Revisiting Troy Woodis & Bob "Tuc" Montgomery

 Troy Woodis Sitting on Left of Local Pariah Greg Aziz

We doubt that any of us who have been voting for any number of years have not voted for the "ideal" candidate only to find out later that the man/woman was a wife beater/Satanist/whatever. It happens.

We were certainly caught off guard yesterday when we read the breaking story on Troy Woodis in The Connection:

Troy Woodis Slammed by Lawsuits

We don't pretend to know what has precipitated Mr. Woodis' financial problems, but the drastic decline in housing sales would seem to be a likely guess. We don't know if Woodis is not providing child support because of a lack of means or a lack of common care for his children. He is obviously funding his campaign for the Colbert County Commission. That's not very good prioritizing.

That brings us back to his opponent Lane Roland. Roland may work as manager of the Madison office of the North Alabama Gas District, but the main office is in Muscle Shoals. Would he vote on issues concerning natural gas in Colbert County? Many issues would involve gas service peripherally; would he vote on those if the public didn't realize this?

These are the issues. We are not going to endorse anyone in this particular Democratic race. Colbert voters need to look at all the issues and look at them good. Then vote. Then keep their eyes on whoever serves them. In God we trust; all others should be reasonably suspect.

*****

No local race has been as divisive as the one for Colbert County School Superintendent. Both candidates have run an honorable campaign, but our readers are vehement in their support of either Montgomery or Olivis. We're still receiving e-mails on this particular office/endorsement.

We'll take a second look at both candidates tomorrow. If you want to make your voice heard here, please send your thoughts now. It speaks well of both men that they have such avid supporters and have run such a clean race.

*****

Slang? Ain't it cool? Who should use it and when? Each profession has its own patois, usually not known to the general public and often not grammatical. Should our educators use slang, at least publicly? In other words, is is really copacetic? (Yes, that was a salute to Bill Bojangles Robinson.)

We see where current Lauderdale County School Superintendent William Valentine has just announced he "trespassed" a father from any school property. Trespassed? Really? Perhaps when Dr. Valentine leaves office some incoming choppers will whisk him back to his crib where he can ride the scan machine for more popo talk. From Merriam-Webster:

1

a : a violation of moral or social ethics : transgression; especially : sin b : an unwarranted infringement

2

a : an unlawful act committed on the person, property, or rights of another; especially : a wrongful entry on real property b : the legal action for injuries resulting from trespass.

Shoalanda

Jeff Barksdale More Qualified? We Doubt It...

 Anita Morgan Scott

Does Red Bay attorney Jeff Barksdale know more about the circuit court clerk's office than Franklin County Clerk Anita Scott? Hmmmm. He tells us he's more qualified. We would certainly agree he's more qualified to set up a family trust or defend a murder suspect. We doubt that Barksdale predicted he would desire the office of Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk when he set up law practice in 2008.

It's a sad fact, but Red Bay attorneys don't make a Los Angeles salary. It's probably very safe to say Mr. Barksdale's salary varies from month to month--not that good a thing for someone attempting to support a young family.

However, we're going with Mrs. Scott's thirty years of courthouse experience and endorsing her for the Democratic nomination. Her photograph doesn't depict her as being quite as close to death's door as Barksdale has insinuated, and her experience seems a much more prudent bet than a nebulous statement about bringing in some unidentified new electronic equipment. We weren't aware Franklin County had the money in its budget to purchase a new wastebasket.

*****

Finishing off Colbert County, Jimmie Gardiner is our choice for the Dem. in District 3. District 6 has generated a great deal of mail for each commission candidate, but neither has a dramatic edge over the other in any area. We suggest you thoroughly research David Isom and Charlie Hovater and then vote. Colbert County would do well with either one.

*****

A reader has asked us if 11 years experience in the legal field really trumps four. Obviously, each case is different, but we would ask the reader which surgeon he would prefer to remove his gallbladder...



Shoalanda

Daniel Rosser is the Man/Parole Protest

Daniel Rosser J.D.

Long time Colbert County Probate Judge Tommy Crosslin is retiring. Races for such seats are always interesting, and we've been surprised that more candidates didn't turn out for this position. Attorneys Daniel Rosser and Jenna Brooks Smith are both seeking the Democratic nomination.

Is one superior to the other? Yes and no. We've carefully looked at the resumes of each and they are surprisingly equal...except in one area: experience. Mrs. Smith could still be called wet behind the ears. That's not an insult; it's a simple fact.

Daniel Rosser is hardly elderly, but he has had enough experience that he should make the county one of the best probate judges in modern history. We sincerely hope Mrs. Smith will continue with her political aspirations and that we'll be seeing her on a ballot in the future.

*****

Darwin Scott Terry, who hanged himself in the Leighton jail late Saturday night, was serving his sentence for drug possession in the community corrections program and would have been released on December 2, 2012, barring new charges. The Lawrence County man had previously served time for theft and forgery involving family members.

