Facebook, City of Scottsboro, Developers of Stonebridge Subdivision -- Censorship - Conspiracy? META DOES NOT SUPPORT OPEN GOVERNMENT?

More on the Stonebridge debacle. WHNT Ch 19 Video https://youtu.be/QXgZ5cZk9ws?si=baEo9vGA2bM6ScMs  As a note, many thanks to the City of Scottsboro for posting their city council meetings on You Tube.

 I'm wondering why my Facebook account got suspended Friday, Sep 6, 2024, weekend prior to Monday's City Council meeting, for reposting the City of Scottsboro's Aug 12 You Tube City Council Meeting video, reposted by me on August 19. My belief, this was accomplished to block citizens viewing video other than the City of Scottsboro's You Tube video posting. My account was reinstated yesterday after a demand request and informing META they are wrong and made a false accusation against me, for their actions and involvement in government operations, namely a censorship conspiracy coinciding with government and/or private developer actions. I do not believe this was a coincidence. Although a private business entity, such as META, can't be held accountable for censorship, unless there is a conspiracy with private developers or government officials. 

Reference, quote from FACEBOOK: ------------------

"Community Standards Cybersecurity"

We don't allow people to try to gather sensitive information from others." "Sep 6, 2024

We removed your post

Updates on this decision"

"Why this happened.

It looks like you tried to gather sensitive information from others."

"Garry L Morgan

Aug 19, 2024

City of Scottsboro Council Meeting, zoning hearing. https://youtu.be/41AfOzVLegU?si=5PDQDP7f0KA_aC9r

You shared this on your profile

This goes against our Community Standards on cybersecurity." ---- The Mayor of Scottsboro, City Council President and City Attorney were provided a copy of this action Friday. City Council President and the City Attorney replied, the Mayor offered no reply.  

META is threatening more action against me for posting my concerns about the City of Scottsboro's actions, reference approval of the subdivision rezoning. I guess reposting Scottsboro City Council video is a threat to cybersecurity according to Facebook/Meta and others. The threat is the repugnant, ignorant folks attempting to end the concept and laws regarding open government.

Facebook Cybersecurity policy  https://transparency.meta.com/policies/community-standards/cybersecurity/

 No where in this policy does it state that open government or reposting government meetings videos violates META/Facebook policy.

Scottsboro's September 9, 2024 City Council Meeting https://youtu.be/2oj0hBu0vIs?si=ByUmI_UAyjh_Uov3

July 20, 2021 - Scottsboro, Alabama - Scottsboro City Council Meeting Recordings on You Tube and Facebook-Transparency, Sunshine in Government - Jackson County Commission Meetings Info - Critical Thinking and Media Resourcing, Tools for Transparency

 

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

The City of Scottsboro, Alabama has began videoing and placing on Social Media, You Tube and Facebook, their City Council Meetings. You Tube City of Scottsboro Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnca4uius_sv4T_kvoDbErQ/videos

Facebook Link, which also contains their meeting Agenda: https://www.facebook.com/cityofscottsboro

Many Thanks to the Jackson County Commission for Their Commitment to Transparency in Government

The Jackson County Commission had began live Facebook video of their meetings earlier in the year. The video record and live showing of the Jackson County Commission meetings may be seen on Facebook at, link: https://www.facebook.com/JCCommissionAL 

Agendas and information - Agenda link: https://www.jacksoncountyal.gov/agendacenter

Information link: https://www.jacksoncountyal.gov/

 BRAVO TO THE CITY OF SCOTTSBORO

GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY 

 LET THE SUNSHINE IN

Quote by the Honorable Louis D. Brandeis, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America, 1916-1939. 

"Sunlight" and quote image - Fair Use for non-profit news and discussion, courtesy of the 

Sunlight Foundation: https://sunlightfoundation.com/about/

Justice Brandeis did not have the benefits of technology as we do today, the technology of the internet, the information dissemination of social media in our world, nations states and communities of the 21st Century. "Judge Brandeis and the History of Transparency:"   https://sunlightfoundation.com/2009/05/26/brandeis-and-the-history-of-transparency/

We hear many complaints regarding the dissemination of disinformation, "fake news," on the internet's social media platforms and formal media. Disinformation and misinformation is a problem, utilize critical thinking, media referencing and resource skills to sort out disinformation and misinformation, the internet is your friendly tool to accomplish the task. 

