Hollywood, Alabama - Bellefonte Nuclear Facility, Briefing and Announcements, July 30, 2018 -- Update - August 4, 2018: A Question of Nuclear Reliability - May 6, 2021 - Update and Documents Review

Bellefonte Nuclear Facility near Hollywood, Alabama July 30, 2018, lots of talk today and promises. Interviews reveal no completion of financing or sale; however, all said the sale will be complete by the November 2018 deadline. (photo by G. Morgan)

Bud Cramer, former U.S. Congressman for our area, now works for Nuclear Development LLC. Cramer stated, no foreign money involvement (see UPDATE below), DOE grant in final stage says Cramer, grant level at $5 billion dollars. On schedule for sale finalization by November 2018.

MAY 6, 2021 - REVIEW AND UPDATE OF DOCUMENTS AND STATUS OF THE BELLEFONTE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, UNITS 1 AND 2

Documents indicating violations of law, regulation and policy -  

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

 DOCKET NOS. 50-438 and 50-439

Expert Testimony and Declarations (link) 

https://cleanenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/BLN12DeclarationGundersen050609.pdf

Quote Regarding the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Cannibalization: "Dr. Bob Doggart, a former senior engineering specialist at TVA who now serves as the managing lead assessor for the British Institute of Nondestructive Testing LLC said. “To allow outsiders to come in and remove key equipment for virtually nothing was unbelievably foolish.” Chattanooga Times Free Press on March 29, 2009"

Quote (pg14): ". . . licensure and operation of TVA’s Bellefonte Units 1 and 2 pose a grave risk to public health and safety without an entirely new construction permitting process, Quality Assurance Program, and environmental data analysis. . . "

CURRENT NRC STAUS AND DOCUMENTATION ON THE LICENSE TRASFER

Link: https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/bellefonte-constr-permits.html

ALL THINGS RELATED TO BELLEFONTE NUCLEAR POWER FACILITY ON THIS BLOG LINK:

https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Bellefonte%20Nuclear%20Power%20Plant 

UPDATE - A question of nuclear reliability

Wall Street Journal Article regarding alleged questionable foreign financing in violation of the Atomic Energy Act from Qatar involving President Trump's contacts and Nuclear Development LLC.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/top-trump-donor-agreed-to-pay-michael-cohen-10-million-for-nuclear-project-push-sources-say-1533245330?mod=hp_lead_pos4 

More Updates, this one from Alabama Media Group, al.com 

More on corruption associated with Franklin Haney and Bellefonte - "You got trouble Alabama and its' name is Haney" - https://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2018/08/you_got_trouble_alabama_and_it.html#incart_river_index

Corruption, Bellefonte and Haney - Nuclear Development,LLC

Preston Swafford, SNC Lavalin, former TVA, stated cost would be at approximately $3 billion dollars to complete Unit 1; a low ball estimate, more in the line of $5 billion to complete Unit 1. Operations for power delivery estimate to begin in 2024 according to Swafford. Costs of the Bellefonte facility in 2010 were $8 Billion  to complete both Unit 1 and Unit 2. Current costs are estimated for Unit 1 (55% complete) completion $5 billion; Unit 2 completion (35% complete) cost estimates $ 8-9 billion. 10 year inflation costs are at 65-70%. Every month, every year which passes costs increase.  (photo by G. Morgan)

Jackson County Economic Development Authority CEO Shelia Shepard opened the briefing today. 

AGENDA and SNC Lavalin Press Statement

(Click on image for an expanded view.)

Chattanooga Times Free Press article from today by Dave Flessner:   https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2018/jul/30/haney-outlines/475955/   Quote -""TVA began gutting key components out of the Bellefonte reactors a decade ago whenTVA first decided to abandon the original Bellefonte units in favor of next generation nuclear power. TVA later reversed that decision but then ultimately gave up on any of its plans for Bellefonte as demand for additional electricity has stagnated in the Tennessee Valley. Critics of the Bellefonte plant contend that the integrity of the plant safety systems was jeopardized when steam generators and other equipment was removed. . .We don't believe that Bellefonte could ever meet the safety standards that the NRC would require because it was put outside of the nuclear quality and assurance standards and we've seen no credible program to bring it back into those requirements," said Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, which has long opposed the completion of Bellefonte.""

