The Board of Education Is Ready To Swing

How We Visualize Our Friend ZAR

It is that time once again, ladies and gentlemen. Time when voters in Lauderdale County will forgo voting for President on the Democratic Primary Ballot just to have a say in local elections.

I am almost as hyped as when Melson released that video the night before his last election. He poked fun at his political opponent for wearing a pink hat before swearing his alliance, not to the people of Lauderdale County, not the State of Alabama or United States Constitution, but to the Trump Movement.

I wonder if Superintendent Hatton goes by talking points? Waiting on him to release a statement concerning recent forced resignations seemed to take as long as the almost half a decade that plans for the new Tech School have played second fiddle to the ag center.

Principal Williams has the most experience in trade schooling. I understand that claims have been made that he is possibly a hot head? I have never met the guy, but since Facebook court is currently not in session I will make a judgement. Williams is hereby found guilty of tooting his own horn in the first degree. He is sentenced to cease from making videos that resemble Alexander Shunnarah ads, I am your superintendent Lauderdale County!

Coach Hill can yell and get pretty loud as well. Please remind me again why everyone at Brooks High School was so up-in-arms concerning their football player's field house? They are building a coliseum now. I also do not understand why Principal Hill made such a huge deal about being endorsed by the Leaders of Limu?

I have no doubt that Principal Jones would do a great job as superintendent, but by my own principle I usually do not vote for anyone who runs for office several times without being elected.

This question goes to all the Republican candidates:

How can anyone be a Trump supporter, and also be anti-bullying? Isn't that an oxymoron...?

Speaking of moronic things, we live in a state that still believes hitting children as young as a 5-years-old with a stick is the right thing for principals to do.

Paddling students does not require any level of patience.

Principals paddle the same students day-after-day, and yet they cannot comprehend that it does no good?

Who is the ignorant one now? If you don't like that, stick it in your smoker!

Happy Leap Day Everyone! Don't get too froggy.

Your good bud,


ZAR

Crime in Anderson or Anderson Has a Skyline?

The above Google image is designated "Anderson Skyline." Perhaps if one stands in a ditch, one can photograph the Anderson skyline? Tourists will then travel from Grassy and Powell to see the wonders...

Several readers have contacted us since the one-man police department of Anderson retired. According to reports, the mayor decided to rely on random Lauderdale County deputy patrolling for law enforcement. Crime has increased, and many citizens have fallen victim to what they're calling meth fueled thefts.

We're told the homes are too far apart to make a neighborhood watch successful. The sheriff's office says deputies are not allocated full time unless the town pays. Welcome to Dodge City?

We're going to publish a more in depth blog on crime in Anderson in a few weeks. If you've been the victim of a burglary or vandalism in Anderson, get in touch with us. Once all the reports of these shenanigans are in one place, perhaps the town government will be willing to cough up the funds to ensure the county patrols the area on a dedicated basis.

A Guest Editorial on a Lauderdale Candidate

The following was sent to us by a former student of Gary Dan Williams. We did not solicit the editorial; however, we are happy to publish. Thoughts on other candidates for superintendent of Lauderdale County Schools are welcome.

Gary Dan Williams: Do you really know him?

The answer is more than likely, no. This man can sure talk the talk let me tell you. Think about it. Why would anybody that supposedly “built” a brand new career tech center in muscle shoals, up and leave the school he “created” for Waterloo taking a huge pay cut. Then he got ran off from Waterloo because of his arrogance. 

Let me tell you a few facts about “Dr. Williams” coming from muscle shoals school district. He tells you what you want to hear and gets you fooled. When he talks about supporting students and their careers that statement is false. He supports men in welding because he believes that’s the only trade that matters. He makes females in the career tech feel useless because he believes women should stay home and be pregnant and not have a job. He yells at teacher and students because he has no respect for them whatsoever. He’s arrogant. Point blank. 

Don’t believe me? Ask the people of muscle shoals. Ask the former students and see what they say because I guarantee you they will all say the same. He didn’t willing move to Waterloo. He was forced to leave muscle shoals because students, parents, and faculty have all had negative encounters with this man. He never once supported Skills USA, HOSA, etc. He only acknowledged these students competing if they won. But even if they won, it wasn’t because of him. It was because of the hard working teachers and students. He takes credit for success that shouldn’t be given to him that he didn’t earn. The students did. 

