Will Bennett Pugh be the Next Sheffield Mayor?

 

One complaint we've heard several times is that the Sheffield City Council and mayor don't have eye contact at meetings. There is a total disconnect. While this may not be that unusual in city governments, it doesn't bode well for actually accomplishing anything.

Now some backroom dealings have come to light, and many in Sheffield are criticizing the town's choice of a Florence attorney as the new city judge.

Pictured above is Leigh Anne Landis with her husband. Mayor Steve Stanley has stated this attorney came highly recommended and the council decided not to post the job opening. What does this say about the machinations of Sheffield City Hall?

Now, Sheffield attorney Bennett Pugh has openly questioned the city on this backroom deal. Good for him!

In Mr. Pugh's own words:

The mayor of Sheffield stated that the rush to approve a new city judge was to allow two weeks of training. My answer? If a lawyer needs training to be a city judge then they shouldn't be a judge. The last thing the city needs is a Florence resident without experience and is there a family relationship for her nomination? The public needs to know.

Unfortunately, such behavior isn't unusual in small town politics. If the citizens don't shed light on such shenanigans, this sort of thing will continue ad nauseam. 

Apparently we have a Sheffield mayor who goes with the flow, operates in the shadows, and won't speak up about the obvious problems with Inspiration Landing. Should he be re-elected?

Our take is no. Let's remember that in three years. Sheffield needs a mayor who puts the city's interests first. Will Mr. Pugh run? We're sincerely hoping he does.

A Final Word on SA's Mexican Flag & Mexican Donations Controversy

 

After we recently published a blog on the Salvationists and their fundraising, a reader asked us if we ever discovered any new information on the Mexican Flag flying over the building on Huntsville Road or local donations being rerouted to Mexico. (One of the most recent captains was a Mexican national.)

As for the flag, we asked several times for photos. We received only one, taken at the funeral of someone who reportedly supported Mexico, whatever that may mean. We don't feel that act was disrespectful to the U.S. flag.

Rerouted donations? Again, all information sent to us was anecdotal and lacked the paperwork to back it up. Everyone should remember that, per its own ads, the Salvation Army reserves the right to divert disaster relief and similar donations. It's also the SA's policy to send portions of all funds raised to the home office in Alexandria, Virginia. Is that so very different than sending the money to Mexico?

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We have previously published addresses for organizations which keep donations 100% local. One that we have never mentioned is the North Alabama Children's Home in Lauderdale County. Some have contacted us wanting to know the best entity to help local children at Christmas - this is it!

North Alabama Christian Children's Home

Post Office Box 2652

Florence, AL 35630

Sheffield City Schools Giving Away Money?

 

From a Sheffield resident:

SCS recently announced that 'employees returning in January' would receive a $150(P/T)-$300(F/T) payment for 'services yet to be received' for all of their 'hard work this year'. Employees not planning on returning in January will receive nothing, regardless of their hard work so far this school year. 

This follows an earlier decision (slap in the face?) by the SCS's school board to withdraw a previously-approved raise for the system's School Nurses.

Are things so bad in Sheffield's schools that the school board thinks(?) it has to BRIBE employees to stay?

'Merry Christmas you filthy animals!'

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No matter what the school system may call this, it's basically a retention bonus. Is it legal? We believe that it is, but as our reader says, it's a bit of a slap in the face to those who choose to leave.

We hear that a great many are choosing to leave the Sheffield system. This should be a wake-up call to the school board that something is very wrong...somewhere.

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Another reader has pointed out a very lackadaisical attitude in the Sheffield system. Perhaps it's the system's way of saying their students will one day turn the world upside down:

Why Is No One Talking about the Population of Florence?

 December 5th - Krampusnaght

Does size matter? While it might not be the most important factor in attracting new businesses, it is certainly one of the top considerations. How is the Shoals doing in that department? We recently mentioned Sheffield losing 50 citizens, but how about Florence?

According to the most recently released U.S. Census data, Florence reached its peak population of 40,797 in 2019. The 2020 population of 39,803 showed a marked drop. For the last year available, 2021, the population of Florence stood at 39,933.

Interestingly, the population of Killen grew the past two years, as did the populations of Muscle Shoals and Tuscumbia. It should also be noted that during the three full years that Steve Holt was mayor, Florence's population grew each year.

We don't believe that any one factor caused Florence to lose citizens. We don't even believe that such a loss is that strange. What we do find odd is that no one is talking about it. Why?

Facing Facts About Inspiration Landing - Part II

 

A recent Quad-Cities Daily article stated of the Slag: Last year there were a number of very successful music concerts there.

A reader has challenged this and asked: Can we Please get the mayor or city clerk to say how much money the city has received from these successful concerts ?? I know they have many years of payments to make.

The QCD is correct that there were a number of concerts there. The number was three (3). Due to problems with the venue opening, the first concert was free. The second and third? We're not privy to the amount of money taken in, but we certainly had readers from the Rivermont and Village areas complaining about the traffic; therefore, we believe, considering the primitive state of the venue, these concerts did make money...for someone.

Almost two months before the Slag opened near the end of August 2021, the City of Sheffield had enacted fees of $1.00 per concert ticket sold at any IL venue. Did the Slag owner Scott Michael or promoter Chris Ewing ever pay these fees?

We're now to understand that Scott (Rooster) Michael is no longer associated in any way with IL. We don't know the status of Chris Ewing. We do predict that we'll hear his name again once (and if) any new construction is begun.

Now we're told that owner John Elkington wants more infrastructure added to the resort property in order to attract more businesses. Hold that thought for early next year when Elkington indicates new construction will begin.

Facing Facts about Inspiration Landing - Part I

 

Public plans for Inspiration Landing are now in their eighth year. We recently saw someone suggest that Sheffield take back the land deeded to John Elkington. As far as we know, the deed included no language mandating any progress on the development. In other words, even if Elkington now laughed in the faces of Sheffield residents, how could the city legally reclaim the land?

For those who don't have access to the recent TimesDaily article, Elkington has presented new plans for the resort area, including at least five restaurants on the Tennessee River (more on that on Quad-Cities Cuisine). While that sounds good, it seems utilities don't extend much beyond the old Slag venue. In other words, electric and gas service will need to be extended - this is something Elkington specifically mentioned.

The City of Sheffield has already taken out two USDA loans for infrastructure for Furnace Hill. A representative of Sheffield Utilities suggested that a discussion was needed on this point. We would think so; how much more money is Sheffield expected to shell out with nothing to show for it?

As of this month, Sheffield has made 12 payments on the USDA loans. More to the point, taxpayers have made these payments. What else will Elkington ask for? Each visit brings new requests and new excuses. Why are so many sure the emperor is wearing any clothes?

How long before Elkington makes a demand/request that is beyond the power of the city? How long until John Elkington is able to say he tried, but the town just wouldn't work with him? How long until someone, anyone, says enough is enough?

Will the City's Luck Never Run Out?

Will Brent (Daddy) Dearmon be UNA's New Head Coach?

 

The word on the University of North Alabama campus is that Brent Dearmon has been seen scoping out candidates for his next Baby Mama, while also hyping himself for the head football coach position. Hey, what's morals when you can produce a winning team, as the Yella Fella recently said.

Dearmon, 38, has had several coaching jobs in his career; he was asked to leave at least two of them - one over an alleged sex scandal. He seems like he will fit right in...unfortunately.

Surely, Dearmon can't be the only candidate the university has interviewed...can he?