April 26, 2021 - Scottsboro, Alabama - ( City and County Government Meetings Review, Important Issues) - Scottsboro City Council Regular Session - Ron Latimer Named as Chief of Police for the City of Scottsboro, Alabama - Update - April 27, 2021 - Jackson County Commission Agenda and Video Links - "Guffey Affair" - Breaking News on Commission Chair Position - UPDATE: April 28, 2021 - Alleged Criminal and Ethics Issues for Commission - UPDATE May 3, 2021 - Commissioners Deny Decision Making Meeting Occurred to Remove Photographs or Video From Commission Computers or Data System

 

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSION - BREAKING NEWS - Per Jackson County Acting Chair, Jason Venable, Governor is expected to appoint Chair of Commission by Friday, April 30, 2021

(More info on the Jackson County Commission and pending issues below.)

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SCOTTSBORO POLICE CHIEF APPOINTED

RONALD LATIMER

                                                    AGENDA

MEETING VIDEO

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JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSION

Jackson County Courthouse North Entrance, photo by G. Morgan

BREAKING NEWS:  Per County Commission Acting Chair, Jason Venable: (paraphrased) "The Governors Office is interviewing specific candidates for the Appointment of the Commission Chair today and tomorrow. It is expected that we should have an individual named replacement by Friday, April 30, 2021.

Former Jackson County Commission Chair Tim Guffey. Resignation to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on December 18, 2020, effective date of resignation per resignation letter, April 11, 2021. (Photo by G. Morgan)

Is this the conclusion of the "Guffey Affair?" 

Some would like to think so, it is not, there is more to come. Unfortunately some local politicians have not learned the lessons of history; "the coverup is often worse than the original offense." 

WHAT ARE THE "MORE TO COME" PROBLEMS AND ALLEGATIONS FOR FORMER COMMISSION CHAIR GUFFEY AND THE JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSION?

Alleged criminal and ethics issues remaining, not resolved, per interview with persons knowledgeable regarding the alleged criminal and unethical events: 1) Alleged sexual assault; 2) alleged threatening communications; 3) creation of hostile work environment,\ (established), (a) alleged violation of Civil Rights Act, (b) allegedly utilizing the "color of law and official position" to sexually harass, threaten, stalk employees, thus creation of a hostile work environment; 4) alleged stalking, hidden videoing of female personnel in their workplace. 5) alleged tampering with physical evidence related to a criminal act; 6) alleged conspiracy by political officials, 5 or more persons, to destroy video documentation, video record, of events related to criminal acts or violation of Civil Rights; 7) alleged secret meeting with a quorum of  commissioners and with other county officials/employees for the purpose of destruction of video evidence.

UPDATE: May, 3, 2021 - Interviews with Commissioner Buckner and Commissioner Rich seperately. - Both Commissioners emphatically deny that any meeting occurred in secret or otherwise, with them participating, regarding decision making to remove any information, evidence, etc. regarding video or photographs of female persons which may have been allegedly photographed or downloaded by former Commission Chair Guffey contained on Jackson County data systems or computer systems. 

AGENDA LINK:   https://www.jacksoncountyal.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272021-137 

VIDEO LINK: 

https://www.facebook.com/JCCommissionAL/videos/1227879727631667

Scottsboro, Alabama November 5, 2018 - Scottsboro City Council Organizational Meeting, Work Session

Scottsboro City Attorney Stephen Kennamer served as Council President during the Organizational Meeting. (photo by G. Morgan)

Mr. Patrick Stewart was elected as City Council President. (photo by G. Morgan)

Council Member Greg Mashburn was elected as City Council Pro Tem President

AGENDAS

(Click on any image for an expanded view.)

Ms. Paige Airheart discusses the Airheart property on Tupelo Pike and Maple Street, agenda item 1, which has been discussed at several council meetings due to the property being declared in a poor state of repair. (photo by G. Morgan)

Mayor Robin Shelton discusses Industrial Park Credit Union Building, agenda item 2, owned by the City of Scottsboro. Mayor Shelton stated that an agreement between North East Alabama Community College and the city regarding a Truck Driving School at the old Credit Union location. (photo by G. Morgan)

Scottsboro Police Chief Ralph Dawe discusses Scottsboro City Schools Resource Officer funding. Chief Dawe stated the approximate cost per officer is $68,000. The goal is for 5 officers, 2 at the high school and 1 at each of the other 3 schools. (photo by G. Morgan)

