Ag Board Pits NWSCC v. UNA?

Separation of Education and Agriculture in Lauderdale County

by: Uncle Zackery A. Remusall

Dear Mrs. Shoalanda,

My family and friends have sure gotten a big kick giving old Uncle ZAR a hard time after my last letter to you was published. Somehow I got my east and my west all mixed up.

This month I bought some extra facebook minutes for my cell phone and let me say, Mr. Melson sure put on one fine show this last Friday. I really enjoyed it!

I found it very exciting that Mr. Hackworth has met with Congressman Aderholt about widening Highway 72. All of us that travel to work in Florence every morning will tell you that is needed.

Melson began the meeting by saying, "we feel (the Ag Center) is a very important project for this area." He went on to say that the Ag Center is simply a quality of life issue.... In a stern voice he warned the crowd, "I would be careful what you say about our attorney, or our architect."

Since he brought them both up I do have a question. Exactly how much are they being paid?

I think it is great that Ms. Morrow has requested all past, present, and future documents relating to the Ag Authority Board be released. I hope that they will be published monthly on this website and on her facebook too.

The Lauderdale County Board of Education has no problem letting everyone know how much they spend on a monthly basis. Shouldn't the Lauderdale County Board of Agriculture be just as transparent?

My faith in the BOE was slightly restored during the meeting when Lynn Greer stated that the "BOE will be working with the State". That is great news! Isn't that what they are suppose to do?

The influence on the school system by the Ag Board, and Melson particularly, is what has had everyone so frightened.

Greer did encourage the BOE to "get with" the state entity that will be handling the workforce development and that "this part of Alabama may be able to advance."

Greer went on to explain how Lauderdale County has sunk from being 9th in the state to almost the bottom half since 1979. "We've got to get the training," he said.

"The Workforce Development Center would be under one of two entities. NWSCC or UNA, Greer went on to say, "Dr Kitts (at UNA) has a plan that is unbelievable."

When talking about spin-off jobs from the Toyota-Mazda plant Greer said, "I promise you one thing we are not sitting back waiting. It is being worked on."

"We've got to bring the Shoals back up to what it once was." he concluded.

The main source of confusion with this project is why does the Workforce Developmental Center seem to take a back seat to the Ag Center? We all agree that workforce development is much needed.

Melson ended the program by saying, "we would like for this to become a community project." All we want to do is, "make this whole area better for all of us."

He went on to say that, "next time we will try to have a public forum with questions."

Roger Garner recommended that meetings from now on be held in the County Commission board room. It "cuts down on confusion," stated Garner. Tammy Irons could be seen nodding her head in agreement. Mrs. Irons, will please tell Roger Garner to sit up in his chair and stop reclining? It is very annoying and seems impolite.

I believe that the creation the Lauderdale County Ag Authority was an overreach in political power. This is especially true when considering the hijacking of the gas tax component.

Let us not forget that at one time members of this board wanted no bid contracts and the power on eminent domain. This is documented truth. Maybe they each had a change of heart, but we do not want the will of politicians forced upon us. On the ‘Rebuild Alabama’ ‘yes’ vote Greer acknowledged almost everyone in his district was against the tax increase, but insists that he was voting in his district’s ‘best interest'.

Some of the members of this Ag Authority Board are Republican in name only. How else do you explain increasing taxes at every chance? I say what they have done is more like socialism for the rich. Health care left to the free market to decide, but livestock shows are the responsibility of the government?

The absolute worst part about the creation of the Ag Authority Board is that it sets a precedent that reaches across our entire state with repercussions that will last for forever. Melson said "I'm not looking toward the next election. I'm looking toward future generations." That is easy to say right after an election. Also, easy to say when you know that you will remain on the board even if you loose re-election.

This brings up another sore spot of contention. A board such as this should have term limits set for board members. Such as other non-elected boards in the City of Florence, Lauderdale County, and State of Alabama.

As a lifelong member of the Lauderdale County Republican party I ask that the law which created the Ag Authority in Lauderdale County be amended to include term limits. If not, I propose a bipartisan coalition to request that the laws which created the Ag Authority, including the 2 cent gas tax, be repealed.

In closing I would just like to ask the board one final, very important, question. Do you think we will be able to afford the cup holders at every seat like the architect mentioned? I sure hope so and in the words of board member Phillip Pettus, That's all folks!

Uncle ZAR

Roger Garner Fantasizes He's Anywhere but an Ag Board Meeting