Crystal Huddleston: Cherokee Rescue Squad Treasurer?

According to a social networking site, Crystal Sutton Huddleston was not only the office manager for Colbert County's 911 office, but currently serves as treasurer of the Cherokee Rescue Squad. According to her online bio, her hours at the 911 office were not strenuous; however, the Cherokee High School and Shoals Community College grad has been accused of writing herself unauthorized checks for overtime and sick pay. First Cherokee librarian Paige McWilliams (currently in work release) and now Crystal Huddleston--at this rate Mayor Chuck Lansdell won't have any employees left.

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As the war between RegionalCare (ECM/Shoals) and Helen Keller Hospital heats up, employee concerns have so far been overlooked in the press. Besides numerous reports of disgruntlement concerning RegionalCare employee insurance, we've received an interesting communication concerning the disposition of ECM retirement funds. From a reader:

Commissioner Fulmer should be concerned about the status of the Coffee Health Group pension for its former employees. They have not received a statement since Jan 2009 for 2008. Former employees cannot find out from Aetna or from HR of Regional Care (which did not take over the fund) where our money is and what has happened. Those in the know retired or resigned before May 31 and were able to roll their full amount into an annuity fund. Those retiring after only can get monthly payments at age 62 with 25 yrs service or at age 65. Employees were notified of the changes on June 23 effective June 1. Employees are being told the money is there. When MHA was sold those employees were allowed to roll their retirement into something else.

Indeed this does sound like a situation in need of investigation by the Lauderdale County Commission. We urge all concerned ECM/Shoals employees to contact the commission. Understandably RegionalCare may know nothing concerning the funds, but Aetna should be required to answer the commission's questions concerning the current status of these retirement accounts.

What's up with this: Two men were arrested yesterday attempting to break into Sweetwater Mansion while carrying a ladder. Well, no one ever said crooks have intelligence...or good taste.

Shoalanda

J. J. Tells It Like It Is/Paige McWilliams Oversentenced

Big Government: Cure or Cause

A Guest Commentary By

J.J. Ray

Few things that happen in life shock me anymore, until today. I watched with shock and wonder as former president Bill Clinton aka Slick Willie called the Tea Party folks insurrectionists. The dictionary describes an insurrection as, an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government. Mr. Clinton was not only a president but also a Rhodes Scholar and should have known what the definition of an insurrectionist was before opening his mouth. There is a vast sea between insurrection and repugnance.

Most Tea Partiers and most of the nation are sickened with a government that continues to grow at a rate unparalleled in history with a deficit to match. Since the Tea Party has no apparent leader, it hardly qualifies as an insurgent revolution. Further, I have not seen a rebel action with armed commandos storming anything in D.C... Slick Willie needs to stick to young women as he appears more suited to charming unsuspecting interns than commenting on what is revulsion of the voters, to the new massive government.

Government’s purpose is just what the word implies, to implement the laws as the constitution stipulates. Not to enforce the constitution, as they perceive it, dictating to the voters whom they believe don’t have the sense to come in out of the rain. This however is the progressive elitist response.

An elitist is one with the belief that some people or things are inherently superior to others and deserve preeminence, preferential treatment, or higher rewards because of their superiority. The people who have been charged with governing actually believe that they are superior and the rest of us are merely serfs that are to do their bidding without question. Anyone can watch the arrogance that radiates from Mr. O. There is a big difference between arrogance and confidence as demonstrated by Ronald Regan. He generated hope and confidence, rather than, “hear me now”.

We elect our representatives to pass laws and legislation that are good for the country as a whole, not as a handful of elitists would have you believe. Cap and Trade, Obama Healthcare, the job killing regulations to stop drilling in the gulf is another. Let us not forget the bailout, and a stimulus bill that did not stimulate anything but added deficit and more big government.

Slick Willie was right about one thing yesterday, his effectiveness did not happen until the republicans took power in “94”. Then there were people in congress to “Just Say No” to more big government. Prosperity grew and the budget balanced because we had a stability of power instead of “let me be clear” and “hear me now” arrogance.

Therefore, we should be clear in November, and then and only then will the elitists understand, “Do you hear us now”.

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We'll add our own two cents to J. J.'s commentary--Slick Willie obviously knows the meaning of the word insurrection; he's betting most products of current U.S. education do not.

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Tuscumiba has contracted with the Florence firm of Hill and Jangaard to design the new Tuscumbia Depot roundhouse. We wonder how many other firms applied for this contract? (Hill and Jangaard is the firm of choice for most plumb Florence contracts.)