I remember vividly he walked in class one day, asked my teacher why we was listening to him. He asked why we thought he knew so much. Joking or not, you don’t talk like that in front of students about their teacher. He mocked students going down the hallway to I guess show his authority. One parent came to the school trying to fight Gary Dan because of how he talked to his son. He heard the conversation over the phone and showed up to confront him. Gary Dan ran around a cop car being chased by the parent because Gary Dan accused the parent of being “billy bad” which didn’t make the situation any better. 

He yelled at one teacher in his office with the door closed over a situation without the teacher being able to tell their side of the story. So loud we heard the yelling down the hallway outside his office. He came to the career tech a few months ago to a meeting and this teacher was out that day because they couldn’t stand to be in the same building as him. He told the students in cosmetology they “played with hair” and this wasn’t a career for them. He belittled us as students and we wasn’t supported. 

He hasn’t changed and will never change. He is doing this for himself. Not for the people of the community or for the school. He talks about not supporting consolidating the schools yet that is a state thing. He can’t control that. He talks about bringing all of this stuff to career tech that was already in place before he was involved like professional development. He talks about supporting these students that never felt support from him unless we was a welding student. If we wasn’t in welding, we was irrelevant. And he made it very clear. This isn’t the half of it. 

But know your candidate. Actually, Vote Gary Dan Williams and let’s see who he truly is. Maybe that’s what it will take for everyone to see the real him. The real arrogant, manipulative, liar he truly is. Ask around before you make a decision. Because I can promise you, he is a hateful man.

Vote Chris Lewis for U.S. Congress/Lexington Ballgame

It's very hard to unseat an incumbent U.S. Congressman. Chris Lewis of St. Florian is attempting do just that as he takes on Mo Brooks. You've probably already received mailers about Chris, or at least looked him up online. He has both the smarts and the will to make something of our district.

Do you want more of Mo? Surely you don't. Now you have a great alternative. Vote Chris Lewis to represent District 5 in Washington!

We know there was a disturbance at a recent Lexington ballgame involving a candidate for Lauderdale County School Superintendent. If you have a first hand account or photos of any of the events that unfolded, please contact us.

We assume there was fault on both sides, but this is totally unacceptable election behavior. Time grows short; be sure you know which candidates stand for what.

Lauderdale Superintendent: Scott Jones

Scott Jones is the first to have commented on our questions for candidates seeking the office of Lauderdale County Superintendent of Education. Jerry Hill has contacted us to state that he will be sending us something. We have not heard from Jon Hatton or Gary Dan Williams, but certainly hope to do so shortly.


* What is your professional background?

I have been in education for the past 27 years serving as a teacher, coach at Waterloo High School and administrator at both Waterloo and Central High school. I am a graduate of Wilson High School. I then attended Shoals Community college before transferring and graduating from Athens State with a B.S.Ed. with a concentration in history and English. I received a Ma from The University of North Alabama in history and then an endorsement in school administration. I completed an E.Ds. from Middle Tennessee State University.


* Why should voters select you over the other candidates?

Voters should select me because I have a broad background in education and I understand the needs of both a small school and a large one. I have the leadership skills to move our school system from a good system to one of the best in the state. I have demonstrated the ability to lead not just in the school system but also in the community. I am the past president of the Central Heights Civitan Club and past chairman of the Lauderdale County Republican Party. I have served a term on the Alabama Republican State Executive Committee and have been a member of the member of the Lauderdale County Republican Executive Committee since 2004. I am currently the chairman of the Edith Newman Culver Museum in Waterloo. I also serve on the Scope 310 board of directors and the TVA in lieu of tax board for Lauderdale County.

* If elected as Superintendent, what changes do you envision for LC schools?

