A New Day/Christopher Kilpatrick

The Shoals is fortunate to have new leadership in several towns. We believe Florence and Tuscumbia in particular are on the verge of great things…or at least better things.

We’re especially happy to see Steve Holt, Kaytrina Simmons, and Michelle Eubanks keeping the channels of communication open in Florence. Let’s hope others follow their example.

District One councilwoman Simmons is holding a meeting for her constituents:

Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: UNA-Commons Building-room 330 (Main entrance of University near the fountain-it’s the building to the left of Parking lot.) Aderholt Drive.

Please come out so we can meet and share your thoughts and what you would like to see for District 1. If you have anything you would like to know please feel free to contact me in advance and I will try to have you an answer at the meeting. I want to hear from YOU!

I can be reached via the following:
ksimmons@florenceal.org
256-760-6401

Refreshments will be served!
#loveyourdistrict1

Council Member,
Kaytrina P.Simmons

Please share so District 1 Constituents will be notified.

We look forward to reporting on concerns for this district and how the city will be handling them.

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Great news: The Colbert County Courthouse metal detector will be moved from the lobby to the foyer! Snicker. Eye roll. More snickers. Sorry, but that’s what the TD’s Russ Corey said. Our friend Judge Daniel Rosser should put in for hazardous duty pay.

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Christopher Wayne Kilpatrick is currently accused of attempting to murder a Florence police officer. Was he trying to take out some correction officers as well?

Kilpatrick & Prison Contraband

Not all law enforcement officers are perfect, but our sympathies and concerns are always with them. Unless we’ve worked in law enforcement, we’ll never know what they face on a daily basis.

Don't Blame Spellcheck for These Errors

It's certainly easy to blame spellcheck for a number of errors in the news today. If we can't attribute errata to spellcheck, the slightly more evolved auto-correct often looks like a good patsy. Examples?

We read of a woman who wasn't going on a diet just yet because she was getting pregnant that night. In reality, she was getting Pringles, as in potato chips. A friend regaled us with an account of trying to type the name Nipper into an article while the auto-correct kept changing the man's name to Nipple.

Yet some errors can't be chalked up to anything but...hmmm...what? Again we see the TimesDaily telling us the Alabama Music Hall of Fame needs more notoriety. Really? We think the word Russ Corey was looking for in both articles was publicity. We also think he doesn't read the comments to his articles or he would have been aware of his error the first time he misused the word.

Then we recently ventured over to the Flor-Ala online to see how the can carry/can't carry battle is shaping up. Weren't we surprised to learn the Tennessee River runs through Florence. Whether this error was caused by too little geography being taught these days or too many smoking materials being readily available, we weren't sure.

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Very cool video:





Shoalanda

A LEO Speaks Out on Airsoft/"Colby" Hall?

A faithful reader who is also a retired law enforcement officer (LEO) has some interesting comments concerning Airsoft and Hershel Dale Graham (who was 16 when he shot his stepfather):

While I support one's right to own and use AirSoft 'guns' (RESPONSIBLY), speaking from a LEO's perspective, they pose a very real danger. LEOs rarely have the luxury of  'time' when someone points a 'weapon' at them or someone else in their presence. AirSoft 'guns' were/are designed to mimic real firearms. LEOs are trained to respond with deadly force if threatened with a firearm. If a LEO hesitates, even the slightest little bit, it may cost him or someone else their life (it already has). If someone points an AirSoft 'gun' at a LEO, I can only think that they are wanting to commit 'suicide by cop'.

In my opinion, the AK pictured being held in the vehicle is an 'AirSoft' model. Otherwise, it is a 'short barreled rifle'....recently made legal in Alabama, but ONLY with the payment of a $200 NFA tax and blessings from the BATFE. AirSoft 'guns' only need the 'red tip' to be sold...not possessed or used. Our TacTeam used AirSoft copies of the HK USP pistols and MP5s they used on duty for training.inside public buildings. 

At 16, juveniles don't possess 2nd Amendment rights. So...they cannot lose them.
 
