Tommy Oswalt/New Colbert Info?

Tommy Oswalt has been acting Revenue Commissioner for some time. He's a known and proved candidate, and Colbert County would do well to elect him to his first full term.

Tommy L. Oswalt

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Now, here's where we remind you that we're not perfect. Once before we have withdrawn an endorsement...and really lived to regret that since we were right on target the first time in the Olivis-Montgomery election in Colbert County.

Therefore, we're still considering what to do here, since we have some private info about a past incident in Phil Andrews earlier years. We chose not to publish it, but it did influence our endorsement. In the interest of fairness, we're publishing this video. Please feel free to comment. Translated that means if you have more info on this, PLEASE contact us via FB or our e-mail.

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Shoalanda

Tommy L. Oswalt

Tommy Oswalt has announced he will run for Revenue Commissioner in Colbert County, a position he currently holds. Here's his bio:

Tommy L. Oswalt was born and raised in Colbert County, Alabama. He graduated with honors in 1985 from Colbert Heights High School, and chose to enter the United States Marine Corps. While in the Marines, Tommy had numerous deployments overseas, was meritoriously promoted, and participated in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Tommy was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for “outstanding job performance during Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield”. In 1992 he received an Honorary Discharge and returned home to Muscle Shoals after serving six years of active duty.

For 19 years, Tommy worked at a Decatur Chemical Plant, Ascend Performance Materials (formerly known as Solutia, and before that, Monsanto) with his last position being a Night Shift Operations Supervisor, where his over saw 3 production departments. During his time there he also served as Nylon Intermediates Safety Coordinator, Nylon Intermediates Hiring Manager, and he coordinated the payroll for Nylon Intermediates. In 1998, while still at Solutia, Tommy pursued his Real Estate license and worked at Century 21 part time. In 2004, Tommy obtained his property and casualty license and worked with Farmers Insurance part time.

In 2009, Tommy and Luisa decided to take a chance and open a business in Muscle Shoals. They opened a sandwich/coffee shop and revived an old name of a well loved restaurant, the “Trojan House.”

After years of commuting to Decatur, the opportunity presented itself to be closer to home; Tommy accepted a job with Sara Lee of Florence as a 2nd Shift Production Supervisor were he oversee 47 employees, on two production lines. Last year Sara Lee changed its name to Hillshire Brands.

While he still works at Hillshire full time he is able to also work at the sandwich shop. This has been a great opportunity to serve the community, meet new people and make many new friends. It’s “family owned” and therefore allowing Tommy and his wife to work alongside each other, with their older children and some great employees, too.

In August 2013, Governor Bentley appointed Tommy to the position of Revenue Commissioner of Colbert County. This was a humbling honor and he looks forward with the opportunity to serve the citizens of Colbert County. In the first two months of office, Tommy had the tax roll and the Revenue Commissioners budget that needed to be completed. The tax roll, with the help of the great employees of the office, was ran with no issues. Tommy was also able to review the Budget, and reduce it by 20%. This reduction his budget was vital in helping the Colbert County Commission with the much needed funds to give the employees of Colbert County a 2 ½% pay raise.

Tommy and his wife have 4 wonderful children, ages 21, 18, 15 & 10. He and his family are active members of their church, their church youth group and the Hispanic ministry.

Tommy has always led an active life and in previous years has run for office twice. He came very close both times, when running against an incumbent for the county commission seat (once in District 2, and due to redrawing of the district lines, once in District 5).

In past years he’s been involved with the Red Cross as a disaster relief action team member. In addition to that, he’s served on the Muscle Shoals Planning Board and the Muscle Shoals Civil Service Board. He’s currently a member of the Colbert County Republicans Executive committee, where he currently serves as Treasurer, and has done so for the last 4 years. He is also a member of the Association of Alabama Tax Administrators.

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We are currently updating the data program that runs the tax roll and assessing. This conversion will bring us into the 21 Century. It will save time and make the office more efficient. Within two months in office, We reduced the Revenue Commissioner’s budget by 20%. We also expanded the job classifications for each department. We have developed a progressive career path that the employees can grow into.

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It's early in the game yet, but we expect to begin making endorsements later in the spring.




Shoalanda

Bradford & Blame

Cities are like people; they have to grow and evolve. Florence and Tuscumbia are the senior citizens of the Shoals. Muscle Shoals was the brainchild of Henry Ford and experienced years of failure to thrive. We've heard many in Sheffield government laughed when Hwy 43 was scheduled to be rerouted; why would they want it? Yet Muscle Shoals did want it and grew into an unorganized series of metal buildings, mini-malls, and gasoline stations.

