Disappointment, Consequences and Racism

Scottsboro,  "the other side of the tracks."  photo by G. Morgan

Last night the Jackson County Voters League held their annual Political Candidate Forum. It was an eye opening experience into the realm of social justice and the dilemma of racism that plagues our community. 

Unfortunately some of the candidates did not show up,. another group that did not show up was the local press. 

Folks we have a sickness in Scottsboro, Alabama. Like a patient with cancer, ignoring our social ills, neglecting that which is part of our body will not heal the cancer. 

The cancer is not the Voters League or the African American community. The cancer is in the hearts and souls of the WHITE folks of this community who practice racism. White folks may very well be the majority, but ladies and gentleman we are not a democracy, the majority does not rule. We are a Republic where the rule of law is the realm of justice, codified in OUR Constitution, along with our unalienable rights to insure liberty. 

If you neglect part of your body, you will face the consequences. Such exists in the dilemma of our city we call home, Scottsboro, Alabama.

Scottsboro, Alabama is a good place with fine people. I know this to be a fact or I would not be writing this challenging article and saying to you, life is what we make it and we have the capability to make or break our community, to change our course of neglecting part of our community.

What's it gonna be, are we to treat all taxpayers in our community as equals or will we treat those who live on "the other side of the tracks" with cancerous neglect?

8AM update: On a local discussion forum which I frequent, a local citizen made the statement: "Sorry, but I do not understand what racism has to do with a forum that I take was poorly attended. That seems a huge leap to call it Racism." My reply: "Neglect, intentional neglect, intentional non-participation due to the fact the community on the other side of the tracks has been neglected. "

Many in the poor and minority community despise some local public officials and their historical discriminatory actions.. 

Sometimes, in small communities, the press attempts to cover-up the fact that RACISM is practiced today, that is the case in Scottsboro, Alabama. The local press, at this time in our history, attempts to suppress the cold hard facts of racism in our community.

My words are this, some public officials work very hard at making arrangements for influential members of the community and their children to receive a pass on crime, while the poor and minorities face the full brunt of the criminal justice system, this is one of those secretive facts about our quaint city which the influential do not want discussed in public. 

I'll add, facts seem to bring on the wrath of right wing extremists on the local Scottsboro forum, al.com-linked on this blog, which makes me wonder exactly what some public officials represent in Scottsboro, Alabama.

Scottsboro City Council Meeting

Councilman Matthew Hodges receives the Certificate of Election from Mayor Potter. Mr. Hodges received no opposition in his bid for City Council. This is his 3rd term on the Council.

Scottsboro City Council, Mayor, City Clerk, City Attorney dressed in pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. The pink t-shirts are being sold by the Scottsboro Fire Department for $9.00. Proceeds to go to fighting breast cancer.

“Real men wear pink” is the motto of firefighters across the country that raise money for a program called the Pink Heals Tour. Started in Arizona, the purpose of the Pink Heals Tour, complete with pink fire trucks, is to raise money and show support for women who are fighting the fight against breast cancer.

1) Consider Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon contract for sports complex. Mentioned there were environmental issues (wetlands) which would take from 120-140 days. The issue was approved. The complex will also include a splash park. 2) Bid opening for unpaved road surfacing. Charles E Watts Co. of Gadsden, Al. awarded bid. 3)Bid opening for Fire Department Equipment purchase, $14,267-awarded Sunbelt Fire Equipment; foam purchase-$390.00 awarded to Pro Fire Equipment. A government grant covered 95% of the purchase. 4) Vacancy on Water Sewer and Gas Board, request for position must be turned in to the City Clerk prior to Sep 10, 2010 at 4:30PM 5) Resolution of election by City Council, Certificate of Election by Mayor Potter. Mr Hodges ran unopposed, his election was certified. 6) The CDA will have a Special Called meeting on Aug 10, 2010 at 5:30PM at the City Hall Council chambers. 7) City Council meeting will be continued until 5:30 next Monday evening.