Editor's Note: Wikipedia states that it is also illegal to possess an Airsoft or other simulated weapon without the red/orange tip. Wiki has been known to have misleading information; comments welcome.

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A poster on Facebook recently mentioned the abominable spelling contained in the TimesDaily, which immediately prompted a rebuttal from TD staff writer Russ Corey. Why mention it here?

An article by Hannah Mask in today's TD mentioned "Colby" Hall. After reading the article, we commented on the incorrect name in the space provided by our local daily rag. This morning the comment had been deleted. We wonder if elementary school teachers still suggest reading the TD as a means to improve English and communication skills?



Shoalanda

The Truth Hurts, but It's Good for Us...

How does that old joke go? Atlanta envies New York, Birmingham envies Atlanta, Huntsville envies Birmingham, and Florence & the Shoals envy Huntsville. We're here to tell you that after reading the TimesDaily the past few months, Florence and the Shoals should envy...Florence and the Shoals.

There may be some crime; there may even be a modicum of bickering among local leaders, but there's no true recession here. Jobs are plentiful in most fields, and if they aren't in yours, stick around because they will be after a few more months of SEDA recruiting.

The National Alabama rail car plant is set to explode--just tell them when. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame now has a second group to solicit funds for the HOF. According to TD staff writer Russ Corey, the formation of a foundation to seek additional funding for the Tuscumbia boondoggle is a positive thing. If you refuse the first one to ask for a contribution, you'll feel bad and contribute to the second one? We wonder how many will now give to neither since the whole situation smacks of a family feud?

The new year will also see a new Internet company based in Lexington--we're guessing because the Snow Masters company has so much more experience in that sort of thing than AT&T. Heaven forbid the TD portray such a project as anything short of the second coming. It will only be when National Alabama, the Hall of Fame, a Francisco Guerra company, or a similar endeavor goes under that the local press will be missing in action.

For real news concerning the local economy, look at the obituaries--that's right, the local obituaries. Those of a certain age who pass on have fewer and fewer children...at least living in the Shoals. If they do have resident children, their grandchildren have migrated to the lush economic pastures of larger cities. Even those who stay here for personal reasons are quick to paint a bleak picture of life in northwest Alabama. The Shoals is saturated with attorneys, nurses, and accountants. Many in these highly skilled professions barely eke out a living, at least compared to their colleagues in other geographical areas.

Nevertheless, we can rejoice because Florence will now have one of the top five school systems in the state...and not leave any child behind to do so. How do we know this? The TimesDaily has told us so. Belief in one's self is essential, but it takes more to make the system work. If local stores took inventory in the same manner the TD takes stock of local industry, we're afraid most would go bankrupt very quickly.

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Hard words are often necessary. We've recently encouraged readers to write those in state and national government to request a link to the interstate highway system. We still think that should be the number one project for the area, but what would be the second?

Several things come to mind, but the easiest is community clean-up. Would you want to put a restaurant in the East Florence Entertainment District (whatever that may be)? Would you want to open a large chain store in downtown Sheffield? Would you want to place an upscale art gallery in downtown Leighton?

We're betting you answered no to all three questions. If the answers are ever to change to yes, local governments are going to have to treat the offending property owners in a fair, but extremely strict manner. Junk is junk, no matter who owns it.

We'll add that the City of Sheffield should appoint Steve Wiggins to head a monumental clean up campaign. The city should give Steve authority to do what it takes to clean up what used to be a beautiful town. There are only two choices, and those who choose to do nothing should expect nothing. Think about it.

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It's Christmas Eve, and the above subjects of urban and economic decay in the area, while necessary, aren't exactly uplifting. If you're looking for a treat on your afternoon off, we suggest you take a look at Remembering Florence. If you haven't visited Larry Fisher's Facebook page recently, you'll be amazed at the added material. There are now over 300 photos of Florence and the surrounding area. Thanks again to Larry for creating and monitoring this wonderful sight.


What's up with this: It's 12/24 and we haven't heard from J. J. Ray. Will Santa escape Rhea Fulmer Michael Tays' evil plot to ruin Christmas? Let's hope everyone has a joyous and fantastic holiday!

Shoalanda