Roger Garner & Lauderdale County Roads

 

Pictured is Lauderdale County Commission District 1 representative Roger Garner. The photo is taken from his last campaign site. We assume he wants voters to know that he owns a pair of overalls and some kind of farm machinery. We were (and still are) unaware of what this has to do with being a person fit to serve as commissioner. Garner also uses the word "conservative" in his bio and ads. No, he doesn't come right out and say that his opponent is a liberal, but obviously he wants the voters to infer that.

A reader is disturbed by recent events in "Garner Land." Here is his take on current shenanigans:

Word is out as to why our county commission decided to pave a county road that Roger Garner's in-laws own 95% of the farm property along the roadside. Some say a hunting lodge is being built, but others say it will be more like a militia camp.

Either way it is not good news for their neighbor Joe Wheeler State Park. More specifically the campground area at Joe Wheeler State Park. Would you want to sleep in a tent at a state park located next to a hunting lodge or militia training camp?

But PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, we need individuals to run against Roger Garner in this year's election.

Was there favoritism involved in this decision? Let's just say the optics don't look good considering how many in the county have been waiting years for ANY road improvement.

The ballot box can be a mighty weapon, but few seem to use it. Familiar name? Vote for him/her. No need to even look twice at the candidate's credentials. Republican? Vote for him/her. Who cares if they hate blacks and Jews.

We would be happy for Mr. Garner to address this reader's concerns...and to update us on the county's progress with improved animal control.

Perks of Being a Lauderdale Commissioner?

 

A reader from the Rogersville area has an interesting take on a recent paving project:

The Rogersville Town Council is using tax money to lay asphalt on a private road in the town limits.

This follows the Lauderdale County Commission resurfacing County Road 608 - a dead-end road that is only 20% occupied by houses.

The rest of 608 is occupied by a farm belonging to the family of Lauderdale County Commissioner Roger Garner.

What a coincidence! Because the private road that the Town of Rogersville is having paved was created by, and the responsibility of maintaining it belongs to, Garner's family.

-----------------------$

A reminder for you...

Did they also profit from the selling of playground equipment that was purchased with RC&D money?*

* Rogersville Lovers' Lane Park

...For Tuesday We Vote/Autumn Wood

While every election is important, so many voters don't research, or sometimes even bother to check their ballot in, local elections. We hope each of you will vote Tuesday, no matter how you mark your ballots. Here are our picks on some pivotal local spots:

State:

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court - Bob Vance. Vance is a man of integrity; his opponent Roy Moore is a grandstander who cares only for himself.

Lauderdale County:

Probate Judge - William Smith. William is a practicing attorney with vast experience in service to his community and local causes.

Commission Chair - Quinton Hanson. Quinton owns a successful local business, and do we really need another term for Dewey Mitchell, the man Sam Pendleton has called the worst probate judge Lauderdale County has ever had? Quinton has promised more transparency in county government. Now that will be refreshing.

Commissioner District 1 - Roger Garner. Roger is a level headed businessman who promises not to use this office for personal vendettas.

Commissioner District 2 - Joe Hackworth. Joe is not aligned with any cliques and promises to bring a breath of educated fresh air to county government.

Superintendent of Education - Jennifer Gray. Jennifer not only has the best interest of the county school system at heart, she also has the "pieces of paper" to make her the best choice.

Colbert County:

Probate Judge - Daniel Rosser. Daniel is a practicing attorney. Jim Bonner has many good points, but no legal education and until only recently resided outside Colbert County.

Commissioner District 5: Tommy Oswalt. Tommy is a local businessman with no apparent hidden agenda.

Franklin County:

Probate Judge - Barry Moore. Barry has served well the past five years. His opponent failed to show up for the NWSCC sponsored debate. Connie Green has run more on the record of her late husband than on the platform of her vision for Franklin County.

*****

We continue to receive questions and comments concerning Autumn Marie Wood, the confessed killer of 14 year-old Brooklyn Ann Hollins. Therefore, we're republishing some facts of the case, along with some educated guesses concerning her fate.

