You Have 24 Hours to Decide Your Future

 

Thanks to the Alabama Legislature, most of our towns have just survived unprecedented five year terms of municipal leaders, many who have proved utterly incompetent - see Andy Betterton. Your vote tomorrow may be one of the most important you've ever cast.

We're now close to completing one-fourth of the 21st Century; have you advanced in your life during the past 25 years? How has your hometown advanced? Has it advanced at all?

Florence has suffered through the past five years with Napping Nancy as a "leader." District 2 has been turned into a chess piece. District 6 has become merely a podium for its representative to castigate the citizens of Florence.

Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia are facing similar challenges. No candidate is perfect or in agreement with you 100% of the time. You still need to vote.

If you won't do it for Shoalanda, do it for Randolph Scott.

In Exactly One Month...

 

...or 31 days, if you live in an incorporated town/city, you will be allowed to vote on who leads you. Think carefully about your selections.

The only endorsement that we have made so far is Billy Hudson for mayor of Muscle Shoals. In the days to come, we'll be making more in Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Muscle Shoals, and Killen. It will be a very interesting election.

Can't Change Nation's Course? Change the Shoals!

 

In ten months, the Shoals will be going to the polls to elect new city leaders. Two of the towns already have announced candidates, so it's not too early to begin thinking about what we want and need.

Pick out the top three needs for your hometown and send them to us. We'll publish (without names) for the candidates to read. If enough people stand up for what's right, the leaders can't ignore their town's problems any longer.

As for us in Florence? Here's our top three:

1. Increased support for animal services (Perhaps we should say ANY support, since Andy has thrown this department to the curb).

2. A review of all department heads, checking qualifications, and making changes where necessary.

3. A review of the city's charitable giving to local churches - don't give to one if you don't give to all.

Now it's your turn. Send us your thoughts, and we'll revisit the issue of city needs on a regular basis until the August 2025 election.

2025 Municipal Elections - Florence

 

A reader has asked about the next municipal elections. In 2021, our state legislature changed the date from 2024 to 2025. We'll see voters go to the polls in August that year.

We'll be looking at those who may run, with Florence the first to be profiled.

Andy Betterton is the incumbent. The twice-married Democrat won his office by six votes. During his tenure, he's refused to help Florence-Lauderdale Animal Services (the former mayor's pet project), been accused of napping and violently cursing while at work, and possibly being in council president Dick Jordan's pocket. 

Jimmy Oliver is a current council member who has made very prudent and thoughtful decisions while in office and is generally considered a popular and common sense candidate.

Kaytrina Simmons is also on the council. Like Mr. Oliver, she's conservative and has a great many fans. Ms. Simmons is considered by many to be the best thing to happen to her district in years.

Steve Holt is the former mayor of the city who still has many supporters. He's not mentioned running again, but many would welcome him in the race.

Wild Cards usually come out of the woodwork in mayoral races, so we may have several not mentioned here who will stand for election.

*****

This is Evie. She's a nine month-old American Staffordshire mix who definitely deserves a better home than the shelter. Heck, she'd even make a great mayor compared to many. You can see and adopt her at the FLAS in the industrial park: