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."
Jackson County Courthouse, North Side, photo by G. Morgan
- - Issues - -
Storm damaged road repair reports.
Holiday Shores Issue, most of Holiday Shores is in Marshall County, however a small part is in Jackson County; all services are provided by Marshall County. The 60 acres in Jackson County may be transferred to Marshall County, this will require a Legislative Act. A Community Meeting will be held on the 21st of January at the former Broken Arrow Golf Course (time unknown, to be announced next week).
Jackson County Courthouse, North Side photo by G. Morgan
AGENDA
(Click on image for an expanded view.)
Two Minute Video Short Take, Budget Problem
Budget Deficit Issues Cuts in Services
$500,000 to $700,000 budget deficit for Fiscal Budget Year 2020
Services and Employee cuts
Senior Assistance Programs including Council on Aging and Senior RX Program
Employee Health Insurance
Retiree Health Insurance
Rural Transportation
Cutting Courthouse Hours
Reducing Staff.
Cutting any External Funding Programs (if money is currently received) such as Volunteer Fire Departments, Rescue Squad, Libraries
Approximately $823,000 had to be returned to the County School System. The commission was retaining 5% of the money as a "pass through administrative maintenance fee."
The County Administrator Bob Manning stated to me in an interview, he believes the county has sufficient funds remaining to see the county through to the end of the current Fiscal Year which ends September 30, 2019, unless there is another emergency.
State Senator Steve Livingston, Scottsboro, considers presentation by members of the Jackson County Commission
The Jackson County Commission met with the Jackson County Legislative Delegation at 5:30 PM Monday. This was a full meeting of the commission to discuss revenue issues and tax increases, the meeting to discuss the issues was not announced. I asked Commission Chair Tim Guffey after the Commission Work Session meeting if he had met with the Delegation, he stated they were meeting today after the commission meeting. There was no announcement of this meeting either in the earlier commission meeting or posted on the bulletin board where meeting notices are posted. Due to comments within the video it appears there may have been other unannounced meetings between the commission and delegation.
Today it would have been easy to recess the meeting in the Commission Boardroom and announce they would recall the meeting back to order across the street at the Legislative Delegation Boardroom.
VIDEO
Overview of County Budget Crisis, Presentation to Legislative Delegation
55% of the General Fund Budget goes to the Jackson County Sheriffs Department and Jail. The Sheriffs Department is requesting the Commission fund more vehicles for the Sheriffs Department. Jackson County, apparently, has no reserve funds.
Video of County Commission Delegation Meeting, some editing to shorten the video, all important context remains.
What is SPLOST? A special-purpose local-option sales tax (SPLOST), this issue was previously defeated in a local Jackson County vote. The local Republican Tea Party group brought in outside anti-tax representatives to conduct a campaign against the measure. Article from 2016 - Chattanooga Times Free Press: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2016/apr/10/jackscounty-november-ballot-could-see-splost/359415/ Looking forward also requires a historical perspective, "In the Boro's" articles on the previous issues regarding SPLOST - https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/splost The GOP in Alabama is willing to support an issue to raise the Gas Tax but not willing to give counties the ability to raise revenue without their express permission? A lack of self governance in Alabama is a hold over from Civil War reconstruction. Maintaining power over the people while deceiving the voters as to the legislators motives.
Video of the Jackson County Commission Work Session, Agenda Above.
First up, the continuation from the March 11, 2019 Regular Session meeting regarding road repairs and raising revenue or taxes to make needed repairs and maintain Jackson County Roads.
Resolutions B and C were chosen to to send over to the Legislative Delegation.
Commission Chair Guffey (left), Commissioner Venable (center) and Commissioner Rich expressed concerns over the need to increase revenue for road repairs.
Commissioner Sisk (left) and Commissioner Gilbert expressed concerns over road damage and a lack of funds to fix the damage.
County Sales Tax Distribution and TVA in lieu of tax distribution.
(Click on image for an expanded view.)
The only tax funds the county receives is TVA in lieu of tax; this source of revenue has decreased by 43% since 2012 as reflected on the chart pictured below. The sales tax revenue is for the city and county Boards of Education. The tax usage is governed by state law for education usage.
Jackson County Courthouse, north side photo by G. Morgan
Serious problem within Jackson County regarding damage of county roads and money available to repair county roadways as a result of flooding.
Interview with the Jackson County Chair and Administrator today reveals the extent of road damage post flood, more damage is occurring. Initial estimate reflected $2 million to $3 million dollars for roads flood damage repair.
