Scottsboro City Council Regular Session December 28,2015

(photo by G. Morgan)

 Scottsboro City Council President Patrick Stewart formed four Committees to examine the issue of the Mayor's Capital expenditure plan which involved $3 million dollars in funding for four projects. The one item on the Scottboro City Council agenda died due to a lack of a motion - Mayor's Capital Expense Projects

The Capital Expense projects would be funded via a bond issue or local bank financing thus increasing City Debt. The city council sent a clear message to Mayor Potter about his plan to continue the increase in city debt. Blog articles on city bond debt, 2009-2014 -  http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Scottsboro%20Bond%20Issues

Committees: 1) Renovation of Veterans Field, $1 million; committee members - Councilman Gary Stewart, Mayor Potter, Mark Pepper. 2) Renovation of Swimming Pool, $1 million, committee members: Councilman Brent Miller, Mayor and one other. 3) Renovation of Fire Station #3, $500K; Councilman Tony Wallingsford, Mayor Potter, Fire Chief Nichols.4) Heritage Center Addition/Renovation, $500K, Councilman Keith Smith, Mayor Potter, Center Director Judy Weaver.

The committees are required to announce the date, time and meeting place of their committee meeting as required by the Revised Open Meetings Act. Council President Steward stated the committees would file their reports with the council by Feb. 1, 2016. 

VIDEO

UPDATE: JAN. 2, 2015 - NOTE TO THE SCOTTSBORO CITY COUNCIL - If you are going to serve the people, do your job professionally and to the best of your abilities, the citizen tax-payers of Scottsboro deserve nothing less.

Would it be possible to post a link to the City Council Rules of Order on the City's web site or on this Face Book site? (Note: This message was posted to the City of Scottsboro's Face Book site at https://www.facebook.com/City-of-Scottsboro-Alabama-166218866760540/?fref=ts  )

Posting of the Scottsboro City Council's rules of order are necessary since the City Council President did not make a formal statement regarding the dead issue of the Capital Projects, the issue died due to a lack of a motion. Unfortunately, the lack of a motion was not formally declared. Mr. Stewart immediately moved into the naming of committees to study and report to the council on the various projects of the Capital Projects Issue, but it was a dead issue due to a lack of a motion. A point of order should have been called by a member of the city council, this was not accomplished, the silence was deafening! Mr. Smith did question the dead issue, but even so, Mr. Stewart continued unchallenged,

There were also indications during the meeting and after the meeting that the issue had been pre-planned and a discussion had occurred prior to the council meeting about the course of action of the meeting which may be a violation of the open meetings act.

I thought the Council President’s conduct to be highly unusual and not within the normal meeting course of conduct and probably violated the rules of order, particularly since the issue died due to a lack of a motion. It would seem the proper course of action would have been to bring this issue forward at the next council work session for a discussion, then place the committee issue on the agenda at the next voting council meeting.

Jackson County Commission Regular Session - December 28, 2015

JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSION PRAISES PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN REPAIRING WASHED OUT ROADWAYS DURING CHRISTMAS DAY FLOODS.

Jackson County Road Washouts. The Public Works Department worked most of Christmas Day and the day after to repair road washouts. Photographs by the County Engineer, Mr. Campbell, depicting some of the problems. Campbell related to me that some problems were discovered today.

  

AGENDA

VIDEO

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Military Families - May God Bless You and All Who Serve and Have Served in our Armed Forces

I was touched by this 2009 video, it is important to remember that families also serve.



 At every military post/base you will find support organizations willing to help for the asking.

Family Assistance Sites on the web
Air Force Aid Society
Air Force Crossroads: Resource site for Air Force families
American Red Cross
Army Emergency Relief
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society:
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
Fisher House: A national network of comfort houses providing a "home away from home" for families of patients receiving care at major regional military and VA medical centers.
Military.Com Reserve and Guard Family Support Info - http://www.military.com/spouse/military-life/military-resources/family-support-services.html
VFW Family Assistance - https://www.vfw.org/Assistance/Family-Assistance/
American Legion Family Assistance - http://www.legion.org/familysupport/assistance

In 99% of the communities nation wide you may find an American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or American Red Cross, any of these organizations are ready and willing to help.

