Meet Chad Holden, Lauderdale Board of Education Candidate

Is it time for some new blood in the Lauderdale County Board of Education? After the events of the past few years, many county voters may think so. For several months, one could not open a newspaper without reading of the legal wranglings of Lauderdale teachers and administrators. A fresh start may restore confidence in this rural system.

Chad Holden of Greenhill has announced his candidacy for Place 2 on the board. Chad identifies himself as an Independent and is the son of Lexie and Sheila Holden; his wife is the former Julia Beth Truitt (in the interest of transparency, we'll note she is a distant cousin of our publisher). Chad and Julia Beth are the parents of a young son and very interested in the direction local education will take in the next decade.

We hope the citizens of Lauderdale County will continue to watch the two Board of Education races and make an informed decision when they cast their ballot. In the mean time, be sure to congratulate Chad on his interest in our children's future, as well as wish him a happy birthday--he'll be 30 on Monday.


What's up with this: We see that Billy Underwood, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Colbert County, has stated the Colbert race for District Judge will be the most hotly contested election in the Shoals this fall. From the vigorous campaigning so far, we agree. All the candidates are relatively young, and the winner may serve in this position for decades. We hope every Colbert County voter will be ready to make an informed decision in this race as well.

Shoalanda

What Does It Take?

Those of you who follow our blog know that our group also writes Shoals Crime. For some time we've been researching a murder that took place on a Lauderdale beach in the summer of 1965. One news article from that era stands out: E. W. Wadsworth, then principal of the now defunct Coffee High School, chastised the Florence Times newspaper for stating a girls' social club was officially connected to the school. Of course, there would never be violence in our schools, or even any organization officially connected to them.

Flash forward 45 years and we have more school shootings than we can enumerate. Three killed in Pulaski, Tennessee, a decade ago. Today a young man's life tragically ended in the corridor of a school that many of us have at least passed on our visits to Madison.

Most of us can remember the first time we entered a local courthouse, only to have to pass through a metal detector. Rather irritating, wasn't it? Well, welcome to the 21st century where schools should automatically be fitted with such detectors. If that's what it takes to prevent another child's death, let's do it.

Schools may soon look like something from the SciFi Channel, but if it saves one life, it's worth it. Perhaps we can even get Kurt Russell to make a guest appearance...


The United State's only surviving World War I veteran Frank Buckles was 109 last Monday. Let's all sign his guest book, and, more importantly, continue to lobby for a World War I memorial in Washington, DC.

Shoalanda

Martha Beadle's Eccentricities

Yes, Florence artist Martha Beadle has eccentricities, just not any that are disturbing. Her eccentricities come from her needle which she uses to design AbFab pieces of primitive art.

You may view Martha's work at her website, Martha's Needle Eccentricities. Our showcasing of Martha's talent today serves a twofold purpose.

First, Valentine's Day is just around the corner; what better gift for those you love than an original piece of art. Candy and flowers are soon gone, but one of Martha's original creations will be a 365 day-a-year reminder of your love.

Second, tomorrow is Martha's birthday; we believe she will be in the neighborhood of 29, and encourage all her friends to contact her with well wishes.

Florence artist Martha Beadle is truly an asset to the Shoals art community. Thank you, Martha, for all you do!

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Our friend Morris Lentz in Rogersville has a puppy he is trying to place. Squirt desperately needs a home before Morris goes bankrupt buying dog food. Thanks, Morris, for your love of animals, as well as your other well-documented heroism.


Shoalanda

As Cherokee Turns

AS CHEROKEE TURNS

A Guest Column By

J. J. Ray

How wonderful it is to have a new soap going on in the Tennessee Valley. It gives a completely new meaning to frivolous prosecution. This is nothing new for the city of Cherokee that appears to be stuck in a time warp.

Those of us that live in the 21^st Century marvel at the level this soap continues to develop from the 19^th century town. Seems like only yesterday when the town rejected Jack's restaurant franchise moving there. Folks in the know said, “They did not need that kinda trash food there.” Shoot, there might be a place for some of the kids to work and what city does not need the additional tax revenue?

Now the soap continues with a disabled woman who uses a golf cart to get around to visit friends. My gosh, that golf cart might reach speeds approaching 10 miles per hour and bring this disabled person some level of enjoyment. The venomous city councilwoman who has been watching too much “Days of Our Lives” sets out to seek some kind of justice for the town. Hello, the Scopes Monkey trials are over. Where are William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow when you need them? Perhaps she would be happy if the disabled woman was put in a pillory and veggies thrown at her. I would venture to guess the venomous woman would probably have the concession for the veggies.

