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."

SCOTTSBORO WEATHER - SUN & MOON RISE

Monday, March 5, 2018

Scottsboro City Council Work Session, Scottsboro Police Department Officers Receive State Life Saving Awards, Main Street Alabama Presentation, March 5, 2018

Left to Right - Chief Dawe; Senator Livingston; Representative Haynes; Officer Roney; 
Officer McGhee, Capt. Godfrey (photos by G.Morgan)

According to Senator Livingston, an announcement will be made in Montgomery Thursday if Officers have been selected for the Alabama Medal of Honor for risking their lives to save the life of a woman trapped in a burning vehicle. 

Senator Livingston presents award to Officer Roney.

Senator Livingston presents award to Officer McGhee

Governor Ivey signed each award.

VIDEO of AWARDS



                                                   AGENDA



VIDEO FULL SESSION



MAIN STREET ALABAMA  PRESENTATION



Main Street Alabama link: http://www.mainstreetalabama.org/
Main Street America link: https://www.mainstreet.org/home

Friday, March 2, 2018

Scottsboro School Board Meeting March 1, 2018 - Student Awards and Schools Consolidation

Photo right to left - Mrs. Julie Buko Gentry , Scottsboro Board of Education President; Dr. Jose Reyes, Superintendent of Scottsboro City Schools. (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA - STUDENT AWARDS


STUDENT AWARDS


                                           
                                      PHOTOS (by G. Morgan)







Transportation Employee Award


AGENDA ITEMS II and III

Video Agenda Items II, III, IV





The short of it - Brownwood will be closed after this school year. Students will be consolidated into Nelson Collins and Caldwell Schools. Dr. Reyes stated, in an impromptu Press Briefing afterwards, that the consolidation would save between $300 to $500 thousand dollars per annum.

Security will be upgraded at all schools, with active video monitors in 4 separate undisclosed, secure locations to cover all school entrances. Special "key" access will be implemented at all entrances with communications systems for folks who do not have a keyed access. The Junior High will incorporate special fencing with gated access.

Dr. Reyes stated he will be releasing a letter to the community in the near future regarding the Schools Consolidation now that the school board has approved the action. Dr. Reyes discusses schools consolidation, Feb 4, 2018 in the below video.  At this link, Scottsboro Schools Superintendent Dr. Jose Reyes discusses schools safety   and security:   http://www.scottsboroschools.net/home

Dr. Jose Reyes, on Scottsboro City Schools System Consolidation

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Scottsboro City Council Regular Session, Life Saving Awards Presented to Scottsboro Police Officer Henegar and Officer Shelton, City Retirement Incentive Approved February 26, 2018

Scottsboro Police Officer Shelton (left center) and Officer Henegar (right center), receive Life Saving Award. Chief Dawe on Right, Captain Godfrey next to Officer Henegar, Officer Shelton with Major Latimer, Mayor Shelton, City Council President Tony Wallingsford. (photo by G. Morgan)

 Scottsboro Police Life Saving Award, Left to Right, Officer Shelton, Officer Henegar  (Photo Scottsboro Police Department, Fair Use for non-profit news reporting)

AWARD CITATION

Facebook Live video of the award ceremony at City Hall: https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10215465812702201/


Scottsboro Mayor Robin Shelton  (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA

CITY COUNCIL MEETING VIDEO

Jackson County Commission, Regular Session - Continuing Issue of the Sara Laine Subdivision in Stevenson, Alabama February 26, 2018

Jackson County Commission Regular Session. Hot topic was the Sara Laine Subdivision issue in Stevenson, Alabama. Plat Map of the subdivision was dated in 1976 for the two parts of the subdivision, a north and south portion. Note map below, the portion above Jackie Circle., appears to be the north portion of the subdivision, which is not shown on the below plat video. (Photo by G. Morgan)

5 citizens spoke about the Sara Laine subdivision issue in Stevenson, Alabama at the commission meeting. (Photo by G. Morgan)

Approximation of City Limits of Stevenson, Alabama in relationship to the Sara Laine Subdivision, Sharon Drive and other streets. The City of Stevenson's representatives have requested the annexation of the entire subdivision. It was stated yesterday at the commission meeting that the Stevenson Mayor wants to only annex the streets, according to the commission chair. The Stevenson Mayor was not present; however, that is not how the Jackson County Commission agenda reads, items 3 & 4 on the agenda. Some of the subdivision is in the city, some is not as shown on the above google earth satellite map with approximation of the Stevenson City Limits.. A group of citizens residing there do not want to be in city limits. A public meeting, Jackson County Commission work session will be held in Stevenson on March 19, 2018. This seems to be a nightmare in the making if not handled properly. Additionally, there is the appearance that newer homes are dissected by the city limit boundary at some locations. (Map by G. Morgan utilizing Google Earth and Google Maps, Fair Use Rights for non-profit news reporting and commentary.)

SHORT VIDEO OF SUBDIVISION PLAT



AGENDA

VIDEO

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Jackson County Commission Work Session, 2-20-18

Stevenson road discussion issue. Sharon Lane area, short video map below. (photo by G. Morgan)
Item 3 on the agenda.


Sharon Lane Video, Subdivision


Dr. Robert Keller, PhD Atlantic Coast Conservancy requests vacancy of County Road 248, agenda item 4.

AGENDA

VIDEO

Town Hall Meeting Scottsboro, Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks Discusses Debt and Deficit Spending, Citizen Q&A, Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Discussion - UPDATE 2-21-18 Health Care Debate, Ms. Carter vs Mr. Brooks

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



Congressman Brooks is not only wrong, he should learn the old military saying, "Respect is earned, it is not automatic." Mr. Brooks did not tell the truth and issued forth personal attacks, to include "gaslighting." He called the speaker a liar, when in fact it was him which was ill informed and deceitful. Fact check of the stories: 1) al.com, the article contains the Jake Tapper CNN interview with Mr. Brooks - http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/05/rep_mo_brooks_people_who_live.html  2) CNBC article of current Congressional medical benefits -  https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/25/heres-how-much-members-of-congress-pay-for-their-health-insurance.html

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.