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."
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.
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
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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.
Before and after photos of the Jackson County Park. The picture below is after cleanup as a result of the 2009 Spring storm which devastated the County Park. Over 2 years and a change in the basic park operation the rebuild start date is tentatively scheduled to start on July 18th, lasting 120 days, if all goes well should be finished by November 15, 2011.
Today at 9AM the Jackson County Commission met in a "Pre-Construction Conference" concerning the rebuild of the Jackson County Park. All contractors were present and represented. Ladd Environmental Consultants are representing Jackson County as the contract consultant, K.W. Rains Associates General Contractor, Scottsboro Electric Power Board, electrical contractor, TVA was present-Guntersville Property Management Office, Jackson County EMA, the Jackson County Engineer, a quorum of the Commission, County Attorney, County Administrator and the press were present. Notice was not posted on the official Jackson County Bulletin Board, several issues were discussed which are expected to be brought forward at future dates before the vJackson County Commission meetings, including tornado debris cleanup and payments related to the County Park contract.
Jackson County Chairperson Sadie Bias and contractors sign the Jackson County Park Camp Ground Re-Build Contract.It has been estimated the park has lost in excess of $100K annually as a result of the destroyed campground.
Plans for the Jackson County Park Campground rebuild.
There was concern expressed about sensitive archaeological areas, the contractors emphatically stated there would be no sensitive archaeological areas which would be disturbed in this project.
Letter from the Alabama Attorney Generals Office. (Click on image for an expanded view.)
Original complaint document to the Alabama Attorney General, Alabama Emergency Management Agency, the Mayor of Scottsboro and City Council President based on allegations made by employees of the Scottsboro Street Department.
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Troubles within the Scottsboro Street Department have been occuring for some period of time. Communications and management dilemmas have been a historical problem within this department. The following report does not place blame but is an expose that describes issues that the citizens of Scottsboro should be aware.
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This summer allegations of wrongful conduct and/or alleged criminal activity were brought forth by the City of Scottsboro Street Department employees allegedly involving Street Department Supervisory employee(s).
. Street Department employees brought forward allegations to me in person that alleged criminal activity had occurred within the department, the employees stated they felt they could not come forward as they were afraid of retaliation that could include termination. Since governmental employees were making allegations to me of wrongful conduct, I informed the employees I would turn over the allegations made by them to the Alabama Attorney Generals Office and the Mayor of Scottsboro. I also informed the employees I would not disclose their names unless ordered to do so by law enforcement in an official investigation or as ordered by a judge.
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The Alabama AG has refused to investigate the complaints unless the Street Department employees make formal complaints directly to the State Attorney General, per letter shown above. The employees making the initial complaint were informed of the reply from the State Attorney General.
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The allegations involved practices and FEMA reimbursement related to the April 2009 storm damage and cleanup. An investigation was initiated by the Scottsboro Police Department per request from the Mayor's Office to insure there were no abusive practices or malfeasance.
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An outcome of the investigation was requested from Mayor Potter on Monday November 8, 2010. I inquired if the employee allegations were founded or unfounded and offered an opportunity for the Mayor to make a comment concerning this alleged incident? Mayor Potter had no reply but deferred comment to the City Attorney, Mr. Steve Kennamer for a reply. Mr Kennamer replied in the Mayor's presence-- "We [City of Scottsboro] have forwarded the case to the Alabama Attorney General for investigation ." Neither the Mayor nor the City Attorney had any further comment concerning the allegations by Street Department employees.
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The Attorney Generals Office has informed me, via the letter displayed, they will not investigate unless the Street Department employees file an official complaint. The Mayor has been provided a copy of the letter displayed above from the Alabama Attorney Generals office.
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UPDATE--Nov. 12, 2010-Information was received that several Street Department employees and at least one previous Scottsboro Police Department employee were interviewed in the course of the investigation. Further disclosures revealed during the initial interview process the street department supervisor was present during the initial interviews. This could be interpreted as a very questionable and negative step in the investigation as the presence of the department supervisor would serve as intimidation and cause a reluctance of employees to disclose information. In subsequent days the interview process was conducted without the presence of the department supervisor. The Scottsboro Mayor will not disclose if the allegations by employees were founded or unfounded. A Scottsboro City Official has informed me the city has not been reimbursed for the 2009 storm cleanup operation.
Early morning wind damage on Monday completely destroyed this mobile home off of Edmonds Dr. in Scottsboro. The roof and side was blown off of this mobile home. Other mobile homes in the same area received serious damage from this storm. Many Campers in the County Park area were completely destroyed. Wind gusts were reported up to 80 mph in this event. The Mayor commented to me he had never seen high winds of this nature locally for such a sustained period of time.
The TVA has decided to continue with Lake Guntersville Aquatic Weed Spraying including private dock areas.
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Two big issues at last nights City council Meeting. 1) Mayor discussed Storm Damage first to start the meeting. He stated there were no injuries reported. He commented all agencies were working diligently to repair storm damage and appreciated all efforts and the hard work to restore power to the area. There were 6500 customers without power Monday morning. At the time of the Council Meeting he stated there were 1500 without power. In a related issue the Jackson County Commission declared the area a Disaster Area. 2) In the Mayors portion of the Reports it was stated that the TVA had made a decision that they would continue to spray for weeds on Lake Guntersville. The Mayor stated TVA will treat for weeds on Lake Guntersville in all public access areas, recreation areas and the navigation channels and sub channels from June-August. >>
The TVA will continue their spraying programs around private boat docks during the month of June and July. If the private property owners wish to continue treatment thru August the TVA will require the private property owners to pay for the service during the month of August. The Mayor further stated that TVA officials have not made the official announcement concerning the weed issue.
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Old Business
1) Contract awarded for inmate medical services to Southern Health Partners. 2) Bid openings for Animal Shelter kennels and cages; Kennels were awarded to Direct Animal Products and cages were awarded to Ultra Light Products. Budget will be amended for a total of $95,762.00, the cost for the cages and kennels.
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New Business
1) Assistant City Court Magistrate Position approved, a secretarial position will be abolished. Additional funding for the position will be temporarily provided by the Court and Jail Fund. 2) Budget Amendment approved for Cemetery for $4,650.00 for drainage. 3) Alcohol Beverage License approved for Papa Jacks, 1533 S. Broad St. 4) Alcohol Beverage License approved for SoJo's Quick Mart, 47 Ridgedale Rd. 5) Transfer of Alcohol Beverage License approved for Buena Vista Restaurant. 6) In the Reports section Mayor Potter introduced the new City Engineer, Charles King. Mr. King is a graduate of Auburn University and was the Assistant Engineer for Elmore Co., Alabama.
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
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All Rights Reserved for writings, video, photographs and art by Garry L. Morgan.
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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."
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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).
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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.