Beware of those who would attempt to diminish the importance of information technology and the benefits of social media in the dissemination of information to you the individual in our communities. Beware of the government endorsed censor who would endeavor to remove the expression of thought and words, even that of disinformation and misinformation. --- The Tools for discovering Truth in all media formats = critical thinking, media resourcing and research: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/digital_media_literacy_draft_v5.pdf , verbal and written expression are our personal tools; our system of Justice, our Constitution and Laws, protect our Rights of Speech and insure responsible actions, these are our individual and societal tools.

In the words of James Madison, 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." 

June 24, 2019 Scottsboro, Alabama - Scottsboro City Council Regular Session - Records Disclosure Issues, Open Government

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

(Click on image for an expanded view.)

VIDEO OF COUNCIL MEETING

VIDEO - RECORDS DISCLOSURE ISSUE

Hear the beep at the beginning of the video (at 12 sec), that is the activation of Scottsboro's recording system - for the public official(s) afraid of open government, and afraid of disclosures, here is another video angle for you of my presentation.

RECORDS DISCLOSURE ISSUE with Enclosures

(Click on image for an expanded view.)

Complaint from Municipal Court Clerk and Magistrate

Records Request

Reason for non-disclosure, from city attorney

Scottsboro, Alabama - March 4, 2019 - Jackson County Commission Work Session, 3 Part Video and Careful of the Pending Resolution, It Is a Tax Increase, or an Attempt to Divert Schools Taxes

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

. 

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.

Scottsboro, Alabama - February 19, 2019 - Jackson County Commission Work Session - Courthouse Security - Rules Set Aside for Vote, Issue Not on an Agenda - Special Meeting Regarding Voting Precincts

Presiding Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Holt expresses concerns over the Jackson County Commissions lack of concern over Courthouse Security (photo by G. Morgan)

Commissioner Venable, second from right, commented his time was valuable, his work and home time were being negatively impacted by the security meetings. (photo by G. Morgan)

VIDEO - Judge Holt on Courthouse Security

WAFF link regarding the 2006 Jackson County Courthouse shooting.   http://www.waff.com/story/4978730/new-information-in-jackson-county-courthouse-shooting/

Jackson County Sheriff Chuck Phillips comments on Courthouse Security. (photo by G. Morgan)

Jackson County Courthouse Security Meeting Schedule per order for 2019.

Work Session AGENDA February 19, 2019
1) Paint Rock Valley Historical Board to consider use and preservation of the Paint Rock Valley School. Commissioner Sisk mentioned there was not much interest in becoming a board member.

2) Courthouse Security Issue Discussion, see above.

3) Discussion Issue regarding commission revenue options. The Jackson County Commission receives no sales tax revenue. County Sales tax revenue is exclusively for schools, split between county and municipal schools.

Agenda item 4) Not listed -Setting the rules aside - Jackson County Commission Resolution for the Legislative Delegation. Fund 100, Public Works, it was stated that they had a two day notice from State Senator Livingston.  This unlisted voting item was passed by a unanimous vote, no one questioned the validity of the vote.

This is a commission work session, there is no emergency action required or stipulated, there is no Regular or Work Session agenda item regarding Public Works Fund 100. The commission, per county attorney's recommendation, sat the rules aside, which rules or laws  are unknown, for a vote on an issue regarding a legislative action Resolution for the Jackson County Legislative Delegation.

It was stated by the commission chair the resolution was needed in the Alabama Legislature covering Local Public Works Funds, Equipment and Materials described as local Fund 100. There was no notice of action on any agenda although a vote occured. I asked the Chair and the County Attorney why this item was not on the agenda, Mr. Guffey, Commission Chair stated to ask the county attorney, I asked John Porter, Jackson County Attorney why this item was not on the agenda, his comment, "It doesn't have to be on the agenda as the rules are set aside."

Does this mean no item is required to be on an agenda for decision making, the commission may set the rules aside anytime?

