Jackson County Commission

>>>>> Agenda of the Jackson County Commission, pages 1-3<<<

The Jackson County Circuit Court to decide the Jackson County Commission Engineer issue. County Attorney to request a Declaratory Judgement. http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/01/jackson_jackson_commission_agr.html
>

In other business: 1) There were 2 items on the consent aganda approved for $710.88

>

2) 4 items in Old Business approved. (see scans above) 3) 14 items in New Business, 13 approved, 1 removed. 3) 1 item was added as a discussion item concerning the hiring of the County Engineer. See above article link by David Brewer of the Huntsville Times

Scottsboro City Council

Tonight was a joint session of a Work Session and a Regular Council Meeting.

Work Session: 1) City Engineer Charles King made presentation to City Council concerning update of Drainage Plan and Zoning Ordinace. Mr. King stated Public Hearings will begin next month concerning the Zoning Ordinace updates and changes. 2) Mayor made presentation to City Council concerning Resolution for support of Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant. 3) Presentation and discussion on Impact Learning Center project funding. 4) Discussion by Mayor and update of airport property acquisition. The ex-Shag Johnson property has been acquired for the use of the airport. It was disguised that the house on the site will be demolished. 5) Discussion by Mayor concerning the selling of the old Police Department Property on Hwy 72.

Regular Meeting: 1) The following Board vacancies were announced: Personnel Board 2 vacancies; Tree Commission 2 vacancies; Museum Commission 1 vacancy for completion of term. All requests for Board or Commission placement must be submitted to the City Clerk by Monday 15 February, 2PM. 2) Alcohol Beverage License for off premises sale of Beer and Wine for SoJo's on 37 Ridgedale Rd, corner of East Willow and Ridgedale Rd., Scottsboro.

Citizen Presentation by Mr. Johnny Adams and Mr. Bob Starkey concerning Mr. Starkey's property, Awesome Property's. Mr. Adams and Mr. Starkey asked questions concerning matters which were under litigation in the Jackson County Circuit Court. Both parties were informed by the City Attorney that the matter could not be discussed due to judicial procedure and ethics involving the matter as the property and issue described was being adjudicated.

SOVEREIGNTY RESOLUTION/SECESSION or RACIST ALABAMA LEGISLATURE ATTEMPTS REPEAL OF CIVIL RIGHTS ACT

President Johnson signs Civil Rights Act, hands pen to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 27 attempts to invalidate the Civil Rights Act and other Federal Law.

SJR 27 attempts to overturn years of work and sacrifice by the Civil Rights Movement. SJR 27 is sponsored by whites who support repeal of Federal Legislation designed to prevent Racial discrimination. These racist politicians and extremists are attempting to deceive the citizens of the state.

The Alabama Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 27 which was introduced by Alabama State Senator Beason along with nine co-sponsors. This Resolution is nothing more than an attempt at legalized racism by right wing extremists.

This resolution suggests repeal of the Civil Rights Act and other Federal Laws in Alabama. Quote: "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That all compulsory federal legislation that directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties or sanctions or requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed."

The U.S. Government is not an agent of the seperate states, as stated in the resolution: "WHEREAS, the scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment means that the federal government was created by the states specifically to be an agent of the states." If this were true, the Supreme Court would have no power over the laws of the several states in declaring a state, or local law unconstitutional and void. It appears the legislators who support this resolution should brush up on the relationships of the State and Federal Government.

We are not living in the mid 19th century or the Jim Crow era of Alabama which some seem to think. We have made many advancements in race relations and technology. Unfortunately there are those who have not advanced and seem to relish the ideologies of Jim Crow opression and eliminate advancements and sacrifices of many brave Americans.

This worthless resolution, SJR 27, is the result of right wing extremist expressing their bigoted ideology due to a Black President being elected to office. Where was this outrage when white Presidents and Legislative Authority were accomplishing the same so called repulsive acts?

Links: http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=11853830 http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20100120/NEWS01/1200345/Hundreds-gather-at-TEA-rally http://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2010/01/alabama-senate-to-feds-back-off/ http://www.al.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-97/1263993313166810.xml&storylist=alabamanews&thispage=1

Full Resolution below.