Reports: 1) The Jackson County Voters League will hold its Candidates Screening and Endorsement Forum Tuesday August 10th at the North Houston Street church of Christ. Registration is at 5:30PM, a $25.00 registration fee will be charged. 2) Monday, August 16, 2010 at 7PM the City Council and School Board Forum will be conducted in the High School Auditorium.

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Jackson County Commission Work Session

Citizen Comments: Mrs. Ralph Starkey spoke to the Commission concerning an upcoming agricultural and livestock show. Several youths participate in showing livestock. Mrs. Starkey displayed pictures and told of the success of our young people participating in agricultural projects. She requested the commission provide funds for a public purpose in supporting Jackson County Agriculture at regional and state shows. The commissioners discussed different levels of funding for this project. Mr. Porter, County Attorney, stated money could be provided if their was a public purpose.

The following items were discussed at the work session: 1) Position at Public Works; 2) Sheriffs Department, reimbursement of accumulated leave, discuss jail maintenance. 3) Discussion of maintenance position. 4) Discussion of road paving.

The County Commission adjourned into another lengthy Executive Session, approximately 50 minutes, for the purpose to discuss pending litigation. The Sheriff Dennis Miller and the Chief Deputy Chuck Phillips were present in the Executive Session for approximately 20 minutes. The commission returned and adjourned the meeting.

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NEPA Scoping Deceptions, AREVA-DOE-TVA Browns Ferry Plutonium Concerns

Huntsville Times article with my comment: http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/08/safety_dominates_meeting_about.html

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Concerns from Decatur leaders: http://decaturdaily.com/detail/65777.html

Civilian contractors were misrepresenting themselves with the blessings of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) http://nnsa.energy.gov/ . Areva-Shaw contractors wore identification name tags of the Department of Energy (DOE) NNSA. Many of the alleged federal employees, DOE-NNSA, present were civilian contractors who stand to gain billions of dollars from the plutonium-MOX program. http://www.wise-uranium.org/epdcs.html

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All civilian contractors of Areva ("The French State owns more than 90%.")-Shaw should have been identified properly as civilian contractors, this was not the case. The failure of proper identification casts a shadow of doubt over a program which must be free from deception. Areva: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Areva Shaw-Areva-MOX=SHAM: http://ir.shawgrp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61066&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1150039&highlight=
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In another disclosure at last evening's meeting, the TVA has been involved in Secret negotiations with the NRC, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (The NRC was not present at last evenings meeting.), to relax security of shipments concerning Plutonium-MOX fuel due to costs of security. This disclosure was revealed in recent Freedom of Information Act disclosures which the TVA Public Relations representative denied in last nights meeting. Mr. Terry Johnson, Public Relations-TVA, seemed shocked at the FOIA disclosure at last nights meeting. Mr. Johnson denied any knowledge of the NRC-TVA negotiations, stating when asked about the secret negotiations, "I find it doubtful TVA would do such a thing." Dr. Edward Lyman, Union of Concerned Scientists disclosed the documents to Mr. Johnson with me present.

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I expressed concern to Mr. Johnson that deception from the TVA can not be tolerated in the NEPA, National Environmental Protection Act, process concerning disclosing to the public necessary information related to public safety of nuclear materials.

Scottsboro City Council

Looking south toward the Courthouse clock tower from the "Scottsboro Depot" historical site.

Last night was a short meeting with one item on the agenda. Review of contract discussion relating to Barge, Waggoner & Canon. The engineer is working on plans for the expansion of Scottsboro's new recreation complex. The city will pay for the project with a $4 million plus bond issue therefore increasing Scottsboro's debt obligations. City Council members have stated a need for additional recreation facilities. Several citizens have spoke favorably for more recreation facilities.

