Four Muscle Shoals Candidates for a Better City!

 

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Muscle Shoals has as many problems as Florence or Sheffield, although some in power would love to deny it. Look at their "round table" philosophy; all the better to hide the truth unless they're Pigmeat Markham.

How can you retake control of your city? Besides electing Billy Hudson mayor, you have the opportunity to take four districts:

2. Beth Pirtle - She's intelligent and not a self-absorbed snob. Isn't it time to take out the trash? (Her opponent's supporters actually threatened a Florence candidate that we supported.)

3. Scott Hunter - He's more than a chair ornament - he works.

4. Jennifer Underwood - She cares about the city and has the brains to know what's wrong and fix it!

5. Mike Price - To make a clean sweep.

Is Taking a Knee Next?

 

Will you post this as an anonymous comment or as any way you think best on the Gina best side post? They are turning it into poor pitiful fat girl.

I have had a few calls and feel like it needs to be clarified again and again that the issue is not weight, it is not female vs male, it is a visual confirmation that some on the city council were rude and turned their backs on citizens that were speaking to them. What will we see next - taking a knee?

I think everyone needs to recognize and accept the origin and setting of that picture. I understand it was a council meeting with many people in attendance and citizens were speaking to the council.

Ms. Clark chose to turn her back to those citizens.

As an elected official, we are held to a standard of showing courtesy to our citizens and voters.

To the person who took this picture and chose to share it, I trust their intent was to stress that we should all put our best foot forward and show our best side to our guests whether or not we want to hear what they say. 

This is the role of a good elected official. Don't shoot the messenger or the message. Ms. Clark was disrespectful to the citizens as well as Ken Sockwell who also did not present his best side.

New Comedy Series: Muscle Shoals Council Friends

A Muscle Shoals reader asks some pointed questions:


Question?

It is my understanding that a civil service board appointment went unfilled for months because of a tie vote. During these multiple votes Council woman Gina Clark abstained due to “conflict of interest”. After a failed vote to put out for more applications for this board, amazingly it was put out again.

It was brought to the council's attention that Councilwoman Clark had voted for the person, 2 years previous, that she had a conflict with. Councilwoman Clark then proceeded to vote for her next door neighbor for this position. What??? Favors???


The very next meeting she missed. Where there is smoke there is fire. I call foul. Looks like Councilwoman Clark may be serving up some home cooking. The same person Councilwoman Clark couldn’t vote for because of conflict Councilman Thompson didn’t vote for because of who they
might be friends with.


What??? Now they are deciding who our friends can be???


Muscle Shoals
We can do better

*****

Shady Doings at Muscle Shoals City Council

 

From a Muscle Shoals resident/city council observer:

November 16th, the newly elected Muscle Shoals City Council (some supported by the Citizens for a better Muscle Shoals PAC), censored the citizens that elected them!

GINA CLARK, KEN SOCKWELL AND WILLIS THOMPSON voted to remove your access to voice concerns at a PUBLIC MEETING. It seems CHRIS HALL and newly elected DAVID MOORE were the only 2 that remembered their campaign promises about being transparent and accessible.

The old Ordinance/Council Rules of Procedure would allow a Muscle Shoals citizen to come up to the podium and address the Council and Mayor during comments from the Public at the meeting with a 5 minute time limit. We were allowed to speak without being on the formal business agenda. However, this new group imposed a deadline for 3 p.m. on Friday before the Monday Council meeting to call city hall and be put on agenda.  This also restricts speaking at the work session held prior to the council meeting.

Sounds harmless? Well think about this - if something comes up over the weekend or the day of meeting and is added to the business agenda that you would like to ask a question or discuss, you are out of luck.

Suppose someone they want to impress shows up, like a senator, state representative, governor, or even the president? By their own rules, they will not be allowed to speak if not on the agenda as of 3:00 the previous Friday.

This City Council is an elected position to serve and listen to the Public and represent the city of Muscle Shoals and be transparent, not an appointed board that has no accountability.

Is this a BETTER MUSCLE SHOALS? What are those 3 afraid of - the public that pays taxes that keep this city in business?  Is the intent to block the voice of opposition to an item on the agenda until it is voted on by the council?

At first I thought it was to quieten the voice of the public when there was flooding issues, because after all, what I understand is the sales tax that was earmarked for flood mitigation has gradually become a hand-out program and not spent to keep our homes flood proof. (I'm sure that will be heard loud and clear in the courts by those who spent thousands of dollars after their homes flooded). But, the more I have seen and heard at the work sessions and meetings, the backroom politics of Mayor Lockhart, Gina Clark, Ken Sockwell and Willis Thompson are becoming very clear.

