New Tourism Board?

So, the TD (Totally Decatur) reports that our incredible Florence Tourism Board is pleased with a marketing campaign that Rob “I’d rather be in Nashville” Carnegie has now bought (too bad they didn’t report how much this campaign is costing $$ Cha-ching) to promote Florence.  With a tiny 1% increase in tourism over last year, I would be ashamed to admit I was pleased with anything Canada Rob is doing. Well, unless you are interested in his music career in Nashville which from his Facebook page is booming, as it should be.  He spends more time in the Music City than he does in Florence. Alabama.  

One of Carnegie's Most Innovative Promotions

But back to our top-notch tourism board.  I am so glad that we have marketing gurus like Larry McCoy inserting his valuable tourism and marketing experience into the decisions made about how to advertise Florence Tourism.  It appears he doesn’t approve of billboards because he doesn't know who is seeing them. I am guessing he can’t see billboards with those big bushy eyebrows covering his eyes. 

From my understanding, the 5 members of the Florence Lauderdale tourism board is made up of 2 members appointed by the Lauderdale County Commission and 2 members appointed by Dick Jordan, oh excuse me, the Florence City Council. Then the final spot is a joint appointment meaning that the city and county have to come to a mutual agreement of who to appoint.  I bet that's an interesting conversation.  Call your commissioner or your council person and demand that we have NEW board members with tourism related experience.  Maybe EVEN a HOTEL representative.  Just the fact that they actually declare they are pleased should be an immediate dismissal of their board appointment.

Now on Netflix: Roy Moore Takes on Sacha Baron Cohen

As Roy Moore often says, "I'm broke again. Whom can I sue to get the suckers to donate their hard earned money?" Apparently it may now be British comic Sacha Baron Cohen, supposedly a favorite of the late Queen Mum. We're not too sure about that last statement. If true, she would be the first female to enjoy his humor.

But make no mistake, Baron Cohen has pulled pranks on Alabamians before and has been sued before. We're at a loss as to whether Moore doesn't know the comic is Jewish or not. Baron Cohen's trademark is making fun of his own religion, but he does, like Roy Moore, take it seriously. He even stipulated his fiancee' Isla Fisher had to convert before their marriage. 

That probably makes scant difference to Moore. If he says he is defending God's chosen people, his core followers will flock to him with pieces of green paper. Then Moore can dine high on a non-Kosher hog until his next quest comes into view.

He was almost our senator, folks. Narrow escape wasn't it? 

*****

About that 67%:

A group has been formed to lobby against the 5 mill added property tax for Muscle Shoals. The opponents of this tax say that it is an increase of 67%. Others say this is malarkey. Who's right?

According to tax records, Muscle Shoals residents pay 16 cents on every 1K of property owned. This referendum would raise that to 21 cents. By our calculations that's a little over 31%. That's quite a raise, but still not 67%. 

Are we missing anything here? No matter, this is an unneeded tax and should be defeated. 

Doc Larry Is Doing What?

Did you get your mailer from Dr. Larry Stutts? Interesting isn't it? Let's take a closer look.

Stutts says he's:

1. Defending Our Guns - Have you seen any guns under attack in this state? In case you're inclined to mention the federal level, remember that our legislature has nothing to do with federal legislation.

2. Saving the Unborn - Translate this to read passing laws that we have to pay to defend...knowing we're going to lose anyway. Why don't we try to save chastity, or barring that, teach birth control? Doesn't that make much more sense?

3. Stopping Illegal Immigration - Now ol' Doc Larry may help pass laws to prosecute illegal immigrants in this state (not that we can think of any since he's been in office), but unless he's helping build the wall, he's not stopping any illegals from entering Alabama.

4. Draining the Swamp - And which swamp is this? Is it Washington? We had no idea. Doesn't he have enough to do here and in Montgomery? Or are there still Democratic alligators in our fair state capital? Look out Johnny Mack!

Doc Larry goes on to tell us to stop the liberal agenda on July 17th. That implies that Steve Lolley is liberal? Well, there are dirtier campaigns being conducted during this runoff season, so we'll forge on.

We have already endorsed Steve Lolley. Do we think he can win the runoff? It may be doable, but it's a long shot. There's certainly a good chance that Morrow will be facing Stutts in the November general election. Now that should be a contest!

A Letter to Mayor Steve Holt

Dear Mayor Holt:

First, let us say that we believe you've done more in your 18 months in office than Mickey Haddock did in four years. Kudos!

Second, we know you drew some fire Tuesday night over conditions/incidents at the animal shelter. We understand that you cannot stand before a group and say that you want to kill/paddle/curse/fire a city manager. Not good form. We believe that you will do the right thing.

