Jackson County Park; Jackson County Commission Causes Uncertainty for Campers and Boaters.

The Jackson County Park staff have worked diligently to cleanup and restore the County Park after last years storms destroyed most of the campground at the park. The Jackson County Commission should be working with the County Park Board instead of working against them and creating problems at the park. Link to the Jackson County Commission meeting. http://arklite.blogspot.com/2010/04/jackson-county-commission-commission.html

Jackson County Park prior to the 2009 early spring storms.

Campers and boat owners at Jackson County Park are upset at the Jackson County Commission for their recent action attempting to remove the authority of the Jackson County Park Board. Because of the commissions actions campground representatives stated tonight at the Jackson County Park Board meeting that several campers will move due to the uncertainty created by the County Commission. The commission's actions related to the county park creates further uncertainty and a loss of revenue for the Jackson County Park.

A question one might ask, which storm will cause the most destruction, the county commission's storm of incompetent actions or the spring storm of 2009?

The County Park Board's Attorney, Mr. Gary Lackey, has filed a legal action in the attempt to block the county commission's ill advised action. Mr. Lackey stated at this evenings county park board meeting that he believes the county commissioners are overstepping their authority and has asked the Circuit Court of Jackson County to issue a ruling on the matter.

The county commission is attempting to seize the park board funds and property but leave the existing county park board intact. Commissioner Clemmons stated at a recent commission meeting that he believed the county park's money should be used to support other parks in Jackson County. Daily Sentinel link to the April 15 county commission story http://thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=c866e67b666885ea

In December of 2004 I made inquiry to the Jackson County Park Board and the Jackson County Commission concerning the operations authority of the Jackson County Park Board and their relationship to the Jackson County Commission. The following is a direct quote in a letter from Jackson County Commission Attorney John Porter, Esquire relating to me the relationship between the Jackson County Park and the Jackson County Commission. "The Park Board is solely responsible for the operation of the Park and the day to day activities that occur there. Fifty years ago, the governing body of the county empowered the Park Board to mange and operate the Park and the Park receives no appropriations of public funds...Certainly the County Commission does not control the operations of the Park Board or the management of the Park...issues should be directed to the Jackson County Park Board."

It is important to draw attention to the original lease of the property between the TVA and Jackson County. The following is specified in the TVA lease as documented in the Jackson County Board of Revenue Minutes February 21, 1955, "The Jackson County Board of Revenue (Jackson County Commission) shall appoint a Park and Recreation Board to administer the affairs of the said park..." the entry goes on to name the original appointed members of the Jackson County Park and Recreation Board. The entry also states, "... [Park and Recreation Board] Resolution be passed and made part of the said agreement..." The lease agreement between the TVA and Jackson County specifically includes the Park and Recreation Board to include the Park and Recreation Board's administration of the Jackson County Park as an integral part and condition of the original lease agreement.

The question now becomes, will the Jackson County Commissions actions make null and void the original lease agreement between the TVA and the Jackson County Commission? Does the county commission know what they are doing?

The Jackson County Park has come a long way. 6 years ago the park did not have any rules governing park operations and they were having problems related to accounting practices. The park, under the current management, has implemented a set of policy and proceedures which guide the park's managers in the management of the Jackson County Park. Their accounting proceedures have improved greatly and the average citizen may walk in and discuss the park's accounts and records without hassle, the staff willingly cooperates. This was not the case 6 years ago.

The Jackson County Commission's attempt to undermine and destroy the diligent and hard work which the current Jackson County Park staff have put forward in improving the parks operations is a display of incompetent leadership on the part of the current county commission. After all the problems the commission has created, one would think they would remain low key. But no, they must create further destruction

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Jackson County Commission Chooses County Engineer; Missing a Member of the Press.

David Brewer, retired Huntsville Times reporter on left, discusses the Scottsboro Boys Museum with Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter and Ms. Sheila Washington, museum executive board chairperson. This was one of the last series of stories David covered before the Huntsville Times closed the long time Jackson County Bureau Office.

