Jack O'Lantern Farms Boycotts Shirey Ice Cream

Selectively Civic Minded?

In the early years of our blog, we often showcased local businesses. As does our good friend OB, we believe in keeping our money here in the Shoals when possible. After Pen-N-Sword and the Quad-Cities Daily arrived on the scene, the need decreased for our blog to feature these businesses. Both local news sources do a great job of making the public aware of what’s new out there.

One such local business we featured was Jack O’Lantern Farms. Our blog didn’t have the readership it now has, but the article still reached approximately one thousand readers. The owners never contacted us concerning the blog, as many featured businesses did. At the time, we assumed they were simply too busy or perhaps were not aware of our showcasing their products.

Some time later we became aware that Jack O’Lantern Farms was aligned with a group that had for a short time taken over the Weeden Home. We at Shoalanda had found much lacking in the group’s handling of the historical site and often blogged about it. A website owned by this group once suggested crucifying and burning alive someone they disliked (no, it was no one here at Shoalanda) as well as making cruel remarks about two others they perceived as gay. This didn’t seem to bother Jack O’Lantern Farms at the time, but now the local produce company has sprung into action. It’s taken up a protest against Shirey Ice Cream.

Someone once called our blog anti-gay. We have no idea what produced that conclusion since we’ve rarely addressed any of these social/religious issues. We’re going to address them now.

We really don’t care what you (that’s anyone reading this) do in your bedroom if it’s consensual. We do care if you, no matter what your sexual orientation, force yourself on any person, especially a child who can’t fight back. We do care if you steal from taxpayers or anyone else or break the law in other ways.

In other words, if we have something negative to say about you here, it’s not because you’re Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, a Drag Queen, or anything else. We don’t enjoy your conversation, posts, or whatever any less if you’re not heterosexual. You are no less our friend. If you aren’t our friend, it’s not because of your romantic or sexual interests.

We cannot think of one instance in our lives when we’ve ever insulted anyone because he was different...for whatever reason. We do not condone anyone else insulting you...at least because of your sexual orientation. Your driving skills on the other hand may be a different matter.

As for Shoalanda herself? I’m quite heterosexual, thank you. I primarily contain my moral improvement speeches to myself unless others are being hurt. On Judgment Day, the only one I’m responsible for is me. If you desire any spiritual guidance, I’m happy to help, but I’m not going to tell you that you’re going to hell, rather tell you how to get to heaven. If you’re not interested in God’s plan of salvation, nothing I say will make any pronounced difference, and I’m not going to ram it down your throat. I will ask here which is more harmful to society, two men who live their lives in a committed relationship or a man who marries five times and blames the first four wives for the problems life dishes out?

So what about those who do have negative comments about gays? The same goes for you. You may be anti-gay, anti-fluoride, or anti-finger nail polish. Just because we disagree on a subject doesn’t mean we’re not friends. As long as you aren’t out there physically abusing others because of their beliefs, you’re entitled to yours...no matter what any Hollywood stars may say.

After that small interruption, we now return to the subject of Jack O’Lantern Farms. Earlier this month, one of the three brothers who own Shirey Ice Cream posted some Tweets that many found offensive. When we read them, we found them odd and wondered if perhaps Mr. Shirey had been into the cooking sherry before he made these pronouncements.

Now, it seems the Shireys’ new business venture in downtown Florence is at best on hold. Florence loses along with the Shirey family. Yet it wasn’t just the Shireys’ would-be business partner that bolted. It seems that Jack O’Lantern farms also decided to jump on the rickety misguided bandwagon. There’s even a Facebook page dedicated to boycotting Shirey Ice Cream--even though only one of the three owners seems to have been involved in this brouhaha.

The problem with boycotts is they can work both ways. If Jack O’Lantern Farms can participate in a boycott against the Shireys over some personal ill thought out anti-gay rhetoric, then those who support the Shireys’ right to do business can boycott Jack O’Lantern Farms, a business that once aligned itself with what could properly be called a hate group. The owners of Jack O’Lantern Farms may soon be surprised at just how many prefer Shirey Ice Cream to their produce.

In the end, it’s up to you, gentle reader. Your money talks. Just remember this, if we truly knew the beliefs of every businessperson we gave custom, just how many would we continue to patronize? We looked at Mr. Shirey's FB page--he seems also to like guns and killing the lesser of God's beautiful creatures. Why not kill him with kindness? Boycotts are a slippery slope.

Shoalanda

A Few Hastily Chosen Words

No, Candidate for High Sheriff, your ex-wife (you say first, everyone else says second), is NOT responsible for killing your dead son. If you feel this way, you are indeed too mentally deranged to serve the citizens of Lauderdale County.

You can bet we'll have more later!

*****

Boycott Jack-O-Lantern Farms? Suits us. They've never minded exercising their so-called political clout, and we've remained silent until now.

Pass the Shirey's Ice Cream, please!



Shoalanda

Muslims Get Three Wives; Augie Hendershot Gets Five?

Just as important as my qualifications, is the fact that I am a man grounded by my faith.  I value my integrity and my service to the people.- Augie Hendershot

Why Is This Man Smiling?

Family values? Morals? Just plain common sense? Whatever you call it, Augie Hendershot doesn't have a very good track record.

We knew Augie had been married four times, but after a recent blog, we were sent documentation that the Lexington Police Chief is now on marriage number five.

Vote wisely.

*****

We owe the TimesDaily an apology. We missed their article on James Madden's death in Birmingham. It was covered two days after Madden was found shot.

However, we've received some more interesting comments on issues overlooked by the TD. We plan to publish them after the election.



