Special: J. Redmon on Rick Singleton

This is in response to the gentleman that attempted to say that Singleton hadn't been a 'working cop' in a very long time.  I'd like to know if this gentleman would consider a hospital administrator, that had a medical degree, to be a 'doctor'?  Would the gentleman consider a school system superintendent to be an 'educator'?  As a former LEO and a retired educator, I hope the gentleman has the intelligence to answer in the affirmative.  Positions of authority often dictate that others under your command or direction are delegated the authority to act on your behalf.  I think Singleton has demonstrated that he has that experience.  I also know that regardless of one's position in the scheme of things, those under you are human and are most capable of making mistakes in judgment and will eventually suffer the consequences of their actions.  While some will claim such behavior is indicative of poor leadership, history is full of examples of great leaders that had inept staff beneath them, and yet they still managed to do their jobs..


J. Redmon

A Reader Looks at Rick Singleton's Ad

From a reader on the Lauderdale race for sheriff:

A Few Things To Consider

I have a few points for the voters of Lauderdale County regarding our Sheriff’s candidates.

Item #1 – Mr. Hendershot has been married more than once. Mr. Singleton has only one spouse.

Because of this, Mr. Hendershot’s “family values” have been called into question. I think it’s safe to say that a lot of the people we know and love have been married more than once. So, the question is just what arbitrary number of marriages equates to a lack of “family values”? Also, bear in mind that just as it takes 2 to make a marriage, it likewise takes 2 to make a divorce. And, to my knowledge, when Mr. Hendershot ended his marriage, he did not abandon his children or fail to support them.

Ok. Since Sholanda has looked at Mr. Hendershot’s campaign ad claims with a critical eye, let’s likewise turn a critical eye to Mr. Singleton’s campaign ad claims.

Item #2 – Mr. Singleton’s campaign ad states he is the most qualified with “37 years of Law Enforcement experience, 26 as an Administrator....began his career with the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department where he spent 2 years as a jailer...” Folks, do the math. 37 minus 26 equals 11. As in, 11 years of street level cop work. Then, 11 years in the field, minus 2 for being in the jail, equals a total of 9 years of working-the-streets cop experience. And, if he started in the LCSD jail in 1972 to 1974, then he worked the streets from 1975 to 1984. Wow. Surely he has made an arrest since 1984?? Otherwise, that would mean he hasn’t made a case in 30 years. All felony cases in our county go through the District Court and are public record. So, I went up to the court house 4th Clerk’s Office, and found a public records computer. You know how many felony cases I found linked to Mr. Singleton? None. Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Well, Ok. How about the Florence Municipal Court?

I went there too. Guess what? Not one Domestic Violence Case. Not one DUI. Not even a stop sign ticket – not any that I could find. Hmmmmmm......so, if he’s not a “working chief”, do you think he will be a “working sheriff”?

Item #3 – Mr. Singleton has stated that he has valuable administrative experience leading a police department of 135 employees (Candidate Debate, UNA, Sept. 23, 2014). Yet, even with all of that experience, he made major missteps – to include failing to put controls in place that would have prevented not 1, not 2, but 3.....3 members of his Senior Command Staff (that means administrators like him, not rank and file police officers) that he promoted from committing sexual offenses that resulted in their terminations during his watch as Florence Police Chief. And, these offenses DID NOT take place in some seedy part of town, or even in the privacy of their own homes. No, these Senior Command Staff members committed their violations WHILE ON DUTY and AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. According to the Times Daily - Deputy Chief Pete Williford was terminated for charges including Sexual Harassment.

(Aug. 2, 2002), Patrol Officer Tony Hughes (demoted in a previous incident from onetime detective) resigned after being charged with 3rd degree domestic violence concerning a woman he had wiretapped.

