New Sheffield Chief/Lexington Coaches

To the Sheffield City Council: 

I had hopes of attending last night's meeting at City Hall to discuss the hiring of a new Chief of Police for Sheffield. However, working out of town prevented my participation. Had I been able to attend, I would have stated the following:

As a former LEO and current tax-paying citizen of Sheffield, I expect the new Chief to be a leader for his/her officers. Sheffield's citizens deserve a Chief of Police that will inspire and provide guidance. Not make excuses.

The Police Department needs a Chief that will hold his/her officers accountable for aggressive patrolling of our neighborhoods, downtown businesses, as well as traffic. I rarely see any such efforts made  towards any of those.

Lastly, the City needs to hire a Chief with the intention of allowing him/her to do their damn job, without being hamstrung, second-guessed, or otherwise constrained.

Respectfully,

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In response to the recent Junior Varsity basketball tryouts at Lexington High School, we would like for the community to be enlightened on how these so called tryouts were conducted and the teams established. In the beginning there were meetings with the sixth grade boys and girls to announce when tryouts would be held - Monday and Wednesday for the girls, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for the boys, however the boys were told on Tuesday that there would not be tryouts on Friday. Although two days at ninety minutes a day may not seem like enough time to thoroughly see what each child has to offer to a team, it did not take one team long to decide that the only players they wanted were the current sixth grade TVBA team players. Is that why Friday tryouts were suddenly dropped? The coaches seen no need in wasting another day trying out when it was apparent that they wanted the TVBA team players only.

Is it a prerequisite that the child must have played on a TVBA team to be considered to play for the Lexington Bears? If so, why was this not stated at the meeting to announce tryouts? These children were robbed of being able to prove themselves at a level playing field, and we aren’t talking about average children that have dribbled a basketball a few times. Some of the kids that were cut have played on different youth leagues basketball teams since the age of five, several that were star players of their teams. Some that have been coached by a hired private coach just to ensure they were good enough to make the team. Some that tried desperately to get information to join a TVBA team, but were brushed off by these so called coaches that never wanted to give them a chance.

This happens all too often in the world, people are selected more often because of who they are, not for what they can contribute. These kids that were cut because of not being TVBA players were set up for disappointment in the beginning because the coaches knew that they would not select them. Perhaps the coaches thought that it would go unnoticed, but it most definitely has not. It is time for a change. These kids are at a time in their lives where they are learning from and watching their role models, in this case what should be coaches of a sport that they love. These coaches have failed them.  These coaches have cheated them. These coaches have crushed dreams of kids that have worked years to get to this point. All for what? These coaches should be ashamed of how these kids were treated and hopefully this will make them think twice when the next “tryouts” are held.

Concerned Citizens of Lexington, Alabama

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Ideally, sports in public schools should be open to everyone. Yet we live in a win-win culture. For every parent who wants his/her child to participate as a player or cheerleader, you have two who want to win at all costs. 

Our advice is for parents to encourage their children in areas of most talent. Would you rather your child be a champion chess player or a third-string footballer? Unfortunately in this state, many would prefer the latter.

Is Doc Larry Confused on Sex Offender Facts?

Recently, state senator Dr. Larry Stutts spoke about the new Four-Way Motel project, specifically mentioning the training/re-training of those men who would be housed there. Again, that brings us back to the 50/50 ratio of sex offenders.

While it's true that many who enter prison can barely read and write, there are two types of offenders who don't fall into that category: murderers and sex offenders. We have only to look at the trial scheduled to begin today in Lauderdale County for a prominent Florence businessman to prove this point. 

Yes, it's easy to think of alcoholics living in dark alleyways as the typical sex offender, but that simply isn't true. Sex offenders, for whatever reason, cannot control their perverse urges, be they physicians or ditch diggers.

We will assume that some parolees on the registry are in need of job training; however, if they didn't have a simple high school diploma, they should have gotten that before coming here. It's free and encouraged by the system. Work release? No, sex offenders are barred from work release, so in that is Stutts correct about the need for this program?

Hardly, if one is a sex offender at the Limestone Correctional Facility, this is the available training:

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LCF PROGRAMS

• Automotive @ Limestone Correctional
  • Review Period - Fall 2012 – Summer 2015
  • Next Review - Program Discontinued
• Carpentry @ Limestone Correctional
  • Review Period - Fall 2012 – Summer 2015
  • Next Review - Fall 2018
• Design Drafting @ Limestone Correctional
  • Review Period - Fall 2012 – Summer 2015
  • Next Review - Fall 2018
• Electrical @ Limestone Correctional
  • Review Period - New Program
  • Next Review - Fall 2018
• Horticulture @ Limestone Correctional
  • Review Period - Fall 2012 – Summer 2015
  • Next Review - Fall 2018
• Masonry @ Limestone Correctional
  • Review Period - Fall 2012 – Summer 2015
  • Next Review - Fall 2018
• Upholstery @ Limestone Correctional
  • Review Period - Fall 2012 – Summer 2015
  • Next Review - Program Discontinued
• Welding @ Limestone Correctional
  • Review Period - Fall 2012 – Summer 2015
  • Next Review - Fall 2018

We note that at least two of these job skills are highly lucrative, much more so than working in a lumber yard. It's also a pretty safe bet that if these men didn't take advantage of these FREE educational programs while they were in the system, they similarly will not be inclined to work at a trade upon release.

