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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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."