But wait, does this mean that the Amish folks are breaking the law with their horse and buggies? What about those folks in some California cities where only golf cart type vehicles are allowed. Lest we forget, Muscle Shoals where there are signs noting that golf carts are crossing the streets.

Hopefully the national media does not pick up this continuing drama. Most people in the country already have a retro opinion of the south. To take this one-step further I asked some towns people what they thought of the drama. Most thought that is was dumb and gave the 19^th century town a bad name. A few suggested that they really did not want any new folks moving there with new-fangled ideas.

After spending some time in the 19^th Century town of Cherokee there is no doubt that “The Twilight Zone” does exist and its right here in the 21^st Century Tennessee Valley. Where are the reporters and film crews from Fox news when you need them? To add to the already confusing trial, the case has been appealed post brawl at city hall, which was captured and shown on local TV. Wonder who the prosecutor will be. Maybe this case needs the attorney general to prosecute. Hello, Eric Holder come on down.

Facebook Friends: We recently sent you a invitation to join "Journey into Hope." Please take a few seconds to respond; there are no financial requests, only prayers and moral support are required. Many thanks.

Shoalanda

What Now for the Florence Golf & Country Club?

The City of Florence is preparing to enter into the final stages of the Florence Golf and Country Club purchase. If this mega-real estate deal is finalized, Florence will own a 157+ acre country club for which it has no immediate plans.

Currently, the City fathers state that an addition to the existing landfill will be at least five years away. Obviously, during the next five years, administration may change and plans for the property be scuttled. Even if this is not the case, Florence will enter into five years of grounds keeping for the acreage and its elaborate clubhouse. Even if the golf course is not maintained, the property will have to be manicured to some degree in order to retain most of its current value.

If the City should decide not to use the FG&CC as a new landfill, has anyone considered how much the taxpayers will have invested in its upkeep? Or if the funds aren't invested in maintaining the property, just who will be willing to purchase what may have become another run-down, overgrown municipal white elephant?

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Brad Holmes in 2010: Republican candidate Brad Holmes announced his candidacy for Alabama House of Representatives (Place One) some months ago. As spring approaches, campaigning is gaining momentum. If you are interested in becoming part of the movement to elect Brad to the Alabama Legislature, be sure to visit his site: Brad has much to offer Lauderdale County and Northwest Alabama--Go, Brad!

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Tomorrow is a big day for two of our loyal readers. Kari-Kay Harp and Emily Davis Oliver will both be...let's see, sweet sixteen seems about right. Don't forget to contact them via phone, Facebook, or other social network to wish them a wonderful day.

Shoalanda

The Alabama Line

Have no idea where your favorite Alabama candidate stands in whatever race he or she has entered? Don't think Roy Moore is actually as far ahead in the governor's race as he claims? Then here's a must-read site.

Doc's Political Parlor presents the Alabama Line where you can gauge your candidate's progress, or lack thereof, in the 2010 elections. The line that we linked is being updated this week, so make sure to check back from time to time for the latest from Doc and his prognosticators. Just remember, as Doc says, the line is for personal edification and not to encourage your loss of money.

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For all you Facebook addicts out there, here's a reminder to send us a friend request. We're going to be more involved with political and social projects this election year, and we want you to be both informed and involved. Keep watching and reading, we hope to introduce another columnist soon--one that you'll be sure to love.

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Happy Birthday tomorrow to Tom Magazzu, editor of the Courier-Journal. We understand he will be 29; be sure to call him to wish him well and inquire if he saw his shadow.


Shoalanda

Journey into Hope with Richard Taylor

Richard Lane Taylor is a Florence native and a man who wears many hats. A graduate of the University of Florida and Vanderbilt University, Taylor specialized in Latin American history. Currently he resides in Linden, Tennessee, a town 50 miles north of the Shoals boasting a population of only 1,000 residents.

Taylor owns the Singing Wood Guitar Company where he builds custom pieces as well as restoring other stringed instruments. While we're sure this unique talent is noteworthy in itself, this is not our main purpose in showcasing Taylor.

Richard Taylor is also the founder of Journey into Hope, a humanitarian organization that offers aid to the poorest of the poor in Latin America and the Caribbean. This organization is non-denominational and helps those from all walks of religious life.

We hope you take the time to read about Richard's work, as well as to join his cause on Facebook. Richard Lane Taylor is making a difference; something we should all strive for.


What's up with this: The Anderson Town Council meets tomorrow night. So far, WAFF television is the only news outlet to cover the police situation there. We hope other media will be present to report--the meeting falls under the Sunshine Law, and there should be NO excuse for secrecy.

Shoalanda