New Comedy Show Debuts January 9th

Yes, indeed, a new comedy show will be debuting on January 9th. That's the date the latest session of the Alabama Legislature convenes. We have some predictions:

* The legislature won't start to overhaul the state's constitution.

* The legislature won't rescind of even amend the certificate of need law.

* The legislature won't pass a state budget in a timely fashion, requiring a special session.

* The legislature will pass at least one bill that it knows won't stand up in court, but makes legislators look good, costing the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.

* The legislature will abdicate any responsibility it may have toward the children of this state.

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Concerning our last prediction, did you know that AL.com again honored Sen. Larry Stutts for his work in 2017. Yes, you must certainly remember that in 2016, Doc Larry was named Scumbag of the Year. He didn't rank quite as high in 2017, coming in tied for second runner up.

What was Doc Larry's achievement? He voted against church day cares having to meet the minimum standards that other day care facilities must maintain. We have to wonder just what specific standards Doc Larry doesn't feel are needed in these church day cares that you or I would need to meet if we opened such a business...

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We assume everyone has heard by now that Roy Moore accuser Leigh Corfman has filed a defamation suit against him. Such cases are civil and apt to produce a multitude of back stories. Moore's attorneys can ask for all proceedings and records to be private and sealed, but of course his side would never do that since he's so innocent and all. Stock up on your popcorn.

Armed Robbery Will Surely Lead to Prison

As far as we know, none of our bloggers knows Ralph Evans LeMay, aka Evan. Shoalanda herself has a mutual friend with Evan; he was described to her as a worthwhile person. Should we assume drugs led Evan down the wrong path? It wouldn't be hard to assume that. Should we assume his mother and late father did everything possible to put Evan back on the right path? That would be another logical assumption.

We aren't able to tell you exactly what got Evan where he is today - in a lot of trouble. We can tell you where he's going, at least in all probability. If you haven't read about him, Evan LeMay is one of four men who committed armed robbery in Huntsville in late December. He was captured today in Muscle Shoals and returned to Madison County where he was booked at 4:27 this afternoon.

Evan's bond is $60,000,00. That's a lot of money, but it's possible his family may put up a property bond in that amount. Then again, that would theoretically simply return him to Colbert County where he's now broken the terms of his June bond on burglary charges. No, Evan hasn't made the best choices in life. 

Since Evan and three others have all been charged with First Degree Robbery, it may be a matter of who flips first. Evan LeMay may already be a loser in that department since his three friends have now been in jail a week and lawyered up. After all, at least one of them gave authorities Evan's name. We're guessing the Madison County D.A. is already making his case against Evan.

Can Evan LeMay bargain even if his three associates testify against him? He doesn't have a very good record, does he? We're not sure how many felony convictions Evan already has, but now he's been arrested for a violent crime, a crime that carries mandatory punishment. From a law blog:

Robbery in the first degree (robbery first) is the most serious robbery allegation carrying the most severe punishment.  Robbery I typically involves accusations that the accused used or threatened the use of a deadly weapon in either taking or attempting to take property from another person.  Robbery First is often called “Armed Robbery” because it implies that the robbery defendant was armed with a deadly weapon such as a gun or a knife.   A deadly weapon is not absolutely necessary to be charged with Robbery I, as if you cause serious physical injury to the victim, even if done without a deadly weapon, you can face robbery I charges.  Alabama’s robbery first degree statute can be found at 13A-8-41.

Robbery 1st in Alabama is considered a Class A felony and typically has a range of punishment of 20 years to life due to the mandatory sentencing enhancement applicable to use of a deadly weapon in commission of a felony.  Therefore, the stakes could not be higher if you have been charged with robbery first.

Twenty years, with parole being Evan's only hope. Like John Wesley Akin or Christopher Wayne Kilpatrick, Ralph Evans LeMay may not belong in prison, but he does deserve to go there.

Cold? What Will Utility Bills Bring?

From a Sheffield reader:

You know winter is here when Sheffield Utilities raises your electric bill $100 over the last statement, even though temperatures have been unseasonably mild. They do this EVERY December. BTW, my meter was read before the current arctic blast arrived.

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Sick of This Cold Weather?

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Florence Utilities has been asking that customers limit their use of power during this cold snap. That does not bode well for our next missive from the electricity provider.

