“Deep Throat” (Informant), City of Scottsboro Employee Comes Forward - Part 2 January 30, 2016

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G. Morgan)

Multi-part interview of ‘a concerned Scottsboro City Employee’ ( ‘ ‘ indicates name redacted) during the last week of January 2016 (specific date and time removed). Names have been redacted, governmental political or appointed positions remain intact.


                                   Deep Throat - City of Scottsboro - Part 2

"Why is the mayor jealous? Why would he have the ‘HR Director and the Shop Foreman’ (names redacted) followed?" (Questions by informant)

Comment by Garry Morgan - Tax Payer (public) funds were utilized in a scheme to conduct illegal surveillance of city employees after duty hours due to the Mayor of Scottsboro's personal negligent actions. A police complaint for stalking was filed, there may have been an obstruction of justice action regarding this event and it should be investigated by an outside law enforcement agency. The Checks above are the actual checks utilized to pay a member of the Scottsboro Personnel Board, an unlicensed Private Investigator (State of Alabama requirement) conducting an investigations business in Scottsboro, for Melton Potter's apparent jealousy concerning a female city employee rejecting his sexual advances. This is an abuse of government funds and office, he broke the public trust. Unfortunately there is no will of the Scottsboro City Council or other elected officials locally to hold this political official accountable for his misbehavior, some on the city council seem to support him. A complaint has been filed with the Alabama Attorney General's Office regarding these actions and the failure to disclose or destroy public records.

photo credit, unknown internet source - Fair Use Rights for non-profit news reporting

Complete stories on the surveillance and mayors misbehavior, including "Deep Throat" Part 1 and legal actions filed in the Jackson County Circuit Court.

http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Surveillance

 The mayor had made some comments about ‘the Shop Foreman’ (name redacted) around us. Then the shop department head job came open. I knew the mayor and the ‘Street Department Head’(name redacted) wanted ‘another named candidate’ (name redacted). When I would get gas at the street department all the employees already knew ‘the named candidate’ (name redacted) was getting the job and it was said the mayor had already pre-interviewed him. ‘The named candidate’ (name redacted) told employees about it and everyone knew the ‘Street Department Head’ had been calling him. But I did not know for sure till the day I saw the ‘named candidate’ (name redacted) at city hall and that was way before the interviews.

I felt terrible for ‘the Shop Foreman’ (name redacted) because he did good work; I had seen him rebuild engines and other mechanical work. I thought, I can’t believe this is happening in Scottsboro, something is not right.

 Right after that we found out the mayor was having ‘the HR Director and Shop Foreman. (names redacted) followed. The mayor and ‘Department Head’ (names redacted) were excited to have got her, I thought this was strange and why was he openly talking about this? Then it was said the ‘HR Director’ (name redacted) was going to pay for straightening the situation out with the mayor's wife.

 It is a shame that the mayor is able to get away with this and hurt families the way he has. During that time I heard all kinds of rumors about ‘the HR Director and the shop foreman’ (names redacted). I witnessed ‘the Department Head’ (name redacted) and mayor enjoying it. It is crazy that an elected person can do all these things. I thought, how can the mayor demote someone over a lunch date?  But what can you do? If I had spoken up, I would be next on the list. Yep, this is what our jobs are like and what we have to put up with. 

End of Part 2 -“Deep Throat” (Informant), City of Scottsboro Employee Comes Forward 

“Deep Throat” (Informant), City of Scottsboro Employee Comes Forward - Part 1 January 28, 2016

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G Morgan)

"Deep Throat" - City of Scottsboro - Part 1

Multi-part interview of ‘a concerned Scottsboro City Employee’ ( ‘ ‘ indicates name redacted) during the last week of January 2016 (specific date and time removed). Names have been redacted, governmental political or appointed positions remain intact.

My lead off statement to informant: “‘You’ (first name redacted) had contacted me and asked if I could keep your name confidential for an interview, is that correct,” informant's reply, “yes.” My reply, ”This  interview is appreciated and your name will be kept confidential”

Comments to informant: “You stated on the phone that you had concerns about the mayor and events which have occurred regarding Scottsboro's Mayor, his treatment of city employees, and that you think the public should be made aware of "deceitful statements" from the mayor regarding political influences. Is that correct? ‘Yes.’ You also stated that you have a picture which you would like to show me and allow me to make a copy of the picture for publication on my blog, is that correct?” Informant stated “yes.” 