(Sep. 8, 2007), Captain Spencer Butler was terminated after a lengthy Sexual Misconduct investigation

(April, 2004), and Captain Basil Kenny “Ken” Stanley was arrested at the police department by the FBI and later pled guilty to Child Pornography charges on his home and police department computers (Aug. 25, 2006). These are facts and they are not in dispute.

Bottom Line: Mr. Hendershot knows what it takes for our deputies to do their jobs, because he too is still out there working the streets daily. And as an Administrator, he has a track record of success managing and supervising his employees. Don’t be fooled. Be like Paul Harvey and be sure to get,  “The Rest of the Story”.

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We appreciate all constructive comments; our only rebuttal to this one is the "family values." Let's begin with saying that Shoalanda herself couldn't care less if a couple gets divorced because she squeezes the toothpaste tube in the middle and he leaves the seat up. Just don't tell everyone about your "faith" in God and His word if you do this. The Bible plainly states its rules for Christian marriages...and btw, children are second to a spouse (this is not in reference to child endangerment as Hendershot claims in his third marriage). Many men support their multitude of offspring--Mick Jagger comes to mind. Family values? Nope, don't think Jagger has any either.

Another reader has asked us to comment on the candidates' children. We will say only that as far as we know, Rick Singleton has none outside of marriage. Having no offspring outside of marriage might not make one chaste, but it does suggest a person cares enough about himself and his partner to use precautions. We believe it's been taught for decades in high school health classes and there's no excuse for not using precautions. This is not a new opinion for us--see our posts on Hottie Scottie (Andrew Daniel Scott).

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We will return to Phil Andrews in Colbert County tomorrow. Our apologies for a delay in our research. If any readers see a comment on our posts that is inappropriate, please reference the date or post title when contacting us. Thanks.

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Shoalanda

Two Important Races for Sheriff

We’ve rewritten this several times, and it still falls short of what we want to say, but here goes:

1. Apologies to our guest blogger from earlier in the week. We are not going to publish part two of his editorial.

2. The bottom line of our editorialist’s blog is simply this: If you want to know who controls whom in a current election, simply go to the courthouse and look up property transfers to the candidates. It’s easy and it’s free.

3. The power broker our writer spoke of without naming? Yes, we know who he is, and he and his family have hurt many people, including many of our friends. God can take care of it. End of story.

4. PNS has posted some interesting articles on the quest for the office of sheriff in both Lauderdale and Colbert Counties. The two owners and the writer of one of these articles all toiled here at one time. These three are our friends. Our only point in mentioning Lexington Chief Augie Hendershot’s five marriages is that he’s campaigning on the “family values” platform, with frequent references to his “faith.”

5. How do you define “family values?” We saw an article earlier this week on “wife swapping for Jesus.” Apparently many have highly edited versions of Jesus’ word from which they take their morals.

6. As for Charger Dodge or any others who have questions for Hendershot, it’s best to approach him via his website and not filter them through this blog. Augie has promised to answer all questions posed him via phone or Internet, but we don’t feel he has a responsibility to look elsewhere for such questions.

7. We have not made a decision on whom to endorse in Colbert County. In Lauderdale, we endorse Rick Singleton who has run a clean campaign and is the more qualified. If Augie Hendershot should win? He’s still head and shoulders above our current high sheriff…we could do much worse.

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A happier note: There once was a comic strip called “Geech.” Its characters all appeared to be in their 50s or 60s. One strip depicted two of the women in a bar, with one telling the other to check out a certain male.

The woman’s companion stated, “You’ve been married and divorced three times, Haven’t you heard the expression ‘three strikes and you’re out?’”

The first woman shot back, “Yes, but I can still engage in batting practice.”



Shoalanda

What Is Success & Who Has It? Part I

A Guest Blog from a Lauderdale County Resident:

A recent survey of Americans may or may not have been surprising. When asked what it would take for a person to be considered successful, some said to have as many Twitter followers as Kim Kardashian. There really aren't words for that.

What makes Shoalanda successful, if she is? I'd say she has power, but not as much as some people. You need to be afraid of the people who have power and don't want you to know it.

