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."
Jackson County Courthouse, North Side, photo by G. Morgan
The video covers agenda items 1) Birthday of Employees; and 2) County Road 17 report and status, in part. I left the commission meeting early so that I could cover the Community/Town Hall Meeting between the Jackson County Commission and the Jackson County Legislative Delegation at 6 PM. Link: https://arklite.blogspot.com/2019/10/scottsboro-alabama-october-7-2019-2.html
Next commission meeting will be Monday, October 28, 2019.
AGENDA
(Click on image for an expanded view.)
Video for Agenda Items 1 and 2, in part
SCOTTSBORO CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 7, 2019
Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan
No City Council Video, attended Community/Town Hall Meeting, link above.
AGENDA
(Click on image for an expanded view.)
NOTICE OF SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING
OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SCOTTSBORO, ALABAM
"...Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at 5:00 P.M. at the City Hall located at 316 Broad Street,
Scottsboro, Alabama 35768, for the purpose of considering, among other things, the adoption of an ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of the City's General Obligation Warrants, Series 2019-B..."
Dated this 8th day of October, 2019.
/s/ Patrick Stewart
President of the City Council
CITY OF SCOTTSBORO, ALABAMA
OCTOBER 2019 SCOTTSBORO CITY COUNCIL SCHEDULE
There will not be a Council Meeting on Monday, October 14th.
There is a Special Called Council Meeting on Wednesday, October 16th at 5:00 pm to consider bond refunding & documents.
The next regular Council Meeting is scheduled for October 21 at 6 pm.
There will be a Work Session and Council Meeting on October 28 at 6 pm
Town Hall/Community Meeting of the Jackson County Legislative Delegation and the Jackson County Commission. Moderator - Rick Roden, CEO Mountain Lakes (Jackson County Alabama) Chamber of Commerce. Left to Right; Legislative Delegation: Senator Steve Livingston, Representative Ritchie Wharton; Representative Tommy Hanes. County Commission: Mike Sisk, Chair Tim Guffey, Jason Venable, Danny Rich, Melinda Gilbert.
ISSUES: Jackson County General fund deficit; roads conditions and emergency repair; employees wage and salary; SPLOSH Tax; Sheriff's Department Peace Officer under staffing; EMA input regarding roads; the big question from a citizen - WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM?
No meaningful answer!
Monday night at the Scottsboro High School Auditorium, approximately 100 people attended the Town Hall/Community Meeting; citizens signed up and asked questions of the Jackson County Legislative Delegation and the Jackson County Commission regarding the Jackson County Commission's General Fund Budget. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Commission General Fund Budget reflects a $280,956 deficit; Revenues of $8,286,874 and Expenditures of $8,567, 830. The General Fund Budget pays for salaries, wages, health care insurance and courthouse maintenance (see FY2020 budget below).
The full Jackson County Budget reflects a $400,016 overage. Revenues of $23,017,777 and Expenditures of $22,617,761. Many of the full budget fund sites are restricted for specific use and may not be transferred for other fund site uses.
Jackson County Courthouse, South Side, photo by G. Morgan
UPDATE - JULY 12, 2019 - MORE FINANCIAL INFORMATION, HISTORICAL AND CURRENT INFO FROM THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EXAMINERS REGARDING THE JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSION
It is important to note
the Expenditures versus Revenue on this spread sheet as documented since FY2012
by the State Public Examiners (Click on image for an expanded view.)
FY2019 (Listing below by
the Jackson County Commission Administrator, unaudited information.) -$623,574.00 deficit listing
Revenue Overage listing -
FY2016 + $1,112,995.46
Audit Unknown at this time
for FY2018
It is significant that the 6 years listed by the Department of Public Examiners and the FY 2019 Financial Status listed by the Jackson County Commission reflect deficit spending for 6 of the seven years listed. The audited FY2018 Expenditures vs Revenue is not listed to date. However, the proposed budget was reflected as Revenues of $8,232,539 and Expenditures of $8,212,882. There is no audit of the FY 2018 and FY2019 financial position at this time.
Reoccuring findings and recommendations by the Department of Public Examiners as to budget expenditures in excess of anticipated
revenues including unexpended balances in accordance with the Code of
Alabama 1975, Section 11-8-3.