Special Meeting Item regarding consolidation of voting precinct locations. Short video of Jackson County District Map. The Voting Registrars Office representative stated that consolidation of Voting Precincts must be accomplished by March 2019, less than 2 weeks.

VIDEO Part 1 of Meeting

VIDEO Part 2 of Meeting - Voting Precinct Reorganization

Scottsboro, Alabama February 11, 2019 Scottsboro City Council Regular Session - Latest Information Regarding the Municipal Court Problem

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

Information update regarding the Municipal Court problem..

https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Municipal%20Court

UPDATE February 12, 2019 (Information from Feb.10, 2019) - Employee(s) falsely accused of criminal behavior will seek prosecution regardless of who the alleged criminal(s) may be. Civil damages due to alleged sexual harassment and making alleged false statements to authorities will probably be pursued, according to sources providing this writer with information. 

Confidential sources have informed this writer that law enforcement personnel are poised to take necessary action within the Scottsboro Municipal Court if threats or violence are displayed by the appointed public official involved in this case involving the Scottsboro Municipal Court. 

Is the Scottsboro, Alabama Municipal Court Safe, for participants and observers?

QUESTIONS - If all this bears true, why is the Scottsboro City Council not taking immediate corrective actions regarding the Scottsboro Municipal Court, and protect the citizens of Scottsboro, Alabama from a massive loss of financial revenue due to civil legal actions? Why is the City Council not informing the citizens of Scottsboro what is occuring relating to the allegations by employees of Scottsboro, Alabama regarding this case involving Scottsboro Municipal Court?

AGENDA

COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, February 11, 2019

6:00 P.M.

NEW BUSINESS

1.   Consider Ordinance 603: Amend Ordinance 588 Relating to Appointment of Certain Department Heads - Approved 

2. Resolution for Dump Truck Bid - Approved, Thompson Tractor, $275,189.11

3.   Consider Resolution 2019-02-06: Surplus City Property, 2 pieces of property, 8.13 ac and .053ac - Approved

4.   Consider Budget Amendment to Repair Mini Excavator - Approved $4200.00

5.   Consider Budget Amendment for Compactor Wheels - Approved $18,514.00

6.   Consider Alabama High School State Bass Fishing Tournament - Approved

7.   Consider Jackson County Tourism Grant Application - Cruisers, $2000.00, Approved

8.   Announce Tree Commission Appointments - Gene Greer; Ron Leyton

9. Executive Session - pending litigation, session certified by City Attorney, (40 min.) Municipal court problem and related personnel problems discussed, specifics are confidential.

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama - October 11, 2018 - Jackson County Courthouse Security Committee Meeting, and A Story of Terror at the Jackson County Courthouse, May 31, 2006 - UPDATE - Oct. 12, 2018: Commissioners Received Proposals From at least One Security Firm

Normally the Jackson County Courthouse in Scottsboro, Alabama is a peaceful place. The business of property tax payments, drivers license renewals and the weekly Jackson County Commission Meetings.

True to the courthouse name, courts meet with judges sitting on the bench, administering justice and providing rulings in many types of criminal and civil cases in Jackson County Alabama

The Jackson County Courthouse erupted in terror on a warm spring day on May 31st 2006 in  Scottsboro, Alabama, gunshots broke the calm, blood stained the floors and sidewalks. This is where the Courthouse Security story begins. "If you do not learn from your history, you are doomed to repeat it." Circuit Court Judge John Graham, pictured above (photo by G. Morgan).

Family dispute, child custody battle, part of the AP wire report stated: "The victims remained hospitalized in critical condition. . . John Christopher Lee Sr., 49, was charged with two counts of attempted murder after being arrested in the shooting Wednesday of Robert Lee Hunter, 26, of New Hope, and Hunter’s mother, Debra Parker, 45, of Madison, outside the Jackson County Courthouse.. . . a custody dispute had been going on between the children’s mother and father."   http://www.gadsdentimes.com/lifestyle/20060602/victims-critical-in-scottsboro-courthouse-shooting

Circuit Court Judge John Graham related to me at the north entrance of the courthouse after the Security Committee Meeting his vivid account of the incident on that memorable day in May of 2006 at the courthouse entrance, pictured below with crime scene tape. "One of the victims had managed to run back into the courthouse for protection before collapsing. There was blood dripping from his tie, the blood dripped onto the floor, forming a pool. . . I immediately ordered the courthouse doors locked"

Scott Kellenberger, an Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officer, looked out a front windows when the shots rang out. He immediately responded to the front of the courthouse entrance where he met the perpetrator and stopped him at the front door of the courthouse. Source reports stated the perpetrator was headed to the courtroom to finish his attempts to murder everyone involved.