Think you know the next Lauderdale County sheriff will be either Augie Hendershot or Rick Singleton. Think again.

One of these two men is being backed by a real power broker, and this backer will be the real power in Lauderdale County if his candidate is elected.

Will I mention his name? No. I will tell you about him. First, I'll tell you to be very afraid if his candidate should win.

To be continued tomorrow.

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The Next Lauderdale Sheriff: Rick Singleton

Last week retired Florence Police Chief Rick Singleton announced that he would be a candidate for sheriff in 2014. Will he win?

Mr. Singleton could easily win on his merits alone, but considering the number of lawsuits currently facing the county, plus a possible FBI investigation of the sheriff's department, the veteran lawman should be a runaway victor.

We urge any of you who don't know Rick to begin your research now. Compare and compare some more. Isn't it time Ronnie (Pass the Donuts You Pretty Young Thing) Willis retired to Greenhill?

Rick Singleton for Lauderdale County Sheriff

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SHOALS DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING

Monday, January 21, 2013

6:30 p.m. Kick-off Meeting 2013

Steelworkers' Union Hall at the corner of Wilson Dam Road and Avalon Avenue in Muscle Shoals

It's time to pay dues for 2013

$20 for Regular members, $5 for Students, $200 for Lifetime members

For additional information, e-mail shoalsdemocrats@gmail.com

or call 256-764-0016

 

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What does Boulder, Colorado, have in common with Muscle Shoals? In case you missed this link on our Facebook page, be sure to read:

 

Officer Faces Charges in Killing of Elk

 

 

 

Shoalanda

Mayoral Surprises In Two Local Races?

Perennial mayoral candidate John Hargett of Florence has again thrown his Republican hat into the ring. Sources close to the Florence accountant have previously stated Hargett enters the race every four years in order to have a platform for his ideas on local government. With four candidates on the slate, a runoff may now be in the works for Florence. Rick Singleton and Mickey Haddock are sure to garner the largest chunk of votes, but will either one have a majority? Our sources say it's currently a toss up between the two.

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Phil Campbell can expect some controversy in its mayoral election. Like Florence, the Franklin County town now has four candidates on the ballot...but one may soon be challenged for lacking political rights. Stay tuned...

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Robert Thrower to speak at Tennessee Valley Historical Society Meeting  

The Tennessee Valley Historical Society will have its Summer Quarterly Meeting on Sunday, July 29, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. at the Sheffield Public Library Conference Room, located at 316 North Montgomery Avenue, Sheffield, AL.

Robert Thrower, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, will talk about “Tuscumbia Landing and the Indian Removal.”

The presentation will explore the causes of the Indian Removal (“Trail of Tears”), the role of Tuscumbia Landing during this period within the Sheffield/Tuscumbia area; the chronology of events and the compassionate response of the local people towards the victims of this tragic period of American history.

The meeting is free to the public and all are invited to attend.

Refreshments will be served at the program’s conclusion.



Shoalanda

The Next Mayor of Florence? Part I

Current Florence mayor Bobby Irons has chosen not to seek re-election. Three candidates are vying to succeed him. Below is a short bio of candidate Rick Singleton:

Why I Want to be Mayor of Florence 

Biography: 

I was raised in Florence, and have lived my life in the Shoals area. I graduated in 1969 from Coffee High School, and went on to UNA to pursue my degree in Law Enforcement/Business Administration. I graduated from UNA in 1976 and soon enrolled in the University of Alabama to pursue a Masters in Criminal Justice, which I achieved in 1982. 

About Me:

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the country and I have called it home for the last 52 years. Those years are filled with a lifetime of memories from my days in elementary school to my future retirement from the Police Department in the next few months, and while I cherish those memories, they are in the past. What excites me now is thinking about the future and the new opportunities that await this great City!