JULY 11, 2019 - TOWN HALL MEETING POSTPONED
The meeting between the Jackson County Commission and the Jackson County Legislative Delegation has been postponed. Rick Roden, Director of the Chamber of Commerce will be facilitating the Town Hall Meeting upon reschedule. I had a discussion with Mr. Roden and he stated: "All need to come together to work out the budget problems for the benefit of the people of Jackson County. This can be a win-win for everyone concerned."
TOWN HALL MEETING
Scottsboro, Alabama, Jackson County Commission announces a Town Hall Meeting at the Jackson County Courthouse on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at 6 PM in Court Room 1, 2nd floor Jackson County Courthouse, all persons of Jackson County are invited, Legislative Delegation has been invited according to the Chair Person of the commission. Revenue issues, road issues, county courthouse issues.
Mr. Tommy Hanes, State Representative for our district contacted me yesterday after reading my "Breaking News" story post on Facebook: ". . . Your notice was the first I had heard of this Town Hall Meeting." Hanes further commented: ". . . They never asked us what would be a good day for this." Mr. Hanes indicated he had scheduled another event to attend.
100 East Peachtree Street, Scottsboro Alabama 35768
256-218-3090
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2019
Delegation Responds to Jackson
County Commission
Scottsboro, AL, July 9, 2019- In light of the recent
announcement by the Jackson County Commission regarding a public meeting being
held Tuesday, July 16th at the Jackson County Courthouse, the
Jackson County Legislative Delegation Members; Senator Steve Livingston,
Representative Tommy Hanes and Representative Ritchie Whorton would like to
take an opportunity to set the record straight. According to a notice brought
to the attention of the Legislators through a Facebook post the Commission
claims that the Legislators were invited to this meeting. The Legislators have
yet to be notified by Mr. Guffey about this meeting. In fact, members of the
delegation will be out of town attending to prior obligations.
The Delegation is interested in the public’s opinion
of the Commission budgetary issues and would like the opportunity to be present
at such a public meeting. Moreover, the Delegation would like the facts
presented to the public to be accurate and true. For instance, the Commission contends
that the Delegation is unwilling to work with them. The truth remains that the
Delegation met with the previous Commission some 14 times and has met with the current
Commission between November 2018 to present 6 times. In fact, in November 2015,
the Delegation agreed to give the Commission over $600,000 from their “Critical
Needs Fund” to be deposited into the County’s general fund. The Commission also
contends that the Delegation will not help them solve their current budget
deficit, this is also not true. The Delegation has cooperated with the
Commission on a number of issues.
Senator Livingston secured funding for the
Matheny Bridge rehabilitation project in the fall of 2018. The Delegation also
carried a local bill in the 2019 legislative session which changed the Fund 100
to help the county to be able to utilize those funds. The Delegation carried yet
another bill in the 2019 legislative session which reduced publication of
expenditures and receipts to once per year, thus saving the County money. Finally, the Delegation members have presented
the Commission with options which addressed the current budget deficit
throughout those 6 meetings, all of which were turned down by the
Commission.
The Delegation remains open to communicate through all
reasonable solutions to the Commission’s budget deficit and their past record
would prove that they have been and remain open to meeting with the Commission
to find a workable, realistic solution. For questions please contact the
Jackson County Legislative Delegation Office; 256-218-3090.
###
The
Jackson County Legislative Delegation is comprised of Senator Steve Livingston,
Representative James “Tommy” Hanes and Representative Ritchie Whorton.
AGENDA
(Click on image for an expanded view.)
VIDEOS
Part - 1 Citizen Presentations
Part 2 - Regular Session Issues
Jackson County Courthouse Structural Stability and Security Issue
Pictures and story on Jackson County Courthouse structural stability problems to be filed shortly. According to Commission Chair Guffey a structural engineer has filed a report to include core sample drilling. That document will be requested today.