Lead-off statement: “Are you relaxed, can I get you a coke, coffee, water? Informant stated, “No Thanks, not now.” I asked: “Do you mind if I record this interview?” Informant stated, “That’s ok, but will you save the recording?” My reply was, “The recording is needed to make a transcript of the interview, is that ok?” Informant said “yes,” but ask, “Could you erase the tape after it is transcribed.” My reply, “sure I’ll do that, why do you ask this?” Informant stated, “not that I do not trust you, but I need to keep my job.” My reply, “That’s understandable, if you have some time stick around, I’ll transcribe this immediately and you can watch me erase the recording and you can check out what I have prepared for my blog’s article posting.” Informant said, “that’ll work.”

“Tell me what is on your mind, relax, let you thoughts flow, if I have a question I’ll ask you.”

I know ‘the Mayor’ (name redacted), I work for the City of Scottsboro.  Some may say "I am one of his buddies". I would like to give the public insight into what has really happened and I’ll probably be the next targeted employee, but I want to state some facts as I know them. There are many things that ain’t right.

I’ve decided to talk because what has happened to employees is wrong. This entire situation is wrong. It should have never happened. This week the Mayor made comments that all allegations are false and politically motivated by people running against him. I do not believe that’s true. As far as I know, the employees supported him, I used to support him, but not now

 I have heard this mess about our ‘HR Director’ (name redacted) and I knew her before she came to work for the city. I believe ‘she’ (name redacted) started here about 3 years ago. She has always been friendly, nice and helpful.

 I know two things happened within the first months ‘she’ (name redacted) came to the city.

(Hesitation, pause, I asked: What were the two things that happened which you remember, and are you speaking about ‘the HR Director’ (name redacted).)

Yes, ‘the HR Director’ (name redacted).

Picture of ‘HR Director’s’ breast area as provided by informant.

(1)   The 1st couple weeks ‘she’ (name redacted) had a picture taken of her by ‘a male department head’ (name redacted) while she was shopping at Home Depot. The picture was taken without her knowledge. The picture was of her breast area. ‘The Department head’ (name redacted) texted the picture around, it was a biggest boob contest. I do not want to say to ‘us’ (part redacted) but I will say I was texted the picture. I know ‘the HR director’ (name redacted) was told about it. I remember how upset ‘she’ (name redacted) was. I know ’she’ (name redacted) complained to the mayor about it. (Informant hands me a picture.)

Question to informant: “Is this the picture you wanted for me to copy?” Informant’s answer: “Yes.” (Picture above)

 (2) ‘The Mayors wife’ (name redacted) came to city hall one evening. ‘She’ (name redacted) asked the ‘HR Director’ (name redacted) if she was having an affair with her husband. There was a big fuss and discussion about this with my friends at work. I remember ‘the HR Director’ (name redacted) said she had no idea who the lady was or what his wife's name was.

The mayor brought over ‘a female employee’ (name redacted) from his previous city position, before he was mayor. What a mess that was, ‘the mayor’s wife’ (name redacted) went to ‘the female employee’ (name redacted) accusing her of stealing her husband. The police knew about this and so do others.

I know ‘the mayor's wife’ (name redacted) came back to city hall sometime toward the beginning of last year and harassed the ‘HR Director’ (name redacted) because she thought an affair was going on between the mayor and the ‘HR Director’ (name redacted).

I will never forget the mayor bragging about throwing cell phones at his wife because of the fights he gets into with her. 

I think we deserve to work without the mayor's personal problems affecting our work. Nobody wants to listen to stories he tells us about his home life, but we have to listen if we want to stay on his good side.

END of Part 1 - “Deep Throat” (Informant), City of Scottsboro Employee Comes Forward 

Is Google Really a Sweet Deal for Jackson County Alabama, or is it "Hemlock?" Update is needed - Transparency is Important!

Google Data Center in Douglas County Georgia .Fair Use for non-profit news reporting and commentary.

UPDATE: February 5, 2015 - Google’s director of global infrastructure explains why Google has planned its 14th data center — a $600 million capital investment — in rural north Alabama. 

http://www.businessalabama.com/Business-Alabama/February-2016/Google-Data-Center--Alabama/?utm_source=Business+Alabama%2C+2%2F4%2F16&utm_campaign=BA+Newsletter%2C+02%2F04&utm_medium=email#.VrO7Rvzr6zw.facebook

Photo opportunities for politicians do not always mean a benefit for taxpayers. Governor Bentley at the Widows Creek site. Photo by State of Alabama, Fair-Use for non-profit news reporting and commentary.

There is a moral to this story - When you place secrecy and corporate Amerika before American taxpayers and transparent governance, it usually costs the taxpayers big bucks, often with a limited return.

Public TVA Photo Map of the Widows Creek "Data Center Site" Fair Use rights for non-profit news reporting and commentary.

Is the Google deal as sweet as we are being led to believe?

