Why We Can't Have Nice Things in Lauderdale County

 

County Truck on Paradise Drive

From a Waterloo area resident on 9/23 accident:

New county $225K gravel truck becomes latest victim of Paradise drive. After many years of citizens displaying their concern about safety of Paradise drive, the county worker experienced the fear citizens have for years. The County commission settled 2 lawsuits involving deaths on the road since 2012. Paving years ago and signage would have saved the county money as they have graded the road for 44 years and perhaps paving would have saved 2 lives lost on the road. Now the commission will have to repair the new truck, pay workman’s comp claim, wrecker fees and lost time for employee and truck. Road will still be dangerous when they get through. Same hill where young man died in 2012.

Update for 9/24:

County sent 7 gravel trucks early this morning to change the configuration where yesterday’s accident occurred. May need more.

Who Dropped the Lauderdale Ball in 1990?

 

The above law has just "come to light." Several Lauderdale towns owe the county money dating back to 1984 when Florence legalized alcohol sales. Indeed, they owe A LOT of money. 

But wait, here's a copy of a short news story from 1989:

So, did our guys in Montgomery at that time fail to follow through? Looking at the current law, it appears that's the case.

We have to ask why Judge Hanbery didn't follow up with this? If it remained law all these years, why didn't Hanbery, or at least someone in the county, want it enforced?

There's a strange odor here...

Is Lauderdale County Commission Worthless?

 

A reader has asked us about the Lauderdale County Commission:

I've been hearing complaints about poor quality road work on some county roads in eastern Lauderdale County. Seems they are turning paved roads into gravel roads. Is it a stretch to say that County Commissioners uninvesting in infrastructure could be seen as an act of defiance against the American people? Is that how the new Civil War may play out? Our local elected officials, all Republican, have purposely downgraded tax-paying citizens' quality of life (turning paved roads into gravel roads) while working toward their own self-interest agenda (paving roads to their own property). To me, that seems like an act of war. We need new members on the County Commission in a bad way. When a local Water Board states that customers must fill out an application and be accepted before getting water service - could that also be seen as an act of the new Civil War?

We've been hearing about preferential treatment for some time. How do they get away with it? Because injured and neglected citizens don't call them out.

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This is Gracie. She's a two year-old Doberman mix and, guess what, she's available for adoption at the Florence shelter on Roberson Road:

Tim Melson Wants to Give Danny Pettus a Raise

 

Everyone likes to get a pay raise - right? Usually, such raises don't require legislation. In case you missed it, our state senator Tim Melson has introduced a bill to raise the pay of our county commission chair Danny Pettus.

SB 133 - Relating to Lauderdale County; to amend Section 45-39-70, Code of Alabama 1975, to increase the salary of the Chair of the Lauderdale County Commission; to provide retroactive application; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

We believe that Commission Chair Pettus means well. We also believe that his priorities are not always in the correct order. Instead of speaking to outside groups about imaginary bogeymen, Danny should be concentrating on real needs of an underachieving county.

How are those roads in Waterloo coming along? Even more importantly, how is the improved plan for animal control progressing? There are more problems, but these two stand out.

Perhaps Sen. Tim could help out with the animal situation by introducing some much needed legislation concerning their basic needs? Pardon our French, but ALFA be damned.

Jail Troubles? Blame the County Commission!

 

Why does Lauderdale County have so much money in its bank accounts? Probably because it seems loathe to spend funds on any project.

Many citizens are currently blaming Sheriff Joe Hamilton or former sheriff Rick Singleton for problems at the detention center. They need to remember that the jail can't hire quality employees without competitive salaries. 

Singleton frequently asked the commission for assistance with jail problems. No, he didn't ask for Range Rovers to patrol the area or Mont Blanc pens for his office staff. He asked for needed supplies and facilities. He usually received zilch. 

How about the commission's record on animal control/care. If the commission hasn't come up with an appropriate plan in five years, are they really trying? Removal of the Confederate monument to Soldiers' Rest? Not a peep in months. No negotiatons; no nothing. Paradise Drive in Waterloo? Still just as dangerous.

How about the pet project of a certain cousin/brother-in-law? Now that's going. It may not be going well, but it is going. 

If anyone asks you to name one Lauderdale County success story, simply reply "nepotism."

Supporting a White Elephant, but Not a Homeless Dog

 

If you discover an abused or homeless dog in Florence, the Florence Animal Control will soon arrive to resolve the situation. If you spot a similar animal in Killen, Waterloo, or other Lauderdale County towns, you'll have to wait until the county sheriff's office decides to send someone...an officer not usually trained in what to do or which laws apply to what areas of the county. How do you think that works?

