Could Danny Pettus, et al., Have Prevented This Death?

 

This dog was recently found in Lauderdale County:

This dog did not die quickly. He starved to death...or froze...or both. He had no fat to protect him from the cold.

Now the Lauderdale County Commission has a chance to provide real animal services to the rural areas. They're "considering it."

Yes, there are humans out there cold and alone who wish to be. We can promise you this dog didn't wish to be starved and worse. He wanted a happy, warm home. Lauderdale County failed him.

This issue will again be brought before the commission after New Year's. Let's make sure they approve a new method of animal control in conjunction with the City of Florence.

Contact the commission now:

Lauderdale co commission Brenda Bryant

256-769-5759

Danny Pettus 256-810-0050

dannypettus@juno.com

Roger Garner (256) 627-7008

ronald1778@att.net

Fay Parker

256-648-3061

fayparker@gmail.com

Joe Hackworth

256-767-9780

hackworthjoe@comcast.net

Brad Black

256-710-8340

Danny Pettus Challenged to a Duel...of Words

 

From HPNA:

Danny Pettus has been put on notice and has been challenged to an OPEN, MEDIA COVERAGE AND PUBLIC WELCOME debate by HPNA.

Dear Chairman Pettus: 

I regret that you were not at the Republican Executive Committee meeting when I spoke. I expected you to be there and was disappointed you chose to be absent. If you have taken umbrage at my accurate remarks, I propose you and I meet for a debate. I suggest a debate over your actions and those of the other Lauderdale County Commissioners who planned to illegally give away “Eternal Vigil” in 2020 and brought a lawsuit upon the county to stop your illegal act. That lawsuit asks you to obey the law but you and your fellow commissioners refuse. 

Here is my proposal: 15 (Tuesday) or 17 (Thursday) February 2022 at at your commission chamber in the courthouse. News media is invited. Debate to be recorded both audio and video. Public allowed to attend. No debate moderator. No surrogates. No interrupters. The debate is only between you and me. I begin the debate with 5 minutes of remarks followed by you with five minutes of remarks. We then alternate twice, each time with 10 minute segments of remarks. We conclude with closing comments of five minutes each. This gives each of us a total of 30 minutes to present our arguments to the public and voters of your county to whom you commissioners owe an explanation. 

If either of us does not show up, the one who does, has the forum to himself to hold a press conference. This will give you a chance to explain why you and other commissioners defy the will of the vast majority of Republicans in your county. Please let me hear from you promptly. 

Sincerely, 

Ed Kennedy Lieutenant Colonel US Army (retired) 

Heritage Protection of North Alabama

Have Sex on Taxpayer's Dime, Lose Vacation Pay?

Several years ago we read one of those pop-psychology articles on theft in the workplace. It seems that those who are not faithful to their spouses are three times more likely to steal from their employers than those who walk the marital line. So how much more prone to theft would employees be that actually commit the sex act at work while on the clock…the taxpayer’s clock to make it worse?

We know that at least two who write here either work at taxpayer jobs currently or have in the past. As far as we know the majority who toil at the Shoalanda blog work in the private sector. What would happen to Shoalanda herself if she were caught in such a compromising position at work in her non-government funded job? She would d*mned well be fired within hours, we can promise you that.

So how do government employees continue to get away with boffing anyone and everyone at work? How do they still keep their taxpayer funded jobs? Are they simply irreplaceable or do they just know where the bodies are buried?

We’ve recently blogged about two local government employees who were literally caught with their pants down and still retained their jobs…at least so far. Just two days ago we were informed of a city department head who was similarly caught in a Shoals town about five or so years ago and who kept his job. Three such incidents in the past five years would indicate the moral decline of our society. The fact that the powers that be have overlooked these incidents indicates much worse.

Why are we discussing this again? It seems that the Lauderdale department head was not fired as Danny Pettus had promised. He did vote to fire the person, he has stated, but others voted to retain the person who lost all vacation pay.

We just hope the sex was worth two weeks vacation to the department head. Now please tell us how much integrity and ethics are worth to those who oversee our local governments?

*****

We’re about to publish an article on the Bella Club at Deshler High School and have asked for input from readers. It seems there is at least one similar club, one perhaps even more shrouded in secrecy. Who out there knows of the Deshler Fight Club? Those who reply will always remain anonymous.

*****

Wanda Ivey Wallace

Wanda Ivey Wallace was murdered in Tuscumbia on Sunday. Her brother Jerry was also a murder victim; from 2012:

Jerry Lewis Ivy

Allegations/A Pundit Speaks

A few readers have asked us if we plan to comment on the charges which Quinton Hanson made against his opponent Danny Pettus. We do indeed plan to look into the three allegations, or perhaps more correctly two allegations and one criticism.

