Scottsboro City Council Meeting

Last night was a double meeting , work session prior to the regular council meeting. The meetings summaries will be combined into one report.

1) Scottsboro Court System contract for probation and collection services discussion. Ms. Pat Blakenship of Court Collection Services, a local company in Scottsboro, made a strong presentation for her company. Judicial Correction Services currently holds the contract for probation and fine collection services for the City of Scottsboro. Ms Caroline Starr, City Magistrate and Court Clerk, made a presentation for Judicial Correction Services, an out of state business, Ms. Starr is a City Employee. The vote was 3-2 in favor of Judicial Correction Services, the current contract holder. 2)Personnel Board appointment to fill Mr. Speers slot, Mr. Kelley Goodowens was appointed until Feb. 26, 2009. 3) 2 Vacancies on Abatement Board announced. Applications should be submitted by Jan. 22, 2009 by 12 Noon. 4) Mayor Potter requested a change in the Maintenance Position from a non-classified employee to a classified employee. This was approved by the council. 5) New Business License Ordinance approved. 6) Polymide access road improvement project approved. 7) Goose Pond Island Rezoning issue discussion. The issue was tabled once again.

TVA Is Taking Renewable and Clean Energy Proposals

TVA is looking for Renewable and Clean Energy proposals.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>TVA BOARD>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The TVA has issued press releases to media announcing that it is seeking proposals for clean and renewable energy as a power generation source. Information concerning this program may be viewed at this TVA link: http://www.tva.gov/pdf/recr_rfp.pdf

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A Report and Opinion on the TVA, http://norsworthyopinion.com/default.aspx

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From the Tennessean, Bellefonte Costs: http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008812090342 and the AP Wire Service story: http://blog.al.com/breaking/2008/12/cost_of_new_nuclear_plant_coul.html

New "Cracker Barrel, Old Country Store" or the New "Buena Vista" Restaurant?"

Site of a new Cracker Barrel Old Country Store or the new Buena Vista Restaurant between Home Depot and Zaxby's, on the service road? A look at the Cracker Barrel's new opening sites reveals it is not listed: http://www.crackerbarrel.com/trip-newstore.cfm?doc_id=18 Recently a City Official had informed me a Cracker Barrel will be coming to town.

Scottsboro City Council Meeting

New Fire Chief, Chief Chris White. Chief White was among 6 candidates interviewed for the job.

Council President Matthew Hodges conducts Public Hearing concerning the Goose Pond Island Rezoning issue.

Full house tonight at the Scottsboro City Council Meeting and Public Hearing concerning the rezoning of Goose Pond Island.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Scottsboro City Hall>>>>>>>>>>>>

Old Business: 1) Public Hearing on the rezoning of Goose Pond Island old aluminum plant property from R1 to M1. 5 citizens spoke for the property to be rezoned, a petition with over 500 local residents signatures was presented for the rezoning initiative. The North Island Investment Group made a presentation supporting restrictive covenants on property usage. 2 citizens spoke in favor of retaining the R1, Residential Zoning designation for the property. It was pointed out that statements had been presented to the public in Chamber of Commerce publications by developers that the property in question would be utilized for usage as identified in residential zoning. 2) Consider Zoning Ordinance. Tabled, postponed until further information could be acquired by the new council members and the proposed covenant restrictions could be reviewed.

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New Business: 1) Polymide Water Sewer and Gas Bid Opening approval. The low bid was awarded to Lambert Construction Co. of Stevenson for $166,076.10 for infrastructure improvement of the Polymide Plant area. 2) Air;port Resolution approved for improvements and agreement with Alabama Department of Transportation, $34,310.00 3)Mayor Potter announced, Cpt. Chris White was approved for the Fire Chief's position, the City Council approved, effective Dec. 1, 2008. 4) Council Members Gary Speers and Thermon Bell made Board Appointments for committees they sit as Chairman. 5) Mayor Potter announced that Dec. 26, 2008 will be a Holiday for the City of Scottsboro. The 24th thru the 26th of December will be the Christmas Holiday dates for the City of Scottsboro.

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Mayor's and Other Reports: Dec. 1 at 6PM will be the Christmas Parade; Thursday and Friday Nov. 27 & 28 will be a Holiday period for the City of Scottsboro. The next City Council Meeting will be Dec. 8, 2008 at 6PM. City Budget Hearings will continue on Dec. 8, 9, & 11, 2008 at 4:30PM.

Some Folks Often Ask the Question:

>>>>>>>WHY SHOULD I NOT EMBRACE NUCLEAR POWER?

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Notes about nuclear energy from a speech made by David Orr in New Jersey. Orr is the Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies at Oberlin College.
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Nuclear is a "one-mistake industry." A nuclear power plant 50 miles from Oberlin was within two weeks of a core meltdown, and was prevented only by a workman accidentally breaking through a decaying wall, not by any routine inspection. Nuclear energy is VERY expensive, and has survived only because of giant taxpayer subsidies. The disadvantages of nuclear energy include (1) the great taxpayer subsidies, (2) its risk of disaster, which is tolerated only because of the Price-Anderson Act that promises that taxpayers will bail out the cost of any disaster, (3) its lack of safety, (4) the fact that it is vulnerable to those who want to use it for weapons proliferation, (5) its cost, (6) questions about the net energy when considerations of mining, transport, and containment are included, (7) concerns about waste storage, (8) and costs of de-commissioning the plants.

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Furthermore, there have been serious compromises with civil liberties around nuclear power plants. The need to protect the facilities from terrorists amplifies serious civil liberty issues. "Nuclear power is slow, undemocratic, dangerous, and expensive," Orr concluded. {From the Sierra-Club's " Tennessee News"]

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Links: TVA Debt- http://arklite.blogspot.com/2008/11/tva-nuclear-energy-socialist-triad.html Public Citizens Report on TVA Debt 13 years ago: http://www.internetfreespeech.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=140 Not much has changed in reference to TVA Debt. All involving the TVA- http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/TVA

Goose Pond Colony (GPC) Board Meeting, Scottsboro Parks and Recreation Board.

Boat Owners were apparently not affected by the recent utility rate increase for the campground.

Campers are upset about a monthly $50.00 Utility rate increase approved in October's Meeting. Lot rent varies from approximately $281.00 per month to $419.00 per month. The spot rentals do not include the rate increase. Approximately 40 persons attended the 4:30PM Board Meeting. The Board Chairman, Mike Bagget commented that area campgrounds had been contacted and Goose Pond Colony was in the bottom or below middle group of campground rental costs. Many of the campers in attendance disagreed, stating that Goose Pond Colony is one of the more expensive. Mr. Baggett stated the campers would be notified around the 1st of December if the rate increase will be implemented. Several of the campers stated they would be leaving the Park if the rates increased. One lady commented that the campers are a close "family type" of group and that it upsets them to see a rate increase of this magnitude causing many campers to leave.

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Tough situation for the Board. Mr. Baggett pointed out the $5 million dollar debt looms over the head of the current board. It was pointed out that the current board is doing all they can do to maintain the facility and to pay down the debt. The current board appears to be making a decent effort to resolve long standing problems. The Park Board and the Park Managers are demonstrating caring, professional management in the Daily Operations of the Park. The Gross income for the current period was listed as $283K; expenditures are listed at $277.1 The Park Manager stated the annual audit was ongoing.