WHEREAS, the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads as follows: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people"; and

WHEREAS, the Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being that specifically granted by the Constitution of the United States and no more; and

WHEREAS, Federalism is the constitutional division of powers between the national and state governments and is widely regarded as one of America's most valuable contributions to political science; and

WHEREAS, James Madison, "the Father of the Constitution," said, "The powers delegated to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the state governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, [such] as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce. The powers reserved to the several states will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people."; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson emphasized that the states are not "subordinate" to the national government, but rather the two are "coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole. The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government."; and

WHEREAS, Alexander Hamilton expressed his hope that "the people will always take care to preserve the constitutional equilibrium between the general and the state governments." He believed that "this balance between the national and state governments forms a double security to the people. If one [government] encroaches on their rights, they will find a powerful protection in the other. Indeed, they will both be prevented from over passing their constitutional limits by [the] certain rival ship which will ever subsist between them."; and

WHEREAS, the scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment means that the federal government was created by the states specifically to be an agent of the states; and

WHEREAS, today, in 2009 (2010?), the states are demonstrably treated as agents of the federal government; and

WHEREAS, many federal laws are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Tenth Amendment assures that we, the people of the United States of America and each sovereign state in the Union of States, now have, and have always had, rights the federal government may not usurp; and

WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 4, United States Constitution, says in part, "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government", and the Ninth Amendment states that "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people"; and

WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has ruled in New York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), that Congress may not simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the states; and

WHEREAS, a number of proposals from previous administrations and some now pending from the present administration and from Congress may further violate the Constitution of the United States; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the State of Alabama hereby claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution serves as notice and demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That all compulsory federal legislation that directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties or sanctions or requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate of each state's legislature, and the entire delegation of the Alabama members of the U.S. Congress.

Fortunately this legislation carries no weight of law but expresses a right wing extremist ideology, expressing a covert form of racism. Previous laws of this nature were passed prior to secession which brought on the Civil War and attempted during the Civil Rights movement. Now our nation has a Black President, up jumps a Sovereignty/Secession movement. I'm wondering how the Council of Conservative Citizens fits into the picture and the amount of influence in Alabama's Legislature? http://cofcc.org/ http://alcofcc.wordpress.com/

As a retired military service member I take great offense concerning this law and its implications toward secession and racism. It is remarkable, of all the problems in our state and nation our allegedly esteemed legislators pass this resolution instead of reforming the State's Constitution and ending the last vestiges of Jim Crow contained in Alabama's Constitution.

You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm3xCXYg69o

I strongly urge all citizens to contact Governor Riley's Office concerning this resolution and urge him not to sign SJR 27.

Scottsboro City Council Meeting

There was no old business on the agenda.

>

New Business: 1) Previous recommendations for job reclassifications and new job descriptions were approved. 2) Andy Engelright was appointed to the Rec Com Advisory Board by Mr. Speers. 3) Approval from the Council was received to seek bids for cutting trees from Cedar Hill Cemetery. 4) The Jan. 18 work session on Martin Luther Kings Birthday will be rescheduled to Jan. 25th at 6PM prior to the regular council meeting on that date.

Reports: The 4th Annual Martin Luther King Celebration will take place on Monday, Jan. 18th, 2010, 8:30 AM at Joyce Chapel, 428 West Willow St. Scottsboro, Al., location of the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center.

Jackson County Commission Special and Regular Meeting. More Continuing Dog and Pony Show Political Action. It's a Circus!