WAFF photo, Fair Use for non-profit news reporting 

http://www.waff.com/story/4978730/new-information-in-jackson-county-courthouse-shooting/

Emotional domestic dispute and child custody cases may become violent and present several high risk scenarios. Courthouse shootings and violent incidences are steadily increasing.

Increase in Courthouse Violence Incidents Nation Wide

Judge Graham further stated: "There must be credentialed law enforcement officers at the security checkpoints in the courthouse." No one may be in the courthouse with firearms except law enforcement officers.

There have been several attempts to enter the courthouse with firearms. One of the Sheriffs Deputies  who regularly mans the security checkpoint related, there have been 6 persons carrying firearms stopped at the security checkpoints since June of this year. One man was arrested acting very suspicious while attempting to enter, he was found to have a cocked handgun in his possession. Additionally, Sheriff Deputies stated they have found numerous large knives. Knives may not be brought into the courthouse longer than 2 1/2 inches in length.

PRESIDING CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE JENNIFER HOLT'S ORDER - OCTOBER 11, 2018
(Click on image for an expanded view; signature block intentionally obscured.)

Note on the Judges Order, 1st page, 3rd paragraph: "Where as on September 24, 2018 the Jackson County Commission, without notice to this court or the Jackson County Courthouse Security Committee passed the budget for the 2018-2019 year and failed to fully fund the Jackson County Security Plan . . ." The Order further states the names of the specific commissioners not fully funding the security plan. Additionally, the court has ordered the commissioners to reconvene on this issue. 

During the Security Meeting it was evident that the County Commission's concern was focused on money, not the needs for an effective security deterrent at the courthouse entrances. Further meetings are being planned. The issue of Courthouse Security will be placed on the agenda at the next Jackson County Commission Work Session on October 15, 2018. 

There are more questions which need answering regarding discussions and document dissemination between commissioners related to private security hiring instead of the required credentialed law enforcement Sheriff Deputies. 

COMMISSIONERS RECEIVED EMAIL SECURITY PROPOSALS and RECOMMENDATIONS PER THEIR INSTRUCTIONS 

Budget meetings, although open to the public, are not work sessions nor regular session deliberations. There have been no open deliberations either in the work session or regular session regarding private security or other contract proposals. However, the commissioners did discuss in depth in the budget meetings various aspects of private contractual services involving the Jackson County Commission. 

Documents obtained via an Alabama Open Records Request reveals a 11 page two part comprehensive proposal was provided by Dynamic Security of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, per instructions from the Jackson County Commission, on or before September 4, 2018. 

Discussions within the budget meetings also included problems with the current part time Sheriff Deputies involved in Courthouse Security Services, described as "contracted services" involving security hires part time. The "part time hires" are apparently hired out of the Commission General Fund as Independent Contractors, an IRS Form 1099 is issued at the end of year. All part time "independent contractors," which fill in for Sheriff Deputies off work, are under the supervision of the Sheriff of Jackson County. All of the part time "independent contractors" wear the uniform of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department and are certified law enforcement officials.The problem exists, there are no formal signed contracts and no insurance coverage which would cover the employee if there was an on the job injury, after all, they are "independent contractors." 

An interview with the Jackson County Personnel Manager has revealed items of concern regarding this issue. The commissioners have not discussed this matter in any open meeting and some commissioners have attempted to be "secretive" about these facts, knowing full well there is a problem regarding the hire of independent contractors as part time Sheriff's Deputies.

The Jackson County Commission instructed their administrator, Robert Manning, to obtain recommendations regarding private Courthouse Security Services and at least one proposal from a private security service. Below, a picture of Dynamic's Elite Security. 

