Sticky Mickey?/Back to the Basics?

One of our regular readers recently commented on Mayor Haddock, referring to him as “Sticky Mickey.” We hope to hear the origin of that name at some point.

So is the mayor doing a good job or not? Everything is relative, but if we have any nits to pick with the good Mayor Haddock, the most obvious one is a lack of communication with the citizens of Florence. Projects are announced, then never carried out or referred to again.

Is an entertainment district still in the works…or maybe two, since studies have been commissioned for both the Sweetwater District and downtown Florence? How about the College Street Plaza? This was a pet project of Mayor Haddock; an architect was commissioned to draw up plans (read: paid for with tax dollars)…then nothing. Surely something put the kibosh on these plans, but what? It seemed like a doable and needed project, so what happened? The mayor publishes a monthly newsletter about events he wants showcased; why not a monthly report on the status of ongoing projects?

We will say that the mayor has kept the public informed recently on the new animal shelter, the College Street bridge project, and the Tennessee Street landscaping projects. While on that subject, let’s hope the revamp of East Tennessee Street includes the removal of the rusting Knight-Humphries donut.

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On the subject of downtown beautification, we realize weather and other factors often delay upkeep and repairs; no schedule can ever be written in stone. Yet one of the most unattractive features about the residential section of downtown (East Tuscaloosa, East Tombigbee, East Mobile) is the trash that is often left on the street waiting days and even weeks for pickup. Many of these older homes have been turned into apartments, with a constant flux of residents who place discarded items out for pickup on an almost daily basis—it doesn’t make for an attractive drive entering or exiting the downtown area.

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Back to the basics? A reader has asked us to examine Rodney Pettus’ campaign slogan “Back to the Basics.” Pettus is in the runoff for the Republican slot on the November ballot for Lauderdale County License Commissioner. The reader interpreted the slogan to mean that the drive-thru would be removed from service and that any functioning satellite offices/kiosks would be closed.

We have asked Mr. Pettus to clear that up for us. We sincerely doubt that is the intention of his slogan, but we have no idea what it does mean. One of Lauderdale County’s most attractive qualities is that government offers more than just the basics; while we believe in cost cutting when needed, it’s the extra mile that makes the difference in enhancing the lives of its citizenry. More on this later…

Shoalanda

Comcast/Chips Not Working/Wet Willie

The list of companies whose credit card data bases have been hacked is long: Target, Cracker Barrel, T.J. Maxx, Bank Independent, etc. Has Comcast joined the ranks? It seems that customers have been assigned new account numbers, with no reason being supplied by the media giant.

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Is the microchip one answer to hacking? Last year the advent of new chip card readers was highly touted. They were to be in stores by October, and most retail concerns did change over at that time. Now the majority of banks have provided their customers with the chip-enhanced cards. So everything is cool?

Apparently not. We understand that locally only Target has the software installed to use the enhanced readers. If you shop elsewhere in the Shoals, you’ll still have to use the traditional swipe. Progress takes time, but let’s hope consumers having to update all accounts (Amazon, eBay, etc.) with the new card numbers is actually accomplishing something.

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We haven’t mentioned the Weeden Home in quite some time. Recently some new comments were posted on Ripples from someone who stated he was the heir to the property. If the commenter is indeed the heir, it doesn’t look like the property will ever be in competent hands.

We can understand any owner wanting fair value for their property, but we can’t understand letting a historic home sit and rot when it could be sold to a restoration group or community at a reasonable price. Don’t be surprised to see a hotel on the property at some point in the not too distant future.

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Wet Willie is among the latest acts to join the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Until now, we had thought them a Georgia band. Here’s an overlooked jewel:

Shoalanda

A New Sentence for Christie Scott?

Some call it “judicial override.” No matter what it’s called, a judge in Alabama doesn’t have to defer to a jury’s recommendation to sentence those convicted of Capital Murder to “Life Without.” Such was the case with Christie Bray Scott whom Franklin County Judge Terry Dempsey sentenced to death by lethal injection in August 2009.

Scott has spent over five years on Alabama’s death row; now she may have a chance to live her life out in slightly less confining circumstances. While it’s not a given that yesterday’s court ruling on Alabama’s sentencing policy will affect even one prisoner if the state appeals, the ruling has the potential to impact several death row inmates—Scott probably being the most high profile from northwest Alabama.

By all accounts, Scott is a schemer and a user; a cousin by marriage called her “just plain mean.” We predict she’ll be in her element if she’s granted the extra freedom that this ruling may bring.

