Feel Good Laws from Real Bad Lawmakers

Before little Sadie Grace died in a grease pit in Auburn last year, how many children had previously died the same way? How many have died in that manner since her death?

Now we have the proposed Sadie Grace Law, courtesy of Tom Whatley of Auburn. We can think of few more horrible deaths than the one Sadie Grace Andrews suffered, but we also know if there had been any previous such deaths, the news media would have told us. 

The state senate has passed the Sadie Grace bill, and now it goes before the house. If it passes, then what? Guess what, it still will be only a few words on paper. Each county will have to enact its own standards in conjunction with the local health departments...much like Lauderdale County's interpretation of a law allowing animal control officers to confiscate abused animals.

Gov. Ivey could have sat down with the head of the Alabama Health Department and created wording for a new inspection law to be added to current restaurant rating forms. Such an ordinance would have actual teeth to it. As it stands now, if the law is passed, still only health department inspectors will investigate any problems at restaurants. Why wasn't it done in a much more clear and simple way?

Oh, right. Tom Whatley wouldn't have gotten the glory and it wouldn't be quite so dramatic to hear that the health department was taking care of any problems with grease traps. After all, our state legislature is the go to organization for useless laws combined with pats on their collective back. How much did this law, even if it doesn't pass the house (and it will), cost the taxpayers...when Kay Ivey could have accomplished the same thing by simply investing a few minutes of her time?

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Do you know what a blue apron is? Apparently, it's what chefs in training must wear. It's also, in homage, a food delivery service for those seeking a more healthy lifestyle. It seems Donald Trump likes the concept and wants to incorporate it into the SNAP program.

If you/your family receive at least 90.00 in benefits each month, half would be in delivered food grown in the U.S. The other half would remain as an actual cash benefit placed on the recipient's EBT card.

Sound, ummm, undoable? Yes, it certainly does.

More on District 6 Senate Race

We recently commented on the candidates for State Senate District 6. Apparently, not one, but three are opposing Larry Stutts for the Republican nomination. Besides Eric Aycock, we have Daniel H. Boman and Steve Lolly. We're not familiar with either, but will be researching and bringing you some comparisons shortly.

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While we try to offer informative political commentary, we're not above humor, as you may have noticed. We don't think on first attempt we've found the right Boman or Lolly, but we have found a DJ LollySteve and a Daniel Boman from Sweden. The humor isn't in the DJ, but in Mr. Boman who could be a doppelganger for Robbie Williams. We're pretty sure if Williams ran, he could easily defeat Doc Larry, so...Take That!

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Congratulations to our friends Rick Singleton and Daniel Rosser on running for re-election unopposed. Both have brought renewed probity and honor to their respective offices.

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Looking at some of the line-ups, we're seeing two or three that will degenerate into mud wrestling matches. Let's all try to rise above the fray, shall we?

Women candidates? We're woefully short on them. Some we're seeing have no name recognition, of if they do it comes with baggage. Yes, it's hard to win an election these days.

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Most of our readers are political animals. Looking at February so far, four days have brought us at least 3,000 readers, four others have brought at least 2,000, while the remaining four have brought slightly over 1,000 each. While December through February are slower months, we've managed to average over 2,000 page hits each day. Normal readership is usually 2,500 per day.

In short, we may not reach the largest audience of any publication in the Shoals, but do reach many...most of whom vote. We appreciate candidates sending us their basic information and press releases. 

Just What's Wrong at Lauderdale Animal Control?

Monday night will see animal advocates clash with the Lauderdale County Commission on the in place animal abuse/neglect policy. Currently, animal control officer Dwayne Oliver is not allowed to confiscate animals immediately even if he sees the worse abuse imaginable. Why? A state law says the county may confiscate the animals, but the Lauderdale District Attorney's office says it first has to be notified and then give the approval. The process has taken up to eight days in the past. Yes, eight days in which animals have suffered miserably. So who's to blame?