Photo from Dynamic Security's 11 page proposal for the Jackson County Courthouse. (Dynamic Security photo, Fair Use for non-profit news reporting and commentary)  Will the Jackson County Commission utilize any of the other private contracted services of Dynamic Security, particularly those involving various aspects of personnel management, clerical operations and other services.

Recommendations were received from three separate county government entities in Alabama and Florida: Escambia County Florida; Marshall County Alabama and the Economic Development Authority of Dallas County Alabama. 

Documents obtained via an Alabama Open Records Request reveals a 11 page two part comprehensive proposal was provided by Dynamic Security of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, per instructions from the Jackson County Commission, on or before September 4, 2018.  

PRIVATE SECURITY QUOTES

Part 1 proposal:  Dynamic Security, Inc. proposes the identified hourly rate of $14.99 for an UNARMED Security Officers to perform professional security duties as outlined in future communications. Specifically post instruction and security duties as outlined by the management team and Jackson County. 

Part 2 Proposal: Dynamic Security, Inc. proposes the identified hourly rate of $16.24 for an ARMED Security Officers to perform professional security duties as outlined in future communications. Specifically post instruction and security duties as outlined by the management team and Jackson County. (4 security officers are $135,000 plus; 3 security officers are $101,000 plus; all based on a 40 hour, 52 week period.)

Dynamic Security also provides several other personnel oriented services for their clients as described at: http://dynamicsecurity.org/our-services.html

Quote: "In addition to security officers, Dynamic offers the following services to its Clients:

Confidential security studies and evaluations

Security strike plan development

Drug screening - Marijuana, Cocaine, Opiates, Methamphetamines

Background Screening - Felonies, Misdemeanors, Motor vehicle, Employment eligibility verification, Workers’ compensation/ WC Fraud, Credit references/credit checks, Education verification, Employment reference checks

Facility Staffing - Part-time, Temporary workers, Full-time, Industrial workers, Clerical workers, Professional placements, Additional human resource services."

JACKSON COUNTY SENTINEL

Article excerpt: "The County Commission did not fully fund the Courthouse Security plan in their budget because they had been looking into hiring a private security firm to monitor the Courthouse . . .All commissioners at the meeting said their intentions were to save money anywhere they could, not just courthouse security."  

http://jcsentinel.com/?_dc=457505322156.24884

Additional Problems relating to the Courthouse Security issues involve communications failures between all leadership involved in Courthouse Security, a problem solving group meeting should occur to resolve the issues and bring forward proposed resolutions to the full Courthouse Security Committee.

Previous articles on this issue from "In the Boro." 

October 1, 2018

https://arklite.blogspot.com/2018/10/scottsboro-alabama-october-1-2018.html

September 24, 2018 - Courthouse Security Plan 

https://arklite.blogspot.com/2018/09/scottsboro-alabama-september-24-2018.html

Paint Rock Town Council Meeting, Interview with Mayor Brenda Fisk, June 12, 2018 - UPDATED - June 14, 2018 - Jackson County Sentinel, WZDX and Associated Press News Stories

WZDX coverage of the issue, it is important to point out that the part of the so called "Open Meetings Guidelines" were not implemented as the Mayor points out several times.   http://www.rocketcitynow.com/news/paint-rock-proposed-media-ban-making-national-headlines/1236257434  Tuesday, June 12, 2018 was the first time I have covered the event, it is my intentions to cover the Paint Rock Town Council on a regular basis.

There are 3 other issues regarding the Paint Rock Town Council's meetings: 1) There is no published agenda for the public, nor does it appear if there is an agenda that it is followed. 2) Rober's rules of order are not followed nor is the meeting process and decorum such that maintains order in the council chambers at meeting times. Several times there were disruptions from the citizenry present. 3) There is no public, published announcement conspicuously placed regarding Town Council meeting dates. The place to post the announcement would be on the Town Hall entry door.

