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.
UPDATE - Scottsboro, Al. Jan 3, 2017 Unfortunately my sinusitus has grown worse and has caused a secondary maxio-facial infection. I will not be publishing articles or videos regarding Scottsboro and Jackson County government reports on "In the 'boro" http://arklite.blogspot.com for at least two weeks,maybe three.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL, GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR ARMED FORCES, MAY YOU STAY SAFE.
I did not attend the Jackson County Commission nor the City Council Meeting today due to sickness.
Here is the Jackson County Commission Agenda. I have not received the Scottsboro City Council Agenda.
BREAKING NEWS UPDATE- December 14, 2016 I have confirmed from separate sources that officials of Nuclear Development LLC and Mr. Frank Haney met with local political leadership in secret last Thursday at 1:30pm at The Council on Aging to discuss a time frame regarding Nuclear Development LLC at the Bellefonte Nuclear Facility. Members of the Scottsboro City Council, Jackson County Commission and other political entities and the Jackson County EDA attended the December 8, 2016 secret meeting. No local press were invited to this important meeting. According to sources interviewed, introductions were made and Nuclear Development LLC laid out its plans to begin construction toward the end of 2017. Upon contacting TVA it was revealed that no sale has been completed. Before the sale is completed, Nuclear Development LLC must provide a 60 day notice in order that TVA may vacate the premises. TVA will issue a major Press Release once the sale of the Bellefonte Nuclear Facility is completed. Once the sale is completed, Nuclear Development LLC will have to request a change in the nuclear construction license before they may begin any work on the Bellefonte Nuclear Facility, more on that below.
The Deceivers Dreamscape - Bellefonte Nuclear Facility depicting Units 1, 2, 3 and 4. Cost for a 4 unit completion $43 billion dollars; cost of Units 1 and 2 completion $15 billion dollars in today's money. Unit 1 is 55% complete, Unit 2 is 35% complete. The entire facility was cannibalized in the 2006-2007 time frame when the plant's nuclear construction license was cancelled. In 2009, 2010 time frame the plants construction license was reinstated. More from the Chattanooga Times Free Press: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2016/nov/15/reviving-nuclear-powerhaney-pay-111-millifini/397760/
TVA EIS photo, Fair Use for non-profit news reporting and commentary.
TVA further commented in the below linked sale notice/press release, they no longer have a need for power.
Public Works/Solid Waste Director Director Eddie Blizzard delivered a request for additional vehicles and landfill space based on speculation of growth regarding the Bellefonte Nuclear Facility. According to Blizzard, Bellefonte construction will begin "sometime in 2017," based on what the unnamed people from the nuclear plant told him.
"The need is there and it will be coming a lot faster than what we saw back in the 70's, for those of you who remember that far back, when you bring 5000-6000 people into this area, it gets crowded here, we are anticipating a lot of growth..." according to Mr. Blizzard.
Unfortunately, Mr. Blizzard did not fulfill his responsibilities to provide an annual required Solid Waste Report, instead he provided speculation on the Bellefonte Nuclear Facility.
Many local businesses have suffered because of TVA's failed promises. Local public officials deceiving the public is uncalled for after the financial loss the community has suffered due to bad management of the TVA regarding Bellefonte. The proposal to spend millions of dollars on landfill space and additional vehicles based on a word of mouth notice without any official notice regarding future construction plans of Bellefonte would not be a smart decision by the city council.
There has been no change in the license status of Bellefonte. Before construction may begin by another nuclear corporation, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires a new or amended license application from the new owners. Before any such change takes place a public meeting will be held by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and published in the Federal Register.
The official statement of the TVA says in part, "As part of the deal, TVA requires Nuclear Development, LLC to make a $25 million minimum investment in the Bellefonte property during the five-year period following the closing. This minimum investment will promote economic development activities in Jackson County, Ala....Nuclear Development, LLC has up to two years to close on the property. Until then, TVA will maintain the site." More official info on the TVA Bellefonte Nuclear sale may be found at: https://www.tva.com/Newsroom/Press-Releases/TVA-Completes-Bellefonte-Sale
Jackson County Courthouse, South Side - photo by G. Morgan. According to the Chair of the Jackson County Commission, Matthew Hodges, there was asbestos discovered in the Jackson County Commission Board Room in the floor tiles. The carpet which was removed, new tiles installed were installed over the top of the old tiles. Asbestos materials when disturbed present a serious health issue. There should have been a comprehensive Asbestos Mitigation Plan for the Jackson County Courthouse, apparently this has not been accomplished after millions of dollars have been spent historically on renovation and removal of asbestos beginning in 1993 when large quantities were discovered throughout the Courthouse.
Previous Video
AGENDA
Hot Topics - 1) Disaster Relief Aid and Public Relief Aid Approved as a result of recent Rosalie Tornado; 2) Jackson County Park change orders continue; 3) Resolution of Support for lowering the Largemouth Bass Creel limit on Lake Guntersville from 10 to 5 per day.
There will be a work session and regular session meeting on December 19, 2016.
VIDEO
Jackson County Commission and Jackson County Community Corrections Letter and temporary resolution. Click on image for an expanded view.
Jackson County Courthouse south side, photo by G Morgan.
AGENDA
Important Issue - Creel Limits on Guntersville Lake
"...In summer, a good number of the fish that go through the weigh in process just don't make it because of the heat and the low oxygen," Carter said. "When you have thousands of fish being weighed in every weekend in these big events, even though most survive release, the ones that die have an impact...Mike Carter also cited bowfishing during the spring spawn as a possible issue...The bowfishers are not supposed to shoot bass, but after every tournament I see dead bass with arrow holes in them," Carter said. "Also, I think running airboats over the beds in the shallows is a big negative during that spawning period..." http://www.al.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2016/06/famed_lake_guntersville_bass_f.html
Political involvement - "A meeting in Scottsboro of the Lake Guntersville Conservation group drew more than a hundred anglers as well as State Senator Steve Livingston, State Representative Tommy Haines and other local officials as well as Alabama DCNR biologists and officers...The session was aimed at restoring the bass fishery on the 69,000 acre lake sprawling across Jackson and Marshall Counties. Many said the fishing has been in a significant slump in recent years, resulting in not only reduced sporting opportunities but a decline in revenue for the many small businesses that depend on recreational activities at the lake as an economic driver." http://www.al.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2016/08/lake_guntersville_fans_meet_to.html