History Links regarding the Bellefonte Nuclear Facility near Hollywood, Alabama

Power Technology: https://www.power-technology.com/projects/bellefontenuclearpla/

WIKI Referenced Info on Bellefonte: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellefonte_Nuclear_Generating_Station

BIZJOURNAL reports this info regarding Bellefonte: 

"A private engineering consultant with an office in Birmingham has been enlisted to help complete work on a nuclear power plant in Jackson County.  Enercon Services Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with Montreal-based SNC-Lavalin to help complete work on the Bellefonte Unit 1 Nuclear Generating Station in the Alabama town of Hollywood."   https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2018/06/28/georgia-firm-to-help-build-nuclear-power-plant-in.html

Chattanooga Times Free Press article from June 8, 2018:    https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/business/aroundregion/story/2018/jun/08/haney-signs-agreement-canadifirm-finish-belle/472720/  Note previous TVA employees involved in this firm. 

VIDEO of Bellefonte Nuclear Facility Briefing and Announcements, Monday July 30, 2018

Scottsboro, Alabama July 23, 2018 - Jackson County Commission Regular Session, Public Hearing on County Road 96

Jackson County Courthouse, north entrance, Courthouse Square, Scottsboro, Alabama (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA

Item IV on the agenda - Call for a Public Hearing on CR 96.

 VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama July 23, 2018 Scottsboro City Council Meeting Regular Session - Greg Mashburn Selected to Fill City Council Place 1 Vacancy

Greg Mashburn, center of photo in blue shirt, selected to the 2 year term for Scottsboro City Council, Place 1, which was vacated when Jessica Butler resigned on June 4, 2018. Council Member Patrick Stewart to the left of Mr. Mashburn; local attorney Will Parks, on right, offers his congratulations. (photo by G. Morgan)

Facebook Video: https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10216640027576839/

AGENDA

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama July 16, 2018 Jackson County Commission Work Session

Jackson County Courthouse, North Entrance (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama July 16, 2018 - Scottsboro City Council - Superintendent of Scottsboro City School System Presentation on Security - Special Called Meeting of the City Council to Decide on Replacement for Position 1 on the City Council

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA

A SMART CHOICE 

DR. JAY REYES DISCUSSES SCHOOL SECURITY -

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS 

A native of Scottsboro, Dr. Jose Reyes, Jr. assumed the position of Superintendent in September of 2017. More on Dr. Reyes from Scottsboro City Schools web site:   http://www.scottsboroschools.net/cms/one.aspx?portalId=151104&pageId=4398602

       THE LIST, COUNCIL VOTE CONTINUES NEXT WEEK, JULY 23, 2018

FACEBOOK LIVE VIDEO LINK:   https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10216584985960833/

Paint Rock, Alabama July 10, 2018 - Paint Rock Town Council Meeting

Mayor Fisk, left and Mrs. Johnson City Clerk, right - Kudos to Mayor Fisk for improvements in the City Council decorum and controlling the meeting. One suggestion, insure the council members votes are heard verbally, they need to speak out not "whisper" their vote. Agenda topics and discussion were heard and distinct. Great improvement!

AGENDA

Old Business: 1) Followup on drainage problems within city, discussion on grants. Mayor Fisk stated that the town could only apply for one grant at a time.

New Business

1) Discussion of hole at old town hall site, needs filling in, ask for council member input. Contractors and names to perform the work were discussed.

2) Phone system for Town Hall was discussed. Currently the City Clerk's cell phone is utilized. Need for fixed land line was discussed with cost input and service provider info..

3) Discussion of Ordinance 2816, Town Litter Ordinance. Form for documenting violations was discussed, passed around and approved by vote of the council members. The Mayor had 3 names already on three separate forms in which the council had just approved. Mailing of the forms by Certified Mail was discussed to insure notice. It was decided that three notices would be issued for violations before submitted to District Attorney for action. 

4) Fire Department meeting - The next meeting of the Town Council will be on August 2, 2018 at 6:00PM with the Paint Rock Fire Department at Paint Rock Town Hall

End of Meeting Discussion was opened by the Mayor, first from the Town Council, then from citizens. Meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:30 PM. 

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama Jackson County Commission Regular Session July 9, 2018

Jackson County Courthouse, North Entrance (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA

(Click on image to expand view.)

