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."

SCOTTSBORO WEATHER - SUN & MOON RISE

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Jackson County EDA Meeting - The Good, The Bad and The Darn Ugly! UPDATE-June 26, 2012

UPDATE Dynetics issue: Much has been said in local media about the Dynetics issue including a considerable amount of propaganda from local EDA officials, Huntsville Times link: http://blog.al.com/huntsville-times-business/2012/06/dynetics_plans_for_test_facili.html 

The proposed Larkinsville site is to be a "test bed" site. The question is, what is it that Dynetics will be testing and is it dangerous? After examining Dynetics mission and products here is the likely answer: Propulsion and related engines - http://www.dynetics.com/products/space-propulsion  Fuels reference from Dynetics site- "Our capabilities in multiple propellants include liquids, solids, and hybrids, with experience in both green and toxic propellants: liquid and gaseous oxygen, hydrogen, kerosene, propane, methane, ethane, nitrous oxide, hydrogen peroxide, HAN, hydrazine, and HTPB." Hydrazene propulsion, "CLASSIFICATION: B2; probable human carcinogen." CDC info concerning Hydrazene-  http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hydrazine/

Every month on the 3rd Tuesday at noon the Jackson County Economic Development Authority, EDA, Board of Directors meet; such was the case Tuesday, June 19, 2012. This meeting was Stacey Ledwell's last meeting. Jackson County Commissioner Jack Allen will replace Mr. Ledwell. Information on the Jackson County EDA may be found on line at http://www.jacksoncountyeda.org/
EDA CEO Dus Rogers presents Mr. Stacey Ledwell, outgoing Board Director and Treasurer, a certificate of accomplishment for his tenure as an EDA Board of Director. (photo by G.Morgan)

Education information, the EDA news letter-"Echoes," including events, may be found at this link: http://www.jacksoncountyeda.org/news.html The EDA Workforce Development partnerships with the various schools and organizations in the area are impressive. The partnerships are linked on the EDA site: http://www.jacksoncountyeda.org/education.html

The EDA has a prominent Facebook presence: http://www.facebook.com/jacksoncountyeda

Business Items : First up was discussion related to Dynetics Corporation's plans of locating to Jackson County, Al.  I was informed this discussion was a confidential discussion. Dynetics link: http://www.dynetics.com/about

I was surprised to read this mornings news in Scottsboro's Daily Sentinel disclosing the information. The Daily Sentinel was not present in yesterdays meeting. Quote from Daily Sentinel: "Dr. Marc Bendickson, Dynetics CEO said the company is committed to economic growth in North Alabama and expansion into Jackson County will help facilitate that goal...Company officials confirmed they are considering a site in the Larkinsville area to perform a variety of testing services." Link: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_01594c1a-bb28-11e1-b0b1-001a4bcf887a.html

There has been no finalization of any contracts related to this deal. Negotiations are in a critical stage. It is my opinion the release of this information was intentional for the purpose of interfering with negotiations in this critical stage.

Under the Alabama Open Meetings Act such negotiations may be kept from public disclosure due to sensitive contracts related to real estate and business negotiations in which the disclosure could jeopardize the industry locating in the area, thus costing citizens jobs or costing citizens economic development funds and opportunities. Nothing has been finalized concerning this deal.

Apparently this deal will bring very few jobs to Jackson County. There are several environmental concerns for this area, including hydrology and geolgy impacts due to Karst Terrain.
WAFF TV report on this deal: http://www.waff.com/story/18839702/some-residents-unsure-about-dynetics-expanding-into-area?clienttype=printable
VIDEO


In my discussions prior to the EDA meeting, I inquired of the CEO, "does the EDA have an Attorney on the board?" A public boards attorney must certify Executive Sessions (closed sessions) as proper and legal. The EDA does not have an attorney and has not had one for at least 2 years. The reason I was present was due to information I had received concerning accountability relating to actions of responsible persons on the EDA. A lack of an Attorney to advise the EDA Board of Directors and staff  "for years" is an example of failed management.

In other business, Warren Hicks of TVA Economic Development (ED) was present to provide updates on TVA ED.
Mr. Warren Hicks, TVA Economic Development. (photo G. Morgan)

Workforce updates, existing industry updates, CEO's report, and various items of confidential information was discussed. All items of public nature may be found in the news letter or site information.

Spectra Energy may build a pipeline through Jackson County. It was commented Spectra Energy would like to discuss the pipeline situation with the EDA. Spectra Energy link: http://www.spectraenergy.com/  Story links: "Pipeline Possible" http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_b451e7fa-7ac8-11e1-bab3-001a4bcf887a.html


WE DON'T WANT NO STINK'N NUCLEAR LIQUOR!
Other items of importance disclosed: Brown-Forman Cooperage Mill refused to locate a larger facility in the Jackson County Industrial Park due to the background of the Bellefonte Nuclear Power plant, (paraphrased)"the image was not in conformance to their environmental policies and public image," commented Mr. Rogers concerning Brown-Forman's concern. Article from this blog on Brown-Forman's small facility in north Jackson County: http://arklite.blogspot.com/2011/12/more-jobe-for-jackson-county-brown-and.html

The larger plant deal, phase 2, fell through for the citizens of Jackson County. Brown-Forman Cooperage is building a larger operation near Decatur, Alabama: http://www.areadevelopment.com/newsItems/6-15-2012/brown-forman-cooperage-alabma-expansion-25541612.shtml TVA's Bellefonte Nuclear plant had a negative impact for approximately 200 permanent jobs. The Jackson County Industrial Park is located east of the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant between U.S. Hwy 72 and the nuclear plant. The nuclear plant image would have made for a poor image for Jack Daniel's products.
The Bellefonte Nuclear Plant, not in conformance with the image of Brown-Forman. "We don't want no stink'n nuclear liquor."A similar image is evident from Jackson County's Industrial Park (Ghosts of Bellefonte by G.Morgan http://www.matrr.org/

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