Guffey Affair, Part 2 -January 4, 2021 - Scottsboro, Alabama - Jackson County Commission Meeting - Regular Session and Work Session - Tourism Presentation - Press Q&A, Clarifications, Statement About Alabama County Commissioners From Vice Chair, No Requirement to Attend Meetings - UPDATE JANUARY 7, 2021 - Vice Chair Venable's Statement and Motion to Commission on 12-22-20, Guffey Resignation

 

North Entrance Jackson County Courthouse, photo by G. Morgan

UPDATE and edit January 5, 2021

WHAT IS THE TRUTH ABOUT TIM GUFFEY AND THE ALLEGATIONS? SPY CAMERAS - SORTID AFFAIRS -SEXUAL HARASSMENT - CRIMINAL OR UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR - ILLEGAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS INTERFACES AND/OR SYSTEMS COMMAND SHELLS FOR DIVERTING IMAGES OR INFORMATION TO PERSONAL PHONE OR COMPUTER? THERE WAS A REASON GUFFEY IS AT HOME, THERE IS A REASON A FEMALE EMPLOYEE WAS ESCOTED OFF OF COUNTY PROPERTY MID-DECEMBER, WHAT ARE THOSE REASONS?

YOU WORK FOR THE CITIZENS PUBLIC OFFICIALS, WE DO NOT WORK FOR YOU!

The citizen voters of Jackson County Alabama have a right to know the truth about this entire mess, which is getting worse due to the appearances of an active cover-up of the truth. To say an elected Chair of County Commission or an Elected County Commissioner doesn't have to show up to perform his or her sworn duties, because there is no law requiring such public officials to perform their sworn duties is preposterous and affront to our State and U.S. Constitution. Besides it is not true, we have criminal and ethics laws. 

Quote: "It isn't the original scandal that gets people into trouble-it's the attempted cover-up." 

Elected and Appointed Officials of Jackson County Alabama, you should take to heart this quote from Tom Petri. Bio on Rep. Petri (Wiki): "Thomas Evert Petri (born May 28, 1940) is an American politician who was the U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 6th congressional district from 1979 to 2015; he is a member of the Republican Party."

Fair Use for image from Brainy Quote for non-profit news, education and commentary.

Guffey Affair, Part 2 - Part 1 Link:    https://arklite.blogspot.com/2020/12/scottsboro-alabama-december-20-2020.html

Jackson County Commission Chair/Former Chair Tim Guffey photo by G. Morgan

Is he or isn't he the Commission Chair? 

Jason Venable, Vice Chair/Acting Chair, Jackson County Commission photo by G. Morgan

Todays Quote about Alabama County Commissioners from Mr. Venable: "There is no state law that requires a Chairman or Commissioner to attend a meeting. He is just not attending meetings" Referring to the alleged immediate resignation of Tim Guffey, Chair or Former Chair of the Jackson County Commission. What was the deal made? Was it to cover-up Sexual Harassment? Was it to cover-up the illegal placement of video surveillance equipment? Is there an investigation going forward? There are mixed messages concerning an investigation. Is it really in the best interest of Jackson County citizens for the Chair of the Jackson County Commission to set at home while WE The People foot the bill for misbehavior, alleged illegal conduct, violations of ethics and law? What is the real story behind all of this, why the cover-up??

STATEMENT READ BY VICE-CHAIR JASON VENABLE 

ON DECEMBER 22, 2020 REGARDING TIM GUFFEY'S RESIGNATION AS CHAIRMAN OF THE JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSION

The motion was approved unanimously by the Jackson County Commission

AGENDA

DUAL MEETING VIDEOS

Tourism Presentation to County Commission by Sarah Stahl, Jackson County Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Link: https://mountainlakeschamberofcommerce.com/about-us/

Scottsboro, Alabama - January 13, 2020 Jackson County Commission Regular Session - TVA Mission Failure and Diversion of Funds from Environmental Management - When is WET, WET?

Jackson County Courthouse, north side, photo by G. Morgan

Mr. Rick Roden, Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce made a presentation regarding the need to raise $400,000 - $500,000 dollars for the purpose of controlling invasive aquatic species and maintenance of Lake Guntersville. His presentation was titled "My Lake Guntersville," more info:  https://mylakeguntersville.com/

WET vs WET

Is this the same WET Foundation, or is the Lake Guntersville WET Foundation different?

https://www.projectwet.org/  I sent a request to the Project WET Foundation to ascertain if the Lake Guntersville WET Foundation is a project of the WET Foundation water education program which has education programs all over the United States of America. This is the reply from the WET Foundation representative. "Thanks for asking about the Alabama W.E.T. Foundation. We do not have a relationship with this organization and were not aware of them until your email. I hope that is helpful."