Let's look at some history involving TVA, Jackson County, Weissner Enterprises, Google and who knows who else, it is a secret deal. Sometimes secrecy is not such a good deal for those who have to pay for the secrecy and infra-structure, previous article on this blog: http://arklite.blogspot.com/2015/06/jackson-county-commission-june-22-2015.html

Hemlock poisoning, yes strange but true, Hemlock Semi-conductors, Clarksville, Tn. New site of Google - http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2015/12/21/tennessee-silcon-plant-may-become-google-data-center/  Coincidence, the company dies before it starts and it is named Hemlock, hmmm? Think about this, 2 data centers in the TVA area?

Meanwhile back at the Jackson County Google ranch, some speculation and thoughts. The county entered into a secret agreement with Weissner Enterprises, LLC, the shell company representing Google, in what had to be infra-structure improvements. The 1% tax deal died, has the Google deal died with it or do I see a county bond is sue on the horizon?  Soon after the 1% county tax referendum died, Google announced the Hemlock deal up in Clarksville, Tn. Google would have never considered this area if not for the high speed fiber optics installed by the North Alabama Electric Co-op.

Let's pay attention to some other factors, employment by Google. Google is one of the largest importers of foreign workers - H-1B Visa program, "“Over the years the program has become a government-assisted way for employers to bring in cheaper foreign labor...Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama said American schools are graduating twice as many students specializing in science, technology, engineering and math than there are jobs to fill in those specialties...“It has nothing to do with trying to find the best and brightest,” Sessions said of the H-1B visa program’s proposed expansion."   http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/03/18/google-eric-schmidt-congress-h-1b-visa-economy-immigration-tech-workers/

It is all about cheap labor, free property, free infra-structure. All costing the tax-payers, that includes local taxpayers, big expenses. It is time for some transparency on this, secrecy can only go so far. Propaganda is a player in this, as is in Clarksville, Tn. This is not about providing hundreds, even ten local jobs, nor is it about increasing taxes for the area as Google will receive numerous tax benefits at the expense of Jackson County residents. There has to be a known, stated benefit for the citizens of Jackson County, not just freebies for one of the largest corporations in the world.

Money does not grow on trees, politicians and their corporate masters cannot continue to pick us dry. Photo Art by "ColoradoPeakPolitics.com" Fair Use for non-profit news and commentary.

Confidentiality is important in these deals, but there is a limit.  Particularly when it will cost the local taxpayers millions of dollars and increase debt. Secret deals and confidential transactions at citizens expense is no substitute for transparency and good governance. It is the taxpayers who will pay the bill.

I hope all works out for everyone involved in the Google deal. Just remember politicians and appointed officials of Alabama, Jackson County and local municipalities, you work for us the people, not a corporation, you might want to think about giving citizens an update.

See the update at the top.of the page.

Scottsboro State of the City Address by Mayor Melton Potter - January 26, 2016

Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter delivers the State of the City Address (photos by G. Morgan)

This report is very unfortunate, but it must be reported as Ms. Potter has demonstrated similar conduct in city hall (according to reports from female and male employees) making accusations that "women are out to steal her man" - this conduct in the work place creates a hostile work environment..

Before the State of the City Address occured Ms. Cathy Potter, the Mayors wife, approached me in public, shook my hand and stated, "I do not appreciate you passing on lies about my family." My. reply to Ms. Potter was this, " You have it wrong, I have stated no lies about your family and I do not appreciate your comment." Her reply, I hope your right." I take this as an attempt at intimidation and this is not the first attempt at intimidation pointed at me to stop my public reporting on issues within the City of Scottsboro involving Mayor Potter and others. I have been threatened, called names and defamed. I have filed police reports for harassing communications. 

Before my video of Mayor Potters's presentation. Here is the link to my blog postings regarding the law suit filed against Potter, the illegal surveillance action initiated by Potter against City employees and the sexual harassment involving Potter and other senior officials within the City of Scottsboro. The surveillance activity also involves stalking of City Employees by unlicensed private investigators hired by Potter utilizing city funds. That is not including the stalking and harassment carried forth against me for the past 8 years, police reports filed. For you Ms. Potter, or anyone else, these are the news stories: http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Surveillance

VIDEOS

Mayors Closing Remarks Video

Scottsboro City Council January 25, 2016 Work Session and Regular Session

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G. Morgan)

WORK SESSION AGENDA

(click on image for an expanded view)

WORK SESSION VIDEO

                            

                         REGULAR SESSION AGENDA

REGULAR SESSION VIDEO

Jackson County Commission Regular Session January 25, 2016

Jackson County Courthouse - Scottsboro, Alabama (photo by G. Morgan)