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Colbert County has denied convicted Cherokee librarian Paige Hite McWilliams probation for her theft conviction. McWilliams admitted misappropriating library funds during her tenure as library administrator for that beleaguered town.

She was sentenced to 15 years, a sentence that will be completed in under five years. She could see freedom in a matter of months if paroled. Did this serve any purpose? McWilliams has already been humiliated and faces a future of manual labor if she can find any work at all. Was her crime any worse than those occurring regularly within Cherokee City government?

Now the citizens of Alabama will have to support McWilliams for the duration of her sentence. Prison should be reserved for the violent offender. Alabama certainly has plenty of those.

Shoalanda

Connecting in ten, nine, eight...

It's Almost Over

We thoroughly agree with our friend Matt Osborne that it will be refreshing when the Alabama Primary is officially over. Of course, then begins the...sigh...runoff season. Let's see where we are with other recent issues.

Over: Sandra Killen-Burroughs is now officially the newest member of the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Board. Look for Sandra to continue her rise up the political ladder.

Almost Over: Paige Hite McWilliams has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for her theft of Cherokee Library funds. McWilliams is seeking probation, while Special Prosecutor Doug Evans is asking for the full sentence. Apparently, Evans has no desire to allow the former library director even work release status since she has been ordered to repay the stolen funds within 30 days. We feel McWilliams has suffered enough humiliation. If the missing money is repaid promptly, surely probation would better serve both her and the public.

Who Knows When It Will Be Over: A preliminary hearing for UNA nursing student Andrew Daniel Scott of Killen was held Monday in Lauderdale County District Court. Scott, who was arrested in February on charges of possession of a controlled substance(s) non-marijuana and drug paraphernalia now faces a grand jury indictment. His appeal in the adoption of his biological son will be held next month.

Doubtful that It Will Ever Be Over: Donald Wayne Darling II has been arrested again--this time for domestic violence and assault.

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For those of you who have been caught up in the current "Click-it or Ticket" campaign, we present Junior Brown...




Trader Evaluates: Check out Trader's newest blog.

Shoalanda

Malones, McWilliamses, & the Cherokee Library

As with many small towns, you'll be able to see the same surnames printed on various storefronts and attached to signage at various city offices. These families who have decided to remain in place in the communities in which they were born are usually those who do the most for the towns of their birth. This can be either a huge plus or a worrisome minus.

Such is the case of Cherokee, now currently in the news for more reasons than we can enumerate without looking at our notes. Two of these old family names are the McWilliamses and the Malones.

In 1966, Mrs. James McWilliams chaired the committee that brought Cherokee its first library, with Ross Malone a charter member. In 1986 Sarah McWilliams (Mrs. James?) is mentioned in Cherokee annals as paying off the library mortgage and donating the edifice to the town. Not a small financial feat, we're sure.

By 2007, Allison Paige Hite McWilliams was appointed the Cherokee Library Director by then-Mayor Mignon Willis, presumably without a background check. It wasn't until Chuck Lansdell's term that a shortfall of almost $17,000.00 was discovered. It also came to light that Cherokee City Clerk Melinda Malone had blindly notarized an (as yet) unknown legal document that was worth thousands to McWilliams. Melinda Malone is married to Cherokee Town Councilman Mike Malone.

Paige McWilliams is currently under indictment for embezzling the 17K, while Lansdell has added a private suit over the secret document said to be worth in the neighborhood of 40K. We're sure there will be more developments to follow, but for now we think there might be a big demand for printed programs to this slug fest.


Overheard at church: I wanted a diamond tennis bracelet for Valentine's and all I got was this ridiculous blue plastic white elephant from Q-Gas.

Shoalanda

Battlin' Betty Belts Tyrannical Tina? Or Was It the Other Way Around?

Let us return now to that idyllic town of Cherokee. No, wait, that was Camelot. Cherokee is hardly idyllic; in fact, it's hardly a town, but more of a group of motley miscreants attempting to win their own reality show.

First, let us consider Mayor Chuck Lansdell, pictured at right. Look closely and you, dear readers, will note that Lansdell is a man in uniform. That's right--he's also the town's fire chief. How he governs himself is a question worthy of any ethics class final, not to mention those worrisome words--double dipping.

