Alternative news and discussion for Scottsboro, Jackson County Alabama and the Tennessee River Valley as I see it. Responsible comments to articles welcome. As always, "Watch for Snakes," particularly those wearing suits.
JAMES MADISON QUOTE - 1822
"A popular government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives."
UPDATE: April 27, 2022 - It has been reported by a City Council member that a meeting occurred today between Concerned Citizens, the Mayor, Rec Com Director and other public officials regarding problems with the Rec Com Baseball programs. Specific details are unknown at this time.
Scottsboro Rec Com photo, City of Scottsboro, fair-use rights for non-profit news reporting and commentary
Scottsboro Parks and Recreation Ball Field Complex, photo City of Scottsboro Parks and Recreation, Fair-Use for non-profit news reporting and commentary.
BALL FIELD CONCESSION PROBLEMS - PHOTOS OF CONCESSION KITCHEN AREA, FOOD PREPARATION CLEANLINESS, HEALTH CODE COMPLIANCE?
1) Under the grill food contamination, filth, mold, grease on walls, unclean food prep-area
2) Fry Basket filth, food contamination, old oil/grease, old food particles and grease on wall and counter surfaces
3) Appears to be food and grease trap, contaminated with unknown substances, note floor and what appears to be cleaning materials on bottom shelf and floor.
5) Utensil Tray Filth, contaminated with unknown substances.
PHOTOS 1 - 5 PROVIDED BY PUBLIC EMPLOYEE REGARDING CONDITIONS AT SPORTS FIELD CONCESSION KITCHEN. Fair-use for non-profit news reporting. Confirmed by City Council member. Reportedly, this disgusting condition existed immediately prior to opening the concessions for the current season.
TVA Browns Ferry Nuclear Facility near Tanner, Alabama TVA info: Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (tva.com) Photo by TVA a US Government corporate entity. Fair Use for non-profit news reporting, education and commentary.
My name is Garry L. Morgan, U.S Army Medical Department Retired, member of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, BREDL and BEST, Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team. - I am providing feedback regarding a failure to identify a specific hazard, severe tornado threat to the Browns Ferry Nuclear Facility, near Tanner, Alabama, Limestone County, in the Hazard Mitigation Plan, Division F involving North Alabama, and request this failure to identify the significant hazard be corrected. Info below.
There is a serious deficit regarding Hazard Profile Section 4, Division F in regards to Tornado Activity and the TVA's Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFN). A near miss occurred on April 27, 2011 in Limestone County. The F-5 tornado took out incoming power to the nuclear reactors, there was one backup generator failure. --- BFN is a GE Mark 1 Reactor design, there are no hardened overhead secondary containments covering the 3 GE Mark 1 Reactors and fuel pools at BFN. The overhead area is sheet metal attached to steel I beams. --- The area experienced no electrical power for an extended period, some areas were without power in excess of 5 days. --- A direct hit of the reactor building by an EF4-5 tornado would likely be a catastrophic event involving all of North Alabama and portions of South Tennessee. A release of radioactive material in the immediate area and downwind would be a high probability. --- TVA's, Tennessee Valley Authority, and NRC's, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, assessment of the event was unreliable, and their reporting accuracy to the public was flawed. ( News Reports of flawed assessments, as reported by nuclear industry specialists: Browns Ferry: Shrinking the safety margin at Alabama's largest nuclear plant - al.com link: https://www.al.com/wire/2013/07/browns_ferry.html note the sheet metal coverings over the nuclear fuel pool in the photos within the article listed; and TVA resuming power generation at Browns Ferry nuclear plant - al.com link: https://www.al.com/breaking/2011/05/tva_to_resume_power_generation.html note-there was an emergency generator failure which TVA did not disclose to the public.) --- Failure to include tornado events and mitigation regarding BFN is an error which must be corrected.
Regards,
Garry L. Morgan, USAMEDD Retired
BREDL/BEST
(contact info redacted, submitted in original document)
April 27, 2011 Tornado Tracks
BEST/MATRR Tornado Track Map, 4/27/2011 - Fair Use for education, news reporting and commentary.