It appears the group ClickEnergy that was paid by Mike Lockhart and some of the other candidates is now getting a sweetheart monthly paycheck from the citizens of Muscle Shoals for posting pictures and information on Facebook they are given by the City employees. For $12,000.00,  the city employees will send out the information to this group of political activists (linked to the issues at UNA) for them to post to the city FB/social media. One would think the same city employees would have enough intellect to simply upload those same pics and info they send to this political activist group that we are paying $12,000.00 of our taxes. Where is this Energy group of political activists located? Someone's basement, or maybe Sheffield or Tuscumbia?

Then, if I heard it right, Mr. Lockhart is pushing the council to change the funding for the school system to increase their take since the taxpayers voted against a tax increase. So, Taxpayer, you said no more taxes - Mr. Lockhart says tough - he will get it any way he can - backroom politics and restricting the public's access to the council.

Get ready City Employees, forget about anything but a meager little 2% raise occasionally, Lockhart will add to the war chests of the school system where his wife works. Those people like Chad Holden and "Citizens for a Better Muscle Shoals" PAC are transplants in Muscle Shoals and have made a mockery of the fine school system that was nationally known. Gone are the days of high level academic achievements, high ACT scores, and pride, replaced by a football program that can't win a state championship no matter who they recruit. Take a deep dive into the school's finances, salaries, benefits and wild spending. Do your own research.

City employees, Mr. Lockhart and those 3 city council members that limited yours and mine access to be heard are not concerned about you or me, the taxpayer. They have their agendas and it is increasingly getting more apparent as the days go by.

Just my two cents worth. May not matter to some, but will affect all.

I'm sure there will be more to come out. When you have the attitude "do it quick and they will forget", we will see a lot more of this backroom dealing.

Stay tuned.

Citizens Matter. Stop the Waste

A Message from the Heart of Muscle Shoals

Did You Get This In The Mail?

Introduction: The following is written by a citizen of Muscle Shoals, a product of the school system who has many similarly educated family members. This is a must read for any informed voter!

Muscle Shoals City has an unbelievable opportunity on Tuesday, August 25th to give the citizens a constitutional government "For the people and by the people".

Historically, the good ole boy politics in Muscle Shoals has come in cycles. There was a 3 member commission which worked well for a number of years until corruption and kickbacks became a backroom game to benefit the corrupt officials. This forced the citizens to take city hall back by voting in a mayor/council form of government. 

Allen Noles, current councilman, is one of those first elected to the new government by promising transparency and open communication. That worked ok as long as Mr. Pampinto was the constant thorn in Mr. Noles' side and kept Mr. Noles on his toes.  Then enters Ken Sockwell, Chris Hall and Mike Lockhart. 

Shortly after, there appeared to be lines drawn between Hall and the resurgence in the good ole boy backroom politics. Citizens tried to speak to the many injustices throughout the city as they watched Mr. Noles and others that are now gone get their children hired in sweetheart jobs in city government departments over many experienced and qualified applicants. Still citizens remained vigilant and challenged the process to no avail.

As the city council tipped with a majority of the councilmen whose wives worked in the school system, the duty of care and focus on our City and the needs of the citizens became a nuisance to them. Flooding is at an all time high, in spite of a 1/2 cent sales tax being collected but not used for that purpose given all the lawsuits. The mayor found it easier and easier to stay away and rarely work, leaving the day to day decisions to the City Clerk. The councilmen whose wives are and were school employees became the voice of the school system at the city council table. 

When citizens requested the City Council call for a referendum on an elected school board after numerous problems with school management, Mr. Noles, Mr. Lockhart, Mr. Bradford and Mr. Willis all firmly said no. They, along with some school people said, "if it's not broke, don't fix it". 

Still, the citizens persisted when they were met with much resistance. Citizens went to school board meetings where they were ignored as well. Their children became targets in the schools and parents were treated poorly.

Confidently, the school superintendent appeared with his troops before the City Council and were welcomed with open arms when the average citizen and groups were not. After one request by the school superintendent to raise property taxes on the citizens, the city council immediately approved and called for an election for a large property tax increase.

Once again, The citizens rose up. But this time - WE HAD A VOICE - OUR VOTE, and WE SPOKE LOUDLY. You can't stop our vote. You can't stop the process. You can't make us believe your lies. WE SAY NO MORE. WE VOTED AGAINST A HUGE INCREASE IN TAXES. We are not going to increase the feed for the fattened cow.

Today, we have seen another uprising. What started out as a normal election of a city council turned into a war zone caused by those who are offended when a citizen voices their own opinion. Those people attacking the citizens are the ones who pushed for new taxes on us. Those people are the ones who have controlled the city councilmen. 

This election process once again has become a backroom political power struggle to gain complete control of our city by a small group linked to the schools. Sad, but true that time is expended on city politics in the midst of a pandemic when the safety of our children should be their primary focus along with resuming educating our children after such a long absence.

Indulge me as I connect all the players in this web of deceit. Remember the past and think about the connections closely as you cast your vote Tuesday. 