After nearly forty years in the law enforcement profession I am ready and eager for new challenges. I have a vision of what Florence can look like 10, 20, or even 50 years from now. I see a vibrant city with job opportunities like we've never seen before. I see considerable growth in the business sector that will clearly define us as a tri-state retail center. Our public schools and University will be ranked among the best in the nation, and our medical facilities will be second to none. I see a city that will be a leader in the areas of recycle and energy conservation, a city that others will emulate and look to as an example of what can be done when a government and its citizens work together toward a common goal.

Immanuel Kant once said, "The best way to predict the future is to invent it." I want to be a part of inventing that future! I want to see that vision become a reality, and, knowing this city and its people, I know WE can make it happen! That's why I want to be Mayor of Florence. 

Grad School:

• Alabama '82
• Master of Science, Criminal Justice

College:

• University of North Alabama '76
• Bachelor of Science, Law Enforcement, Business Administration

High School:

• Coffee High School '69 

Activities:

Chief of Police, Shoals Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Owner of Singleton's Barbeque, Anti-Terrorism Task Force: U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Alabama, Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, Attorney General's Law Enforcement Advisory Council, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police, F.B.I. National Academy Associates, Alabama Peace Officers Association, and the Fraternal Order of Police.

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Later in the week we'll look at mayoral candidates Mickey Haddock and Billy Ray Simpson

Shoalanda

Who Will Be Florence's New Police Chief?

Current Florence Police Chief Rick Singleton is retiring next month. Yes, it's that soon. Rick is currently running for mayor of the largest town in the Quad-Cities, and we wish him luck. He will be leaving some large proverbial shoes to fill.

Tomorrow the City of Florence will be holding initial interviews for his successor. No applicants have been officially announced by the city, but we may expect each of the two deputy chiefs to apply.

The deputy chief with the longer tenure is Neal Rhodes, pictured at right. Rhodes has long served with the force and in 2006 graduated from UNA with an MS in Criminal Justice. He is married to Cindy Rhodes; the couple has two sons, Will and Wes. Neal rose in ranks from uniformed officer to detective to captain, before being selected as deputy chief.

The second deputy chief is Tim Shaddix, pictured at left. Tim rose to the rank of deputy chief when he succeeded current Tuscumbia Police Chief Tony Logan in April 2008. He and his wife Elizabeth own S&K Properties and reside with their children in Killen. Tim has been with the force since 1982.

Will there be other applicants? We would certainly think so, and while it hasn't been officially announced as being so, we will also assume this is the second round in the selection of Florence's new chief.

There is often a school of thought that a complete outsider functions best in offices of authority; in other words, a new broom with no previous connotations of staff sweeps both clean and best. We have never held with that tenet; we believe our new chief will best be selected from the ranks of the current police force.

We wish both deputy chiefs the best on Friday and in their future careers. Rick Singleton will be leaving a department in not just good stead, but great stead with the citizens of Florence. Let's keep it that way.

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Kudos to all those who keep up public websites. It's a time consuming task and one that usually offers few thank yous. With that being said, we couldn't help but notice the quality of the two pics above varied greatly. Looking at the stats on the two, the photo of Neal Rhodes is of a much higher definition than that of Tim Shaddix. We realize they were taken at different times and probably with a different camera and by different individuals. 

If this can be corrected, we would hope it will be. Second, we didn't want any of readers to think we had intentionally sabotaged anyone's photo.

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Thanks to Bailey Quarters for filling in here for a few days. We will be having some follow ups on her blogs in the next few day. Let's hope Bailey will continue to find more time to write for us on a regular basis.

Remember, guest blogs are always welcome!



Shoalanda

Lane Roland or Troy Woodis?

Incumbent Colbert County Commissioner Troy Woodis and newcomer Lane Roland are competing for the Democratic nomination for Commission District Two. Woodis is the owner of Woodis Properties and also works for Coldwell Banker in Florence. Woodis has in years past been the pick of the TimesDaily.