Thank you so much for providing us with this critical information.
We certainly did not intent to leave this particular event out of the regional document.
While we have noted other tornadic events throughout the region, it seems this one was not reported to NOAA as specifically having impacted the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFN).
It also appears that finding this information would have been a bit difficult, as your note states that certain segments of the event were not published to the public.
Are there any additional events that we need to be made aware of regarding any other facilities?
If so, please pass along that information as well.
We thank you again for giving us this evidence and we assure you this event will be added to the regional mitigation document.
Sellers use tax is imposed on the retail sale of tangible personal property sold in Alabama by businesses located outside of Alabama which have no inventory located in Alabama, but are making retail sales in Alabama via sales offices, agents, or by any significant recurring contact or “nexus” with Alabama. Sellers Use Tax – Alabama Department of Revenue
Total Tax collected since January 1, 2016 to date - $3,194,49.64
Jackson County Courthouse north entrance, photo by G. Morgan.
--Video at bottom of page.--.
ANNOUNCEMENT AND AGENDA
County Road 189, near Bridgeport (Click on image for an expanded view.)
Google Maps aerial photo CR 189. Fair Use for non-profit news and commentary.
County Road 189 repairs are expected to be complete by late January early February time frame in 2022. Repairs are expected to cost approximately $1.2 million.
In other county road and Public Works business, Mr. Jonathan Campbell, Jackson County Engineer, discussed with commission several needs: 1) Road repair budget, very tight, expected minimum need is $4 million dollars. 2) Rebuild Alabama funds may be utilized which involves coordinating actions with smaller municipality Mayors in the county where county roads are within municipal town limits. 3) Public Works truck needs discussed with commissioners. Needs for 9 trucks were discussed which ranges from heavy duty tri-axle, Medium duty, and light duty trucks. 4) Assistant County Engineer hiring process has been underway. There is a specific candidate which is being considered which meets all state and local requirements, the name was not announced today. More information should be forthcoming at the December 27, 2021 meeting.
Use of the old DHR, Department of Human Resources, building was discussed at today's meeting. The primary concern was regarding roof replacement. Studies are to be conducted regarding building usage, public safety, health; it was stated a public hearing would be conducted regarding moving county offices and citizen/business impacts.
Google Maps ground photo, Freedom Lane, old DHR Bldg.. Fair Use for non-profit news and commentary.
Bryant Community Center Usage discussed. Use of the building is of concern, this includes deed restrictions by previous owners which will involve funding availability for the Community Center. It was stated the center now serves approximately 800-1000 meals per month for those unable to acquire meals and food.
Google Maps aerial and ground photo, Bryant Al.Community Center, Fair Use for non-profit news and commentary.
Last item, Opioids settlement, $22K to Jackson County, vote to approve resolution for receipt of settlement funds, approved. It was mentioned that Scottsboro is slated to receive $88K. More info: https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/
Next meeting of the Jackson county Commission will be December 27, 2021.
!!MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Fair Use for Merry Christmas wishes - non-profit news, education and commentary, artist/publisher unknown.
Locations of known and suspected hazardous material burials and disposal sites, numbered sites described below. EPA, Environmental Protection Agency and ADEM Alabama Departmentof Environmental Management contacted in 2015 and 2017 regarding site status. Not on National Priorities List as previous owners bankrupt; state, county, local government entities and developers have not insured property is cleared of dangerous hazardous materials. There have been no efforts to place site on National Priorities List, NPL, due to the negligent attitude - "Out of site, out of mind;" and "money before human health." Fair Use of Google Map with numbered sites, described below, for non-profit news, education and commentary.