It seems that Lansdell's wife Tina suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, a debilitating disease, but also an ailment that often goes into remission. In other words, your best friend may suffer from this condition without your ever knowing about it. The gravity of Tina Lansdell's condition has been debated, but in recent years she has taken to riding up and down her narrow suburban street in a neighbor's golf cart--an illegal action similar to riding on a public street in a four-wheeler and dangerous to both her and her driver.

Enter Betty McKinney, a neighbor and critic of Mayor Lansdell. McKinney reported Mrs. Lansdell's illegal activities to the authorities and brought the small town of Cherokee more publicity of a type the rural community didn't need. Now, Tina Lansdell, who is apparently in a state of remission, has accused McKinney of attacking her after a town council meeting. McKinney has countered that Mrs. Lansdell called her a bitch, claiming her only action was to touch her detractor's arm while chastising her for such unladylike behavior in public. Both women agree that at some point the Lansdell's sixteen year-old son joined in the melee, attacking McKinney and receiving some injuries of his own. All three were treated and released at local hospitals.

Betty McKinney has retained Tuscumbia attorney Billy Underwood, who has called Tina Lansdell "potty mouthed." We agree that it is best for the mayor's wife to describe her enemies in the privacy of her own home, but using the b-word in public may not qualify in 2010 as potty-mouthed.

Chuck Lansdell has so far not commented. Regular readers will remember that Lansdell was partially responsible for the hiring of Paige McWilliams as the town's librarian. Mrs. McWilliams is currently under indictment for theft and forgery, and the town clerk has faced questions as to her supposedly blindly notarizing a document for McWilliams that has not as yet been identified, but was worthy of Lansdell and the town suing the former librarian for 40K.

Who needs the real housewives of Washington, D.C., when we can have the real shrews of Cherokee, Alabama?


For more on Cherokee and Mayor Lansdell: Link

Shoalanda

Cherokee Library - Paige II

With a population of just under 1,300 and negligible sales tax receipts, the town of Cherokee (Main Street pictured) in western Colbert County is fortunate to have a library; however, the town isn't sure just how long this good fortune will continue. Allison Paige McWilliams was the town's third librarian in just over four years; now the small community has filed a $43,000.00 lawsuit against McWilliams.

Our May 16th column initially reported that just under $17,000.00 was missing; updated preliminary audits now indicate that McWilliams used the library's credit card for purchases of $16,054.50--mainly at Wal-Mart, Chevron, and Shell. State Certified Accountants have just begun the forensic audit that may turn up other unauthorized charges, and the town is unable to press charges with the District Attorney until such an audit is completed.

With only $200.00 in the library's bank account, and unable to get new state funding while open less than 16 hours a week, the town has pressed forward with a civil suit. The suit, filed by town attorney Rebecca Narmore, also alleges Paige McWilliams forged library chairperson Ella Nelson's name on an official document, having town clerk Melinda Malone notarize the signature. McWilliams has denied the allegations and announced she will defend herself against the charges.

It's unfortunate the citizens of Cherokee are having to suffer for lack of library funding, but the town itself must shoulder some blame in this situation. Any checking/debit or credit card account should be balanced and monitored by someone other than those in control of the funds. As for Ms. Malone notarizing a signature she did not herself witness, that speaks for itself.


Note: Last chance to see the Drive By Truckers tonight. You don't always have to leave home for great entertainment.

Paige McWilliams - Over the Budget?

Until last week, Paige McWilliams was the librarian in the small Colbert County town of Cherokee. (McWilliams is pictured second from left during a Christmas party given by Cherokee City Schools.) Now McWilliams has been relieved of her duties while the town council initiates a forensic audit of the library's books.

The small library's annual budget is only $19,000.00, and now almost $17,000.00 of that is missing. McWilliams failed to appear at two due process hearings, and sources indicate that Mayor Chuck Lansdell has already filed an initial complaint with Colbert County District Attorney Bryce Graham Jr.

Paige McWilliams had held the position of Librarian in the small town for the past two years. Last year she was quoted in the TimesDaily:

With wireless Internet access, she says technology is a vital part of her facility. But nothing takes the place of books and reading.

"There's not a lot to do in Cherokee, so we have a lot of readers," McWilliams said.

With approximately 13,000 books in the library, McWilliams said many of them come from donations from the town's residents.

As with many small rural libraries, fundraisers are important in Cherokee.

"We have a yard sale once a year that helps bring in money," McWilliams said.

Perhaps McWilliams will not need to hold a yard sale in order to reimburse the town; sources also reported her family has come forward with an offer to make restitution for the missing funds.