While the above photo is a stock image, the photo below is not - it's a photograph of a deceased dog reportedly found last month on County Road 81 in Lauderdale County:

After years of meaningless promises, the Lauderdale County Commission now has a chance to join with the City of Florence in providing adequate animal services. In fact, Florence is willing to pay half the costs even though more than 50% of the animals housed in the shelter come from outside the city. Props to Florence!

Why would a commission who has promised countless dollars to a pie-in-the-sky Ag Center (otherwise known as Tim Melson's White Elephant) not wish to take a more than fair approach to county animal control? 

Please contact the Lauderdale County Commission to ask, no, demand, that they do their job:

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

Brad Black has no e-mail? Time to move into the 21st Century, Brad.

I'm Prince & I Support This Message

Lauderdale Commission Plays Blame Game Again

 

Your neighbor's lawn is over 12" high; the green lights of the building inspector's truck are seen more and more frequently as other neighbors complain. This neighbor then comes to you and asks you to take on his lawn care duties for a reasonable fee. Unfortunaely, you have to reply that you don't have the time or resources. When the inspector makes his anticipated visit the next day, your neighbor then blames you for the problem.

Does the above scenario seem fair? It's extremely similar to the situation involving the Lauderdale County Commission and the City of Florence. For years, citizens have complained of anything from a total lack of animal control/welfare to blundering deputies involved in animal cruelty cases in Lauderdale. We count five years that the pressure has been on, and nothing has been done.

Now the Commission wants to pay the City to take on these duties. We like this solution, but Mayor Andy Betterton has claimed a lack of resources to do so. We've previously chided him for his stance in refusing to negotiate with the county on this issue, but how much is actually the City's fault?

Commissioners, after all these years, it shouldn't take a second half-decade to do something on this issue. Now is the time to take action. The citizens are watching...

Lauderdale Admin Says "Shoot the Dog?"

 

If you live in Lauderdale county and have ever cared about a dog, a cat or horse in need of help, now is the time I need your help!!! Our county commission is about to make its 3rd attempt at running an animal control department. Every time they have tried so many problems have occurred and the program has failed. Countless animals have suffered due to this. They have posted a job for an animal control officer with no department, no director, no trucks or equipment, no policy and procedures. The worst part is no requirements for the job besides a high school diploma. 

We have to have a system in place or these animal control officers will not know what laws to enforce, how to catch animals or how to keep shelter numbers low. One thing that most departments are doing around the country is shelter diversion. Shelter diversion is where the officers work with the community to help place the dogs back with owners ,or provide what’s needed for owners to keep the dog, horse etc instead of crowding the shelter. If the shelter becomes full animals they will have to be euthanized to decrease the numbers . We are trying to work in current times while the commission’s administrator is telling citizens that she will have a deputy sent out to shoot a non-aggressive dog. 

Is this what our county needs? NO! We need a better system and the county commission needs to be held responsible and change made. We don’t need to be like Franklin county, but we are headed there! You are tax payers and deserve appropriate services. Please join us Monday night 5 pm Lauderdale County courthouse 3rd floor. Please come show your support for change.

Only 11 Years of Public Service? Sorry, You Lost That Contest...

 

This is a test of logic: If you have three opponents in an election, all with 20 or more years of public service, would you brag in campaign literature that you have 11? Sorry Phillip Pettus Jr.'s latest mail-out is another failure.

Brad Black - Over 20 years in education.

Lowery Davis - Over 20 years in law enforcement.

Chapel King - Over 20 years in nursing and social work. Our pick!

Think before you vote on May 24th!

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We're not even going to make an endorsement in the Democratic governor's race. Of the Republicans, Kay Ivey has the experience, education, and what passes for tact in this state. The others? Not so much. Kay Ivey on May 24th!

District and county races next...

Florence Employees Get 4K; Lauderdale Employees Get the Shaft

 

You may be aware that many city, county, and state employees are sharing in the federal pandemic relief money. The problem is that not all government entities are recognizing employees who worked to keep offices functioning during the darkest days of what could certainly be called a plague.

Here's two accounts from readers:

A couple of weeks ago it was announced that all the Florence city workers were receiving a $4000 covid bonus for full time employees and $2000 for part time. I agree whole heartedly that they deserve it. But ...the license commissioner at the tag office (isn't). This is a county position. I was told that county employees, who also worked all through covid, were not getting any kind of bonus. They were the only tag office open in the state because they have a drive thru. I think the commission should reconsider and reward them for coming to work everyday.