We need many facility upgrades throughout our system. We have some buildings that were built in the 1950’s that need major renovations or new ones built to replace them. On the education side we need to first get back concentrating on the basics of teaching students to read, write and do basic math in the early grades. Students need this foundation before they get into the advanced courses .We also need to teach basic skills like how to read a ruler and how to make change in a money transaction . We need an emphasis to be placed on civics and the constitution so our students will know what is actually constitutional in today’s world with all the false information that is being put out by the liberal media. System wide we also need to work harder on ACT prep classes in order for our students to compete for scholarships. More technical and trade classes need to be offered and the schedule needs to be flexible enough for students to take these classes along with their academic classes and still be able to participate in extracurricular activities.


* Which system employees do you feel are most underappreciated and how do you plan to address that issue?

All of our employees do a great job and are underappreciated. However the group that is the most underappreciated would be our support staff such as lunchroom workers, bus drivers, custodians and teachers aids. This group gets our students to and from school, feeds them, and provides them with a clean and safe working environment without getting the compensation and thanks that they deserve.


* Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself as Superintendent of Education in Lauderdale County.


* Where do you see LC schools in 5 years?

After 5 years of my leadership I see our system as one of the top school systems in Alabama.

Will Smith Seeks Judgeship on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2

William "Will" Smith, Florence attorney and former Lauderdale County Commissioner is running to be the Place 2 Judge on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. Will Smith said, "I am running for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals because I have the legal experience, the conviction to follow the rule of law, and North Alabama needs representation on the Alabama courts of appeal and in state government."

Smith received his law degree from Cumberland School of Law of Samford University in Birmingham in 1992 where he received the American Jurisprudence Award for receiving the highest grade in Criminal Procedure. Licensed to practice law in Alabama, Georgia, and before the United States Supreme Court, Will Smith operates a full service law firm representing clients from all walks of life in both civil and criminal matters. He has represented clients in courts all over the state of Alabama and has successfully handled appeals in both the Alabama and federal appeals systems.

A fifth generation Lauderdale County resident, Will is a product of the public schools and a graduate of the University of North Alabama, where he received both his undergraduate and Masters of Business Administration degrees.

Will and his wife, Laura, reside in Killen with their six year old daughter, Angel Joy, who has autism. The Smiths are active members of Greenhill First Baptist Church. Will has served as a Sunday school teacher, international missions worker and Upward coach.

Smith has held a number of leadership positions in the Shoals area including serving as president of the University of North Alabama Alumni Association, Lauderdale County Bar Association, and the Tennessee Valley Historical Society.

Will Smith has served as a board member of the YMCA of the Shoals, W.C. Handy Music Festival, Rape Response of Northwest Alabama, the Salvation Army and has been a member of the Florence Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow) and the Lauderdale County Cattlemen’s Association.

Smith's previous work experiences include working in his family's small business, working as a substitute teacher in public schools, and serving as an adjunct professor of Business Law at both Northwest Shoals Community College and the University of North Alabama.

The Alabama Republican Primary is March 3rd. For more information please visit

https://www.facebook.com/WillSmithforJudge

We've known William for many years. We cannot think of any better qualified candidate for this judicial position!

Vote Tyrus Mansell!

We can't say how strongly we support Tyrus Mansell for the Colbert County Commission. Mansell is a family man who has contributed much to Colbert County. It's great to give to the state, but let's remember that charity...and public service...should begin at home.

We don't like negative campaigns, but we will briefly mention that David Black has done nothing to bring oversight to sex offenders in Colbert County, nor has he ever supported any animal welfare laws or budgets. He has taken credit for much on his resume' that is downright laughable.

The election is fast approaching. Check each man's record. You'll see why we endorse Tyrus Mansell for the Colbert County Commission District 2.

One Batch "Bad Heroin," Four Traffickers, Five Dead

Jamal Cooper - Currently in Federal Prison

In June 2014, 22 Shoals individuals were arrested in a massive heroin sting. The drug op corresponded with several other stings around the Southeast, including Nashville. Of those arrested, four were charged in the death of one Florence addict; however, local drug task force leaders stated there had been five deaths resulting from the fentanyl-laced heroin.

Three of the four lived in Florence, while the fourth was a former Florence resident who had moved to Antioch, Tennessee. Where are they now?