If you're over 55: Energy Assistance

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We had asked if a local brewery was moving and received this response from two readers:

* Bluewater Brewing is opening a Huntsville location, but not sure if they're closing the Florence one or not. Singin' River is staying open for now. 

* Yes, Bluewater is definitely closing in Florence, but so far only rumors about Singin' River. 

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If you know of permanent business closings, be sure to let us know.

Goals in Muscle Shoals Schools?

We're waiting on reports from Leslie M. Shoals and others as to the events at the Muscle Shoals City Council meeting late this afternoon. Until then, here's an interesting report from a reader on "goals" in the Muscle Shoals education system:

SEPTEMBER 6, 2017 -http://www.timesdaily.com/news/education/board-sets-goals-for-superintendent/article_ee46d0e5-7736-54bb-84d8-37d37be04dce.html


GOALS - Muscle Shoals school Superintendent Brian Lindsey has five extra objectives. The goal with the highest priority likely is Lindsey's effort to secure additional funds for the school system.


Lindsey has said the revenue is needed to meet capital needs, such as building repairs and potentially a new elementary school in the near future. He's also to research the feasibility of using additional bond revenue to fund projects. The school board has also set the expectation that Lindsey lead an effort to establish a one-to-one technology program for the entire district.

Other goals set for Lindsey include:

• Updating the system-wide job description manual with the chief finance officer and other administrators.

• Exploring paper-less options for record storage.

• Evaluating the out-of-district fee charged to students who go to school in Muscle Shoals, but do not live in the city school district.


Lindsey said it has not been determined that an increase in the out-of-district fee is necessary, but it is an item that needs to be reviewed routinely. School board president, Celia Rudolph, said Lindsey should be "commended" for meeting his previous year's goals, and applauded for his dedication to the school system.


AUGUST 16, 2016 - http://www.timesdaily.com/news/education/board-sets-goals-for-superintendent/article_ee91c22a-0e55-5867-9a39-618c54feb59d.html


City schools Superintendent Brian Lindsey has three goals as the school system gets settled into a new school year. Lindsey has been charged by his five-member school board to develop and implement a effectiveness evaluation model for system leaders, evaluate the district's salary supplement schedule, and update the system-wide promotional video.

This year's goals were developed by Board President Clayton Wood, V. President Celia Rudolph and Lindsey. Rudolph said one of the challenges in creating goals is to determine priorities outside the realm of daily operations expected of the superintendent.

"I don't want us to put thing into goals that we expect (Lindsey) to do anyway," Rudolph said. "If we let one little thing creep in, we are going to be micromanaging what you do with your day-to-day (operations), and I don't want to do that."


Last school year, Lindsey was challenged to create a teacher evaluation model, which was completed and put in place this year. Now, he needs to do the same for school administrators and other system leaders, according to the school board. Lindsey said he will work to create that model with input from the administration team he meets with regularly throughout the school year.


Board members asked Lindsey earlier this summer to review the athletic and activity salary supplement schedules. Supplement salary schedules are the set amount of money the school system will pay an employee for duties outside their normal responsibilities, such as coaching a team or advising a club or student organization.


School board member Farrell Southern asked that Lindsey also be mindful about updating the school board on changes to the strategic plan and capital improvement plan so the school board members are abreast of the "vision and priorities of the school system." Southern did not request that be added as a goal, but said the communication between the superintendent and the board will make sure both are moving in the same direction.


"We need to be brought up to date on what our visions are, and what our priorities are, because people come and ask us what we are going to do about this and what are you going to do about that.”

2016, the oldest veteran member of the school board (Farrell Southern) is asking the superintendent to keep the board up to date on "our visions" and "what our priorities are".

Parents - Mr. Southern has clearly confirmed the board expects Mr. Lindsey to tell them what to think.

Mr. & Ms. Board member, 2016 "goals" were day to day operational and employee issues.

We do feel confident Mr. Lindsey paid close attention to the supplements given coaches for "duties outside their normal responsibilities" after all, it does mean $$$ for coaches. It is incumbent on the school board to question what those “normal responsibilities” are. Coaches would have to be paid from local taxes if not in a teaching position or position by state salary standards. Each employee has to be reported to the state in their role to receive state funding. How are those coaches reported, such as Basden and others that spend their days in the athletic facility or driving a bus? No mention in 2016 of the critical need of overcrowding in a lunchroom, or a new elementary school.