And

I would like to have your investigative team to look in to why the commissioners of Lauderdale County did not take any relief and rescue money that they received from the federal government and help ease financial burdens on their employees. The city of Florence was able to give their full-time employees a bonus of $4000.00 and part-time employees $2000.00. 

What makes this interesting is that one of the commissioners for Lauderdale County also serves as a Florence police officer who received the $4000.00 bonus. What is upsetting is that surrounding municipalities like Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia were able to give employees money bonuses through the relief and rescue plan. 

This has more to do with principle versus money. I would just like answers as to the decisions that were made and why. This could be something where they are voting and haven't come up with an amount yet as well. I just think there needs to be some clarity on the whole issue.

We agree totally. We're sure many would also like to know why the Florence-Lauderdale Animal Services has to beg repeatedly to get the money that is OWED them by the commission. Any thoughts or inside info?

What Will Steve M., Danny, & Harold Do Now?

 

From a reader:

Now that the Madison County Commission has taken down the Confederate monument, what will AG Steve Marshall do? Will he really arrest the commissioners as he has threatened?

If he doesn't, what will Danny Pettus and the gang in Lauderdale do? They won't have much of a valid excuse not to let Florence have the statue now, will they? 

While on the subject of the commission have you noticed that Project Say Something hasn't gone after Danny yet? Maybe mayor elect Harold told them not to?

In fact, we see some PSS members still blaming Steve Holt. Now that they've got their boy Harold in office, what's the point?

Actually the new mayor won't be in office until November. I for one want both the popcorn and fireworks concession when that show premieres.

Bud

What Did You Expect from the Lauderdale County Commission?

We're at a loss as to why Project Say Something is blaming the City of Florence for the current debacle over the CSA monument. The city attorney for Florence has asked the county to give written permission to move the monument, which the county has denied.

Does this surprise anyone? When has the county commission ever been responsive to the citizens of Lauderdale County? Paradise Drive? No...still no work done on that death trap. Enforcing animal laws? The county has claimed due to home rule that it has no right to enforce laws already on the books.

Basically, what you get for your money, is four men who draw a check to sign checks to pay utilities, salaries, and of course those building the Ag Center. Speaking of that, how is it coming along? Anyone feeling ready to go sit in that expensive new building next to a Coronavirus time bomb?

MOVING THE CONFEDERATE MONUMENT TO VETERANS PARK IS THE ONLY SOLUTION

The Confederate monument located outside of the Lauderdale County Courthouse belongs at a museum. For the purposes of education and understanding it deserves to be rededicated.

The Florence-Lauderdale County Veterans Memorial currently contains markers listing every fallen soldier from Lauderdale County who served in WWI until present day. Each Confederate and Union soldier from Lauderdale County who died in the Civil War deserves to be remembered.

How many of those CSA soldiers from Lauderdale County were of the approximate 25% drafted into the Confederate States Army?

This monument belongs inside the park dedicated to the veterans of this county. I believe this request to be a reasonable and fair compromise.

Relocating the monument behind the Florence-Lauderdale County Veterans Museum will remain out of site from the road, yet safely monitored. Hopefully, the day will come that a larger museum will be built on site.

While it is technically true that history can not be erased, it can be easily forgotten. Please let us not forgot that our local history is family history. If someone wants to know their heritage they can usually find it in their family tree. If your roots go deep enough in Lauderdale County you will find that we are all related.

I ask you Mr. Danny Pettus and every Lauderdale County Commissioner to please put an end to this modern day online war of words and please move the Confederate Monument to where it belongs: the Florence-Lauderdale County Veterans Museum and Memorial.

Your good bud,

Uncle ZAR

What is WRONG with the Lauderdale County Commission?

Caution: The following blog contains strong language.

For years, a gentleman from Waterloo petitioned the Lauderdale County Commission to pave a county road where residents were injured and even killed. How many years did it take him to get action? We know of at least seven, perhaps more. That's right...seven years to correct a potentially fatal problem in the western end of the county.

Now residents from all over the county have requested that the commission follow state law and authorize their animal control officer Dwayne Oliver to confiscate neglected, injured, and dying animals from abusive owners. So far the commission has refused.