TVA Mission Statement regarding this issue: "Recreation. Part of TVA's mission is to make life better for the people of the Tennessee Valley, and we do that through maintaining beautiful reservoirs, campgrounds, trails, whitewater streams and 293,000 acres of developed and undeveloped lands for you to play on. Further information on TVA's mission:  https://www.tva.gov/Environment  

TVA is failing in this mission statement and is now requiring business and private citizens to pick up the cost for TVA's diversion of funds for environmental management. OR - is "My Lake Guntersville." organization's purpose to promote Bass Fishing and not environmental education or river environmental management?

Mr. Roden stated that cormorants are eroding islands, a questionable comment. The following information is from the Wildlife Society regarding cormorants and the "cormorant debate." "For centuries, people have viewed cormorants negatively. In classical literature, the word cormorant represented greed and gluttony. However, natural resource professionals have long recognized the ecological value of all wildlife, and cormorants are no exception. For example, as an upper trophic-level predator in aquatic systems, cormorants are useful indicators of environmental pollution and may contribute to limiting invasive prey populations."  https://wildlife.org/the-rise-of-double-crested-cormorants-too-much-of-a-good-thing/ Outdoor Alabama has this to say about the Great Cormorant: https://www.outdooralabama.com/tropicbirds/great-cormorant  Personally, I have witnessed Alabama Department of Conservation employees utilizing harassment methods to disperse cormorants. Bassmasters story on cormorants: https://www.bassmaster.com/conservation-news/cormorants-impact-fisheries

AGENDA

VIDEO

Scottsboro City Council Regular Session, Chamber of Commerce Presentation - "Gateway to the Future," (Updated May 25, 2017) - Bellefonte Nuclear Deception Warning, May 22, 2017

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

VIDEO - Part 1

             VIDEO - Part 2 Chamber of Commerce Presentation

There is a concern in the Chamber of Commerce presentation regarding the alleged completion of TVA's Bellefonte Nuclear Facility, propaganda versus facts and leading the public to believe Bellefonte will be built, when the facts are presented, that remains speculation and is not a fact. Misleading the public and developers is a dangerous road whose history has demonstrated previous deceptions regarding Bellefonte have cost business developers millions upon millions of dollars. 

Mr. Franklin Haney has struck a deal with the TVA, via an auction bid of $111 million dollars for the $5 billion dollar facility. Haney provided, according to reports, approximately $22 million in earnest money for the facility, There has been no final purchase of the facility by Mr. Haney. Prior to a final purchase a 60-90 day notice must be given. Beginning in November of 2016, Haney has 2 years to complete the deal, the closing must occur before November 2018. 

Whether Bellefonte will be completed is not known, and at best is speculation at this point. Per TVA information, Bellefonte Unit 1 is 55% complete and Unit 2 is 35% complete. Haney says he can complete both Bellefonte Units for $13 billion. Environmental group research, including inflationary costs, indicate the cost will be closer to $15 billion  to complete the two unit B&W 205 design nuclear facility. The design is now owned by Areva, a majority owned (90%) French Government nuclear corporation which has cash problems. It is questionable whether Haney will be able to raise cash from investors for completion of the project, even if you include a $6 billion dollar Federal Nuclear tax incentive (see below article link).

Propaganda, and all is not as it seems, tax issues, disclosures.

At approximately 14:30 seconds in the below video Mr Roden brags about how the Chamber trip to Washington resulted in lobbying regarding a South Carolina's Congressman's bill which would reduce Mr. Haney's tax exemptions. 

There is more to this story and the history behind it, particularly with Mr. Haney, his relationship with our current President and real estate development, which now includes the Bellefonte Nuclear Project. Let's take a look at some of the reasons and legislative agendas of why the Chamber of Commerce would be interested in corporations not paying their fair share of taxes. 

The Chamber of Commerce supports business and corporate business interests, support of the individual citizen is limited to the interaction with business and citizens, which at times is good and times is questionable, in my opinion. 