VIDEO and FACEBOOK Video Links

Facebook live video - Organizational session   https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10217423482282717/

Facebook live video - reports section   https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10217423766489822/

Scottsboro Police Department Has New Web Site

Scottsboro Police Department is located at 916 South Broad Street, Scottsboro, Alabama 35768 (photo by G. Morgan)

The Scottsboro Police Department has a new, professionally created web site which may be viewed at http://scottsboropd.org/ Well done Chief Dawe, and many thanks to the men and women of the Scottsboro Police Department. The website may be accessed from the right column of this blog under the my site visits counter. The departments contact numbers and contact form may be found at http://scottsboropd.org/?page_id=52

Scottsboro Police Department's web site features descriptions of the department's divisions and describes its mission as:

The fundamental duty of the Scottsboro Police Department is to serve Humankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all people to liberty, equality and justice.

S = Service - We are committed to developing well trained, motivated and courteous employees and with the latest technologies available to serve our community and organization with pride and professionalism.

P = Professionalism - We are committed to maintaining the highest moral and ethical standards through principles of professionalism, pride, honesty trust and courage.

D = Dedication - We are committed to the interactive relationship between the police department and our community, forming partnerships with the citizens of our community to enhance the quality of life for our citizens, their children and visitors of the City of Scottsboro.

Chief Ralph Dawe (photo by G. Morgan)

Chief Ralph Dawe - "Our mission is to protect life, property, and help those that are in need, to enforce local, state and federal laws within the City of Scottsboro's jurisdiction. We are committed to provide the best possible service to our citizens as well as visitors to our city. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, pride, honesty and courage. We are dedicated to the interactive relationship between our community and our city leaders to enhance the quality of life for all of our citizens and visitors to the City of Scottsboro."

"Our officers and support staff are highly qualified and trained. They all have been instrumental in making this city maintain a below average crime rate. I am proud of all the employees and the jobs they perform for the Scottsboro Police Department and the community we serve."

Scottsboro City Council - Work Session & Regular Session March 2, 2014

One issue on the agenda, Scottsboro Police Chief's pay disparity. 

AGENDA

 Budget Amendment for $6173.98 for Police Chief Ralph Dawe due to pay disparity - unanimously approved. Chief Ralph Dawe has been with the department for 26 years, 10 years as Police Chief. Chief Dawe is responsible for all divisions of the Scottsboro Police Department, City Jail, Animal Control and the 911 System. 

 Scottsboro Department Head List and Salary prior to March 2, 2015

Mayor Melton Potter supervises all city department heads, Mayor Potters salary - $74,000

The City Council approves the hiring and firing of 3 positions, City Attorney, City Clerk, Police Chief. Most to least pay is listed in order per Mayor Potter on February 23, 2015 based on city financial data.

Finance and Accounting - Mr. Rick Wheeler - $77,868.00

Public Works Department (Streets &Solid Waste) - Mr. Eddie Blizzard - $77,568,00

City Engineer/Planner - Mr. Josh Little - $71,508.00

City Clerk - Ms. Whitney Phillips - $71,000.00

Police Department, City Jail and Animal Control and 911 - Chief Ralph Dawe - $69,168.00

Parks & Recreation - Ms. Yvonne Yockel - $68,844.00

Human Resources - Ms. Erin Dixon - $66,000.00

Fire & Rescue - Chief Gene Nicklaus -  $65,000.00

City Attorney - Mr. Steve Kennamer, Esq. - $63,600.00

City Maintenance Department - Mr. Chad Green - $55,000.00

Airport, Word Field - Mr. Don (Ty) Towery -  $50,820.00

Cemetery Department - Mr. Benny Bell - $49,324.00

I.T. Department - Mr. Clint Sebring - (start) $45,000, increase to $50,000.00 after 6 months

Clarion article:  http://www.theclarion.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9046:council-votes-to-raise-police-chiefs-salary&catid=42:clarion-rotation-stories&Itemid=142

Mayor Potter, on left, took issue with correcting a pay disparity with Police Chief Ralph Dawe. Council Member Gary Stewart on the right. All council members voted for the Budget Amendment to correct the pay disparity. Mayor Potter stated he thought correcting the pay disparity was wrong, He went on to say other department heads would be requesting a pay raise. Council Member Keith Smith, former Police Chief, commented that the Scottsboro Police Chief's pay has been a traditionally underpaid position, "but that doesn't make it right."

VIDEO