Mr. Andy Mann, Chamber of Commerce Representative speaks at regular Jackson County Commission meeting. Mr. Mann read a resolution signed by "the director" of the Chamber. The resolution suggested: 1) the County Commission cooperate with each other, 2) the Commission adopt the plan suggested by the chairperson Ms. Bias that an outside agency hire the county engineer, 3) that the continued disagreement over this issue makes Jackson County look bad. (It is significant that only the Director of the Chamber apparently signed the resolution and has no force of the full Chamber of Commerce. The suggestion that an outside agency hire the county engineer goes against the policy and tradition of the County Commission. Suggesting that the Commissions actions over this matter makes Jackson County look bad is an exaggeration and ignores the facts of our nations political process of adversarial decision making. It is my belief this action supports local right wing neoconservative ideology and not the process of proper proceedures of commission meetings. There was not one mention of the Commission Chairperson failing to follow rules in relationship of the conducting of the Special Called meeting. )

Dr. Roger Mardis, Pastor of Agape Baptist Church made a political presentation in support of right wing neoconservative political ideology. Dr. Mardis also delivered the prayers at the Special Called meeting and the Regular Council Meeting. Dr. Mardis stated he had contacted all of the commissioners personally and he was pleased with all of their comments to him except Mr. Allen. Apparently Mr. Allen and he had a disagreement. Mr. Allen claimed Dr. Mardis hung up on him.

Mr Allen, after a period of 40 minutes, makes a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Clemmons made a second, the meeting was adjourned with no action being taken.

Mr. John Porter, County Attorney, researches meetings proceedures after being asked several questions by the commissioners. At one point Ms. Bias stated she was going home, Mr Porter commented this would be improper as the meeting would need to be adjourned before she departed. If Ms. Bias had left the meeting, Mr. Allen would have taken over the meeting.

Ms. Sadie Bias, Jackson County Commission Chairperson, allowed Mr. Clemmons to make a motion that the meetings agenda be changed to reflect a third party hire the county engineer. There was no second the motion died. Upon inquiry by another commissioner to the County Attorney over this matter, the attorney stated the only matter before the commission as advertised in the County Commission notice of meeting concerns the hiring of Mr. Richard as County Engineer.

>

Mr. Clemmons made 3 seperate attempts to adjourn the meeting without the agenda being accepted or before the issue was discussed, Ms. Bias made 2 seperate attempts at adjournment.

Agenda of the Special Call Meeting. Under the Commission Rules any Discussion issue on the agenda requires a majority vote of the commission. The agenda was not approved as submitted as there was no motion second concerning approval of the agenda. The county attorney stated the only appropriate item for discussion for this Special Meeting concerns the hiring of the County Engineer.

The Special Meeting Agenda is not formatted properly to reflect the sole purpose of the special meeting.

Another Dog and Pony Show at the court house today courtesy of our County Commission.

The Jackson County Commission held a Special Called Meeting at 3:30PM for the purpose of hiring Greg Richard as County Engineer per the Special Called Meeting.
>

The Chairperson did not conduct the Special Call Meeting properly nor did the agenda reflect the proper meeting decorum. After the County Attorney informed the Commission of the sole purpose of today's meeting the Chairperson did not bring the issue to the floor and deviated from the purpose of the meeting. The 3 Commissioners which were supporting the hiring of Richard did not challenge the improper proceedures by calling for a "Point of Order" in the improperly conducted Special Called Meeting.
>

Chamber of Commerce members weighed in at the regular meeting at 4:30PM concerning the Special Called Meeting. Claiming the Commission is acting unprofessional and they should be cooperating with each other. Huntsville Times report by David Brewer: http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/01/greater_jackson_county_chamber.html
>

A series of wrongs does not make a right. The Chamber of Commerce's suggestion, in agreement with the Commission Chairperson, that a third disinterested party hire an Engineer and the Commission cooperate with each other is not an answer. The very nature of our political system is set up to embellish the process of adversarial confrontation, agreement is not always possible nor necessary. To maintain that the actions of the county commission reflect poorly on the entire county is an exaggeration on the part of the Chamber of Commerce.
>
Failing to follow proper proceedures and the law is entirely a different matter, such as occurred today and previously in commission meetings. Failing to follow the law and procedures in meetings is a historical problem with the County Commission.
>

In the case concerning the County Engineer, it is the Commission who hires, not the Chairperson nor the chair and one commissioner.
>

It has come to my attention that when agenda items are brought forward to be placed on the agenda by the other commissioners, the Chairperson does not place them on the agenda if she does not agree with the item or commissioner. This is wrong and is indicative of a leadership failure and a failure of responsibilities as Chairperson of the Commission. It seems if the Chairperson can't have things her way, there will be no other way.