Lane Roland is the manager of the North Alabama Gas District's Madison Office.Roland formerly worked with the City of Sheffield as an engineer.

Neither real estate nor natural gas transmission would seem to prepare one for the political arena, but that has yet to stop many candidates. Their credentials otherwise seem equal.

We've had some fun with Woodis and his "press ops" concerning the now defunct National Alabama Rail Car facility in Barton, but he has nonetheless served his county well. We happily endorse Troy Woodis as the Democratic nominee for Colbert County Commission Place 2.

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The Florence Civil Service Board has stated the new police chief will come from within the department. Currently there are two deputy chiefs: Neil Rhodes and Tim Shaddix. Whoever succeeds Rick Singleton will have some proverbially large shoes to fill.

Shoalanda

Jen's 10th Annual Thanksgiving Feast

Once again, Jen's Cafe on South Pine Street in downtown Florence is offering a free Thanksgiving meal. You may contribute to Jen's efforts by reaching her here:

Jen's Cafe

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Various local races are heating up; we now have two declared candidates for mayor in Florence. License Commissioner Mickey Haddock has his Facebook page up, and Florence Police Chief Rick Singleton states his will be up shortly.

We posted a question on our Facebook page: Which mayoral candidate once used the words to John Lennon's anthem Imagine in a speech? Vote if you're so inclined, and we'll have the answer soon.

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To the left of our blog, we have a list of the ten most popular columns during the week. It's telling to note that for much of last week three of the ten featured teachers accused of sexual impropriety with their students: Kimberly Bynum, Keith McGuire, and Amanda Watkins. How sad those charged with the care of our young don't have the self-control to fulfill this charge.



Shoalanda

Goodbye, Chief Rick Singleton? Hello, Sheriff Rick Singleton?

A trusted source has reported that Florence Police Chief Rick Singleton may soon announce his candidacy for Lauderdale County Sheriff, a post now held by Ronnie (Pass the Donuts, You Pretty Young Thing You) Willis. We would consider Chief Singleton to be the proverbial shoe-in should such an election take place, but would it be a step up for him?

Online sources list the median salary for both Alabama police chiefs and sheriffs as $88,143.00; however, the Florence police chief currently earns $87,919.00 while Lauderdale's sheriff earns only $85,402.00. Is Chief Singleton eligible for a city retirement or is he simply tired of watching the county's law enforcement being mismanaged?

If the Florence chief should leave, who would succeed him? It wouldn't be unusual for the city council to interview outside the area for a new chief. Looking inward at the current department, Deputy Chief Tim Shaddix seems a logical choice. Whoever it might be would have tremendous shoes to fill.

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A reader comments on immigration law protests:

They are protesting the State of Alabama's enforcement of United States Criminal Code related to immigration to this country. Period, end of story, nothing more-nothing less. Those advocating for the "rights" of illegal immigrants prefer that the State of Alabama not enforce the law, or attempt to enforce the law. The State of Alabama--anemic from a long-running economic downturn, a failed "economic stimulus" plan from the "Agent of Change and Hope" (yes we can!...but no we haven't), prefers to enforce the law in hopes of combating a huge economic drain on the State. Interestingly enough, the illegals are largely silent on the matter, and are simply moving to states where illegal immigration laws are not enforced. So, why are they not protesting and advocating for their own "rights"? Because they know the law, know they are breaking the law, and want to hide somewhere safe while the so-called "enlightened" liberals protest and scream "racism"....What a country....gota love it!



Shoalanda

Rethinking the (Florence) Police Chase

The following is a guest commentary from a concerned and highly informed Colbert County citizen. His concern lies with the current policy of the Florence Police, a department which gives chase in almost all circumstances. There are always two sides to every issue, but we feel this "catch at all costs" policy causes more harm than good.

The author of this blog mentions mayhem that resulted from chases originating outside Lauderdale County, but there have been many more incidents which were encapsulated in Florence proper--among them the death of Jon Willingham. We understand these individuals did not have to run. Still, it is the job of our police to protect all citizens, even those who have made poor choices.