*****

Jeffrey Noel Rickard will soon have a parole hearing. Rickard should serve his sentence day for day. Why? He raped and sexually tortured a four year-old girl with a hammer. Real nice guy, huh? You may protest Rickard by contacting:

The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles

CENTRAL OFFICE

301 South Ripley Street
PO Box 302405
Montgomery, Al 36130-2405
Telephone:  (334) 353-7771, 353-8067
FAX:  (334) 242-1809
TDD:  (334)242-0110

Re: Jeffrey Noel Rickard, AIS#189728

Shoalanda

It's Sunday; Let's Take Out the Trash

Trash. Not a nice word? Well, it's much better than one we could use here. Just what is trash?

Trash is the person who shot Blackie Carton full of buckshot and left him to die. (Thank God Blackie's doing much better.)

Trash is the man who shot and killed a neighbor's cat because he had wandered onto his property.

Trash is the man who throttled Amanda Taylor to death and then dismembered her body.

Trash is the man who claims he had sex with a four year-old girl because she seduced him.

Trash is the man who had his teacher/girl friend get his own sister drunk so he could have sex with her.

Trash is the man who just loves to say he's innocent of rape because a jury acquitted him of the crime but fails to mention the Alabama Board of Education found him guilty of that heinous act.

In case anyone objects to number one or two, they may be "legally" correct. Why? They're not crimes of moral turpitude. Just what are crimes of moral turpitude? Arson, kidnapping, assault, rape, murder--nothing less and nothing more. Oh, various attorneys general can add to the list to impress ignorant voters, but it's still comparable to saying "pregnant man." Some facts of life can't be changed.

*****

It's election year and that means our critics come out of the woodwork. So now a few disclaimers:

* We are not related to anyone running in Lauderdale, Colbert, or Franklin Counties (that we know of).

* We are not associated with the ShoalsInsider, The Connection, or The Quad-Cities Daily or anyone who works with these publications. We do have an advertising co-op agreement with The Connection. That does not mean we support their opinions or they ours.

* Just FYI, this is a blog. A forum, formerly called a bulletin board, is an internet fixture where members exchange information and/or nasty comebacks. An Internet magazine is similar to a printed magazine and offers various news stories laid out in attractive form. The Shoalanda Group publishes four blogs and nothing more at this time.

*****

Comments? Yes, you have to register. You may call yourself the King of Siam, but you must register. Why? Let's consider this scenario:

Anonymous: Ronald Weems is the scum of the earth.
Anonymous: Ronald Weems is a misunderstood fatherless child.
Anonymous: I agree with Anonymous.
Anonymous: Anonymous is crazy.

Now, do you understand why one must register to comment. Under the old system, one could have just keyed in a name, even something as short as Al, taking about two seconds, but since commenters refused to do this, we obviously had to devise a way to make all comments understandable.

Also, one local blogger has recently mentioned comments can be edited in the Blogger program. No, they can't. If there is a way to edit or falsify comments, please e-mail us as to how this is done.



Shoalanda

Dr. Allen Long's Property to be New Hospital?

For months sources predicted RegionalCare's new hospital would be built on farm land near Regency Square Mall. Then rumors began to spring up that it would be built on a large parcel of land lying along Hwy 20.

Legal protests of the new facility have caused the rumor mill to gear up, but our sources in the wonderful world of RegionalCare are agreeing with them. The new regional medical center will almost certainly be built on land belonging to Allen F. Long, MD. This property is in the immediate vicinity of the old Florence Golf and County Club, now owned by the City of Florence.

Obviously, once the hospital is built, the city's property value will rise to the extreme. We say thank you to the councilmen who probably knew what was coming (and it wasn't the Chinese) and scored a tremendous coup for Florence.

*****

Back on the election front, we endorse Stratt Byars for the Democratic nomination for Franklin County Probate Judge. None of the three Dems running is a juris doctor, but Byars has education and, from what we're told, a tremendous amount of common sense. Good luck, Stratt.

In Colbert County, we endorse Dem. Max Eady for Place 2 on the Colbert County School Board. Both candidates have worthwhile points, but Eady has more life experience and a stronger record of social involvement.

*****

In closing, a W.C. Fields' quote (and if he didn't say it, he should have): Two things you never pick a fight with--a bulldog or someone with nothing to lose.



Shoalanda

Keith Collier Jr, A Name to Remember

Yesterday we looked at current Lauderdale County Commissioner Fay Parker and former commissioner Ronnie Brown. Both individuals obviously sought the office in order to help the county (we hope), since the salary involved is minimal. County offices have always had a different dynamic from most city positions. Voters have often wanted one of "their own" rather than someone who would be a more efficient leader. We hope that in the 21st Century this lowest common denominator type thinking is passe'. We sincerely hope all the voters in Lauderdale County want the person with the most expertise to get the job done. Here is Keith Collier's vision for his county:

Today, County Commissioners are much more than the ‘Road Commissioners’ of the past. While we still have the important responsibility of providing safe roads and bridges, sanitary waste management, and top emergency protection, we also have to make decisions today that will stimulate our local economy and provide stability for years to come. We have to focus on bringing new industries into our area and supporting the ones that are here to help them succeed which in turn provides jobs and tax revenue to keep the economy growing. I am excited about the overwhelming support of the new commission structure by our residents. With the Commission Chairman free from the Probate Judge’s responsibilities, the Commission will have an invaluable tool in economic development for our area. I look forward to having the opportunity to promote Lauderdale County to the world, as well as work with our existing businesses to make them stronger. 