Meanwhile, the basement, outside bathroom will be closed due to the instability of the structure in the northwest corner of the courthouse. The tile wall cracks have widened, the floor is collapsing/dropping due to the weight of the wall. The drop appears to be 1 to 2 inches. The hard ceiling and wall structure has separated, the outside windows on the north and west walls are cracking and separating. This restroom has been utilized for the First Monday Trade Days Event, this will no longer be possible due to a structural integrity hazard, which if the failure progresses due to vibration, wind, rain, further soil and or structure movement is likely to create a danger to people.
The room, records holding storage, immediate south of the outside bathroom described has a large vertical opening due to seperation and water destruction of foundation and supporting structures. Plaster has been destroyed for several years in this area. There is evidence of worsening structural instability. Employees reported to me when the commission office was renovated, a large hole opened up in the chairperson's office, this hole was patched and carpet was placed over the hole and collapsed area. The chairperson's office is directly over the northwest corner bathroom which demonstrates the unstable structure, VIDEO BELOW
VIDEO NORTH SIDE, 1966 RENOVATION, STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY/SECURITY ISSUE
UPDATE - July 11, 2019 Meeting with Commission Chair and the Director of Public Works - County Officials Deny Allegations Made by Employees; Chairperson Expresses Defensive Hostility.
Jackson County Public Works, photo by G. Morgan
Today at 9AM I met with the Chair of the Jackson County Commission Tim Guffey and the County Engineer - Director of Public Works Jonathan Campbell. Mr. Campbell was very cordial and offered me water or coffee, I had a cup of coffee. I sat at the table in the conference room and I began to present what Mr. Guffey and myself had discussed earlier in the week, I also provided Mr. Campbell a copy of emails and photos provided me by a 26 year retired employee. I began to discuss with Mr. Campbell what the employees had presented to me relative to the allegations stated. Guffey became combative, telling me that I was wrong for listing the allegations on my blog. He provided me a copy of the allegations. He attempted to demean my writing by yelling: "All I do is to stir the pot." He further stated that he did not like that I had stated 3 basic allegations on my blog. Mr Campbell commented, we have known each other for some time, I've answered questions you have ask me, and he didn't appreciate me listing the allegations prior to our meeting. I stated to Guffey and Campbell this is the purpose of our meeting to hear your side. Guffey stated: "You should have waited, I don't like it;" in a hostile voice. I explained to Mr. Guffey that I did not care about what he approved or did not approve regarding my writing. (Allegations listed below.)
Mr. Guffey and Mr. Campbell deny the allegations made by current and former employees of Public Works
Mr. Campbell gave me the information back which I had provided him, I noticed that he already had the documents and photos provided to me by the retired employee. Both indicated the County Attorney John Porter had advised them not to meet with me about the allegations made by county employees and listed on my blog. I informed Guffey and Campbell that I had received information from other employees regarding the same allegations plus other allegations. The meeting was terminated as it was apparent that Mr. Guffey was very defensive and reiterated that the County Attorney told them that they should not meet with me. I also noticed there was a stack of documents which appeared to be FEMA submission documents regarding debris load information. I was told that I would have to submit a public records request for these documents.
Two public records requests were submitted to view and review FEMA Documents and the County Employee Personnel Handbook for non-profit news reporting on this blog.
Allegations by Retired and Current County Employees
Denied by Commission Chair and County Engineer
Sometimes a definition is necessary for those government officials who do not understand the term. "Allegation" - noun - a statementthat someone has done something wrong or illegal, but which has not been provedto be true. In this case, "allegations" of wrong doing by public officials or public employees claimed by public employees, or retired public employees, reported to this blogger.