The commission seems to want to place the onus on Dwayne Oliver, calling him not worth training. So why did you hire the man? Either hire someone fit to do the job or place Oliver under Rick Singleton who can perhaps whip him into shape. One or the other, or you aren't doing your jobs!

Colbert County (yes, we say Colbert County!) has no problem with confiscating animals who are in danger. Who knew that Lauderdale was that inferior to Colbert?

Danny - Can you stand before a congregation and preach love on Sunday and then kick these unfortunate creatures to the curb on Monday?

Fay - Did your constituents know you didn't have any backbone when they elected you?

Joe - Has anyone told you that you're no more useful than a doorstop?

Roger - Tell us exactly when and where you lost your balls?

Brad - Do you enforce the law at work, but overlook it at commission meetings?

Brenda - Did you have to learn how to be a bitch, or were you simply born that way?

*****

The Lauderdale County Commission meets at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow in the court house. They have denied time for any animal advocate to speak. Even if you can't speak, go! The commission needs to know how you feel about Lauderdale's animals...and about them, especially how you'll feel during the next elections.

Lauderdale County Budget?/Lodging Tax

From a reader:

WHAT IS THE LAUDERDALE COUNTY COMMISSION THINKING?????

The following statments were taken from the September 27, 2016 and October 2, 2016 TimesDaily about the county's 2017 budget:


In an effort to increase starting salaries in all county departments, the Lauderdale County Commission on Monday approved an operating budget that included a $2,000 raise for all county employees.

We were in good enough financial shape that we could address some other needs,” Commissioner Roger Garner said following the meeting. “Every department had wants and needs, and we were able to address some of those.” so included in the budget was a 4 percent increase of employee health care benefits that totaled approximately $67,838.

“This is something that we have been talking about for two years. Thankfully, we were able to do it this year,” said Lauderdale County Commissioner Roger Garner.

Commission Chairman Dewey Mitchell, who is retiring at the end of October, said this is the biggest budget in the history of the county, and he warned commissioners to stop pulling from reserves before there would be no reserves left.

“We had to take two and three-quarters million dollars out of the reserves to balance this budget,” Mitchell said. “The county is very fortunate to have the reserves to balance the budget. It has not always been that way.”

The overall budget is $31,548,935, an increase of $2.1 million from the 2016 operating budget.

We just can’t keep depleting the reserves,” Mitchell said. “I hope in the future, the budgets will be balanced on incomes and not on reserves.”


It is stated above the Commission had to take two and three-quarters million dollars out of the reserves to balance this budget but the budget only increased $2.1 million from the 2016 budget. If I read that right the Commission had overspent their 2016 budget.

Did the Commission take into consideration the other things associated with that much of a salary increase. Taxes and retirement funds will increase plus the added expense of insurance. If they can’t balance a budget without getting funds from reserve there will be no reserves, then what will the Lauderdale County Commission do?

What will happen when Dewey Mitchell leaves office? He seems to be the only one that is worried about Lauderdale County?

What do you think?

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*****

A pithy comment from L. Stone on an increase in Florence lodging tax:

You'd think that someone from Canada would know that people will go south of a border if they can get a better deal.

*****

Shocker from Lauderdale County Commission

Yesterday many Lauderdale County residents went into apoplexy when confronted with the news. Yes, the Lauderdale County Commission had contracted with an architect to renovate the outside of the county courthouse and it wasn't Fitz Hill of Hill and Jangaard. There were also scattered reports of imps skating.

*****

In other news, the TimesDaily has done an in depth article on a local shooting. Besides the trajectory of the bullet, we know the victim was standing on a rug when shot. Local color at its best. The victim was also a nest-door neighbor. We're assuming this was a jab at all those apartment complexes built by overly ambitious Purple Martin home designers. We also assume a county contract is in their future if their barber's aunt's housekeeper knows the right people.

Perhaps the best start to "gun control" would be an IQ test for anyone seeking to purchase a weapon. Said purchaser would also have to stipulate he wouldn't shoot any stray neighbors.

*****

Definition of an Alabama county commission: Where you get your chuckles when the state legislature isn't in session.

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Since former prexy Richard Nixon has been in the news lately, we've decided to honor him in a special way. Look for a new word on the tips of Lauderdale County residents' tongues--Kellergate. Coming soon to a blog near you.



Shoalanda

James O'Neal Wilson/Florence Ambulance

This is James O'Neal Wilson, a man with a criminal history dating back several years. Lest you think the above photo depicts Wilson in Halloween costume, this mug shot is from a June 2012 booking for Public Intoxication and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Monday evening at approximately 7:30, Wilson was driving on Hendrix Road when his truck left the road and struck a 13 year-old boy who was taking out the trash for his family. Tae Ingram died later that night at ECM Hospital.

