Josh Willingham Endorses Billy Jackson/Cherokee Moving Toward Bedlam

Josh Willingham, Florence native and Washington Nationals baseball player, has endorsed Billy Jackson for Lauderdale County Circuit Court Judge Place 1. In Josh's own words:

I would like to encourage all voters to vote for Billy on July 13th. He will lead by example, experience and integrity as your Circuit Court Judge. A family man for your Family Court Judge. I don't believe you could make a better choice!"

We couldn't have said it better--he will lead by example--a family man for your Family Court Judge. If you're tired of "do as I say, not as I do" politicians, if you're sick of politicians using your tax dollars to give their friends a job, vote for Billy Jackson on Tuesday, July 13th.

*****

Two days ago we published a guest commentary by C. R. concerning the Leighton Police Department. We will be publishing some interesting feedback concerning that column tomorrow, but today we again publish a commentary from C. R. who was present at the Cherokee Town Council Meeting last night.

The Burger King Four Ride Again

After the resignation of the Cherokee district four councilman, the balance of power shifted and the power the former Mayor Mignon “Mullet” Willis held was diminished. Glover, Malone, and Franks were in the back pocket of Mignon Willis. The citizens of Cherokee held out hope that the newly appointed councilwomen would bring a balance to the council, where both sides would have to talk and compromise. Those hopes and dreams were crushed Tuesday night. The new District Four Councilwomen Mason voted lock step with the burger king three. Now with a new member, the burger king four ride again and have the power to pass anything that the puppet master wants.

During the meeting Councilman Steve Glover stated we already have made a decision and Councilwomen Mason stated we have already called the Alabama League of Municipalities. This call did not happen during the meeting and how can the council already discuss an issue before it was discussed. A meeting before a meeting...hope the Alabama Sunshine Law was not broken. Councilwomen Lambert made a motion to pay the city's bills and no one seconded the motion, it died. If the city owes you money, well you are not getting it.

Last week the city clerk moved her desk so it would not be in front of the video camera. Councilwomen Lambert made a motion to move the desk back and take some blinds down in the clerk's office and no one seconded the motion, it died. After several citizens reported that the city clerk was at a ballgame last week while still clocked in at work, Councilwomen Lambert made a motion to set the work hours at 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. with a lunch break between Noon - 1:00 p.m. No one would second the motion and Councilman Steve Glover made a motion to table the decision on the matter. Councilwomen Mason stated the clerk is on salary and she should be allowed to take lunch when she wants to. Attention Cherokee Citizens, if you have city business, make sure to read your crystal ball before going to city hall, the city clerk might be there or might not.

During a discussion of city employees, Councilman Steve Glover stated Mayor Lansdell could not create another job position. Mayor Lansdell informed Glover a position was not created, an open part time city clerk position was filled. Glover stated the position was not open because Miss Watkins was filling the position of part time city clerk. Mayor Lansdell informed Steve Glover that his mother-in-law Miss Watkins hurt herself at city hall, has filed suit against the city and no longer works here. The Mayor told Glover, to make sure you understand, your mother-in-law is fired and Marsha Allen is hired. The crowd at city hall started to clap and cheer. The crowd was behind Mayor Lansdell and Councilwomen Lambert all night.

To show your support or displeasure with the council please call them and let them know how you feel.

District 1 - J.O. Franks (256) 359-4696

District 2 - Daniel S. Glover, Jr. (256) 359-4364

District 3 - Michael Q. Malone (256) 359-6413

District 4 - Patricia W. Mason (256) 359-4220

District 5 - Thelma Lambert (256) 359-4921

*****

What's up with this: Do UNA football players and the children of UNA employees get a free pass to break the law on campus? Stay tuned...

Shoalanda

Keith McGuire's Next Legal Hearing August 26th

Thirteen months after being found not guilty of a 1990 rape, Lauderdale County native Brian Keith McGuire will again face a judge. The Alabama Board of Education originally sought the revocation of the former Lexington resident's teaching license in June 2008 when it accused him of "immoral conduct or unbecoming or indecent behavior."

