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

Friday, June 26, 2020

June 26, 2020 - Scottsboro, Alabama - Celebrating Our Diverse Culture in Food and Art - Toros Cantina & Grill on South Broad Street in Scottsboro, Al. Mexican Art Display - Sometimes a Chair is More Than a Chair, it is a Work of Art

June 26, 2020 - Celebrating the cultural diversity of Scottsboro through food and art. Toros Cantina & Grill 3311 South Broad St., Scottsboro, Alabama. Great Mexican-American Cuisine - Video Feature of Toro's Art Displays - Sometimes A Chair Is More Than A Chair, it Is A Work Of Art! Toros Cantina & Grill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TorosCantina/ Photography and video by G. Morgan, by permission of owner of Toros Cantina & Grill




Video Tour, more pictures below.






Sometimes a chair is more than a chair, it is a work of art.



TORO

Monday, June 22, 2020

Scottsboro, Alabama - June 22, 2020 - Complaint to the Jackson County District Attorney - Jackson County Commission's Violation of the Alabama Open Meetings Act and Failure to Provide Notice of a Deliberative Meeting of a Quorum of the Commission

Jackson County Courthouse (photo by G. Morgan)

Open government is the governing doctrine which holds that citizens have the right to access the documents and proceedings of the government to allow for effective public oversight. In its broadest construction, it opposes reason of state and other considerations, which have tended to legitimize extensive state secrecy. The origins of open-government arguments can be dated to the time of the European Age of Enlightenment, during which philosophers debated the proper construction of a then nascent democratic society. It is also increasingly being associated with the concept of democratic reform. ( wiki reference - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_government )

ACCA, Association of County Commissions of Alabama, Primer for Counties regarding Alabama’s Open Meeting Law. Link: http://www.alabamacounties.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Open-Meetings-Law-Primer_rv.pdf  


Complaint to the Jackson County District Attorney - Jackson County Commission's Violation of the Alabama Open Meetings Act and Failure to Provide Notice of a Deliberative Meeting of a Quorum of the Commission.

To: Jackson County District Attorney
Attn: The Honorable Jason Pierce
P.O. Box 923
Scottsboro, Alabama 35768

From: Garry L. Morgan
P.O. Box 241
Scottsboro, Alabama 35768


Subject: Complaint – Jackson County Commission - Violation of the Alabama Open Meetings Law, Code of Alabama 36-25A-1 and Code of Alabama 11-3-8, County Commission Meeting Notice Requirements.

Complaint: On or about June 10, 2020 the Jackson County Commission, with a quorum of commissioners present, Commission Chair Tim Guffey was absent, met with the Jackson County Legislative Delegation for the purpose of raising taxes in Jackson County Alabama. This was a Deliberative Session of the commission, the issue will come before the commission at a later date. The deliberative meeting is a violation of the Code of Alabama 36-25A-1, Open Meetings Law and Code of Alabama 11-3-8, County Commission Meeting Notice Requirements. Reference Facebook Commission Meeting Video on June 15, 2020 this video includes a listing of the items deliberated upon and the commissioner’s positions at the secret meeting on or about June 10, 2020 with the Legislative Delegation: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=253370405960197&ref=watch_permalink


Discussion: The Jackson County Commission does not have the authority to raise taxes, this issue must be brought before the Alabama Legislature, the Commission deliberated on or about June 10, 2020 with the Legislative Delegation for the purpose of raising taxes. An issue which will come before the commission at a later date. This meeting was a deliberation, it went beyond the context of the Open Meetings Law of the State of Alabama allowing for the "seeking of support or information about an issue;" reference definition of Meeting in (6) b 2, Act 2015-475, Open Meetings in Alabama. The commission is attempting to raise taxes, there must not be any secretive dealings regarding this issue, this is the citizens business, all deliberations must be conducted in the open, thus the purpose of our Open Meetings Law. Please, do not misunderstand, I am in support of the commissions attempt to raise revenue, the issue is how the commission is conducting their business regarding the raising of revenue via taxes. It is imperative that the Jackson County Commission and the Legislative Delegation be transparent and open in all phases of this issue, secrecy defeats the purpose of OPEN, TRANSPARENT Government and our laws regarding this issue.

The commission admits their deliberations with a quorum of the commission present (Facebook video linked above). Of note is the ACCA, Association of County Commissions of Alabama, Primer for Counties regarding Alabama’s Open Meeting Law, this will be included in the discussion below. Link: http://www.alabamacounties.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Open-Meetings-Law

This is not the first time the commission has held, or attempted to hold, a secretive meeting with the Legislative Delegation in reference to deliberations to raise taxes in Jackson County, reference You Tube Video, April 1 2019: https://youtu.be/f48vGsHGkQc  I happen to overhear the 2019 meeting plan being discussed. I was the only media person in attendance at that meeting as there was no prior notice. My article regarding this meeting and the full video of the meeting and commission meeting involving these issues may be found at https://arklite.blogspot.com/2019/04/jackson-county-commission-work-session.html

ACCA’s comments on deliberations, page 7 of their primer on Open Meetings: “Because the issue of “deliberation” is at the heart of determining when social or other “gatherings” turn into “meetings”, it is important to closely examine the definition of “deliberation” found in Ala. Code § 36-25A-2(1):
“An exchange of information or ideas among a quorum of members of a subcommittee, committee, or full governmental body intended to arrive at or influence a decision as to how any members of the subcommittee, committee, or full governmental body should vote on a specific matter that, at the time of the exchange, the participating members expect to come before the subcommittee, committee, or full body immediately following the discussion or at a later time.”