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Another capital crime to add to Alabama’s long list? While we support enhanced sentencing in any crime of domestic violence, we can’t support the addition of another capital crime as a current bill now considered in the legislature is proposes. Phillip Pettus has sponsored a bill that has many good points, but making a capital offense of the killing of a partner if a legally dependent child witnesses the crime is not advisable.

What about the child who sees a grandparent or aunt/uncle killed under these circumstances? Do they always suffer less? In today’s world many raise relative’s children without any legal document solidifying the arrangement. It often takes years to adopt a child, or even to obtain legal custody. The children involved don’t love their caretakers any less than those being raised by legal parents.

The list of capital crimes in Alabama doesn’t need to be as long as our state constitution—you know, that document the Republican legislature promised to overhaul section by section. Just look how well that’s going.

Why Does Alabama Have 18 Capital Crimes?

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Speaking of capital crimes, the Tuesday night shooting of Ki-Jana Ray Freeman is considered a capital crime. The same is true of the Gary Baskins and Kayla Glover murders last year in Muscle Shoals. All three victims were shot inside a vehicle.

Someone out there knows something about both these shooting incidents. While Gov. Bentley didn’t deem the Baskins/Glover murders worthy an extra reward, there is still a basic Crime Stoppers award for any information. At least the same basic reward will be available in the Freeman killing, if not more. There’s also a substantial reward that includes funding from both the governor and the victim’s family in the death of Tuscumbia WWII veteran Elbert Farley Davis of Tuscumbia.

Help solve these four Colbert County murders. You can anonymously report to Crime Stoppers at 256-386-8685.

Shoalanda

Local Elections are as White as the Oscars

The population of Alabama is 25% African American. The population of Florence is also 25% African American. So locally how many blacks were on Tuesday’s ballot? With the exception of Gale Satchell, none comes to mind. So how about women? Rhea Fulmer and again Satchell come to mind; not a very large crop, is it? Municipal races in August will be more diverse. It’s been some time since the citizens of Florence elected a woman to the council—probably because so few have run.

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Why comment on lack of racial diversity in local government? A reader questioned our reaction to the New York Times poll on Alabama voters. Our take is that the poll was a small number of individuals in isolated areas. Some of the voters may not have even comprehended the questions, which speaks volumes about education in this state. Perhaps many who understood just who was asking and why decided to answer with tongue planted in cheek?

So why is Trump a front runner? We’re not a psychologist, but the American public should be very afraid.

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Racism in the Shoals? This story is from the early ‘80s; while that may be the dark ages to some of our readers, it’s really not all that long ago in the grand scheme of things. We were reminded of the incident during the recent campaign.

It seems an older woman suffered a broken hip and decided to sell her long-time home near downtown Florence. She began to search for accessible apartments and called several property management companies including what was then Hensley-Thompson. One Mr. R. was then the property manager, an older white man whom many considered something of a character.

Hensley’s ads referred to the company as “The Home Folks,” and the gregarious woman couldn’t resist asking Mr. R. exactly what that meant. Without missing a beat, the property manager replied: We don’t allow no n*****s and no furuhners.

Just think, if he were alive today, he could include “no Democrats.”


Shoalanda

What Does the TD Know? or Who Owes Whom?

The much awaited SEC Primary is now over; you may breathe easy for a moment. Okay, the moment’s over. Municipal elections are in August. Florence already has two candidates for mayor and several more running for the council. It’s bound to heat up now that there’s a breather in county and state races. We’re already received one candidate’s bio; as always we request any candidates to send us their press releases.

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Anyone out there read yesterday’s TD editorial? We’re not sure which staff member wrote the article (perhaps the elusive editor himself?), but it contained one statement that applied to only Lauderdale County elections…and it was a doozie.

From the TD:

Judges and license commissioners should be defined as largely nonpolitical courthouse functionaries who carry (out) policy or administer the law. Sadly, they have attracted increasingly large political donations, and in some cases the endorsements of political action committees.

What about the four candidates for two circuit judge positions? The five who ran for license commissioner? Is the TD privy to some inside info, or simply making a blanket statement?

We received many private comments concerning one candidate for judge who was very openly supported by at least two local “businessmen” whom many feel are unsavory. We’re hopeful enough concerning all winners that not one of them will be swayed by any financial contributions, no matter how large.

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A local political commentator, known for his Democratic sympathies, has proclaimed that Donald Trump is immoral. We don’t disagree, but strangely enough we’ve never heard him comment on the Clintons.

One of Queer Willie’s ex-paramours has written a book…yes, imagine that. She claims that during the time Bill was governor of Arkansas, she was a regular in his bed while Hillary was out of town. It seems that Bill lamented Hillary preferred women to men. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she proceeded to relate that after-play consisted of Bill donning her discarded lingerie and playing the saxophone.