Disclosures - Links and stories about the issues.

1) Tax rules which allow real estate moguls, such as Mr. Trump and Mr. Haney to pay no federal taxes. "Losses deducted from all income." - http://www.pbs.org/newshour/making-sense/column-tax-rules-let-real-estate-moguls-like-trump-pay-no-federal-income-tax/

2) "Stealthy and Wealthy" - Sunlight Foundation expose on Mr. Haney. "Franklin Haney built real estate empire with government help." Ownership of government buildings, leases to multiple level government entities, former Congressman hired as lobbyist, greasing the palms of politicians on both sides of the isle. - https://sunlightfoundation.com/2012/10/18/dem_super_pac_donor/

3) "Nuke Developer Greases Trump's hand...tax credits worth an estimated $6 billion...;"  Mr. Trump is not the only hands he "greased" with his cash contributions, many politicians, PACS, and lobbyists have been involved. "Nuclear Development paid the two firms a combined $60,000 through the end of last year to lobby Congress and the Treasury Department on tax incentives for nuclear energy production. One of those tax credits is worth an estimated $6 billion to the nuclear power industry."   https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/04/21/nuke-developer-greases-trump-s-palm

Promises made and promises broken in ridiculous proposals by the TVA. 2 B&W 205 Model Nuclear Reactors, $15 billion to complete at this time, and 2 AP 1000 Nuclear Reactors, $24 billion to complete at this time. Expected costs to complete all projects, $39 billion over 25 years, TVA could not afford the cost, nor was there a need for power in the TVA region for one nuclear power reactor, much less 4 nuclear power reactors.

The bottom line: History is revealing in the case of the cannibalized Bellefonte nuclear facility. Don't promise the citizenry and potential developers something you can't deliver. It damages future development for our community.

Scottsboro City Council Work Session, Budget Hearings Part 2 - Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Focus Jackson Report

 

Monday was a Work Session of the City Council. Prior to the council meeting there was a Budget Hearing, this was the second hearing. Mr. Rick Roden, CEO of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce presented an excellent justification for further funding. The City of Scottsboro provides the Chamber with $65,000 in annual funding. Much of the money goes to the Impact Learning Center and other Focus Jackson Programs.

 

Work Session AGENDA

 

VIDEO

Budget Session, Part 2, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Presentation

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.

Town Hall Meeting with Senator Jeff Sessions

Approximately 50 Jackson County citizens were present on this rainy Tuesday to attend a Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Sponsored Town Hall Meeting with the citizens of Jackson County, Alabama and U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions, R. at the Docks Restaurant in Scottsboro's beautiful Goose Pond Colony ( Link: http://www.goosepond.org/index.html ). Senator Sessions discussed several issues ranging from Federal Judges extreamist rulings to our energy crisis. This was an opportunity for citizens to address concerns and issues to Senator Sessions. (Link to wiki's bio on Senator Sessions http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Sessions .)

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Senator Sessions conveyed 3 main points (**>) during his presentation: **>Federal Judges should refrain themselves from extreamist judgements and follow the law, not attempt to create law. The creation of Laws are under the purview of Congress. **>Senator John McCain is more qualified to be President. **>Energy was his main point of presentation, many secondary points on energy, Senator Sessions sits on the Energy oversight committee which is one of the committees with Congressional Oversight of the TVA. Quotes, >"Families are spending $105.00 more per month on fuel than last year." >"60% of our fuel is imported, much of it is from unfriendly countries. We need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. T. Boone Pickens is fundamentally correct," Sessions stated. ( T. Boone Pickens link. http://www.pickensplan.com/ ) "We need to open off shore drilling, open Alaskan Oil, convert coal to liquid and convert oil bearing shale to oil. Our greatest potential to reduce dependence on OPEC oil is plug in electric hybrids." {Absolutely Senator, advances in solar energy production may serve to charge batteries which power electric hybrids. gm}