After McGuire's indictment on rape charges, Judge Walter Turner postponed his decision in the case until after the criminal proceedings. Due to delays requested by McGuire's attorney, it has taken over a year to set the date for what should be the final legal action in the matter. At this time, new testimony will be presented by both McGuire and the State.

The hearing will be at Clements High School where McGuire resigned from his coaching position in 2002 after stating he had a problem. We will publish more details as they become available.

*****

Youth Versus Experience: During a recent interview in the TimesDaily, Democratic candidate for Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver tauted his relative youth as superior to the experience and wisdom of opponent Terrell Potter. We don't doubt Oliver's sincerity, but we do question his wisdom in the matter.

After spending seven years as a patrol officer, Oliver worked as the Russellville D.A.R.E. officer--a worthwhile position, but not one that prepared him for the role of Sheriff.

We hope that each voter in Franklin County will look at the records of both Oliver and Potter before deciding how to mark the runoff ballot on July 13th. Terrell Potter has achieved his current position in law enforcement through hard work, not nepotism. Franklin County needs Terrell Potter.


What's up with this: The Florence law firm of McCutcheon and Hamner has recently given a lot of bad press to nurses. Perhaps some of you Angels of Mercy in our reading audience would like to send us your take on these ambulance chasers?

Shoalanda

Leighton: A Place for Second Chances

Editor's Note: We have published several blogs and tidbits from our friend C. R. We have never found his information to be anything less than factual; however, in today's guest blog, we are substituting the names of various Leighton employees with those of prominent Democrats. Have fun reading...

Leighton: A Place for Second Chances

A Guest Commentary By

C. R.

The city of Leighton, Alabama has been in the news a lot lately. Too bad none of it seems to be good. The mayor has been accused of sexual harassment. The charges were dropped, and the mayor was given a second chance to redeem himself. An officer was recently fired for exposing himself to a female officer. This was the officer's second chance to redeem himself and he failed.

Where is this leading? It seems that Leighton has become the place to work if you have had problems in the past. For example, the police chief's last employer before Leighton was the Tuscumbia Police Department. Then Tuscumbia Police Department officer Al Gore had to resign because of a sexual harassment claim filed by a female prisoner. Officer Gore was later cleared of all allegations.

There is a newer officer at the Leighton Police Department, Officer John Edwards who resigned from the University of North Alabama Police under a cloud. He was responsible for the police training academy at UNA, and shortly after the former chief at UNA resigned, so did Officer Edwards.

Now Leighton has hired another new person, Officer Bill Clinton. Bill has worked at the Sheffield Police Department and more recently at the Colbert County Sheriff's Office. Officer Clinton resigned after having a wreck on duty that resulted in an alleged drug test failure. Now the Leighton Police Department has given Officer Clinton a chance to redeem himself.

These are not the only ones over the last few years. Just recently, the female officer who was sexually harassed by a fellow Leighton officer was dismissed from her current job at the Sheffield Police Department for failing to show up for work. We cannot forget the former Alabama State Trooper who resigned from his job for allegedly having improper pictures on his state laptop was then hired by Leighton. He now has moved on to TVA.

City employees confirm that the police chief and mayor had a major blow out. The two men were at a meeting regarding problems at the police department and got into a verbal argument and had to be separated.

Now there are rumors that that Mayor Lawayne Harrison has sexually harassed a new job applicant. Time will tell if that is true or not.

Does it pay to give people a second chance? Normally it would not hurt to help someone reform, but when the job comes with uncontrolled power, does it make sense to place the public at risk? The citizens of Leighton will have to answer that.

*****

From our mail concerning the new Cherokee Town Council member Patricia Mason, it would seem many think our adjective of "outspoken" was putting it mildly. A few have even compared Mrs. Mason to Betty McKinney.

Some enterprising Cherokee residents should print tickets to Tuesday's town council meeting. Whatever the price of admission, it should be worth it.