County Public Works Allegations - 1) Allegations of Misappropriation/Misuse of County Materials and Goods have been made by a 26 year employee recently retired. Emails, photos and witnesses have been provided. 2) Allegations of unfair treatment to personnel and inappropriate personnel advancements of Public Works Personnel have been made. 3) Allegation of wrongful times and weights regarding FEMA cleanup as to reimbursements. I have discussed this issue with the Chair of the Commission Tim Guffey. Chairperson Guffey stated to me he has an Open Door Policy, Guffey stated: "Any employee may discuss concerns with me and I will not tolerate any supervisor preventing a concerned employee from discussing issues with me." Mr. Guffey further stated it was his observation this was a disgruntled employee, I reminded Mr. Guffey this was a 26 year experienced employee. I was scheduled today, Tuesday, July 9 at 9AM to meet with Chairperson Guffey and Mr. Jonathan Campbell, Engineer and Director of Public Works; this appointment was cancelled, there was an emergency in public works, according to commission officials, the appointment will be rescheduled stated the commission official. (The appointment is scheduled for 9AM Thursday July 11, 2019. See above, regarding the meeting.) Jackson County Commission Budget
According to the commission chair and county administrator the county commissions general fund budget is operating in a $623,574.00 budget deficit. However, when asked about this deficit situation approximately 6o days prior, I was informed the commission had transferred approximately $1 million dollars from a road and bridge account, according to the Commission Chair Tim Guffey and County Administrator Bob Manning, this transfer of funds between accounts is allowed. Funds from this transfer is keeping the General Fund Budget afloat, which includes salaries.
2018-2019 Budget Document supplied to media on July 8, 2019
(Click on image for an expanded view.)
BUDGET HEARING
Scottsboro, Alabama - May
29, 2019 Jackson County Commission Budget Hearing. Guffey makes critical
communications error regarding the county budget crisis.
Jackson County Commission
Chair accuses Jackson County Legislative Delegation of ". . .lies and fabrications.
. .Delegation has chose to do nothing," states Jackson County Commission
Chairperson Tim Guffey regarding Jackson County's General Fund budget crisis. Video
segment of this error in judgement and communications failure may be seen at
44 min.15 sec. to 46 min. 33 sec. in the budget hearing video below. After inquiry into this matter, the accusations by Commission Chair Guffey regarding the legislative delegation, quote: ". . .lies and fabrications. . .Delegation has chose to do nothing," are not factual. Further, it is my observations on this and other matters regarding the Chair of the Jackson County Commission, that his communicative style is that of a bully, when disagreement is stated to Guffey's position or decision making.
Later in the video the term "allocation" is utilized, two commissioners stated it is the responsibility of the Legislative Delegation to allocate funds to the commission. Funds allocation is determined by law or the Alabama Constitution in regards to the Legislative Delegation. Another definition is required - "Allocate" - a verb - distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose.
It is your responsibility commissioners of Jackson County to distribute funds for Jackson County; i.e. Commission's General fund, and other county fund sites, and county subordinate agencies, not the Legislative Delegation except as determined by law.
Congressman Brooks asks where is the TV Stations, and ask who I worked for, I told him "Myself." I asked him his thoughts on cyber security, Mr. Brooks is on the Cybersecurity Caucus. The Congressman commented that President Trump has not implemented sanctions on Russia as a result of their meddling in U.S. elections. Special Counsel Mueller's investigation is ongoing with the recent indictments of Russians last week. (photo by G. Morgan)
Concerned Citizen asks questions about Federal Law Enforcement Pay when the employee is Retired Military. Mr. Brooks would not agree to look into retirement pay problems with this category of Federal Employees. (photo by G. Morgan)
Mr. Brooks has discussion with local citizen regarding health care, he displays rudeness toward citizen and tells her to sit down, she refuses, saying "I will not sit down, I have more to say." Mr. Brooks appears to be intimidated by women of the opposing political party, this has been witnessed at other Town Hall Meetings. Citizen comments may be seen in the 2 part citizen Q&A videos listed below.(Photo by G. Morgan)
VIDEOS
Opening - Mr. Brooks Opening, Debt and Deficit Spending
CITIZEN COMMENTS, Q and A SESSION, 2 PARTS
HEALTH CARE DEBATE
Scottsboro, Alabama February 20, 2018 Town Hall Health Care Debate - Scottsboro Citizen Jenny Carter (D) vs Congressman Mo Brooks (R. Al.) 5th Congressional District.
VIDEO EXCERPT OF THE DEBATE - Ms. CARTER vs Mr. BROOKS
Political elected officials are the stewards of OUR GOVERNMENT, not our dictators.
My thoughts, Jenni Carter wins the debate, post your thoughts or any comments in the comments section.
BELLEFONTE
Rick Roden, CEO Chamber of Commerce follow up after his comments at the end of Citizen Comments in the Part 2 Video.