1st Associated Press Story: https://apnews.com/14f7ab5ae02b481b8ba27a21ad0442ce

2nd Associated Press Story:   https://apnews.com/96af31f24b7f4b70b638bf3430762b3a

Jackson County Sentinel Story: http://m.thedailysentinel.com/feature_story/article_f12d0258-6f23-11e8-843d-a7f3890c344d.html?mode=jqm

Jackson County Sentinel Op-Ed on Paint Rock:   http://m.thedailysentinel.com/feature_story/article_1a0df1e6-6b69-11e8-bc93-3fbe7b10a231.html?mode=jqm

Jackson County Sentinel, Opinion, Observations, "The Town of Paint Rock - Guidelines, what town meeting guidelines?
http://m.thedailysentinel.com/opinion/article_94ac387c-6fdd-11e8-82a4-435523e9adc2.html?mode=jqm

The story was covered nationwide, many of the stories were based on the AP coverage from the Sentinel op-ed piece and other North Alabama news reports, including video. New York Times article.  https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/06/12/us/ap-us-city-council-media-ban.html

                                               VIDEO




2 Part Video Paint Rock Town Council, Part 1


Part 2


Facebook live links:
Part 1 - https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10216325733359680/

Part 2 - https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10216325938884818/

Part 3 and  adjournment - https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10216326120449357/

All blog articles at "In the Boro" regarding Paint Rock   https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Paint%20Rock%20Alabama

Paint Rock, Alabama Woes - Open Meetings Failures? Possible Financial Impropriety? UPDATE - June 9, 2018 Sentinel Article

Paint Rock, Alabama - early 20th Century. This appears to be an old photo postcard, prior to the 1930's tornado which destroyed a large portion of the town. Fair Use publication, not for profit news and commentary. Link Credit: 

Digital Alabama https://digitalalabama.com/alabama-treasure-legends/yuchi-gold-paint-rock-alabama/6260

UPDATE - June 9, 2018 JACKSON COUNTY SENTINEL ARTICLE  -   http://jcsentinel.com/feature_story/article_1a0df1e6-6b69-11e8-bc93-3fbe7b10a231.html

Part of Paint Rock, Alabama today along U.S Highway 72. Photo from Wiki link below, Fair Use for not for profit news reporting and commentary.

The Town of Paint Rock has some serious legal issues, they documented some of these issues in policy and ordinances confirmed by the City Clerk of Paint Rock and a former City Council member. There may be several problems regarding the town's finances, which become apparent when looking at their financial statements, not discussed at this time.

Town of Paint Rock, Alabama's Open Meeting Policy, it does not coincide with state law. Link below. Click on any image for an expanded view.

Their government style as to Open Meetings policy could be called secretive, uninformed, and in violation of the Open Meeting laws of the State of Alabama. It is the only town, approximately 210 in population ( Wiki on Paint Rock, Alabama: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paint_Rock,_Alabama  ), that I have encountered in Jackson County Alabama, which forbids the Press of any type, non-residents of the town, and recording of the meetings without the expressed approval of the Town Council; all these open meetings policy items violate the Alabama  Open Meetings Act, found on line at the following locations:  https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/2006/26146/36-25a-1.html   Manual for Public Officials - https://www.alabamapress.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/AL_Open_Meetings_Act.pdf   Alabama Secretary of State: https://www.openmeetings.alabama.gov/generalpublic/publicdefault.aspx  Code of Alabama specifically: http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/codeofalabama/1975/154883.htm    League of Municipalities: http://www.alalm.org/89-legal-services/legal-resources/181-open-meetings-law.html   

Town of Paint Rock, Alabama Meeting Guidelines, January 2018, as confirmed by a former Town council member and the current Town Clerk. Click on image to expand view. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT SAMPLE JUNE 2017

Sunlight Foundation - Reports of Federal Government Agencies Directed Not to Communicate with the American Public - January 25, 2017

From Az quOtes - Fair Use for non-profit news and commentary

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."

Reports of Federal Government Agencies Directed Not to Communicate with the American Public (Fair Use Rights for non-profit news reporting and commentary. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.)

For the past decade, the Sunlight Foundation has advocated for all branches of the federal government to use modern technologies to inform and engage the American people, from social media to websites. We adamantly oppose measures that limit disclosing documents and data to the public, particularly the publication of scientific papers, research and analysis, or public access to government scientists or technologists that can explain the findings.

The following list are reported formal actions to limit public communication at federal agencies.