The big news from the Jackson County Commission today is the choice of a County Engineer. Mr. Phillip Widner of Dekalb County was chosen as the new County Engineer.

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The County Commission also approved a resolution pertaining to Recovery Zone Bonds. $1.25 million will go to the City of Stevenson and $3.45 million will go to the City of Scottsboro

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Missing a member of the press. The Huntsville Times decision to close the long time Jackson County Bureau has resulted in this blogger missing the writings of David Brewer.

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The Times office closing in Scottsboro has effectively removed Scottsboro and Jackson County news from the national news stream originating from the Huntsville Times, part of the Advance family of news agencies which includes the Birmingham News, Mobile-Press Register, and "al.com," news and discussion media outlet via the internet http://www.al.com/ .

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One of the last series of stories David covered was that of the Scottsboro Boys Museum. He performed a brilliant job on covering the story. His stories of the museum resulted in nation wide AP news coverage and national recognition for the museum. http://scottsborostories.blogspot.com/2010/02/dedication-of-scottsboro-boys-museum.html

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I always enjoyed reading David's articles about the commission, city council and the important local interest stories. But more importantly, our local news has closed in on itself as a result of a missing member of the press. David your spot on the front row is vacant, your writing and coverage of Jackson County news was greatly appreciated and not forgotten.

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Scottsboro City Council Meeting and Continuation on April 28, 2010 for Bond Issue

Scottsboro City Council President Matthew Hodges

Council Member Keith Smith.

Council Member Terry Thomas.

Council Member Gary Speers.

Council Member Thermon Bell.

Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter.

Mr. Steve Kennamer, City Attorney.

Ms. Cathy O'Shields, City Clerk .
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Monday evening was a regular meeting of the Scottsboro City Council. There was no old business. The council meeting will be be continued Wednesday afternoon at 4:30PM.

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New Business: 1) Vacancy on the Electric Power Board, applications for this appointment must be turned in to the City Clerk by 4:30PM, May 14, 2010. 2) Vacancy on the Scottsboro Parks and Recreation Board, known as the Goosepond Colony Park Board. applications for this board must be turned in to the City Clerk by 4:30PM, May 14, 2010. 3) One appointment for the Historical Preservation Commission was made, Ms. Ann Chambliss was reappointed. There is one additional vacancy, interested citizens may contact the City Clerk at 574-3100 to receive information on this appointment. 4) CDG Engineering contract for landfill approved for methane capture project. 5) Resolution for sale of old Police Station on John T. Reed Parkway. Discussion ensued concerning whether the city will have an auction or will go with sealed bids for the property. The auction route was decided but depends on whether an auctioneer can be hired according to the city's terms. 6) Commercial Development Authority, CDA, selection: Place 1-Janet Sage, term expires Mar.15, 2011; Place 2- Scott Berry, term expires Mar. 15, 2011; Place 3- Linda Bray, term expires Mar. 15, 2013; Place 4- Bob Cuthbertson, term expires Mar. 15, 2015; Place 5- Tony Kaschak, term expires Mar. 15, 2013 7) Architectural Review Board, Ms. Babs Williams and Ms. Lynette Nicholas will be reappointed. 8) Discussion of Recovery Zone Bonds, $4.6 million available, resolution for approval needed. 9) Vote on whether to make Department Heads classified, permanent employees or remain as non-classified, appointed employees. Vote was 4 to 1, remain as appointed officials. The Police chief and the City Clerk is required by state law to be appointed officials. Mr. Smith disagreed with the majority, he has stated that Department Heads should be classified employees. (I agree with Mr. Smith, however, Department Heads should not be moved into the classified employee status until a system of objective Performance Standards are implemented as suggested by previous investigations into Scottsboro's Personnel Management System failures.)

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Reports: Mayor stated that a $25K check had been received by the city for the use of street repairs from the Scottsboro Water, Sewer and Gas Board.