It is important to remember that Bellefonte is still owned by the TVA. Mr. Franklin Haney has an option to purchase Bellefonte from the TVA and has placed earnest money of approximately $22 million dollars indicating his intent to purchase. His purchase option is open until November of this year; Mr. Haney had the high bid for the sale of $111 million. Ratepayers of the TVA area have over $5 billion dollars invested into the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant.
Haney states he believes he can finish the 55% completed Unit 1 and the 35% completed Unit 2 for $13 billion dollars. It has also been reported that he will probably apply and be granted a DOE Nuclear Grant of approximately $6 billion dollars.
It is estimated by private sources the plant will cost $15 billion dollars to complete. Every year that passes completion costs increase. Units 1 & 2 were both cannabilized when the construction license was surrendered in 2006. It will take approximately 5 to 7 years to complete Unit 1 and over 7 years to complete Unit 2. If the sale of the nuclear plant is finalized the nuclear construction license will need to be transferred resulting in public hearings related to the license transfer.
Congressman Brooks commented to a reporter on Bellefonte. Mr. Brook's support staff did not want me to video the ongoing interview. I asked of Mr. Brooks before he left, "What did he think about President Trump's plan to sell Transmission assets. He stated other Presidents had suggested the sale of TVA. I reminded Mr. Brooks that other Presidents suggested the sale of the entire TVA, not just the transmission assets. When asked if he would support such a sale he said, "Yes, if it lowered our debt." He also commented that he did not think there was legislative support in Congress to sell the TVA. Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee commented this past week about President Trump's suggestion of selling TVA transmission assets as "looney."
Segment of Interview about Bellefonte
There would be a problem with the sale of power outside of the TVA due to the TVA Act. There is also 'wheeling charges,' transmission of another corporation's generated power across TVA transmission assets. It appears the rate payers of the TVA area are being neglected as to financial benefit in this scheming of how to benefit Haney's Nuclear Development LLC in the deal.
Meanwhile it appears many organizations have not learned that the promises made and broken over the last 40 years plus do not give citizens and businesses any confidence that what the Chamber of Commerce and politicians are saying is more than idle banter. There is no definitive date of completion of the TVA Bellefonte Nuclear Facility purchase much less a discussion on license transfer and construction startup.
U.S. Senator Jefferson Beauregard Sessions (R) meet with local citizens, politicians and government officials in Scottsboro Thursday at Scottsboro's City Hall. Wiki's Bio on Senator Sessions - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Sessions (photos by G. Morgan, videos below produced and videography by G. Morgan - All Rights Reserved)
Complete Video of Town Hall Meeting
Citizen Comments and Questions Senator Sessions on Citizens United and Campaign Finance Reform
"Although attempts to regulate campaign finance by legislation date back to 1867, the first successful attempts nationally to regulate and enforce campaign finance originated in the 1970s. The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1972 required candidates to disclose sources of campaign contributions and campaign expenditures. It was amended in 1974 with the introduction of statutory limits on contributions, and creation of the Federal Election Commission (FEC). It attempted to restrict the influence of wealthy individuals by limiting individual donations to $1,000 and donations by political action committees (PACs) to $5,000. These specific election donations are known as ‘hard money.’ The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002, also known as "McCain-Feingold", after its sponsors, is the most recent major federal law on campaign finance, which revised some of the legal limits on expenditures set in 1924, and prohibited unregulated contributions (commonly referred to as "soft money") to national political parties. ‘Soft money’ also refers to funds spent by independent organizations that do not specifically advocate the election or defeat of candidates, and funds which are not contributed directly to candidate campaigns."
Mayor Potter introduces Congressman Mo Brooks at last nights Scottsboro Town Hall meeting.
Congressman Brooks presentation was redundant. This was the 3rd Town Hall meeting I have attended. His presentation was a repeat of others with very slight differences. Brooks provided no disclosures as to his current actions on "Capitol Hill" as our 5th Congressional District Representative, or in any committee he is a member.
There were 3 highly questionable statements made by Congressman Brooks at last nights Town Hall Meeting in Scottsboro. (quotes)
1) "Regulation is the epitome of socialism."
2) "The other side [Democrats] want to make the creation of business evil."
