Noah Monroe Tidwell--Unrepentant to the End

Colbert County Sheriff Ronnie May described Noah Monroe Tidwell of Leighton as someone who was no stranger to local law enforcement. Tidwell and his brothers Leon and Grover had theft and similar charges dating back to the early 1960s. After an August 1965 violent quarrel, Noah Monroe Tidwell killed his father with a single shotgun blast. In 2003, a Colbert County grand jury indicted Tidwell for the sexual assault of two female relatives, both minors at the time of the alleged crimes. Obviously Tidwell was no angel, but would the evidence show he was capable of sexually assaulting members of his own family?

Tidwell, then 62, hired Florence attorney Tim Case to represent him. At the time of Tidwell's arrest, Case stated his client was innocent, but also admitted he knew nothing of his past record. In order not to compromise the prosecution at Tidwell's trial, much of his previous record was not admitted.

In December 2004, the bricklayer was convicted on ten counts of various sex crimes against his victims and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Tidwell's family, including sister Rita Montesi, defended him. Montesi had particularly strong words for her brother's attorney Case who was at that time suspended from the Alabama Bar for violating rules of professional conduct. Montesi also had angry words for Colbert County and is now in a dispute with the county concerning the State's acquisition of property she owns on Wilson Dam Road.

In January 2005, Tidwell and his new attorney, John Taylor of Decatur, filed a motion for a new trial, referencing Tim Case's inadequate defense. The motion was denied by Judge Hal Hughston. Tidwell, an admitted long-time alcoholic, is now serving his sentence in the Hamilton facility for the aged and infirm.

Nevertheless, Noah Monroe Tidwell is not too infirm to continue filing lawsuits against Colbert County. His latest claimed an illegal indictment due to his brother sitting on the grand jury that indicted him. The brother, Freddie Tidwell, did not vote on Noah Tidwell's indictment, but did hear testimony in the case. The suit also alleged prosecutorial misconduct in not allowing Freddie Tidwell to testify in his brother's defense. A U.S. Court of Appeals denied Tidwell's claims in March 2011, but considering the former bricklayer's track record, we doubt that Colbert County or its taxpayers have heard the last of him.

Related post: Who is Rita Montesi?

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Update on Sheffield Post Office: A source with the local USPS confirmed today that while Sheffield post office boxes will remain open to patrons indefinitely, the window service will not. During most days, one window will remain open, in all probability manned by the Sheffield Postmaster himself. This is progress?



Shoalanda

Update on Sheffield Post Office/Fiddlin' Willie

Note: Blogger was down for 24 hours for purposes of posting; also, Thursday's posts were temporarily deleted. Blogger has now corrected this problem.


Yesterday we blogged concerning the imminent closing of the Sheffield Post Office. These are the facts as we now have them:

1. All sorting and mail delivery is moving to the Tuscumbia location.

2. The majority of counter personnel will be moved to other locations.

3. (Anticipated/projected) All post office boxes will remain open for an unknown period of time; however, the retail/customer service counter will close.

Apparently, items one and two are already taking place. Item three is in the works for a later date to enable Sheffield patrons to acclimate to visiting the Tuscumbia or other local post offices. Is there anything we can do? We have received several responses stating that nothing will deter this USPS plan. Again, we do encourage readers to contact Rep. Mo Brooks.

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Fiddlin' Willie

A Guest Commentary By

William Rogers

A somewhat accurate comparison can be made between Sheriff Ronnie Willis and Roman emperor Nero. Nero is alleged to have been so far removed from the needs of Rome that while Rome was engulfed in flames, its ruler fiddled.

Sheriff Ronnie Willis is so caught up in chasing his tail...and frequently stepping on it...that he is totally oblivious to the downward spiral his department is caught in. Sheriff Willis has lost all credibility among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and cannot see it. Instead of efficiently running his department and commanding respect from his officers, he has resorted to constant 'little man' tirades where he berates and belittles them.

'Rome' is burning and Willie is fiddlin'....

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Thanks to Mr. Rogers for what we hope is the first of many guest blogs. Please feel free to send in any guest commentaries or rebuttals.



Shoalanda

Sheffield Post Office to Close?

We were forwarded an e-mail late last night in which the author stated the Sheffield Post Office would be soon closing. If this is true, and considering the extremely credible source, we believe it is, the effects on Sheffield could be devastating. Why Sheffield?

The Florence Post Office is similarly large and hardly built for easy entrance and egress, so we must infer the facility isn't being used as much as the powers that be in Washington feel it should. It may already be too late, but we suggest if you live or work in Sheffield that you attempt to route all mail through the Sheffield facility. Outgoing letter/package count is a factor in many closings, but not always the decisive one. Also, contact Rep. Mo Brooks; he seems truly willing to help this area, so now's his chance.

The Sheffield Post Office was constructed in 1930 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Should the post office be closed, the building could be purchased and preserved; however, given today's economic climate, that is not assured. Let's all work to help Sheffield and its citizens preserve it.

Photo of Sheffield Post Office by Jimmy Emerson.

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The Shoals area has lost a valuable asset in the passing of Frank V. Potts. We never knew anyone who had met Mr. Potts who didn't comment on his humor, as well as his sense of fair play. Our sincerest sympathy to his family. The world is greatly diminished by his loss.

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Important Announcement: Those of you who are regular readers know that we happily post guest blogs and editorials, especially rebuttals. Indeed we have begged for such from time to time. This is a political blog and reflects the political opinion of its writers. We currently have four regular members and the opinion of one is not necessarily the opinion of all. Two of our writers reside in Colbert County and, again if you are a regular reader, you know that the opinion of one is usually not the opinion of the other.

Yesterday we published a column by C.R. that commented on recent events concerning Colbert County Sheriff Ronnie May. Sheriff May disagreed with this account, but instead of contacting us, he chose to contact another Internet site to relate his version of recent events in Franklin and Marion Counties. (We endorsed his opponent in the last election.) This is his prerogative; however, we hope that Sheriff May will still contact us and we will be happy to publish his account in its entirety.

Our only restriction on guest blogs is that they do not promote abusive or violent behavior. If you wish to champion the Whig Party, Pastafarianism, or Esperanza, this is your place; however, similarly you may expect rabid opposition from other readers. That, after all, is what political debate is all about.



Shoalanda