Candidate Andy Betterton v. Mayor Andy Betterton

 

"I Swear on my Bow Tie to Tell the Truth, so Help Me Richard Nixon"

Candidate Andy Betterton: "The growing daily division has become a powder keg that endangers the citizens of Florence. Both our sister cities, Birmingham and Mobile, have taken action and we should, too."

Mayor Andy Betterton: "...although I agree the law needs to be changed to allow for relocation, I will not be arrested for breaking it."

How many voted for Handy Dandy Andy because they thought he would move the Confederate monument? Exact answer unknown, but we're sure quite a few.

How many votes did Andy win by? Ten. That's right - only ten.

Is it too much of a leap to surmise that Andy, who was famous for doing nothing while on the city council, won his present position as mayor solely due to his perceived stance on the monument? 

This seems like a good time to announce Shoalanda's plans to run for mayor. She promises to sell the SportsPlex and split the proceeds with every citizen of Florence over the age of 21. How's that sound? Hey, you believed Andy, didn't you?

The Florence Hysterical Historical Show

 

Like historical homes? Like wrestling where it's all pretend, but some can't help but participate anyway? Then come to Florence, Alabama!

See a historical board turned into a historical commission right before your eyes. (Except it really didn't happen on Tuesday afternoon for whatever reason.) See David Carson call Brian Murphy everything he might really be plus some things that just sounded bad at the moment. (Neither one has the sense to retire to the shadows gracefully.)

In case you missed the comedy show known as a Florence City Council meeting, the entire question of our greatly maligned historical board was once again sidestepped. We'll have more on this later, but in the meantime, citizens would do well to again turn their thoughts to the long-proposed College Street Bridge. Stay tuned...

*****

Several have contacted us about the ADA violations now ongoing at the Florence SportsPlex. PNS did an informative article, but the actual address of the complex would be helpful. It's 17700 County Road 2, also known as Coffee Road. 

We know that many have already filed a complaint against the city and the mayor, but a few more won't hurt. How long it will take to initiate any action, we have no idea. Good luck to those struggling to attend games this year.

Betterton Bans Handicap-Carts

 

"H*ll, No! Those Gimps Don't Ride On My Money!"

The City of Florence has always been proud to advertise its SportsPlex, yet the recreational jewel has not been without its problems. According to many, a major concern for those in attendance has been ambulating up the hill from the parking lot to the fields where the games are played. It's an arrangement that promotes grass health, but not patron well-being.

During the four years of Mayor Steve Holt's tenure in office, and we understand even before, the city has furnished the physically handicapped a ride from the parking area to the fields via a golf cart. No more, says Handy Dandy Andy.

SportsPlex employees have been quick to point out to disgruntled citizens that this new edict comes directly from Napping Nancy himself, not the Recreation Department. Why this change in policy? Betterton has mumbled something about the rides promoting COVID. Really? Just how does that work?

Does a quick ride in an open-air vehicle while wearing a mask increase the danger of the virus to the city employee driving? If so, let's close all city departments at once until the Shoals is totally free of COVID-19.

We've recently asked two of Andy's acquaintances just what is the matter with our mayor. One replied that he gets to make so few decisions himself that he wants to stand out when he has the opportunity. The second felt that Andy had never been allowed to be himself and was consequently mad at the world.

Meanwhile, the City of Florence suffers...

Happy Easter 2021!

 

If the Vernal Equinox didn't say "Spring" to you, Easter definitely should. It's always a new beginning, but this year is obviously special. Let's make it count.

Here's a challenge for all of us. So many recognize God, but fail to give Him a place of honor in their lives. Remember to pray at least once a day. We can promise your life will be enriched, thereby enriching our community.

Happy Easter!

The Staff at Shoalanda Speaks

Who's Afraid of Yoga in Alabama Schools? Danny Crawford for One!

 

Have you heard that ice hockey is now banned in Alabama schools? Someone is afraid the students might start saying "eh."

Okay, that was a joke. What isn't a joke is the 28 year old ban on yoga in state curriculum. In 1993, the state board of education banned the practice of yoga in order not to promote Hinduism. If you don't believe us, look it up.

For the past two years, some in the state legislature have been attempting to make yoga legal...with some restrictions. It didn't make it to a vote in 2020 due to the shortened session, but in 2019, District 5 representative Danny Crawford (read: ALFA shill) voted against the repeal of the ban.

Danny Crawford thinks yoga in public schools is dangerous for children, but he doesn't think companion animals exposed to sub-freezing temperatures is at all harmful. Think about that long and hard.

Limestone's Proudest ALFA Supporter

The legislature may actually repeal the yoga ban this year, but rest assured that austere and respected body is still keeping children safe from the temptation to convert to Hinduism. The bill prohibits the word "Namaste" in public schools.

Not sure what namaste means? For starters, it doesn't mean "Death to Christianity in Alabama." Namaste is a Sanskrit word meaning "I bow to you" and is used as a greeting in India and other countries. We've even used it a time or two in this blog; so far none of our bloggers has shown any desire to become a Hindu.

With state legislators like Danny Crawford, is it any wonder Alabama is dead last in almost every essential category?

Complaints & More Complaints at Sheffield Schools

 

Oddly enough, most of the complaints this blog has received over the years concerning Sheffield schools have been related to the dress code. We've advised parents and students to live with it.

That began to change when Keith Lankford became superintendent. Still, the complaints were often related to policies that didn't directly affect students. Then, as was expected, Lankford moved onward and upward.

Enter Keith Davis. Does he have ANY fans? We're guessing the answer to that is a resounding "no."

All decisions can't be popular, but some of Davis' policies are extremely ill-thought out. Purchase orders? Yes, we support purchase orders as a means to control spending. We just don't support them in emergency situations.

It seems that heating and cooling systems have been out at various schools while someone somewhere in the system gets estimates, forms committees, and then sends paperwork through the hierarchy. We're just waiting to see how Davis will handle a similar situation with broken plumbing. The system may start teaching swim classes...

Formerly One of ALFA's Favorite Agents - Christie Michelle Bray Scott

 

It was approximately two months before the inception of our blog that Christie Michelle Bray Scott murdered her older son Mason, a six year-old first-grader in Russellville. We're not using the word "allegedly" here, since Scott was convicted of the crime:

Christie Bray Scott

Scott resided in Franklin County with her husband and two sons, but was the daughter of a Winston County insurance agent. By all reports, she had the experience, contacts, and personality to be a very successful insurance agent herself. This is exactly what she was for ALFA when she murdered her son.

At the time of Scott's indictment and arrest two months after the crime, her face still adorned several billboards in Franklin and Marion Counties. Those who knew of the crime had for weeks asked ALFA in Montgomery to remove the advertising from the area, but to no avail.

Those who complained were not given even the courtesy of a response - sound familiar? The billboards remained until it was time to renew their lease. Only then were they replaced with something less offensive.

If ALFA thought so little of the life of Mason Scott, why should we expect the insurance leviathan to worry about the many animals who freeze to death each year in Alabama?