3) "The Obama administration is transferring heavy weapons to Mexican Drug lords." This comment was made in regards to the "Fast and Furious" program's selling, purchase, and tracking of firearms which reach Mexico's narco traffickers. Brooks went on to say, "This program began during the Bush administration but tracking chips were placed in weapons by the Bush administration and agents would confiscate weapons."
Our nation has enough problems without the false rhetoric from our political leaders. The riff between the Democrat and Republican Party grows wider and deeper. There are no efforts by political leadership from either political party to focus on problem resolution for the benefit of our nation.
Congressman Brooks was provided a letter with information and references concerning 3 specific issues with questions listed below.
Issue 1: LIBOR BANK FRAUD AND THE MANIPULATION OF THE DERIVATIVES MARKET. Currently there are over 1000 trillion dollars of derivative financial market instruments which are outstanding that have been traded and sold by U.S. and world banks today. The total world economic worth today is between 70 and 80 trillion dollars. The derivative financial market trading and the manipulation of the interest rates of the derivatives were enabled in the U. S. by the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000, Pub.L. 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763A (as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001).
What are you going to do Congressman Brooks to reverse the 2000 Commodity Futures Modernization Act’s further destruction of the United States economy?
ISSUE 2: NATIONAL SECURITY VIOLATION, “LEAK” OF TOP SECRET NATIONAL SECURITY DOCUMENTS. THIS VIOLATION STANDS TO COST THE LIVES OF MILITARY AND CIA OPERATIVES IN THE SOUTHWEST ASIA MILITARY THEATER OF OPERATIONS.
Reference a Reuters News article release link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/01/us-usa-syria-obama-order-idUSBRE8701OK20120801 There are 4 distinct security compromises apparent in the Reuters article: 1) Obama signed the top secret intelligence authorization; 2) Mission disclosure- “Obama's order, approved earlier this year and known as an intelligence "finding," broadly permits the CIA and other U.S. agencies to provide support that could help the rebels oust Assad.” 3) “United States was collaborating with a secret command center operated by Turkey and its allies. This "nerve center" is in Adana, a city in southern Turkey about 60 miles from the Syrian border, which is also home to Incirlik, a U.S. air base where U.S. military and intelligence agencies maintain a substantial presence.” 4) “Free Syrian Army had obtained nearly two dozen surface-to-air missiles...shoulder-fired missiles, also known as MANPADs, had been delivered to the rebels via Turkey.”
This obvious violation of National Security is atrocious, what are you going to do Congressman Brooks to stop the disclosure of Top Secret National Security information which could result in the loss of U.S. Military or Civilian Assets on the ground in the Southwest Asia Military Theater of Operations?
ISSUE 3: NATIONAL SECURITY VIOLATIONS, LACK OF CIVILIAN CONTRACTOR SECURITY ACCOUNTABILITY AT NUCLEAR INSTALATIONS AND FACILITIES.
There are serious issues within our government today concerning holding accountable the leadership within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) regarding nuclear security. The lack of regulatory enforcement has allowed serious short comings related to security surrounding nuclear facilities. The failures involve civilian security contractors and regulatory managers.
(A)Y-12 Facility, Reuters News Service, August 3, 2012- Officials said the facility was shut down on Wednesday at least until next week after three senior citizen activists, one being a Nun and 82 years old, cut through perimeter fences to reach the outer wall of a building where highly enriched uranium, a key nuclear bomb component, is stored. http://news.yahoo.com/u-nuclear-bomb-facility-shut-security-breach-115609328.html
The activists painted slogans and threw what they said was human blood on the wall of the facility, one of numerous buildings in the facility known by the code name Y-12 that it was given during World War Two, officials said.
While moving between the perimeter fences, the activists triggered sensors that alerted security personnel. But officials conceded the intruders were still able to reach the building's walls before security personnel got to them.
Civilian contractors- WSI Oak Ridge, the contractor responsible for protecting the facility at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is owned by the international security firm G4S.
If the senior citizens had been a trained terrorist group the Southeast U.S today would be a much different place. Retraining is not sufficient; this reflects a serious breach of security, not to mention a breach of WSI’s contract to provide security.
