Jackson County Commission Meeting--More Dog & Pony Show Politics

More Dog and Pony Show politics at the County Commission.

Click on Image to see an expanded view.

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Note item -W- on the agenda. "Motion to approve a $.89 (89cents) per hour cost of living increase for all county employees including elected officials." The motion carried and was approved. Daily Sentinel Article: http://www.thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=04c39fb548ec8965 kudos to Commissioner Clemmons for voting NO on this issue. This will cost the citizens $450K plus.

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The Code of Alabama Section 11-2A-4 states the following in regard to "Compensation of Increases."(a) " Beginning with the fiscal year commencing on October 1, 2001, the local officials covered by this chapter shall be entitled to the same uniform increases in compensation, including cost-of-living increases, longevity increases, merit raises, and bonuses that are granted to county employees by the county commission at the time of the approval of the county budget. The increases shall be in the same amount or percentage, as the case may be, as that amount or percentage increase provided to the county's employees; provided, however, no tax assessor, tax collector, revenue commissioner, license commissioner, elected assistant tax assessor, or elected assistant tax collector shall receive an expense allowance as provided in subdivision (3) of Section 11-2A-2 and an increase under this subsection in the same fiscal year."

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89 cents per hour for each county hourly wage employee equates to how much money for the elected and appointed officials? I could understand a 2-3% percentage increase, but a 89 cents per hour raise for elected officials? Exactly how much money are the commissioners hiding in their personal cost of living increase? Could this equate to an excessive 6%-9% cost of living increase?

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Ken Bonner, Managing Editor of The Daily Sentinel, in an OpEd article on September the 14th raises important points. http://thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=098ada9d52c9c80e "The proposal, by Jack Allen, is to give every employee (and there are approximately 245 of them) an 89 cent an hour raise...in today’s economy many people in Jackson County and across the country have gone without raises for some time. ...My point — before using local tax dollars when revenue is down — think long and hard. ...Under Allen’s proposal the county would be out slightly over $453,000 to fund the raises. That’s not chump change and it can’t be taken away." In closing Ken says, "I’m just trying to make sense of it. Help me if you can. "

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Ken, there is no sense in it, it is another example of another irresponsible management decision on the part of the current Jackson County Commission. One exception, District 4 Commissioner Horrace Clemmons voted NO on the issue.

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Item X on the agenda, the Jackson County Commission voted to close the South entrance to the Court House. Sheriff Miller stated that he would have to terminate 2 employees as the county Commission will not fund the security position. http://thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=3a198db43d5d87c0

County Commission County Park Saga Continues, More Dog & Pony show Politics.

The tax payer money tree for attorneys representing the Jackson County Commission. More Dog & Pony Show Politics

Big news for today's County Commission meeting is Mr. Horrace Clemmons nominates himself and with one other vote he is elected to the Jackson County Park Board with a total of 2, TWO, votes, Mr. Jack Smith and Mr. Horrace Clemmons were the only 2 votes. Mr. Jack Allen and Mr. Gaylen Stone abstained from the vote. The interesting situation concerning this act is the Jackson County Commission terminated the Jackson County Park Boards authority to "oversee, maintain, direct, or control the public park known as the Jackson County Park." The commission having abolished all authority of the park board now votes a Commissioner to the Park Board. All with no explanation or reason explained to the public. Some on the Jackson County Commission seem to have forgotten they are public servants and not managing a private corporation for their personal amusement. I hope the Court takes note of this action. It almost seems the Jackson County Commission is playing "games" with the people of Jackson County.

Another big issue was the $9400 plus in attorney fees. Not counting the attorney fees being paid for the Park Boards attorney.

The County Commission adjourned once more into an Executive Session returning 20 minutes later and stated a decision had been made that the County Park will pay for an Electrical Engineer for the County Park. due to storm damage. The commission conducts more business in secret than they do in public. If only Alabama had a meaningful Open Meetings Law instead of a law that supports secrecy such as practiced by the Jackson County Commission.