The city government is very similar to the the physical town itself. Attempts to form a downtown area can be compared to attempts to reform city departments that have been without proper regulation for too long. We regularly receive complaints about its police department--many we have attributed to those who have run afoul of the law, in other words, suspect.

Today Pen-N-Sword published an article by J.J. Ray which lauded Mayor Bradford, proclaiming tales of turtle murder are smoke and mirrors to take the heat off Greg Scoggins. As we did two days ago, we agree. Any crimes committed by Mayor David Bradford should have no bearing on the fate of former officer Scoggins. They should have a bearing on Bradford's political future.

Mayor David Bradford by J.J. Ray

It will be three years before Muscle Shoals has its next municipal election. Surely there are honest and caring citizens who would be willing to take the helm of this growing city. Tommy Oswalt comes to mind. We urge all citizens of Muscle Shoals to start thinking about its future under an honest and transparent government.

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How many have prayed for our president today? Okay, if you don't pray at all, you get a pass. For those who do offer up prayers, we hope each of you prayed that our president will have a productive and safe second term. Did we vote for him? No. That doesn't mean we can't wish him the best...



Shoalanda

Leighton Not a Show Stopper? No, Just Apathetic

Election Day 2012: Fifty voters at Leighton Town Hall, District 5, were mistakenly given District 4 ballots. How many noticed the error and reported it? The same number who apparently don't care who their county commissioner is. Zero to be exact.

Lame duck Colbert County Probate Judge Tommy Crosslin called it a non-showstopper, meaning the snafu didn't affect the outcome of the election in which Roger Creekmore retained his commission seat. Creekmore defeated Tommy Oswalt by 64 votes. There was no commission race in District 4 since the incumbent ran unopposed.

Colbert Countians are fortunate in having six commissioners; Lauderdale has only two commission districts. Colbert's commissioners should have a close relationship with their constituency, yet apparently neither Creekmore nor Oswalt made any impression on these 50 Leighton voters. Nor did these 50 individuals care who their next commissioner was. Can we get a collective "Pitiful?"

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That brings us to the poll workers at Leighton Town Hall. We say workers, but in a small precinct, there may have been only one responsible for issuing the ballots. Apparently quite a bit of worker training is needed in Colbert County. Let's hope they get it before the next election.

Shoalanda

Roger Creekmore/Threats at Cherokee High School

When casting a vote, it's always a great feeling to know that even if your candidate doesn't win, the office will be in good hands. We've stated before that will be the case if James Hall should become the next Lauderdale County Probate Judge by defeating our pick William Smith.

Apparently that is also the case in the Colbert County District 5 Commission race. We endorsed Tommy Oswalt on the basis of the man we know him to be. We'll certainly admit that those of us who write for Shoalanda were not that familiar with the kind of man Roger Creekmore is. Readers have taken it upon themselves to inform us of Roger's character and to make us aware of what he has done for the citizens of Colbert County. Here's one recommendation from someone we admire greatly.

I agree with you that Mr Oswalt is a good man, is a successful businessman and has no hidden agenda but the same can also be said about Roger Creekmore.

As a resident of district 5 I believe it would be extremely bad to lose him.In 2007 a company located in Colbert County and began importing Human Waste—from New York City— to be spread on land and used as “fertilizer” in our County. The pathogens present in this waste had the potential for significant health risks to our residents. We were told nothing could legally be done to stop this practice. Roger Creekmore took office, took action, and working with our legislative delegation and the voters of Colbert County passed a constitutional amendment banning this practice. Our public health was protected.

In 2008 our Sheriff’s department was suffering from a lack of adequate patrol cars, Cars dedicated to patrol duty were being run 24 hours a day. Working with the Sheriff other low mileage, state surplus patrol vehicles, at a fraction of the cost of new vehicles. Today the Sheriff’s department has a patrol car assigned to every Deputy and due to the accrued mileage being spread out over more vehicles, overall maintenance costs for the fleet has actually decreased.

In the 10 years prior to 2008, over 25 persons had lost their lives at the “Rock Cut” section of U.S. Hwy 43 north of LIttleville. Roger Creekmore got involved and partnering with the Coroner’s office, Littleville Fire Department and elected officials, directed public attention to the issue. Roger personally went to Gov. Bob Riley and asked for his assistance. Within months this section of the state highway was upgraded, paved and center and outside guardrails were installed. Since completed in 2010—no loss of life in this section of highway.

Roger Creekmore believes in responsibility in government; over the past four years of his service in office, while our national government accumulates trillions in debt and our state government must borrow from its “rainy day’ reserves to meet its obligations, your Colbert County Commission has operated within its means and returned money each year to its general fund reserves. All in the middle of a recession. That’s responsible government taking care to spend your tax dollars wisely.

