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."

SCOTTSBORO WEATHER - SUN & MOON RISE

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Scottsboro City Council Regular Session November 27, 2017

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA
Agenda Item 3 - Rec Com Pool HVAC replacement bid was approved for $427,260.00; engineering fee was for 7.8% costing $33,326.00. This money will be paid out of the Bond Issue for the Rec Com pool improvements previously voted upon and approved.

VIDEO

Jackson County Commission Regular Session November 27, 2017 RECYCLE

Jackson County Courthouse, North Entrance (photo by G. Morgan)
Commission web site - https://jacksoncountyal.gov/

AGENDA
$ RECYCLING SAVES ALL OF US MONEY $ 
Fair Use for non-profit news reporting - IWANTTOBERECYCLED.ORG

VIDEO


                                    Video Capture Photos
Alabama 5th Congressional District Candidate Clayton Hinchman answers questions and discusses national and local issues after the commission meeting.

Left to Right - Jackson County Commission Attorney John Porter, Commissioner Melinda Gilbert, and Commission Chair Mike Ashburn, back to camera. 

Clayton Hinchman, Alabama 5th U.S. Congressional District Candidate

Monday, November 20, 2017

Scottsboro City Council Work Session, First Storm Shelter Site Chosen, November 20, 2017

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G. Morgan)

First Storm Shelter location announced - to be built behind the Randall's Chapel Methodist Church. Property lease usage terms, a 20 year lease for $1.00 per year. Construction to begin 2-3 months by City of Scottsboro, Scottsboro Electric Power Board and Scottsboro Water Sewer and Gas will participate in the construction. (Photo credit - Inside an Alabama storm shelter; FEMA Grieg Powers, Fair Use for non-profit news reporting.)

AGENDA

VIDEO



Facebook Live Video link of Reports:   https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10214634121830449/

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Scottsboro City Council Regular Session 11-13-17

Scottsboro City Hall photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

VIDEO



                                              Video Photo Captures
From left to right, City Council President Tony Wallingsford, City Attorney Steve Kennamer, Council Member Patrick Stewart, Council Member Jessica Butler considering issues before council. 

Council Member Smith comments about cost overruns of projects.

Mayor Robin Shelton, left, discusses project cost increases in Goose Pond Walking Trail and decreases in expenses, Council Member Stewart looks on.

Jackson County Commission, Regular Session - Meeting Continued Until Thursday, November 16, 2017 Regarding Court Referral and Community Corrections, Special Video on Agenda Item 14 - UPDATE - Agenda Item 14, Community Corrections Court Referral Issue, November 16, 2017


On going issue regarding a non-profit arm of Department of Corrections and Jackson County Courts - Community Corrections and Court Referral.

UPDATE - November 22, 2017 The Clarion Article
EMAIL - County Commission requested CPA Examiners Statement
(Click on image for an expanded view.)


Daily Sentinel Article (must subscribe to receive full article)

UPDATE November 18, 2017 
Regardless of the comments of political, judicial or officials of Community Corrections/Court Referral there is no  Federal Certified Laboratory for drug testing in Jackson County Alabama or the entire State of Alabama. There needs to be local improvements, drug abuse is a mental health care problem, more so than a legal problem. Mental health care funding in Alabama has decreased and Medicaid funding is not provided under the Affordable Care Act in Alabama.

In Jackson County Alabama, the acceptance of drug testing laboratories whose standards do not meet Federal Standards, and where the local legal standards do not meet the standards of employment law nor Department of Transportation requirements of drug testing is ridiculous and not supportive of a just legal system. This problem is simple to correct, there is no will to do so as it would mean following a set of just legal standards which insure a system of checks and balances not present currently regarding drug testing of those clients in the Court Referral system in Jackson County. Laboratories meeting federal legal standards of drug testing laboratories: https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/resources/drug-testing/certified-lab-list  

The failure to require Court Referral clients testing positive to not be called in and informed of test results immediately when a positive test is demonstrated is a failure of due process. The failure to not have two sealed sample containers with urine as is the standard of practice is not only a failure of due process of law and a violation of standards of practice but an excuse to incarcerate without due process of law. To wait weeks, over a month, before notification after a known positive test result is ridiculous and demonstrates a failure of our legal system involving Court Referral. The bottom line - there needs to be improvement regarding drug abuse treatment and the organizations involved in drug testing in Jackson County Alabama.