Some of our distinguished leaders on the county commission seem to relish wasting money!

garrymorgan.icopyright.com

UPDATE: The Daily Sentinel Story http://www.thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=a360cbf38564a603 The Clarion Story http://www.theclarion.org/news/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2584&Itemid=105

Jackson County Commission--More Dog & Pony Show Politics, at TAX PAYER EXPENSE

Secret Meeting to be held at Ft. Payne, Dekalb County Alabama due to a lack of decision making abilities of the Jackson County Commission. Special Called Meeting to occur April 7, 2010 at the Ft. Payne Mediation Center. I think the dog should abandon his "commission pony" on this one. Time to hold the pony accountable for stepping on the law and the citizen's government.

If we the tax payers of Jackson County have to pay for mediation due to the incompetence of the county commissioners we deserve to see the rest of the commissioner's "circus act."

The Jackson County Commission has been moving along "rather well," considering the past "dog and pony shows," for the last couple of meetings. The meetings have been conducted in a professional manner with very few errors in format and decorum. Much improvement has been made over the past 2 months. However, the circus does continue in the courthouse.

I noticed an error was evident on the agenda under the topic of "Discussion Items." In accordance with the commissions policy concerning the conduct of meetings, an item of discussion is an item brought forward by commissioners during the course of the meeting for inclusion in the meeting for a vote, for discussion items there must be an unanimous vote by the commission for discussion items to be approved. There were 4 items improperly listed on the agenda under "Discussion Items." The agenda was approved by the commission, no commissioner questioned this violation of decorum concerning the meeting.

Well (a deep subject), there is this matter of a secret meeting due to the commissioners inability to resolve a decision making problem amongst themselves, an executive session for the purpose of mediation due to the commissions failed ability to make a decision. Does this mean we still have more "Dog and Pony Show" politics and misapplication of the law? I think yes, the circus continues.

It was announced that a Special Call Meeting, Executive Session, will be conducted at the "Mediation Center in Ft Payne, Al., confusion over address, on April 7 at 1:30 PM. The County Attorney mentioned that a decision could be made at Ft Payne concerning the Engineer position after the Executive Session and the meeting was called back into regular session after the mediation session's Executive Session. A notice of the meeting is required to be posted on the County Bulletin Board in the foyer by the courthouse north entrance.

Reference the Special Call, secret, Executive Session meeting. This is a very unusual situation, to hold a County Commission Meeting in another county, in secret. The purpose is to mediate, per the court's decision. The Declaratory Judgement Motion asks the court to determine- quote, "the authority of the commission chair and members in regard to the body's conduct within its adopted rules and procedure," quote from The Daily Sentinel, Feb. 24, 2010. Judge Holt has ordered the case into mediation for resolution.

The Open Meeting's Law of the State of Alabama states in section 36-25A-7 (3) in reference to one of the reasons for an Executive Session, "...to meet or confer with a mediator or arbitrator with respect to any litigation or decision concerning matters within the jurisdiction of the governmental body involving ANOTHER party, group, or body." As stated in the request for a Declaratory Judgement, this case involves the decision making authority of the Commission Chair and the Commission as a whole as to the county commission's adopted rules and proceedures. This action involving the commissions rules and procedures does not involve "another party, group or body" outside of the county commission. In fact, it involves the commissioners themselves and their lack of decision making abilities.

The Special Called Meeting at Ft. Payne should be open to the public, mediation or not. This does not involve "pending litigation" of any other "party, group or body" as described by law. This case involves the county commission and only the county commissioners. The failure of the county commissioners in their decision making ability does not warrant the secrecy of a closed executive session with a mediator because of the commissioner's internal failures of decision making. Secrecy be damned, the citizens deserve to see their commissioners resolving their lack of decision making or failing once again.

garrymorgan.icopyright.com

Jackson County Commission

**********************"GARBAGE ENFORCER" *************

County Attorney, John Porter, announces that Judge Holt to send County Commission County Engineer Indecision Case to mediation. Mediation between County Officials is conducted behind closed doors. The Open Meetings Laws exempt mediation proceedures of a government body from public disclosure. Mediation is not a decision making meeting but should help the commissioners reach the proper decisions in accordance with the laws of the state.

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Huntsville Times story: http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/02/jackson_county_engineer_disput.html

Mediation is expensive, what in the county will be sacrificed due to the additional expenditures? Possibly 50% of the Commissioners pay for 6 months, the citizens should be so lucky. Mr. Clemmons already contributes his pay to the Council on the Aging.

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The County Park Campground bid for electrical reconstruction due to last years storm was approved for bid announcement.

