Scottsboro Water Quality Report for 2007

Many thanks to the Scottsboro Water, Sewer and Gas Board for providing this 2007 Water Quality Report. We are fortunate to have refreshing, healthy and clean drinking water for the citizens of Scottsboro. There were no violations listed for this report. By clicking on each individual page image you will be able to read the report. Thanks Roy for sending me this report. (photo: Garry Morgan "Painted Sky", Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro, Al.)

Jackson County Commission Meeting (Dog & Pony Show)

Next regular meeting will be May 12, 2008 at 4PM. There was a standing room only crowd at the Commission Meeting, a Sheriff's Deputy was present at todays meeting. It has been the Chairmans position to request the prescence of law enforcement to maintain order or in some instances to serve as intimidation.

Meeting with Board: 1) Randy Webster, Solid Waste Manager: Discussion on solid waste garbage containers. Currently there are 13,761 solid waste customers in Jackson County. 2) Billy Carl Cagle, Paint Rock Valley Park Board: Discussion on property swap for the Paint Rock Valley Park. Request was submitted for help with funds for a pavilion in the park. The name of the park will be the Curley Putnam Green Green Grass of Home Park. A park dedication will be on June 21st, Randy Owens will be present and other personalities from the Grand Ole Opry. Pavilion cost is approximately $35,252. Delivery of the pavilion will be made on May 15, $23,000 was the amount of funds needed by the Park Board. The issue was tabled until the May 12th meeting.

4 items on the Consent Agenda were approved, totaling $2380.00.

Old Business: 1) Minutes of last Commission Meeting approved by a majority vote. Mr. Blizzard questioned the approval of several issues on the minutes. 2) Tax Holiday approved Aug. 1-3, 2008.

New Business: 1) Majority vote approved transfer of up to $500,000 from General Fund to Match State and Federal Road Funds for the purpose of paving county roads. Mr. Blizzard requested the amount of funds in the Commission's General Fund. There was no answer to his question. Mr. Blizzard repeated he wanted to know the amount of funds remaining in the General Fund. There was no answer provided. Mr Tidmore chairman of the Jackson County Commission commented that Mr Blizzard was conducting a "Dog & Pony Show," in reference to his questioning of actions. Mr. Blizzard replied he wanted to know the amount that was in the General Fund. Mr. Marona suggested that Mr. Blizzard come to the Commission Meeting early and ask Ms. West the amount remaining in the fund. 2) Approval to apply for Federal and State funds for paving of Co Rd. 42 and Co. Rd 21. 3) Approval of agreement with the state DOT for the resurfacing of the U.S. Gypsum Rd. in Bridgeport. 4) Approval of request concerning North Sand Mountain Park to assist with solid waste pickup for the months of May and June, $150 per month. 5) Discussion concerning Housing of Inmates from the City of Scottsboro in the County Jail during city jail remodeling. There was no decision on the amount of costs per prisoner to be charged to the city for housing the city's inmates. The county has indicated they will require $15 per inmate. Evidently this was not ok with Scottsboro's officials. The issue was tabled. 6) Public Works Department hire approval. 6) Invoice approved for $8576.06 for improvement of voter polling places. 7) Executive Session: Good Name and Character. Vote was accomplished upon return, vote recommended the Engineers Recommendation be approved. No public disclosure until employee notification of Commission action.

BELLEFONTE EFFICIENCY & SUSTAINABILITY TEAM

The Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team, BEST, a local chapter of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, cordially invites all citizens to an informational session and membership drive on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 6PM at the Scottsboro Rec Com, 701 South Houston Street, Room 103. If you, your family or friends are concerned about a Nuclear Power Plant being built in Jackson County at the the Bellefonte Site please attend this meeting. Informational handouts on nuclear energy concerns will be available. There will be a moderated question and answer session after the informational presentation. The session will last approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours. (photo by Tom Moss, BEST)

Scottsboro City Council Meeting Work Session.