The Lauderdale District Attorney's office has a hold on Wilson, so he won't be bonding out immediately. Let's hope the DA's office can find appropriate charges for this scum bag.

*****

A Guest Commentary by Hank Thomas

Since the local news will not report to any degree on the City Council vote for a new ambulance service for the city of Florence, I feel a few  facts should be made public. First, the present ambulance service had only 1 complaint in 40,000 calls for service. This is an outstanding record for any type of business. Second, the present service held their prices to the current prices now being charged to the citizens of the city and the county. The bids to provide this service were equal on all aspects, according to representatives of the city and county with the exception of the pricing. The service company awarded the contract, pricing is almost twice as much as the present service provider. The bid laws of Alabama as i understand them, require government entities to consider all aspects of a bid and if all things are equal and all parties meet the specs of the bid proposal then the bidder with the lower price should get the bid.

I have not heard a reason for choosing the higher bid, and do not understand how the council can move forward considering my understanding of the Alabama bid law. This will be an added costs to someone already experiencing a life changing event simply by being in need of ambulance service.

The Lauderdale County Commission will vote on who to award the ambulance contract on Monday the 15th of October. This is a city and county service contract covering both areas of Lauderdale county. Please contact your commissioner and let him/her know your feelings on this matter. I feel sure some of the commissioners will take the position that with the city taking the action they did, then they must follow suit. I do not believe the commission has to vote as the city does, if so why have a commission, let the city make decisions for the county. In my opinion, the county can vote to take the lower bid and cause the bid process to be reopened to try and achieve the lowest cost for the citizens of Lauderdale county, while still receiving the best service possible.

Please do not take my letter as an endorsement of either bidder. I just believe the citizens of the city and county should ask their representatives to consider the cost to the citizens when all other aspects of a bid are equal and meet all specs. Your voice is important, let it be heard.

*****

Shoalanda

Lauderdale Ambulance Wars--Today!

From Hank Thomas:

Shoals Ambulance

The County Commission under the leadership of Dewey Mitchell, Chairman, has decided to rebid the Ambulance contract for Lauderdale County. Mr. Mitchell stated that the city of Florence representative advised him orally that the city wished to rebid the contract. Mr. Mitchell indicated there is no formal written notification to him or the commission from the city regarding the Ambulance bid. Based on this oral notification the commission decided to allow a rebid of the ambulance contract.

The present ambulance contract is for 3 years and allows for a rebid each year in September without cause. The present Vendor has had a contract with the city and county for 4 years of 2, 3 year contracts without having to rebid in any year. The EMA Director stated that in the 4 years of the contracts the vendor has had only one complaint and the complaint was resolved to the satisfaction of all parties to the contract.

Mr. Mitchell advised the other reason for a rebid of the existing contract was to see if there is possibly an improved contract with a rebid, which he hoped would benefit the citizens of Lauderdale County. Mr. Mitchell was asked what would occur if in fact the bids came back higher and costs the citizens of Lauderdale County more money for the ambulance service. No response has been forthcoming on that question from the Chairman. Two of the commissioners Fay Parker and Rhea Fulmer questioned the need for the rebid and were advised by Mr. Mitchell that with the city wishing to precede with a rebid the city had forced the hand of the county, since the contract was a joint venture of both governments. No vote was taken on this matter and according to Mr. Mitchell a vote was not required to move forward with the rebid. This information was discussed in a work session of the county commission.

The bids were then prepared and were sent to any interested party that met the requirements of the written bid package. The bids were closed on August 2, 2012 and 2 ambulance companies submitted a bid. Both services gave a business address in Colbert County. After the bids were closed and nothing could be changed I requested to see the bids. I was advised that I could not see the bids until after they had been voted on. This did not appear to follow the rules of the Freedom of Information Act and I then contacted the Attorney General’s office in Montgomery and found I was correct and should be allowed to view the bids. I wrote a request with the information from the AG to the county commission and I was then allowed to view the bids.

After reviewing the bids I, found, in my opinion, that all but one of the sections and requirements of the contract were met by both ambulance services. The only exception was in the various charges that each ambulance service proposed in the bid. Below are the bid prices each service submitted.