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The County Commission approved a resolution in support of nuclear power which they never knew about and would not allow opposition to speak about after prior approval.

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In other business a position recommendation for "GARBAGE ENFORCER" died due to a lack of a motion.

Jackson County Commission, More Dog and Pony Show Antics.

After receiving approval from the Jackson County Commission for a 25 minute presentation by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League about the dangers of nuclear power the commission denied, at the commission meeting, the time previously granted in writing to make the presentation. District 4 Commissioner Horrace Clemmons made a motion to remove the item from the agenda and stated, "you may make the presentation at the work session." Mr. Gaylon Stone seconded the motion, however the motion was not approved by a vote of the commission. Ms. Bias, Commission Chairperson, stated I could have 5 minutes. The following is a memorandum concerning this incident.

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(1) Email to Jackson County Commission per instruction from County Commission Clerk after being given Ms. Bias's personal cell phone number to request approval, called there was no answer, left message, there was no return phone call. However, I called the Commission and spoke to the clerk, she informed me to submit an email request:

"Hi Anna, Per our phone conversation at 3PM today. The TVA thru the EDA has requested local government bodies to recommit to the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant construction project thru a Resolution of Support for the Bellefonte Project. If you have not received the TVA/EDA resolution request it is expected you will receive a request in the near future. Our message is important, it involves the future health and economic stability of future Jackson County citizens. There are those of us in Jackson County that do not believe the TVA has the best interest of the community in mind concerning Bellefonte and Nuclear Power. I have seen this request for a resolution. We of the Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team ( BEST ) Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) and Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) believe there is a better way to meet our future energy needs without the risk of nuclear power. We have facts and information to present to you concerning the risks of leaving a RADIOACTIVE waste dump legacy for future Jackson County citizens. We have a solution to this problem. We would like the opportunity to have representative local county citizens, Ms. Heather Bradley of Stevenson and Ms. Elizabeth Johnson of Scottsboro to tell you briefly about their concerns. Mr. Lou Zeller, Science Director of the Blue Ridge Environmental Group and Ms. Sandy Kurtz of BEST have a short summary which explains the risks and the alternatives. I, Garry Morgan, will introduce the folks and give a brief introductory presentation. We realize your time is very important but the full story of nuclear power and our solution for the citizens of Jackson County is equally important. We firmly believe our solution is safer, 3 billion dollars less expensive, has less risk and will employ more Jackson County Citizens at our Industrial Parks without the legacy of dangerous, RADIOACTIVE Waste. We respectfully request an audience before the Jackson County Commission on Monday Feb. 8, 2010. The total amount of time should take less than 25 minutes."

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(2) Reply from the County Commission Clerk:

Mrs. Sadie has placed you on the agenda for February 8th, 2010. She also wanted me to tell you that no one has said anything about a resolution.

Anna Lewis
Commission Clerk
Jackson County Commission

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(3) Memorandum concerning incident forwarded to individuals involved:

Memo for the Record.
After being instructed by Ms. Lewis via phone conversation that I needed to send an email to her concerning our group request(see attached email...), which I did, and previously leaving a message with the Chairperson of the Commission on her cell phone, per instructions from the clerk, (I was told Ms. Bias, Chairperson of the Commission was out sick but I could call her on her cell phone.) explaining our group request on Wed. Feb 3rd., which I did, not receiving a return call, then receiving the confirmation below from the clerk concerning our request via the email below with the specific requests in regards to time and people requesting to speak. Then calling the county commission clerk to confirm the group request was granted as stated in the email, which was confirmed, one would think all was in order.

I was told today by the Commission Chair that only I could speak for 5 minutes. The Commission also attempted, via Mr. Clemmons' motion, to amend the agenda by removing me from the agenda at today's meeting, the motion did not pass, a tie vote was broke by Ms. Bias. I spoke for the 5 minutes, mostly in protest to the treatment members of our group received and mentioning the 7 million pounds of nuclear waste present at the Tennessee River Valley Nuclear Plants. It was suggested that our group return for the work session. That is not possible since our Science Director has traveled over 250 miles to make this presentation, plus he has other commitments next week and others have work commitments. I asked after the meeting was adjourned if anyone of the commissioners would care to hear the concerns of their constituents that had showed up for the commission meeting. Not one commissioner bothered to inquire about the specific concerns of the citizens present in our group.