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How prepared are legislators, especially local ones? It's interesting to note that Gov. Ivey had announced some time ago that she would not sign any new taxes into law without a vote of the people. Yet Colbert County legislators persevered in their attempts at passing such a bill. 

Two questions:

1. Were they not listening to the governor?

2. How much of valuable legislative time did they waste with this bill?

When does Montgomery get its on reality show on the ID Channel?

More Felony DUIs?

Often readers ask us why some individuals rack up seemingly endless DUIs and never go to prison. We've often heard that when someone is arrested by local police and tried in a municipal court, state records aren't always checked for previous convictions.

Now we see that the law has previously designated a five year cutoff for these type crimes, much like driver license points. The current legislature has changed that to ten years, so expect more felony DUIs. 

Let's hope that keeps more impaired drivers off the road.

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We had a reader express dismay that this blog often covers more than one topic in each entry. She apparently wanted to link part of our blog, but not all of it.

While we appreciate links that lead back to our site, in cases like that, readers may do a copy/paste directly to their FB if they wish. We do ask that they state where the material originated.

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On the Four-Way Motel front, we see that not only did Willie Simpson resign from Chester McKinney's ministry, he has removed the name Outreach Reentry Ministry from the endeavor. Presumably his offices will revert to the church building in Florence.

McKinney states he will continue with the project, finding new partners for his half-way house. It should be interesting to see whom he turns up.

"Color Me Confused"...and a Bonus!

Apparently the mad graffiti artist struck again in downtown Florence Sunday night. This time hitting his favorite target i.e. that long stretch of prime piece of cement that runs half a block down Tennessee street. As I sit here trying to figure out exactly what message the artist was trying to get across (Trump’s holding a gun, throwing paper at dead children in front of a school...I’m not an art major or that good at puzzles. I just don’t get it.), two points seem to jump off the page and hit me in the face right off the bat:

1. These murals have been popping up in this same spot for as far back as I can remember and I’ve lived here for 42 yrs. This is the first time I can recall the images ever getting negative coverage by the Times Daily let alone broader sources of news such as WHNT 19. If anything the wall has been celebrated for being a historic symbol of free speech. You could practically hear the Florence elite shouting “Look how artistic we are!!” The only difference is this week the image is somewhat controversial (I think it is anyways...honestly I have no clue what the message means). My point is this; are we saying that graffiti is okay as long as we all agree it’s pretty and has a positive message? Are there degrees of graffiti that only belong in certain places around the city? Is this most recent image better suited for the Railroad Bridge where only yoga instructors and those wanting to rid themselves of their underwear will see it? Downtown deserves a better class of graffiti!!!
2. Where were the police while this was going on? Have you seen the size of the wall this image covers? How long could this thing have taken to paint? Was it one person or did a hoard of aerosol spraying teens descend upon Tennessee street in the wee hours of Monday morning? I get not every street can be watched around the clock, but we are talking blocks from the police station. Not one cop drove by and thought “Hey why is that guy painting dead children on that wall?” or rather did someone notice and think “I wonder how are they going to top last week’s I HAVE A DREAM mural?” If this can be done without anyone calling the police then what’s to stop all out anarchy from taking place?

Honestly I don’t care what the image is, freedom of speech should cover the obscene and the un-obscene. If last week’s homage to Martin Luther King Jr. didn’t offend those driving through Florence or pop up on the police’s radar, why should this latest message mean anything more or less? If the City of Florence really cared anything about stopping this crime, they would have done something about it the morning after the first drop of paint ever touched that wall. What you will hear this week from local officials amounts to nothing more than a piece of tape they hope will cover the mouths of those who claim to be offended, but are actually just looking for something else to gripe about.

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And the A.D. answers a reader's request:

While like others in the community I’m concerned anytime the subject of child molestation is brought up, I do believe that people deserve second chances. There was only ever one perfect person and he gave his life so we could live ours. People make mistakes but nothing is unforgivable in the eyes of the Lord. That’s not to say that should a murderer or in this case child molester were to move in to the house next to me, I wouldn’t be deeply concerned to the point I may move. My grandparents lived directly behind a McDonald's at one point and were constantly battling rats, roaches, and often woke up to the sight of a homeless person sitting in their backyard. If we feel there is a need for these types of services whether it be a prison, a retail store, or in this case a place for people to receive their second chance; then we must also accept that a certain amount of discomfort should come along with it on our part. I would challenge local officials to do their jobs and keep our community safe. 