* One, whom we will identify as only JRC, died three years later in Florence. He was employed at that time as a lawn service worker.

* One, whom we will identify as only SCF, served some prison time and is now residing in Colbert County under another name.

* One is William Earl Foster Jr., now 39 and living in Morgan County. He was arrested in January of last year on "multiple felonies." He is presumably still in Morgan County's judicial system.

* One is Jamal Cooper, now 43. Cooper was also known a "J." or "Mal." Authorities contended that Cooper was highest up in the drug ring and maintained constant contact with his Florence confederates...and they had the wiretaps to prove it. As recently as 2018, Cooper was petitioning a federal court that these wiretaps were illegal. A judge disagreed. Jamal Cooper is now incarcerated in federal prison in Kentucky with a release date of 2043. 

What of the other 18 who garnered lesser charges? Most are totally free at this time or on parole. We're currently monitoring the legal status of Brady Ann Irons, 35, who has arrests in Cullman in December, in Franklin in January, and in Autauga in February. If anyone is interested, she currently has a $600.00 Apple watch for sale on her Facebook page for only $400.00. It's a steal...just ask the department stores she frequents. 

Our sympathies continue to lie with those who died from the fentanyl-laced heroin and their families who are left to carry on without them.

U.S. Sentate Race? WDE!

Seven Republican candidates; how do we think it will stack up?

7. Ruth Page Nelson - Does anyone even have a photo of her?

6. Stanley Adair - Supports terms limits. His will be limited to zero.

5. Arnold Mooney - Says he's an outsider. We predict he'll remain that.

4. Roy Moore - Past time for him to retire to the mall.

3. Bradley Byrne - He'll do great making infomercials on how to schmooze.

1/2. Tommy or Jeff? Jeff or Tommy? Too close to call.

On March 3rd, we'll be voting for Tommy Tuberville. Shouldn't you be also?

Kate Boggus: Legal Reckoning

Braden Turner, Coby Hines, Tyler Nelson

* On April 26, 2018, then 16 year-old Kate Boggus crashed a car at over 100 mph, resulting in the deaths of three Wilson High School students and the life-long injuries to a fourth teenager. 

* On or around January 18, 2019, a Lauderdale County grand jury indicted Kate Boggus on one count of assault and three counts of manslaughter. Currently in Lauderdale County, this is the expected time frame for an indictment after an accident, no matter what critics of the fatal Shoal Creek boat crash may think.

* On May 7, 2019, Judge Gil Self awarded Boggus youthful offender status. This was after friends and family of the four victims vehemently protested such a designation.

* In February of this year, Boggus withdrew her not guilty plea and accepted a bargain. She will serve two years on probation and perform 100 hours of community service. There will be no jail time unless Boggus commits a legal infraction during this time. 

Was justice served? Was Kate Boggus given preferential treatment? We will leave it up to each reader to answer those questions for himself.

Kate Boggus: The Accident

It was Thursday, April 26, 2018. An early news account republished with permission:

St. Florian police were the first on the scene of Thursday night's fatal crash north of Florence. According to a spokesman, speed was a factor in the crash which took the lives of three Wilson High School students.

The three victims reportedly died at the scene. One of the deceased male passengers was sitting in front with the driver Kate Boggus, while the other two were in back with the second female passenger. Boggus, at 16, was driving illegally with more than one non-family member in the vehicle without a parent or guardian present.

Over the past 22 intervening months, the details of the accident have been pieced to together to form a picture of unimaginable horror. From an inside account:

On April 26, 2018 four families lives were forever changed. What started out as a average teenagers hanging out with friends resulted in tragedy because of Kathleen Boggus’s choices and actions. Kaylee McGee, Tyler Nelson, Coby Hines and Braden Turner were mislead that night. The kids were told by Kathleen Boggus that she was taking them to Sonic, her treat, while all along she knew what her true intentions were and that did not involve Sonic. Her plan was to take the kids to the “Hills” to scare them. The “Hills” is located on County Road ‪30 in St.‬ Florian, Florence Alabama. This is a known hill that kids jump for “thrills”. Kathleen’s Intentions were to scare the kids by making the jump. We have audio video where Kathleen clearly lies to the kids about where they were going. 