We want to stress that we receive complaints concerning law enforcement on a regular basis, some verifiable and many more that are not. Of those complaints, the fewest concern the City of Florence Police Department under Chief Rick Singleton. We consider Chief Singleton a paragon of what a leader should be, but that does not mean current policies cannot be improved. We urge everyone to read this:

Late Friday night/early Saturday morning Colbert Sheriffs' Department got a call for a suicidal man on Softly Lane in the Spring Valley community. When the deputies arrived on scene the man took off in his car. The deputies chased the vehicle into Lauderdale County where Florence Police took over the lead in the chase. FPD chased him to his mother's house in Killen where he shot himself in the head.

I am usually a big supporter of LE, but let me tell you the problems I see. Curtis Russell had not hurt anyone else. LE knew who he was and where to find him. By cornering him, in his mind a shot to the head was the only way out. This is the third time in recent years I have seen this same result involving FPD.

This first time was on 6th Street in Muscle Shoals. FPD chased Corey Carwyle who was suicidal, boxed him in, and he shot himself. The next incident was on Wilson Dam Road when FPD chased a man for forging a prescription through Florence across Patton Island and the man crashed his car into a 18 wheeler hauling lumber between 2nd St. and Avalon Ave. on Wilson Dam Rd.

When any emergency vehicle cuts on their lights and sirens it poses a danger to anyone in traffic and the risks of running Code 3 should be heavily considered when a unit is responding. I believe FPD should reevaluate their procedures. Is the risk to life worth chasing someone down who does not pose a threat to others. Especially when LE knows who the person is they are chasing and where they can be found later?

Related post: Another Florence Police Chase & Jon Willingham is Dead

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Shoalanda

Do You Have a Photo ID? How About a Defense Attorney?

Will Alabamians soon be needing a photo ID to vote? Probably. Is this bad? Marcel Black thinks so. Lynn Greer doesn't. So, which is it?

Probably a little of both; however, we don't know any "aged or infirm" citizens who have neither a valid Alabama Driver License or Alabama Non-Driver ID. Not to mention, the Non-Driver IDs will apparently now be free to anyone of voting age. How much will this cost the state budget?

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Perhaps Lauderdale County will have to worry less about any budget shortfalls if Harold Peck has his way. He proposes to save the county at least 400K each year by establishing a paid group of indigent defense lawyers. Well, this sounds good, but...

It seems these attorneys won't be allowed to do any other kind of work...no real estate transactions, pre-nups, or wills...just criminal defense cases in Lauderdale County. How many experienced attorneys will jump at a chance like this? We would guess few.

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We have been contacted by Tabitha Ergle Hall who was misidentified by sources with the Russellville Police Department in an earlier blog. Tabitha would like us to note the correct spelling of her name, as well as the fact she is not the current wife of Jeremy Shane Hall, but the ex-wife of his brother Josh and mother to Josh's three children. Since there are two newsmakers named Jeremy Shane Hall, we will also note that Sgt. Hall is the son of Jerry and Carol Hall.

We have been asked if our police sources are usually disgruntled employees. That may be true in some cases, but we also regularly hear from some Russellville officers and their wives who have nothing but kudos for the force. It usually runs about 50-50, while in comparison, our Florence sources stand behind their department 100%. We have said it before, but it certainly bears repeating: Florence is extremely lucky to have not only an honest, but also an efficient chief in Rick Singleton.



Shoalanda

Gangstas fo' Profit; Gunstas fo' Fun

Gangsters, aka ganstas, use weapons to secure ill-gotten gains; gunsters, aka gunstas, use guns to have fun. That's right--they just wanna have fun...along with protecting their own and killing the odd stray animal. Who could find fault with this?

