Eggleston is ready to work hard to serve as Colbert County Commissioner - District 5

 

I am a proud citizen of Tuscumbia, Al and love living in beautiful Colbert County. I am married to the love of my life of 17 years, Meccosia Eggleston and have one daughter named Diamond. They are truly the love of my life and I enjoy spending family time and traveling with them. I’m currently employed as the Manager of Upward Bound – Shoals Campus at Northwest-Shoals Community College and have been there for 17 years. My education includes a bachelor of science degree in Political Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree in Community Counseling from the University of North Alabama. I also serve as the Youth Minister at New Birth Ministries and my Love for God is my foundation for which I serve others.

If elected, I would be dedicated to working with all of the commissioners regardless of political party to help build on past accomplishments and to move Colbert County forward. I fully support our First Responders and I would look for additional funding to assist them as they do a great job serving the county. I am dedicated and will work with elected officials and internet companies to help move the county forward with more high-speed broadband internet which is vitally important to our schools and to help promote economic growth. I will work with the county administrator, county engineer and other departments to help provide fiscal accountability and a strategic plan to help move Colbert County forward. I am committed, accessible and will always remain transparent. I will work for you!

I am excited about the new automotive company coming to Muscle Shoals. I would work diligently and support SEDA and the Shoals Chamber of Commerce efforts to bring more jobs and economic development to the Shoals. If I am afforded the opportunity to serve the people of district 5, I will be engaged and build strong relationships with local businesses and will continue to support small businesses. I will work with elected officials and agencies to make sure District 5 is a priority for funding roads projects, working to reduce flooding, safe for all citizens and taken care of. I will continue to seek opportunities to partner with area churches and businesses to help provide food, school supplies and other resources for families. I am a servant and I will work hard to fulfill my obligations to the county and to the people of District 5.

I have met so many wonderful people in my district which covers, but not limited to White Oak, Lagrange, Spring Valley, Leighton, Colbert Heights, Littleville and parts of Muscle Shoals. I am a proud supporter of the Colbert County School System and Muscle Shoals City Schools where students in my district attend. My wife and I also give an annual Excellence Scholarship to an outstanding senior each year. We are strong supporters of education and helping individuals pursue postsecondary education and/or joining the workforce.

Volunteering in the community is a calling for me. I also love exercising, swimming, hunting, and spending quiet time praying to God. My wife and daughter have hosted many community events in the Shoals including Back to School Giveaways for boys and girls, W.C. Handy Events, Motivational workshops, scholarships programs and youth services. I am a proud member of the Tuscumbia Kiwanis and an Ambassador for the Shoals Chamber of commerce. I have received numerous awards for my commitment to serve the community and have recently been named the University of North Alabama Homecoming Alumni Public Service Award recipient.

I wholeheartedly believe an elected official should do more than show up every four years to ask for your vote. Please Vote for me on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 and allow me the opportunity to serve you. My goal is to work with you in a partnership to move District 5 forward. If you would like to speak to me or find out more information please visit my webpage at www.caseyeggleston.us or visit https://www.facebook.com/electcaseyeggleston/ or call me at (256) 710-1558 or email me at info@caseyeggleston.us

Thank you for your vote on November 3, 2020 to allow me to serve as your County Commissioner. Thank you.

A Misconception about the Confederate Monument

 

We've recently received several guest blogs on the upcoming Florence mayoral election. Some are spot on, while others are slightly off topic. One reader sent us a long missive that we're going to condense here. He reported working out of the country for six months, only to return to a complete change in attitude among some concerning his friend Steve Holt. Why was Mayor Holt being blamed for not moving the war memorial?

Why indeed? Obviously, the question of ownership remains debatable. It appears to us that the ball is solidly in the Lauderdale County Commission's court. If Mayor Holt is being blamed by some groups, then there is another agenda in the background.

One fallacious statement that we have seen more than once is that the monument was at one time on city property - the northwest corner of Court and Tennessee Streets. That statement has been posted on Project Say Something's Facebook page as well as other private pages. It's totally untrue.

