Dr. Allen Long's Property to be New Hospital?

For months sources predicted RegionalCare's new hospital would be built on farm land near Regency Square Mall. Then rumors began to spring up that it would be built on a large parcel of land lying along Hwy 20.

Legal protests of the new facility have caused the rumor mill to gear up, but our sources in the wonderful world of RegionalCare are agreeing with them. The new regional medical center will almost certainly be built on land belonging to Allen F. Long, MD. This property is in the immediate vicinity of the old Florence Golf and County Club, now owned by the City of Florence.

Obviously, once the hospital is built, the city's property value will rise to the extreme. We say thank you to the councilmen who probably knew what was coming (and it wasn't the Chinese) and scored a tremendous coup for Florence.

*****

Back on the election front, we endorse Stratt Byars for the Democratic nomination for Franklin County Probate Judge. None of the three Dems running is a juris doctor, but Byars has education and, from what we're told, a tremendous amount of common sense. Good luck, Stratt.

In Colbert County, we endorse Dem. Max Eady for Place 2 on the Colbert County School Board. Both candidates have worthwhile points, but Eady has more life experience and a stronger record of social involvement.

*****

In closing, a W.C. Fields' quote (and if he didn't say it, he should have): Two things you never pick a fight with--a bulldog or someone with nothing to lose.



Shoalanda

Keith Collier Jr, A Name to Remember

Yesterday we looked at current Lauderdale County Commissioner Fay Parker and former commissioner Ronnie Brown. Both individuals obviously sought the office in order to help the county (we hope), since the salary involved is minimal. County offices have always had a different dynamic from most city positions. Voters have often wanted one of "their own" rather than someone who would be a more efficient leader. We hope that in the 21st Century this lowest common denominator type thinking is passe'. We sincerely hope all the voters in Lauderdale County want the person with the most expertise to get the job done. Here is Keith Collier's vision for his county:

Today, County Commissioners are much more than the ‘Road Commissioners’ of the past. While we still have the important responsibility of providing safe roads and bridges, sanitary waste management, and top emergency protection, we also have to make decisions today that will stimulate our local economy and provide stability for years to come. We have to focus on bringing new industries into our area and supporting the ones that are here to help them succeed which in turn provides jobs and tax revenue to keep the economy growing. I am excited about the overwhelming support of the new commission structure by our residents. With the Commission Chairman free from the Probate Judge’s responsibilities, the Commission will have an invaluable tool in economic development for our area. I look forward to having the opportunity to promote Lauderdale County to the world, as well as work with our existing businesses to make them stronger. 


I believe that serving as an elected official is one of the greatest ways to give back to a community that means so much to me and my family. As a public servant, we should be held accountable to the citizens who put us in office. Communication is a key element of accountability. I am a strong believer in transparent government and know many residents cannot come to Commission meetings at 9 AM on Monday mornings. I will hold community meetings at convenient times throughout my district, as well as use social media and other means to communicate with our residents. Our residents deserve to know the issues and should play a big part in how we deal with them.


I will apply my Accounting skills to ensure our Citizens get the highest level of services at the lowest possible costs. My accounting background gives me a skill unique to the candidates in this race. I have an Accounting degree from UNA and over 20 years’ experience with multiple business and their needs to be successful. Lauderdale County has a budget with almost $28 million in expenses which are over $2 million higher than budgeted revenues. To ensure a strong financial future during these tough economic times, Lauderdale County needs a commissioner with financial experience.


To ensure the bright future of Lauderdale County, we must invest today in the important matters of the county. I have always believed in giving back to the community that has blessed my family and I so much. I currently serve as a deacon in my church where I work in several ministries. I also volunteer as my daughter’s elementary school PTO treasurer and Help Center Bookkeeper as well as several years’ service in youth sports and other community projects. I have served on the boards at the UNA Sportsman’s Club and Florence Lauderdale Port Authority. I am also a 1994 graduate of Leadership Shoals. I will invest my time and energy to ensure that our young people can find jobs that pay a good wage to allow them to invest themselves in our community. We cannot afford to keep losing our bright young residents to other communities where they can find better careers.


In summary, let me just say I love this area and I believe I have fresh ideas and the energy it takes to lead Lauderdale County into the next generation. As an added incentive, I have a wife of over 20 years and 3 daughters who depend on me for their future in the Shoals area and I am not going to let them down.


We are extremely happy to endorse someone of Mr. Collier's intelligence and leadership abilities for the Place 2 Democratic nomination.