Shoalanda

God Bless America - July 4, 2010

No River City Development for Sheffield

Our December 8, 2008, blog referred to the River City Development in Sheffield as dead in the water. A May 18, 2009, TimesDaily article assured readers the project was still in the works--after a lengthy assessment process that would take approximately one year. Since that time, there have been no official releases from either River City Development or its partner Trophy Golf and Resorts.

After we asked the status of the project in a recent column, an unimpeachable source has announced the project is definitely dead:

The project that you referred to is DOA. Trophy Golf Resorts of North Palm Beach, Florida pulled out of the project several months ago. Evidently there are too many problems with the project, first among them the numerous historical and Native American sites on the property. It was going to cost too much to do a historical site survey, particularly when they knew that there would, in all likelihood, be lots of things found. The property would be too cut up, once these sites were protected, to build out a meaningful project, so they went away. It does not appear that there is any possibility of activity in the foreseeable future.

We're not sure why the TimesDaily has not followed up on this, but perhaps the Decatur owners manage by the "horse may talk" school of journalism.

*****

Trader Evaluates has just posted a new blog. Be sure to read The Miracle Egg. Coming Soon: The Best Chicken Biscuit in the Shoals? It just might not be the one you think...

*****

With the Primary Runoff less than two weeks away, we hope everyone has made plans to vote on July 13th. At this time, we endorse Sherrie Perkins for Lauderdale Board of Education, Place 1.


Shoalanda

Riley to Appoint Patricia Mason?

Our source in Cherokee states Bob Riley offered the open District 4 Cherokee Council seat to William "Smitty" Smith, who demurred. Riley then offered the minority seat to Patricia W. Mason, who is expected to accept before the next council meeting Tuesday night.

Mason has long been vocal in her opposition to various town boondoggles, including Mignon Willis losing the television cable contract and various infightings within the Cherokee Police Department. To further quote our source:

Everyone in Cherokee knows Mason speaks her mind, so Tuesday night's council meeting should be a real barn burner. Bring your popcorn, lawn chair, and pepper spray and enjoy the show. The council work session starts at 5:00 p.m. and the council meeting will be at 6:00 p.m.

*****

We understand Colbert County Sheriff Deputy Chris Knight does a great Charlie's Angels impression, booty-bumping and all...

*****

K's Cove Books and Treasure in Elgin has started a new Facebook page. Be sure to check it out and become a fan: link

*****

Jimmy Sandlin's latest ads depict his two children stating they're proud of their dad. I can't speak for everyone here at Shoalanda, but I'm certainly proud of mine. If he was late coming home from work, my mother knew there was a wreck on O'Neal Bridge--not that he was with another woman...


Shoalanda

Murder (Crepe That Is)

June was certainly a month for murder--none being so obvious as the ones many lacking gardening expertise inflicted on their hapless crepe myrtles. Southern Living has an excellent article all crepe myrtle owners should read: link.

For an example of some beautiful crepe myrtles, as well as other shrubbery and landscaping, visit Phillip Oliver's Dirt Therapy. Photos of Florence's annual beautification awards are breathtaking.

*****

Returning to the more malevolent form of the crime, sources say the preliminary autopsy on Randall Scott Shook proved he had been shot three times. Shook's wife Chasity was initially charged with manslaughter, but the next grand jury could up those charges to felony murder.

*****

Family of Justin "Bo" Cummings are adamant that he never threatened the lives of any police officers, as was initially reported. Unless such a threat can be proved, charges of making terrorist threats will have to be dropped.

The Cummings case is not the first one from Russellville where official statements from the police department have been challenged. We have contacts in all area police departments, and Russellville's Police Chief Chris Hargett seems to be the most universally disliked. The area's favorite? Rick Singleton of Florence. We're proud that a man of his moral fiber leads law enforcement in our home town.

*****

Know any Colbert County Deputies on Facebook? Sources say at least two of them give new meaning to the term "gun play" in their photo albums.


Shoalanda