Trains Part III: A Sad Day in Sheffield/Christmas

Trains Part III

My son, Circuit Rider, came to me the other day and showed me the following photo that had been posted on Facebook.

To go along with the last two articles that we have written about the train problem in the various cities, this photo is posted. From the Facebook post, the person that posted it stated that “the ambulance had its siren and lights going while stopped at the train crossing.”

What is it going to take to get this problem addressed? Is it going to take someone passing away at the crossing to get the attention of the railroad and/or the various cities? As stated in the previous article, this is not a Sheffield or Muscle Shoals problem. It is a Quad City problem. People are going to stop coming to Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals because of the train situation. I know that I now go to Lawrence County for my everyday stuff.

A Sad Day in Sheffield

Recently in the Times Daily newspaper, there was an article that the City of Sheffield is losing more Police Officers. For those that have not seen the article, here is the article:

SHEFFIELD — A day after City Council members declared vacancies for a police officer and a firefighter, more officers informed the city they, too, were leaving the force.

Mayor Ian Sanford said the following Monday's meeting, three more officers announced their resignations.

Sanford said at least one of the officers, who lives in the Killen area, is joining the Killen police force. The mayor said he thinks some of the other officers are joining the Florence Police Department.

For years the city has dealt with officers who stay a few years, then leave to join police departments that offer higher wages.

The city recently approved a pay raise that included hazardous duty pay for police and firefighters.

"There's no way we can even attempt to pay what Florence and Muscle Shoals do," Sanford said.

Ok, when does this stop? Maybe the City Council should look at the cause of this instead of just saying “we can’t do it.” I would like to see what the various heads of the Departments make. That may tell us why things can’t be done. It seems like every week, we are reading in the Times Daily about Sheffield losing Police Officers and Fire Fighters. Here is a thought; Inspiration Landing will cure all of these problems when it opens in December. Oh, wait a minute that has fallen through several times. But that is another article.

I am just glad I live in the County and the Sheriff’s Department covers us.

Christmas Season

The Christmas Season is about to start. It is a time of giving especially to those who are not as fortunate. During December, reach down and give to someone who might not have as big a Christmas as you. 

That’s it for now. But remember that the Midnight Rider will always be around to voice his/her/their (?) opinion. 

I am and always will be, the Midnight Rider...