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UPDATE: April 28, 2010- Continuation of Mondays regular city council meeting. 1) The purpose of the continuation was to approve a resolution related to bonds of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Federal Government will pay 45% of the bonds interest rates. a) The City of Scottsboro has been designated as a Recovery Zone. b) Capital investments within the city will be used for public parks and recreation facilities. c) Cap being $3,315,000 in a series of general obligation warrants. 2) Bond Council was appointed, the firm of Bradley, Arant, Boult, and Cummings LLP. Individual council for the firm for this bond issue will be Mr. Alan Ziegler, Esquire. The bond underwriter is Morgan -Keegan of Birmingham, Al.

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Mr. Hodges, Mr. Smith and Mr. Bell were present, Mr. Speers and Mr. Thomas were working.

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A Not So Happy Anniversary of a Radioactive Atomic Power Disaster

A not so Happy Anniversary nuclear industry to the largest nuclear disaster of all time. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/26/AR2010042601419.html Millions sickened and dying.

POLITICAL HYPOCRITES- Stop nuclear subsidies and further socialistic expansion of our governments debt via nuclear power corporate welfare. "Not one cent for the poor and sick, billions for the nuclear industry." http://www.pottsmerc.com/articles/2010/04/24/opinion/srv0000008081225.txt

The truth of 3 Mile Island: "Human infant deaths in the forms of miscarriages, stillbirths, and crib deaths soared for the period of April through September." http://www.boisestate.edu/history/ncasner/hy210/3mile.htm

Intentional deceit concerning radioactive contamination of the area surrounding the 3 Mile Island nuclear accident. The deceit of the 3 Mile Island accident is reflected in NRC policy today. http://www.counterpunch.org/wasserman03242009.html

Shortcuts to disaster: The nuclear construction license reinstatement was approved for Bellefonte without one vote of approval by the NRC Board, 1 vote disapproved, 3 votes jointly approved/disapproved. The vote was described as "unprecedented" by the chairperson of the commission. However, the NRC went ahead and granted reinstating the previously cancelled construction license for the sole purpose of avoiding newly implemented controls and proceedures of current new nuclear construction license applicants.

" What good fortune for governments that the people do not think." Adolph Hitler

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Group challenges design of new nuclear plant - timesfreepress.com

AP 1000 reactors on the right of the artist concept photo. Photo by TVA.

Group challenges design of new nuclear plant - timesfreepress.com

Scottsboro City Council Work Session

Scottsboro Police Department and City Jail

Monday night work session agenda. 1) Discussion on review of CDA, Commercial Development Authority, applications. Appointments will be made for next Monday. 2) Discussion on reclassification of Department Heads from appointed officials, non-classified, to hired officials classified. There are two positions within city government that must be appointed, non-classified positions, the City Clerk and the Police Chief. 3) Discussion on Public Hearing for new Zoning Ordinace. Zoning Ordinace draft may be viewed at http://www.cityofscottsboro.org/index.phpoption=com_content&task=view&id=121&Itemid=207

4) Discussion on whether sale of old Police Department building should be by sealed bid or public auction. 5) Solid Waste Methane Recovery Project discussion, CDG Engineering proposal brought forward. Related to the Solid Waste Department, an ADEM Grant has been approved for Scottsboro's Recycling program. The grant amount is unknown according to Mr. Blizzard.

Citizen Remarks: Mr. Marvin Holcomb requested a contract be approved for him to mow the city boat ramps. This is the third time Mr. Holcomb has requested he be paid to mow the boat ramps in the city limits.

Reports: 1) Boy Scout Troop 220 delivered the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Spears gave a special recognition to the Scouts. 2) Fire Department received a $24,000 cost share grant for the purchase of new equipment. 3) Mr. Smith: "We hope the CDA (Commercial Development Authority) will be successful... some have had negative comments about the CDA. We all win if the CDA is successful and we all loose if it is not.

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