How Loud Is Loud?

Noise ordinances are worded in several different ways, from defining decibels to distances. In most cases, sound ordinances that are easily enforceable speak of noise that could be considered unreasonable. Obviously, very little noise coming from a bar could be designated as unreasonable. 

However, this point in Florence may be moot if several of our readers are correct. They've informed us that the FloBama and the Stricklin Hotel have reached an amicable resolution to their differences. Let's hope that's the case.

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On the local education front, David Shields is now gone from UNA. Why? More personality clashes? One of the results of the Jane Doe lawsuit fiasco?

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Meanwhile in Muscle Shoals, an election is fast approaching. Does anyone think the additional property tax will be approved? Does anyone actually believe that Supt. Brian Lindsey either knows or cares how to use the taxpayer funding he currently has? We're predicting a huge "No" victory.

Before anyone can say "for the children," is there someone out there who can tell us one thing in the Muscle Shoals school system that is currently substandard? That's not counting administrators, of course.

We Heard Us Some Sounds, It Was a Honky Tonk Lounge

We sincerely hope that we can stop laughing long enough to compose this blog. Let's begin at the beginning...



Florence, being a happenin' kind of a place (insert Steve Martin sketch here), wants to be many things to many people. Specifically, our lovely town wants to have a downtown entertainment district, so we have places like On the Rocks and Flo-Bama. You know Flo-Bama - it's why you can't find a parking place near Fred's when you get off work. 

But it's here; it's been here for quite some time. We haven't heard of any muggings, brawls, or honey trap schemes, so if you don't like it, just don't go there. Pretty simple, isn't it? 

On the other side of the social coin are boutique hotels. Florence now has two - the Gunrunner and the new Stricklin. Our personal opinion is the jet set doesn't want to come to Florence and even the most urbane business travelers are on a budget, so they won't be staying at any boutique hotels while visiting here. Sure, there will be some visitors, even some locals on a special night, but enough patrons to keep two such establishments in business? We'll see.

Now, if you aren't familiar with Florence, the Flo-Bama is located adjacent to the Stricklin Building where the new hotel is located on the upper floors. Sounds from this honky tonk lounge probably don't bother diners at Big Bad Breakfast, but they do irritate hotel patrons who wish to sleep at night. Who saw that coming?

Now the owners of the Stricklin have filed suit against Flo-Bama...and the City of Florence for not enforcing the noise ordinance. Remember, the Flo-Bama may be a dive but it's been there since 2010. The Stricklin opened just this past month. Perhaps we should mention here that the hotel has its own bar, the Boiler Room. Yes, they actually named it that. Florence obviously needs a seminar on naming businesses. We're expecting the Bloody Bucket to arrive shortly.

Now, gentle readers, if we open a store on Shetland Island selling air conditioning units, will you feel sorry for us when we fail? What? You're not answering that question? Oh...you're too busy laughing at the owners of the Stricklin Hotel.