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

Sunday, March 29, 2015

NRC Public Meeting at Athens, Tennessee, March 26, 2015 on TVA's Watts Bar Nuclear Power Reactor Unit 2

TVA Watts Bar (photo by TVA, fair use rights for non-profit news reporting)

 Info on Watts Bar Unit 2
This writer and others, including scientists, engineers and health care professionals believe that TVA's claims that nuclear power is clean, safe and reliable is not true. It is important to point out that Watts Bar is not the 21st Century's first "new" reactor. It is TVA in the 21st century's completing an old mid 20th century's nuclear project with a 300% plus cost over-run, continuing to place the TVA in a precarious financial situation. Total cost of the Watts Bar Unit 2 - 40 year plus construction will be over $7 billion, $7,000,000,000.00. Including the interest on this amount will bring the total costs near $13 billion dollars.

TVA LINK to  INFO & SPURIOUS CLAIMS on WATTS BAR UNIT 2


Athens, Tennessee March 26, 2015 - NRC Public Meeting on the Watts Bar Unit 2 nuclear reactor at the McMinn County High School in Athens, 22 miles from Watts Bar, located in Rhea Co. Tn, TVA and NRC makes their presentation with public input. Our environmental groups participated in a one and a half hour discussion on items of  concern with the NRC prior to the public meeting.

TVA's and NRC's summary is presented with BEST/MATRR's expressed concerns about cancer as a community health issue and how radioactive emissions effect community health.  

CART BEFORE HORSE RELIABILITY FAILURE - ACRS ( Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards) RECOMMENDS ISSUING OF LICENSE WITH INCOMPLETE INSPECTIONS AND THOROUGH SAFETY REVIEW, NO CONSIDERATION TO PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS. THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO RUN A REGULATOR AND INDICATES A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE APPROVAL PROCESS -  A HUMAN RELIABILITY FAILURE. 

There are concerns and positive points to be made - TVA and the NRC at this point refuses to consider community health relating to high cancer incidence rates in Rhea County Tennessee. For more info on hazards of ionizing radiation go to http://radioactivepoison.blogspot.com/ It is also apparent that the NRC is not paying attention to the lessons of Fukushima and reactor aging issues regarding Watts Bar. Unit 2, now 42 years of age, even with updated systems. These issues were brought forward in a private meeting with the NRC prior to the public meeting. Information on Cancer Incidence Rates is taken from the National Cancer Institute's, part of the CDC, state cancer maps and tables.  Health concerns video - https://youtu.be/V8rtl2SFsNQ

Dave Lochbaum,Director of Nuclear Safety, Union of Concerned Scientists comments in "All Things Nuclear - What I saw during the plant tour was impressive. But what I’ve seen during the CAP meetings has been far more impressive. TVA has been exceedingly forthcoming. CAP members can propose items to be discussed during the next meeting and can (and do) ask questions during the meetings."  http://allthingsnuclear.org/watts-bar-community-action-panel/  Mr. Lochbaum expressed concerns to the NRC regarding the aging of structures on the 40 year plus Watts Bar Unit 2  nuclear reactor.  https://youtu.be/VJlFRpA2wOY

All video links to this series as shown below: 
1) Dave Lochbaum - https://youtu.be/VJlFRpA2wOY
3) Sandy Kurtz and, Sara Barzack - https://youtu.be/0R8Jk-VWFOA
4) Garry Morgan - https://youtu.be/V8rtl2SFsNQ
5) TVA - NRC Summary - https://youtu.be/fJ1CQnzs5QY

VIDEO PRESENTATIONS

TVA's and NRC's summary with BEST/MATRR's expressed concerns


Dave Lochbaum, Director of Nuclear Safety, Union of Concerned Scientists


Don Safer, Tennessee Environmental Council, BEST/MATRR, discusses nuclear waste and nuclear system resilience. 

Presentation of  Sandy Kurtz, BREDL/BEST/MATRR, and Sara Barzack, SACE - phone webinar participant, discussion on earthquakes and nuclear system resilience.


 Presentation by Garry Morgan Director of the BEST/MATRR Public Health and Radiation Monitoring Program.


SACE Blog articles on the issue of licensing TVA's Watts Bar Unit 2 Nuclear Reactor
TVA’s Watts Bar — the last old reactor of the 20th Century  and  What have we learned in the four years since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan?