Concerning the 10K Pettus contribution from a pawn shop/title loan business owner, we will answer as we did concerning the non-issue of a circuit judge’s opinion on abortion and gay marriage. As far as we know all title loan/payday advance type businesses are located within the town limits of the various Shoals cities. What Danny Pettus or any other county official believes/feels/has to say should have no bearing on these businesses.

We constantly hear criticism about certain campaign contributions, but where does one draw the line? Take no contribution from someone convicted of a drug related felony 20 years ago? How about a Muslim? How about gays? Or how about people with Asperger’s syndrome? You can always find something to question.

While this “bagman,” as Hanson terms him, may expect something from Mr. Pettus, we have no real idea what it would be just from the information on the mud-slinging mail out, nor do we believe Danny would grant unscrupulous favors because of this contribution.

No matter who wins today’s election for Lauderdale commission chair or any other office, you can rest assured that in today’s world of electronic information there are watchdogs not afraid to speak up against malfeasance and incompetence. Of more concern should be the politically apathetic who fail to vet candidates. After all, look how many times Dewey Mitchell was elected.

*****

Are you looking forward to the SEC Primary results in the presidential election? While political pundits may get it wrong more than right, one local guru, an avid follower of the national scene, tells us that Hillary Clinton will soon be indicted. We wouldn’t rule that out. His opinion of Bernie? Some party members touted the “Democratic Socialist” in an effort to provide an unelectable opponent for the former first lady; now it’s backfired.

Will the Donald be the next president? Just think of all the innocent moggies who will suffer the humiliation of being forced to wear hairpieces…

Shoalanda

Hanson Mail-Out/Cherokee Thugs

We have not been able to obtain a copy of Quinton Hanson's mail-out which is purported to contain libelous material directed against his opponent Danny Pettus. This is from a reader:

Do you have an opinion on the "last minute" mail-outs by Quinton Hanson' campaign? The first one questions Danny Pettus' decision to run for Chairman of the Lauderdale County Commission after serving only "64 days" (I think that's right). The second mail-out borders on calling Danny dishonest. I realize it's politics, but I don't like it. I was planning on voting for Hanson. I don't really know him that well, but he had been involved in the Republican Party for some time and had run for office before. I guess I just felt he had "paid his dues". That, and the fact that I didn't personally know Danny that well. I have some comments on my facebook page about how I feel about that kind of negative advertising. Just wondered if you had seen these and had any thoughts on them.

Other readers have reported that the mail-out doesn't "border" on calling Danny dishonest, but states it unequivocally. We had previously endorsed Hanson for two reasons--his business experience and what we considered his strong stands (lacking tact). We felt, since a menopausal woman wasn't running, he would be most likely to state his opinions and hold fast. 

Nevertheless, honesty comes first in our book. Danny Pettus is nothing if not honest. As of now, we're not recommending either candidate. That may change by tomorrow. We're asking readers for any further information on this.

*****

Some thugs have broken into a Cherokee school and vandalized an expensive collection of pattern glass that had been donated to the library. Other items were also destroyed. If anyone has any information on this, no matter how small, please contact the Cherokee Police. We would also like to hear more on these little "*****." Once apprehended, we'll be reporting anything we can find on these kids/men who have so little respect for...well, apparently for anything. We'll be lobbying for a stiff sentence...not counting on one, but lobbying.

Shoalanda

Hanson or Pettus?/More on Satchell

Quinton Hanson and Danny Pettus are seeking the post of Lauderdale County Commission Chair. Both have political experience and both have conservative financial platforms. Is one better than the other?

We're endorsing Quinton Hanson for this post. He has more experience in financial planning and, we believe, is more capable of telling someone where to go if needed.

*****

We've been sent some information on Gale Satchell, candidate for Colbert County Superintendent of Education. After careful consideration, we have decided to publish this. Voters should have all the information about any candidate in order to make a competent decision.

From an informed reader on several problems facing Colbert candidates:

(The people that filed a complaint on Gale Stachel & School Board members have the expense forms, check vouchers and other information on the following complaints to the Ethics Commission. They have complaint case numbers assigned and were told an investigator will be contacting them. TimesDaily editor says their policy is not to do anything during an election cycle. They absolutely have them dead to right and should be an interesting story to follow)

Ethics complaint filed on Federal Programs Coordinator - Dr. Gale Satchel

1) Takes numerous days off with filing for Professional Leave.
Taxpayers have given Satchel reimbursements for travel, food and lodging for personal family trips as well as paid leave.
Presidential Inauguration 2012
Field trip with son’s class to Memphis, Tennessee
Also received pay for "professional development" & Personal travel with son to work as “Page” for Marcel Black during 2015
Legislative session in Montgomery - She and her husband were reimbursed for meals, hotel, and mileage for the week that her son was the Page. This had nothing to do with the school and was strictly personal.