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama - July 9, 2018 - Scottsboro City Council Regular Session Vote on Place 1 Replacement - Mr. Smith Discusses Expenditures Regarding Equipment Repair and Replacement, Bid Law Violations? - Update Regarding March 2018 Altercation Between Mr. Eddie Blizzard and Mayor Robin Shelton, Record Request Results

Mr. Smith discusses Sanitation and Street Department equipment repair and purchase expenditures and or proposals. (photo by G. Morgan)

BID LAW VIOLATIONS?

SMITH REPORTED THE FOLLOWING EXPENDITURES OR PROPOSED

1) $32,000 expenditure for bull dozier repair, check cancelled as not budgeted and no approval from city council.

2) Badger Ditch Cleaner, $20,000

3) Track Hoe, $16,000

4) Compactor air conditioner, $7800

5) Dump Truck at Land Fill, 4 wheel drive out for 8-10 years,  $10,000-$12,000

Total - $85,800

The requirement for bidding services, such as repairs, or purchases involves financial amounts over $15,000. Link to bid law,  Code of Alabama 41-16-50 https://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-41-state-government/al-code-sect-41-16-50.html  Also Examiners of Public Accounts, Do's and Don'ts Utilizing Public Funds http://www.examiners.state.al.us/documents/formpub/Dos_and_Donts.pdf

Unfortunately there is much more to this crisis than meets the "public eye." Possible bid law violations is just the tip of the puzzle. I have been having conversations with past Mayors of Scottsboro prior to Mayor Shelton, 16 years, about serious shortcomings in the City of Scottsboro's Personnel Management system, this includes presentations to the City Council. The City Council is just as at fault as Mayors past and present regarding this issue. In this case, as well as the Blizzard issue, it appears there may be an intentional undermining of the Chain of Command at the City of Scottsboro. Instead of working together as a team to manage the City of Scottsboro, professionally, intelligently, and facilitating the principles of leadership and stewardship, there is intentional conflict and undermining of processes. 

If you are a politician in the City of Scottsboro either act professional, do the peoples business, be a leader, work to resolve problems as a team, OR RESIGN. If you are an employee, politically appointed (Which is another problem, unresolved, several of the positions should be classified not appointed.) or classified (hired) follow the rules of the City, quit scheming, or you should expect to be terminated if you are not going to be a team player. The situation regarding Mr. Blizzard is part of the problem.

CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR - recommendations were made several years ago regarding needed improvements to the Scottsboro Personnel Management System, you have ignored those recommendations. The situation involved the Scottsboro Police Department, Mr. Smith as the Police Chief, Mayor Deason and the alleged improper termination of an employee. A Personnel Management Specialist was hired and gave a report of needed improvements. Instead of making improvements y'all have proceeded on a course of unprofessional conduct which does not have the best interests of the citizens of the City of Scottsboro as first and foremost in your agendas. STOP WITH THE PERSONAL EGOTISTICAL VENDETTAS AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF THE CITY STRUCTURE OF SCOTTSBORO! CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE. 

Is it too much to ask for professional conduct on the part of elected leadership??

BE PROFESSIONAL - BE THE TEAM

Stop working against each other.

The Council President, Mr. Tony Wallingsford, Mayor Robin Shelton, and the City Attorney are to meet this week to discuss the issue of inappropriate expenditures. 

VIDEO EXCERPT OF MR. SMITH'S PRESENTATION

                                                   AGENDA

Vote on the Scottsboro City Council for Place 1, vacated when Mrs. Jessica Butler resigned.

Jenna Bell received 2 votes, Mr. Wallingsford and Mr. Gary Stewart

Linda Bray received 2 votes, Mr. Smith and Mr. Patrick Stewart

A Special Call Meeting to be announced for a second vote on July 16, 2018 after the regular scheduled work session meeting.

THE LIST

VIDEO

Records request regarding documented Verbal Warning given to Mr. Eddie Blizzard by Mayor Robin Shelton. There are two items in this document which stand out: 1) Provoking comments documented, quote - Mayor stated - "I apologized for cursing him," 2) and 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.

Also this blog article on the subject: https://arklite.blogspot.com/2018/06/scottsboro-city-council-regular-session_26.html

UPDATE July 2, 2018 : Mr. Blizzard was asked if he wanted to provide a comment regarding this issue or his current status, he stated: "No comment."

                                      

                            DOCUMENTED VERBAL WARNING
                 (Click on image of document for an expanded view.) 

