Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan
AGENDA
Item 3 - Approval for $11,800 regarding professional services for Hope Hicks, Attorney regarding the Judge Scott Berry case and problems within the municipal court.
Item 6 (added to agenda) - County Park Rd. and U.S.Hwy 72 Safety and Improvement Project; 3-2 vote, project not approved.
UPDATE February 27, 2019 - County Park Rd. U.S. Hwy.
72 - Late Developing Story - Current business influences may have impacted the
Scottsboro City Council's decision to vote NO on the Hwy.72 County Park Rd.
improvement project which involves approximately $1 million dollars for the
City of Scottsboro to improve the safety problem of the Hwy 72 County Park
roadway and intersection.
INCOMING DEVELOPERS AND
COMPETITION - There were at least 3 potential businesses/corporate expansions
and developments which will be adversely impacted as a result of the NO vote.
Approximate amount of investments and jobs adversely impacted, approximately
$8,000,000 to $10, 000,000 million in investment and jobs.
Apparently, current
business influences afraid of competition have influenced the city council to
vote NO, say concerned citizens, on this safety improvement project. Proposed development includes High Country Toyota on the North side of Hwy 72 and a Chattanooga Group, Hutton Developers; Hutton's Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/WeKnowDirt/ on the south side at the Chinese Restaurant location, which includes a total of 10 ac. The Part 2 video from last weeks council meeting, February 18, 2019 may be seen at:
UPDATE: More on the John T. Reed Parkway, U.S. Highway 72 Safety Improvement Project - I asked each Scottsboro City Council member the following question on Facebook Messenger: "Do you have any comment as to your NO or YES vote reasoning for the Hwy 72, County Park Road project. Info to be utilized on my blog." All received the question, and all answered my question directly except for one, read about it at: https://arklite.blogspot.com/2019/03/scottsboro-alabama-march-3-2019-update.html
(Not on Agenda) Municipal Judge Scott Berry announces resignation as presented by City Council President Patrick Stewart. City Attorney stated resignation letter is not available at this time. WAFF News Story: http://www.waff.com/2019/02/26/embattled-scottsboro-municipal-judge-resign-next-month/
Problem? - Mr. Stewart stated, "Judge Scott Berry's resignation was accepted." Shouldn't this be a council action if needed, as one person does not have the authority of the entire City Council?? Surely there was no secret vote, if a vote is needed to accept the resignation. No city council member had a comment on this issue.
VIDEO OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Delegation representing the Jackson County Spay and Neuter group for pets requested $3,500 for auto show event at Goose Pond Colony. (See video above.)
Mayor Shelton stated he was disappointed in the failed vote regarding U.S. Hwy 72 and County Park Rd. safety improvement project. Vote was 3-2 against the improvement. This vote may affect future development in the area.
Robert Avery presentation on U.S. Census - need for Census Takers, info on jobs.
(Click on image for an expanded view.)
PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST, AS OF THIS DATE RECORDS HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED.
Public Records Request(Original request signed, submitted February 18, 2019)
Under the Alabama Open Records Law 36-12-40 et seq., I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of said public records, (Describe the records or information sought with enough detail for the public agency to respond.) Also give the reason why you wish to review these records. (You must give a valid reason)
Records Requested: 1) On or about February 1, 2019; or during the first week following Feb. 1, 2019, the Chief of Police, Ralph Dawe sent forward to the Mayor and City Council a information memorandum or notice, outlining Scottsboro Police Department concerns regarding the case activity and or conduct of the the current Municipal Judge, Scott Berry. Please provide a copy of this public document as soon as possible. 2) On or about November 1, 2018 to January 31, 2019, per information from City Officials, a payment for legal services utilizing City of Scottsboro, Al. funds was made to an attorney, per report by the last name of “Snow,”to represent Municipal Judge Scott Berry in the sum of approximately $7000.00. It was also reported that travel expenses were paid to Judge Berry for this reported trip to Montgomery, Al. where lawyer “Snow” was located. Please provide copies of any vouchers or checks paid by the City of Scottsboro, Al. related to this event, eg. Attorney fees and or travel documentation as soon as possible, to include any other attorneys or firms related to Judge Berry’s representation paid for by the City of Scottsboro, Al.
The documents information requested is of a public interest which may be utilized as a news story in various news media outlets to include but not limited to my blog, a non-profit news and information blog regarding local issues and news events, “In the Boro,” https://arklite.blogspot.com
Historical articles regarding this incident and the history of the Municipal Court of Scottsboro, concerns and events associated with sexual discrimination and harassment within the Scottsboro political entity: https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Municipal%20Court
WAFF NEWS Story. update with links to previous stories on issue: http://www.waff.com/2019/02/26/embattled-scottsboro-municipal-judge-resign-next-month/
Judicial Canon of Ethics: http://judicial.alabama.gov/library/RulesCanons
Judicial Canon of Ethics: http://judicial.alabama.gov/library/RulesCanons
3 comments:
Ok Scottsboro, we need to vote all these guys off the council. They dont want progress, they want Scottsboro to stay the same. It’s time for us all to wake up, voice opinions. We need jobs, change. This little town is really getting sad. They talk about it in other cities. These guys are not leaders and need their butts kicked off. They and their cronies are afraid of competition, keep the money, contracts going to certain families. If they let “outsiders” in, they won’t get to scratch the backs of the ones who will scratch theirs in return. TIME for CHANGE. Get rid of the good ole boys..with big egos..so so sad. Watch them on TV....hilarious!
I thought this whole project was about safety. What does competition and outsiders have to do with safety? What new business were signed up and coming to town? Contracts to certain firms, sort of like the firm doing the study has the city engineer's brother working for them. Don't like the vote, what the council is doing, they meet every Monday, go to the meeting tell them what you don't like.
Hutton Development out of Chattanooga stated they were going to develop the property where the Chinese Restaurant is located. They also stated the safety improvement was crucial to the development. There is a posted link to the YouTube Video for the Feb 18, 2019 meeting in the paragraph end above the video of the project. Before business expansion along Hwy 72 can occur there must be changes in the traffic design and roadway. Personally, I think it was a terrible mistake in planning and development by allowing expansion along Hwy 72 without a complete frontage road system and bridges in crucial areas. Currently, if improvements are not made as traffic increases so will the accident rate. As a note, Scottsboro has had several development plans, eg. 1976, 2000, 2020 etc. Most have not been followed; these plans cost the citizenry big bucks.
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