Why is Rogers Kimbrell Lying?

Rogers Kimbrell of Florence has now become a well know shill for the University of North Alabama. Most recently he's been touting the "advantages" of the University of North Alabama taking over property belonging to Florence City Schools.

Obviously, many of the "facts" being bandied about by individuals are nothing but opinion. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion on any subject, and we support them in their right to espouse it. What we do not support is a person offering lies as facts.

A recent letter to the TimesDaily from Kimbrell enumerated several "facts" on the contentious issue. We're going to address only one of them -- the one that we know is an outright lie. Kimbrell wrote:

The high school band director was told by the school board they were going to build a new bandroom. It hasn’t been built. Instead, they built a 273-space parking lot behind the high school that only 24 to 36 students use daily.

We have no information concerning the band room, but we certainly do relative to the parking lot. We invite any of our readers to drive by the campus during school hours. Look at nearby businesses; how many have been forced to restrict student parking in front of their establishments? Several business owners purchased their own yellow paint to mark curbing so that students wouldn't obstruct access to their storefronts before the parking lot was built.

So why is Rogers Kimbrell lying about this? We don't know. Again, his veracity in this is easy to check out. Are some of his other "facts" just as dubious?

Want more information? New Florence High Parking Lot

Can State Take Over UNA's Board of Trustees?

Libby Jordan

Mr. Sam Pendleton, longtime former Florence City Council member and civic leader, has suggested Gov. Robert Bentley take over the UNA board. Can it?

The state has previsously taken over various school systems. It's entirely possible that Gov. Bentley could at least sack the current board (with exception of Libby Jordan we would hope) and start anew. It' something to think about.

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No, UNA doesn't have to answer to us...or to you. Yet your tax dollars support that institution. It hasn't been that long ago that the City of Florence (read taxpayers) gave...yes, gave...UNA three million dollars for its science building. Now UNA wishes to steal the middle school property from the city and the school. Some thanks, huh? Let's hope our council remembers this.

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Now a big salute to Mr. Sam Pendleton. He's taking care of the city's interests and promoting West Florence. He's a jewel and he's missed on the council.

Coffee Property Not Zoned for Apartments/Rayo Mart Wine?

We sincerely doubt the not quite six million offer for the old Coffee property from Florence developer Eugene Sak was supposed to be taken seriously. UNA's offer was approximately six times Sak's and didn't include the new gym. Yet we've been told the property is not zoned for apartments and isn't likely to be. What were his intentions? What were Britton Watson's intentions, albeit choosing to help figureatively steal from the school board on which she serves?

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The tres elegant Rayo Mart in Colbert County wants to sell beer and wine. The Second Street store is challenging the county commission's vote not to give the eastern Colbert store a license to sell such products. 

Just think of the possibilities. We're sincerely hoping one of the local breweries Rob Carnegie touts will begin producing "Old Muskrat" just for Colbert County. If not beer, then wine. Wouldn't that make for a romantic evening?

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To return to the ever-popular UNA issue, can the governor take over UNA's board? Stay tuned...

John Pilati Back on Sex Offender Registry

We have a new marshal in town, or should we say Marshall? From Alabama Attorney General Steven T. Marshall:

Alabama Attorney General Steven T. Marshall is pleased with the State Pardons and Paroles Board decision to reverse 2012 and 2015 pardons for convicted former Franklin County District Attorney John Frederick Pilati and require he be placed back on the sex offender registry.

“John Pilati violated a solemn oath to protect and defend the people when he violated the civil rights through sexual contact with five different young men while he was district attorney,” said Attorney General Steven T. Marshall.

Pilati was convicted in federal court and sentenced in 2008 to 42 months in prison for five civil rights offenses related to sexual assaults on young men who ranged in age from 16 to 20.

“While Pilati served his sentence and was released in 2011, the nature of his crime against his victims and the violation of his oath of office demand that he should not be granted a pardon,” Attorney General Marshall added.

During Pilati’s pardon hearing today, Chief Deputy Alice Martin, who prosecuted the case against Pilati, was successful in voiding the earlier pardons.

“I am pleased that the Board of Pardons and Paroles followed our recommendation to deny his pardons,” Attorney General Marshall observed.

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When Pilati was taken off the sex offender registry last year, we attempted to get a coherent answer from the Board of Pardons and Paroles--to no avail. We questioned how a state board could make such a decision on a federal crime. Apparently a great many questioned this decision. The law does work...sometimes.

More on John Pilati...

Dr. Kenneth Kitts Proves He's a Real Bastard

Heil Kittsy!