When they reached the stop sign at County Road 30, the kids knew where they were at. They begged and pleaded saying they did not want to do this!!! They repeatedly begged Kathleen to let them out of the car. She refused, locked the doors and accelerated without hesitation. It has been documented by Officer Wilson that Kathleen was at approximately 82MPH at the hills incline and then ramped her car 30ft in the air. At the cars landing, the front passenger side axle broke, this caused the car to continue accelerating speed, veering to the left. The car took out a metal fence and a cattle gate, hitting a tree dead on at approximately 112MPH. By the time the car came to a stop, 3 lives were gone. 

Kaylee McGee was the only survivor in the back seat of the car driven by Kathleen Boggus that night. I can only imagine what she went through physically, mentally and emotionally knowing that her best friends were gone. Kaylee was unconscious for approximately 37–42 minutes. Upon waking up, Kaylee was disoriented and unable to move. Tyler Nelson’s resting place was on top of Kaylee. Kaylee was pinned in the floorboard behind Kathleen seat. Kaylee’s first memory upon waking was Kathleen hollering for her to call 911. Kaylee couldn’t get her bearings so Kathleen then said, “Pitch me your phone”. Kaylee had very limited movement but somehow pitched her phone over the seat. How Kathleen caught it, I have no idea. 

At this point, 911 was called by Kathleen. I have heard the 911 call and it’s very sketchy and extremely misleading. Kathleen was taken by ambulance to what was then ECM But later transferred by ambulance to UAB Hospital per her parents request. Kathleen’s injuries were never life threatening. Kaylee was airlifted to Huntsville Hospital. Her injuries was a broken C1, C2 and C9 vertebrate, Left femur was broken in half, 9 broken ribs, fractured pelvis, 7 broken teeth, deep laceration in the bottom of her mouth and a severe concussion. Kaylee has undergone 5 Major surgeries. She has had 2 cranial halos, and a Odontoid screw placed to secure C2. This screw lies 1/8 inch from her brain stem. Her C1 was missing bone so she had to have 5 inches of bone removed from her here to reconstruct C1 and 3 more screws placed. Kaylee has only 50% range of motion in her neck and a titanium rod in her leg, stretching from her pelvis to her knee along with several pins. 

This is only her physical injuries. She suffers greatly emotionally and mentally. She is in therapy every week and is under the care of a psychiatrist. She has been diagnosed by her psychiatrist at Integrated Behavorial Health Center with having severe PTSD and suicidal tendencies. She battles insomnia and nightmares still to this day from that night. She struggles with survivors guilt. 

Next: Legalities

Why Taylor Brooks Boyles Was Found "Not Guilty"

"Hot Teacher" Boyles

Why did it take less than an hour to find 30 year-old Taylor Brooks Boyles not guilty of having sex with a student three years earlier? Our first reaction was simply jury nullification; however, it seems there was much more to the story.

According to at least one juror, a tape played at the trial indicated that Boyles asked for an attorney three times before one was provided her. Moulton investigators also told the middle school teacher that she was in no position to ask for anything - they "had her." 

We're guessing Moulton and Lawrence County law enforcement are not too big on the Constitution. When we asked a local former law enforcement officer about this, he replied "Moulton police are dumba$$es."

The problem for Moulton and Lawrence County would now seem to be a lawsuit. At least one Lawrence County publication is encouraging Boyles to sue. We encourage her both to sue and to keep her pants on around students.

No One Accused This Man of Threats of Violence/Vendetta?

A reader sent us this from Mr. B's Facebook page: Yes I was Banned from Sholanda Speak’s . The accused me of threats of violence? And then say that the truth is at their side? I simply called them out by name ,and said if they didn’t have anything to hide why use the name Sholanda Speaks. I have never or will ever use threats of Violence. And they said I threatened them 3 times that is a lie. They simply can’t stand someone telling the truth on their page.

First, Mr. B was not banned for three reasons. He had asked about banning and we had replied that there were three infractions that would cause someone to be banned. He committed only one, and that was possibly libeling two individuals by claiming they were part of our team.

