Scottsboro City Council Meeting

Before I present my outline of the meeting, sad news was received this morning. Former Scottsboro Mayor Louis Price died at age 81. http://blog.al.com/breaking/2009/08/former_scottsboro_mayor_louis.html God Bless the Price family in this time of sorrow.

City Council Meeting: No Old Business. New Business: 1) 10 year communications tower lease with Happy Thompson approved for 2% of gross revenue or $170.00 per year. 2) Award of fuel bid approved, the low bidder was Parman Oil Co. of Chattanooga, Tn. at the cost to the city of 4.29cents above their cost. Local bidders were over 10cents per gallon over their costs. 3) Oil, lubricants and non-fuel products bid was awarded to Jackson Oil Co. 4) Annual streets paving contract was awarded to Jackson Paving Company. 5) Consideration of approval for Marvin Holcomb to clean and mow around public ramps and boat docks within the City of Scottsboro. There was no motion made, the issue died due to a lack of a motion. 6) Budget Amendment was approved for the Cemetery Department for the purchase of a tractor attachment for a backhoe in the amount of $10250.00. 7) Financial Management Policy discussed due to upcoming visit from Standard & Poor concerning city bond rating. It was stated a Financial Management Policy does not exist for the City of Scottsboro. The City Council Meeting was continued until next week so this important issue may be voted on at that time. Of particular interest and discussed were the reserve funds amount the City of Scottsboro has for contingency operations. An 8 week reserve, 2 months was established at $500,000.

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The result of the Scottsboro Trails Poll: 57% participating in the poll agreed with the plan presented by Mr. Jim Olyneic of the Planning Commission, 43% voted no, they did not agree with the plan. There was a 5% margin of error + or - on this poll due to repetitive votes as demonstrated by IP addresses. The majority favors a trail system.

City Council Race Poll Results

Place 1: total votes in poll 213, Mr. Thurmond Bell-101 votes (47.5%) ; Ms. Sandy Walker-112 votes (52.5%). Place 2: total votes in poll 202, Mr Jim Boatner-79 votes (39%); Mr. Gary Speers-123 votes (61%). ( Percentages rounded up or down to the nearest 1/2 percent.)

Winners and losers predictions based on the poll results. Place 1, Mr. Bell and Ms. Walker; although Ms. Walker leads the poll, it is my opinion there must be greater than a 5% margin to make the prediction of a winner and loser, it is not there. The Place 1 position is to close to call. Place 2, Mr. Boatner and Mr. Speers; it is my opinion that Mr. Speers will win the Place 2 race.

Poll Results

The following poll results are posted. Question: Do you favor the U.S. Government bail out of the failed insurance and financial institutions such as AIG and Lehman Bros.? 72%-No; 28%-yes ( 3 day poll). Question: Do you favor rezoning of the old aluminum plant site from R1, Residential to M1, Light Manufacturing? 78%-yes; 22%-no (158 votes, long term poll)