>

During the regular meeting's Commissioner reports section Mr. Clemmons' stated the commission was a dysfunctional commission. Does he mean they are dysfunctional because some commissioners do not agree with him or Ms. Bias, or does he think they are dysfunctional because they can't reach agreements on issues? There are times when the citizen is better off with no decision.
>

The citizens may have voted the commissioners into office but individually the commissioners are accountable and responsible for their personal actions. Mr. Clemmons placing blame on the citizens for commissioners inept actions while on the commission is ludicrous. Time will pass and election time will occur soon enough.
>

The County Engineer should have already been chosen. The actions on the part of the Commission Chairperson has prevented this from occurring. Now, the Chamber of Commerce enters the fray supposedly in the name of "fostering cooperation." I think the Chambers intervention and opinion is more in the name of exaggerated neoconservative political support for a political position instead of insisting the law and rules be followed.

>

Another issue, a motion was made by Mr. Allen and seconded in the Regular Meeting discussion portion that the county employees receive a 3% pay increase. A discussion ensued concerning this issue. No one seemed to know what the budget status was or how much money is in the budget other than Mr. Allen. He claimed he had checked on the amount of funds in the budget and he stated the commission could afford to pay the county employees the 3% raise which was not approved due to neglect of the budget at the end of the previous year. Mr. Clemmons voted no on the issue as he stated that he did not know the budget situation. The county Employees will not receive a pay increase.

>

The fact the Chair, the administrator or no other commissioner, except Mr. Allen's claim, knew what the budget status was as to funds available is negligent. It is their responsibility to know the status of the budget. By law Ms. Bias is directly responsible for the budget status.

>

In other business the commissioners approved Sheriff Miller to organize a pool of stand in Security Officers for Court House Security. Their salary was also approved at $15.00 per hour.

Grey Skys and Snow on Lake Guntersville

A snowy crisp January Day on Goosepond Colony's River Trail.

Crackling shore ice at Goosepond Colony's Bird Watching area.

Some scenes are made for black & white. Goosepond Colony, River Trail, East Point looking at Larkin's Landing.

Grey sky at Larkin's Landing on a snowy day at Lake Guntersville. Every day is a good day at Goosepond Colony. River Trail, near east point

The Indian Head on Goosepond Colony's River Trail. Looking south down the Tennessee River.

The Internet Troll and Politics or Internet Troll Manifesto

After reading a comment about Internet trolls on the Huntsville Forum of al.com, http://www.al.com/forums/huntsville/index.ssf , titled: "21135. Best way to handle trolls?" I decided to write a reply which is listed below.

>>

21135.2. Some say ignore them, and they will go away, that is questionable advice. In some instances if you ignore them they will invite their troll friends and before you know it, a community of trolls will exist. My suggestion is track them, then attack them, plant a time integrated logic worm into their cognitive analysis device. They will wonder what happened, within a short period of time they should become an accepted member of the group. If this doesn't work you may need to employ one of several professional "troll interdiction and capture devices." Only a professional should utilize "troll interdiction and capture devices." Inexperienced usage of the device and techniques could result in permanent damage to the user or his or her equipment. (humor intended)
>

KNOW THY TROLL. It is important to recognize the means and ways of troll techniques as described below.

>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELTA1U6F704&feature=fvw
>

This ideological and religious troll challenges the common perception of what it means to be a troll in the 21st century. http://www.corrupt.org/act/interviews/weev
>

Thesis papers exist on trolls, such as this very informative thesis from Amy Dhalia, University of Texas School of Sociology, http://www.io.com/~zikzak/troll_thesis.html
>

Troll Control logic: http://www.cracked.com/article_16765_5-ways-stop-trolls-from-killing-internet.html
>

This is what trolls do: http://www.ehow.com/how_2064125_become-internet-troll.html Knowing about the troll and leading the troll into a logic trap, or in the case of "thebandit," you lead him into a jail cell that has his name on it is how you stop trolls. Never, ever ignore the troll, they could be another Ted Kosinski.
>