The meeting between the Legislative Delegation and a quorum of the Jackson County Commission should have been declared a Special Meeting. ACCA’s descriptive, page 12: “Special Meetings -
Special meetings of the commission can be called with five days notice upon written request of a majority of the members of the county commission. As required in § 11-3-8, the time, date and location of the special meeting along with the “purpose for and agenda of the meeting” must be posted in the courthouse at least five days before the meeting. The commission must notify the members of the media who have filed a written request with the commission for such notification.” No members of the media were notified of the commission’s planned and called meeting on or about June 10, 2020.

Enforcement of the Open Meetings Law (ACCA Primer, page 41): “Ala. Code §36-25A-9(a) states that the Open Meetings Law “is designed and intended to hold members of governmental bodies, and the bodies themselves, accountable to the public for violations of [the law].” The enforcement provisions of the law provide the means to accomplish these goals. The law was amended in 2015, in part to strengthen and clarify some of the enforcement provisions of the law. See Act 2015-340.” The District Attorney may bring action to resolve the problem as outlined in the code.

Requested Action of the Jackson County Alabama District Attorney (per AL Code § 36-25A-9 (2018): I, Garry L. Morgan, respectfully request that your office bring an action, suit, injunction, to insure the Jackson County Commission does not hold secretive, deliberative sessions with the Jackson County Legislative Delegation when such issues involve raising taxes and will come before the deliberative body of the commission at a later date. The purpose of Alabama’s Open Meeting’s Law is to insure a transparent, open government in their deliberations and motives. Particularly when an issue comes before the Commission and our local Legislative Delegation effecting all of the citizens of Jackson County in relationship to raising tax revenue for the operations of our county. Additionally, I do not believe there is an official record of this meeting.


 Garry L. Morgan

                                     RECEIPT of Certified Mailing


Jackson County District Attorney's Reply to my Complaint
(Click on image for an expanded view.)





Bottom Line - Jackson County District Attorney says this meeting did not violate state law regarding open meetings. Quote: ". . . it was not definitionally a meeting. . ." Reference Slagel vs. Ross, 125 So. 3d 117 (Ala 2012)


HISTORY - Over 12 years of Jackson County Legislative Delegation's interactions and documentation with local government entities and citizen groups in support of OPEN GOVERNMENT, and at times, questionable actions.    https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Jackson%20County%20Legislative%20Delegation

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Scottsboro, Alabama - June 15, 2020 - Jackson County Commission Meeting, Agenda Item 1 - Raising of Taxes, Violation of the Open Meetings Act

Jackson county Commission Work Session June 15, 2020 (Excerpt photo by G. Morgan from the County Commissions Facebook video - Fair Use for Non-Profit news reporting and commentary.)

Many thanks for the Jackson county Commissions live Facebook postings, this gives the citizens of Jackson County the ability to watch the meeting video at a later time or date for those citizens who can’t be present. 

Scottsboro, Alabama - June 15, 2020 - Violation of the Alabama Open Meetings Act per admission, agenda item 1. A Quorum of the Jackson County Commission met with the Jackson County Legislative Delegation on or about June 10, 2020 to discuss and plan a scheme to raise taxes in Jackson County Alabama, this issue will be deliberated before the Jackson County Commission at a later date. The citizens nor the press were informed of this secret meeting. This is not the first time this commission has planned such secret meetings to discuss tax increases in violation of Alabama's Open Meetings Laws. In my opinion, the commissions actions reflect a violation of law and political obligations. This video is an excerpt of the Jackson County Commission's Work Session meeting on June 15, 2020, agenda item 1, approximately 44 minutes in length with 3 minutes of my commentary. Commission Video on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/JCCommissionAL/videos/253370405960197/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

June 15, 2020 -DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR COMMISSION –
1) POTENTIAL SPECIAL SESSION
2) LICENSE INSPECTOR / FLOODPLAIN MANAGER
3) COUNTY VEHICLE POLICY
4) MOU WITH BUCK’S POCKET STATE PARK
5) EMA SURPLUS TAHOE
6) CARES ACT RESOLUTION FOR TRANSPORTATION (5311)
7) PARKS DEPARTMENT:
---a. CAMP & BOAT RENT RATE
---b. CABIN LAUNDRY
---c. CABIN CLEANING CONTRACT
---d. RESIDENTIAL CONTRACT FOR NSM PARK

