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

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Jackson County Commission February 23, 2015

Photo by J.Holt, Facebook, Fair Use for non-profit news reporting

Scottsboro, Alabama Jackson County Courthouse, February 23, 2015. Hot Topics - Citizen Complains of Dogs, Roads and Prisoner Health Care. March meetings will take place at the Courthouse, Time 4:30PM

AGENDA

VIDEO

Monday, February 23, 2015

City of Scottsboro, Alabama February 23, 2015 Department Manager Structure and Salaries; City Council Regular Session

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G. Morgan) city web site http://www.cityofscottsboro.com/

Fair Use Rights - non-profit use for news reporting, photographer unknown 

Scottsboro Department Heads and Annual Salary 
Mayor Melton Potter supervises all city department heads, Mayor Potters salary - $74,000
The City Council approves the hiring and firing of 3 positions, City Attorney, City Clerk, Police Chief. Most to least pay is listed in order per Mayor Potter on February 23, 2015 based on city financial data.
Finance and Accounting - Mr. Rick Wheeler - $77,868.00
Public Works Department (Streets &Solid Waste) - Mr. Eddie Blizzard - $77,568,00
City Engineer/Planner - Mr. Josh Little - $71,508.00
City Clerk - Ms. Whitney Phillips - $71,000.00
Police Department, City Jail and Animal Control - Chief Ralph Dawe - $69,168.00
Parks & Recreation - Ms. Yvonne Yockel - $68,844.00
Human Resources - Ms. Erin Dixon - $66,000.00
Fire & Rescue - Chief Gene Nicklaus -  $65,000.00
City Attorney - Mr. Steve Kennamer, Esq. - $63,600.00
City Maintenance Department - Mr. Chad Green - $55,000.00
Airport, Word Field - Mr. Don (Ty) Towery -  $50,820.00
Cemetery Department - Mr. Benny Bell - $49,324.00
I.T. Department - Mr. Clint Sebring - (start) $45,000, increase to $50,000.00 after 6 months
Scottsboro Municipal Court - Hon.  James Mick - $24,000.00

City Council pay per month - President - $975.00; President pro tem - $950.00 
Council Member - $925.00

Discretionary Funds - City Council - $5000.00 for the council; Mayor - $5000.00

AGENDA
Current Council Agenda
New Business:
1.  Consider Resolution 2015-01-07: Reallocation of RZED Money - approved


2. Consider Revised Alcohol Ordinance #586 - approved, previous ordinances repealed

3. Announce Tree Commission Appointments - Ms. Arlene Greeb, Jason Shelton

4. Announce Personnel Board Appointments - Mr. Kelly Goodowens, Ms. Nora Sebring

Reports: Council President - Patrick Stewart: This week is Arbor Week in Alabama. March 2, 2015 there will be a combined work session and regular meeting of the City Council; there will be no meeting on March 9, 2015  



Ribbon Cutting - Friday, February 27th at 11:00 AM. This event will take place at the Ben Sanford Boys and Girls Club. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information contact James Allen at 256-259-3405.

VIDEO

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Jackson County Commission Work Session at Paint Rock, Alabama - February 17, 2015

The Jackson County Commission held its work session this week at the Paint Rock Community Center, 6 local citizens were in attendance. Topics such as streets and Fire Department issues were discussed. 

CRITICAL ISSUE - FIRE DEPARTMENT

Paint Rock, Alabama - Early 20th Century



AGENDA
Click on image for an expanded view.

VIDEO

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Scottsboro City Council Work Session, February 16, 2015

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G. Morgan)

There was one item on the agenda, discussion of the alcohol beverage ordinance. Council Member Brent Miller commented to me after the meeting that there were 18 ordinances which needed to be consolidated. The issue will be presented to the Jackson County Alabama Legislative Delegation to be placed on the current State Legislative Session Agenda. 

VIDEO

Saturday, February 14, 2015

TVA 1st Quarter 2015 Board of Directors Meeting February 12, 2015

"As provided by the TVA Act and the TVA Bylaws, the principal responsibilities of the Board are to establish the broad strategies, goals, and objectives, long-range plans, and policies of TVA and to ensure that those are achieved by the TVA staff led by the Chief Executive Officer. Each Director takes an oath to faithfully and impartially perform the duties of office. Directors serve part-time."