Scottsboro Mayor - The Saga Continues - Lawsuit Filed, Surveillance, Sexual Harassment UPDATE - Jan 25, 2016 Mayor files for Dismissal

Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter (photo by G. Morgan)

A google search has revealed this story has nationwide news coverage.

Previous articles on this blog regarding this issue http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Surveillance

My coverage of these events began on November 3, 2015. 

There is also a pending complaint filed with the State of Alabama Attorney General because of the failure to produce for examination public records and the probable tampering of public records related to this case.

Scottsboro Employee Chad Green, Plaintiff files lawsuit against Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter, Defendant. The Lawsuit alleges - Count One Invasion of Privacy; Count Two Tort of Outrage; Count Three Defamation; Count Four Intentional Interference with a Contractor or Business Relation

In The Circuit Court of Jackson County Alabama - Chad Green  vs Melton Potter 

!2/21/2015 CV 2015-900261.00

(Click on image for an expanded view.)

 SCOTTSBORO, AL (WAFF) - "A lawsuit against Scottsboro's mayor reveals new information on the use of city funds for a private investigator. The lawsuit by a city employee claims the mayor used the money for personal reasons. The mayor is denying the allegations stated in the suit, but city employee Chad Green claims he's the victim of a vendetta that began after another city employee declined to have an affair with the mayor." http://www.waff.com/story/30814843/scottsboro-mayor-accused-of-hiring-private-investigator-for-personal-reasons

(photo by G. Morgan)

The mayor says: "As Mayor of the City of Scottsboro, I generally refrain from commenting on personnel-related matters. However, the scandalously false allegations made against me yesterday in a suit brought by city employee Chad Green, require a response. Mr. Green’s claims for damages are premised on alleged facts that are demonstrably false. Each claim of his complaint is totally without merit, and has been clearly made for the explicit purpose of damaging my reputation and embarrassing me politically. I will vigorously defend myself against these false allegations and I am confident that they will be dismissed in a court of law"  

Scottsboro's Daily Sentinel article by Danielle Wallingsford Kirkland "City Attorney Steve Kennamer states 'The City is not a party to this suit.""  http://thedailysentinel.com/feature_story/article_47904ae8-a900-11e5-8e41-e74501406843.html

OPINION - Based on my observations and interviews, the Scottsboro Mayor's biggest problem is himself. He has facilitated a hostile work environment and sexual discrimination in the work place. Personally, I do not believe a word this alleged political "leader" says about this situation and legal action. Thank goodness election time is right around the corner, hopefully the citizens will be done with his nonsense sooner than later.

Earlier Press Release from Potter as reported on WAFF 

http://www.waff.com/story/30450003/questions-arise-about-city-spending-in-scottsboro

and

 http://www.waff.com/story/30486398/scottsboro-mayor-explains-decision-to-hire-investigator-on-employee

WHNT coverage http://whnt.com/2015/11/10/mayor-of-scottsboro-releases-statement-amid-questions-about-finances-related-to-personnel-matter/

UPDATE -  Mayor Files Motion to Dismiss

Woody Sanderson, Esq. filed a Motion to Dismiss last Wednesday, January 20, 2016. Mr. Sanderson is an Attorney with Lanier and Ford of Huntsville, Alabama. Mr. Sanderson has appeared before the Scottsboro City Council previously working with the City of Scottsboro updating its Employee/Personnel Handbook. 

Scottsboro's Daily Sentinel article by Danielle Wallingsford Kirkland "City Attorney Steve Kennamer states 'The City is not a party to this suit.""  http://thedailysentinel.com/feature_story/article_47904ae8-a900-11e5-8e41-e74501406843.html

The Motion to Dismiss is listed below (click on image for an expanded view).

Who is paying for Melton Potter's Attorney?

