Alternative news and discussion for Scottsboro, Jackson County Alabama and the Tennessee River Valley as I see it. Responsible comments to articles welcome. As always, "Watch for Snakes," particularly those wearing suits.
JAMES MADISON QUOTE - 1822
"A popular government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives."
Last Monday, July 20, 2015 there were no agenda items for the city council work session.
July 27, 2015 AGENDA
Click on image for an expanded view.
Before the Video presentation I want to redirect you attention to the city council meeting video and this posting made on July 16, 2015 concerning Alabama Municipal Courts Corruption. http://arklite.blogspot.com/2015/07/alabama-justice-and-corruption.html Today I witnessed a disturbing fact at Scottsboro's municipal court administration office. I personally took a defendant to the administrative office of the municipal court to pay COURT COSTS, not a fine or not a fee for an improper municipal court probation administered by Judicial Correction Services. The Scottsboro Court Administrative Office refused to take payment in full for COURT COSTS. The defendent was told they could not accept the money that they must go to JCS, Judicial Correction Services. The refusal to accept court cost was bad enough, Has JCS closed, there is no sign on the building? The former office appeared dark. Why should a person go to pay court costs, not a fine, to a dark unmarked office location to a service in which will charge a defendant an improper probation fee for which the municipal court in Scottsboro, Alabama refused to accept payment. The defendant in this particular case was not allowed to enter a plea in their case but was taken into a back room and told by an unidentified person that they could pay the court costs and the charges would be dropped. Well, , they attempted to pay the court the cost today with me as a witness but that was not good enough for the court's magistrate or clerks, it seemed JCS had to get their take as well. I Witnessed this action and commented to the court officials today that the JCS contract had been cancelled, and besides that JCS charging defendants probation fees was improper and is stated as such in a pending law suit before the Federal District Court.
UPDATED - July 29, 2015 - The 1% Sales Tax vote for Jackson County Alabama will occur on Tuesday, August the 18th, 2015.
Publication of this article is for educational purposes, to inform citizens of an opposing view regarding the 1% Jackson County Sales Tax issue. Statements made by Stop the Grocery Tax PAC officials are their statements, not the opinions or political views of this blog's owner, Garry Morgan. Statements made in the handout pictured or in the below video should be fact checked for accuracy.
Inaccurate and misleading information is contained in the Stop the Grocery Tax PAC handout
(Click on image for an expanded view.)
Stop the Grocery Tax PAC. Ellen O'Connor is Chairperson of the PAC. PAC leadership is listed as follows on their Face Book site - The leadership of the organization consists of:
Ellen O’Connor – Chair; Trey Edwards - Treasurer; Kym Chapman; Kenneth Clemons; Allen Keller; James Stewart. Digital Media & FCPA Compliance services will be provided by Victory Social Media; Victory Social Media info - http://www.victorysocialmedia.com/#!services/c13ps. Face Book link for Stop the Grocery Tax PAC https://www.facebook.com/VoteNoJackson
There were approximately 32 people in attendance at this meeting.
The statement above is inaccurate and misleading on the card, The County Commission does not receive the $8.74 million dollars. This money is collected for the Jackson County and Scottsboro City Schools. The school funds may not be intermingled or utilized for any use other than schools. An agreement was signed and a resolution passed many years ago stating that this tax money must be utilized for the schools in Jackson County and Scottsboro. A sales tax does not mean only voters pay the tax, those who purchase goods at businesses in Jackson County pay the tax. Additionally, the $8.74 million is derived from multiple sources, not just the "2 cent" Educational County wide sales tax. Other taxes which make up the total amount of $8.74 million stated above going into the Schools Education Budget are automobile sales tax, manufacturing tax, vending machines tax, and agricultural tax, Basically the above statement contained in #4 is false.
In the above "No Tax" Fact Sheet handout, item 3, it is stated there is no accountability since the money goes into the general fund of the county commission. All county funds are audited by Alabama State Auditors, to say there is no accountability is not accurate.