1. The Commission? We doubt any newly elected commissioner's first thought is about the county's animal control policy. Commissioners probably think that issue that was settled years ago. If, after Monday night's meeting, the commission doesn't act, then we and many others will have something to say to them, especially at election time.

2. Dwayne Oliver? He's either a wuss who doesn't want any responsibility for anything, or he's been told to do what the district attorney's office says or risk losing his job.

3. The District Attorney's Office? Yes, they have to prosecute the animal abuse cases. It's more work for them. More headaches. Is this why the current policy is in place? Instead of seeking to aid grandstanding legislators who want to promote bills that have no practical purpose and cost the state money, why doesn't the DA's office do something that will actually make a positive difference?

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Think it's just ol' Doc Larry against Johnny (Expense Report) Mac running for state senator? Think again. There is now a viable Republican candidate for District 6. His name is Eric Aycock and you can read about him here:

Aycock for State Senate

Let's all think before we vote. Let's do our homework. Now's the time to ask questions of the candidates. Let's not send another loser to Montgomery to represent us.

Why Your Utility Bills Are So High?/Revolving Door?

Yes, we know the weather has had a great deal to do with the rising utility bills. We have theorized natural gas bills are high because local buyers failed to lock in prices. What about electricity bills?

Our J. Redmon has made us aware of an interesting article in the Knoxville News concerning TVA and electric power sales for residential customers. It's quite an eye opener:

Why Your Power Bills Are So High

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Revolving door for criminals? A reader asked about this after our "Poodles" post. So many arrests are simply for not showing up in court. What does it take? You don't have the money, you explain. If the judge thinks you're half-way trying, he'll give you an extension. Then at least you won't have a warrant.

As for many (unfortunately like Poodles), they simply don't care anymore.They know their family will bail them out. Just like in this article below:

Three Repeaters

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It's been said that Dolly Madison was the first to be called First Lady...and it was at her funeral. Since then, we've extended the title to wives of governors and even college presidents. 

We've been told that UNA prexy Kenneth Kitts has now asked that his wife be referred to as First Lady of the university. Hmmm, somehow we think Una may have a bone to pick with that...

Third in Race for State Treasurer/Poodles Update!

Qualifying for this year's statewide elections ended today with few surprises, if any. In other words, your garlic worked and Roy Moore isn't running for anything.

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A third candidate has joined in the fray for the office of state treasurer. He's Stephen D. Evans of Dothan. Evans is an accountant who ran unsuccessfully for the public service commission in 2010. He will face longtime pol John McMillan and local David Black. There are no Democratic candidates in the running.

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A Mugshot from November, but One That Really Speaks to Us

Yes, friends, we regret to inform you...Poodles has been in the clink again. Sometimes known as Jessica LaShay Dye, the 29 year old Poodles was arrested on an alias warrant in Muscle Shoals on February 1st. She bonded out the same day.

Many of us anxiously await Poodles' day in court for ramming a UNA cop with her car. Our Poodles was shot six times during that incident. There's seemingly no rest for Poodles' guardian angel.

Lack of Heat at Muscle Shoals Middle School?

A reader has made us aware of heating problems at Muscle Shoals Middle School. Parents who have called Supt. Brian Lindsey have been told that while the "outer" classrooms are cold, the "inner" rooms remain warm. Can the situation be repaired? Lindsey says it would take hundreds of thousands of dollars.

While this may be a true financial estimate of the problem, we have to wonder if this refusal to act is in retaliation at those who oppose an increase in Muscle Shoals taxes to finance a new school?

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In defense of Walmart? A reader writes:

Walmart is like all other stores and sometimes has growing pains. I see a few who criticize those who shop at this big box store, but look at it this way. I had to buy a new small kitchen appliance last month. My options were Lowe's, Home Depot, Target, and Walmart locally, plus several online outlets.

The top price I found for this little countertop jewel was 80.00. The lowest was 34.00 at Walmart. That's a pretty big difference for absolutely the same product. So where do you think I bought it? 