Service                             Lauderdale EMS           Shoals Ambulance


ALS Non-emergency             $290.00                                 $490.00

ALS Emergency                     $450.00                                 $595.00

BLS Non-emergency              $240.00                                 $400.00

BLS Emergency                      $320.12                                 $425.00


Your commissioners will be discussing the ambulance bids in the next work session which is on September 4th. This is an important decision as it affects all citizens in the city of Florence and the county of Lauderdale. Please contact your commissioner with your thoughts on this matter.

*****

Apologies to Mr. Thomas and our readers for not publishing this earlier. The work session is today, but you can still contact your commissioner during the next two weeks. It's not a given that the bid will be awarded at the next regular meeting, especially since this will be a joint city-county effort, but the earlier you provide your input, the better for your voice to be heard.



Shoalanda

How Home Rule Beat Ronnie Brown Four Years Ago

Fay Parker is currently the Lauderdale County Commissioner for District II. He won the office four years ago, defeating long time incumbent Ronnie Brown. Most local political pundits chalked Parker's win up to his stance against Home Rule. Both men are now in a race with Keith Collier Jr for the 2012 Democratic nomination.

What is Home Rule? Simply stated it means a county doesn't have to go to Montgomery every time it wants to place limits on a waste industry or animal control. Why Home Rule has been such a hot button for so long is beyond our ken. Many say they wish to live in the county simply because they may let their animals roam freely, but then object when a plant turning human waste into fertilizer wants to build next to them. You just can't have it both ways.

Tomorrow we'll look at newcomer Keith Collier Jr. and offer our endorsement for Place 2.

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Head shots and humility: There have been some posts in a new blog that mention several people who should watch out for a bullet in the head. Interesting concept if one has no morals, we suppose. Our train of thought quickly turned to the question of death and had we ever wished it on anyone or anything.

We'll be honest that we've strongly considered Brian David Mitchell, Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper/rapist, a good choice for the 22 behind the ear award, but could we do it? No, as a Christian and one who respects the laws we could not. What about other lower species?

While talking with a police detective about such things, we mentioned fleas. We would like to kill as many as we could, the ecosystem be danged. The train of thought soon zoomed on down the tracks to a long ago conversation with a close friend who was a vet tech. She asked the doctor for whom she worked why God created fleas. His reply? "Humility, my dear. They're so hard to kill they make us humble."

In striving to be humble, we hope none of us forgets our self worth or the worth of others. No one deserves to be beaten, raped, robbed, or tortured. When we allow such things to happen because we're "judging," we not only allow the victims no chance to regain their self worth, but lose any small amount of that quality we may have ourselves possessed.



Shoalanda

Good Judgment is Not Micro-Management

Our third and currently last installment on the Tuscumbia City School situation from a regular reader/contributor:

About two months ago the Administration of TCS allowed an unsupervised senior student campout on the grounds of Deshler. Unfortunately some students in attendance at the camp out vandalized the school. The teachers at DHS were rightly outraged. There was talk of calling off the 2011 DHS graduation. The Superintendent asked the School Board what would be the appropriate punishment for students at a regular school board meeting. Members of the School Board gave varying answers but the dominant theme was the Code of Student Conduct gives direction to the Administration for proper student punishment. The School Board pointed out that the Grievance policy gives any student or parent the right of appeal. This is an example of the Administration asking for micro-management and the Board on reflection pointing out that policy exists to handle the situation. This was not micro-management, just good management.

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It seems that the RSA will be out over 900 million in 2011 for its share of state retirement benefits. They predict a shortfall by 2023. Logically, ridding itself of some bad investments comes to mind as one solution, but who would want to purchase National Alabama? The alabaster pachyderm of Barton is fast approaching one billion dollars in costs, and no end is in sight. If you can think of someone who needs a mile long industrial facility located in the boondocks, please let us know and we'll pass it on to Dr. Bronner.

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To all residents of Lauderdale County: If you think your property tax is too high, by all means ask for a clarification. Do all that it takes to make it right. We greatly admire Danny Hendrix, but he does not do the actual appraisals. His staff, many untrained, do the appraisals of property in this county.

This brings us back to complaints that these positions are filled by those having only a GED or high school diploma. It's a "who you know" situation when it comes to jobs at the Lauderdale County Courthouse. Contact the Lauderdale County Commission and let them know how disappointed in them you are for allowing this to continue all these years. Property in Lauderdale isn't worth more, or much more, than in Colbert or Franklin Counties--it's just that we have no trained appraisers and apparently no board to mediate disputes. Let's try to change that, shall we?



Shoalanda