Jackson County Commission and Scottsboro City Council Work Session Meetings

Jackson County Courthouse, Facebook photo by J. Holt - Fair use for non-profit news reporting

Jackson County Commission Agenda

VIDEO

                              Scottsboro City Council Work Session

Scottsboro City Hall photo by G. Morgan

There were no agenda items. Mrs Brenda Ivey made presentation regarding the Heritage Center

BELLEFONTE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT Overcharges by Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Contractors - TVA Office of the Inspector General Findings, Summary

TVA's Dream, Ratepayers Nightmare, a four unit Bellefonte nuclear facility.

TVA photo graphic in their environmental impact statement, Fair Use Rights for non-profit news reporting.

TVA OIG smacks Bellefonte Nuclear Facility Contractors for over billing; unfortunately this is getting to be a habit as this isn't the first time the TVA OIG has investigated contractors for over billing. Fine them for the over billing and maybe the gross theft would stop. October 30, 2015 - VECTOR JV - Sargent & Lundy, L.L.C. - Contract No. 4483 - 2014-15232

As part of our annual audit plan, the OIG audited costs billed to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) by VECTOR. VECTOR is a joint venture between Bechtel Power Corporation and Sargent & Lundy, L.L.C. (S&L) that provided engineering services for Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Unit 1. Our objective was to determine if the $26.8 million in S&L costs paid by TVA from October 1, 2010, through December 31, 2012, were in accordance with the contract terms and conditions. In summary, we determined VECTOR overbilled TVA $322,535 for S&L's services. The overbilled costs included (1) $236,224 in excessive labor markup costs, (2) $50,685 in ineligible temporary living allowance and travel costs, (3) $14,171 in other ineligible costs, and (4) $21,455 in unsupported costs.

http://oig.tva.gov/reports/audit-inpsections.html  

All blog articles within about the Bellefonte Nuclear Power Facility:  http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Bellefonte%20Nuclear%20Power%20Plant

Scottsboro City Council Regular Session and Work Session, December 14, 2015

Photo by G. Morgan

Regular Session Agenda

1. Public Hearing for Alcohol License - approved

2. Resolution for Public Transportation funds for Senior Center.-approved

3. Resolution to approve sign upgrades upon entering into the City of Scottsboro-approved

4.World Junior Bass Fishing Tournament, $12,500.00 approved

5. Fire Department Budget Amendment for Fire Truck - approved

Citizen presentation on refusal to produce government records for inspection

VIDEO

WORK SESSION

                                             AGENDA

VIDEO Part 1

Muscular Dystrophy Association Appreciation to Scottsboro Fire Department;  Resolutions, Personnel Handbook secrecy - shhh, we will say nothing about something; Mayor Potter discusses Capital Projects, his plan equals more debt for the city but a windfall for Municipal Bond Companies and their employees reaping percentage profits. 

Part 2 Video

Jackson County Commission Regular Session December 14, 2015 - More on Jackson County Community Corrections and Court Referral

Jackson County Courthouse South Side - photo by G. Morgan

More on the continuing issue of the Jackson County Community Corrections and Court Referral, video and significant violations of policies, conflicts of interest and evidence of Failed Quality Assurances Programs regarding Community Corrections and Court Referral drug testing protocols and documents submitted to the District Attorney for a Motion before the Jackson County Courts. 

Policy Regarding Drug Testing

Documents acquired via County Commission Documents Request previously refused by Community Corrections and Court Referral.

This policy indicates that the testing may be challenged by requesting a confirmation test be performed if the client/defendant requests the test. This would mean that the agency would have to notify the client/defendant if there was a positive test. There are instances where one or more client(s)/defendant(s) were never notified of a positive test or given the opportunity to challenge erroneous information which resulted in cancellation of probation after a months worth of Amended Motions and errors. Errors which were based on erroneous entries or false information as stated on motion documents before the court. This also demonstrates a failed Quality Assurance Program to insure there are no erroneous tests, scheduling errors, or violations of policies-standards and protocols resulting in problematic/erroneous court document entries.

Policy Regarding Conflicts of Interest

( Expand viewing -  click on the image.)