Garry Morgan

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In other business per link from the Huntsville Times article from David Brewer: http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/local.ssf?/base/news/1265710517244150.xml&coll=1

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Consent agenda approved: 1) $2737.50 payment approved to Tennessee Valley Family Services, Jan.2010. 2) County Attorney fee for January 2010, $4004.10

Jackson County Commission Special and Regular Meeting. More Continuing Dog and Pony Show Political Action. It's a Circus!

Mr. Andy Mann, Chamber of Commerce Representative speaks at regular Jackson County Commission meeting. Mr. Mann read a resolution signed by "the director" of the Chamber. The resolution suggested: 1) the County Commission cooperate with each other, 2) the Commission adopt the plan suggested by the chairperson Ms. Bias that an outside agency hire the county engineer, 3) that the continued disagreement over this issue makes Jackson County look bad. (It is significant that only the Director of the Chamber apparently signed the resolution and has no force of the full Chamber of Commerce. The suggestion that an outside agency hire the county engineer goes against the policy and tradition of the County Commission. Suggesting that the Commissions actions over this matter makes Jackson County look bad is an exaggeration and ignores the facts of our nations political process of adversarial decision making. It is my belief this action supports local right wing neoconservative ideology and not the process of proper proceedures of commission meetings. There was not one mention of the Commission Chairperson failing to follow rules in relationship of the conducting of the Special Called meeting. )

Dr. Roger Mardis, Pastor of Agape Baptist Church made a political presentation in support of right wing neoconservative political ideology. Dr. Mardis also delivered the prayers at the Special Called meeting and the Regular Council Meeting. Dr. Mardis stated he had contacted all of the commissioners personally and he was pleased with all of their comments to him except Mr. Allen. Apparently Mr. Allen and he had a disagreement. Mr. Allen claimed Dr. Mardis hung up on him.

Mr Allen, after a period of 40 minutes, makes a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Clemmons made a second, the meeting was adjourned with no action being taken.

Mr. John Porter, County Attorney, researches meetings proceedures after being asked several questions by the commissioners. At one point Ms. Bias stated she was going home, Mr Porter commented this would be improper as the meeting would need to be adjourned before she departed. If Ms. Bias had left the meeting, Mr. Allen would have taken over the meeting.

Ms. Sadie Bias, Jackson County Commission Chairperson, allowed Mr. Clemmons to make a motion that the meetings agenda be changed to reflect a third party hire the county engineer. There was no second the motion died. Upon inquiry by another commissioner to the County Attorney over this matter, the attorney stated the only matter before the commission as advertised in the County Commission notice of meeting concerns the hiring of Mr. Richard as County Engineer.

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Mr. Clemmons made 3 seperate attempts to adjourn the meeting without the agenda being accepted or before the issue was discussed, Ms. Bias made 2 seperate attempts at adjournment.

Agenda of the Special Call Meeting. Under the Commission Rules any Discussion issue on the agenda requires a majority vote of the commission. The agenda was not approved as submitted as there was no motion second concerning approval of the agenda. The county attorney stated the only appropriate item for discussion for this Special Meeting concerns the hiring of the County Engineer.

The Special Meeting Agenda is not formatted properly to reflect the sole purpose of the special meeting.

Another Dog and Pony Show at the court house today courtesy of our County Commission.

The Jackson County Commission held a Special Called Meeting at 3:30PM for the purpose of hiring Greg Richard as County Engineer per the Special Called Meeting.
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The Chairperson did not conduct the Special Call Meeting properly nor did the agenda reflect the proper meeting decorum. After the County Attorney informed the Commission of the sole purpose of today's meeting the Chairperson did not bring the issue to the floor and deviated from the purpose of the meeting. The 3 Commissioners which were supporting the hiring of Richard did not challenge the improper proceedures by calling for a "Point of Order" in the improperly conducted Special Called Meeting.
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Chamber of Commerce members weighed in at the regular meeting at 4:30PM concerning the Special Called Meeting. Claiming the Commission is acting unprofessional and they should be cooperating with each other. Huntsville Times report by David Brewer: http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/01/greater_jackson_county_chamber.html
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A series of wrongs does not make a right. The Chamber of Commerce's suggestion, in agreement with the Commission Chairperson, that a third disinterested party hire an Engineer and the Commission cooperate with each other is not an answer. The very nature of our political system is set up to embellish the process of adversarial confrontation, agreement is not always possible nor necessary. To maintain that the actions of the county commission reflect poorly on the entire county is an exaggeration on the part of the Chamber of Commerce.
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Failing to follow proper proceedures and the law is entirely a different matter, such as occurred today and previously in commission meetings. Failing to follow the law and procedures in meetings is a historical problem with the County Commission.
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In the case concerning the County Engineer, it is the Commission who hires, not the Chairperson nor the chair and one commissioner.
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It has come to my attention that when agenda items are brought forward to be placed on the agenda by the other commissioners, the Chairperson does not place them on the agenda if she does not agree with the item or commissioner. This is wrong and is indicative of a leadership failure and a failure of responsibilities as Chairperson of the Commission. It seems if the Chairperson can't have things her way, there will be no other way.