We have known both women for quite some time, and both have reported to us that they simply laugh at such rumors and go on with their own projects. The problem is that not everyone is able to do that. What if someone used the name of a totally innocent person who did care? Who might be in danger of physical attack? See yesterday's blog about threats to the couple who run Stolen Stuff of the Tennessee Valley.

Second, as we published yesterday, only one person has ever been banned from this blog for using threats against anyone. That was Ryan Kent Pollard, currently a wanted man in both Florence and Lauderdale County. A 100% fool proof way to be banned is to make a threat of violence against a woman whom you've already physically attacked once. For some strange reason, many individuals don't like grown men who beat up women and will do all in their power to see them brought to justice.

Third, we've recently been told that an East Lauderdale "celebrity" has been brought into this. This is a man who has accomplished something for his community. Does that bother some so much that they disparage him in any way they can? Think about that and how sad that is. Instead of wanting to help their community as he has, they want to bring him down in some manner. Not a very good reflection on the community, is it?

No, we've never seen any indication that anyone has a vendetta against Rogersville, Lauderdale County High School, or any other nearby community or facility. Another reader mentioned upset parents causing these issues to be presented. This is an extremely valid statement.

It was only a few years ago that many parents in Sheffield contacted us about the tee-shirt dress code in that system. We were glad to present it to the public, but we were also quick to remind them that four years of high school would soon be over and the dress code quickly a memory. In other words, don't sweat the small stuff.

If parents or any concerned citizens feel that there are real problems in any school system, we're here to publish those problems. Some are obviously more serious than others. We let the public judge. We are concerned with waste of taxpayer funds since over half of us here live and pay taxes in Lauderdale.

Finally, back to our three automatic outs: 1. All words that are considered rude or ill-advised are clearly published. Don't use them; it simply makes you look like an ill-educated thug. 2. Don't mention names of people not in public office or in the legal system. 3. Don't threaten anyone. Period.

Not On Our Blog...Not Ever

Bad Boy Bullies "Stolen Stuff"

If you're like us, you frequently read Stolen Stuff of the Tennessee Valley. It's the go to place to report stolen items or to look for them. The Facebook page currently has over 28,000 members and is still growing. In short, if you haven't been reading, you've been missing something.

Obviously, the main thrust of the page is theft. Besides reporting on actual stolen items, the page features videos of these crimes and reports on the bad boys wanted in these thefts. They recently reported on Ryan Kent Pollard.

Wanted in Florence

If you're familiar at all with our blog, you know that we'll ban anyone who uses abusive language, libels another person, or who threatens someone. In over 11 years of this blog, we've had to ban only one person for the latter, and that was Pollard. The Killen man actually posted a threat to a young woman who had made a post concerning a crime he committed against her. Let's just say that the bloggers here think the safest place for Ryan is away from anyone who values their property or their safety.

After posting the wanted article on Pollard, the admins were bombarded with some very nasty comments from another local bad boy, one we have never associated with Pollard and his Killen group of druggies/abusers. The harassing posts continued until this very sick young man physically threatened the two admins, after which he was banned.

We understand that the owners of the Stolen Stuff page are turning the threats over to authorities. While we hope that local law enforcement is able to arrest this career felon for harassment and make it stick, we realistically know that may not be the outcome. 

We're not identifying the young man here until he's arrested; however, you can find a photo of him on Stolen Stuff's page. Always living up to his family name...

State Needs Custody Laws Revamped - See Julye Cassie Fugate

When the two Hartline children were killed while in the custody of a Franklin County foster home, many were quick to defend DHR as having little control over severing parental rights. The law in Alabama is on the side of any biological parent who is breathing and has an attorney. If you think the attorney part is hard, remember that most of these so-called parents have a court appointed lawyer due to their criminal cases, a lawyer who may be coaxed into helping file other standard motions to hold off on permanent seizure of the client's children. 

That brings us to Julye Cassie Fugate, allegedly found wandering from home at least five times in the past two years. The Colbert County girl was four years old on January 7th. According to records, her parents have been the object of DHR investigations in both Colbert and Franklin Counties. Last year, Julye's mother Ashley Mayfield was arrested for child abuse/torture in Franklin County. She apparently received probation.

