Just Say No to David Cole

Tuscumbia is about to gain a new mayor. Will it be one who will lead the town forward and get things done…or will it be one who allows personal problems to rule his professional life? While we’re sure both Kerry Underwood and David Cole have good qualities to bring to the office of mayor, we’re also sure that one of these two men effectively lost the right to govern the town of Tuscumbia when he reportedly slugged a subordinate while on duty with the fire department.

Tuscumbia Fire Chief

Just say “NO” to David Cole…unless of course, you want a city government along the lines of Birmingham or Carbon Hill where mayor and council members make the news for all the wrong reasons.

Vote for Kerry Underwood on August 23rd.

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We doubt that any of our regular readers are heroin addicts, but perhaps some have addicts in their families. It’s only been about three years or so since four or five Shoals citizens lost their lives to some “bad heroin” that had made its way here. Now we hear that more suspect heroin has arrived in this area.

A substance being sold as “white heroin” contains a large amount of a fentanyl derivative and is extremely dangerous…and it’s being sold in the Shoals. That’s all we’ve been told, but it’s enough to sound the alarm. If you have a family member with this addiction, there are agencies which can help. Consult your physician and good luck.

Who (or Where) Is the Tuscumbia Fire Chief?

The website for the City of Tuscumbia lists David Cole as the fire chief. According to our sources, Chief Cole has been on medical leave since last fall. He is reportedly suffering lung problems related to diesel exhaust. Stanley Nall is the acting chief.

In 2012, Cole unsuccessfully ran for mayor against Billy Shoemaker. In other words, he's a past and potentially future fixture in city politics. Until recently, many assumed Cole was about to retire. Now many are speculating he will take over a very troubled aspect of Tuscumbia...the Park Department.

Why is this really big news? It seems a Tuscumbia Fire Department employee filed a grievance against Cole last fall, accusing him of assault. The employee agreed not to pursue charges when told that the chief would be retiring for "medical reasons."

Confused yet? Just think how the muskrats feel. They have no idea whom to root for.

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The "Muskrat Ramble" by Kid Ory who composed the classic jazz piece:





Shoalanda