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During the regular meeting's Commissioner reports section Mr. Clemmons' stated the commission was a dysfunctional commission. Does he mean they are dysfunctional because some commissioners do not agree with him or Ms. Bias, or does he think they are dysfunctional because they can't reach agreements on issues? There are times when the citizen is better off with no decision.
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The citizens may have voted the commissioners into office but individually the commissioners are accountable and responsible for their personal actions. Mr. Clemmons placing blame on the citizens for commissioners inept actions while on the commission is ludicrous. Time will pass and election time will occur soon enough.
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The County Engineer should have already been chosen. The actions on the part of the Commission Chairperson has prevented this from occurring. Now, the Chamber of Commerce enters the fray supposedly in the name of "fostering cooperation." I think the Chambers intervention and opinion is more in the name of exaggerated neoconservative political support for a political position instead of insisting the law and rules be followed.

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Another issue, a motion was made by Mr. Allen and seconded in the Regular Meeting discussion portion that the county employees receive a 3% pay increase. A discussion ensued concerning this issue. No one seemed to know what the budget status was or how much money is in the budget other than Mr. Allen. He claimed he had checked on the amount of funds in the budget and he stated the commission could afford to pay the county employees the 3% raise which was not approved due to neglect of the budget at the end of the previous year. Mr. Clemmons voted no on the issue as he stated that he did not know the budget situation. The county Employees will not receive a pay increase.

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The fact the Chair, the administrator or no other commissioner, except Mr. Allen's claim, knew what the budget status was as to funds available is negligent. It is their responsibility to know the status of the budget. By law Ms. Bias is directly responsible for the budget status.

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In other business the commissioners approved Sheriff Miller to organize a pool of stand in Security Officers for Court House Security. Their salary was also approved at $15.00 per hour.

Jackson County Commission and our Future into No Where Land

Can you spot the Redneck White Roosters on the County Commission?

More Dog and Pony Show Repressive Politics from the Jackson County Commission

The continuing saga of repressive Jim Crow style political action from the majority on the Jackson County Commission.

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Reference articles: Huntsville Times: http://blog.al.com/breaking/2009/05/for.html ; The Daily Sentinel: http://thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=866d43991fa45b33 http://thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=f7652e193cc056cb http://thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=187d06769e97a909
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All Jackson County Commission Topics for May 2009: http://thedailysentinel.com/search.lasso?source_form=&all_of=Jackson%20County%20Commission&from_date=2009-04-22&to_date=2009-05-22&show=10&skip=0&nb_b64=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5uZXdzbGlicmFyeS5jb20vbmxzZWFyY2guYXNwP3JlZ2lvbj1nZG5iJnNvcnRfbW9kZT1kJTNBaCZhY3Rpb249c2VhcmNoJmRicXVlcnk9KCU1Q0phY2tzb24lMjBhbmQlMjAlNUNDb3VudHklMjBhbmQlMjAlNUNDb21taXNzaW9uKSUyMA==&nb_hits=0 >

YouTube Video "The Three Commissioners" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIzv_nf7qEU Floydz Boyz or as some like to say, The Three Stooges, had their chance to make it right, they failed the citizens of Jackson County.
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Unfortunately the previous Jackson County Commission failed the citizens as well. The previous commission had stated there were no funds available to implement security, they did not tell the truth. The previous Commission left $4.5 million dollars for the current Commission, some think that is grand. However, the idea is to have a balanced budget, not one that is in the red or in the black to the extent of ridiculousness.