• Officials at the Department of Health and Human Services were reportedly directed “not to send any correspondence to public officials (to include Members of Congress and state and local officials) between now and February 3, unless specifically authorized by the Department.” An unnamed HHS official told Politico reports were in doubt: “Contrary to erroneous media reports, HHS and its agencies continue to communicate fully about its work through all of its regular communication channels with the public, the media and other relevant audiences. There is no directive to do otherwise.” [SOURCES: Politico, Huffington Post]
• The Environmental Protection Agency froze grant making, restricted social media, and told its employees not to talk about it. [SOURCES: Washington Post, Politico, Boston Globe, Huffington Post]
• On January 23, Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service was directed not to release “any public-facing documents,” including, but not limited to, “news releases, photos, fact sheets, news feeds, and social media content,” according to an email obtained by the Associated Press. On January 24, the USDA disavowed the order and stated that peer-reviewed scientific papers from ARS should not be blocked. “This internal email was released without Departmental direction, and prior to Departmental guidance being issued,” USDA said in a statement. “ARS will be providing updated direction to its staff. ARS values and is committed to maintaining the free flow of information between our scientists and the American public.” [SOURCES: Washington Post, Reuters, Politico, AP, Buzzfeed]
• The Department of the Interior and Department of Energy have both halted or limited social media use. [SOURCES: Washington Post, GreenWire]
• The Department of Transportation told employees not to publish news releases or social media until they receive new guidance from the Trump administration. [SOURCE: Politico]
• The National Institutes of Health were “to hold on publishing new rules or guidance in the Federal Register or other public forums and discussing them with public officials until the Administration has had an opportunity to review them,” per Institutes spokeswoman Renate Myles. [SOURCE: Politico]

The White House has not confirmed these actions. White House press secretary Sean Spicer was asked about them in today’s press briefing but did not confirm.

If these reports are accurate, we call on the Trump administration to disclose the memoranda that have led to these changes to the public, explain their rationale, and reverse the measures.

Sunlight Foundation: https://sunlightfoundation.com/list-of-federal-government-agencies-told-not-to-communicate-with-the-public/ 

Deep Throat 10 - The Series Continues, Bad Governance, Illegal Activity, Sexual Harassment, Cover-ups, Failure of Transparency

Scottsboro city Hall, photo by G. Morgan

There has been a move to utilize a Huntsville area law firms to represent the City of Scottsboro and the City of Scottsboro School system. http://lanierford.com/ Lanier Ford is an excellent law firm, the reputation and quality of services of Lanier Ford is not the issue.

Mayor Potter, photo by G. Morgan

It is understandable for Lanier Ford to represent the Mayor of Scottsboro due to his indiscretions and unprofessional conduct as stated in legal actions filed against him. However, it is not understandable, nor sensible, for the City's legal services, including the school system, to be taken over for political reasons by a high dollar Huntsville law firm. Particularly when the law firm is serving to update Scottsboro's Personnel Handbook and the same law firm is representing Mayor Potter. The issue with Mayor Potter involves personnel failures and communications failure issues. Further employee disclosures have revealed allegations of harassment/sexual harassment continue and according to employees/officials disclosing information may involve discriminatory conduct by the law firm representatives.

It seems there are political involvements which probably include undue and questionable influences locally. The problem does not appear to be local attorneys competence or professionalism; the problem as demonstrated by historical actions are the result of  negligent, incompetent local politicians and political appointees, and now what appears to be corporate/political outside influences.

We have a criminal problem involving city officials, unprofessional activities problem, political problem and apparently a problem of corporate incursions in Scottsboro's political business instituted by long term political appointees and appointees who are now elected political officials under scrutiny due to misconduct as stated in legal documents and interviews. 

                       VIOLATION OF OPEN RECORDS LAWS

Fair Use for non-profit news reporting and commentary. Credit: www.commoncausewisconsin.org; Florida Today-Parker,  Cloak of Secrecy graphic.

3 weeks ago I submitted records requests to the City of Scottsboro under the laws of the State of Alabama to view contracts the city has with the law firm of Lanier Ford. There are no contracts according to the City Clerk of Scottsboro. There is a 2013 agreement stipulating charges for services - attached (in part), which was provided me.

Page of agreement contains rates for fees, click on image for an expanded view.