1) Discussion concerning drainage on Bob Jones Rd. at the Goosepond Church of Christ. Presentation by Mr. Travis Thurman concerning drainage problems for the Church. Pictures were presented to the Council concerning the flooding of the Church parking lot. Mr. Dolberry, Street Superintendent, was requested to look into the issue. 2) Discussion concerning Water Sewer & Gas Board Grant for city services to be connected on to Polymide Performance Fibers property. Grant amount is $152,465. 3) Discussion concerning Electric Power Board appointment for expiration of the term of Carol McCrary. Decision will be made at next Mondays City Council Session. 4) Request from Melissa Utech from Safe Haven for Animals concerning reducing costs for adoption of pets to Non-Profit Organizations. 5) Discussion concerning Leash Law in Scottsboro. Mrs. Josephine Smith has recommended that all Dogs must be on a leash off of ones property. Decision will be made at next Council Meeting on this issue. (This would involve hunting also.) 6) Discussion concerning paving of road in Scottsboro's Industrial Park in Hollywood. 7) Discussion concerning funds in City Court/Jail Fund. Mr. Matthew Hodges stated $421,500 was currently in the fund, approximately $300,000 will be applied to City Court and Jail renovation. 8) Discussion concerning Illegal Alien Ordinance in Scottsboro. It was discussed that the issue of Illegal Aliens is a Federal Law Enforcement issue. It was pointed out that Federal Officials are responsible for resolving that issue and have not done so. 9) Discussion of creating an access road off of US Hwy 72 on to Polymide Performance Fibers property. 10) a. Discussion concerning building an Assembly Room/Break area for the Street Dept. According to Mr. Dolberry, Street Dept. Director there is no area at this time for meetings. He stated cost would be approximately $30,000 for this project. b. Discussion concerning Street Department Organizational changes. 11) Discussion concerning Resolution to house City inmates at the County Jail during City Jail renovation. 12) Discussion concerning Surplus Property at old City Hall. Department Heads will review the list for usable property, the rest will be sold on "govdeals.com." 13) Discussion concerning City Vehicle usage by departments and staff, to be further discussion and/or decision at next Council meeting. 14) Discussion of private cemetery on top of hill on Stewart Rd. behind Tates BBQ. Family cemetery owners have stated they will donate 2+ acres of property to City adjacent to cemetery if City will agree to perpetual care of the cemetery. Will be decided at next Council meeting.

Carpet Baggers and Throwing Citizens a Bone

From my post on "al.com", Scottsboro forum: (arkie1 (arklite))
Carpet Baggers and throwing citizens a bone. 4/21/08 8:05 CT, reference Interesting editorial by antitruth, on 4/21/08 (update June 5, 2008- linked posts have been removed by "al.com" censors.)

There is a better, safer way to produce electrical energy than TVA's plan to build the AP1000 nuclear plant at Bellefonte. The nuclear and oil industry along with their political pawns are strangling the development and usage of efficient, safer technology while increasing our national debt. TVA's energy conservation plans are a step in the right direction. The nuclear plant is to be built on unstable terrain and that fact is reflected in TVA's own Safety Reports. I have pointed out there is even a "better way to build the mouse trap," a Thorium reactor. What makes you think that if the new reactor (Westinghouse AP1000) is started at Bellefonte that it will be completed? In case you haven't figured it out, we are bankrupt as a nation. Remarkable the number of local Democrats drooling all over themselves when the Bush Administration throws them a bone of a Nuclear Power Plant. It is amazing our local Democrat leadership has forgotten their historical lessons. Suggest building the plant near downtown Nashville, Tn. on the Cumberland River, see if the plant ever gets built. There is a reason these nuclear plants are built in rural areas, away from metropolitan areas. You, I and the citizens of this area are being used by corporate and government bureaucrats (Kind of like the carpet baggers of old post Civil War Bellefonte.) to increase the corporate bottom line of the Nu-Start consortium and increase the amount of TVA in lieu of taxes to local government. The plant will not resolve local unemployment and will increase local governmental responsibility and costs. Money has been the expressed dominant factor of this argument by government and corporate interests. Safety issues have taken a back seat over local political leadership's better judgement in the quest for more tax revenue. (photo credit: Thomas Nast Caracture 1872, courtesy Picture History; Foto Search, royalty free begging dog; Bellefonte Gate photo, Tom Moss, BEST/BREDL)