This policy states, "...agents representing the Board will have no financial interest direct or indirect which would conflict with services to the Board..." The Executive Director receives lease payments on the Community Corrections property which he owns, he benefits from his position as property owner as the Executive Director of the non-profit corporation. At least two Board member's profit from their vote or participation in decision making on the Board as they are executives and/or owner in the drug testing company and counseling service non profit organization. 

Reference previous articles on this blog in reference to Jackson County Community Corrections and Court referral:  http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Jackson%20County%20Community%20Corrections%20and%20Court%20Referral

Update, December 16, 2015 - Threats on Face Book from Community Corrections and Court Referral Staff

This is a copy of Face Book postings from their organizational page which appears to violate their personnel policy.Threats from the Jackson County Community Corrections and Court Referral Face Book site on December 15, 2015. Link - https://www.facebook.com/JacksonCountyCourtReferralAndCommunityCorrections/info/?tab=overview

 Court Referral - Community Corrections, quote: December 15, 2015, 23 comments - "Jackson County Court Referral and Community Corrections Also. This is my page. I made this page for the convenience of my clients so that they would not have to call the number and getting a busy signal. If it becomes a page of a lot of negative comments, I will shut it down. Thank you." This may be described as misconduct, per their personnel handbook guidelines as it brings discredit on the organization. 

Another violation of their policy, referring to the video regarding - Jackson County Court Referral and Community Corrections at this link - http://arklite.blogspot.com/2015/12/jackson-county-commission-regular.html  Quote - from an official of the Jackson County Court Referral and Community Corrections - "Lol. Is that video all you've got. A video from a guy that doesn't know what he's talking about. Good luck. " (referring to me and the enclosed video)  Page 5 paragraph 1b in the Jackson County Community Corrections and Court Referral Inc. Handbook will cover this employees misconduct, "refraining from offensive and undesirable conduct which is not in the best interests of the organization."

My Face Book site home page where I discuss this issue. - https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5

VIDEO of Presentation to County Commission about

 Community Corrections and Court Referral presented to the commission on December 14, 2015

                                    Commission AGENDA

VIDEO of Full Commission Meeting

Jackson County Commission Work Session - False Statements on Court Documents from Court Referral and Community Corrections Request for Oversight, Jackson County Fire Association, Public Works Projects

Jackson County Courthouse, South Side - photo by G. Morgan 

AGENDA

Part 1 video, Community Corrections and Court Referral request for oversight; Jackson County Fire Association Presentation neseds.

Local insanity - the war on drugs takes on new meaning.

Court Referral and Community Corrections is needed, but it must be controlled as a government organization and never allowed to be formed into a non-profit, non-accountable organization with no oversight.

 Organized crime in our local judicial system? False statements, false accusations, false motions - how many judgments have been based on false claims? The entire judicial system where Community Corrections and Court Referral has been involved, should face an intensive forensic audit.

Oversight is needed and this bastard court non-profit corporation must end. This non-profit judicial organization claims to be just like the First Baptist Church, their records are not subject to public inspection.

Photo by G. Morgan

Motion containing false information from the district Attorney's Office - The Defendants color, which was "watermelon" was not called on the day stated, the methadone accusation is false.. The false accusation is based on a false statement from the Court Referral Community Corrections office, but this isn't the only false statement on a court document which has been demonstrated as false. 

SUMMARY

There must be changes to the Jackson County Court Referral and Community Corrections program, oversight is a must. Never should there be false information provided to the District Attorney’s Office from Court Referral and Community Corrections, which has occurred. 