Julye isn't the only child of Mayfield and her long term boyfriend Eric Scott Fugate. Julye has both an older and a younger brother. Until this week, all three children have remained in the home of Ashley and Eric and extended family. All that has been officially stated is that the three siblings are now in custody of DHR.

Under current law, and considering plea bargains, just how long do you think it will be until these three little ones are back with their parents outside Littleville? If anyone thinks that's in the best interest of these children, please e-mail us your rationale and we'll publish it.

We feel it's in the worst interest of Julye and her brothers to be returned to their parents...ever. Children need a real home, not foster parents. Is there one legislator out there who will introduce a law to overhaul current regulations for severing custody rights?

A Tale of Two Polls

Internet polls are anything but scientific. Non-voters can cast votes in an online poll; if they know how to manipulate cookies, they can cast more than one. Therefore, we're offering up these results in two local polls in the For What It's Worth Department.

First, a local news site currently has a poll featuring the Colbert County Commission seat held by David Black. According to current results, if the election were held today, Tyrus Mansell would defeat Black by a 4 to 1 margin. Interesting to say the least.

Second, another local news magazine is currently running a poll on the Lauderdale County Superintendent's race. As we write this, Jerry Hill is leading with 44%. A runoff between Hill and Gary Dan Williams seems like a given, at least if this poll is close to actual voter views. Jon Hatton is third in the poll, with Scott Jones bringing up the rear. 

As for the Lauderdale primary, it is 18 days away, and much could change between now and then. We suggest that everyone pray that the best candidate wins.

Everyone at Shoalanda Wishes Our Readers a Happy Valentine's Day!

Gary Dan Williams Accused of Ethics/Campaign Violation

Under Alabama law, candidates for office cannot use media at their taxpayer funded work place to campaign. This includes anything from posters on bulletin boards to using official e-mail accounts to utilizing official websites. Anyone doing so would have committed a campaign ethics violation. 

This week, two readers have contacted us concerning what they believe is a violation of ethics or campaign law by Gary Dan Williams, candidate for Lauderdale County school superintendent. Both feel that Williams' news release on the Allen Thornton School site is thinly veiled campaign advertising:

While Mr. Williams did not overtly state that he had been responsible for these accomplishments, he does say that these changes came about in the past two years since he has been over the school. So, is this campaigning? 

Since we believe this has been turned over to Secretary of State John Merrill, we will leave it to him to decide if Williams committed a violation. We're fairly sure that no answer will be forthcoming before the election. Even if Merrill's office decides the advertising is not cricket, the Williams campaign will probably receive a warning and and not an actual "violation" requiring payment of a fine. 

No matter the outcome, this blurb on a taxpayer website does smack of campaigning. Did we say smack; we meant reeks of it. Welcome to Alabama where politicians put the down in dirty. 

Moore Blames Shelby for Loss of Senate Seat

Yesterday was Roy Moore's 73rd birthday. He celebrated by moving his famous Ten Commandments monument to his downtown Montgomery office. After the massive rock was in place, he held a news conference - not very surprising for a senatorial candidate.

During his latest posturing session, Moore stated: “Doug Jones was elected because of Richard Shelby.” Presumably, Moore was referring to the fact that Sen. Shelby openly refused to endorse him and suggested writing in the name of a more moral Republican. 

The primary is fast approaching. How will Moore fare against Sessions, Tuberville, and Byrne? We're predicting he'll be fourth in the voting, third tops. For whom should you vote? 

To be continued...

Moving to the Lauderdale County race for school superintendent, we've heard from Scott Jones and Jerry Hill, but not from Williams or Hatton. If the candidates answer only one of the questions put to them, we fervently believe the public needs to know where each stands on the school consolidation issue.

"Did You Just Say Consolidation?"

Sixty Years Ago Today: Death at the Post Office

February 11, 1960, fell on a Thursday. Downtown Florence was bustling with families making last minute purchases for the parties that would end the school week on Friday. Others were preparing for a fun Valentine's Day weekend, but it was not to be for one Florence family.