A political action committee (PAC) was formed just a few short weeks ago. The disclosure on the State Secretary of State's website was the chairperson, John Saylor and Jennifer Bragwell, secretary/treasurer. Is that legal? Absolutely.

Stay with me and remember the names as we go. Mr. Saylor openly supported the high increase on our property taxes just 2 years ago which was his right, yet, we did not see the anti-tax group attacking him for his opinion. Mr. Saylor in his role as chairperson of this new PAC has been openly attacking the right of others to support their choice of candidates.

At one point, social media became a means to bully and degrade others in Muscle Shoals by accusations without merit and lies on some candidates' motives for running. As the social media attack was orchestrated, it became increasingly evident this was more than just a simple PAC.

One school employee's family member engaged in an attack on innocent citizens who contributed to several candidates and challenged their legitimacy. Those citizens under attack set the record straight in a very professional and courteous manner. The attacker was not satisfied and continued his personal attacks.

Others rose to the defense of the citizens under attack and called for the PAC to fully disclose their source of donations and the members of a group that called themselves "Citizens for a Better Muscle Shoals". Good Citizens for a Citizen Focused Muscle Shoals asked for clarity, and transparency. Still nothing from the PAC.

This past week, a mailer from Pennsylvania, courtesy of the PAC, was delivered to the mailboxes in Muscle Shoals. This PAC made up of unknown people sent the citizens of Muscle Shoals a mailer instructing them for whom to vote for city council and mayor on Tuesday, August 25th. There were no signatures by those concerned citizens in the PAC or disclosures of who was funding the mailers instructing the good citizens of Muscle Shoals on whom they were to vote for. 

Still, the good citizens of Muscle Shoals said, Who are you and what gives you the right to tell me how to vote? After much outcry from the good people of Muscle Shoals, Mr. Saylor's PAC published the "steering committee". 

According to their website: "bettermuscleshoals.com", the steering committee consisted of: Rodney Allman (wife works for school system), Sonya Allman (retired and still works for school system) Debbie Bradford (was MSCS foundation director), Jennifer Bragwell (kin to organizers/and a candidate), Joe McKinney (involved in football program and parolee re-entry program), Deirdre Rich Kennedy, Doug Ruggles, John Saylor (attorney for Chip Dillard/Tim Staggs in Human Trafficking Sex charges), and Rebecca Tedder. Yet it has no indication of the source of their donors.

After much research and navigating the Secretary of State's website, the following donors are shown as:

Joe McKinney - $1000.00
Stricklands - $200.00 (kin to Councilman Noles)
John Saylor - $500.00
Mr. Rodney Allman - $1000.00 (wife works in the school system) Brother-in-law openly attacked citizens for supporting other candidates
Mr. Tommy Whitehead - $350.00
Ms. Pam Clepper - $250.00
Ms. Teena Noles - $450.00 (wife of current Councilman Noles)
Southern Pride Pest Control - $500.00

If you have followed all the details and names in this saga and feel like you have just returned from a very dysfunctional family reunion, then you comprehend far better than you realize. Make your own decision on whom to vote for. You should not be criticized for your choice of candidates. That is not only insulting, but a sign of larger problems than just a political power grab. 

There is a reason branches of government are separate and some incorporated, some as departments of the City government. There has to be a level of separation and respect for the process without the bullying and degradation of citizens for voicing their opinion.

Remember, if they do these things publicly, can we expect them to do any better behind the closed doors when there are like minded people planning our futures and our children's educational system?

NO MORE BULLYING. NO MORE PRESSURE. NO MORE BACKROOM DEALS. NO MORE POWER CONTROLS. NO NEW TAXES

VOTE TUESDAY AUGUST 25th. - YOUR VOICE - YOUR VOTE.

Same Muscle Shoals City Council?

At the meeting on 4/16/2018, the Muscle Shoals City Council voted to eliminate the term limits for the North Alabama Gas District. All other boards come under the two term limit rule. We must ask why? Well, the answer is probably quite simple. The council says it’s because two members of the board are appointed by the Madison City Council and Madison doesn’t impose term limits. Good try fellows but this answer doesn’t pass the smell test. Muscle Shoals has absolutely nothing to do with the Madison appointments and Madison has absolutely nothing to do with the Muscle Shoals appointments. So then what could possibly be the reason…hmmm… Well, looking at the makeup of the City Council and certain employees of the North Alabama Gas District, we can begin to see what’s going on.