I believe that serving as an elected official is one of the greatest ways to give back to a community that means so much to me and my family. As a public servant, we should be held accountable to the citizens who put us in office. Communication is a key element of accountability. I am a strong believer in transparent government and know many residents cannot come to Commission meetings at 9 AM on Monday mornings. I will hold community meetings at convenient times throughout my district, as well as use social media and other means to communicate with our residents. Our residents deserve to know the issues and should play a big part in how we deal with them.


I will apply my Accounting skills to ensure our Citizens get the highest level of services at the lowest possible costs. My accounting background gives me a skill unique to the candidates in this race. I have an Accounting degree from UNA and over 20 years’ experience with multiple business and their needs to be successful. Lauderdale County has a budget with almost $28 million in expenses which are over $2 million higher than budgeted revenues. To ensure a strong financial future during these tough economic times, Lauderdale County needs a commissioner with financial experience.


To ensure the bright future of Lauderdale County, we must invest today in the important matters of the county. I have always believed in giving back to the community that has blessed my family and I so much. I currently serve as a deacon in my church where I work in several ministries. I also volunteer as my daughter’s elementary school PTO treasurer and Help Center Bookkeeper as well as several years’ service in youth sports and other community projects. I have served on the boards at the UNA Sportsman’s Club and Florence Lauderdale Port Authority. I am also a 1994 graduate of Leadership Shoals. I will invest my time and energy to ensure that our young people can find jobs that pay a good wage to allow them to invest themselves in our community. We cannot afford to keep losing our bright young residents to other communities where they can find better careers.


In summary, let me just say I love this area and I believe I have fresh ideas and the energy it takes to lead Lauderdale County into the next generation. As an added incentive, I have a wife of over 20 years and 3 daughters who depend on me for their future in the Shoals area and I am not going to let them down.


We are extremely happy to endorse someone of Mr. Collier's intelligence and leadership abilities for the Place 2 Democratic nomination.

*****

The Shoals Republican Club will host Republican Lauderdale County Commission District #1 candidates William Roger Garner and B.J. Tully on Tuesday, March 6th at 7:00 p.m. at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse Restaurant on Cox Creek Parkway in Florence. A social hour will begin at 6:00 p.m. for those who would like to purchase dinner.

Each candidate will be given time to introduce themselves and speak about the important issues facing Lauderdale County and the Lauderdale County Commission. Lauderdale County Commission District #1 encompasses half of Florence and the eastern portion of Lauderdale County. The Republican Primary for Lauderdale County Commission District #1 is Tuesday, March 13th.

All meetings of the Shoals Republican Club are open to the public. For more information, contact Shoals Republican Club President William Smith at (256) 767-4529, or ShoalsRepublicanClub@gmail.com.



Shoalanda

How Home Rule Beat Ronnie Brown Four Years Ago

Fay Parker is currently the Lauderdale County Commissioner for District II. He won the office four years ago, defeating long time incumbent Ronnie Brown. Most local political pundits chalked Parker's win up to his stance against Home Rule. Both men are now in a race with Keith Collier Jr for the 2012 Democratic nomination.

What is Home Rule? Simply stated it means a county doesn't have to go to Montgomery every time it wants to place limits on a waste industry or animal control. Why Home Rule has been such a hot button for so long is beyond our ken. Many say they wish to live in the county simply because they may let their animals roam freely, but then object when a plant turning human waste into fertilizer wants to build next to them. You just can't have it both ways.

Tomorrow we'll look at newcomer Keith Collier Jr. and offer our endorsement for Place 2.

*****

Head shots and humility: There have been some posts in a new blog that mention several people who should watch out for a bullet in the head. Interesting concept if one has no morals, we suppose. Our train of thought quickly turned to the question of death and had we ever wished it on anyone or anything.

We'll be honest that we've strongly considered Brian David Mitchell, Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper/rapist, a good choice for the 22 behind the ear award, but could we do it? No, as a Christian and one who respects the laws we could not. What about other lower species?

While talking with a police detective about such things, we mentioned fleas. We would like to kill as many as we could, the ecosystem be danged. The train of thought soon zoomed on down the tracks to a long ago conversation with a close friend who was a vet tech. She asked the doctor for whom she worked why God created fleas. His reply? "Humility, my dear. They're so hard to kill they make us humble."

In striving to be humble, we hope none of us forgets our self worth or the worth of others. No one deserves to be beaten, raped, robbed, or tortured. When we allow such things to happen because we're "judging," we not only allow the victims no chance to regain their self worth, but lose any small amount of that quality we may have ourselves possessed.



Shoalanda