An article by Sue Bell Cobb, "I Was Alabama's Top Judge, I'm Ashamed of What I Had to Do to Get There...I never quite got over the feeling of being trapped inside a system whose very structure left me feeling disgusted."
JCS, and municipalities utilizing their services, are being sued by the Southern Poverty Law Center, SPLC, for allegations of Racketeering (RICO). SPLC alleges in their suit that JCS and municipalities utilizing JCS services have enabled a criminal enterprise specifically pointed at defendants that are poor and cannot afford an attorney. Additionally, according to the SPLC suit, Alabama law prohibits the charging of a probation fee in municipal court. Complaint filed in Federal Court - http://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/downloads/case/1_-_complaint.pdf
I have interviewed several defendants locally who faced prosecution in municipal courts. All the defendants interviewed are living under the poverty level and stated they could not afford an attorney. I asked each person interviewed: “What plea did you enter before the court?” All told me they were not allowed to enter a plea as they were not asked for a plea. The scenario goes like this: Defendant is taken to a back room by unknown parties, told to sign documents paying for court costs, charges will be dropped, pay court costs and go to JCS to pay the costs. They are given 2 documents, one from the court and another from JCS. The documents samples are pictured below, names and dates have been redacted to protect people’s privacy.
I’m not saying defendants are innocent or guilty, I am questioning what appears to be a violation of trust relating to judicial actions at the municipal level. It’s the old story, 2 wrongs never make a right; someone must ask the question, who will correct what appears to be illegal activity of municipal courts? An independent investigation should be conducted to determine if local judicial procedures violate rights of the defendants and to answer the question, are local courts violating law?
Scottsboro Municipal Judge James Mick makes statement before Scottsboro City Council, Council Members ask questions - My Question is this, what is this about money or justice? It seems the issue involves money, not the fulfillment of justice via our system of courts.
Jackson County Courthouse South side. (photo by G. Morgan)
The question is asked and answers explored - What will happen if the 1% sales tax for Jackson County is not passed by the citizens on August 18, 2015. A down to earth discussion about curtailment of services in the video interview below. There are no free rides, services cost money. If passed by the voters on August 18, 2015 the sales tax for Scottsboro and other municipalities will be 10%.
2015 BUDGET DOCUMENT, SEPTEMBER 2014
(Click on image to expand view. Records request result.)
Total General Fund Income - $7 million dollars; total expenditures budgeted $7.4 million.
MAP DEMONSTRATING CURRENT COUNTIES WITH 10% SALES TAX.
(Click on image for an expanded view, map supplied by Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter.)
INTERVIEW VIDEO
Update 12:30PM July 15, 2015- SCOTTSBORO MAYOR Melton Potter's comments and questions below regarding the county's proposed 1% tax increase. Mayor Potter had provided the discussion notes previously; however, the notes were in draft form and I do not publish DRAFTS of public officials policy statements.
July 12, 2015, final version on July 14, 2015
1. Believe the county is experiencing financial difficulties and I know this commission is trying to correct mistakes from the past
2. Understand trying to ways to increase revenue
3. I wish the commission would have met with those cities to share ideas of ways to make the tax be helpful rather than harmful to our revenue.
4. In my opinion property tax is a more fair way to raise taxes. The nicer the house and more property the more you pay in taxes. Renters, those is government housing do not have to pay it. (ADOR “There are two reasons for your property taxes to increase: (1) a tax rate (millage) increase, or (2) an increase in the appraised value of the property. The first reason, a tax rate increase, would have to come from a vote of the citizens or by the taxing authority (County Commission) to increase (or decrease) the millage rate.
5. I believe you are looking to make your budget whole rather than how it will affect the municipalities
6. Passing this tax is detrimental to the municipalities
7. Scottsboro, Bridgeport, Stevenson are the 3 largest who currently have 9% tax (8 Cities total)
8. Dutton, Hollywood, Pisgah, Section, and Woodville also have 9% sales tax (Dollar General, grocery stores, Pharmacy’s etc.)