The monument was originally on the southwest corner of the intersection. In other words, it stood on the second county courthouse property. When it was moved, it simply was taken from one courthouse to another. No city property was ever involved. 

Note this photo:

Mayor Holt is doing what's best for the city. If the Democrats want to "demand" something, why not demand our legislature change the asinine monument law?

How about we demand Andy Betterton tell us what he's done for the animal shelter. We understand he's put in two appearances since it opened - one for the ribbon cutting and one for a campaign photo. Do you know which candidate has regularly visited and even performed manual labor at the shelter? Hint: His initials aren't AB. 

On October 6th, vote for the candidate who cares...or Prince will biiiiiite you. 

Andy Betterton's Political Views on Abortion?

 

We've never before believed that views on induced abortion were of any great import at the local level. After all, what could a mayor do that would either increase or decrease the number of these elective procedures at a state or national level? Things have changed dramatically in many areas this year. We have received a very interesting communication from a reader:

The Alabama Democratic Party is wanting to get involved with the mayoral race in Florence days before the election. https://www.facebook.com/aldemocrats

They poised the question on their Facebook page, "is Mayor Holt even more racist than Donald trump."

My question: Is Andy Betterton's view on abortion even more liberal than musician couple Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires?

If Betterton becomes mayor of Florence will Isbell and Shires visit the Shoals in victory to raise money for Alabama's Yellowhammer Fund? All proceeds from Isbell and Shire's latest recording goes to the reproductive justice organization and into an abortion fund.

What do Mayor Holt and Betterton think about raising money for women to have abortions?

https://www.al.com/news/2020/09/amanda-shires-sings-about-abortion-problem-for-alabamas-yellowhammer-fund.html

Billy Hammock Runs for Revenue Commissioner

 

Billy Hammock

Business Owner

216 North Court Street • Florence, AL 35630
(256) 766-7650

To learn more about Billy Hammock online, visit:

www.CreativeJewelersOnline.com

I am your Republican nominee running for Revenue Commissioner for Lauderdale County. I am also a lifetime resident of Lauderdale County and a 33-year business owner, commercial property owner and homeowner. I am married to Brandi Clark Hammock who has been a resident of Lauderdale County for 30 plus years. We are members and attend Killen Church of Christ.

I have been a jeweler for 36 years of which I have owned my current business Creative Jewelers for 33 years. I am a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America and have thirteen certificates in the jewelry industry. In 2010, I won an international award from one of the world’s largest jewelry manufacturers for innovation in the jewelry industry. I am a supporter of our local university UNA by being the title sponsor for the Miss UNA Pageant, among other events at the university.

To date, I have had the opportunity to be a Historic Downtown Florence business owner and, to the service of the community, acting as Past Board Chair of the Florence Main Street business development non-profit; Area Director Consultant and Past Chapter President of the Business Network International (BNI)business networking group; Past Board of Directors of Downtown Florence Unlimited (DFU); Board of Directors of Attention Home; Ambassador to the City of Florence; Board of Directors and Chair of the Finance Committee for Habitat of Humanity; Executive Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce; and a longstanding member and participant in a number of other civic organizations.

Currently I am seeking the opportunity to continue to work and serve this outstanding community by running for Lauderdale County Revenue Commissioner. This office is important and needs the most updated programs running to keep our property taxes current and all transactions entered correctly and in a timely manner. Also, I want to work with the employees and customers of Lauderdale County to ensure they all have a positive experience when they enter the office of Revenue Commissioner.

Paid for by friends to elect Billy Hammock 216 N. Court St. Florence, Al. 35630

Differing Viewpoints: KKK & Fortune Hunting

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

               

The Democrats are asking certain candidates to disavow the KKK. You know, sort of like asking if they've stopped beating their wives.

Maybe the Republicans should ask if certain candidates have left their first wives for rich older women? It makes as much sense...