In the corporate/political/governmental world there are those who act as trolls for a living, they are called Media Specialists, Administrative Assistants or Press Secretary; in some political circles or in the rare case they are the politician themselves. Such as this case of the Weasel Troll. http://topics.treehugger.com/topic/Parker_Griffith
>

This trolls last words on his blog about trolls: "So how do you kill a troll? You quit feeding it." Typical comment of a political troll attacking a hard working voter tired of political B.S. http://underthepowerlines.com/dealing-with-political-trolls.htm

Bellefonte,Unit 1 Containment Structure Failure, The Continuing Saga of TVA Mismanagement and NRC Deception

The Containment Buildings are the small cylinder type buildings slightly left of center. The cooling towers are the large concrete structures slightly right of center in the picture. > The TVA has plans to finish 1 reactor at Bellefonte, or do they? There has been no approval from the TVA Board to complete the project. However the TVA in its infinite lack of wisdom and bureaucratic inefficiency is spending millions of dollars at the facility. The TVA has not made any decision they will complete or build any reactor at Bellefonte, they talk much about it and spend millions of dollars of rate payer money in the process.

>

The TVA is in deep debt as a result of its ventures into nuclear power construction. The 2009 TVA Financial Report may be viewed at this link. http://www.tva.gov/finance/reports/index.htm

>

The TVA cancelled its Construction Permit on April 6, 2006, stripped Units 1 and 2. Two years later, after stripping the Bellefonte Nuclear Plants, the TVA reapplied for the construction permit to the NRC, Nuclear Regulatory Commission. TVA Senior Vice President Ashok S. Bhatnagar comments, "after parts removal...the units are probably only about half complete since some of the original equipment would now have to be replaced or upgraded to meet today’s standards. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/mar/29/alabama-salvaging-bellefonte/

>

The NRC, in support of the Nuclear Construction industry, granted a construction license even though there was not one vote of approval from the NRC Commissioners. The Commissioners voted, 3 votes jointly approved-disapproved and 1 vote disapproved. This vote has resulted in a Federal Court Case in the District of Columbia Federal Circuit Court. http://www.bredl.org/press/2009/Bellefonte_highercourt.htm The NRC Commissioners called the vote, "unprecedented."

>

NRC link regarding their voting record on Bellefonte's Construction License Reinstatement from a no construction license status. http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/commission/comm-secy/2008/ Scroll down the list to "COMSECY-08-0041," this is the NRC voting record in regards to the reinstatement of Bellefonte's construction permit. Included in the voting record is the Commissioners reasons for their actions Please note the dissenting comments of Commissioner Jackzo. "[At Bellefonte] the certification and pedigree of any QA system have been lost. Although records may remain, the NRC can no longer be assured of the quality of the equipment since the QA program was halted. The potential that undocumented work activities, introduction of unapproved chemicals, corrosion and other unknown degradation may have occurred calls into question the integrity and reliability of safety related structures, systems and components." (A structural failure of the Containment Building for Unit 1 has occured, event description below.)

>

It is significant to note that not one NRC Commissioner, who voted in the unprecedented approve-disapprove combined vote, mentioned in their decision of the "so called approval" about the TVA stripping the plant of parts crucial to the reactors design and operation. The NRC subsequently issued a press release failing to mention any fact that the TVA had stripped Bellefonte Units 1 & 2. The NRC in their Press Release linked below intentionally misleads the public concerning the status of the Bellefonte Facility. The NRC states in part in the Press Release: " The agency granted construction permits for Bellefonte’s two pressurized water reactors in 1974. By 1988, when TVA deferred completion of the plant, Unit 1 was approximately 88 percent complete, and Unit 2 was approximately 58 percent complete." The press release does not state the full facts, the Bellefonte Reactors are less than 50% complete, there is no mention of the stripping of the reactor facilities and crucial equipment, the public is lead to believe a false picture of Bellefonte. http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/news/2009/09-035.html I believe this is an intentional misrepresentation perpetrated on the public in support of the nuclear construction industry and not in support of public health and safety of the public as required, Atomic Energy Act (NUREG-0980), 42 USC 2013, Sec 3, d.