(B)Civilian Nuclear Power Plants Security Violations- CNN June 29, 2011. 24 civilian nuclear power plants are tested annually. “Last year's results are roughly analogous to those in recent years. In the three previous years, between two and four plants were breached and targets "destroyed," NRC records show.” That equates to an 8% to 16% failure rate, which is an unacceptable failure rate for security operations at civilian nuclear power reactor facilities.
Acceptance of contractor negligence by the NRC: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/force-on-force.html The problem once again appears to be civilian contractors and a failure of the regulator to hold accountable those who fail the security exercises. The NRC official’s comment, “We don't characterize (the results) as good or bad because the plants must adhere to our security regulations, period," said NRC spokeswoman Holly Harrington. "If there are these failures, which from time to time occur, they are fixed and the plants are told they have to meet these requirements." That is an excuse; there are repetitive failures at nuclear plants by the civilian security contractors.
“To improve the program, the NRC worked with the nuclear industry to develop a Composite Adversary Force (CAF) that is trained to standards issued by the Commission. The new adversary force has been used for all FOF exercises conducted after October 2004. NRC expects the CAF to be a significant improvement in ability, consistency, and effectiveness over the previous adversary forces. The CAF will be evaluated at each exercise using rigorous NRC performance standards issued in April 2004.”
“The CAF is managed by a company (Wackenhut) that provides much of the security for U.S. nuclear power plants and is, therefore, well-versed in the security operations of power plants. The NRC recognizes that there may be a perception of a conflict of interest where the management company cannot adequately test either the CAF or the plant security force. NRC established a clear separation of functions between the CAF and plant security force to ensure an independent, reliable, and credible mock adversary force. In addition, no member of the CAF may participate in an exercise at his or her home site.”
Utilizing contractors to conduct security testing which have security contracts at nuclear facilities is an example of the ridiculousness and the intentional skewering of security exercises.Even so, 8-16% fails annual security tests. Special Forces units of Department of Defense should be conducting the tests. Managing security operations testing in the current fashion at nuclear reactor facilities is the epitome of management failure and corruption
QUESTION CONCERNING THE NUCLEAR FACILITY SECURITY ISSUES- Congressman Brooks, what are you going to do to improve the security systems at our nuclear power plants and high security nuclear facilities in the Tennessee River Valley area?
Congressman Brooks assured me he would conduct an inquiry and reply to the issues brought forward to him.
Update: As of August 1, 2014 Mr. Brooks has said nothing about the questions asked of him
Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter introduces 5th District Congressman Mo Brooks, Republican from Huntsville.
Congressman Brooks stated he was a Fiscal Conservative and believes our nation will be subservient to China if the debt situation does not change. He stated we are supplying China with the means to destroy us by virtue of our debt payment to them.
Congressman Brooks assessment of our financial plight was right and wrong. He was right, our debt is the problem, his figures are correct. He was wrong on blaming our financial crisis on the Democrats and President Obama. There are solutions, Brooks did not have them. His solution was to create dissension and division in support of the Republican Party. At the bottom of the page I list the solution to our problems. Our debt problem is related to our growing energy crisis and problems. Washington politicians, Brooks included, have no meaningful solutions.
Congressman Brooks ranted on for most of the meeting about how our economy was crashing and if the Democrats continued on with their programs such as health care and socialism we would surely be subservient to the Chinese. The crowd of about 50, including 5 staffers, applauded loudly in sync with Brooks as he continued on with periodic episodes of Obama bashing mixed with economic doom and gloom.
Brooks blamed most of our problems concerning the Southwest Asian Wars on the current administration. He failed to mention any Republican responsibility related to the current war, instead he took the road of 'blame the Democrats and Obama.'
The Congressman did not realize or failed to mention it was the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 of the 106th Congress, a Republican Congress ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/106th_United_States_Congress ), which allowed the Mortgage crisis and economic downturn which began about 2006, culminating in a financial meltdown in 2008 under President Bush, it was President Bush who began the TARP program bailouts.
2011's 30 year outlook according to Mr. Brooks. When the TVA debt situation was brought forward his tune changed from a devout Fiscal Conservative to a devout Republican Socialist. Telling all how nuclear power and the TVA was going to save us from an era with no power. Sheer pro-nuclear propaganda right out of the nuclear lobby's play book.