Shoalanda

And What of Jeff Burbank?

Jeff Burbank is the current principal at the Colbert County alternative school. Earlier this week, the board of education transferred him to a classroom position at Colbert County High School for the fall term. Interesting development, isn’t it? Now the position at the alternative school is open for Tony Olivis to fill.

Will Olivis attempt to fill it with Bob Montgomery, the beleaguered Colbert Heights Elementary School principal now on administrative leave? That, gentle readers, is what one of our sources told us over a week ago—days before the board meeting.

Ideally, such a position should be posted. Even more ideally, the current principal wouldn’t have been transferred to start with. So now we have Superintendent Anthony Olivis either removing or attempting to remove four of his nine school administrators since he took office less than two years ago.

The TimesDaily has listed $21,000.00 as the current amount spent so far in attempting to oust Bob Montgomery. Obviously, it’s not over yet.

What of the other three administrators? Just how many tax payer dollars have been spent defending the school board against their legal motions? Will Jeff Burbank sue? Will Bob Montgomery be forced to sue to retain his job at CHES? Will the board pull its collective hair out?

Pass the popcorn...

Shoalanda

Will Olivis Be Voted Out?

We regularly compare candidates for various offices and make recommendations. Two years ago, we did just that in the Colbert County School System race for superintendent. We looked at the qualifications of the two men who sought this office, neither or whom we knew, and then read their press releases. We chose to back Bob (Tuc) Montgomery as both the most educated and experienced.

Needless to say, whenever we endorse any candidate, we get mail from those who support his/her opponent. The most mail we have ever received was concerning this one endorsement. We are not unaware that much of this kind of mail is from one person using different e-mail accounts, but in this case we felt, and still feel, that Anthony Olivis had strong support. Mr. Olivis’ backers sent us varied accounts of his accomplishments.

After reading the material on Olivis, we decided to publish some of it. We also did something that we have never done before, we withdrew our endorsement of Montgomery and advised the voters of Colbert County to consider carefully the two candidates before they entered the polling place.

Now the citizens of Colbert County are faced with having a superintendent who has attempted to sack three school principals in two short years. There are only nine schools in the system (counting the alternative school), so we have to ask why 33% of Colbert administrators were so incompetent? Or is there something more here?

Obviously, in Mr. Montgomery’s case, he opposed Olivis in the election. Some politicians have long memories, short fuses, and carry grudges. We don’t know if that was the case with Mr. Montgomery’s suspension, but so far, no real evidence has been brought to the public’s attention concerning any malfeasance by the former CHES principal.

We were sent a copy of a Facebook posting by a member of Mr. Olivis’ family in which it was stated Olivis would gladly sit down on a one to one basis with teachers and parents of students who had any concerns. This sounds good on the surface, doesn’t it? Read it again. Apparently Olivis has not agreed to speak before a group on the matter, where it could be recorded or videotaped, nor has he agreed to discuss his actions with any Colbert County taxpayers unless they have a child in one of the schools affected.

We’ve heard many say that Olivis cannot win the next election for superintendent. Yet, voters have short memories and are often swayed by dog and pony shows. Therefore, we can’t say with complete conviction that Olivis will serve for only two more years. We can say that we will support anyone running against Olivis...and hope it is Bob Montgomery.

Shoalanda

Memorial Day 2014

Jim came back from Afghanistan with a wounded body. Joe came back from Afghanistan with a wounded mind. The two Shoals area men are now dead. Both died during the past year by their own hand, although the death of Jim has been declared an accident. Neither man deserved to die. Both men deserved much more help than they received from our government.

This Memorial Day, take time to do a little research about our country’s Veterans Administration. Yes, the VA is for those who are living, not those we memorialize each May, but unless someone does something soon about the VA, many more who have made it back to the home front will yet become victims of war.

To the families of Jim and Joe, we say thank you for their service. May you find some peace.

Shoalanda

Lauderdale Dem Candidates for Sheriff?

While there are only two Republican candidates for sheriff in Lauderdale County, there are six hopefuls on the Democratic ballot. All have various levels of experience. All have the minimum qualifications. How does one select the best candidate? Below are some brief insights on each Democratic candidate:

1. Lowery Davis – He doesn’t bother with meaningless promises of “reform,” but stands more on his current record of work and achievements. Davis has the most experience of any morally viable candidate.
2. Randall Haddock – He wants to make the department more effective. Obviously, every candidate in recent memory has suggested the same thing. If the department is still run in a shilly shally manner, we need more than a little verbiage on “want.” We need someone who can demonstrate “how.”
3. Augie Hendershot – He has many good vocational qualities, but lacks the morals needed in an elected official. (We realize not everyone cares about morals, but if you do, you might want to pick a candidate with fewer wives than a basketball team.)
4. Randall McCrary – He has a great deal of experience, but very little in leadership. Just considering oneself a leader doesn’t make one.
5. Brett Martin – We already have a sheriff who mangles the Queen’s English; do we really need another? (FYI, Mr. Martin, the past perfect tense of run is “run” not “ran.”)
6. Carmon Ray – He has vast experience, and wants to bring back respect for the department. Again, this is noble, but just how would Mr. Ray do this? We also have to broach a very touchy subject here. The ideal candidate would be one who could serve for four or so terms in order to provide continuity. Unfortunately, at 70, Mr. Ray might not be able to do that.

Well...it’s a mixed bag, isn’t it? We’re going with Lowery Davis. Good luck, Mr. Davis. No matter who wins, let’s hope the new sheriff can pull the department up from the muck it has fallen into.

Shoalanda