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

Monday, March 8, 2021

March 8, 2021 - Scottsboro, Alabama - Scottsboro City Council Meeting Regular Session - Public Hearing Announcement for March 22, 2021- City [of Scottsboro] and White Development Financing/[City] Ordinance - Agenda and Video - White Development and Publix Supermarket Announcement - UPDATE- March 9, 2021 - Amendment 772 - March 8, 2021 - Jackson County Commission Meetings Agenda Link and Facebook Video Link

 

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

COUNCIL PRESIDENT BAILEY AT END OF MEETING STATED: "I ALSO NEED TO READ THIS IN, GOING ALONG WITH WHITE; I NEED THE MAYOR AND [CITY] CLERK TO POST A NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON MARCH 22 [2021], TO ADDRESS THE [CITY] ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC FINANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY [OF SCOTTSBORO, ALABAMA] AND WHITE DEVELOPMENT, SO WE CAN GET THAT DONE, GET MOVING."
Short Video of Council President's Instructions

Purpose of Public Hearing Regarding Amendment 772 (link below)
Significant Question: Bond Issue or No Bond Issue Regarding Tax Payer Funding of the White Development. This is the reason the property and contracts have not closed as of todays date. Unfortunately, some politicians have not been truthful, or ignorant, in their disclosure when asked.

(c) Neither the county nor any municipality located therein shall lend its credit to or grant any public funds or thing of value to or in aid of any private entity under the authority of this amendment unless prior thereto both of the following are satisfied:

(1) . The action proposed to be taken by the county or municipality is approved at a public meeting of the governing body of the county or municipality, as the case may be, by a resolution containing a determination by the governing body that the expenditure of public funds for the purpose specified will serve a valid and sufficient public purpose, notwithstanding any incidental benefit accruing to any private entity or entities.

(2) At least seven days prior to the public meeting, a notice is published in the newspaper having the largest circulation in the county or municipality, as the case may be, describing in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken, a description of the public benefits sought to be achieved by the action, and identifying each individual, firm, corporation, or other business entity to whom or for whose benefit the county or the municipality proposes to lend its credit or grant public funds or thing of value.

LINK: https://law.justia.com/constitution/alabama/CA-1241115.html

AG OPINION  - Hold on, there is more,. AG Opinion Regarding Section 94 Alabama Constitution: "Section 94 prohibits the Legislature from “authoriz[ing] any county, city, town, or other subdivision of this state to lend its credit, or to grant public money or thing of value in aid of, or to any individual, association, or corporation whatsoever, or to become a stockholder in any corporation, association, or company, by issuing bonds or otherwise (emphasis added).”  Then there was Slawson vs Alabama  - "Whether the funds are appropriated for a public purpose depends on if they bring about a “direct public benefit of a reasonably general character . . . to a significant part of the public ” rather than merely a “remote and theoretical benefit.” LINK: https://www.alabamaag.gov/Documents/files/Amendment772Guidance.pdf


WHITE DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIX SUPERMARKET ANNOUNCEMENT

Surprising press releases regarding the potential White Development and Publix opening. It is unusual for any release of information prior to contract signings and property purchase. Take note of this press release from WAAY on Mar. 3, 2021: "A Publix development is expected to come to Scottsboro in the fall of 2022. The Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce says the new development will create around 200 jobs. So far, we know that Publix will be part of the development, but the chamber says there will be more announcements in the next few months. The chamber says the White Development Company is closing on the property in June of 2021. " https://www.waaytv.com/content/news/Publix-development-coming-to-Scottsboro-in-the-fall-of-2022-573912741.html- - Note key words in this statement - 1) "expected to come," 2) "White Development Company is closing on the property in June of 2021." --- "Expected" does not mean it is a done deal and more surprising, there is no closure on the property, this is highly unusual.

I have requested more info directly from Publix PR folks regarding this project. The Scottsboro project is not listed on the Publix new openings or opening soon site: https://corporate.publix.com/about-publix/newsroom/new-store-openings

City of Scottsboro Announcement Event Link and Video
Questions to the City of Scottsboro and the Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce's sites on Facebook regarding the early announcement prior to property closing and contract signing have gone unanswered as of March 7, 2021.

Scottsboro Mayor Jim McCamy was asked why the announcement was made regarding the development and Publix Supermarket coming to Scottsboro in the announced development prior to contract signing and property closing, he stated: "Because Publix approved the release of information."

A significant question folks might ask is: What has happened to the Hutton Development Project regarding the Garcia Property involving Chick-Fil-A? The proposed development at the current vacant #1 China Restaurant, with associated traffic control, frontage road, etc.?? Reference links -  Jackson County Sentinel, Sep. 2019: http://jcsentinel.com/feature_story/article_f5ae2a24-dc95-11e9-af35-ef669685bbc2.html  This blog, "In the Boro" : Oct. 2019:   https://arklite.blogspot.com/2019/10/scottsboro-alabama-october-28-2019_29.html

AGENDA
Scottsboro, Alabama - Scottsboro City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, March 8, 2021 at 6:00 PM
1. Consider Ordinance 616: Amending Master Council Procedure Ordinance to Change Time of Meetings
2. Consider Resolution 2021-03-04: Award Bid for Financing Sanitation Trucks
3. Consider Budget Amendment for Leachate Truck for Solid Waste Department
4. Consider Budget Amendment to Repair Knuckle-boom
5. Consider Budget Amendment for Knuckle-boom Rental
6. Consider Lease of Knuckle-boom
7. Consider Approval of Tolar Construction Pay Application #5 and Change Order for the Heritage Center Project
8. Consider Approval to Pay The Kelley Group Invoices
9. Consider Request for Compliance Audit (16 min. 5 sec. in video)

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS TO BEGIN AT 5:00 PM BEGINING WITH THE FIRST MEETING IN APRIL, DATE - APRIL 5, 2021

VIDEO OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND EMPLOYEE AWARDS
Congrats to All! The individuals who were recognized last night were:
John Stover- 15 years, Firefighter, Fire Dept. Shane McLemore- 15 years, Revenue Officer, Finance Dept., Scott Hamilton- 15 years, Investigator, Police Dept., Jeremiah Ellison- 20 years, Equipment Operator II, Street Dept., Zackie Gant- 20 years, Investigator, Police Dept., Erik Dohring- 20 years, Captain Invesitgations, Police Dept., Brandy Fowler- 25 years, Administrative Assistant, Fire Dept.
Angela King- 25 years, Investigator, Police Dept.


JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSION

Jackson County courthouse North Side, photo by G. Morgan

Jackson County Commission Agenda

Jackson County Commission Video on Facebook

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