It would seem in the end, that no matter your choice, District 5 will be in great hands. Don't you wish all offices could boast those kinds of candidates?

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Sources say Shoals schools were in lock down this past Friday due to threats involving Cherokee High School. Apparently parents and guardians were not informed of this as it was happening, and many have questions. We have no further knowledge of the situation and appreciate all info from the public.

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D.K. has reminded us that the maximum sentence for Manslaughter in the Autumn Wood case could be 20 years, not 15, since a weapon was used. If this should be the final sentence, Wood would be eligible for parole in approximately seven years. Also, we assumed if Wood is convicted of Felony Murder, the judge would sentence her to Life. As D.K. pointed out, while the maximum sentence is Life, the minimum is 20 years. As with the Manslaughter verdict, there is no Correctional Incentive Time for sentences over 15 years, but one could expect a parole hearing in approximately seven years in this case.



Shoalanda

...For Tuesday We Vote/Autumn Wood

While every election is important, so many voters don't research, or sometimes even bother to check their ballot in, local elections. We hope each of you will vote Tuesday, no matter how you mark your ballots. Here are our picks on some pivotal local spots:

State:

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court - Bob Vance. Vance is a man of integrity; his opponent Roy Moore is a grandstander who cares only for himself.

Lauderdale County:

Probate Judge - William Smith. William is a practicing attorney with vast experience in service to his community and local causes.

Commission Chair - Quinton Hanson. Quinton owns a successful local business, and do we really need another term for Dewey Mitchell, the man Sam Pendleton has called the worst probate judge Lauderdale County has ever had? Quinton has promised more transparency in county government. Now that will be refreshing.

Commissioner District 1 - Roger Garner. Roger is a level headed businessman who promises not to use this office for personal vendettas.

Commissioner District 2 - Joe Hackworth. Joe is not aligned with any cliques and promises to bring a breath of educated fresh air to county government.

Superintendent of Education - Jennifer Gray. Jennifer not only has the best interest of the county school system at heart, she also has the "pieces of paper" to make her the best choice.

Colbert County:

Probate Judge - Daniel Rosser. Daniel is a practicing attorney. Jim Bonner has many good points, but no legal education and until only recently resided outside Colbert County.

Commissioner District 5: Tommy Oswalt. Tommy is a local businessman with no apparent hidden agenda.

Franklin County:

Probate Judge - Barry Moore. Barry has served well the past five years. His opponent failed to show up for the NWSCC sponsored debate. Connie Green has run more on the record of her late husband than on the platform of her vision for Franklin County.

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We continue to receive questions and comments concerning Autumn Marie Wood, the confessed killer of 14 year-old Brooklyn Ann Hollins. Therefore, we're republishing some facts of the case, along with some educated guesses concerning her fate.

Fact - Wood was denied juvenile status and will be tried as an adult.

Fact - Wood is charged with only Felony Murder. She cannot receive either the death penalty or a sentence of Life Without Parole.

Prediction: The Lauderdale County District Attorney's office will give the jury the option of convicting Wood of Manslaughter. In this way, there is a greater chance Wood will not go free.

Fact: If convicted of Manslaughter, Wood will almost certainly receive the maximum of 15 years. Since it is a Class B felony, she will complete her sentence in five years (assuming good behavior) and also be eligible for parole in 20 months.

Fact: If convicted of Felony Murder, Wood will be eligible for parole after 10 years--sooner if she has support from community and competent attorneys.

Prediction: We're giving 51-49 odds that Wood will be convicted of Manslaughter.



Shoalanda

Colbert County Probate Judge Race Heats Up

Daniel Rosser is currently the only announced candidate for the office of Probate Judge in Colbert County, but that doesn't mean several more won't be involved in the final fray. Rosser is running as a Democrat, and will presumably run against incumbent Thomas Crosslin, assuming the current judge doesn't decide to retire.

On the Republican side, Tommy Oswalt, owner of the Trojan House Cafe' in Muscle Shoals, has stated his intention to stand as a Republican, and now Jim Bonner, former candidate for the state legislature, has also unofficially entered the fray.

Bonner's name has only just been added to the ShoalsInsider's poll on the race, but for what it may be worth, here are the current stats on the four candidates:



Related post: Daniel Rosser

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It's been quite some time since we've added to our Shoals eyesore list, but today we have a doozy. The former Dairy King building on Montgomery Avenue in Sheffield has stood vacant for many years, well over 20 according to M.C. who was kind enough to take this photo for us--a photo that says is all.

Who is the current owner? Could he be someone who has the funds to begin immediate restoration of this property? If so, why doesn't he care? More later...



Shoalanda