Some Profound Comments...

On HASRA v. PAWS: 

The split was PAWS 25% and HASRA 75%. PAWS to use their portion on spay and neuter, HASRA to use the money to benefit the animals

PAWS alleges that HASRA wanted to use the money for their own shelter, but the fact is the event took place in December, long before Debbie was banned.

It wasn't until January 10th that they banned her, and not until February that it was decided to try and raise money for a "sanctuary".

The words from PAWS reps was that "they were not sure HASRA would use the money to benefit the animals considering the ban of Debbie.

HASRA is an open book, we hide nothing.

On Hospice Wars:

You may feel if a hospice closes the creditors are the real losers, but what about the employees?


On Evelyn Servin: 

You can bet the FBI has a thick file on Mrs. Servin. Watch for her to join her husband soon.


On Political Endorsements: 

Do you offer paid endorsements?

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We have to comment on the last one. No. We do not offer paid endorsements. We do accept political advertising, but we will never endorse any candidate in order to obtain advertising money. Our friends at Pen N Sword also accept advertising, but not only do they not endorse for money, they make no endorsements at all.

Endorse for money? People actually do that?



Shoalanda

PAWS v. HASRA?

What Would Alfie Do?

Yesterday we blogged on various “medical wars,” but there’s another local war raging and it isn’t pretty. PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) has legally challenged HASRA (Heart of Alabama Save Rescue Adopt) over the use of donated funds that were to be split in some manner between these two organizations. No matter who wins, the real losers are the animals who need the funding for shelter and rescue efforts.

For years we’ve given to out of state animal rescue efforts. Now we say let’s keep that money at home. It’s great to have rescue groups from New York and elsewhere travel to the Shoals to take dogs and other household pets back to an area where the breeding season is shorter, but these groups can’t do that in the first place without local contacts.

Should you support PAWS or should your money go to HASRA? Rest assured we already have an opinion, but we want to hear from our readers. Tell us what you think. We’ll publish the results in a few days.

Shoalanda

More Planning...Or Less?

Lauderdale County's Second Courthouse

Today the TimesDaily published a report on the proposed College Street Plaza in which they referred to quotes by Florence Mayor Mickey Haddock. One statement jumped out:

"He said designers said that would allow parking places along College Street and Short (sic) Street to be redone and would add more than a dozen parking places."

No, not because the complex will offer more parking spaces, but because the "designers" were mentioned. Who besides Donnie Phillips is a project designer? Those who yesterday maintained the city has commissioned only a basic sketch seem to have been proved wrong.

The project has not yet been approved by the Florence City Council. We would love to hear from any other local architects who specialize in landscaping design.* Were they made aware of the project? Were they consulted in any way?

We must ask if Haddock would not have been much wiser to present his ideas to the public before acting on them. This is not transparency in any form. Mayor Haddock has sprayed some Georgio on his pet project, but it still smells...

* Editor's note: All comments are kept anonymous.

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While it seems too much planning has gone into a project not yet officially approved, it seems not enough planning is a factor in much waste here in the Shoals. Yes, we desperately need more room at our animal shelter. We'll be delighted with the new facility; however, we hope this shelter is built in such a way that it can be easily added on to.

Our current shelter isn't that old in the grand scheme of things. We hope the city can find a good use for the current facility. PAWS, perhaps? If this local group can afford the upkeep, we heartily recommend presenting them with the old shelter.

Also in today's news is the new science building at UNA. Kudos to the university for finding funds for this endeavor. One cannot always predict the future in new frontiers of science or enrollment, so we can't fault the current building's designers for a lack of foresight.

We are bemused by Dr. Paul Kittle's statement that Floyd Hall was old at the grand age of 16 years. Let's hope the new building, as with the animal shelter, is designed so that it can be modified to suit future needs.



Shoalanda

Congrats Debbie Rappuhn (and PAWS)

Debbie Rappuhn is indeed the woman of any year, but she has now officially been named Shoals Woman of 2011 for her work with animal adoption and rescue. You can find many of Debbie's projects on the PAWS' Facebook page: Link

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Mayor Troy Oliver, are you listening there in Russellville? Your city needs a leash law:

Russellville, You Have a Problem

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Our new blog Quad-Cities Cuisine is now officially up and running. Check out our first review by TBR:

Cooley's Corner Cafe'

Comments are welcome, but will be moderated in advance.

Shoalanda

Guy Clark Was Wrong - You Can Buy Love

"Only two things that money can't buy. That's true love & homegrown tomatoes." Guy Clark


Kids just left for college? Husband left you for a newer model? Wife left you because you're boring? We have the solution to all your problems. You can, for a small adoption fee, buy a best friend. You can purchase true love. You can rescue an innocent victim sitting on death row.

Does this once in a lifetime offer sound too good to be true? Well, it's not only true, it's not just once in a lifetime either--it's five days a week, 52 weeks a year. Still, with all that love available right now, why wait? Here's how to order, er, adopt.

Florence/Lauderdale Animal Shelter: 702 West College Street, 760-6676, M-F (Closed for Lunch), Adoption fee includes neutering and first shots.

Colbert County Animal Control: 5010 Missouri Street, Tuscumbia, 381-4073.

PAWS: Next Adoption Event - August 22 - Petco in Florence - Noon until 4:00 p.m.


Note: If you're not in the Shoals area, Petfinder covers the United States; we're sure there's a bundle of fur out there with your name on it!

Shoalanda

Lucky Ducky Derby Race

Feeling lucky? Then do we have a race for you. Again this year, the Tennessee Valley Art Association, in conjunction with the Helen Keller Festival, will conduct its annual Lucky Ducky Derby Race. Look for hundreds of ducks to participate Sunday, June 29th, at 3:00 p.m.

So, how do you adopt one of these lucky ducks? Various organizations adopt the ducks for $5.00 each; and we highly recommend adopting from PAWS (256-383-0690) or Heart's Cry Thrift Store in Elgin.

Not only will you have the satisfaction of helping these worthwhile organizations, you may win one of scores of prizes including cash, carpeting, or decorating services. Not feeling lucky? That's all right too--the last place duck wins a prize as well!


Update: Bilhan Kiris, UNA student from Turkey, remains in serious condition at Huntsville Hospital STICU. Kiris was a passenger in the car of Jon Willingham, killed in Saturday morning's police chase in downtown Florence.