Florence City Council Elections?

Coming soon to a voting booth near you: local elections. In Florence, Blake Edwards and Dave Smith already have opponents. More will be coming out of the woodwork shortly...we hope.

Blake Edwards has shown himself to be financially irresponsible and Dave Smith has shown himself to be a card sharp—in other words, he easily plays the race card.

Let's hope the city can field a new group of candidates who actually have common sense. Oh, okay, that was a little too much to ask; how about actually care about the welfare of Florence?

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Over the past few months, we've taken a beating over alleged criticism of Muscle Shoals. Approximately 90% of our blogs on that city have been written by Muscle Shoals citizens. Now we'd like to again compliment that city.

We have occasion to visit Muscle Shoals about twice a month. We've never seen a parking problem at any schools and understand the board had just provided more parking for the high school. UNA could learn much from this.

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Speaking of unfair criticism, a reader suggested we didn't appreciate truck drivers. Our recent query about parking in Sheffield was sent by a faithful reader. We happily post questions from our readers; that has nothing to do with our personal feelings on any subject.

Our personal opinion on this situation would be that the City of Sheffield might be providing a free service to one individual, a service it can't provide to all. In this case it would be wrong even if it were giving Mother Theresa a free spot to park each night.

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We see Kyle Adcock is in the slammer until his trial in January. Good. Wonder whatever happened to his fiancee'?



Shoalanda

What Is the “Truth” of the Justin Green Plea Deal?

Our blog on the misdemeanor plea for Justin Matthew Green certainly brought some differing opinions, some new “information,” and some vulgar language. What else is new?

First, vulgar language: Sorry, Justin's “friend who's only a friend,” if you use filthy and vulgar words, it says a lot about you. It also gets you banned. As for “journalism,” no one here has ever claimed any
degrees in journalism, but among those who toil here, we do have some heavy-hitting degrees. Our blog is opinion...we let you offer yours if you can keep it clean, but apparently you can't. Your language doesn't speak well for either you or Green.

Second, for those who said Arabella's maternal family didn't know about the plea, ADA Will Powell says he discussed it with them. Mr. Powell is running for office, so some of these claims may be dirty
pool, but what if the dead child's mother really didn't know?

Miss Cole may contact the judge; she also may offer a victim impact statement at sentencing. We suggest she requests Green isn't allowed into the community corrections program. If Andrew Scott can obtain enough oxycodone to kill a horse, just think what mischief Justin Green could get into.

No work release means no immediate repayment of court fees, etc. by Green, but we believe it's in the community's interest to make sure he remains in a secure lock-up for the duration of his sentence.

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Does the proposed animal shelter property on Fairground Road flood? A reader tells us it does.

Another reader has criticized Mayor Mickey Haddock for doing nothing...what he does best, according to our writer. Perhaps he could delegate the search to someone in city government whose work load is super light...oh, maybe Steve Eason.



Shoalanda

Who Is Now Holding Up the New Shelter?

James Bankston has suggested a “neutral site” for the new animal shelter. Neutral? We had no idea it was a war. Perhaps Mr. Bankston could remove himself to the Korean DMZ? It's the closest neutral site we can think of.

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Speaking of the animal shelter, the Tennessee Street beautification project isn't holding it up. Two different projects with two different budgets. Period.

It seems Florence City Councilman Dave Smith is helping James Bankston and his cronies to hold up the project. Let's be sure to thank Smith when the next election rolls around. He already has one announced opponent.

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A guest blog:

Sheffield has a Street Department. Well, don't they? One should not be criticized for asking such a question seeing as how Sheffield's streets rival only those of Tuscumbia with regards to disrepair. Pot holes aside, the streets and alleyways of Sheffield are in deplorable condition. Many of the alleyways remain impassable to the police and utility department vehicles. Among other things, sections of 31st Street, 32nd Street and Annapolis Avenue are rapidly disappearing due to trees that need pruned and overgrown right-of-ways. Speed Zone, STOP, and School Zone signs are either damaged, missing, or are obscured by the previously mentioned trees and brush. One would think, and rightly so, that such needed maintenance would be 'routine'. One would think........



Shoalanda

Green Gets Only One Year in Daughter's Death?