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The repressive White Rooster Democrat Majority on the County Commission of Jackson County Alabama have established an extremely neoconservative, irresponsible, deceitful approach to county government for several years. The neoconservative, White Rooster, Democrats are a scourge on the people of this county. They prevent progressive action to move Jackson County forward with opportunity and jobs. This group wishes to keep and maintain all things as they were, including racist, non-progressive, destructive political philosophy.

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Commissioners Allen, Smith and Stone are Jim Crow era repressive Democrats. Should the folks of Jackson County wonder why the unemployment rate is 10.5% and rising? Modern business and industry, modern "green industry" is plentiful, will not move to an area where repressive politicians are still living in early Jim Crow 20th Century. Any political group that would vote ignorance over education to the point it is reflected in their hiring practices are reflective of repression and negative extreamism, this is your majority on the Jackson County Commission.

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The voters of Jackson County must realize that reelecting repressive, Jim Crow era, extremely neoconservative politicians is a hindrance to progress. Societies that fail to embrace the realities of a changing world are destined to ultimate failure. History demonstrates this to be a fact, change is the natural course of our world and our nation.

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The citizens of Jackson County Alabama are in the 21st Century with Jim Crow era political leadership guiding us into No Where Land.

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Update: Video of May 21, 2009 Meeting provided by The Jackson County Patriots Organization.

http://www.jacksoncountypatriots.com/Movies/SessionMay21_2009.shtml

More Dog and Pony Show Politics from the County Commission

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Jackson County Courthouse<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

As I read our local paper, Scottsboro's Daily Sentinel, a glaring fact has stood out to me. Our local politicians seem to have their heads buried up their collective posteriors. Have they been eating loco weed, smoking dope or do they not have a clue?

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Why you may ask this very negative commentary from me? Buy this mornings The Daily Sentinel, cost 50 cents, most can afford the 50 cents at this time, that soon may change. Read the article titled "Seeking To Improve," Government business leaders voice concerns in monthly meeting. Maybe it should read, "they Ain't got a clue." (Here is the Daily Sentinel's story: http://thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=ca343d0a4376f5be

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Not one of the business or governmental "so called" leaders were capable of identifying the #1 problem of not only Jackson County but our nation. A loss of our industrial manufacturing capabilities which equates to jobs. Apparently our elected leaders and so called business leaders fail to identify this problem. (Mr. Tom Lackey is not a business leader, he is a governmental employee of the Jackson County Health Care Authority.) There is a difference between government and business, however local socialistic influences tend to cloud that fact. The Chamber of Commerce executives are also not business leaders. A sizable portion of their income is provided by government.

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This statement really takes the cake. "Bias said the county is missing out on grants, such as the $2.5 million grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation that Cullman received to build a vehicle park for horseback riding. ATV's and mountain biking. Jackson County has been looking into building a similar facility."

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How many people will this idea feed? How many permanent jobs will this $2.5 million dollars of state pork waste money provide in building a government "horse trail, bike trail?

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It is no wonder that we are in such a dire financial fix in this nation, ideas that government built recreation areas will solve the rapidly growing unemployment in Jackson County is an example of reality denial. We need jobs, we need industry in our industrial parks, we do not need more waste and ridiculous spending ideas by alleged leaders who do not have a clue. Yet, the hundreds of thousands of dollars being poured into the Economic Development Authority accomplishes naught, except government jobs for the 3 or 4 employed at the EDA.

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Fewer jobs equates to less tax revenue, less government spending, a Socialists nightmare. The local Socialist Bourbon Democrats will have a meltdown with no money to spend on more government. Locally the unemployment rate is 7.4% and climbing ( That does not reflect the accurate rate of unemployment which is approximately 10+%, some of the unemployed are not reported.) due to more job layoffs and business closings. The county commissions priorities are stated as building a recreation facility. Maybe Mr. Clemmons would care to cover the costs and build this facility on his property instead of costing Jackson County citizens more taxes.

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It should be obvious, tax and spend socialist politicians are right here at home. JOBS, JOBS and more JOBS is what we need locally and in our nation. Manufacturing industry brings jobs. Ideas to spend money thru more government sponsored recreation programs for the select few does not bring more jobs.