TVA Nuclear Plant Worst in Nation

Since the start-up in 2007 of Tennessee Valley Authority's, TVA, Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant near Athens, Alabama, after decades of being shutdown, the plant has been plagued with problems which resulted in the plant being rated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NRC, as among the worst in the nation. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/apr/17/nrc-browns-ferry-plant-among-worst-nation/ This demonstrates a series of Reliability failures on the part of TVA at Browns Ferry. The NRC is doing their job. The TVA has hired a new Vice President to Manage the Browns Ferry Facility. If the TVA can not meet requirements of Nuclear Reliability Inspections they must not be allowed to operate nuclear reactors. Regardless if it is Browns Ferry or any other Nuclear Facility in the TVA region, Reliability failures are a danger to public safety. (TVA photo)

Jackson County Commission Meeting

The Jackson County Commission normally meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 4:30PM. This month they are meeting on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 4:30PM.

There were 9 items in the consent agenda, fund disbursal totaling $4470.68, Solid Waste write offs totaling $5163.98 and 3 items which did not disclose monetary amounts involved.

Old Business: 1) Minutes approval which resulted in a question of accuracy of the minutes. Mr. Blizzard mentioned there were inaccuracies in the previous minutes. Corrections were made and a vote was taken to approve previous minutes, motion passed. 2) North Sand Mt. Park Board vacancy filled, Mr. Romans. 3) County Park employees were added to the County Employees insurance plan.

New Business: 1) Copy paper for Jackson County Board of Education approved for $126.20 per case. 2) April 27 thru May 3, 2008 proclaimed as Volunteer Week in Jackson County. 3) Sales Tax Holiday, tabled till next meeting. 4) Update of County Point of Contact for Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Mr. Victor Manning reappointed. Mr Manning also spoke to several issues: A. Hazard Mitigation Grant approved for repeater and encoder installation for Scottsboro and Bridgeport Emergency Warning System. B. Decontamination Shelter Purchase recommendation to reject bid. C. Mr Manning mentioned that his vehicle has high mileage and is requiring frequent repair. 5) Otis Elevator Company awarded contract to maintain courthouse elevators, $230.00 per month was low bid. Upon inspection of the elevators it was discovered that door restrictors were required to be installed, the cost is $2100.00, work to be performed by Otis elevator. 6) County Engineer Requests: A. Labor hire due to recent death of Mr. Blizzard a long time county employee. Request was approved. B. Purchase of patch truck discussion. It was suggested that Mr. Rosenbalm and Mr. Manning acquire vehicle information from local dealerships to see if they can meet vehicle specifications and bid requirements. It was suggested that instead of vehicles being purchased from the state bid list see if they can be purchased locally. No action was taken on either vehicle purchase until information is returned from local dealers and the respective department heads report back to the Commission. 7) Hire of new employees for solid waste approved. 8) Community Development Block Grant, CDBG, Resolution approved for Estill Fork Water Project. 9) Approved funds for Mr. Rooter to pump grease trap at jail. 10) Annual inspection of Boiler and large Hot Water Heaters at jail, fees and a repair order to install an emergency kill switch for the boiler was approved. 11) Meeting at Highlands Medical Center on April 22, 2008 at 6PM concerning Jackson County Health Care Authority Audit results, County Commissioners will be in attendance. 12) The Commission went into an Executive Session, subject matter involved pending litigation and good name and character; upon return: A. Discussion concerning Courthouse Windows replacement contract. B. Drug testing instructions approved concerning a county employee retest.

A little history, 1st photo group: how the square appered in 1917. The second is from a 1970's post card.

Impact Learning Center & Job Fair

The Impact Learning Center in Scottsboro, Alabama will be sponsoring many up coming events. This center is dedicated to improving Jackson County's work force thru skills development. The Impact Learning Center offers many different Adult Education Programs. For more information contact the Impact Learning Center at 256-218-2121.