2017 - Lindsey has a goal for raising taxes for capital needs, and potentially a new elementary school. Here again, no pressing priority for an elementary school, rather a second component after “capital needs”. The final three - a system wide job description manual (?), Paperless storage, and increasing non resident fees (?)

2016 - GOAL - evaluation model for employees, one year later, 2017 GOAL - employee job description. (You should have a job description BEFORE hiring employees before the evaluation model. Surprised retired educator Rudolph doesn’t know this.)

Increase non resident fees by charging non resident EMPLOYEES for their children to attend MSCS is a good start!.

Paperless storage? Heard about that new thing called a cloud?

Lindsey and his crew remind me of the tigers in the children’s book, “Little Black Sambo”. Sambo is a South Indian boy who lives with his father and mother, named Black Jumbo and Black Mumbo, respectively. While out walking, Sambo encounters four hungry tigers, and surrenders his colorful new clothes, shoes, and umbrella so they will not eat him. The tigers are vain and each thinks he is better dressed than the others. They chase each other around a tree until they are reduced to a pool of ghee (clarified butter). Sambo then recovers his clothes and collects the ghee, which his mother uses to make pancakes. 

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We heard this during a debate over the new animal shelter in Florence:

Person A: Why should I want my tax dollars to go to an animal shelter? I don't have pets and I don't even like animals.

Person B: Fair enough. Why should I want my tax dollars to go to schools? I don't have kids and I don't even like children.

Indeed, all Muscle Shoals citizens should be interested in their city school system. Assuring that graduates are prepared for the real world also assures your tax dollars won't be used for incarceration or welfare.

Top Stories of 2017

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Citizens Ask for Elected Muscle Shoals School Board

The following was presented to Muscle Shoals council member Chris Hall on December 29th. There will be further developments at Tuesday's council meeting:

Councilman Hall;

During the meeting where the fate of Mr. Jarmon was discussed, you publicly expressed frustration regarding the activities of Muscle Shoals BOE and the Administration. I too, am frustrated. Beyond the question of Mr. Jarmon’s abilities, qualifications and performance, this sensitive personnel matter and subsequent investigation of abuse seems to have been bungled from the start.

I speak for many of your constituents and we have the sense our school board has become too familiar with the school administration. As many of your constituents have pointed out, due to that familiarity, objective decision making has become suspect. Now, I fear, that group-think mentality extends to city government.

When the subject of additional taxes was proposed, in light of recent events, many wonder if any part of the system which proposed those taxes can be trusted. It seemed bold and tone-deaf to even propose such a thing. The MSCBOE and BOE Administration seem increasingly out of control.

I hope you will review the attached draft resolution and act accordingly to bring sanity back to the MSBOE.

RESOLUTION OF THE MUSCLE SHOALS CITY COUNCIL

WHEREAS due to recent actions of the appointed Muscle Shoals City Board of Education have caused the citizens of Muscle Shoals to lose faith and trust in the current appointed board,

AND WHEREAS the city council is powerless to amend, reverse or otherwise affect effective governance of said board,

BE IT RESOLVED:

If the majority of electors voting vote in favor of changing to an elected board, an elected board of education for the City of Muscle Shoals shall be established.  The board shall be called the Muscle Shoals City Board of Education.  The board shall be composed of five members, at large by a majority of the qualified electors voting who reside in the city.

A member shall reside within the city limits of Muscle Shoals during the entire term of office.  If a member leaves the city, that position on the board shall be considered vacant and shall be filled pursuant to Section 45-39A-12.05.

A candidate for each place on the board of education shall be at least 21 years of age, a registered voter, a resident of the City of Muscle Shoals for at least six months immediately preceding the deadline date for qualifying as a candidate, and shall not be an employee of the board or have a record of conviction for any crime involving moral turpitude.  Each candidate shall pay a qualifying fee in an amount equal to that paid for candidates for general municipal elections.

(a) The Muscle Shoals City Council shall take necessary steps to ensure that this part complies with the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended.

