Northwest Alabama Regional Airport Authority

After our columns on Allen Wilson (Lauderdale County teacher indicted for assault) and James Michael Self (General Manager of the now closed Shoals Suzuki dealership/former partner in Tom Jones Insurance), we had several question their involvement with the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport. We may not be able to answer all questions at this time, but this should shed some light on a few nebulous areas.

One reader questioned the ownership of the airport, mentioning reports that the facility belonged to the estate of the late Elton H. Darby Sr. While Darby Aviation has business interests based at the airport, records indicate the facility itself is the property of Lauderdale and Colbert Counties. The two counties have vested control in the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport Authority.

James Michael (Mike) Self currently holds a three year term that will expire in March 2010. Muscle Shoals City Council minutes for March 2007 indicate that although the position was listed in the newspaper, only Self applied.

Allen Wilson is listed as an officer in the Authority. One reader questioned the legality of his position on the Board should he be convicted of the assault with which he's charged. Since this is not an elected position, the attorney for the Lauderdale County Commission would in all probability rule on whether he would be relieved of his seat on the Board.

It's interesting that until recently, Florence real estate developer Jimmy Neese also served on the Board. Perhaps aviation, like the entertainment industry, draws a particular personality type. We, as do many in Lauderdale County, anxiously await Mr. Wilson's trial.

The Northwest Alabama Regional Airport is owned by Colbert and Lauderdale Counties. The counties established the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport Authority, Inc., which operates, maintains, and administers the airport through a seven-member Board of Directors: Ed Borden -- Chairman Rick Elliot - Vice Chairman Allen Wilson -- Secretary/Treasurer Braxton Ashe -- Member Wayne Lash -- Member Hank Robbins -- Member Mike Self - Member Matthew Hea - Airport Director

Shoals Suzuki & James Michael Self

If you purchased a new automobile from Shoals Suzuki, you are automatically part of a class action suit against the Sheffield dealership and its general manager James Michael (Mike) Self. Self is no stranger to the court system, having been indicted last year for embezzling $70,000.00 from Tom Jones Financial Services of which he was Chief Operating Officer. After Self's partner James Harris agreed to drop the criminal charges, Self then sued Harris for malicious prosecution.

The son of the late broadcaster D. Mitchell Self inherited Self Broadcasting, a company that included the historic WLAY radio station in Muscle Shoals. After selling his interest in 2000, Mike Self helped found Odyssey Broadband and Supernet Services, as well as buying into what was then known as Tom Jones Insurance Agency in Tuscumbia. The 1979 graduate of Muscle Shoals High School is also Muscle Shoals' representative on the Airport Authority Board, his term expiring in March 2010.

It remains to be seen if this class action suit will actually recoup any of the money lost in warranties purchased through Shoals Suzuki. Legal eagles say such a victory would be extraordinarily rare; however, if you are the unlucky holder of such an agreement, don't toss the document just yet. You could win a victory based solely on the court's past experience with Mike Self.


What's up with this: Engineers for the Avalon Avenue construction project say the end is in sight. One extra lane, two miles long, three years in the making--sounds about par for any state project.

Note May 31st correction to this article.