Job and Career Fair: May 2, 2008, 10AM-3PM at Scottsboro's Goosepond Colony Civic Center

A Ready to Work Program is also underway at the Impact Learning Center. Enroll during business hours, 8AM -4PM Mon-Fri by contacting the center at 256-218-2121. This program will be presented by Northeast Alabama Community College. Achieve necessary skills in: Job Success, Computer Skills, Communications, Work Place Behavior, Manufacturing and Problem Solving.

There are other important programs and events upcoming.

Security of Nuclear Power Plants

Nuclear Power Plants are susceptible to a terrorist attack from aircraft. This short video describes the threat and a solution to the threat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsrHmf8YVtI&feature=related

Report to Congress on Nuclear Power Plants Vulnerability to Terrorist Attacks:
"Operating nuclear reactors contain large amounts of radioactive fission products which, if dispersed, could pose a direct radiation hazard, contaminate soil and vegetation, and be ingested by humans and animals. Human exposure at high enough levels can cause both short-term illness and death, and longer-term deaths by cancer and other diseases." http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/crs/rs21131.pdf

More evidence of negligence and failed Nuclear Reliability on the part of the U.S. Government, Nuclear Regulatory Commission and its contractors. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/03/AR2008010304442.html?hpid=topnews This article is extremely bothersome. The security guard reported a serious security breech, no one believed him, to include Federal Officials, he video tapped contracted security guards sleeping on the job. What happened to Department of Defense Police at Nuclear Facilities? This is another factor in failed Nuclear Surety on the part of agencies responsible for Nuclear Regulation. There is a continued line of Nuclear Surety failures which calls into question the reliability of nuclear security programs in the United States. A contracted Nuclear Security Force, this is the epitome of stupidity concerning high level security, Wackenhut does not care about anything other than its bottom line. It has a dismal employee labor relations record. What is the most bothersome concerning this revelation is the fact that NRC and Homeland Security officials would allow a private security company to perform critical Nuclear Security Functions outside of the U.S. Government. What is next, NRC dissolved and contract its functions out to Halliburton? A financially bankrupt country and its nuclear program is a danger to its citizenry.

Scottsboro City Council Meeting

Old Business: Fire Department vehicle bid opening. Bid awarded to High Country Automotive for $16,650.00.

New Business: 1) Procurement Resolution approved to formalize procurement procedures for the City of Scottsboro. 2) Truck Purchase approved for Street Department. 3) 2008 Sales Tax Holiday, August 1 thru 3, 2008. 4) Bid rejected for Solid Waste Department Compactor Wheels. 5) Animal Control Vehicle approved for purchase for $20,650.00. 6) New City Hall Council Chambers named as City Court Site once renovation begins on the old City Hall. Should last for 2-3 months during renovation. 7) Police Station Renovation contract signed by Mayor today. 8) Grant Application request approved for Courthouse Square Beautification. 9) Surplus property declaration for 25 aluminum light poles.

More Jackson County Alabama Wild Flowers

Catesby's Trillium and Wild Violet.

Bloom'n Spiderwort & Dogwoods

The Spiderwort and Dogwoods announce the arrival of Spring and are in full bloom along the Tennessee River in Scottsboro. The bloom'n Wort was photographed at Goosepond Colony on the banks of the mighty Tennessee River and the Dogwood is in City Park. (Photos by Garry Morgan)

Stevenson's Water Supply-Contaminated

Contamination of Stevenson's water supply occured in 2006 as the EPA link discloses. Where did these deadly chemicals originate from, Bellefonte or some other industrial source. Bellefonte sits over the aquifer that supplies Stevenson's Water (TVA testimony at NRC Scoping session, Scottsboro, on April 3, 2008.) Link to the EPA's violations list for Stevenson Water: http://oaspub.epa.gov/enviro/sdw_report_v2.first_table?pws_id=AL0000732&state=AL&source=Groundwater&population=4110&sys_num=0 These are known dangerous chemicals and carcinogens.

Was there an investigation? I never read about it in the local news. Has there been a cover up? Did these chemicals originate at Bellefonte as a result of dumping in a sinkhole?

