Who will ultimately own the streets that go nowhere? Who paid for those streets? The public deserves and should demand to see the contract on this embarrassing debacle. When do we get our bellies full of these scams and politicians that can't do the jobs they were elected to do?
Just recently the Colbert County Commission voted in a 4-2 vote to give a group in Montgomery $600,000.00 out of a federal stimulus grant of around 10 million dollars, so they can tell the county commission how to spend the remaining money. Most citizens would ask, "WHO IN MONTGOMERY KNOWS MORE ABOUT OUR NEEDS THAN THE ONES WE ELECTED? NEWS FLASH - 4 of your elected County Commissioners say they do!!! Let that sink in - SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. That's a lot of zeros - and a lot of money that could have been used for roads, trash collection, internet in the county areas and many other services to US, the TAXPAYERS and not to yahoos in Montgomery!!!!!
We can't stop at the county commission and Elkington, we have enough stupidity and inept elected officials to go around.
Sheffield mayor and city council aren't the only ones that have egg in their face with this Elkington shister. Tuscumbia mayor Bubba Underwood gave the previous Sheffield mayor Ian Sanford $6000.00 out of the mounds of money Tuscumbia has for a "study" to see how fast people could get from Hwy 72 through Tuscumbia to Sheffield. Now, that doesn't take a real smart fella to figure out that ain't real smart. But then again, after reading a lawsuit filed against Bubba Underwood, CPA and mayor of Tuscumbia, he obviously doesn't pay much attention to little details like finances, budgets and such. Wonder how many other lawsuits are in the works on Mr. Underwood for his shoddy accounting and services?
Muscle Shoals keeps buying portable pumps to move flood waters from one neighborhood to another while "The" mall is still standing under water and flooding after FIFTY YEARS and counting. Any old timer can tell you stories of riding a canoe and fishing boat through the floodwater from McBride Elementary to the Shoals Hospital location back in the 60's and 70's. Sink holes abound across the city while the new mayor thinks filling them with a little trash picked up along the roads and putting a fresh coat of asphalt over it will solve the problem. And, of course, the infamous golf course, aka country club redneck style. That's another sink hole that sucks away the dollars. Not much changes except the cost of corruption and the level of unqualified people that are elected and appointed to make these genius decisions.
Tuscumbia with all the potholes throughout the city is second to only Sheffield in the poor streets and infrastructure throughout the city, Both towns have a nice street going through the downtown, but you will have to schedule a front in alignment if you get off the main drag for the abuse your poor car gets from all the potholes. Neither city has any money to squander. Maybe Florence will pick up more real estate on the south side of the bridge when the mayors bankrupt all these little towns.
Tuscumbia with all the potholes throughout the city is second to only Sheffield in the poor streets and infrastructure throughout the city, Both towns have a nice street going through the downtown, but you will have to schedule a front in alignment if you get off the main drag for the abuse your poor car gets from all the potholes. Neither city has any money to squander. Maybe Florence will pick up more real estate on the south side of the bridge when the mayors bankrupt all these little towns.
If it were not for Sheffield Utilities deep pocket and a tax and spend utilities manager that loves to travel, the money rate payers spend on services will continue to be thrown at get rich quick schemes. Muscle Shoals just raises fees and taxes on the snobs that live there, Tuscumbia cuts services and the police and fire departments, and Sheffield, well, it's Sheffield.
History lesson - Ford plant and Slyman, Railcar Plant, Dream Vision, Inspiration Landing and a few more won't be alone cause there's one thing for sure, the only thing we learn from history is that we don't learn from history.
Colbert County: coming soon - Lauderlin. A cross breed of Lauderdale and Franklin Counties when they take over Colbert. Sounds a little like "La Land" - Kinda has a ring to it doesn't it?
More to come, cause some people just haven't figured it out ,"when you're in a ditch, quit digging".
As long as everyone living in all those cities/counties ignores what goes on in their backyards, the graft and thievery will continue among those 'elected'. It seems folks have forgotten how to get off their arses and GO to the County Commission Meetings, the School Board Meetings, the City Council Meetings. Believe me, it can be an eye-opening experience. Halfway through a meeting, you'll be wondering, "Who voted for these yahoos?", then you'll realize YOU did. Why? Because you hadn't cared enough to really find out who they were under that thin veneer of bullsheetedness and political doubletalk. They told you what they knew you wanted to hear, made promises they knew they'd never keep, handed your kids fun toys and just generally played you for a Fool.
ReplyDeleteThe people of this area (and the rest of the country) need to start paying attention to what's going on in front of our faces. Stop looking for rainbows and pots of gold at the end. Stop voting for people who don’t deserve your vote. This country was founded and built by people who gave a darn, who stood for what was right and moved us forward, NOT moneygrubbing Losers, voted to the height of their incompetence. MOST of the Commissioners, Councilors and Mayors in this area don't have a Clue how to govern. They only know how to schmooze, and they're getting away with it every day. As long as we stay home in our recliners when there's a Meeting, we're writing them a blank check to do as they please. They will hire 'Experts' for obscene amounts of money to do the work and ‘Studies’ they themselves should be doing. Our tax money is “Monopoly” money to them - they can always get more. Well, it’s time to cut them off. If we don’t, we will continue to be on the radar of every “Get-Rich-Quick” Schemer, every Developer who comes to town flashing money and spewing Golden Tales of ‘Advancement and Fame’ and every moron who proposes boondoggles like expensive “Amphitheaters” with inadequate parking, restrooms and ANY support facilities. (Basically, it’s a Arch with enough Speakers and Lights to drive the surrounding neighborhoods crazy - WooHoo).
Let’s open our eyes and call things for what they are. It’s time to pay attention to those who are pretending to represent us. Watch them, vote them out, call them on their BS, demand answers, transparency and accountability. Being ‘gobbled’ up into one county is not an answer. It would result in an even bigger mess. Stick up for yourselves, people... Perhaps for the first time in your life. Besides, there’s nothing on TV as funny as watching the antics of a County Commission, School Board, or City Council Meeting - Believe me.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBravo Justher! Well written and oh so true! You DID manage to leave out that one very important prerequisite to get elected in this state, county and most municipalities...the GOLDEN TICKET, the (R) by your name on a ballot and no matter what kind of slobbering dimwitted repulsive inbred you are... you TOO can become...oh; let's say a county commissioner, a representative in Washington or even a senator from the state of Alabama! Just vote for whoever Brother Gimmethatdollar tells you to on Sunday morning, stay stupid and everything's gonna be alright!
ReplyDeleteThere's more than enough blame to go around for BOTH political parties to share for this debacle.
ReplyDeleteYes, all Political Parties have contributed to the current debacle.
ReplyDeleteAvenger, may suggest you try an enema? It might help clear your mind. Just sayin’.