9. Passing this tax will move all these cities to 10% takes us to a whole different level
10. It will hurt the sales tax collections in these cities even though Mr. Hodges doesn’t think so.
11. If we suffer lower tax collections we adjust our spending. In the 2008-09 recession our sales tax collections dropped 6%
12. Our TVA ILOT money has also decreased significantly ($253,000) since 2010
13. We know how to manage our money in difficult times. If this tax passes and when it hurts our revenue we will continue to provide our services without cutting them
14. There are 460 municipalities in Alabama and ONLY 82 cities or 17% of them have 10% sales tax
15. No of those cities are within 75 miles of Jackson County
16. The nearest to our area is Calhoun County Piedmont, Jacksonville, Oxford, Anniston
17. Everyone around us has 9% (Guntersville and Marshall County municipalities, Huntsville, Gurley, Rainsville, Decatur, Cullman) except Fort Payne who has 8%. 3% goes to FP City
18. The people will have a choice of where to spend their money and spend it without driving too far
19. People in Woodville can go to Gurley (9%); folks on Sand Mountain can go to Rainsville (9%) or go to Fort Payne (8%).
20. South Pittsburg, and Jasper, and Chattanooga 9.75 and 9.25
21. There will be leakage to the areas around us costing the municipalities revenue we are now getting
22. Scottsboro is taking the risk of losing money while the County puts $3.3 million in bank from new taxes
23. Based on last year’s sales tax receipts from Scottsboro, Bridgeport, and Stevenson an additional 1 cent sales tax would earn $3.6 million (3,536,033) Scottsboro (2,805,618), Bridgeport (268,869), and Stevenson (461,546).
24. That number could reach as much as $4 million per year when you add the other 9 municipalities sales tax receipts into it
25. The commission has stated the money would go to fund volunteer fire departments, school resource officers, and economic development ($900,000)
26. $1.5 million to Public Works Department, and $900,000 to County General Fund
27. How much do you let the Econ Dev fund grow to before you move that money elsewhere? (10 years it will grow to $3 million)
28. I am concerned about future commissions and how they might spend the money
29. I do not see anywhere that you are giving money back to Scottsboro where most of the tax will be collected.
30. My fire department needs more funding, I could use more school resources officers, and I certainly need more paving.
31. Adding one cent to the sales tax collected in Scottsboro based on last year’s numbers would create over $2.8 million. Or 85% of the money you estimated the new tax would create would be raised here in Scottsboro.
32. I realize it is not all Scottsboro residents who pay this tax it is folks from the county, tourists, and those who pass through town. THIS IS TRUE OF ALL SALES TAX COLLECTED IN THE COUNTY.
33. 85% raised in the city limits of Scottsboro but yet you have not directly stated any projects you will do in Scottsboro
34. Scottsboro also generates 38% of the property tax created in the entire county.
35. The population of Scottsboro is 28% of Jackson County. Since we are the main economic engine of the county I would like to see 28% of the new tax money generated given to Scottsboro.
36. 28% of $3.3 million is $924,000. You allocate that to us and WE can pave roads, additional school resource officers, and equip our fire fighters. Still leaves you with $2,376,000
37. Let’s just say you want to proportionately give to other municipalities
Bridgeport 5% of population ($165,000), Stevenson 3% of population ($99,000), other 10 municipalities 1% each ($33,000 times 10=$330,000). THIS WOULD ALLOW MUNCIPALITIES TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR OWN FIRE DEPARTMENTS AS THEY SEE FIT, AND STILL leave $1,782,000 in new county money, WHICH IS 440% MORE THAN YOUR SHORTFALL.
38. Is it worth the risk of hurting your municipalities to raise $3.3 million when the deficit is $330,000? WHY RAISE $3.3 MILLION FOR A $330,000 DEFICIT?
