When, at the age of 101, you die peacefully in your sleep, will you rate an obituary? Probably not...at least if the Decatur Daily continues to publish our local rag; however, it was no better with the New York Times as owner.
Last week we mentioned the death of local author Margaret Phillips; the TimesDaily did not. We received several e-mails thanking us for remembering such a great woman. There are many great authors in this area, most of whom are experts on various facets of local history. We don't expect Random House or Doubleday to publish books that have only a narrow interest range, no matter how well written. Yet, Mrs. Phillips enjoyed much success with national publishers including HarperCollins. Among her fans were Eugenia Price and Jan Karon, yet she didn't deserve a special obituary in the TimesDaily.
Mrs. Phillips was not alone. A few years ago, former TD editor Fred Dillon died. Did he merit an obit? Apparently not. So who does? We would guess those who have the money to advertise on a regular basis with the TotallyDecatur.
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Our source at the Lauderdale County Courthouse informed us the county commission went into executive session after their regular meeting yesterday. Among those present was an attorney for the county's insurance carrier. No other details were available to us, but we hope the TimesDaily will have more information when they publish later today.
If you haven't yet read it, The Connection recently had an excellent article on the findings of the Alabama Ethics Commission concerning Rhea Tays Michael Fulmer's complaint against EMA Director George Grabryan: Link
Shoalanda
We know very little of Mr. Sam Blackman. He sits on the Lauderdale 911 Board; he was appointed to that position by the County Commission; and he trains emergency personnel/first responders in safe driving techniques. Whether Mr. Blackman is paid for his services or how much he might be paid, we don't know.
We also know that Lauderdale EMA Director George Grabryan lent Mr. Blackman approximately 50 traffic cones to use in these driving classes. No money changed hands; no personal favors were offered or taken. Assisting and organizing such training is in the job description of the EMA director. Mr. Grabryan apparently felt this was a good use of county property even if other counties also benefitted. We do also.
Now, if Mr. Grabryan is, as an official appointed by the Lauderdale County Commission, guilty of an ethics violation, why is Sam Blackman not guilty of the same offense? Why did Rhea Tays Michael Fulmer not file an ethics complaint against Sam Blackman? Fulmer has stated she was obligated by her elected position to file the complaint against George Graybryan. Why was she not obligated to file a similar complaint against 911 Board member Sam Blackman?
Again, Ms. Fulmer, we ask you to respond: Why were you not obligated to file an ethics complaint against Sam Blackman if you were obligated to file one against George Grabryan?
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Sources! Last week we reported information from a very reliable source that 3G would be in the Shoals by this week. We will admit that, even given the source's credibility, we were dubious. Now, 3G has arrived just as our source informed us it would.
Do reports from our sources usually turn out to be factual? Yes, they do; however, many reports involve the good name of Shoals individuals. Therefore, even if we believe the reports to be true, we do not immediately use the information forwarded to us.
We do appreciate the information. Rest assured we don't delete these e-mails, but retain them for a time when more information is available from authorities or others who are in a position to make an official announcement.
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The Lauderdale County Commission will meet tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. in Room 301 of the courthouse. Those who are unhappy with the way our commission is currently being used by a certain commissioner to promote her personal agenda are asked to be there. It's your commission; make your voices heard.
Shoalanda
Rhea Tays Fulmer, current Lauderdale County commissioner from District 1, has finally spoken out on an issue. Unfortunately, this has not been a county issue before Mrs. Fulmer spoke out. Now it has the potential to divide the county.
Mrs. Fulmer has recently questioned the makeup of the Florence-Lauderdale Library Board, currently consisting of five individuals who reside within the city limits of Florence. The Lauderdale County Commission prorates library funding among all the libraries located within the county; however, it does provide an extra stipend for the Florence library since over 30% of its documented patrons reside outside the city limits.
Should the Florence Library Board add a member from the county? In case the answer should prove to be yes, just how would a member be chosen? Would the member reside in Mrs. Fulmer's District I which has a larger population base than District II in the western portion of the county?
Perhaps more importantly, should this criterion apply with all Lauderdale County library boards? Rogersville, the second largest Lauderdale city, currently has a five-member board with all members residing within that city. Yet this library remains open late two nights a week, serving citizens of Florence who are returning from work in Athens, Madison, and Huntsville. Logically, shouldn't a Florentine serve on Rogersville's board?
Should Mrs. Fulmer's suggestion come to fruition, you can count on Shoalanda applying for a position on Rogersville's board. I know both library director Teresa Garner and board member Joan Sokol and I'm quite sure sure they don't have enough humor in their lives.
What's up with this: Russellville has begun their streetscaping project--nothing like dismantled sidewalks and road graders to enhance the Watermelon Festival next month.
I've received several requests to do columns on local attractions, including those indigenous to the area. Certainly our beautiful Shoal Creek is one of them. Rippling northward to Lawrenceburg, the body of water seems too large to be designated a simple creek. Most of us cross Shoal Creek with enough regularity that it deserves both our awe and respect.Recently, TimesDaily journalist Trevor Stokes, an admitted immigrant from the north, did an article on a home located on Shoal Creek, referring to our beloved body of water as "Shoals." Yet we can't foist all blame on those blasted carpetbaggers, as recently as the fall election, our now Lauderdale County Commissioner Rhea Tays Fulmer, who claims to be a native, referred to this body of water in the same haphazard manner (We don't need no education, apparently to be elected in Northwest Alabama).If there should be some non-natives reading this article, rest assured the wide expanse of water separating Florence from Killen is indeed named Shoal Creek. Now, if we could just get people to pronounce Gunwaleford Road properly...What's up with this: Rumors are flying about the involvement of a Barnett Plumbing Truck in a weekend high speed chase that spanned two counties. For those who don't know, the owner of this company is the father of Keith Barnett, another victim in our local unsolved murder files.
William Smith, JD, is the best thing that has happened to the Lauderdale County Commission in recent memory. Smith is a go-getter who doesn't need this office to launch his career or bring him fame; he already has both. Both a practicing attorney and published author/local historian, Smith has long been in the forefront of the fight to bring Lauderdale County into the 21st Century.Until now, both sides have run a clean campaign; however, his opponent Rhea Fulmer has recently initiated a few uncalled for jabs. Ms. Fulmer, who believes the body of water just west of Killen is called "Shoals," has lambasted Mr. Smith for his choice of campaign sign colors. Ms. Fulmer apparently doesn't know that Kelly green is a long way from Sping green--or that the use of colors can't be copyrighted. If this is her idea of a campaign issue, I hope the citizens of eastern Lauderdale County realize she's just not Commission material.Shoalanda Speaks wholeheartedly endorses William Smith, JD, for the Lauderdale County Commission on November 4, 2008.What's up with this: It seems a certain former Lauderdale County detective and amateur chef has taken up the mantle of ghost-hunter. Hope he doesn't get K.O.'d.
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