NFRAP-Site does not qualify for the NPL based on existing information
EPA ID:
ALD000826636
EPA Region:
04
County:
JACKSON
Federal Facility Flag:
Not a Federal Facility
The City of Scottsboro, Alabama is intentionally ignoring hazardous materials surrounding the Goose Pond Island area adjacent to the old Aluminum/Copper smelting and fabrication site, Revere-Norandel-Scottsboro Aluminum near and next to homes on the island and surrounding proposed developments.
Map of the proposed rezone as described in the above petition link, which opposes the rezoning effort.
Public Document - Fair Use for non-profit news and discussion.
(click on image to expand)
AREA GOOGLE IMAGES
(Click on any image to expand photo.)
Goose Pond Island Area
(Google Map Images - Fair use for non-profit news reporting, education and commentary.)
Specific Hazardous Material Areas, Brownfield/Superfund Site, identified by the EPA but never funded for cleanup
Satellite image of old copper-brass-aluminum plant site.Note large pond south to southeast of the former plant site. This pond contains hazardous materials as described below indicated within the Brownfield Site. Other specific areas indicated on below maps. (Google Map images below - Fair-use for non-profit news reporting, education and commentary.)
Hazardous Materials Area 2-Pond Site and environs
Hazardous Materials Area 2-Pond Site
EPA Brownfield
Known Hazardous Materials Locations (Field Survey and Interviews)
Site 1 - Metals Processing Plant, Basement and immediate environs
Site 2 - Pond Site and environs
Site 3 - Multiple Berms with leaking barrels
Site 4 - River Dock Area, worker reports of haz-mat barrels dumped off of dock area
Site 5 - Multiple Disposal areas, not specifically identified, including 2nd small pond area.
Site 6 - City of Scottsboro Property, evidence of large bore holes for 55 gallon drum burial, southwest of power line center, 300-1000ft., trail road, near number identifier; other potential unidentified areas.
Field survey and observation of sites and conditions performed 2005 -2013.
Information regarding the Brownfield/EPA Hazardous materials dump site. This is a Brownfield site, Superfund Cleanup Site, which has not been funded for cleanup. Many dangerous chemicals and substances are buried and concealed in this area. https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/CurSites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0400067
They are: ". . . toxicity and carcinogenicity of metals such as arsenic [23, 24, 25], cadmium [26], chromium [27, 28], lead [29, 30], and mercury [31, 32]. Because of their high degree of toxicity, these five elements rank among the priority metals that are of great public health significance." Heavy Metals Toxicity and the Environment (nih.gov) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4144270/
Public info from cancer dot gov; Fair Use for News, education and commentary.
The City Council made excuses for hazardous materials dumping which has existed for more than 50 years, sickening the people of Scottsboro, Alabama. Jackson County has one of the highest cancer death rates in Alabama as demonstrated by the U.S. Government Cancer Death Rate Map of Alabama. Gross long term negligence obvious on the part of political officials.
Video of council meeting, presentation at 16 minutes 25 seconds into video regarding hazardous materials. It is unfortunate that some think it is my responsibility to report to the EPA problems, the problems of hazardous materials have already been reported and identified. The problem is the lack of action on the part of political officials including this city council, previous political officials of the city, county, state and federal officials.
AGENDA
(Click on image to expand image.)
SCOTTSBORO CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 15, 2021
Scottsboro City Council Meeting video --- video includes explanation by developer's representative regarding the Goose Pond Development proposed, item 8 on the agenda, 8 minutes 25 seconds in the video.
MEETING AGENDA
1. Present Employee Service Awards
2. Discuss Proceeding with Rezoning Property located at 218 Bob Jones Road
3. Discuss Street Dedication in Memory of Dr. Wayne Patterson
4. Discuss Resolution for ALDOT Maintenance Agreement for Traffic Signals at County Park and 72
5. Announce Library Board Vacancies
6. Announce Museum Commission Vacancies
7. Announce Zoning Adjustment Board Vacancy
8. Discuss Proceeding with Rezoning Property located at Goose Pond Island
Regarding the proposed and future Goose Pond development of the area identified in this article, it is this citizen's opinion based on the current Brownfield/Superfund Cleanup site identified by the EPA, due to hazardous materials dumping in the area while plant operations were occurring, there should be no further development of the area surrounding the former Revere Copper-Brass & Aluminum -Norandel/Scottsboro Aluminum plant site until there is an extensive environmental survey and study completed and the existing hazardous materials are removed. Failure to perform an extensive site study and survey, including removing known hazardous materials is gross negligence. References contained within this article.
