Joe Jolly Co.: Another No-Bid Contract

We've mentioned before that the State of Alabama does not place professional services under its bidding umbrella. Why? Obviously there is more to consider than the bottom financial line in such contracts. It's also obvious that such no-bid provisions can lead to, as many have termed it, "good ol' boy" politics at its worst. Ironically, when Mayor Bobby Irons and the late Councilman Scott Carrier sought to open up the position of Financial Advisor to the city, they were the ones accused of wanting to place their cronies in the job.

The Joe Jolly Co. made the news today when its Shoals representative Johnny Dill announced that local bonds financing the Robert Trent Jones Golf Courses were on schedule to pay off early. The Joe Jolly Co. has been the Financial Advisor to Florence since 1979. It also serves in similar capacities to Muscle Shoals and numerous towns across the valley. Like Florence, these cities do not place their contracts out for bids.

By all accounts the Joe Jolly Co. has served Florence and other cities well, but its exclusive contract bothers many. In other words, the City of Florence cannot use any other brokerage firm but Jolly's, located in Birmingham. Is this troubling?

We don't have the financial expertise to answer that, but we do question how anyone would not find the contract anything but good ol' boyin' at its best. Local Jolly representative Dill is the son-in-law of the late Elton Darby. Interestingly, the Joe Jolly Co. has previously donated large amounts to the campaign of Roger Bedford, another Darby son-in-law.

Looking on the bright side, Mayor Irons favored giving the contract to J. P. Morgan, the company that lost its shirt in the Birmingham Sewer Bond boondoggle. We have Scott Carrier to thank for that not coming to fruition.

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An update on Kiwi's Haven from Renee' Miskell:

Instead of opening the paypal account (which would take too much time that I don't have), I wanted to let you know that the Elgin, Alabama Co-op is allowing donors to call in their credit card numbers. The Elgin Co-op phone number is 256 247 3453. Mention that they want to apply credit to the Jeff & Renee Miskell account. This way we can buy feed, halters, corral panels, medicine, etc.

I have rescued 37 horses, 5 cows, and 3 dogs. Joanne Gutknecht (was my friend) was not feeding them, letting them starve to death; two died. Now I am going to court Aug. 19 on the hearing. Then hopefully the horses can be placed in new foster homes. It's been quite a project! Never a dull moment. Tank got excited by all of the mares, broke 4 wood panels, cut his leg wide open, treating that now. He should be okay. A mare cut her leg, treating that. A gelding cut his leg, treating that. Walking 7 dogs morning and night. Feeding and treating 37 horses with rain rot, cutting manes and tails that were matted. Two horses looked like they had a fifth leg because the tail was so matted and touched the ground. I've made quite a stir in the Arabian horse community, been in the newspaper and on two tv stations. Spent $5000 already. Taking donations.

Really hot...105...grass is drying up. Already feeding our winter hay supply to Joanne's horses.

Renee Miskell

6901 County Road 50

Rogersville, AL 35652

256 247 1727

email: renee.256@att.net

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Now here's Johnny & Roger, uh, Moe & Joe...

Thanks to Matt Osborne for the idea for today's blog on Joe Jolly.


Shoalanda

Hermon T. Graham - Don't Play Without Him

Somehow after Sarah Palin announced she no longer wanted to be the Governor of Alaska, it's fitting that Hermon T. Graham has announced his candidacy to succeed Rep. Tammy Irons in the State House. Graham currently serves as Florence City Councilman for District 3, largely located in the Eastern end of the city.

Graham has previously stated he was being encouraged to run for state representative, although he never bothered to mention the names of those who were doing the encouraging. Graham's district is one of the most economically depressed in Florence, and it's quite possible the good councilman has grown tired of it.

It was only a few years ago that Graham butted heads with Martin Dean, Scott Carrier, and several concerned East Florence residents over the proposed Bass Pro Shop to be located in District 3. When Graham refused to address his constituency's concerns, they proceeded to take the matter into their own hands. Graham's reaction: How dare they?

From the June 2, 2006 TimesDaily:

In the message, Graham said Dean should not have called for a meeting "about things in other people's district(s)," Carrier said.

"I don't approve of having (a) meeting in my district I represent, (when) I'm out of town," Graham stated on the message. "He's playing with fire and whoever is helping him is, too."

Carrier said Graham's message indicated that residents need Graham's permission to assemble in the district Graham represents.

We're sure we're not alone in the belief that a representative should represent, not thwart the will of the district he serves. Considering the amount of the interest in the District I seat, we doubt Hermon T. Graham will be a viable contender.