Or perhaps we should all ask why the Democrats are using such dirty tricks? Of if political parties don't matter in some races, why are the Democrats supporting one local candidate over another?

Who Controls the MSNHA/Muscle Shoals Did What?

 

Several have asked exactly what organization controls the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area endeavor. While all such areas come under the authority of the National Park Service, the local heritage area appears to be under the direct guidance of UNA.

If you want to complain or if you simply want more information, you might want to start there. We have had no updates on any investigation into the hacking/sabotage of the walking tours.

We had a comment to our blog on the Muscle Shoals/Deshler game that couldn't be posted due to language. The commenter stated that our reader was wrong - the entire Muscle Shoals first string and some of the second string played the whole ball game. 

We have to ask: If this is true, weren't there often too many players on the field? Sigh...another fine product of the Muscle Shoals school system.

Florence City Council Needs Thomas Spence

 

We'll have more on Thomas Spence later, but for now if you live in District 5, you should read this message from Mr. Spence very carefully:

Having been a resident of District 5 for 22 years, I believe a new voice on its behalf is significant as our city continues to evolve towards the future. I hope to represent our district visibly, openly, and with integrity. A fresh perspective is an added value in assisting our district’s needs for improvement. Although I have not held an official public office, my determination and commitment to District 5 are a few of many advantages I intend to bring forth if elected.

Being an engaged leader throughout the community is familiar to me. I have worked closely with organizations throughout The Shoals and have built relationships through these endeavors. I have worked personally and professionally throughout our community in relation to Veterans Affairs, The Department of Human Resources, Shoals Chamber of Commerce—where I served as an ambassador, the nursing home industry, hospitals, Highlands Outreach, and as an active parent within the Florence City School System. Being involved and collaborating with others is something I am passionate about. In my experience, staying engaged and communicating is essential in helping establish the best outcome for all parties involved.

I have a vested interest in building on District 5’s current foundation and helping it continue to prosper towards the future. It is important to maintain our growth while ensuring that progress made is done so positively for the overall district. Continued growth being addition to subdivisions or businesses, road improvements, removal of blighted and depilated structures, or voiced concerns in relations to county and district lines, these potential avenues of growth have been brought to my attention multiple times. It is important to address topics such as these, and actively help foster them in order to continue moving District 5 forward.

Having worked closely with the elderly and veterans within the medical field for over 30 years, I have first-hand experience on the importance of being an advocate for others. Not only has my career given me knowledge on how to assist on others behalf, it has also given me opportunities within group settings to aid and support co-workers in determining outcomes that are collectively beneficial. This will be an advantage when having to advocate for District 5’s best interests. As we evolve as a society and continue to grow it is important to ensure other elements involved in the function of our district continue as well. Examples that have been brought to my attention is the need for an additional fire engine and ladder in Station 5 and better support towards community policing due to growth. As a supporter of first responders, being an advocate for these resources is fundamental for District 5’s future. My career has also seen me on the front line as an essential worker, in navigating safe courses of action related to COVID 19. Helping preserve people’s safety while helping prevent future ripple effects occur from this pandemic is crucial in how we continue to move forward.

Open communication is essential in helping evaluate our district and properly advocating on its behalf. It is efficient for District 5 to have ongoing communication that is accessible. Staying engaged and replying in a timely manner to voiced questions and concerns is also critical to District 5’s productivity. Quarterly community meetings and staying active through social media updates are ways I intend on making sure our district and myself stay properly informed on current events for District 5 and the City of Florence.

I am hopeful that being a new voice on behalf of district 5 will positively assist our district as we evolve. In doing this, I believe it is essential to be an engaged leader throughout our community while working with others throughout the City of Florence to ensure positive continuous growth for district 5. I am motivated to advocate for our district’s best interests and realize the importance of transparency as we navigate towards a better future. An old friend, A new voice, you have a choice! I would appreciate you consideration, remember to vote SPENCE on October 6, 2020.