39. Mr. Hodges that sales tax is a growth tax and he is correct. Why not just add a ½ cent sales tax and collect $1.6 million per year and let the tax grow at 3 to 4% per year Scottsboro’s tax has grown between 3 and 4% each year over the last 4 years
40. I took an oath to do what is best and to look out for our citizens in Scottsboro And seeing us stand to lose sales tax revenue when the rate goes to 10% and while the County Commission puts $3.3 million in the bank is not in our best interest
41. We ask our people to shop local all the time, and now we are saying shop local and pay the highest sales tax in North Alabama.
42. Again it is my job to express my concerns and you have heard them tonight for the first time.
43. It is up to everyone in this county to go vote and vote your convictions no matter what they are.
GENERAL NOTES FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES IF NEEDED
Library—County appropriates $11,500/year last 2 years have been $5,000 and $3,000
City of Scottsboro appropriates $135,000/year
Ways we have helped the County:
1. By state law it is the counties responsibility to provide an animal shelter. Partnered 50-50 in building animal shelter and also share in the monthly expenses. We have 3 full-time people and the county provides 1.
2. In the last 5 years the animal shelter has taken in approximately 6500 dogs with 4500 (69%) of those being dogs from the county
3. Saved the county over $100,000 in the last 5 years by not going up on the landfill rates when the contract allowed increases tied to the consumer price index. In fact the contract expired in 2010
4. Whenever the county builds on county property in the city limits there are no building permit fees charged. (Hospital and Nursing Home, County Park, County bus garage, etc.)
5. Scottsboro Fire Department just donated equipment to the volunteer fire departments
QUESTIONS FOR MR. HODGES ( G. Morgan's comments in parenthesis().)
1. By law are you required to adopt a balance budget? (By law all government entities are supposed to have a balanced budget in Alabama.)
2. How much have the counties ILOT decreased in the last 3 years?
3. How will the recent $600 million industrial announcement affect the county sales tax that goes to the school systems? Estimated increase per year? (Red Herring - School Tax and County General Fund are 2 different issues with 2 different fund sites which cannot be intermingled.)
4. How much is the special election going to cost and how will it be paid for when you already have a deficit? Was is already in the budget or has the commission amended the budget to pay for it? ($80K)
5. You have stated that the tax will cost $63 per person per year. How did you arrive at that number?
6. How much will an additional 9 mill tax add to the property tax of a $100,000 house? (The answer would be $900.00.)
Big issue, 1% Sales Tax increase issue presentation by Jackson County Commission Chair Matthew Hodges. Video presentation in 2 parts, Part 1-regular council meeting and Mr. Hodges presentation on need for tax increase with council members questions and statements; part 2, Mayor Potter's comments.
AGENDA
(Click on image for an expanded view.)
VIDEO - Part 1
VIDEO - Part 2
Interview with Commission Chair regarding 1% Sales Tax Issue
South side Jackson County Courthouse, Scottsboro, Al. (photo by G. Morgan)
AGENDA
(Click on image for an expanded view.)
Former commissioner Horace Clemmons spoke to the commission, below are questions and comments he had for the commissioners. (Click on image for an expanded view.)
VIDEO
Jackson County Commission Chair Interview about the 1% Sales Tax
At Monday evening's city council meeting the Judicial Corrections Service (JCS) issue was on the agenda. The city's attorney recommended that the JCS contract with the City of Scottsboro be terminated. JCS costs are $10.00 for a set-up fee and $35.00 for monitoring fees per month.
Scottsboro Police Department is located at 916 South Broad Street, Scottsboro, Alabama 35768 (photo by G. Morgan)
The Scottsboro Police Department has a new, professionally created web site which may be viewed at http://scottsboropd.org/ Well done Chief Dawe, and many thanks to the men and women of the Scottsboro Police Department. The website may be accessed from the right column of this blog under the my site visits counter. The departments contact numbers and contact form may be found at http://scottsboropd.org/?page_id=52
Scottsboro Police Department's web site features descriptions of the department's divisions and describes its mission as:
The fundamental duty of the Scottsboro Police Department is to serve Humankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all people to liberty, equality and justice.