(b) The Muscle Shoals City Council shall call an election to elect the initial members of the board of education.  This election shall be held on the fourth Tuesday in February 2018.  The initial runoff election, if necessary, shall be held three weeks later on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.

(c) The initial election and the initial runoff election, if necessary, and all subsequent elections held pursuant to this part shall be conducted, the vote canvassed, and the results declared in the same manner as provided for other general municipal elections, unless otherwise required in this part.

(d) The initial elected members of the board of education shall assume office on the first Monday in June 2018, and shall serve initial terms of two years.  Thereafter, terms of office shall be four years, coinciding with general municipal elections.

(a) Upon the assumption of office of the initially elected members of the board of education, the Muscle Shoals City Board of Education as provided in this part shall be constituted and the terms, powers, duties, responsibilities, and emoluments of office of the prior members of the board of education shall end.

(b)(1) Upon assumption of office of the initial elected members of the board of education, these members shall have the powers, authority, duties, and responsibilities as are otherwise provided by law for members of city boards of education as set forth in Chapter 11, commencing with Section 16-11-1 of Title 16.

(2) At the first meeting after the board takes office, and every year thereafter, the board shall by majority vote of those voting, select a chair and vice chair from among its members.  The vice chair shall preside over meetings of the board in the absence of the chair.

(3) All property, records, supplies, and equipment of the prior board of education shall be vested in the board created by this part.

(c) The establishment of the board of education as provided in this part shall not affect or impair any of the following:

(1) Existing rights or privileges of employees of the board including, but not limited to, employment, personnel, salary, and retirement rights and privileges.

(2) Existing contractual obligations of the board of education.

(3) Existing civil and criminal actions.

A vacancy on the board of education shall be filled by appointment by a majority of the remaining members of the board of education for the unexpired term.  The remaining members of the board shall fill the vacancy within 45 days after the vacancy occurs from qualified candidates who apply for the position on the board.  If the vacancy is not filled by the remaining members of the board of education within 45 days, the city superintendent of education shall notify the State Superintendent of Education who shall fill the vacancy by appointment.  A person filling a vacancy on the board shall reside in the City of Muscle Shoals.

The compensation for each member of the board of education shall be in an amount as provided by state law, payable from city school system funds.

An annual audit of the financial records of the city school system and of the board of education shall be conducted by an independent licensed certified public accountant, selected by the board, who has an office located in the City of Muscle Shoals.  The audit results shall be made a matter of public record.  All monies of the school system shall be accounted for whether reserved for capital outlay or held for any other purpose.

Any member of the board of education who fails to attend more than two regularly scheduled monthly board meetings without an authorized excused absence as recognized by the board through written policy shall receive a written request from the city superintendent of education to attend the meetings.  If the board member persists in his or her unexcused absence for two additional regularly scheduled monthly board meetings, then the position shall be declared vacant by the chair of the board, subject to review and approval by the city council.

The chair of the board shall have all of the following duties:

(1) To preside over all board meetings.

(2) To set the meeting dates and times of all board meetings consistent with state law.  The chair shall endeavor to set meeting times at 6:00 p.m. or at a similar time which will afford citizens the best opportunity to attend.

(3) To set the agenda of the board meetings in consultation with the city superintendent of education.

(4) To ensure proper and adequate notice to the public for public hearings on the budget of the school system.

(5) To maintain order at all board meetings.

(6) To assist the superintendent in seeking public input into the operations and support of the city school system.

(7) To vote on all matters which come before the board if he or she so desires.

(8) To ensure due process for the employees of the city school system according to duly adopted written policies and applicable state laws.

(9) To promote the city school system as authorized by the board.

Members of the Muscle Shoals City Board of Education shall be immune from any civil liability whatsoever, be it in contract, tort, or otherwise, for any actions taken in their official capacity as members of the board.

 

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Two of our bloggers live in Muscle Shoals, Leslie M. Shoals and Southern Son. We know both have been closely following the situation there with school leadership, from the board to the superintendent to school principals. Drama Queens and liars? No. Solid citizens who want an improved school system for their hometown. We salute them!

Happy New Year 2018!

Let's all resolve to make the Shoals better this year. We can do it; even writing just one letter makes a difference. One appearance at a city council meeting can change the course of an entire city. If we don't do it, who will?

Happy New Year from all of at

 Shoalanda Speaks!