TVA Meeting & Video Presentation
Video
Presentation (PDF)
News release

See the full Board Meeting archive.

SPECIAL VIDEO PRESENTATIONS
February 12, 2015, TVA Board of Directors Meeting at Chattanooga, Tn. Listening session presentations by BREDL/BEST/MATRR members Sandy Kurtz and Garry Morgan.


February 12, 2015, TVA Board of Directors 1st Quarter 2015 Meeting at Chattanooga, Tn. Finance Report by CFO John Thomas,



February 12, 2015, TVA Board of Directors 1st Quarter 2015 Meeting at Chattanooga, Tn. Presidents Report by Bill Johnson. Engineer of the Year Award - Jeff Phillips.


NEWS ITEMS
Jeff Phillips, a principal engineer for the Tennessee Valley Authority, was recognized today as TVA's Engineer of the Year for 2015. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/business/aroundregion/

TVA is moving to buy more natural gas and solar power generation as the federal utility continues to move away from coal-fired generation.  http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/business/aroundregion/story/2015/feb/12/tva-buy-gas-plant-mississippi-solar-power-alabama/288039/

The Tennessee Valley Authority voted Thursday to enter a power purchase agreement with NextEra for a planned 80-megawatt solar farm in the Shoals.   http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2015/02/tva_approves_agreement_to_buil.html

After revamping its pricing structure four years ago for the first time in two decades, the Tennessee Valley Authority is again preparing to alter the way it prices the electricity it produces.  http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/business/aroundregion/story/2015/feb/11/tvplans-change-way-it-prices-electricity/287725/

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Jackson County Commission Regular Session February 9, 2015 - Remembering B.B. Comer - The Bridge, A Legacy of Success or Failed Vision?


THINKING ABOUT B.B. COMER

Fair Use rights for all photographs usage - not for profit news reporting. Photographer listed where known.


"Photo by Hank Allen - Fair use for non-profit news reporting.)
B.B. Comer Bridge by John Warr Fair Use for non-profit news reporting.

(photo by G. Morgan)

Now we move to visions of what could be on the river - how does the area's business and political leadership bring vision and planning for our future? There is considerable valuable public land in the area. Running along the river bank north and south of the river's western bank; Scottsboro owns the "Public Purpose Property" on Dock Street extending to the Tennessee River. What a nice place to be developed into a park with a restaurant. This would coincide with the National Trust for Historic Places planning a trail from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Huntsville, Alabama.

A river side restaurant built like an old steamboat.
All sorts of possibilities exist.
Other possibilities for a park

The end, no vision, no planning, continuing depopulation of Jackson County. Ecological Tourism via a sound business plan and program of development will net jobs and additional tax revenue.

Back to the business of government?

AGENDA Jackson County Commission

VIDEO

Scottsboro City Council, Regular Session February 9, 2015

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G. Morgan)

TOP ISSUES
The Scottsboro City Council voted down the B.B. Comer Bridge Preservation Project/Tourism Authority (7min 10sec in the full city council video) . There was no business plan submitted to support the economic impact of the tourism project. Sunday alcohol sales was passed, the issue will now proceed to the State Legislature via the Jackson County Legislative Delegation for submission during the current legislative session for approval. 




AGENDA
Click on image for an expanded view.

VIDEO

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Scottsboro Redevelopment Authority - By-Laws Approved, Projects & Planning

REDEVELOPING DOWNTOWN SCOTTSBORO

\
Histiry of Scottsboro's Redevelopment authority in videos  http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Redevelopment%20Authority


Tuesday, 3 Feruary the Redevelopment Authority was supposed to meet at 5PM in the Scottsboro City Hall, however City Hall was closed, the meeting was moved to Deborah Light's business location Veranda Catering. 

By-Laws approved, plans and events discussed.



click on image for an expanded view

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Scottsboro City Council Work Session February 2, 2015

Scottsboro City Hall photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA
  1. Chamber of Commerce-Sunday Alcohol Sales
  1. Todd Smith-Schneider Electric
  1. Administrative Assistant Job Description 
  2. B.B. Comer Bridge


                                                 VIDEO

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Jackson County Commission Work session February 2, 2015

Original photograph owned by Garry Morgan, earliest known photo of First Monday, known at that time as Horse Swappers Day or as the Asheville Postcard Company Proof stated, "Jockey Day in Scottsboro, Alabama."

AGENDA

VIDEO