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."
Scottsboro Attorney Steve Kennamer, Scottsboro City Attorney and the attorney for other towns in Jackson County, provides guidance to the Town Council and Mayor of Paint Rock on procedures regarding a town council meeting. (photo by G. Morgan)
Mayor Brenda Fisk, left; Mrs Johnson Town Clerk on right. (photo by G. Morgan)
The first 3 minutes of the council meeting went well, the pledge, the prayer, and reading the minutes of the previous meeting. Regarding reading of the minutes, it was difficult to determine if the minutes were accepted and approved, first by motion and second then a vote of approval. The agenda was not approved. It was down hill from there with citizens basically controlling the meeting instead of the Mayor. Issues with the fire department were interjected by citizens, this was not on the agenda. The Fire Department issues were important, such as insurance and equipment function, but they should have been presented as a delegation item or for discussion at the end of the meeting. The Mayor, once again, lost control of the meeting, there was no arguing as in the previous meeting on June 12.
There is a concern relating to accountability regarding the approvals of town actions and expenditures since there appears to be no approvals of town agenda items and items on the agenda once they come before the council. Normally there would be a motion, a second and a vote for approval. There is no evidence of this occurring, heard nor seen.
Council Member Keith Smith discusses Martintown Landfill, bestows accolades on CDG Engineering, engineers for the landfill, and ask Mayor Shelton to "bring back" Mr. Eddie Blizzard, Solid Waste Director and Street Department Superintendent. (photo by G. Morgan)
The Martintown Landfill new permitting is due by July 18, 2018, CDG Engineering assists in that process.
Mr Smith alleged the Mayor had created hostile work conditions for Mr. Blizzard. Smith further claimed that Mr. Blizzard had been placed on Medical Leave due to a heart condition. Mayor Robin Shelton had no comment on the Sick Leave status of Mr. Blizzard.
It is important to point out that the day to day operations of the City of Scottsboro and the Supervision of the Employees is the responsibility of the Mayor of Scottsboro. As to any story such as this, there are two or more sides to the story. Mr. Smith also indicated Mr. Blizzard had received a reprimand from the Mayor.
There have been no formal complaints brought forward to the Scottsboro City Council as a body politic as a complaint for action.
DOCUMENTATION OF VERBAL WARNING FROM MAYOR ROBIN SHELTON REGARDING MR. EDDIE BLIZZARD
(Result of Records Request)
Mayor Shelton (photo by G. Morgan)
Mayor Shelton's Verbal Warning Documentation
(Click on image for an expanded view)
Mr. Eddie Blizzard speaking before the Scottsboro City Council (photo by G. Morgan)
There are two items which stands out in this document: 1) Provoking comments documented, quote - Mayor stated - "I apologized for cursing him," 2) an assault upon the Mayor by a Department Head, Quote from Mayor: "Blizzard said then we will just settle this right now, reached in and grabbed my necktie and started pulling."
Mr. Blizzard refused to sign the warning. H.R. Director Erin Stiles signed, Police Chief Ralph Dawe signed and the Mayor signed.
What is a hostile work environment? The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, EEOC, defines Creating a Hostile Work Environment as Harassment. The definition as to Federal Guidelines of a Hostile Work Environment are described at this link: https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/harassment.cfm
More info on workplace harassment from employment attorneys: ". . . for harassment under a hostile work environment theory, you must show that you were subjected to offensive, unwelcome conduct that was so severe or pervasive that it affected the terms and conditions of your employment. Getting yelled at all day long could be enough to meet this part of the test. However, you must also prove that the harassment was based on a protected characteristic, such as your race or gender.
Legally speaking, harassment is a form of discrimination. It is illegal only if it is based on one of the characteristics protected by federal or state antidiscrimination laws. Under federal law, these characteristics include race, color, national origin, gender, pregnancy, religion, disability, age (over 40), and genetic information. State law often protects additional traits, such as gender identity, marital status, and sexual orientation. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/my-boss-yells-me-can-i-sue-hostile-work-environment.html
Issue concerning approval of Change Order for Downtown Streetscape Phase 2 Project. This cost overrun was not approved, the issue died due to a lack of a second on the motion. Apparently there was a difference between last weeks costs as discussed in the June 18, 2018 Council Work Session, $18,340.00 and this week's cost of $26,346.67.
