Merry Christmas

xxxxxx-MERRY CHRISTMAS-xxxxx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2Lte8RCqUQ&feature=player_embedded#

Scottsboro Boys Museum/ Interpretive Center Open House at the Historic Joyce Chapel in Scottsboro, Alabama

The Scottsboro Jackson County Multi-Cultural Heritage Foundation held an Open House at the historic Joyce Chapel Methodist Church in Scottsboro Sunday to showcase the future home of the Scottsboro Boys Museum/Interpretive Center. Joyce Chapel, built in 1878 and rebuilt in 1904, is the oldest African American Church in existence in Jackson County Alabama, it is located at 418 West Willow Street in Scottsboro, Alabama.

The Multi-Cultural Heritage Foundation is a 501C3 non-profit organization. Donations are graciously accepted and may be mailed to the Scottsboro Jackson County Multi-Cultural Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 1557, Scottsboro, Alabama, 35768

Pictured left to right, Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter, Ms. Sheila Washington and Rev. Tom Bell, Superintendent of the Northeast District for the United Methodist Church and Trustee of Alabama A&M University ( http://www.governorpress.state.al.us/pr/pr-2009-06-11-01-trustees.asp )

It is Ms. Washington whose idea that has been the driving force behind this project. The book titled the "Scottsboro Boy" sparked her interest in the case when she was 18. Ms Washington discovered the book hidden under a bed. Originally her parents had forbid her from reading the book, they were afraid of the emotional damage it might cause.

Ms. Caldwell plays Christmas music during the open house. Other singers included Ms. Stephanie Speers and Ms. Rebeca Parrish.

Pictured left to right: Ms. Washington, Rev. Tom Bell and Mr. Charles Rhodes, District Attorney for Jackson County Alabama

Pictured left to right: Ms Washington, and Mr. & Mrs. J.D. Stevens of Scottsboro.

Ms. Cheryl Snodgrass-Caffey (center of photo) discusses the displays and the Scottsboro Boys Case with members of the community.

Pictured left to right: Mr. Horrace Clemmons, Commissioner District 4, Jackson County Commission, Ms. Washington and Ms. Clemmons.

There were 52 people who attended the open house. Displays of art, poetry and history of the Scottsboro Boys Case were set up around the historic church.

>>>

Article from "Left in Alabama:" http://www.leftinalabama.com/ http://www.leftinalabama.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5386

>>>

Huntsville Times article: "Remembering Scottsboro Boys," Monday, December 21, 2009
By David Brewer

>
Open house held at site of museum set to open in February.
>

SCOTTSBORO - Frigid temperatures Sunday could not keep Doris Baker of Decatur from driving here to attend an open house at the 131-year-old Joyce United Methodist Church where the Scottsboro Boys Museum will officially open on Feb. 1.

>

"I've led many protests," Baker, a civil rights activist, said as she looked at photographs of the early 1930s trials of nine black men accused of raping two white women. "But one of the things that gives me strength" in the fight against social injustice "is things like this..."

>

Read the rest of the story by David at this link.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/local.ssf?/base/news/126139057155310.xml&coll=1

>>>

THREATS-RACISM

Unfortunately this project has had its detractors due to racism and bigotry in the community. Threats were made early on in the process to Mr. J.P. Parsons, Tourism Director, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. http://arklite.blogspot.com/2009/11/scottsboro-city-council-meeting_16.html

>

Threats of arson and racial hate speech have been conveyed on local internet discussion forums, al.com-Scottsboro Forum on December 16, 2009 between the hours of 11:24PM and 11:31PM. 1) "LET US ALL KNOW WHEN YOU GET THAT BLACK MUSEUM BUILT AND WE WILL BURN IT DOWN WITHIN THE MONTH." 2) "someone needs to take hussein obammy out soon." 3) "you idiots in scottsboro do what you want. you only making fools of yourselves.did the good white people hang any blacks 130 years ago? blacks get to much as it is.oh the good ole days with the cotton being pick. they knew their place then."

>

"Left in Alabama" You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77I-QdXmMbA&feature=player_embedded# Many thanks to "Left in Alabama," excellent article and video, very professional job.