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Citizen presentation: Garry Morgan made presentation in regards to recent discussions related to the CDA, Commercial Development Authority. Previous City Council articles related to the CDA and discussion of the issue: http://arklite.blogspot.com/2010/07/scottsboro-city-council-what-is-cda.html and http://arklite.blogspot.com/2010/07/scottsboro-city-council-meeting.html . Questions were raised in regards to the CDA and how it would be involved in planning. "Why would the CDA need money as it does not have bylaws, there is no budgeted item to fund the CDA?" Morgan stated, "the CDA is not the City Planning Commission, we have a board for that purpose. The CDA does have a purpose but it is not to circumvent the Planning Commission. The CDA may be involved as a liaison to the planning process with existing businesses who may want to expand and new business coming to town. The CDA should serve to make planning easier not take the place of a planning commission."

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Morgan suggested, "the city should consult with Auburn University's Economic Development Institute (EDI) prior to implementing any program. City Attorney Steve Kennamer stated, "the city has discussed these issues with Auburn EDI." The city may have discussed these issues with Auburn as Mr. Kennamer states, but the City has not made the public aware of any issue concerning discussions with Auburn concerning the CDA. ( Comment: This writer is very leery of any secretive discussions when the public is not kept informed. It is very important the city keep the voters aware of any major discussions related to the CDA.)

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There are several current businesses in Scottsboro who oppose the CDA, these business owners have stated, "the CDA offers an unfair business advantage to new businesses locating in Scottsboro." The CDA offers incentives to current businesses expanding. Several businesses in town have pulled out of the Chamber of Commerce due to the Chamber's support of the CDA.

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Plutonium at nuke plant? - Decaturdaily.com

BLN, Bellefonte proposed Nuclear Units 1 & 2.

Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.
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Plutonium at nuke plant? - Decaturdaily.com

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Excerpt from the Decatur Daily: "A Public hearing is set Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 on Energy Department plan to use weapons-grade fuel at Browns Ferry."
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"The U.S. Department of Energy will hold a public meeting Tuesday at Calhoun Community College’s aerospace building from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. to discuss plans to use mixed uranium-plutonium oxide, a processed version of weapons-grade plutonium, at TVA’s Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Limestone County. "

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Dr. Ed Lyman,PhD., specialist and expertise in Nuclear Power, Nuclear Weapons & Global Security-Nuclear Terrorism, Union of Concerned Scientists in Washington, D.C.. Dr Lyman, among others, will speak at the Decatur Hearings Tuesday in regards to the danger of utilizing Plutonium Mixed Oxide fuel in TVA's atomic reactors.. http://www.ucsusa.org/news/experts/edwin-lyman.html Dr Lyman has stated the following in regards to an error in the Decatur article: "The story has a mistake in the amount of plutonium that TVA reactors would have to dispose of - it's actually at least 34 metric tons. The seven tons mentioned in the story would be additional to the 34 metric tons."
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Browns Ferry is west 55 air miles from Scottsboro.

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Dr. Lyman will be in Scottsboro Monday to meet with the Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team, BEST. We will be discussing with Dr. Lyman usage of weapons grade Plutonium in TVA's aging reactors and TVA's manufactoring of Tritium in its reactors.
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The probability is very high that the TVA will use Plutonium oxide fuel and will manufacture Tritium in the Bellefonte Reactor Facility if the reactor becomes operational.
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BEST has extended a Hand of Friendship to the TVA for a sit down discussion and tour of Bellefonte to discuss various concerns over degraded equipment and issues related to engineering, geology-hydrology, tritium manufacture, usage of Plutonium fuel and security problems related to Bellefonte. Risk & Reliability factors have not been considered when utilizing plutonium fuel in the reactors designed for uranium fuel usage. The TVA at the Executive level has refused our offer for a meeting.
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In other information concerning Bellefonte, the Washington D.C. Court of Appeals action filed due to the NRC's circumvention of Atomic Reactor Construction Licensing Safety and Procedures regarding Bellefonte's construction license will proceed. The respondents, the NRC and the TVA, attempted to have the case thrown out. The judges agreed with the actions of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, Petitioners, the case has merit and will proceed.
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It is the Petitioners position the NRC and the TVA have attempted to take shortcuts and violated Atomic Reactor Construction Licensing Safety and Proceedures in the licensing process resulting in a Federal Appeals Court Case which will now proceed.