Scottsboro Council Member Keith Smith questions the ongoing practice of cost overruns regarding city construction projects. Smith comments about the City Streetscape project, "Look across the street at the sidewalk slope. . .other cities around are not having this contract problem." Meeting the American's for Disability Act requirements has been a problem, another result of failed planning. It appears there is an approximate $26,000 overrun thus far, for the Streetscape Project.
Mr. Smith is right, the City Taxpayers have paid thousands upon thousands in construction project cost overruns to various contractors. Abuse and waste was evident in the Ball Field construction project. A failure to plan and properly investigate architectural and street infrastructure problems is resulting in cost overruns in the downtown Streetscape Project.
Many citizens have questioned the necessity of the Streetscape project's scope and state it is wasteful and not needed. There have been many parking spaces lost to the Streetscape Project. A delegation of downtown merchants briefly met with the City Council tonight discussing traffic patterns and parking around the square affecting merchant business.
The historical significance of the drive around portion of the Courthouse Square was lost in the project, instead two expensive bricked in area were placed at the south side of the square changing traffic patterns and creating hazards. It was stated there were many meetings about the project explaining the scope. However, many of the meetings were not announced properly and involved only select citizens who agreed with the plans. (photo by G. Morgan)
Commissioners discussed 7 items then adjourned into a long Executive Session to discuss the good name and character of an individual and possible litigation. The Reports Section was not recorded, I left after an hour into the Executive Session to attend the City Council meeting. (photo by G. Morgan)
Scottsboro Zoning Board of Adjustment, granted 2 variances; 1) Case 1278 - 273 Driftwood Shores Dr., variance granted Dr.. 2) Garcia Rentals LLC was granted a variance to begin the process before the Planning Board for the construction of an 80 unit apartment complex at the end of Sara Betty Lane. Videos below. (photo by G. Morgan)
Apartment Plan, submitted to the Zoning Board of Adjustment
Glenn Garcia LLC Plan for 80 Unit Apartment Complex, end of Sara Betty Lane.
WZDX coverage of the issue, it is important to point out that the part of the so called "Open Meetings Guidelines" were not implemented as the Mayor points out several times. http://www.rocketcitynow.com/news/paint-rock-proposed-media-ban-making-national-headlines/1236257434 Tuesday, June 12, 2018 was the first time I have covered the event, it is my intentions to cover the Paint Rock Town Council on a regular basis.
There are 3 other issues regarding the Paint Rock Town Council's meetings: 1) There is no published agenda for the public, nor does it appear if there is an agenda that it is followed. 2) Rober's rules of order are not followed nor is the meeting process and decorum such that maintains order in the council chambers at meeting times. Several times there were disruptions from the citizenry present. 3) There is no public, published announcement conspicuously placed regarding Town Council meeting dates. The place to post the announcement would be on the Town Hall entry door.
If you own a pet, please be kind and care for them, and they will provide you love and a friend for as long as they are alive.
BeBe and Jaeger, our friend and pal who has also passed on, at Mont Sano State Park During Earth Day 2015.
“If you don’t own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.” – Roger A. Caras - Author, A Dog Is Listening: The Way Some of Our Closest Friends View Us. . .
Paint Rock, Alabama - early 20th Century. This appears to be an old photo postcard, prior to the 1930's tornado which destroyed a large portion of the town. Fair Use publication, not for profit news and commentary. Link Credit:
Part of Paint Rock, Alabama today along U.S Highway 72. Photo from Wiki link below, Fair Use for not for profit news reporting and commentary.
The Town of Paint Rock has
some serious legal issues, they documented some of these issues in policy and
ordinances confirmed by the City Clerk of Paint Rock and a former City Council
member. There may be several problems regarding the town's finances, which
become apparent when looking at their financial statements, not discussed at
this time.
Town of Paint Rock,
Alabama's Open Meeting Policy, it does not coincide with state law. Link below.
Click on any image for an expanded view.
Town of Paint Rock, Alabama Meeting
Guidelines, January 2018, as confirmed by a former Town council member and the
current Town Clerk. Click on image to expand view.
Agenda Item 1 - Interested persons residing within the City Limits of Scottsboro, Alabama for Jessica Butler's position on the Scottsboro City Council should submit in writing their interest in the position to the City Clerk by 4:30 PM on June 18, 2018
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.