Congressman Brooks stated the Democrats and President Obama's Health Care Plans and other entitlement programs are breaking the United States. The crowd of mostly over 65-80%, continued to applaud loudly, apparently not realizing their Social Security and Medicare would come to a halt if the radical Republicans had their way. As the crowd applauded with fervor to the Obama bashing, I decided to boo the festivities, as there was entirely to much President Obama and Democrat bashing. Although I do not agree with all of our President's policies, he is our President. To base ones political policy and platform on bashing Democrats and President Obama does not produce results, it produces division of the populace. Brooks' political strategy utilizes the principles of ideological propaganda as a communicative technique.
When asked about Bellefonte the Congressman stated he supported nuclear power. He told the crowd of Republican supporters the shutting down of coal facilities, due to the environmentalists and the EPA, nuclear power must be brought on line. Not true pointed out Ms. Gretel Johnston of Scottsboro, Ms. Johnston told how Energy Efficiency technology could produce the power needed. Brooks replied, "Oh, you mean the efficient energy light bulbs." Ms. Johnston explained some of the Energy Efficiency measures which would supply over 300,000 jobs in the Southeast, including Jackson County, if a serious plan was implemented.
I informed the Congressman about TVA's tremendous debt to which I was heckled by a Chamber of Commerce staff member and a Goose Pond Colony staff member, obviously they were Republicans not interested in facts and attempted to interrupt my presentation. When the Congressman was asked if he supported TVA socialism and extending TVA's $30 billion dollar debt limit his reply was maybe, maybe not, depends on how it was worded by those asking. Apparently the Congressman is not as Fiscally Conservative as his presentation appears.
TVA's Financials: "TVA- SEC Form 10-Q Quarterly Report May 3, 2011, page 49, debt- $24.125 billion; interest on debt- $25.832 billion; long term total obligations including debt, interest on debt, fuel contracts, leases and power commitments $68.868 billion dollars." Total debt and debt interest- $49.9 billion! http://investor.shareholder.com/tva/secfiling.cfm?filingID=1376986-11-36
Turn about is fair play, but not in the eyes of the Scottsboro Police who were there to obviously keep in line any comments against Brooks and the Republican extremist ideology. When a Republican supporter decided to bash Ms. Johnston and myself for our presentation, I spoke up in protest. The Police Chief, came over and stated to me, "don't interrupt, wait until you are recognized to speak." However, the Police Chief said nothing to the hecklers from the Chamber of Commerce and Goose Pond Colony who attempted to interrupt my presentation.
The town hall meeting was informative, informing true listeners of how far right wing the Neu Republikans have moved. Real solutions to the debt crisis are not in the Republicans political strategy book. Bash Democrats and our President was the outcome of the meeting.for the explicit purpose of rallying additional Republican support.
Solutions: Jobs, put Americans to work, stop the political deceit and pandering, it is dividing our nation. Political bickering and name calling does not support solutions but supports the political party, we need solutions not furtherance of individual and party political agendas. A comprehensive Sustainable Energy Plan for the United States is the tool for resolving many of the problems facing our nation. It will bring jobs and secure our energy future from dependance on foreign energy sources which have led us into wars costing thousands of American lives and trillions of dollars.
There will be a Town Hall Meeting with U.S. Representative Mo Brooks, Republican from Huntsville, Al., at the Jackson county Senior Center (Entrance of the Jackson County Park on the right.), Monday June 27, 2011 from 7PM till 8PM. Google maps link: Google Maps link: Jackson County Park
2302 County Park Rd, Scottsboro, AL
Mr. Brooks commented in the Daily Sentinel, ""The town hall is a question and answer session where District 5 residents can ask questions about legislation and federal issues that are important to them," Brooks said. "The discussion is driven by what folks are interested in talking about, so I hope that a lot of people will come out to this town hall."" Link: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_e580a48a-9c55-11e0-a974-001cc4c03286.html
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.
U.S. Copyright Office Fair Use Rule: "Section 107 contains a list of the various purposes for which the reproduction of a particular work may be considered fair, such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, nonprofit educational purposes and research. Link: http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
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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.