As far as my occasional posting, just because I’m not writing doesn’t mean I’m not working to help and encourage others when and where I can. I’m always available to answer questions.

Readers Question the McKinneys & David Black

Below are three communications from readers. Two of these deal primarily with the Four-Way Motel project while the third concerns the credibility of David Black.

Letter One: 

Edgar Black county attorney told the county commissioners (in an email) prior to their last meeting not to comment on the sex offenders and the Roach hotel. He instructed them not to based on his legal opinion they have no jurisdiction or legal authority.

Then last night Hovater got up and made jokes like several others were.

I watched part of the live video that Bowman was filming and was rather appalled at the political pandering by a lot of people and their joking and laughing. 

Reminds me of "the circus is looking for its clown".

What a mess they are making out of this whole thing for political gains.

Tommy Barnes did not go to Tuscumbia last night. He spoke up at the last county commission meeting. He said then that he was elected to be responsible to the people. 

I'm sure David Black was out solving the financial problems of the world with all his wisdom. (Exactly what are his degrees in finance and teaching?)

Letter Two:

Just something to think about. In the Times Daily, Chester McKinney said the motel had been worked on by them to upgrade it. he mentioned finding tape around the doors, supposedly because meth had been cooked in the rooms. My question then and should be to everyone along with all the other questions we have is this: Was the motel and its rooms properly cleaned by a registered professional hazmat cleaning team so there is no transfer of residue, cross contamination from residue, ever done to assure the environmental safety of those living or working on the property? If so by what company? What are their credentials? Where were the contaminated materials carpet, wood, bedding, etc. removed to and disposed of properly? 

Research meth cooking residue. What were the test if any done? And what and who did them? Their credentials? What were the results? Is it the position of the church and of McKinneys that they are open to lawsuits by those they house? Lawsuits by those they might employ to clean, manage, repair, maintain the property? Due to the contamination.

Reading about these labs even the police use special suits to go in, cleaning and hazmat companies are required. Alabama doesn't have a law I am aware of but wouldn't this be interesting to have answers to?
Health department issue? Building inspection?

Could this be the key to finally ending this? I mean could there be cross contamination to other co-workers? Please if you could bring this up. It might be that the McKinneys and the church don't want to be sued by those they are so determined to "help". again just because they are hiding behind the good christian values and name doesn't excuse them from properly handling issues. Maybe EPA even?

Letter Three:

I would say we have three choices here.

1. Someone set this up in Black's name as a joke.
2. Black doesn't know what a professor is.
3. Black is lying.

So which is it?

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Earlier today several individuals "confirmed" that Willie Simpson has left the Outreach Reentry Ministry. Since the name is still registered to him and John Williams (and we have not been able to determine just who John Williams is), Simpson can charge for the name if the McKinneys continue to use it. 

Pretty easy way to make some money...

Tuscumbia Town Hall; David Black MIA; Larry Stutts Ill-Informed

First, we welcome any comments on tonight's town hall meeting in Tuscumbia. We have listened in via a link provided by Edward Bowman, the chief critic of the Outreach Reentry Ministry. According to attendees, all the Colbert County Commissioners were present with the exception of David Black. It's telling that he cared that little, isn't it?

Now...ol' Doc Larry. He quoted from the old sex offender law that was replaced/amended last August. If Mr. Bowman has managed to inform this blog and others, why hasn't Stutts been listening? 

Also, why does Stutts say the DOC is over those paroled? Many have commented that the DOC has influence with the parole board, but legally, the DOC has no influence. The three person board approves or denies paroles. End of. All parole officers are employed by the board, not the DOC. End of.

Stutts say he wants fewer new laws, but stricter enforcement of current laws. We agree; however, it would help if Sen. Stutts and other legislators knew what the current law states. 

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clm@mcvantage.com

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Perhaps the best advice to come out of the meeting involved the McKinney brothers. If Chester and Joseph want to be good neighbors in Tuscumbia, they should withdraw the use of the Four-Way Motel property. That would go a long way in foiling any attempts by Willie Simpson's ministry and the Church of the Highlands in continuing with this social experiment. (For those who have claimed Chester McKinney lied about the Church of the Highlands, we ask what else would he lie about?)

Easter 2018

Amid the egg hunts and noshing on enormous hams, let's not forget why Easter has evolved in the manner it has. We may not know exactly when Christ was crucified anymore than we know when he was born, but we can take time out today to remember His sacrifice. In fact, we challenge you to do this every Sunday of the year.


The Staff at Shoalanda Speaks