Legislative Delegation Public Hearing / County Commission Unannounced Meeting, Commission Chairperson - A Law suit is Not a Law Suit.

Monday afternoon the Jackson County Legislative Delegation and the Jackson County Commission held a "Public Hearing" to gain input to a recent proposed change in the TVA in lieu of tax distribution local law proposed by the legislative delegation. State Representative John Robinson displays the file containing the TVA in lieu of tax disbursements. There was standing room only for the hearing, many teachers were present and expressed serious concerns about their pay and benefits which are being debated during the current legislative session. Senator McGill stated he wanted to do what is right for the people of Jackson County.

I asked Ms. Bias several times if she knew the amount of the Jackson County Commissions budget, she did not have a reply, probably because she did not know the answer. She did say in reply to my presentation, "I will not make a comment." I asked in my presentation, "what was the amount of money in the Jaclson County Commission's coffers at this time."  Ms. Bias also requested the police to have me removed due to my repeated questions concerning the amount in the county commissions coffers. Ms. Bias is seen here giving me the "evil eye." (My presentation may be viewed at the bottom of this page.)

Daily Sentinel Article on the "public hearing:"  http://thedailysentinel.com/news/local/article_79ab7bee-7046-11e0-a5d3-001cc4c03286.html Clarion article: http://www.theclarion.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1637:in-lieu-of-tax-controversy-continues&catid=42:clarion-rotation-stories&Itemid=142

I wondered, what happened to the County Commission Staff and Commissioners, inquiries were made, the replies I received, "they all went to the Legislative Delegations Office." Pictures of the semi-secret, unannounced meeting:

Prior to the public hearing, a quorum, 3 members of the 5 person Jackson County Commission, Ms, Bias, Mr. Allen, Mr. Stone along with their Attorney and Administrative Officer, met in an unannounced, semi-secret meeting with the Legislative Delegation prior to the public hearing. There was a representative from the press present. It appears a special invitation was extended to the Clarion's reporter. Why was the Clarion reporter invited to the unannounced, semi-secret meeting and none others were invited? 

The Alabama Open Meetings Act prohibits a quorum of a political body from meeting unannounced or in secret to discuss future items which may come before the body in a regular meeting. The TVA in lieu of tax issue may come before the county commission at a later time. The Alabama Secretary Of State's listing of the Open Meeting's Act: https://www.openmeetings.alabama.gov/generalpublic/publicdefault.aspx  Manual for Public Officials: http://www.acca-online.org/oml/ag_open_meeting.pdf

During the public hearing Ms. Sadie Bias, Chairperson of the Jackson County Commission replied to members of the Jackson County Legislative Delegation that the law suit filed was actually not a law suit. Yes, Ms. Bias the earth is flat,  more B.S. from the county commission and their "dog and pony show political antics."

Copy of my presentation, click on image for an expanded view.