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

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Jackson County Commission, Regular Session 2 Part Video, Budget Approved, Mr. Matthew Hodges Last Session as Commission Chair September 25, 2017

Jackson County Commission Chair Matthew Hodges, this was his last session. Photo by G. Morgan

Incoming Jackson County Commission Chair, Mike Ashburn. Photo by G.Morgan 

Previous article about Mr. Hodges resignation: 

Article about Governor Ivey's appointment of Mr.Ashburn:

AGENDA


2017 - 2018 Jackson county Commission Budget, all agencies and offices. The Budget is balanced, line one reflects the General Fund.
(Click on image to expand view.)


VIDEOS




Friday, September 22, 2017

Governor Appoints Interim Jackson County Commission Chair Effective October 1, 2017

Mike Ashburn (Credit - unknown photo of Mike Ashburn from web - Fair Use for non-profit news reporting) Mr. Ashburn will replace current Jackson County Chair Matthew Hodges on October 1, 2017 Mr. Ashburn is currently the Director of the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency


Current Chair Matthew Hodges recently resigned due to taking a full time job in Huntsville, Al. Mr. Hodges resignation date will be September 30, 2017.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Scottsboro City Council Work Session - High School Marching Band Competition Info, September 18, 2017

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

October 21, 2017 The Scottsboro Band Boosters will host a Marching Band Competition.
more information to follow. Thus far it was reported that 6 teams have signed up for the competition, 7 minutes and 35 seconds into the video the presentation of the Band Boosters begins.
The 2017-2018 Scottsboro High School Marching Band (Fair use for non-profit news reporting, Scottsboro High School Marching Band.)


AGENDA



VIDEO

Jackson County Commission Work Session, Inquiry as to Audit of Community Corrections and Court Referral September 18, 2017

Jackson County Courthouse, south side. Photo by G. Morgan

Inquiry as to Audit regarding Community Corrections and Court Referral, begins 2 minutes 5 seconds on below video. Previous listings on this blog related to Jackson County's "Drug War" -  http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Jackson%20County%20Community%20Corrections%20and%20Court%20Referral

AGENDA

VIDEO

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

The Bridge - The Budget - The People - The Rest of the Story About a Tax Increase (or, when PACS go bad and screw you over) - Jackson County Commission, Duel Session, September 11, 2017

Bridge Repair CR 563
Take a close look at this bridge, the bridge and road repair was accomplished by professionals. Professional Highway Technicians of Jackson County Alabama that are underpaid. The citizens of Jackson County should be very proud of the staff of the County Highway Department for the people of Jackson County. But that is not all they should be proud of, all over the county we have First Responders, Peace Officers, County Civil Servants in the court house who work for the citizens of Jackson County. 

There is much more you need to know, Jackson County receives no sales tax money and the TVA-in-lieu-of-tax has been cut by approximately 34%and it will continue to be cut. Take a closer look at that bridge, it represents Jackson County. Road and Bridge Infrastructure taxes, via fuel tax, has not been increased since 1994.

Jackson County's General Fund Budget this year will be $8.1 million dollars, 12 years ago the budget for the General Fund was over 12 million dollars, a cut of 4 million dollars between now and then, half the amount of the current General Fund budget. If your home budget was cut by 1/3rd how much of a problem would you have in paying your bills with inflation? But yet the county continues, one way it continues, the Emergency Operations funds, or the rainy day fund is tapped. Folks, if you want services you have to pay for it. You do not receive services for free. County budget videos and info via this blog:  http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Jackson%20County%20Commission%20Budget
A deceitful opposition to a county sales tax, lies were told, a PAC was formed by Republican Party extremists whose sole concern was power brokering for out of county industrial resources. Local citizens were suckered in to oppose the tax which would have served to boost industrial recruitment.  The entire idea was to keep industrial recruitment resources, via funding, out of Jackson County, they were successful. Unfortunately local political powers were not willing to wage WAR against this deceitful faction. It cost us jobs, now you know the rest of the story! Here is one video and story of their deceitful planning, a PAC representing out of county industrial recruitment disguised: http://arklite.blogspot.com/2015/07/opposition-to-1-sales-tax-in-jackson.html

Current Commission AGENDA

VIDEO

Scottsboro City Council, Work Session and Regular Session 9-11-17

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA
(Work Session and Regular Session Agenda)
1) Public Hearing - Special Event Alcohol License, Susan Webb DBA Jackson Events LLC; this event is for the BBQ Cookoff
2) Resolution to raise subdivision and site plan cost/permit; raise from $150 to $200
3) 2017-2018 Employee Health Care and Life Insurance Contract
4) Equipment Operator 2 Job Description for Cemetery Department
All items were approved.

Meeting was continued until Thursday at 6PM for Budget Hearing at City Hall.

There were 3 delegations that met with the City Council.
1) Complaint regarding the property behind Maples Industry, brush has been allowed to get out of hand. This area is due west of Garden Drive.
2) Kelly Goodowen for the BBQ Cookoff, Tourism fund grant request for $3000; event to be held on Oct. 14, 2017. Request to block off Laurel Street on the Square related to the BBQ cookoff on Oct. 14, 2017.
3) Scottsboro Band Boosters, competition on October 21, 2017; request for Tourism Grant $5,500.

VIDEO

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Jackson County Commission Meeting Work Session September 5, 2017 -- 2018 Budget Info

Jackson county Courthouse, south side. photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA
There were 2 commissioners present, 3 must be present for a quorum. Mr. Hodges and Mr. Guffey were present.


There was a budget hearing on September 4, 2017. I discussed the 2018 budget with the Commission Chair Matthew Hodges; the 2018 budget has not been approved, but preliminary indications are the budget will be $8.1 million with a $25-30K budget deficit.