>

"We must learn the lessons of our history or we will surely repeat our mistakes." Garry Morgan

Nuclear Power Zombies

.................The Nuclear Zombie by Christian Parenti.............

A couple of great articles on the insanity of nuclear power. "Three Mile Island, the NRC and Obama," or how the crazy nuclear activist saved the North East.  http://www.thenation.com/article/three-mile-island-nrc-and-obama#axzz2aWMYrhHg

More on the zombie's insanity:  http://www.thenation.com/article/what-nuclear-renaissance#axzz2aWMYrhHg

Scottsboro City Council Meeting, Scottsboro Boys Case, The Beginning of the Modern Civil Rights Movement.

The future home of the Scottsboro Boys Civil Rights Museum and Interpretive Center. The Scottsboro Boys Case was the beginning of the modern civil rights movement. http://encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-1456 http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/Ftrials/scottsboro/scottsb.htm

Historic Joyce Chapel, c.1878, rebuilt 1904 is a historic African American Methodist Church at 418 West Willow Street in Scottsboro, Alabama. Open House will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2009 from 4:00PM to 6:00PM

Monday evening a joint work session and regular council meeting was held. I will indicate in this outline the items in the work session approved in the regular council meeting.

Scottsboro High School student Lauren Long was elected by the student body to serve on the Scottsboro City Council as a student representative for last nights meeting. Very seldom do we see the future of our community in our local governmental meetings. Congratulations to Ms. Long.

1) Surplus property discussion concerning a piece of machinery used at solid waste called a composting turner attachment. This item was approved as surplus property in the regular council meeting. 2) Police Chief Ralph Dawe made presentation concerning restricting left turns from the High School exit onto Micah Way. Chief Dawe stated this situation is an accident waiting to happen. The restricted left turn hours will be from 7:45AM to 8:15AM and 3:15PM to 3:45PM. The rules were set aside during the regular council meeting and the new ordinance was approved. 3) Ms. Debra Borders discussed with the council Job Reclassification and changes to job descriptions. This item will be discussed further by the Administrative Committee and the city council at a later date. 4) During the regular council meeting the issue of the CDA, Commercial Development Authority, was discussed. The council is looking for board members to fill this board. Requests to be placed on this board should be submitted to the City Clerk no later than 4:30Pm Jan. 4, 2010. 5) Re-announce 2 vacancies on the Adjustment and Appeals Board. Deadline for requests to be placed on this board should be received by the City Clerk by 4:30PM Friday, Dec. 18, 2009.

Reports: Mr. Speers announced the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Interpretive Center Open House will be from 4 to 6 PM, Sunday, December 20, 2009. The Scottsboro Boys History project's purpose is to facilitate education in our community and nation to the significant events surrounding the Scottsboro Boys Case, the beginning of the modern civil rights movement. The community is invited to Joyce Chapel Sunday evening for the open house.

Scottsboro City Council Meeting---Meeting Notices

There will be no Scottsboro City Council Work Session tonight due to the Christmas Parade this evening on the square. Next Monday there will be a work session prior to the regular City Council Meeting.

>

Last Monday, November 30, the City Council continued the council meeting from the week before. Although the meeting was announced in the local news papers there was no required posting on the "place of notice" in the foyer Bulletin Board of City Hall.

>

The Code of Alabama, 36-25A-3 ( http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm ) requires all meetings to be posted, regular, work sessions, special call or meeting continuations, there are no exceptions as some City Officials have indicated. Unfortunately this is not the first time a failure to post meetings on the required notice space has occurred. The law states: "(3) A municipal governmental body shall post notice of each meeting on a bulletin board at a place convenient to the public in the city hall, provided, however, that a corporation a majority of whose governing board is appointed or elected by a municipality and that has a principal office separate from the city hall may, in lieu of posting notice in the city hall, post notice of each meeting on a bulletin board at a place convenient to the public in the principal office of the corporation or other instrumentality." You will notice in this direct quote there is no exception for a "meeting continuation." A bad excuse is no excuse and gives the appearance of deceitful government. Please insure that all meeting notices are posted properly.

>

Good Governance, accountability and open government. http://filipspagnoli.wordpress.com/2008/08/10/human-rights-facts-53-good-governance/