And for those who still say don't shop there, let's suppose I paid an extra 130% for everything I bought my family. I would soon be using SNAP benefits and then what would those bloggers say?

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This is the perfect time to remind readers that almost anything can be shipped from Walmart right to your front door...and for free if you order at least $35.00 worth of merchandise. Those of you who live in Cherokee or are afraid of contracting the flu should plan ahead for your orders, even joining in with neighbors to qualify for this free shipping. You save money in the end and don't even have to change out of your pajamas to shop. Oh, wait, sorry. I forgot you don't actually have to change anymore for your visit to Wally World.

The Florence Entertainment District: Lost in Translation (and Zombieland)

The Florence Entertainment District is now a reality, or soon will be. Where is it? No one seems to know. The usually geographically impaired Robert Palmer of the TimesDaily has given us this description:

We get Pine Street to the west and Tuscaloosa Street to the north, but "intersection of Tennessee and College Streets?" Oh, right, Palmer has lived here only 30 years or so and can't read a map, so we can't blame him for his muddled thinking concerning Florence geography. It's not like it's his paid job or anything.

If the map isn't indicative enough, Tennessee and College run parallel. In other words, the streets never intersect. We have an idea that the original southern boundary was to have been Tennessee, but was extended to College to accommodate the poetically named Gunrunner Hotel.  

The eastern boundary? Is it Seminary? Is it Wood? Is it Walnut? (Wouldn't want Florence library patrons leaving by the back door to be left out now would we?) 

Are we the only ones to think this is going to be a huge hot mess modeled after John Elkington's Beale Street? (You know...John Elkington of Inspiration Landing fame.) No, wait. We're apparently not the only ones; the Anonymous Deacon now has a few words for the City of Florence.

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FEAR THE WALKING BRAIN DEAD!!!

This week the City of Florence did us a favor by announcing that beginning March 16th portions of the downtown area will be designated as an entertainment district. In order to appease the thousands of entertainment starved citizens (voters), the Council agreed to allow anyone of age that so desires to walk freely up and down city streets holding open containers of alcohol for one weekend a month. I want to say thank you to the City Council; not for allowing me the ability to someday drink a beer as I cross the street from Ricatoni’s on my way to On The Rocks, but instead for giving my family and me fair warning. Now in my calendar next to REC LEAGUE BASKETBALL @ 8:00pm, I can scribble AVOID BEING HIT BY A DRUNK IN DOWNTOWN FLORENCE ON 3/16. It’s good to plan out your week and this is an important date to remember. 

Of course as a recent friend of mine can testify to; you can be hit by a drunk driver at anytime. A sad fact he learned up close and personal at 4:00 on a Thursday afternoon several weeks ago. As for the date of March 16; it may seem random, but unless you’re one of those who eagerly wait with biting anticipation for that one day a year to pull out your “KISS ME I’M IRISH!!!” T-shirt. it should come as a bit of a surprise that Saint Patrick’s Day is also that weekend.

I love how the Times Daily quotes Chief Tyler as saying that if things start going bad then the event can be “stopped immediately.” That’s politician speak for “If we start losing money we will flip-flop and claim the city streets need to be more family friendly.” During my time at UNA, I remember hearing the Council being concerned about how this massive resource of bored college kids were taking their free time and dollars of town because of a lack of places to hang out locally. Now some 20 odd years later I realize that while we claimed to be bored, we never ceased to find a way to get trashed whenever we felt like it. Not that I’m saying a good time can’t be had without alcohol, but honestly though sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one that realizes that.

Look, the city is exploring options to keep people coming downtown and spending dollars. I’m fine with that, but let’s drop the labels and call this what it is: The Council openly saying that they are okay with stepping aside and watching crime and traffic fatalities increase as long as tax revenue also rises sharply. If that’s not entertainment then what is?!?

The Anonymous Deacon

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St. Patrick's Day? Faith and begorrah! No one would believe a drunken Irishman, now would they?