Current road damage estimates due to flooding, and associated damage, at this time are stated to be in excess of $7 million dollars, up to $10 million dollars is possible according to the Chair of the Jackson County Commission; the damage amount may increase as more damage evaluations and estimates are received.
VIDEO from the March 4, 2019 County Commission Work Session Regarding Roads
More on todays meeting will be revealed at weeks end.
North Side of the Jackson County Courthouse, photo by G. Morgan
Agenda (all commissioners approved the agenda)
Click on image to expand view.
1) County Roadside cleanup - Much was discussed involving communities and businesses in the roadside cleanup. Since Jackson County has plenty of money in its General Account, NOT, it was discussed that the county should buy Game Cameras with solar power, cellular modem for communications with the "Cloud." No total number of the camera units were discussed, the high tech cameras would be utilized for catching garbage dumpers. Cost $499.00 per unit, not including labor for installation in an elevated position.
2) The Pending Resolution - There was no description on the agenda of what was pending. It became obvious after a few minutes why there was no description about the issue. Shhh, don't tell, all of this pending is an attempt to raise taxes, even if it includes taking schools taxes, Commissioners mentioned, they will not miss it if we take the growth increase in schools tax or a small percentage of the tax.
New Board Room with video/audio equipment, elevated platform for the Commissioners. A "Pending Resolution," but that is not all for my expressed concern, such as voting on issues during work sessions, even though the item voted on was not on the agenda, not even an emergency declaration. Sitting the rules aside is always an option at the new commission's thrown of secrecy to spend funds, transfer equipment and materials not stated on an agenda or discussed previously. At least not in an open meeting. SHHH, we got secrets.
Beware, hidden in the new thrown chamber are the "tax snakes," some call them "Pending Resolutions." 1/2 CENT TO 1 CENT SALES TAX WAS STATED.
Executive Magazine's "Tax Snakes" illustration - Fair Use for non-profit news reporting and commentary.
On one hand the commission complains it is in trouble financially due to the flood damage, no doubt repairing the damage will cost the county's citizens near $3 million dollars, according to the county engineer. Unfortunately there is only $2 million in the account to cover costs, according to Mr. Venable. Never fear, we will build a new commission board room, complete with a Commission Chair who doesn't want to clarify the "Pending Resolution" meaning. Which apparently includes taking a portion of the county schools tax. However, only if the commissioners can con the Legislative Delegation into submitting their scheme of the "Pending Resolution" to the state legislature
.
CLARIFICATION VIDEO - Schools tax diversion, surely not?
3 PART VIDEO OF THE COMMISSION MEETING
Part 1 video, there is a suggestion to spend money on Game Cameras, with a cellular connection, cloud storage, and solar power, high expense to deter and photograph trash dumpers; how many cameras? These cameras are $500.00 each, not including the cloud storage capabilities as mentioned in the discussion.
Part 2 "Watch for Snakes," the tax snake. Agenda Item 2, "Pending Resolution." A sneaky way of introducing proposals to increase taxes and/or redistribute taxes from County Education Tax coffers without stating the item on the agenda.
Agenda Item 3) Part 3 video, HRRR, High Risk Rural Roads Safety Project, County Road 77. Jackson County roads damage as a result of flooding, photos of flooding. Description of FEMA requirements and time frames.
Jackson County Courthouse, North Entrance photo by G. Morgan
AGENDA
County Roads 17, 38, 93 and 189 have considerable damage, other roads have damage not listed. The County Engineer and crews are out inspecting areas for damage. County Engineer states that repair estimates are $2.5 million to $3 million. Commissioner Venable mentioned that there is currently $2 million in cash available. The county will be required to pay for repairs first, then will be reimbursed as a result of the Emergency Declaration by Governor Ivey.
Businesses are adversely impacted by the road conditions. Clark Kelsey of Kelsey Construction states he is loosing approximately $500 to $600 per day due to detours around CR 93.
Other delegations speaking were Garry Morgan regarding not listing agenda items where a vote is taken. Last week was a work session, rules were set aside so a vote could be taken on the Fund 100 Account, which involves roads and equipment/materials expenditures. The item was not on the agenda.
Mr. Robert Avery spoke about the 2020 Census Jobs, apply on line. Pay is $13 to $17 per hour and .58 cents per mile travel expense reimbursement.
Facebook has permanently suspended my account, CENSORED, for telling the truth about Donald Trump's criminal history and disclosing facts about racial discrimination in Scottsboro and our nation. Garry Morgan : 03/15/2025
Copyright Info
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."
.
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).
.
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.