Dr. Kenneth Kitts has shown his true colors--pardon the hackneyed analogy, but our degree is from UNA,obviously an inferior institution. Let's throw in snake in the grass while we're at it. While professing he's open to dialog with the city and the school board, he's gone behind everyone's back to attempt to gain an eminent domain status of the school/city's property.

How does that work, Kittsy? How do you convince citizens the university, such as it is, is more important than the city and its school system. Wait, don't bother to answer; we already know you couldn't tell the truth if Leo and Una's lives depended on it. A tree fell on your home the other night? Ever think God was trying to tell you something?

And Marty Abroms?!!! We're sickened by your part in this. We thought you were a better person than this. Libby Jordan has been the only one to come out of this thinking and acting like an intelligent adult.

Rest assured, Kittsy, you've made enemies in Florence. When you place your pointed little head on your pillow tonight, think about that.

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While we're on a roll, what's the status of Inspiration Landing in Sheffield? No construction started yet...on anything? Remember, that snake oil Vandy second stringer has promised something finished by the third week in June 2018. The clock is ticking.

Apartments on Old Coffee Property?

Florence developer Eugene Sak currently owns 19 incorporated businesses in Florence. Several are connected to property/construction endeavors. At the most recent Florence School Board meeting, assisted by board member Britton Watson, Sak offered 6.5 million for the property. Was he just whistling Dixie?

As far as we know, the multi-acreage property isn't zoned for apartments...and most likely wouldn't be...ever. So why does Britton Watson now favor Sak's suit? That we don't know. Watson, presumably a New York native, owns, along with her husband, Blue Olive Advertising. We're not aware of a connection between the agency and any of Sak's companies, but that's not to say there isn't one. We appreciate all comments (just keep them clean).

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For those who are concerned or have simply inquired:

1. The Waterloo Road property long rejected by UNA is immediately adjacent to the campus.

2. There are no homes or businesses located there.

3. The property between the campus and Wildwood Park measures one to two miles in length and is of similar width, all undeveloped.

4. Many members of the West Florence community have been begging UNA for years to purchase and develop this tract of land.

5. Florence says it wants to move west; why doesn't UNA?

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Earlier today, Pen-N-Sword announced they had installed a new firewall. If any of our readers (and you know who you are, JB) continue to have problems accessing the site, please let PNS know.

Midnight Rider/Shoals Tatler

Keller Hospital: Layoffs

By: The Midnight Rider

If you read Shoalanda Speaks regularly, you know that we have written several articles which show Keller Hospital in a not so good light. Below is from WHNT 19 News that recently came out:

WHNT

SHEFFIELD, Ala. – Two hospitals in the Shoals are cutting employees due to operational costs. Helen Keller Hospital and Red Bay Hospital say they have had to either reduce scheduled hours or eliminate positions at the two facilities, affecting a total of 22 staff members.

“Although we hear and read about the issues of healthcare in Washington and Montgomery, unfortunately, the greatest impact of these issues is always local,” the hospitals said in a statement. “The economic challenge of rising costs and uncertain reimbursement cannot be ignored, so we are taking steps necessary to ensure that patient care remains our priority. We are working with our staff to help them in this transition and we do not expect any further staffing action to be taken. None of these changes will diminish our ability to provide quality care.”

Ok, with that being said, you should know that this article was forthcoming. As I have stated before, with the new Hospital being built, now is not the time for Keller Hospital to be burning bridges. I don’t see how Keller can continue to have quality service when they are cutting personnel.

So what about these people that lost their job? They must now scramble to find employment without suffering from the layoff. A Source from Keller Hospital told us that the positions that were cut were full time positions. They will now be turned into Part Time Positions with cut or no benefits. That is really sad.

Be careful Keller. When that new Hospital is built, they may put you out of business.

I am and always will be, the Midnight Rider.

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Last night's Florence School Board meeting is over and little has changed. We will correct one point from our special blog: While UNA says 70 parking spaces will be lost due to new construction, the board says parking spaces will actually be gained.

Britton Watson? She gave local builder Eugene Sak the floor to make an offer on the property. So much for her wanting merely to be fair with the university. We'll have more on this later.

Marty Abrom's fear of the space between the stadium and school having the appearance of an alley? While we have no idea how it will look, if it does resemble an alley when built, why not capitalize on it? How about "Victory Alley?" It certainly sounds better than Back Alley Bar or Greasy Hands Barbershop.

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We recently mentioned Tommy Wallis who's serving a life term as a habitual offender from Lauderdale County. A reader asked us about an article on Tommy's wife that recently appeared in the Shoals Tatler. Apologies that we were behind in our reading; sad that Tommy's children are a part of this situation.

Shoals Tatler