November 22, 2021 UPDATE: The Scottsboro City Council approved the rezoning of the property discussed at previous meetings, link to video: https://youtu.be/vXPg5NNR8KU . Developers Public Hearing will be held on December 6, at 5PM, Scottsboro City Hall, agenda item 7 in the scheduled City Council Meeting - Regarding the Hazardous Waste, Brownfield Site, linked above, not on National Priorities list, the City Council has neglected their responsibility of stewardship regarding public health of the citizens of Scottsboro, Al., specifically those on Goose Pond Island.
UPDATE - December 6, 2021 Public Hearing Regarding Rezoning Issue at 13 minutes 15 seconds into the video, link: https://youtu.be/sx-C0NhbGpE
Expressed degree of concern, specifically at 6 min 58 sec. Scottsboro City Council Meeting - 12/22/2021 - BE CONCERNED MY FRIENDS.
All Rights Reserved for writings, video, photographs and art by Garry L. Morgan.
U.S. Copyright Office Fair Use Rule: "Section 107 contains a list of the various purposes for which the reproduction of a particular work may be considered fair, such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, nonprofit educational purposes and research. Link: http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
Total "In the Boro" Pageviews
Scottsboro Police Department Web Site
""The police are the public, the public are the police. The police are the only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties that are incumbent on every citizen in the interest to community welfare and existence." - Sir Robert Peel, 1829 https://www.scottsboropd.org/
The Sunlight Foundation uses cutting-edge technology and ideas to make government transparent and accountable. Click on image to learn more.
THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY
"I can say with confidence that the federal government needs a major overhaul. Don’t get me wrong, most public servants in government are highly educated and dedicated professionals who are committed to “the greater good.” At the same time, the government has become a bloated bureaucracy that is based on past conditions and in too many cases, federal programs and policies can’t demonstrate that they are generating real results that benefit the American people."
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David Walker President and CEO The Peter G. Peterson Foundation http://www.pgpf.org/ ; former, recently served for 10 years, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).
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NPR's story on David Walker: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124460237
"public intelligence"
"What is Public Intelligence? Public Intelligence is an international, collaborative research project aimed at aggregating the collective work of independent researchers around the globe who wish to defend the public’s right to access information." http://publicintelligence.net/
A Nuclear Engineer's Report on the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant
Danger Zone: Aging Nuclear Reactors
Incident at Browns Ferry (PBS 1977)
History of nuclear power safety issues which the 1975 Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant fire brought forward. This video has been censored by the nuclear industry. The trillion dollar multinational nuclear death industry prefers to keep you the citizen in the dark and feed you crap.
Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio and others. Click on image for a tour. Left click & hold mouse to move image.
Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team/Mothers Against Tennessee River Radiation http://www.matrr.org/
"TVA at the Crossroads" a SACE Film.
"America is at an energy crossroads and the Tennessee Valley Authority has a choice to make: Will it cling to old coal power because of its historic significance or will it retire its oldest, dirtiest and least efficient plants and lead America into a clean energy future?" TVA At The Crossroads from SACE.
****************************I'm GARRY MORGAN, a Christian, U.S. Army (AMEDD) retired, Race Relations/Equal Opportunity Specialist (U.S.Army, Retired DOD-DRRI-DEOMI) a citizen of Scottsboro Alabama, a Baylor University grad-Go Bears, a political activist and a political Independent as I believe political parties divide the citizenry whom they are suppose to represent. We must learn the lessons of our history or we will surely repeat our mistakes. I think the greatest problem facing our nation is the massive national and personal debt.