>>

>>BELLEFONTE'S UNIT 1 CONTAINMENT BUILDING STRUCTURE FAILURE<<

On December 10, 2009 this report was submitted to the NRC in regards to the structural failure of part of the containment building housing Bellefonte's Unit 1 Reactor. (update, Chattanooga Times Free Press} http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/jan/06/bellefonte-reactor-cable-break-holds-work/ http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/event-status/event/2009/20091211en.html

>

Event Number: 45559: CONTAINMENT VERTICAL TENDON FAILED "Inspection of failed Unit 1 Reactor Building Containment Vertical Tendon V9 coupling indicates a potential for an unknown common mode failure mechanism for BLN (BLN-TVA's abbreviation for Bellefonte) Containment vertical tendon rock anchor couplings.

>

Unit 1 Reactor Building Containment Vertical Tendon V9 experienced a failure of the rock anchor/tendon anchor coupling on August 17, 2009 at approximately 1400 CDT. The time of failure was identified based on a loud noise bang reported by several individuals. Initial investigation failed to reveal the source of the noise.

>

The failed tendon was discovered on August 24, 2009 during a tour of U1 Tendon Gallery, elevation 607. Unsafe conditions previously precluded an inspection of the failed coupling for proper installation or component specific damage. The failed tendon coupling was inspected on 11/23/2009 and showed no signs of component specific damage or improper installation creating the potential for an unknown common mode failure.

>

"Safety significance: Until the mechanism of failure is identified the extent of condition will not be known. If multiple containment tendons are found to be losing the capability to carry tendon design force and this condition was left uncorrected, this could jeopardize the ability of the containment structure to perform its design function.

>

"Causes of deficiency: The cause of this deficiency is unknown at this time. Further analysis is in progress and when completed, an update to this report will be provided.

>

"Interim progress: Grease from the lower anchor head can has been analyzed for moisture content. Results were within vendor specifications. Additional samples have been sent for further analysis as described in Regulatory Guide 1.25 'In-service Inspection of Ungrouted Tendon in Prestressed Concrete Containments.'

>

"After successful safe securing of the tendon load, the failed coupling was visually inspected. The visual inspection of the failed coupling did not indicate a component-specific failure mechanism or indication of visually apparent common mode failure mechanism. Based on this inspection visual inspection of additional tendon coupling tendon couplers is not warranted at this time. The coupling has been removed from both the tendon anchorhead and the rock anchor tendon anchorhead and sent to the TVA Central Lab for metallurgical analysis.

>

"Records are being reviewed to identify previous non-conformance reports and certificates of compliances for the coupler. An extent of condition and extent of cause investigation will apply to vertical tendons similar in design, these tendons do not utilize an anchor head coupler in the design. However, these tendons will be considered in the analysis.

>

"Future updates: TVA plans to provide an update to this report by March 31, 2010 following the completion of the metallurgical analysis."

>>

Important Questions: Why is the TVA not inspecting all Tendon Couplers and tendons? Why did the TVA not report this failure immediately, why did they wait nearly 4 months before reporting this structural failure to the NRC? Answer to last question: To avoid reporting of this serious structural failure in the Annual Financial Filing Statement, SEC Form 10K.

>

The NRC had tentatively scheduled a hearing this Friday concerning Bellefonte's Construction Permit but appears to be cancelled as the NRC's current meetings schedule does not list the Bellefonte Meeting. http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/public-meetings/index.cfm