Here you will find the facts and figures and what is needed: https://www.samhsa.gov/criminal-juvenile-justice  and  https://www.samhsa.gov/gains-center

UPDATE: November 16, 2017 
Agenda Item 14 on the County Commission Agenda - Community Corrections resulted in a continuation of Monday’s meeting today at 10:30 AM. The meeting lasted approximately one and half hours.

The Jackson County Commission will consider whether to change the Court Referral - Community Corrections status from a non-profit organization to an organization under the purview of the Jackson County Commission.

Concerns have been brought forward regarding accountability and procedures of the Court Referral Program. The issue was further tabled to be discussed and decided upon at another meeting. Interviews by WHNT-TV of Judge Holt and Commissioner Guffey were aired on the 5PM News cast. Link: http://whnt.com/2017/11/16/jackson-county-commissions-continues-a-two-year-investigation-on-the-countys-corrections-system/

The Court Referral Program falls under the Code of Alabama http://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-12-courts/al-code-sect-12-23-4.html    
Community Corrections is governed by Alabama 2003 Department of Corrections Act  http://sentencingcommission.alacourt.gov/Legislation/cc_summ.htm   
Administrative  Procedures and auditing http://www.doc.state.al.us/CommCorrections.aspx

Commissioner Jeffrey Williams from the Alabama Department of Corrections was present and made a comprehensive presentation; Judge Jennifer Holt, Presiding Judge Jackson County Circuit Court; Jackson County District Court Judge Donald Word: Jackson County Courts Clerk Donna Barksdale; Director of Community Corrections Mike Brown; Director of Court Referral Brandon Brown were present; Jennifer Lackey from the Lackey Law Firm who are the attorneys of record for the Jackson County Community Corrections and Court Referral Office; Parker Edmiston of the Edmiston Law Firm attended.

Videos, Part 1 & 2 November 16, 2017 Commission meeting continuation



 
                                   
                                         PHOTOS
Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeffrey Williams makes presentation to commissioners. (photo by G. Morgan)

Presideing Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Holt  discusses her concerns with Commission; Commissioner Tim Guffey in foreground listens. (photo by G. Morgan)

Community Corrections Director Mike Brown answers questions. Commission Chair Mike Ashburn on right; Attorney Jennifer Lackey of the Lackey Law Firm and District Judge Don Word. 
(photo by G. Morgan)


VIDEO (Nov. 13, 2017)
Regarding Agenda Item 14, Community Corrections Court Referral

Scottsboro, Alabama November 13, 2017 Jackson County Commission Agenda Item 14 Motion to Discuss Community Corrections.  Motion was made to go into an Executive Session to discuss Good Name and Character. "Incompetent . . . Incomplete" says, in part, requested report by Jackson County Commission referring to Community Corrections accountability. I was informed by a confidential source that Judge Holt was present prior to the Commission meeting to express alleged displeasure with agenda item 14, Community Corrections. Mr. Porter, County Attorney, was asked if Judge Holt was present during the Executive Session on agenda item 14, he stated "no comment."

Commission Meeting was continued until Thursday, 16 Nov. 2017 at 10:30 AM regarding Agenda Item 14;  Department of Corrections will be present. Blog posts regarding Court Referral and Community Corrections:   http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Jackson%20County%20Community%20Corrections%20and%20Court%20Referral

                                               AGENDA


VIDEO of MEETING



                                    VIDEO PHOTO CAPTURE PHOTOS
Mr. Johnson, County Engineer, discusses best option for bridge project on CR 92.

Dr Reyes, Superintendent Scottsboro City Schools, discusses schools with Commission.

Commissioner listens to presentation on employee health insurance plans.

Commissioners discuss going into Executive Session regarding good name and character involving Court Referral - Community Corrections issue.

Monday, November 6, 2017

Scottsboro City Council Work Session November 6, 2017

Scottsboro City Hall photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

VIDEO



                                   VIDEO PHOTO CAPTURES
From left to right - Scottsboro City Clerk Whitney Phillips; City Council President Tony Wallingsford; Scottsboro City Attorney Steve Kennamer

Scottsboro Mayor Robin Shelton discusses square renovation cost overruns.

Scottsboro City Councilman Keith Smith asks questions about contract cost overruns.