He said/she said/the kids said! Muddied waters, even with forensic evidence to the contrary, don't make a good case. So now Arabella's mother has accepted a plea from her one-time live-in love, the dead child's biological father.

While not as sad as the child's death, it's disturbing that we the tax payers were charged for extra forensic investigations ordered by Justin Matthew Green's defense. Ideally, Green will one day repay all court costs, but this is never a given.

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So high-ranking Chinese Communist official Zing Zang Zung is the only owner of record for what was once Florence Golf & Country Club? And he has “rebuffed” the request of Florence to purchase this parcel for which the he has no actual use now...or ever?

Assuming Robert Palmer of the TimesDaily actually knows what the word “rebuff” means, the Chinese businessman said no in a rude, abrupt manner. Why does that not surprise us?

Zing Zang Zung wanted revenge on the city, so no animal shelter at the old country club. James Bankston and cronies see racial discrimination everywhere, so no animal shelter on Fairground Road?

We say let Bankston pony up the money for a lawsuit. We'll supply the popcorn.



Shoalanda

Sheffield?/Jim Bankston

We've been asked why a private tractor-trailer rig is allowed to park at night in the Sheffield community center parking lot. We have no idea. Comments welcome.

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Just for the record, John Ed Dearman of the Flor-Ala, the O'Neal Bridge does not join Muscle Shoals and Florence. Its northern end lies in Florence, while its southern terminus lies in Sheffield.

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Moving on the new animal shelter: How many have noticed a “smell” at the current one? No one? That's what we thought. How about a horse pasture? Yep, there's one there usually.

We're going to give Jim Bankston the benefit of the doubt that he has an iota of common sense. So, let's see, Mr. Bankston, you think the shelter will bring in excess traffic, but commercial development
won't? Cancel that benefit.

Our opinion: Mr. Bankston, you're full of what's in the horse pasture!

Shoalanda

The Farmer, the Preacher, & the Shotgun (A True Story)

Yesterday's news that Charles Kyle Adcock, currently under indictment for rape in Colbert County, had been hired to work with youth at a Texas church reminded us of a nearby event from many years ago:

A farmer in Winston County, or thereabouts, retired for the night. Safely tucked inside an adjacent bedroom was his beautiful teenage daughter, tucked in his own bed was his wife, and tucked under his bed? You guessed it—his faithful shotgun. The farmer had barely closed his eyes when he heard a muffled scream come from his daughter's room.

He immediately secured the shotgun and ran next door where he found a man, silhouetted in shadow, standing with his hand over his daughter's mouth. The farmer called for his wife to notify the sheriff's deputies as he pointed the gun at the now retreating intruder. Before the would be rapist could exit via the window through which he had entered, the farmer took aim and shot. He added paramedics to the list his wife needed to call.

Upon the arrival of medical personnel, the farmer encountered a young man whom he knew from church. They conversed over and around the intruder who lay on his stomach, still in relative darkness. Finally the deviant was secured to the gurney and taken to a local hospital followed by the law...and the father, mother, and daughter, this being Winston County where citizens were very involved.

As the young paramedic assisted in transferring the wounded intruder to an exam table, he saw the man's face for the first time, as did the father. Almost in unison, they exclaimed, “It's Bro. John!”

Yes, the would-be attacker was their pulpit minister. Sad, isn't it? We recently spoke with a gentleman, oddly enough from the same area as the errant minister. This very learned individual stated the highest percentage of sex crimes are committed under the guise of religion/ministry. We have not attempted to verify this, but if true, it's a horrible reality.

While a sad commentary, if churches today do not check the background of new hires, they are leaving themselves open to all sorts of lawsuits.

Charles Kyle Adcock

We understand Adcock's trial is still months away.



Shoalanda

The New Animal Shelter is Sexist!

A guest blog:

I and my group of feminazis are extremely disappointed in the City of Florence selecting such a sexist site for its new animal shelter. 

Let's look at it:

First, it's just off Chisholm Road—that's named for a MAN!

Second, the current owner is listed as the estate of a MAN!

Third, the property is adjacent to a ball park where 90% the teams are composed of MEN!

Fourth, the entire city council is composed of MEN!

I could go on, but you get the idea. Not since Lewis died have I been this upset. Sisters, let us unite to fight this injustice!

Ms. Wanda Fribish