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"Nuclear Power is the future. There are 106 Nuclear Plants in the U.S. France is producing 80% of its power from nuclear energy. (Note, the Senator skips between topics in his presentation.) Waste wood should be utilized for bio-mass conversion to bio-diesel fuel." {Just last night I was privileged to a conversation with a local Engineer for a major paper manufacturer. That conversation centered on avoiding the use of wood for fuel manufacture. "The use of wood products as a fuel source will drive up the costs of building lumber and pulp mill products."} Back to the Senator, "Expensive coal and fossil fuels are forcing power plants to utilize precious natural gas." >TVA Nuclear Energy. "Bellefonte is pushing for start up in 11 years, the TVA is still committed to the Nu-Start Coalition. Bellefonte will bring 1000 to 2000 new jobs.{Just not to current citizens. gm} Browns Ferry and Watts Barr are very economical." {Of course, since the TVA has the capability to issue bonds to fund their debt. gm}

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Citizen input was requested from Senator Sessions. I addressed the TVA's debt and failure to disclose financial construction costs at Bellefonte. TVA's Bond-debt/interest is in excess of $44.9 billion dollars, $14.9 billion dollars over the debt limit. Concern over this debt was expressed, the Senator acknowledged the debt is a problem for the TVA. I explained that the TVA has refused disclosure and citizen requests for accountability. The Senator agreed that the TVA is accountable to a citizens efforts to demonstrate accountability. A group of documents were presented to the Senator to include the refusal of the TVA to follow the NRC Administrative Law Judges Order to Disclose. These documents displays TVA mismanagement and reflects massive debt which may result in an insolvent TVA. (Related article link from this blog describing TVA debt to include comments by financial and energy experts concerning their debt. http://arklite.blogspot.com/2008/07/close-look-at-tva-debt-by-experts.html )

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Other issues addressed included the illegal entry of foreign nationals into the United States. Senator Sessions stated that he supports stopping illegals at the border.

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One citizen spoke up concerning geological concerns surrounding the area of Bellefonte, stating sink holes and earthquakes are a risk. The Senator stated, "I think the TVA is looking at this area and has addressed this issue. It was stated by another citizen that nuclear energy is a clean and safe form of energy. Senator Sessions agreed. I spoke up and stated, "nuclear energy is not safe and it is not clean." Senator Sessions stated that no one has been killed by nuclear energy. I spoke up and stated, " that is not true several have been killed." The Senator stated, "many have been killed in coal accidents." I did not get the chance to issue forth my next challenge. A slight discontented sound of mumbling rose from a few in the crowd. Senator Sessions interjected quickly by stating, "clean or safe nuclear power is a debatable issue." I asked the Senator if Congress has any plan for a hydrogen economy to replace the fossil fuel economy, his reply. The Senator shook his head in the affirmative, then stated. "There are problems in hydrogen fuel storage and production. Nuclear Energy would play a role in hydrogen fuel production." {Senator Sessions did not seem to be aware of advances in hydrogen fuel cell technology, nor did he indicate any type of a future plan for fuel or power production that involves hydrogen. gm} The meeting ended.

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I was left with the impression that Senator Sessions is not aware of the full scope of TVA's ever expanding debt, lack of debt management and appropriate accountability. His interests seem to be singularly oriented to nuclear expansion of the TVA without concern for mounting debt and the affects of inflation on citizens. He is oriented toward nuclear power but is concerned over TVA's debt and lack of disclosure. Senator Sessions did state, "clean and safe nuclear power is a debatable issue." But would argue on the side that nuclear energy is clean and safe.

Chamber of Commerce Property Sale

A while back the developers of the property on Goose Pond Island donated a lot to the Chamber of Commerce. I received an anonymous letter Friday expressing concern over the recent sale of the donated property. In the letter it was stated that the property was sold at $51,000 and was appraised at $100,000.

I visited with Mr. Rick Roden, Director of Jackson County's Chamber of Commerce this morning concerning this issue. Mr. Roden provided me with a copy of the appraisal and we had a discussion over this issue.

It is true, the property has recently sold for $51,000. The appraised value of this parcel was $51,300. The Appraisal was performed by Epps Appraisal Services of Scottsboro, dated April 3, 2007. Mr. Roden informed me that the property had been on the market for several months and had not sold. He expressed his gratefulness in this recent sale as all money from the sale goes to the Focus Jackson Program. Mr. Roden also conveyed to me that the realtor's involved in the transaction waived all commissions in order that the full sale price would go into the Focus Jackson Program.

Many thanks to Mr. Roden for taking time to explain this matter. Thanks also go out to the anonymous letter writer for giving me the opportunity to clear up this matter and potential rumor. Chamber of Commerce link: http://www.jacksoncountychamber.com/