I also requested documents for inspection related to the amount of public funds paid to Lanier ford for the year 2015 to date (paragraph attached), that was not provided. 

Paragraph in the records request for inspection of financial documents- payments to Lanier Ford, click on image for an expanded view.

Scottsboro City Clerk  Whitney Phillips, on left, supplied the Lanier Ford document agreement for service charges but failed to provide inspection times for financial discloures regarding payments to Lanier Ford Law firm, photo by G. Morgan.

Failing to provide public records is a violation of the laws of the State of Alabama Criminal Statutes, but this is not the first time elected and appointed officials of the City of Scottsboro have intentionally violated Laws of our State regarding the disclosure of public records. Paragraph 2 and 3 below of 13A-10-12 were intentionally violated by appointed and elected officials of the City of Scottsboro; the City is not transparent in the conduct of their business and not reflective of good governance. The failure to produce some of the records may be an attempt to cover-up wrong doing; apparently, some in our local and state government think laws are for all others than public officials..

Evidence demonstrates public officials practice criminal conduct and unprofessional activities as a practice in their operations locally. Worse, there is no effort to curtail the wrong doings of specific City of Scottsboro officials and their negligent activity. This unprofessional and illegal activity includes more than the failure to disclose public records, the public records requested in part would disclose unprofessional conduct and illegal activity. 

Unfortunately, broken state and local prosecutor branches of our government refuse to do any thing about intentional violations of open records laws by public officials when a citizen demonstrates concerns. Apparently public officials are above the law, at least that is how some of our public officials see themselves in practice - that ladies and gentleman is the precursor to a fascist, tyrannical government. 

Alabama rates a failure grade "F" regarding transparency ranking 48. When prosecutors and government officials believe they are above the law or have no reasponsibility to transparency or enforcing open government laws what should the citizens expect, broken, irresponsible government for politicians instead of the people.  https://ballotpedia.org/Alabama_Public_Records_Law

Right to Inspect a public record in Alabama: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/alcode/36/12/3/36-12-40

Criminal  Law - Reference: Section 13A-10-12 - Tampering with governmental records.

(a) A person commits the crime of tampering with governmental records if:

(1) He knowingly makes a false entry in or falsely alters any governmental record; or

(-->2) Knowing he lacks the authority to do so, he intentionally destroys, mutilates, conceals, removes or otherwise substantially impairs the verity or availability of any governmental record; or

-->(3) Knowing he lacks the authority to retain a governmental record he refuses to deliver up the record in his possession upon proper request of a person lawfully entitled to receive such record for examination or other purposes.

(b) Tampering with governmental records is a Class A misdemeanor.

The elected and public officials of the City of Scottsboro should be warned - if it becomes necessary for me to sue for disclosure of public records I will bring forward the issues of personal negligence of officials who have violated the criminal statutes of the state relevant to these issues. When you violate criminal law intentionally, that is a negligent action. Consult an attorney for the meaning of that charge as it may apply to legal representation..

Transparency of our government is extremely important for our values of open government and that of our Republic to continue under our Constitution.

Alabama's records laws are plain and purposeful, there are exceptions to disclosure, but the exception must be stipulated in writing in any refusal to produce records. In the case of my Scottsboro records request there have been no exceptions stipulated in writing, worse the City Attorney has not been involved in the latest refusal to produce records. Apparently the refusals are originating from political officials in City Hall exclusively. 

There is much more to this story, I will not disclose all the details at this time as legal action may be necessary which will include the prosecuting of negligent individuals in civil action for refusing to provide records for inspection in violation of the criminal statutes of our state.

-->There is a bottom line - legal action does not have to happen. Provide for inspection what I have requested: 1) The illegal Bray Investigative report with photographs ordered by the Mayor and paid for by public funds. 2) The loss control report from the insurance carrier involving management shortcomings and or needs of the city which would prevent financial losses either to the people or the insurance carrier. The loss control report does not involve protected Workers Comp medical information protected by law (Workers Comp is a seperate report), this involves reports and suggestions regarding potential logistical, financial and/or administrative shortcomings of management and needed improvements. 3) Provide for inspection, documents which indicate all payments to Lanier Ford Law firm or their attorneys for the year 2015 to date.