THE LIST - And Continuing Sagas of the Political 'boro - JULY 6, 2018

Effective June 4, 2018 Mrs. Jessica Butler resigned from Place 1 on the Scottsboro City Council. The City of Scottsboro asked for candidates to submit their names for the vacant position, 13 candidates submitted their names to be selected by the members of the Scottsboro City Council on Monday July 9, 2018 at 6:00 PM in the Scottsboro City Council Chambers, Gail Duffy Auditorium. 

"The List and Continuing Saga . . ."  contains 3 articles at this link - The List  - explaining political action currently and historically or at this link - relating to the Alabama Private Investigators Board and previous problems within the City of Scottsboro. 

https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Alabama%20Private%20Investigators%20Board

Two members of the City Council have stated they will support Mrs Linda Bray, 1 on the list. I submitted my concerns to the entire Scottsboro City Council Regarding Mrs. Bray via email and Messenger. On Thursday evening 5 July, 2018 I interviewed Mrs Bray and we had a discussion regarding my concerns. I have updated 2 blog articles regarding this interview going back in time to November 3, 2015 and March 29, 2016. These articles were in regards to Mrs. Brays activities as a Private Investigator and Personnel Board member. I requested, and she provided me with documents which were utilized to update the 2015 and 2016 articles. The interview directly relates to the described incidents and my concerns as a Citizen of Scottsboro, Alabama. The context of concern and photos of the Documents may be found at The List in subsequent articles after this one.

Phone interview of Mrs. Bray on July 5, 2018, due to her possible selection as an appointed City Council Member.  Mr. Smith and Mr. Patrick Stewart have indicated they will support Mrs. Bray as a candidate for the City Council position to be selected on July 9, 2018. 

I expressed concern regarding an unlicensed Private Investigator performing investigations for the city.  Mrs Bray stated, paraphrased, that she was informed by the state investigators board that because she was a contracted representative of the City of Scottsboro and that she did not have to have an Investigator's License per the Laws of The State of Alabama. Mrs. Bray was asked if there was a written contract, she stated there was no contract in writing, everything was verbal. She did indicate, and was confirmed, that she had a City Business Licence and further claimed no one knew of the requirement for a state investigators license. My note: This appears to conflict with the laws of the state regarding exceptions to license requirements of an investigator which may be found at: Code of Alabama Link: https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/2015/title-34/chapter-25b/ 

Mrs. Bray additionally stated that she was previously contracted by Scottsboro to perform investigations on Workers Comp Cases.  Interviews revealed that she was contracted  per order of the Mayor of Scottsboro at the time thru Human Resources. Normally, Workers Comp Insurance case investigations are  conducted by the insurance carrier. *(The following comment stood out to me regarding Mrs. Brays character.)* Mrs. Bray further indicated (paraphrased) that she did not wish to cause a problem for anyone, but if this issue came forward again the H.R. Directors involvement would be brought forward, meaning her contracted hiring to investigate a Workers Comp case. Mrs. Bray indicated she thought the H.R. Director's job performance was excellent.

Mrs. Bray indicated she had received a training course of study in Private Investigations.

Mrs. Bray indicated she is a member of the Personnel Board of the City of Scottsboro. 

Documents and photos regarding this story may be found in the accompanying articles:    https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20List

Scottsboro, Alabama - Jackson County Commission Work Session July 2, 2018

Jackson County Courthouse, North Entrance (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA

Jackson County Sanitation/Solid Waste Director discusses need for new trucks..

Jackson County Attorney provides input on county issues.

VIDEO

Scottsboro City Council Work Session and Solid Waste Authority Annual Meeting July 2, 2018

City Hall Scottsboro Alabama (photo by G. Morgan)

Election qualifications for three City Council Members and one City Board of Education Member begins on July 3, 2018 at 8 AM and runs thru July 17, 2018 until 5 PM. Elections will be held on Tuesday August 28, 2018 with runoff election if needed on October 9, 2018.

Selection of the current vacant City Council position, formerly held by Ms. Jessica Butler, to take place by City Council vote on July 9, 2018.

Item 3 on the agenda - Roy Light of the Scottsboro Industrial Development Board appeared before the City Council to provide information on upcoming planned Sanoh expansion in the industrial park, additional 30,000 square feet of space and  will add up to 30 new jobs. Light stated, "We will need your help. . .,"  meaning the City of Scottsboro will be required to provide financing for the expansion project in the form of a loan or bond issue for the Sanoh building expansion in the city industrial park (begining at 9:45 in the below video).

Council members have expressed concern regarding the debt load of the City of Scottsboro.

AGENDAS

VIDEO