Scottsboro City Council listens as Rev Granville Anderson expresses concerns of the minority community in Scottsboro relating to the flooding issue.
Rev. Granville Anderson, Pastor of the St. Paul AME Church, Scottsboro, Al., addresses the Scottsboro City Council concerning the East Maple Street Flood disaster, Mayor Potter listens intently to the message delivered by Reverend Anderson,"...people of the area have lost faith in their city government...," Mayor Potter's reply, "this hasn't been easy on any of us...the waiting pretty much kills us."
Council member Gary Speers discusses East Maple Street flooding issue, Mr. Speers stated, "the city is doing the best that it can...the residents have not been forgotten."**
Monday night was a city council work session. 1) Wade Stapler spoke concerning the hazards of Al. Hwy 79 and U.S. 72 intersection. With input from Chief Dawe and the Mayor it was reported that since 2006 the intersection has tallied 4 fatalities, 15 injuries and 33 accidents. This intersection is the most dangerous intersection in Jackson County.
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There have been hundreds of accidents at the Hwy 72 and Al Hwy 79 intersection and many, many deaths. Approximately 8 years ago a group of concerned citizens posted crosses at the intersection during an election cycle representing the number of deaths which have occurred at this location, the crosses numbered over 50. The crosses were taken down within 48 hours of being placed. The political signs were allowed to remain.
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2)Proposed Distracted Driving Ordinace Discussed.
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3) Salvation Army fund request discussion for $4500.00 relating to the East Maple Street flood disaster. It was stated that $2120.00 would go to pay for motel bills of the citizens displaced as a result of the flood. The Mayor stated the funding to buy out the properties is a slow process.
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Rev. Granville Anderson spoke to the City Council regarding the plight of the flood victims. He stated many had to move back into their dilapidated structures. Rev. Anderson stated that the rich and influential Scottsboro citizens receive funding for projects while the poor people of Scottsboro suffer. He stated no one from the City Council with the exception of Council member Gary Speers had been to the area to check on the people in the flood zone. Several on the city council offered their apologies for not inspecting the area and making themselves available to the citizens of the flooded area.
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Marqueta Johnson spoke to the council stating she and her husband lost everything including their jobs. She stated, "we are just trying to make it day to day...we are confused as to what is going on...we have lost everything."
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Rev. Anderson stated, "the people of the area have lost faith in their city government...they see it as an issue of the have and have nots, you care about people with money, they need to know you care about them." At that point the apologies rolled in and some council members stated, "I have a phone and I am available to all citizens," other council members chimed in with, "I wish they didn't feel that way" and "I'm sorry."
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Council member Gary Speers told Rev Anderson, "the city is doing the best that it can." Mayor Potter further stated, " This has not been easy on us, the waiting is killing us." City Council President Matthew Hodges stated, "if we need to come out there we will;" Council member Keith Smith replied, "we will fight for any group in the city with a problem."
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Mayor Potter stated the E. Maple property appraisals have been completed and the city was waiting on FEMA's response to this disaster.
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Associated links to the Scottsboro Flooding Story: The Daily Sentinel- http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_0a633696-1844-11e0-9195-001cc4c03286.html
Scottsboro Stories- http://scottsborostories.blogspot.com/2010/08/scottsboro-residents-upset-over-long.html
Watch for Snakes n Scottsboro- http://arklite.blogspot.com/2010/08/scottsboro-residents-upset-over-long.html
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