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(What about the bridges of Jackson County, some are falling apart?) It becomes obvious many local politicians are intent on increasing tax revenue thru Federally sponsored organizations such as the TVA and DOD thru BRAC, and any other scheme to benefit tax and spend politicians. Bringing jobs to town which would benefit the current local working man and woman does not appear on their list. Lots of lip service about how BRAC and the TVA will bring jobs to town is full of deceit. These plans will not furnish current residents with good paying jobs but will bring more residents, a sales tax revenue increase and property tax increase via resident Federal Employees and Contractors.

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The job solution rests in private investments into alternative energy. Fill our industrial parks with alternative energy jobs, energy systems manufacturing jobs, renewable energy manufacturing jobs. http://arklite.blogspot.com/2008/04/alternative-energy.html There has been no effort involved in recruiting these industries. Industries of the future, the opportunity is now. Unfortunately our local industry recruiters seem to be resting their efforts on the possibility that a non-approved nuclear reactor will be built by the TVA who can't afford to build 1 reactor much less 4. The TVA at this period in time, in the Tennessee River Valley, is a large contributor to the growing socialist state and the Federal Debt.

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Update, Jan. 26, 2009: Censorship continues on al.com. This post's link was removed from the site. Previously, last week, the poster was permanently banned but reinstated. Now he has been temporarily banned but the post removed. The local Socialist Bourbon Democrat Tyrants and their media pawns at work for you, censoring opposing political speech and destroying individual rights. Their motto: "Treat citizens like a mushroom. Keep them in the dark and feed them crap."

Jackson County Commission Meeting (Dog & Pony Show)

Next regular meeting will be May 12, 2008 at 4PM. There was a standing room only crowd at the Commission Meeting, a Sheriff's Deputy was present at todays meeting. It has been the Chairmans position to request the prescence of law enforcement to maintain order or in some instances to serve as intimidation.

Meeting with Board: 1) Randy Webster, Solid Waste Manager: Discussion on solid waste garbage containers. Currently there are 13,761 solid waste customers in Jackson County. 2) Billy Carl Cagle, Paint Rock Valley Park Board: Discussion on property swap for the Paint Rock Valley Park. Request was submitted for help with funds for a pavilion in the park. The name of the park will be the Curley Putnam Green Green Grass of Home Park. A park dedication will be on June 21st, Randy Owens will be present and other personalities from the Grand Ole Opry. Pavilion cost is approximately $35,252. Delivery of the pavilion will be made on May 15, $23,000 was the amount of funds needed by the Park Board. The issue was tabled until the May 12th meeting.

4 items on the Consent Agenda were approved, totaling $2380.00.

Old Business: 1) Minutes of last Commission Meeting approved by a majority vote. Mr. Blizzard questioned the approval of several issues on the minutes. 2) Tax Holiday approved Aug. 1-3, 2008.

New Business: 1) Majority vote approved transfer of up to $500,000 from General Fund to Match State and Federal Road Funds for the purpose of paving county roads. Mr. Blizzard requested the amount of funds in the Commission's General Fund. There was no answer to his question. Mr. Blizzard repeated he wanted to know the amount of funds remaining in the General Fund. There was no answer provided. Mr Tidmore chairman of the Jackson County Commission commented that Mr Blizzard was conducting a "Dog & Pony Show," in reference to his questioning of actions. Mr. Blizzard replied he wanted to know the amount that was in the General Fund. Mr. Marona suggested that Mr. Blizzard come to the Commission Meeting early and ask Ms. West the amount remaining in the fund. 2) Approval to apply for Federal and State funds for paving of Co Rd. 42 and Co. Rd 21. 3) Approval of agreement with the state DOT for the resurfacing of the U.S. Gypsum Rd. in Bridgeport. 4) Approval of request concerning North Sand Mountain Park to assist with solid waste pickup for the months of May and June, $150 per month. 5) Discussion concerning Housing of Inmates from the City of Scottsboro in the County Jail during city jail remodeling. There was no decision on the amount of costs per prisoner to be charged to the city for housing the city's inmates. The county has indicated they will require $15 per inmate. Evidently this was not ok with Scottsboro's officials. The issue was tabled. 6) Public Works Department hire approval. 6) Invoice approved for $8576.06 for improvement of voter polling places. 7) Executive Session: Good Name and Character. Vote was accomplished upon return, vote recommended the Engineers Recommendation be approved. No public disclosure until employee notification of Commission action.