It was by chance last year, after overhearing a discussion that the commission was going to meet with the delegation to discuss this same issue, where a quorum was present, the issue was to come before the commission at a later date, which I videoed that meeting with our delegation, the public nor media were informed of that planned secret meeting. Article with video: https://arklite.blogspot.com/2019/04/jackson-county-commission-work-session.html Failing to involve the citizenry in the meeting with OUR elected delegation members (they are not a political caucus) is a serious and critical error, politically and legally, in my opinion. Please follow the law on this issue: Alabama Act 2015-475: https://openmeetings.alabama.gov/generalpublic/downloads/Act2015-475.pdf 

VIDEO EXCERPT Agenda Item 1

Sunday, June 14, 2020

Scottsboro, Alabama - June 14, 2020 - Prayer Walk - Unity March for Equal Treatment, End the Violence Against Minority People, Peace

Approximately 200 citizens participated, the prayer walk for unity from the Scottsboro Boys Museum to the Jackson County Courthouse Square. Participant's line was a 1/4 of a mile long, and the entire width of West Willow St, in support of equal treatment, the end of racist practices and peace. Police officers walked with those participating in the prayer walk.

PICTURES
Circuit Court Judge Elect Brent Benson talked about what a courthouse is about - equal justice in support of the law. He stated justice is ordained by God, and spoke of St. Thomas Moore's prayer for lawyers. Mr. Benson spoke of Dr. Martin Luther King's statement, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Dr. Gary Spears talks about growing up in Birmingham, Al. during a time of racist violence by the Klan against black folks, which included the bombing murder of 4 innocent black children in the 16th St. Baptist  church. Dr. Spears led the group in prayer.

Scottsboro Boys Museum Director Sheila Washington discusses the Prayer Walk for Unity. 

Scottsboro Mayor Robin Shelton talks about the meaning of prayer. Acting Police Chief Ron Latimer discusses how the Scottsboro Police Department will treat every citizen with fairness, acts of brutality and excessive force will not be tolerated.

VIDEO



Short Version Video


                                            VIDEO EXCERPT



Saturday, June 6, 2020

Scottsboro, Alabama - June 6, 2020 - Peaceful Protest Scheduled at 5 PM - Fear of Violence Due to Alleged Social Media Postings and Government Officials Comments

Jackson County Courthouse, Scottsboro, Alabama photo by G. Morgan

Joint Statement from Scottsboro Mayor and Police Chief Regarding the Peaceful Protest           ( Click on image to expand image.)


A peaceful protest scheduled earlier was cancelled, then rescheduled. City officials claim they were warned of possible violence would be started by an out of town element due to social media postings. I screened hundreds of social media postings on Facebook and Twitter and found no credible evidence of an imminent threat of violence that would occur during the scheduled peaceful First Amendment protest regarding concerns over racism and police violence. (reference George Floyd story on Wiki with references  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_George_Floyd )   I contacted law enforcement leadership, one call was not returned, one source indicated there were social media rumors of violence, this was later confirmed by a second law enforcement source.

OFF then ON PEACEFUL PROTEST SCHEDULED

A local citizen had scheduled the protest at 5 PM this afternoon then cancelled it claiming he had received information there were folks coming from out of town to cause harm and create a violent situation. Another involved citizen stated he was going to continue the protest, reference - https://www.facebook.com/events/548891852686656/ Quote: "Peaceful Protest - June 6, 2020 - Scottsboro, Alabama - 5 PM - Jackson County Courthouse Square - Hosted by Ryan Little"

WAFF-TV story concerning the original protest organizer, Anthony McCamey, quote: "Once outsiders learned about Anthony McCamey’s plans they sent violent threats to him. “Within 8 hours I received at least 20 messages from people sending screenshots saying out-of-towners and locals from Scottsboro, Stevenson, South Pittsburg, Florida, Atlanta were going to come down here and riot the town," said McCamey. As a safety precaution McCamey immediately canceled the protest." https://www.waff.com/2020/06/05/peaceful-protest-scheduled-scottsboro-canceled-due-violent-threats/?fbclid=IwAR2YgxzA-1NVjJCitXBxlxVG9y7jGFMDJk8tUBpaxQ1qhs3LiM_GuY2Ajsg

WAAY-TV story quote:"The Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce says plans that started peaceful turned violent when an outside group tried taking that protest over." - - - “Scottsboro is our home and we can’t destroy it with riots, destruction and violence,” Shelton’s statement says. “We are trying to be as proactive as possible to prevent any damage coming to any individuals or businesses on the square on Saturday.”  Link (with Mayors Letter advising business owners to close stores at 2 PM): https://www.waaytv.com/content/news/Scottsboro-mayor-recommends-businesses-close-Saturday-to-avoid-possible-violent-protest-571027791.html?fbclid=IwAR21612BvQlJmkDlS336QvO_UdqhbYFUgVd-VRAXMycKeO4bftC8LvbJp9w 
This story raises concerns and a question - How does a planned protest turn violent before the protest occurs???

VIDEOS
Part 1, Boarded up businesses on the downtown square.



Part 2 video, full video 21 minutes.



A short version, approximately 12 minutes



                                     Video Excerpt from protest