Have you or the city wasted money on the animal shelter plans? We'd say it was more of a flim-flam man holding the city for ransom over plans you didn't want or ask for. Sad that there are those like that out there, but that happens in all sectors.

Third, all that being said, some things in life are hard. We don't know who at the shelter has abused animals, but whoever it may be, he/she has to go. That's all the way to the top. We believe that you're dedicated and kind hearted and this is difficult for you. We've prayed before even putting this out here, but the animals have to come first.

Fourth, a suggestion. We know there are budget restraints, etc., but ideally the shelter should have two managers - one for administration and one for operations. Neither should interfere with the other except in the case of the admin telling the other manager how much money is there to be used in operations. Let the administrator run the office and apply for grants and speak at the Rotary. Let the ops manager allocate space, choose cleaning supplies, schedule workers, and whatever else is needed to keep the animal end on an even keel. 

Above all, let's put the animals first!

City of Florence Needs Volunteers to...

* Read meters for the Electricity Department. Due to the heat, the readers have fallen behind and need help in catching up.

* Mow Martin Park. Due to the heat and terrain of the park, mowers have gotten behind. Let's all volunteer and help these park employees out.

* Clean the city hall facilities. Due to an excess of visitors, the restrooms at city hall have not been properly cleaned in weeks. It's up to us to chip in and help.

Now, gentle readers, what do you think about the above statements? Aren't you thinking that there are PAID employees out there to do those jobs? Indeed there are, just as there are paid employees at the Florence Animal Shelter.

We ENCOURAGE volunteers, but to say that those who can't or won't volunteer are responsible for any problems at the shelter is ridiculous. 

*****

"Let me out of my filthy cage and I'll shop everyone from the director on down."

Are there those at the shelter who intentionally abuse the animals? If there are... Let's just say that we hope they are prosecuted...after being fired and tortured slowly.

Yes, the dogs and cats have no voice. We are their voice. We are the hands used to defend them. Let's not sweep anything under the rug. Let's mean business this time. 

Who Went to Colorado?

Make no mistake that we believe there is much waste in local, state, and federal government. We can't do much about the federal level. We can only try to assist in doing something at the state level. The local level? That we can look into and report to the taxpayers.

There's currently a story going round about someone, perhaps Colbert County sheriff Frank Williamson, traveling to Colorado to investigate new jail concepts. Did he? No.

We understand that Colbert County commissioner Tommy Barnes did travel all the way to Cullman (yes, that was sarcasm) to look at its new county jail. Sheriff Williamson did inform the commission of a seminar in Colorado designed for those who run local governments. This seminar taught elected officials how to find funding/grant money for new jails and prisons. This seminar was never designed for local law enforcement officials, and in the end, no one took advantage of this educational event. 

Why David Black told anyone (if he did) that he was sending Sheriff Williamson, we have no idea. It is election season, and we would advise anyone to double check all salacious rumors about money/sex/power.

*****

Slightly over one week and counting for the runoff. Are you ready to vote responsibly? 

The most important local race is between Larry Stutts and Steve Lolley. Will Stutts win this round and continue on to the November election? Or will Lolley have a chance at becoming the District 6 senator? 

Lolley is a retired banker who promises to work full time for District 6. He's not perfect, but he is preferable to Doc Larry. It should be an interesting contest to see who gets the privilege to run against our Johnny Mack.

Listen Up, Ladies; He's a Jerk...or Even Worse

At this moment, there's a young woman from this area whose body is lying in a morgue or funeral home. She had family who loved her. We're pretty sure she didn't want to die. So why did she?

Some women think they can change a man. News flash: Only the man can change himself and he has to want to.

Some women think they're nothing without a man. News flash: You have worth, young ladies. You have a brain. You have a tender heart. You have common sense. Don't let ANYONE tell you that you don't have self worth. You're growing every year that you live, and only God knows how far you can go or what you can accomplish. 

Some women need a man for drugs. There's no news flash here. Just please get some help if you're an addict. Look at yourself. What are you doing with this drug dealer? Why are you helping him? Do you want to go to jail? Do you want to wind up on an autopsy table? 

As to the young woman who was found in a trash dump, it's true that she may not have been murdered, but you can bet the compost heap that she didn't go there to die from natural causes. There's a man sitting in a local jail who is rumored to have been involved with this woman's death. If he is, then let's prosecute him.

Finally a word to mothers and fathers. Your daughter may seem mature, but a little advice from time to time never hurt. Make sure she knows if you have concerns about her latest boyfriend. Make sure she knows that she can always come home to you if she needs to. 

After all, taking in an adult daughter or sister is just a little better than visiting her in the funeral home, now isn't it?