S= Service - We are committed to developing well trained, motivated and courteous employees and with the latest technologies available to serve our community and organization with pride and professionalism.
P= Professionalism - We are committed to maintaining the highest moral and ethical standards through principles of professionalism, pride, honesty trust and courage.
D= Dedication - We are committed to the interactive relationship between the police department and our community, forming partnerships with the citizens of our community to enhance the quality of life for our citizens, their children and visitors of the City of Scottsboro.
Chief Ralph Dawe (photo by G. Morgan)
Chief Ralph Dawe - "Our mission is to protect life, property, and help those that are in need, to enforce local, state and federal laws within the City of Scottsboro's jurisdiction. We are committed to provide the best possible service to our citizens as well as visitors to our city. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, pride, honesty and courage. We are dedicated to the interactive relationship between our community and our city leaders to enhance the quality of life for all of our citizens and visitors to the City of Scottsboro."
"Our officers and support staff are highly qualified and trained. They all have been instrumental in making this city maintain a below average crime rate. I am proud of all the employees and the jobs they perform for the Scottsboro Police Department and the community we serve."
All Rights Reserved for writings, video, photographs and art by Garry L. Morgan.
U.S. Copyright Office Fair Use Rule: "Section 107 contains a list of the various purposes for which the reproduction of a particular work may be considered fair, such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, nonprofit educational purposes and research. Link: http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
Total "In the Boro" Pageviews
Scottsboro Police Department Web Site
""The police are the public, the public are the police. The police are the only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties that are incumbent on every citizen in the interest to community welfare and existence." - Sir Robert Peel, 1829 https://www.scottsboropd.org/
The Sunlight Foundation uses cutting-edge technology and ideas to make government transparent and accountable. Click on image to learn more.
THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY
"I can say with confidence that the federal government needs a major overhaul. Don’t get me wrong, most public servants in government are highly educated and dedicated professionals who are committed to “the greater good.” At the same time, the government has become a bloated bureaucracy that is based on past conditions and in too many cases, federal programs and policies can’t demonstrate that they are generating real results that benefit the American people."
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David Walker President and CEO The Peter G. Peterson Foundation http://www.pgpf.org/ ; former, recently served for 10 years, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).
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NPR's story on David Walker: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124460237
"public intelligence"
"What is Public Intelligence? Public Intelligence is an international, collaborative research project aimed at aggregating the collective work of independent researchers around the globe who wish to defend the public’s right to access information." http://publicintelligence.net/
A Nuclear Engineer's Report on the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant
Danger Zone: Aging Nuclear Reactors
Incident at Browns Ferry (PBS 1977)
History of nuclear power safety issues which the 1975 Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant fire brought forward. This video has been censored by the nuclear industry. The trillion dollar multinational nuclear death industry prefers to keep you the citizen in the dark and feed you crap.
Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio and others. Click on image for a tour. Left click & hold mouse to move image.
Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team/Mothers Against Tennessee River Radiation http://www.matrr.org/
"TVA at the Crossroads" a SACE Film.
"America is at an energy crossroads and the Tennessee Valley Authority has a choice to make: Will it cling to old coal power because of its historic significance or will it retire its oldest, dirtiest and least efficient plants and lead America into a clean energy future?" TVA At The Crossroads from SACE.
****************************I'm GARRY MORGAN, a Christian, U.S. Army (AMEDD) retired, Race Relations/Equal Opportunity Specialist (U.S.Army, Retired DOD-DRRI-DEOMI) a citizen of Scottsboro Alabama, a Baylor University grad-Go Bears, a political activist and a political Independent as I believe political parties divide the citizenry whom they are suppose to represent. We must learn the lessons of our history or we will surely repeat our mistakes. I think the greatest problem facing our nation is the massive national and personal debt.