Just so happens that a certain long time councilman’s (Councilman A) son works for the NAGD…Oh but wait, we’re not through, another long time councilman’s (Councilman B) son also works for the NAGD. But of course neither councilman had anything to do with their sons being hired. Sorry guys but that won’t pass the smell test either because a NAGD board member at the time councilman A’s son was hired made the mistake of bragging (while somewhat intoxicated) how he got the boy hired. But then this member was removed from the board when the council passed the rule that board members couldn’t be related to employees of the board they serve on, so the board member was immediately placed on another prestigious, money paying-free vacation board. Councilman B said he knew nothing about his son even seeking employment with the NAGD and that the boy just walked right in the NAGD office and convinced the manager that he should hire him and he did. Well, that doesn’t pass the smell test either because the manager tells a completely different story of how Councilman B continuously contacted him about hiring his son. So, let’s see if you really plan to do the right thing. Term limit resolutions mean nothing because your individual vote determines the number of terms for each member. So guess you’ll have to try again to avoid exposure to your underhanded deed. GOTCHA!

Same City Council voted to impose two term limits on all municipal boards. However, the meeting prior to passing this resolution, two members were reappointed to the Electric Board – another money paying-free vacation board. Problem was, one of the newly reappointed board members couldn’t keep a secret and told that he had been in conversation with some of the city councilmen and that he and the other board member had nothing to worry about because they wouldn’t pass the resolution until they were reappointed.  Matter of fact, the individual had no idea one of the people he was telling had his phone on record…oh the beauty of today’s technology.

Same City Council, with the exception of Mr. Chris Hall, voted to send a request to the legislature which will place an additional 5 mil property tax on Muscle Shoals residents. Council members say we are the lowest mil rate in the area…THEY LIED! Check with Revenue Commissioner Oswalt and you’ll see we already pay 16 mils. When asked where they got their info, ready for this answer…BOE Superintendent Brian Lindsey told them it was 7.5…HE LIED! Four of the five (3 of which have served multiple terms) had no idea what the millage rate was…and guess what, they don’t care. You ask why pass such a resolution requesting the mil increase??? Their answer, because BOE Superintendent Brian Lindsey told them they had to have it.

Same City Council, with the exception of Mr. Chris Hall, would not honor the request of a citizen’s group to request the legislature allow Muscle Shoals to have an elected BOE. The fantastic four said they’re pleased with the way everything is being handled at the BOE. Of course, 3 of the 4 have spouses that either currently work for or have retired from the MS school system. OK to tax us but not OK to give us a referendum for an elected BOE.

Same City Council, with the exception of Mr. Chris Hall, voted to reappoint embattled BOE member Clayton Wood for another 6 year term. Councilman Ken Sockwell personally told several of us who spoke with him that he was not supporting Mr. Wood’s reappointment…but guess what…HE LIED and voted for Wood!    

Well the list could go on and on but we’ll stop here and let these sink in for a while. People of Muscle Shoals surely expect much better than this. We dare any member of the council to deny any of the above facts because we won’t hesitate to publicly bring forward the proof positive. First, we’ll work to defeat the mil tax and then we’ll work to remove Noles, Willis, Lockhart and Sockwell. Good news is, there are already individuals lining up to run against Lockhart and Sockwell so now all needed are opponents for Willis and Noles.  More to come...stay tuned! 

A Muscle Shoals Citizen

*****

*****

The above letter is extremely interesting. We took the liberty of putting the most interesting paragraph in red. If we lived in Muscle Shoals, we would be contacting not only our council, but Brian Lindsey.

Is Highly Political Baptist Church Highly Favored?

Old Highland Park Church Building

Today we bring you two or three tidbits about the City of Muscle Shoals and its ongoing affiliation with Highland Park Baptist Church. Some months ago, when the Highland Park congregation moved to its new home, a reader sent us photos of the Muscle Shoals Fire Department hosing the mud off the recently completed parking lot. We chose not to address it since we felt fairly sure the city would claim that it was a fire-fighting exercise.

However, this week we've been asked about a zoning hearing that is about to take place. The Muscle Shoals City Council is voting on changing the planning designation of the former building from R-3 to B-2. Obviously, much business has sprung up around the building since its construction and rezoning may be indicated. It would certainly make the site easier to market...and bring in much more revenue.

The problem pointed out to us by a reader is that of the five council members who will be voting, all but one are members of the Highland Park congregation--hence, its often being referred to as the "Highly Political Baptist Church." How can the church members abstain? Joe Pampinto does not in himself constitute a quorum.

*****

A second message from a reader has asked us:

Have you ever tried to go north on Wilson Dam Road on Sunday morning when the MSC Police are stopping traffic to let the councilmen and their families, Praise and Worship performers, and fellow bench warmers are leaving church? Do they provide police traffic control for all the other churches?

That's certainly an interesting question. Perhaps the church pays for off-duty officers? We know that Woodmont Baptist in Florence uses members to direct traffic, and the practice has been criticized as being unofficial and possibly the grounds for a lawsuit if anyone is injured due to this practice.

Could Woodmont build an overhead walkway ala Park Place? We have no idea of the legalities involved.

In other words, welcome to the clash of small town politics and big town traffic.



Shoalanda