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Scottsboro City Council, Regular Session, March 23, 2015

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G. Morgan) Monday's city council meeting consisted of alcoholic beverage license public hearings and approvals, bid approvals, approval for Downtown Scottsboro to hold an Artisan & Vintage Market event on the square in Scottsboro on March 28-29, 2015. Council member Keith Smith announced appointments : Abatement Board - Gail Duffey; Airport Advisory Board - Rudder Williams; Recreation Advisory Board - Mark Pepper; Tourism Advisory Board - J.P. Parsons.

AGENDA
(click on image for an expanded view)

VIDEO

Monday, March 23, 2015

Jackson County Commission Regular Session and Economic Development Authority Presentation by CEO Dus Rogers March 23, 2015

South Side of Jackson County Courthouse, photo by G.Morgan
Jackson County Commission on Face Book 

AGENDA

Economic Development Authority Presentation Video, Part 1



Commission Meeting Part 2, New Business



Scottsboro, Alabama Jackson County Finances http://www.theclarion.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9113:commission-talks-cuts-&catid=42:clarion-rotation-stories&Itemid=142

Salaries of the Jackson County Commission, Elected Officials and Department Heads - From the Clarion's Heather Garner, thank you Clarion and Ms. Garner.

County Engineer/Public Works Director Philip Widner at $157,570...
County Commission Chairman $69,565
Each County Commissioner $33,347
Probate Judge $99,448
Revenue Commissioner $90,777
Sheriff $77,680
County Administrator $70,000
Personnel /Human Resources Director $62,004
Solid Waste Director $45,884
Emergency Management Agency director $45,822
Solid Waste Director $45,884
County Park Director $41,204

Judges and Court Clerks salary are not listed.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Scottsboro City Council Work Session, March 16, 2015

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G. Morgan)

SCOTTSBORO'S HISTORICAL FIRST MONDAY TRADE DAY'S WEEKEND
The City of Scottsboro, Downtown Scottsboro organization, and the Scottsboro Redevelopment Authority was asked to support the First Monday Trade Days Weekend Event
1st Monday- Horse Swappers Day, circa 1915 (original photo owned by G. Morgan)
Oldest known photograph of 1st Monday

1st Monday,April 1931, Scottsboro Boys Trial, from original photo previously owned by G. Morgan


1st Monday, early 1950s Fair Use, Ford Times 1955

1st Monday 2011 (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA
(Click on image for an expanded view.)

VIDEO

Jackson County Commission Work Session ------ March 16, 2015

Jackson County Courthouse, North Side (photo by G. Morgan)

Hot topic - Old Sardis Community, citizens discuss CR 100 & 120, residents complain that road has not been paved in 40 years, in rough shape.

AGENDA
(Click on image to expand view.)

VIDEO

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Jackson County Commission Regular Session March, 9, 2015

South Side of the Jackson County Courthouse (photo by G Morgan)


Big issues at the commission: 1% Sales Tax issue approved-citizens speak up about the issue, employee resignation at solid waste, county engineers position to be advertised, road improvement funds approved and Jackson County Health Care Authority position opening due to resignation. 

AGENDA
(click on image to expand it)

TAX RESOLUTION
(click on image to expand it)


VIDEO

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Jackson County Commission Work Session - County Sales Tax Increase Proposed, March 2, 2015

More tax on food and clothing - 1% County Sales Tax increase proposed, voter referendum to decide. 

Jackson County Commission from left to right: Commissioner Venable, Commissioner Ledwell, Commission Chairperson Hodges, Commissioner Guffey, Commissioner Miller

AGENDA

VIDEO

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Scottsboro City Council - Work Session & Regular Session March 2, 2014


One issue on the agenda, Scottsboro Police Chief's pay disparity. 

AGENDA
 Budget Amendment for $6173.98 for Police Chief Ralph Dawe due to pay disparity - unanimously approved. Chief Ralph Dawe has been with the department for 26 years, 10 years as Police Chief. Chief Dawe is responsible for all divisions of the Scottsboro Police Department, City Jail, Animal Control and the 911 System. 

 Scottsboro Department Head List and Salary prior to March 2, 2015
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 and 911 - 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


Mayor Potter, on left, took issue with correcting a pay disparity with Police Chief Ralph Dawe. Council Member Gary Stewart on the right. All council members voted for the Budget Amendment to correct the pay disparity. Mayor Potter stated he thought correcting the pay disparity was wrong, He went on to say other department heads would be requesting a pay raise. Council Member Keith Smith, former Police Chief, commented that the Scottsboro Police Chief's pay has been a traditionally underpaid position, "but that doesn't make it right."

VIDEO