Capt. James E. Isley, a member of the Florence Fire Department, had picked up his son Bobby Wayne from school that afternoon. Accompanying Bobby were two of his classmates from a fourth grade class at Appleby Elementary School on Hermitage Drive. 

The boys had asked to stop at the Florence Post Office on Seminary Street. A Navy recruiting office was located on the third floor of the local landmark, and boys often visited to receive complimentary posters and bookmarks. 

While Capt. Isley waited outside the post office for the youths, the three boys decided to leave the recruiting office in a manner that until that day had failed to draw public attention. Sliding down the bannisters from the third to the first floor had seemed like a fun way to end the recruiting office visit, but it proved fatal to Bobby Wayne Isley.

Only one of Bobby's companions saw the fall. The youth stated that Bobby had leaned over the bannister, lost his balance, and fell two floors, striking his head on a first floor radiator before hitting the marble floor. 

An ambulance rushed the North Florence boy to Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, where physicians decided to transfer him to Nashville. A second ambulance transported Bobby to Vanderbilt Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival at 6:00 p.m.

An only child, the young Boy Scout was survived by his father James and mother, Velma R. Isley. Mrs. Isley died a short four years later. Bobby Wayne Isley, born on Christmas Day ten years before his death, is buried in Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens in the Garden of the Christus.

Thanks to J.S. for this historical account.

Surprisingly Similar Complaints from Sheffield & Lexington

After an article in the TimesDaily last week referenced Dewey King as both fire chief and public safety director in Sheffield, one of our regular readers asked us how this was not a conflict of interest. In other words, Public Safety Director King supervises Fire Chief King. In his role as head of public safety, King also supervises the police and the building departments. This arrangement has been in place since 2014.

We'll guess that if any complaints were filed against the fire department, they would go directly to the mayor/council and not the office of public safety. We're also guessing that Chief King is close to retirement. At that time, these positions may be filled by two separate individuals. 

If any of our readers have had problems resulting from this arrangement, please contact us. Remember, Sheffield is a very small and relatively land-locked town; its needs may not be the same as a city the size of Florence.

A Lexington parent has contacted us asking if it's legal or ethical for Todd Davis to serve as both principal and athletic director:

We're not sure how it could be considered illegal. Unethical? How would Principal Todd Davis reprimand Athletic Director Todd Davis? Another sticky wicket.

The parent who reported this declined to mention a specific problem before we answered his question. If there are parents out there who feel this arrangement isn't in the best interest of the students, please offer an example of a negative outcome, and we'll quiz the board on it.

We can understand how some parents don't wish to file formal complaints due to fear of retaliation, but this is the most direct way to get answers. Remember, the Lauderdale County Board of Education doesn't answer parents' questions much more quickly than it doesn't answer ours. Feel free to read that last sentence again - it wasn't a typo.

Lauderdale Coaches Not Happy?

A coach connected family has sent this to us. It's an interesting read about the latest shenanigans at Lauderdale County Schools. Enjoy!

Coaches in all the schools were called in yesterday and told they would have to give $$$$$$ out of their Sport Account to cover the cost of the Smoker (after the fact and your exposing it) and in return they could use it for their fundraisers.

Process to get to a purchase order in a school:
1. Need of a service, product, etc is determined
2. If there is no money in the budget, a fundraiser is held
3. Purchase Order is generated, approved by the Principal, Superintendent and Board if necessary depending on amount
4. Bids or quotes are received
5. Approved

The question for SS readers is, Why is there any deficit in any fund in public schools if Coaches, Principals, Superintendents and School Boards are doing their jobs?

In Lauderdale County School System case - Superintendent Jon Hatton was a Coach, Principal and Superintendent. 3 out of the 4. Beware if he loses his bid for re-election, he may be back to conquer the 4th ingredient in a formula for disaster in Lauderdale County.

Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Think before you vote.

(Coaches do not make good superintendents. They all use the same coaching speals of "it's a team effort, all working together". Superintendents should be visionary and strategic leaders. Effective Superintendents don't have to worry about the team, it will gather and follow a good leader.)

County Coach's Cuz

Hmm. Does Sweet Wolf Still Reside At The Old Weeden Home?