SUNSHINE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETINGS: Nuclear Regulatory Commission DATE: Week of January 4, 2010 PLACE: Commissioners' Conference Room, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland STATUS: Public and Closed ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED: Week of January 4, 2010 Thursday, January 7, 2010 12:15 p.m. Affirmation Session (Public Meeting) (Tentative) c. South Carolina Electric and Gas Co. and South Carolina Public Service Authority (also Referred to as Santee Cooper) (Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station, Units 2 & 3), LBP-09-2 (Ruling on Standing and Contention Admissibility) (Tentative) d. Progress Energy Florida, Inc. (Combined License Application for Levy County Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2), LBP-09-10 (Tentative) e. Detroit Edison Co. (Fermi Power Plant Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation), LBP-09-20 (Aug. 21, 2009), Docket No. 72-72-EA. (Tentative) f. Southern Nuclear Operating Co. (Early Site Permit for Vogtle ESP Site), Docket No. 52-011-ESP, Petition for Review of LBP-09-7 (Tentative) g. Tennessee Valley Authority (Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 and 2) (Statutory Authority to Reinstate Construction Permits). (Tentative)

>>>

Bellefonte is a continuing saga of government bureaucracy, non-accountability and a waste of taxpayer and ratepayer funds. Nuclear power is not safe, it is not clean and it is certainly not cheap.

>

Although TVA will not release any actual cost of the project, citing "Commercial Privilege" as a reason not to honor Freedom of Information Act requests for cost disclosures it is estimated that completion of Bellefonte's Unit 1 Nuclear Reactor will cost between $4 Billion and $6 Billion dollars. A cost which could build 5-6 880 mega watt combined cycle natural gas plants generating more electricity at less construction cost. http://www.tva.gov/news/releases/julsep09/ne_tenn_cc.htm http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/jun/04/tva-build-gas-plant-east-tennessee/

>

Energy efficiency projects and upgrading of TVA's hydroelectric generation equipment and all power generation and distribution equipment will provide the necessary power generation for the citizens of the TVA area into the 21st century. There is no reason to build any new nuclear plants. Nuclear plant construction drains available funds from the TVA for the upgrade of its antiquated power generation and distribution equipment. Nuclear plant construction also drains money from energy efficiency and sustainable energy projects.

City Council Meeting Work Session

After the last 2 City Council Meetings of 2009, December 21st work session (2 minutes and 20 seconds) and December 28th regular meeting, being record breaking short meetings 2 items were on last nights agenda. 1) Discussion of 6 job reclassifications by Ms. Borders, City Personnel Director. The positions involve 2 jobs which will require new job descriptions and 4 jobs will change duty descriptions. It was stated the changes will result in a $7000 budget change. The changes were reviewed and approved by the City Administrative Committee. 2) Reminder about the Commercial Development Authority Board applications from interested citizens are due on Jan. 18, 2010 by 4:30 PM. Requests must be submitted to the City Clerk by the above time and date.

Top 25 Censored Stories for 2009/2010 and Jib Jabs 2009 Year in Review

Top Censored Stories of 2009/2010
1. US Congress Sells Out to Wall Street
2. US Schools are More Segregated Today than in the 1950s
3. Toxic Waste Behind Somali Pirates
4. Nuclear Waste Pools in North Carolina
5. Europe Blocks US Toxic Products
6. Lobbyists Buy Congress
7. Obama’s Military Appointments Have Corrupt Past
8. Bailed out Banks and America’s Wealthiest Cheat IRS Out of Billions
9. US Arms Used for War Crimes in Gaza
10. Ecuador Declares Foreign Debt Illegitimate
11. Private Corporations Profit from the Occupation of Palestine
12. Mysterious Death of Mike Connell—Karl Rove’s Election Thief
13. Katrina’s Hidden Race War
14. Congress Invested in Defense Contracts
15. World Bank’s Carbon Trade Fiasco
16. US Repression of Haiti Continues
17. The ICC Facilitates US Covert War in Sudan
18. Ecuador’s Constitutional Rights of Nature
19. Bank Bailout Recipients Spent to Defeat Labor
20. Secret Control of the Presidential Debates
21. Recession Causes States to Cut Welfare
22. Obama’s Trilateral Commission Team
23. Activists Slam World Water Forum as a Corporate-Driven Fraud
24. Dollar Glut Finances US Military Expansion
25. Fast Track Oil Exploitation in Western Amazon

The above are 25 important news stories that were censored as reported from Project Censored. http://www.projectcensored.org/

>>>

Jib Jabs 2009 year in Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKYe1KiwywE