Scottsboro City Council Meeting

Bid approved for renovation of the old City Hall facility, $3,158,917. Renovation includes Jail, Security Systems, Police Department and Courts. In other business, there were 2 meetings tonight, work session and regular council meeting. Mr. Simmons was absent as he was attending a Solid Waste Authority Conference.

Work Session: 1) Band Boosters have for sale 911 house and business number/street address markers. 2) Street Scapes change order discussion for $1200. 3) Dog Ordinance discussion. Complaints have been received concerning dogs running, not under control of owners. Leash ordinance discussion. Suggestion made that Animal Control Officers patrol other than day time to catch stray dogs and dogs allowed to run around in neighborhoods. 4) Discussion concerning standardization of procurement procedures and the need of a resolution concerning procedures. 5) Old City Hall renovation discussion. 6) County Sales Tax Holiday discussion. June 3rd deadline to inform state of participation. 7) Need for truck in Street Department discussion. Vehicle will be paid for out of surplus property sale. Car Sale at Street Department this Saturday. 8) Discussion concerning place to hold City Court during renovation. 9) Brief discussion concerning statistics on the rental of the Civic Center. 10) Short discussion on City Departments fuel savings.

Regular City Council Session: Old Business, none. New Business: 1) Award of Bid for for renovation of old City Hall, $3,158,917.00, approved with resolution to utilize sale funds of old Police Department on Hwy 72 to offset costs of renovation. 2) Street Scape change order approved for $1200. 3) Fire Dept equipment bid approved.

Alternative Energy

Links: http://www.solarvillage.com/ , http://www.eng.fsu.edu/~shih/succeed-2000/roadmap/solar%20power%20plant.htm , http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=46415 Here is your answer to the TVA Nuclear issue at low cost and clean, a $125million dollar power station for 45,000 homes, think of how much solar power you could receive from 10 billion dollars, approximately half the cost of the Bellefonte Nuclear plant.

Hydrogen links: http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/ , Hydrogen generation from renewable resource technology is the answer: http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/production.html If you can power submarines you can generate power with this technology: http://media.cleantech.com/1455/submarines-ideal-fuel-cell-vehicles , http://www.sfu.ca/casr/ft-hdwpr.htm , http://www.evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=15709 , http://www2.sea.siemens.com/NR/rdonlyres/D3201AC8-C746-4EC8-975A-64E607662195/0/SiemensPresentsFuelCellattheAdvanceNavalPropulsionSymposium.pdf

Imagine if you will a power generation plant comprised of solar and hydrogen power generation. Our industrial park full of related industry, employing many people, creating thousands of jobs for the citizens of this area. This is a real possibility if our leadership will think, make the effort to make the move toward this technology. The future is here and now. Educate yourself and encourage our political leadership to make the move toward safe, renewable energy. Energy sources that will end our dependance on foreign oil, an energy source and system that is clean utilizing the clean resources that God has provided us on God's good earth. Think fellow citizens, don't be as a herd of sheep enriching the multi-national corporate powers of the oil and nuclear industries and their political cronies. Frankly, they don't give a damn about your future nor that of future generations of Jackson County citizens. They are only concerned about fattening their "environmental destruction wallets" at the expense of the tax payers. Let us not fall behind the rest of the world. https://www.hfpeurope.org/ The future of power generation rests in solar and hydrogen power. The technology is present now. Don't let the grab for your tax money stand in the way of our future.

The hydrogen fuel cell process in simple terms: http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/echem/fuel_cell/fuel_cell.html more in video form: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz-uHj79wy0 Check out the other videos. This is a WOW video, a water fueled vehicle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX6CnNc3CFU&NR=1

Bellefonte Nuclear Opponents Speak Out At Hearing

http://www.bredl.org/pdf2/BEST-PressRelease-NRCScoping040308.pdf



DID YOU KNOW?
The cost of Bellefonte units 3 and 4 built today would cost at least$20 billion nearly doubling TVA’s debt of $25 billion. The two reactors will draw 71 million gallons of water per day from the Guntersville Reservoir. That is more than all the public water systems in the Guntersville watershed combined. Bellefonte plant is near the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone, considered
one of the most active seismic areas east of the Rocky Mountains. A Texas study found increased cancer rates in north central Texas since the Comanche Peak Nuclear Plant went online in 1992. There are 4 units now within 50 miles of Huntsville and 2 within 50 miles of
Chattanooga.


Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League: http://www.bredl.org/ (Photos by Tom Moss) Last photo members of the Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team, BEST.

Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) link on Nuclear Power Safety. http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/nuclear_safety/

Earthquakes in Alabama/Letter to NRC

Notice the number of earthquakes along the Tennessee River fault line. The nuclear plant is about 1000 feet from this fault, it is called River Ridge.

My letter to the NRC is displayed along with reference inclosures.

Comments at NRC Scoping Session by Public Officials

Mr. James Tidmore, Chairman Jackson County Commission: "Jackson county can take no other position than to support the TVA in building the reactor facility." "People that are against this facility are misguided and uninformed." I guess the 2 nuclear physicist that spoke in opposition to the facility are less educated than himself on nuclear energy.

Jimmy Sandlin, Electric Power Board Manager: "We are not here to discuss energy policy." "Nuclear energy costs 1.5 cents per KW hr." This statement is untrue, it is in excess of 6 cents per KW hr., http://www.citizen.org/publications/release.cfm?ID=7073

There are some more but my favorite was made by Terry Couch, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, "George W. Bush supports nuclear reactors, we should support nuclear reactors."

Nuclear Plants and Sinkholes Don't Mix

Why would the TVA build a Nuclear Facility on known "sinkhole terrain (Karst Terrain)?" Maps available through the University of Alabama Historical Maps Cartography Division demonstrate that TVA/Nu-Start has omitted critical information in its COL Application Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Sinkholes are clearly shown on 1970 topographic maps of the area. The TVA also states there are no springs in the area other than trickles. Obviously they do not know the history of the area or are not privy to the maps at the University of Alabama.

Bellefonte Unit #3 will be located over a historically mapped sinkhole. Unit 3 is the one in the top picture on the right. The entire area is a sinkhole risk as indicated on the 1977 USGS Jackson County sinkhole Map. The TVA has ignored critical scientific information in their environmental impact statement.

6 Mile Ring

Yum, the nuclear water taste so good! Scottsboro water intake 5 miles.

Bellefonte

Bellefonte means beautiful spring, unless the TVA and NU-Start have their way. If the reactor project is approved, there will be a Radioactive Waste Dump less than 5 miles from Scottsboro. A few facts provided by the NIRS, http://www.nirs.org/radwaste/radwaste.htm , more info on waste concerning Bellefonte from the NIRS:
As of June 30, 2008, no facility in the United States will be licensed and able to accept for disposal, Class B, C or Greater-Than-C radioactive waste from the Bellefonte nuclear and power reactors. The applicant (TVA/Nu-Start) fails to offer a viable plan for how to dispose of Class B, C and Greater than-C so-called "low-level" radioactive waste generated in the course of operations, closure and post closure of Bellefonte 3 & 4.
The statement of fact is that applicant, TVA, fails to address how NRC regulations for the disposal of so-called "low-level" radioactive waste will be met in the absence of a disposal facility (dump). This issue must be addressed in order for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to grant an operating license with credibility. If perpetual or extended on-site storage of these wastes is to be the "fall back," then this must be addressed in the COL application and is not. Since there is no off site part 61 licensed disposal available, extended on site storage becomes defacto on-site disposal. This could significantly increase the safety and security risks of the Bellefonte site. Therefore serious consideration must be given to licensing the site itself under 10 CFR Part 61 (licensed permanent radioactive waste disposal) or Alabama’s compatible agreement state regulations. It is imperative that the safety and security issues of extended on-site storage, defacto disposal, be addressed prior to generation of the waste because the "low-level" radioactive waste for which there is no disposal available is the hottest, most concentrated waste in the category.

Let's take a moment and ask ourselves. Is this really what we want to leave our children, grandchildren and future generations of Scottsboro citizens, a legacy of Radioactive Nuclear Waste?