Per the Code of Alabama, the Community Corrections and Court Referral System should be a county government managed organization with oversight under the laws of the State of Alabama; currently there is no oversight for this cash only operation. With no audits on file with the Alabama Department of Public Examiners since 2003 (Clarion article - http://www.theclarion.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9605:commission-requests-application-from-court-referral-&catid=42:clarion-rotation-stories&Itemid=142 ) the opportunity for corruption and misappropriation exists. Has misappropriation and corruption occurred - in my opinion YES. To demonstrate how it has occurred all one must do is look and read the IRS 990 form regarding Community Corrections 2013 filing and conflicts which exist with its director(s) and board membership. Board membership are in part the directors of the drug testing program, a business entity, and drug counseling programs, another non-profit entity receiving cash from those ordered to attend counseling from Community Corrections and Court Referral; other words, the non-profit Directors sitting on the Community Corrections Board profit from the contracts with drug testing and counseling services, they are the same people. The Director of  Community Corrections and Court Referral pays himself a hefty sum of money, estimated at approximately $87,000 annually since he owns the property of this parasitic non-profit organization. This filing may be found at  http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/631/631214254/631214254_201309_990.pdf?_ga=1.25720509.1859707969.1445884050

The filing of false statements before the court violates the law and compromises the entire judicial process. Poor people receive a minimalist defense in a court of law, then to have this type of judicial terrorism imposed on the poor is not right, it is beyond wrong, it is immoral and illegal.


Previous articles on this blog regarding the War on Drugs and Court Referral and Community Corrections:  http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Jackson%20County%20Community%20Corrections%20and%20Court%20Referral

 Part 2 of the Jackson County Commission Work Session. Commissioner Ledwell donates $1000 from his salary to the Stevenson Public Library; Equipment purchases; land purchase at the County Park; Public Works road improvements and road classifications; speed limit discussion.

The Nuclear Zombie - NRC- ASLB Hearing on TVA 's Bellefonte Units 3 & 4 Docket 52-014COL & 52-015COL, near Scottsboro, Alabama

The Nuclear Zombie by Edwin Vazquez - Fair Use Rights for Non-Profit News Reporting

The Bellefonte Facility is the Nuclear Zombie - It feeds on your money.

 TVA Annual Financial Statement 10K Sep 30, 2015

http://www.snl.com/Cache/31977775.pdf?IID=4063363&FID=31977775&O=3&OSID=9

(TVA Sep 2015 10K page 83 & beyond)TVA's Assets are listed as $48.825 billion; Cash flow of $300 million; TVA's Liabilities, includes long term debt, are listed at $48.825; TVA's Long term debt interest is $22.792; TVA's short term debt is $1.099 billion; TVA's VIE debt $1.328 billion; TVA Pension shortage is $6.027 billion.

The bottom line of TVA is this: Assets are near >>$49 billion, liabilities are near >>$80 billion, ten year trend indicates increasing liabilities. Only a complete fool would think TVA can afford Bellefonte 3&4. It is questionable if they can afford Bellefonte 1&2.

Currently, out to 20 years, TVA admits there is no power need for Bellefonte 1&2. Considering the financial situation of TVA and the estimated costs of a Bellefonte 3&4 which is currently running $10-$15 billion in todays dollars per unit. 30 years out, construction time if Bellefonte 3-4 began 10 years out, the cost would be at least 50% to 75% higher bringing the costs conservatively to $15 to $22 billion per unit. 

Nuclear decommissioning fund listed on page 137 is $700 million short by TVA's estimate.  TVA's balance on their decommissioning fund is $1.5 billion; the actual cost of decommissioning 1 nuclear plant would exceed $700 million by todays cost estimates and may run as high as $1 billion, decommissioning is not counted in the above figures.

TVA cannot afford BFN 3&4, nor is there a power need at this time out to 2033,  TVA IRP https://www.tva.gov/file_source/TVA/Site%20Content/Environment/Environmental%20Stewardship/IRP/Documents/2015_irp.pdf  . To continue this charade wastes everyone's time, efforts and valuable financial assets. The COL for BFN 3&4 should be immediately terminated.

Learn More about Bellefonte and the problem with nuclear power

http://www.matrr.org/

Sound Track Videos - 2 Parts

Rockville, Maryland - December 4, 2015 NRC- ASLB Hearing on TVA 's Bellefonte Units 3 & 4 Docket 52-014COL & 52-015COL near Scottsboro, Alabama - Part 1 & 2 Video and Sound. All things about the Bellefonte Nuclear Facility on this blog. Including, how the "zombie" consumes your hard earned dollars.

http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Bellefonte%20Nuclear%20Plan