We feel much sympathy for the poor saxophone…

Shoalanda

Special: Dr. Do-Nothing or How I learned to find a new scapegoat and love the muskrat

Without fail every year the Times Daily provides an article with the latest info on the Spring Park blame game. Without further ado, the new scapegoat for 2016 is the fountain’s electronic system. (Hey Fountain System, I feel for ya! It sucks to be blamed.)

I know what you're thinking. Wasn't it the muskrats who damaged the fountain show?

Well it's easier for Dr. Do-Nothing (a.k.a. park manager) to blame a muskrat instead of saying that he can't afford to buy a replacement part. I know the parts aren’t cheap, but c’mon man - can you not create a decent park budget for park maintenance? If city hall can be remodeled with all new furnishings (and with a hefty budget $$) then the city should be able to buy a bulb … a bathroom door … parts for the train … paint for the horses … but I digress.

So is the fountain's electronic system out of date? Surely this is a software issue. How about getting an upgrade?

The original software really isn’t a concern in this case. This type of system doesn’t require software upgrades like a personal computer because you’re NOT going to use it to open an email, upload a photo, stream a movie, or browse the Internet. Its only function is to store and control choreographed fountain shows.

So then, is this a hardware issue?

Yes it’s a hardware issue deriving from laziness and lack of common sense. The fountain show’s electronic operating system is located in the second story of a small building in Spring Park. The AC units within the building are not reliable and thus provides a very toasty environment for the fountain’s sensitive electronic equipment. The electronic system contains a lot of parts that in itself creates heat when in use. Tiny fans within the system help to move out much of heat that is generated from within the hardware. However, the fans cannot handle the additional heat also coming from outside the computer. Common sense tells you that when the temperature gets too hot you risk serious damage to the system. It's not that the internal components aren’t built to last, but they can’t cope with the intense temperatures they are often subjected too. Needless to say, keeping the system cool should be top priority!

So what happens when you mix hot, humid weather (and no AC) with expensive electronic equipment?

If it's somewhat functioning, the park spectators witness a unique version of the fountain show. When the system gets too hot it becomes erratic with incoherent water & light patterns that clearly are not in sync with the music. Sometimes the system even locks up and when that happens an employee is called in to fool the crowd by operating the fountain show by hand. This by no means is visually epic. The city employee starts the music then randomly pushes buttons to jettison water and shine lights. It kind reminds me of what happens after eating that triple layer burrito. Like I said, it's not pretty.

So what type of upgrade is truly needed? I recommend starting at the top by electing a new mayor and hiring a new park manager. Spring Park deserves more than lethargic management. It’s time to find people who care!

Tuscumbia Muskrat

Allegations/A Pundit Speaks

A few readers have asked us if we plan to comment on the charges which Quinton Hanson made against his opponent Danny Pettus. We do indeed plan to look into the three allegations, or perhaps more correctly two allegations and one criticism.

Concerning the 10K Pettus contribution from a pawn shop/title loan business owner, we will answer as we did concerning the non-issue of a circuit judge’s opinion on abortion and gay marriage. As far as we know all title loan/payday advance type businesses are located within the town limits of the various Shoals cities. What Danny Pettus or any other county official believes/feels/has to say should have no bearing on these businesses.

We constantly hear criticism about certain campaign contributions, but where does one draw the line? Take no contribution from someone convicted of a drug related felony 20 years ago? How about a Muslim? How about gays? Or how about people with Asperger’s syndrome? You can always find something to question.

While this “bagman,” as Hanson terms him, may expect something from Mr. Pettus, we have no real idea what it would be just from the information on the mud-slinging mail out, nor do we believe Danny would grant unscrupulous favors because of this contribution.

No matter who wins today’s election for Lauderdale commission chair or any other office, you can rest assured that in today’s world of electronic information there are watchdogs not afraid to speak up against malfeasance and incompetence. Of more concern should be the politically apathetic who fail to vet candidates. After all, look how many times Dewey Mitchell was elected.

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Are you looking forward to the SEC Primary results in the presidential election? While political pundits may get it wrong more than right, one local guru, an avid follower of the national scene, tells us that Hillary Clinton will soon be indicted. We wouldn’t rule that out. His opinion of Bernie? Some party members touted the “Democratic Socialist” in an effort to provide an unelectable opponent for the former first lady; now it’s backfired.

Will the Donald be the next president? Just think of all the innocent moggies who will suffer the humiliation of being forced to wear hairpieces…

Shoalanda