*****

The Shoals Republican Club will host Republican Lauderdale County Commission District #1 candidates William Roger Garner and B.J. Tully on Tuesday, March 6th at 7:00 p.m. at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse Restaurant on Cox Creek Parkway in Florence. A social hour will begin at 6:00 p.m. for those who would like to purchase dinner.

Each candidate will be given time to introduce themselves and speak about the important issues facing Lauderdale County and the Lauderdale County Commission. Lauderdale County Commission District #1 encompasses half of Florence and the eastern portion of Lauderdale County. The Republican Primary for Lauderdale County Commission District #1 is Tuesday, March 13th.

All meetings of the Shoals Republican Club are open to the public. For more information, contact Shoals Republican Club President William Smith at (256) 767-4529, or ShoalsRepublicanClub@gmail.com.



Shoalanda

How Home Rule Beat Ronnie Brown Four Years Ago

Fay Parker is currently the Lauderdale County Commissioner for District II. He won the office four years ago, defeating long time incumbent Ronnie Brown. Most local political pundits chalked Parker's win up to his stance against Home Rule. Both men are now in a race with Keith Collier Jr for the 2012 Democratic nomination.

What is Home Rule? Simply stated it means a county doesn't have to go to Montgomery every time it wants to place limits on a waste industry or animal control. Why Home Rule has been such a hot button for so long is beyond our ken. Many say they wish to live in the county simply because they may let their animals roam freely, but then object when a plant turning human waste into fertilizer wants to build next to them. You just can't have it both ways.

Tomorrow we'll look at newcomer Keith Collier Jr. and offer our endorsement for Place 2.

*****

Head shots and humility: There have been some posts in a new blog that mention several people who should watch out for a bullet in the head. Interesting concept if one has no morals, we suppose. Our train of thought quickly turned to the question of death and had we ever wished it on anyone or anything.

We'll be honest that we've strongly considered Brian David Mitchell, Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper/rapist, a good choice for the 22 behind the ear award, but could we do it? No, as a Christian and one who respects the laws we could not. What about other lower species?

While talking with a police detective about such things, we mentioned fleas. We would like to kill as many as we could, the ecosystem be danged. The train of thought soon zoomed on down the tracks to a long ago conversation with a close friend who was a vet tech. She asked the doctor for whom she worked why God created fleas. His reply? "Humility, my dear. They're so hard to kill they make us humble."

In striving to be humble, we hope none of us forgets our self worth or the worth of others. No one deserves to be beaten, raped, robbed, or tortured. When we allow such things to happen because we're "judging," we not only allow the victims no chance to regain their self worth, but lose any small amount of that quality we may have ourselves possessed.



Shoalanda

Who Would Hurt Blackie?

Shoals Writer/Photographer Mary Carton & Her Three Hooligans

Who doesn't love Hooligans? At least my friend Mary Carton's Hooligan's? More to the point, who would ever want to hurt one? We've always felt that at least with the written word one should be able to make a point without resorting to vile epithets, so let's just say whoever attempted to harm Blackie earlier this week comes from a long line of bachelors.

Another neighborhood dog in Tuscumbia was killed, and we know his parents must be suffering. If you have any information concerning the waste of oxygen who harmed Blackie and his friend, contact us or the Colbert County Sheriff's Department. We're offering a small reward.

Good luck and a speedy recovery, Blackie. We love you.

*****

Since beginning this blog, we've endorsed candidates in three elections. This week our endorsement in the Colbert County School Superintendent's race has produced more input than any previous contest. We will be publishing some of our readers' thoughts in the immediate future. Please feel free to write us with your thoughts.

*****

Happy Leap Year Day!

Shoalanda

Lane Roland or Troy Woodis?

Incumbent Colbert County Commissioner Troy Woodis and newcomer Lane Roland are competing for the Democratic nomination for Commission District Two. Woodis is the owner of Woodis Properties and also works for Coldwell Banker in Florence. Woodis has in years past been the pick of the TimesDaily.

Lane Roland is the manager of the North Alabama Gas District's Madison Office.Roland formerly worked with the City of Sheffield as an engineer.

Neither real estate nor natural gas transmission would seem to prepare one for the political arena, but that has yet to stop many candidates. Their credentials otherwise seem equal.

We've had some fun with Woodis and his "press ops" concerning the now defunct National Alabama Rail Car facility in Barton, but he has nonetheless served his county well. We happily endorse Troy Woodis as the Democratic nominee for Colbert County Commission Place 2.

*****

The Florence Civil Service Board has stated the new police chief will come from within the department. Currently there are two deputy chiefs: Neil Rhodes and Tim Shaddix. Whoever succeeds Rick Singleton will have some proverbially large shoes to fill.

