment on a home of their own. We would certainly hold them in higher regard than a couple who lives in a luxury apartment with pool, but can't pay their light bill or make the co-pay for their child's doctor visit.

3. Value (Sentimental & Monetary) - Yes, surely some are attached to these homes if they own them. We're told some couples are in their ninth decade of life and never expected to have to vacate these homes before the big move to the next realm. We can understand their reluctance to sell.

Mr. White said some appraisals were in the 10K range. We don't know if this valuation was for rental property or private homes. Certainly any rental property valued at only 10K would be better razed; however, appraisals are subjective. You may live in a 500K home, but that two hundred dollar a roll flocked wallpaper in your dining room may look like the first thing to replace to a prospective buyer. Many improvements don't add actual value to a home, or at least not dollar for dollar.

4. All of East Florence should be razed - Yes, there are some very nice homes in East Florence, but we admit there are some that cannot be rehabilitated. We do wonder if Alex Buchanan was including the Elton Darby estate in his very broad pronouncement.

5. The entire area is made up of drug dealers  - Really? We're sure there are some, but all? Even the couples in their 80s? You can say this about many neighborhoods from downtown to West Florence to Seven Points--that doesn't make it true.

5. What would we do - If it were us personally, we'd agree with Mr. White and take the money and run. Nothing stays the same. Why not consider it a big adventure? A chance to live life differently and make new friends. But what of older residents? Many retirement complexes are extremely nice and provide free transportation as well as having nurses on duty. You might just discover what you've been missing.

*****

We're sure government officials are sued with great regularity. Some suits are frivolous, while others have very valid grounds. Tomorrow we'll bring you up to date on a family court case that may have far reaching repercussions, not just locally, but nationally as well.

*****

We've certainly gotten quite a response concerning our stance on banning assault rifles and will be publishing some within the next few days. One such response came from a friend of ours. It seems both he and his wife own assault rifles "just because they can." It reminded us of this wee bit of humor:

Mrs. Jones: Mrs. Smith, did you know your husband chases women?

Mrs. Smith: That's all right. My dog chases cars, and neither one would know what to do if they caught one.



Shoalanda

A Child Left Without Parents/ECM Memo

Raymond Gibson and Brooke Parrish

At 4:30 p.m. on July 8th, Savanna Brooke Parrish, 20, changed her Facebook status from "Enganged" to "Single." At 4:30 a.m. on July 13th, Brooke's ex-fiance' fatally stabbed the young woman who was the mother of his infant son Jaylen Grant Parrish.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Ronnie Willis has stated Raymond Gibson, 21, had previously been involved in an altercation with Brooke's grandfather on Thursday night. Our sources at the LCSO have reported Kenneth Parrish, 65, suffered extensive blood loss but is expected to make a full recovery.

The deputy also stated Brooke may have attempted to break up an argument between Gibson and her uncle. No matter the cause of the conflict, a child not yet one year old now has no parents. Gibson has a minor record, but no previous history of violent crimes and is expected to be charged with Felony Murder.

*****

From the Desk of Russell Pigg, CEO of ECM Hospital (RegionalCare) -

I want to provide you with a quick summation of our meeting tonight with property owners of the preferred site for the new North Alabama Medical Center. The following information was shared with the group:

* The preferred site encompasses six blocks from Helton Drive through Enterprise Street, just past the bridge overpass on Veteran’s Drive.

* We have signed a letter of intent with New Vision United Methodist Church.

* There are available alternate sites if agreement cannot be reached with all property owners.

* Property owners will be offered double (100% more than) the appraised property value.

* Local appraisers will be used during the valuation process.

* Title searches, appraisals, transfer taxes and broker fees will be covered by RegionalCare.

* Sellers will be issued an earnest money of 10% of the purchase price once clear title is established and all property owners are under contract by October 1, 2012.

* Owners will be issued final checks at the completion and approval of the CON and government required processes.

* Estimated closing date is the first half of 2014.

We had a good group in attendance tonight and are excited about moving ahead with this phase of the project. Our local broker will begin making contact with owners on Friday. As events occur, I will keep you posted. I appreciated your many efforts to make our hospital the areas (sic) first choice for healthcare.

All property owners under contract by October 1, 2012? It's going to be an interesting summer...

Shoalanda