Yesterday's TimesDaily published an in depth article on the size of ammunition clips available in the United States. Here's what three well-respected law enforcement officers had to say:

“Extended magazines should not be allowed on handguns.” Bobby Timmons, President of the Alabama Sheriffs Association

“As an officer, I would not want to come across someone with one of those things with evil intent.” Colbert County Sheriff Ronnie May

“There’s no need for a law-abiding citizen to need that many rounds.” Florence Police Chief Rick Singleton

Are there those out there who disagree? Apparently so, judging from some of the comments on the TimesDaily forum. Here's a few remarks of rebuttal in green; our comments in red:

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Notice the term "well regulated militia."

I say that if citizens can't have it, COPS or the military shouldn't have it either. Wow, we can't wait to get our first nuclear ground to air missiles.

I can’t reload fast with only one hand which is arthritic. Sir, if it takes you 30 shots to disable the home intruder(s), sorry, but you'll be gone first any way.

Now, for those who still may be in doubt, or those who just like to make jokes about men and their guns, here's a most interesting article (PG-13):

Scientists Discover That No Matter How Many Guns You Own...

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The results for the Red Mountain Theatre search for Tracy poll should be published sometime today. Here's a link to their Facebook page: Link

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Another Sheffield Centennial flag: Link





Shoalanda

Murder (Crepe That Is)

June was certainly a month for murder--none being so obvious as the ones many lacking gardening expertise inflicted on their hapless crepe myrtles. Southern Living has an excellent article all crepe myrtle owners should read: link.

For an example of some beautiful crepe myrtles, as well as other shrubbery and landscaping, visit Phillip Oliver's Dirt Therapy. Photos of Florence's annual beautification awards are breathtaking.

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Returning to the more malevolent form of the crime, sources say the preliminary autopsy on Randall Scott Shook proved he had been shot three times. Shook's wife Chasity was initially charged with manslaughter, but the next grand jury could up those charges to felony murder.

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Family of Justin "Bo" Cummings are adamant that he never threatened the lives of any police officers, as was initially reported. Unless such a threat can be proved, charges of making terrorist threats will have to be dropped.

The Cummings case is not the first one from Russellville where official statements from the police department have been challenged. We have contacts in all area police departments, and Russellville's Police Chief Chris Hargett seems to be the most universally disliked. The area's favorite? Rick Singleton of Florence. We're proud that a man of his moral fiber leads law enforcement in our home town.

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Know any Colbert County Deputies on Facebook? Sources say at least two of them give new meaning to the term "gun play" in their photo albums.


Shoalanda

Tuscumbia Police: The New Keystone Kops?

When Tony Logan arrives at the Tuscumbia Police Department tomorrow, presumably riding a bicycle, he may not have a good day. It seems Tony could be spending at least part of tomorrow interviewing replacements for a TPD employee recently terminated for stealing city gasoline. That's only if he isn't attacked by another disgruntled and spurned female officer. Well, variety is the spice of life, but one would think the city of Tuscumbia might at some point prefer their chief to do some routine police work and leave the drama for the courtroom.

We wonder if those who once criticized Florence Chief Rick Singleton for sacking Logan still feel he made the wrong decision. The FPD is extremely fortunate to have a chief who is able to weed out rogue officers and maintain a department with at least some semblance of integrity.

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Judging by comments on local forums, many don't understand the Alabama ban on the sale of so-called sex toys. The highly controversial ban didn't originate because of any crusade by area churches or self-appointed keepers of morality. It seems at last look the states of Georgia, Indiana, Texas, Virginia, and Louisiana also have such bans. In fact, Alabama's 1998 ban on sex toys was taken directly from Georgia law. Further it was taken from Georgia law by mistake.

It seems a Huntsville legislator sought to curtail drug use and other illegal activity at a so-called gentleman's club in the city of Madison. His idea was to outlaw topless dancing and, being either frugal with his time or just downright lazy, he lifted Georgia's law word for word. The legislator failed to read the entire law, and thus Alabama's ban on so-called sex toys came into effect as an addendum to the State's obscenity law. The fact that the ban was accidental has done nothing to prevent Troy King from stringently enforcing the sex toy clause. This would be the ideal place to insert a bon mot about Mrs. TK's feelings concerning the law, but obviously the poor woman has suffered enough.