Quote of the day: “Some people would be better off with poor eye sight than more credit.” - Bobby W. Miller, Florence Author

Roger Lovelace and Flogas - Part IV

One has to wonder if Lovelace saw the demise of a public FloWeb as the beginning of the end of his career at FloGas. In all probability, he did not. His immediate superior was still Jack Hilliard and, earlier in his career, he had survived rumors that he had helped his son hack into Pentagon computers. Lovelace continued his rush to an FBI investigation that is still ongoing.

Contending that replacement pipe for the FloGas system did not fall under bid laws, he purchased large amounts from at least two companies at inflated prices. The Florence system was not expanding, a fact that produced dismay in several newer subdivisions, including Heritage Village to the north of Florence. Why the need for so much pipe? An official inventory found enough stockpiled replacement pipe to reach to Birmingham and back.

Lovelace also was known to use gas department labor at his home and continued to use his brother-in-law's construction company, not bothering to request official change orders to existing purchase and construction contracts. In all, over $420,000.00 additional work was given to Ronnie Golden's construction company without proper approval. To add further insult, Lovelace authorized the loan of FloGas equipment to Golden Construction, including phone lines.

Whether one is a Scott Carrier fan or not, the late Florence Councilman, along with a handful of other concerned private citizens, succeeded in bringing Lovelace's malfeasance to light. By now, Bobby Irons was mayor, and while he was reported to be no fan of the corrupt gas department manager, neither was he anxious to fire the department head.

For almost two years, Roger Lovelace remained on FloGas payroll, finally retiring in 2006. When Jack Hilliard also retired, Mayor Irons eliminated the position of General Utilities Manager and combined the Gas and Water Departments under Mike Doyle, who has managed to keep a low profile during his stint at the helm.

Roger Lovelace then went to work for the Brinks Security Company where he planned to work until retiring at the age of 70. While already drawing a substantial retirement from the city, Lovelace should have been in a position to offer his expertise to charities and other social causes, thus insuring a more inspiring legacy. Now it seems we will be filing Roger D. Lovelace's latest chapter under notoriety, and the FBI has yet to weigh in with its official report.

Visitors to the Florence Municipal Building may have noticed changes in recent months. Where a photograph of Roger Lovelace used to grace the wall, now hangs a poster of a colorful Dalmatian--a sad commentary indeed.

Scott Carrier - A Friend to Florence, Alabama

Florence has lost a friend with the passing of Scott E. Carrier. Whether one supported Mr. Carrier in his bid for mayor or not, no one can deny that he placed his hometown first.

From Veterans Park to Florence Public Library, from the historic district to the town's outskirts, Scott Carrier worked to make his hometown a better place. A close friend of Governor Bob Riley, Carrier never hesitated to travel to Montgomery to argue the city's case.

After serving District 2 for four years, Carrier lost his first mayoral race less than three months ago. I say first since those close to him felt he would again rise in the city's political circles. What he could have accomplished had he been able to do so, we can never know, but we can look back fondly and with admiration on what he did help bring to fruition.

Sources say that his family and close friend Matt Osborne have been deeply saddened by Carrier's sudden death. Our sincerest sympathies to all those close to Mr. Carrier.


What's up with this: Ben T. Gardner, current Sheffield City Attorney, is said to be chomping at the bit to take the City of Tuscumbia to court over its dismissal of Carol Burns. Perhaps they should charge admission?

Scott Carrier's Last Stand

Lame duck Florence Councilman Scott Carrier voted against both the 2009 budget and proposed utility rate increases. His was the only negative vote on either issue, both sure to pass at the next council meeting. Carrier's objection to the budget was based on its lack of cost of living raises for city employees. At least this was Carrier's stated objection.

Carrier's recent letters to various area newspaper editors have shown the mayor-wannabe to be disgruntled and blaming voters' bad judgment for his loss in the recent Florence City elections. His votes against these issues obviously resulted from his negativity and have cost the city two weeks in preparation for the coming fiscal year. The next council meeting will be Carrier's last, and I'm sure many feel as I do--good riddance to his theatrical shenanigans.

Will Scott leave the Florence political scene for good? That remains to be seen, and even if he should do so, guy pal Matt Osborne is waiting in the wings to assume the mantle of bad boy council critic. Mayor Irons may finish his second term wondering why he sought an encore in the city's highest office.


What's up with this: Sources at a local District Attorney's office have indicated we can expect the imminent arrest of a Florence restaurant owner/manager for First Degree Theft.