Want Sheffield to Keep Your Power Lines Clear?

Citizens of Sheffield, think your utility bills are too high? This might be one reason; from a reader:

I wish someone would explain why Sheffield Utilities repeatedly refuses to trim overhanging limbs that are tangled up in electrical lines connected to houses in the Village, yet a crew of utility workers was spotted yesterday clearing trees (no electric lines in sight) on the Lumber One property on West 20th Avenue. This is directly across from the entrance to the Inspiration Landing project.

What can you do? Very little. From what we've been told, phone calls don't achieve much. Your best bet is to show up en masse at a city council meeting and demand answers.

Good luck!

David Black Did What?

Republican candidates for the 2020 primary won't be certified until December 11th; however, we can be sure David Black is running for his current seat on the Colbert County Commission. A reader sent us a link to his website; it's very interesting to say the least.

Black has quite a lengthy list of accomplishments over the years, especially on the political side. Look closely and you will see that some touted feats are merely paying for advertising material. Look even more closely and you'll see that he appears to claim founding the Shoals Republican Club in 2019. Really?

We have no idea what much of Black's listed accomplishments have to do with Colbert County. The majority of his list involves work in Washington and counties outside the Shoals. 

We can say that he didn't list any areas in which he helped with Colbert County animal control/welfare. At least he was honest about something. 

The Colbert County Commission is a local governing body. We encourage all Colbert voters in each district to vote for a locally centered candidate who will move the county forward.

Who Thinks Brick & Mortar Retail Is Growing?

The Ag Center has a retail component. Yes, really. Perhaps it will even have video rentals and 24-hour photo developing. Who travels to a concert and takes a side shopping trip? Perhaps some do, but unless you want to make a weekend of it, you probably have no desire to shop before the big show, be it starring Elton or a walking horse.

Think locals will drive an extra five or ten miles to shop? Perhaps some will once. Don't count on that much repeat business. 

No, for any who think retail still means K-Mart or Sears, think again. These businesses thrive in a town with a population under fifty thousand:

1. Restaurants

2. Auto Service/Repair

3. Grocery Stores

4. Beauty/Barber Shops

5. Spas

6. Garden Shops

7. Dollar Stores (Even these have suffered with the advent of Wish.com)

8. Antique/Junque Shops

9. Hardware Stores

You may be able to think of a few more types, but you get the general idea. If you or your family want to shop for upscale apparel, home furnishings, or gifts, you'll probably head to Bridge Street or the Galleria. Your first thought certainly won't be "Let's go to the Ag Center."

Ag Center board member Roger Garner said of the latest planning: "These current steps might seem like monotonous things right now, but it's also exciting to see it get to this point."

Monotonous? Think he meant mundane? Perhaps minutiae? Think Mr. Garner or any of the board members know where any of this is going?

What Shoals Residents Say about the Salvation Army

It's recently been big news that the fast food icon Chick-fil-A has dropped the Salvation Army Church from its list of charity donation recipients. Props to the makers of the best chicken sandwich ever!

Yet, this Georgia based company isn't the only one who no longer supports the Salvationists. We invite any of this church's supporters to take a careful look at just what this organization stands for.

Locally? This is what some have posted on the local church's Facebook page:

* I have endured abuse at this shelter not only by residents but staff dorothy would laugh with the people threatening me and when I told captain they put her on temporary leave and hired her back how is that justified she would yell cat fight and meow over the intercom to steer everyone up I was then later attacked by a girl from the shelter because she was kicked out I left shelter with no electricity on in my new place because dorothy was working and the residents where starting on me I have let captain wendy know what was going on and sadly dorothy is still working there the residents do all the chores there when staff are present......

* I would not recommend working for them.The Salvation Thrift store in Florence, Al. does not appreciate their employees. This is an organization I admired for so long until I worked for the manager, she has personal issues that she needs to resolve instead of taking it out on the employees.I understand we all are human and make mistakes but for me I was not allowed to question anything and I was spoken to as if I was,really of no importance.This was occurring before I was hired, It became worse when I refused to allow the manager to speak to me in a negative way in front of the customers.She admitted she was,exhausted,worried about donations, had been looking for a home to buy with no luck...basically taking it out on Loranda and myself.Loranda told me she was tired of how she was being treated but could not quit because of the bills she owed...I was trying to stand up for her and myself by simply trying to calmly talk things out, Pam does not understand good,communication. Who is my witness? Loranda and my Lord.Pam speaks against the Captains, it,was a hard place to work if,you are an honest person. The actual work and the customers I loved.Minimum wage, you are worked hard while the manager and her friend do not work as a group effort. I would recommend donate yourself to those in need, continue to give from your heart.Pray for those who are in power and do not use it,in a Christian way.Jesus is not just for Sundays, he us our way of life 24/ 7. God bless .

* I'm sorry when you kick the family out that has a two-week-old baby and two other small children that ain't cool that's not Godlike

Does the SA Church ever do good works? Of course it does. So did John Wayne Gacey and Jimmy Savile; that doesn't mean we should overlook their evil actions. This Christmas, give to a local charity which helps local citizens no matter their color, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. Don't stop there; demand your local government do the same. Let's all work to make the Shoals a better place to live.

Nancy Got Her Gun

If you follow politics at all, you know there's currently a battle between two factions of the state Democratic Party. For many years, Nancy Worley has been head of the Alabama Dems and doesn't want to give up her position or any other perks related to the position's grace and favor. 

A rival faction has now taken over, although this coup is being challenged in court. They say Nancy and her gang are out. Nancy was reportedly worrying about how she would even begin to remove her personal items from the party's offices where she had ruled for so many years.

Then the usurpers came to evict her. She didn't go. Yes, Nancy threatened them with a gun she said she had in her possession and knew how to use. They left, but came back later to change the locks.

And state Democrats wonder why the party gets so few votes. Just when we thought Nancy and her sidekick Joe Reed couldn't get any more cray cray, they do. 

Looking for an escape from good mental health? Visit Alabama...

Mo Said What?

Mo said what?

And we thought Will Ainsworth was the one with the alcohol problem.

Is it just us or do any of our readers think the Alabama-Auburn game just became much more interesting? Joking aside, best wishes to Tua.

Speaking of sports, can Chase Glover tell us which of these super talented young ladies are the twins?

Yeah, Chase, We'd Like to Know as Well!

Rogersville Police Chief to Retire

According to the East Lauderdale News, longtime Rogersville police chief Terry Holden is throwing in the towel. Holden has certainly received his share of criticism over the years; however, we wish him the best in any honest endeavors he may pursue in the future.

Now, whom will Rogersville select to run the beleaguered department? The mayor and city council have not shown responsiveness to the general public in the past. All too many look at the small town as either a speed trap or a fly in the county's soup. 

No, the new chief will not receive the highest pay in the state, or even Lauderdale County. Perhaps someone will apply who genuinely wants to make a difference?

The Notations Aren't Ours, but We Totally Agree with the Sentiment!