What's up with this: Florence's One Luv shop had over 3,500 MySpace friends before it even introduced sex novelties; can we say mail order sales?

Shoalanda

What Tony Logan Did Next

Part II in our series on Tony Logan:

As April 2007 came to a close, Deputy Chief Tony Logan's situation in Florence unexpectedly reversed. Police Chief Rick Singleton announced that Tony's problems with the department had been resolved and the veteran officer from Tuscumbia had been reinstated. Logan had not taken his dismissal lightly and had been on administrative pay during the three week period. Singleton refused to answer specific questions, but praised his deputy chief's performance while with the Florence Department. Neither did Logan's attorney Tim Case comment on the reasons for such a swift resolution to the situation. Surely, most saw Logan's quick reinstatement as an end to the matter, but that was not the case.

Less than a year later, Logan was in trouble with the Florence Department again, this time accused of allowing unlawful access to city police records. Singleton once more placed Tony Logan on paid administrative leave on February 6, 2008, and Logan, acting on advice of his attorney Tim Case and family members, stated one week later that the had chosen to resign rather than again face charges. The matter was investigated by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, and Chief Singleton quickly announced there was also no illegal or criminal action involved in the second set of charges against his former Deputy Chief. Singleton immediately replaced Logan with Captain Tim Shaddix, another long-term department veteran.

After his resignation, Tony Logan announced he was happy the trials of the Florence Police Department were behind him. The now divorced Logan stated he planned to continue his work as an adjunct instructor at the University of North Alabama and to open his own consulting business, LAD. Logan also did not rule out his return to Florence Police if certain situations were to change. Whether the former Deputy Chief was referring to Chief Singleton or other matters is not clear, but it was not to be the city of Florence that called for Tony Logan.


Tomorrow: Tuscumbia needs a new police chief, or Tony meets Carol

Shoalanda

Tony Logan Pulls a "Rick Thompson"

Tuscumbia Police Chief Tony Logan spent 12 hours in the Florence-Lauderdale Detention Center, being released sometime after ten o'clock this morning. Immediately after his release, he requested a leave of absence of indeterminate length from the Tuscumbia department. Logan has been chief of the small Colbert County town for only a year, and now leaves the Tuscumbia Police Department again rudderless.

Ironically, Logan began his career in law enforcement in Tuscumbia in 1983. Two years later, Logan became part of the Florence Police Department were he once served as one of two Deputy Chiefs, even teaching law enforcement classes at the University of North Alabama. A 2003 article from the TimesDaily called Logan the most important man at the Florence Police Department; how Florence Chief Rick Singleton felt about this remark is anyone's guess.

Tony Logan and fellow Deputy Chief Pete Williford served without complaint until 2005 when a Florence businessman filed charges of police harassment against his family. Logan and Williford investigated the allegations and found them to be without merit. When the family took their complaints to the District Attorney's office, the Florence City Council became involved. While Logan and Williford's handling of the complaint was never officially censured, Chief Singleton announced the policy for investigating such complaints would be completely revised.

On April 1, 2007, Chief Singleton announced that Chief Deputy Tony Logan had been terminated. The press release took some by so much surprise that they assumed the story was an April Fool's prank. Singleton could not have been more serious.

While stipulating that Logan had not committed an illegal or criminal act (and we're not sure of any difference in the two), Singleton refused to further comment publicly on Logan's termination. Privately, Singleton is said to have stated the situation had been building for some time. Deputy Chief Tony Logan, while claiming surprise at his dismissal, immediately hired Florence attorney Tim Case to defend him before the Florence Civil Service Board.


Tomorrow: What Tony did next... (With apologies to Katie Price.)

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