Shoalanda

Better for Colbert Schools: Montgomery or Olivis?

If you've read anything at all about Colbert County Schools recently, you know this system is in trouble. There is a shortfall of funds in order to run the system, and now the central office is so overrun with mold that a new (as in we hope older remodeled) building is considered the only hope. So who should take the helm of this beleagered system?

Bob "Tuc" Montgomery is one of two candidates running on the Democratic ticket. Here is his vision statement:

If elected as Superintendent of Education in Colbert County, I will take a goal-setting approach.  My primary goal will be to continue the success the Colbert County School District has experienced in recent years.  Our current Central Office administration has done a great job in these tough financial times, managing to improve academic standards while facing extensive budget cuts.

I want to continue improving our academics and ensure that our district is providing every child the opportunity and tools they need to either pursue a higher education or a career in the trades, depending on their own aspirations.  I want to see to it that those kids who struggle are provided with opportunities for success.  The superintendent’s job is ultimately about preparing our kids for a bright future, and that will be my top priority.

Some of the key functions of the superintendent are ensuring the district has a strong and progressive academic curriculum, providing for a strong financial base, and fostering good parent/community involvement in each of our schools.  While each of these is critical, the financial issue will be the biggest challenge we face because it will be a balancing act to continue progressing academically while controlling expenditures.  This will be one of my major focus areas – we have to provide the best education possible based on our financial resources, while keeping the doors open and providing paychecks for our people.

The second Democratic Candidate is Anthony Olivis. Here is his vision statement:

I am running for the position of Superintendent of the Colbert County Schools System. I feel confident in my ability as an educator and principal and now, I would like the opportunity to lead our school system to further successes.

Due to the obvious disparity in the scholastic records of these two candidates, we feel it's almost a redundency to endorse a candidate here; however, we confidently predict Tuc Montgomery is the man to lead Colbert County out of its current misasma of financial difficulty and into a bright future. We wholeheartely endorse Robert "Tuc" Montgomery for the Democratic nomination.

*****

No matter how you personally feel about inducing abortion as a means of birth control or to eradicate the results of a rape, etc., you should still have enough common sense to know when a state bill would financially benefit a member of our legislature. From Greg Reed:

But there’s no chance Preferred Medical Systems, where Reed is vice president, would benefit, he said. It is the company’s policy not to do business with abortion providers. I do not sell ultrasound equipment in my business to clinics that are abortion clinics,” the Republican state senator said recently. According to campaign information, Preferred Medical Systems sells diagnostic medical equipment in five states.

The above statement is the epitome of doublespeak. There are only a handful of "abortion clinics" in Alabama. There are many obstetric clinics which offer abortions when necessary. We don't see where Reed is promising not to sell to them. Aren't politicians wonderful?

Shoalanda

Jennifer Gray or Jerry Hill?/Clarification

Jennifer Gray and Jerry Hill are running for Lauderdale County School Superintendent on the Democratic ticket. We've previously commented on Jerry Hill:

Jerry Hill

Below is a statement from Jennifer Gray:

I have been married to Jeff Gray for 21 years. We have two children. Sydney graduated high school in 2009 and is a college senior. Connor is a high school senior. We are active members at First Baptist Church in Green Hill.

I have been an educator for 22 years spending 15 years as a classroom teacher at Cloverdale Jr. High School and Rogers High School. In 2005, I became the assistant principal at Brooks Elementary and remained there for 3 years. I am currently in my fourth year as Elementary Curriculum Director and Federal Programs Coordinator for the Lauderdale County School system. I hold a master's degree in Early Childhood Education, an EdS in Educational Administration from UNA and am on track to complete requirements for an EdD in Educational Leadership in 2012.

We're happy to endorse the more qualified candidate, Jennifer Gray. Good luck, Jennifer!

*****

Recently we began a poll concerning linking a blog detailing the crimes of a convicted rapist who now teaches art classes to young children. Many have construed this to be a new blog which we would pen. This particular blog has been floating around local cyberspace for some time, and a reader asked us to place a link in our sidebar. We had mixed feelings about this and initiated a poll on the matter. 

We will honor the results of the poll, whatever they may be; however, we and other Shoals bloggers have received several interesting communications about the possibility of such a link. At all times, we advise parents to know who teaches their children. Pedophiles pick up on which children have no love or attention at home; they then seek to provide the missing elements in the child's life.

If you don't take care of your children, you can't expect others to.



Shoalanda