Fact - Wood was denied juvenile status and will be tried as an adult.

Fact - Wood is charged with only Felony Murder. She cannot receive either the death penalty or a sentence of Life Without Parole.

Prediction: The Lauderdale County District Attorney's office will give the jury the option of convicting Wood of Manslaughter. In this way, there is a greater chance Wood will not go free.

Fact: If convicted of Manslaughter, Wood will almost certainly receive the maximum of 15 years. Since it is a Class B felony, she will complete her sentence in five years (assuming good behavior) and also be eligible for parole in 20 months.

Fact: If convicted of Felony Murder, Wood will be eligible for parole after 10 years--sooner if she has support from community and competent attorneys.

Prediction: We're giving 51-49 odds that Wood will be convicted of Manslaughter.



Shoalanda

Rhea Tays Fulmer v. Joe Frank Fowler/Roy Moore

Rhea Tays Michael Fulmer--Current Lauderdale Commissioner

Democratic incumbent Rhea Tays Michael Fulmer will face Joe Frank Fowler in the April 24th runoff. The winner will face Republican Roger Garner in the November general election to determine who will represent District 1 on the Lauderdale County Commission.

Both Fulmer and Fowler have stated they support RegionalCare building its new medical center in Lauderdale County. Not too many surprises here, are there? Fowler is a former Lauderdale County school board member, and both candidates come with a lot of baggage. Since Fowler has failed to utilize social media in this race and has already finished second to Fulmer in the March 13th primary, it's not difficult to predict Fulmer will win the nomination.

Is she a better choice? We believe the race offers a Morton's fork; therefore, we're not endorsing either candidate. Republican Garner has shown he's extremely effective at campaigning, so whoever wins the April election will have a strong opponent in the fall. Thank God.

More candidate info:

Click to Enlarge

*****

We've had reports of at least one reader being disturbed by our reference to Roy Moore as a returning fungus. Let's look back at some of Moore's greatest moments...

1. He called the state's first case of mad cow disease a plot to help pass an animal identification system.

2. He told his replacement Chief Justice Gorman Houston that he was going to hell.

3. He placed a granite monument depicting the Ten Commandments inside the state judicial building...complete with the wording "c. Roy Moore." (We're pretty sure God doesn't like plagiarism.)

4. He said in 2005 that homosexuality shouldn't be tolerated in Alabama. (We're not weighing in on the right or wrong of that particular orientation. We just want to be sure Moore doesn't decide to not tolerate them with gas chambers.)

We could go on, but you get the idea. We'll gladly accept comments concerning Roy Moore's beliefs and his candidacy.

Shoalanda

B.J. Tully/Carla's Closing/Runners

 B. J. Tully

If you live in Lauderdale County, you've heard the name B.J. Tully. Mr. Tully has long worked in law enforcement and similarly toiled in the political vineyard. The Republican is currently running against Roger Garner for the county commission seat in District 1.

Both gentlemen have good records, but Mr. Tully has more diverse experience and has proved himself in numerous capacities. We wholeheartedly endorse B.J. Tully for the Republican nomination.

*****

Have you eaten at Carla's Sandwiches & Burgers yet? Open less than two months, we hear that today is their swan song. The South Court Street location was previously home to Backyard Burger, another regional chain that failed to make it there, not once but twice.

We're still hearing rumors that Zaxby's is considering downtown Florence. The main question is will they give this location a try or consider it jinxed at this point?

*****

Fast Delivery for Fine Dining: If you live or work in the immediate Shoals area, you should be familiar with Runners. This new business is something of a novelty in the area, but owner Bill Gibbs tells us it's gaining new customers each day. For a small charge, Runners delivers for several local restaurants and is adding to the list daily.

Runners on Facebook

Runners Menu Blog

*****

The legal system failed Tommy Arthur? We wonder how long Arthur would have been allowed to live if human existence depended upon what a person gave back to society?



Shoalanda