2) Gift Cards for homeless
Hands out gift cards to un-documented recipients
Hands out gift cards after announcing her candidacy for Superintendent of Colbert County Schools election 2016
Does not have proof of receipt from recipient of gift cards

3) Signs Employment Contracts without Board approval OR Superintendent signature.
Determines the persons hired, pay scale, and personally supervises or
assigns her husband (principal in Colbert County School System) as supervisor.
ONLY school boards can hire. Those persons she hired and signed contract obligating the taxpayers money ($35.00 per hour tutors) were
NOT approved by the Board. They were NOT fingerprinted nor had a background check, but were working one on one with students.

4) Uses work day/time to attend meetings and events for personal organizations involved in/and serves as a Board member and is paid mileage to go to the meetings.
Healing Place, NWSCC, Camp Courage, Helen Keller Foundation, etc.
Claims mileage for personal trips and when working registration desk at Shoals Chamber of Commerce functions.

5) Makes purchases from vendors for her family use.
Grandchildren she kept at work and bought items for their use at central office.

Belief is that she uses school funds to pay for her IPhone, Ipad, and data for both.

Also an Ethics complaint is filed on the SCHOOL BOARD --

Some School Board members receive reimbursement for their family members to go to meetings with them.
2 & 3 bedroom condominiums paid for by taxpayers for them to go to the beach for meetings.
Paid for meals for family members of Board members.

Once again, the Ethics Commission has the expense forms filled out by the Board members along with their condo receipts and the checks that were paid to the Board members.

Another thing in question is, Where is the $7.9 million that was in reserves at the Colbert County School System when Olivis took office?

(Confidentially, Olivis and Cornelius are on different ends of the spectrum. My insiders said they haven't spoke civilly to each other in over a year. Not a good situation and they can't wait to be away from each other)

*****

Apparently neither Democrats nor Republicans belong to any organized party.

Shoalanda

Did The Autistic Muscle Shoals Child Have Rights?

We've certainly had some interesting comments on yesterday's blog and we believe this is the proper venue to answer them rather than on Facebook:

1. Please remember, any comments with vulgarities will be deleted. We've tried several ways to counter this tendency in certain posters and have failed miserably. No more warnings. Your comment will be deleted. Feel free to scream. If you can't comment without using "dirty words," what is your comment worth?

2. We've had a private comment about Dr. Conner's job title. After looking at it again, we agree with our reader that the title is nebulous. We at first thought it simply lacked an Oxford comma, but that would still not make the title any less nebulous.

3. For those who mentioned it's not unusual that a wife and husband work in the same system, we agree--we've stated so before. Dr. Dennis Conner is more than husband to an elementary school teacher; he's also the brother-in-law to Supt. Brian Lindsey.

4. One reader said we should ask the Muscle Shoals board to answer our questions, but in almost the same breath stated they were above such questions. Nevertheless, we're preparing some questions. The board may answer or not--it's up to them.

5. For those who say we shouldn't have reported on the case of the autistic student being forced from the only school she had ever known, we ask what if it had been your child? What if you had tried everything; wouldn't you seek an advocate anywhere you could find one, especially one that reaches thousands each day?

6. Does the mother of the autistic child have any legal recourse against the Muscle Shoals school system? We're not attorneys here. It may well be that she has none. We are fairly sure that any attorney would argue the board waited two years into the new policy to force the child out. What if a court says the board was still within its rights to do so? So be it, but remember, just because you can do something, it doesn't mean you should.

*****

Now, turning to Lauderdale County, we're always amazed at how some perceive "the county." A recent comment in the TimesDaily remarked that Dewey Mitchell needed to be unseated. We agree totally--he should never have been elected in the first place, but the voters spoke, very ill informed voters.

This Lauderdale citizen continued that he/she wanted someone from "the county" in the position and was glad that Danny Pettus is running. We are too, but he isn't from the county anymore than Dewey Mitchell is. According to records, Mr. Pettus lives in Killen. Killen is a town just like Rogersville, Florence, etc. What the commenter obviously meant was that he/she wanted someone who didn't live in Florence.

What we want is someone who will do the job honestly and fairly, no matter where they live in Lauderdale County. This is what every concerned citizen should want.



Shoalanda