JIB JAB 2011 Year n' Review and Apologies

2011 year in review.  Here's hoping all had a very Merry Christmas and may all have a Happy and Prosperous New Year.


My Apologies for those regular readers who may have experianced delays on my blog. The delays in down loading and popups which may have occured were the result of malicious software.  The culprit and problem was located, the malicious software removed.

An Abuse of Power - A Review of the Jackson County Commission's Dog & Pony Show Acts

Lets review ten (10) acts of the current Jackson County Commission which have resulted in costing citizens thousands upon thousands of dollars in unnecessary legal expenses and brought great discredit upon the citizens of Jackson County. There are more despicable and questionable acts of this commission but these are the ten highlights of what could be described as an "abuse of power."

There was the (1) Courthouse Security fiasco and the cancellation of the recommended (2)personnel hiring system which resulted in the resignation of the County Personnel Board President and others. This action by the commission allowed for the hire of commissioner relatives. "Education is discrimination," says Commissioner Smith. A county commissioner only has power when they are sitting as a group. For some reason the commissioners seem to think they have some sort of individual power, they do not. Chairperson Bias was right in the below video concerning Jack Smith's inappropriate intervention into the personnel process. (3) Abuse of Power - "Code of Alabama Section 11-3-11 Powers and duties generally. (a) The county commission shall have authority:" Note the law indicates the "county commission" has authority, not an individual commissioner. The only person on the Jackson county Commission which has authority in day to day operations is the Chairperson of the Commission.


There was the (4) Engineer fiasco involving different organizations in town. Attempts to influence the commission, complete with Chamber of Commerce and religious leader intervention into the show. http://arklite.blogspot.com/2010/01/jackson-county-commission-special.html

When religious leaders and the Chamber become embroiled in local politics (Which is certainly their right to do so and my right to comment.) there is a reason for the outside political involvement. Is it concern or is it a political party move?

Clemmons and Bias attempted to hold their own version of a Special Called Engineer hire meeting outside of the published agenda. Complete with religious and Chamber input. Which leads me to wonder about the political planning involved. They were reminded that law required them to stick to the published agenda. But for such a group apparently law, policy, proceedures and leadership matter naught.

Allow an outside agency to select the engineer said the right wing political party influence. There's more to that act than meets the eye!

Enter more scandalous decission making in the commission's circus. (5) Personnel policy and personnel decision making in secret, outside of the county and calling it mediation. I call it an excuse to conduct county government operations in secret under the color of law.  (6) Commission agenda  policy was deliberated at the secret mediation sessions.

Bias had no problem muck raking a county engineer applicant through the mud with alleged charges which were not valid. Firing another license inspector for positive drug tests as reported by officials. (7) Now enter a convicted felon, theft 2 and robbery3, the Grandson of a County Commissioner, deals are struck. The License inspector is hired, a law enforcement position involving licensing and permitting enforcement and inspection. http://www.waff.com/story/15964911/jackson-county-employee-faced-felony-charges-prior-to-being-hired  and this WAFF story. http://www.waff.com/story/16407093/jackson-co-may-have-full-time-license-inspector-with-criminal-record

That is not all in the decision making failures of the circus antics of the county commission costing the tax payers thousands upon thousands of dollars paid to out of county attorneys.

There was the (8) County Park Dog & Pony show, a vote trading scheme? The placement of Commissioner Horace Clemmons on the County Park Board. for what purpose? To end the Jackson County Park Board so the County Commission could control the funds. Jack Smith was the key to the act. Clemmons was placed on the Jackson County Park Board with 2 votes of the commission, Jack Smith and Horace Clemmons.

In my opinion, a trade, a deal was struck. Smith's grandson's job for Clemmons' scheme concerning the park. Control of the park money is necessary for Clemmons' stated goal of a park at the Walls of Jericho Parking area. Clemmons stated early on in his political foray into county politics, "If I accomplish nothing else I want to see a camping area park at the Walls of Jericho parking area." When these issues were brought up to the commission by me, Bias, Clemmons and Smith attempted intimidation and made threats.

The commissioners approach to issues in several cases have been deceitful, secretive and manipulative.

Lets not forget the  TVA-in-lieu-of-tax fiasco (9) where closed meetings were scheduled and deals were made between the commission and legislative delegation, in secret.

And now for their closing act of 2011: (10) The county commission decreases and removes part of the  Probate Judges pay in the amount of $18,000.00 +. Completely ignoring Amendment 92 of the Alabama Constitution prohibiting such actions. Ignoring the fact it was the County Commission which authorized the Probate Judges pay level during his current term in office.

Looking at the totality of these events involving the county commission, the singular example of bad government which represents the most costly (thus far) in money and principle to the citizens of Jackson County are the court ordered mediation instances relating to the county engineer and the county park.

In these cases decisions were made and deliberated outside of the commission agenda.  Deliberations were made out of the county in secret sessions. Personnel policy and  the agenda policy were changed in these deliberative sessions in secret. This is an example of why the judiciary should use extreme care in making decisions in which the legislative branch of government would normally make in an open session. Mediation must never be utilized as an excuse for conducting legislative decission making in secret, which apparently occurred in this case.

Jackson County Commission Meeting - Probate Judge issue continues

Today was a Work Session and Regular County Commission Meeting.

The big item during the commission work session was a presentation by Mr.Gary Lackey, Attorney for Judge Floyd Hambrick related to the commission's vote to remove $18,000 in pay from Judge Hambrick to be deducted monthly. The commission has failed to adhere to Amendment 92 of the Alabama Constitution prohibiting the raising or lowering of an elected officials pay while they are in office. Previous articles on this blog related to the issue along with article links from the Daily Sentinel.  http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/probate%20judge

Statement of Gary Lackey, Attorney for Judge Floyd Hambrick presented to the Jackson County Commission at the work session. click on image for an expanded view.

Scottsboro Attorney Gary Lackey, representing Probate Judge Floyd Hambrick. Commission Chairperson Sadie Bias, seated at table, looks on.

Letter presented to each Commissioner, County Attorney and County Administrator from Garry Morgan concerning the issue with Amendment 92, Constitution of Alabama It was noted that Commission Chairperson Bias tore her letter in half. I asked of Ms. Bias, "Is that the way you deal with letters from citizens?" Ms. Bias had no reply.

Agenda of the County Commission Regular Meeting. Click on image for an expanded view.

To complete the "Dog and Pony Show" antics of the county commission during the work session, some on the commission seem to think the court records housed in the basement of the Courthouse are theirs to determine the disposition. A statement was made that office space is needed and the court records should be moved. Apparently some commissioners in their arrogance fail to realize the records are not theirs to determine the disposition.

Let the Sun Shine In - Open Government Resources

                  
Mission of the Sunlight Foundation: "The Sunlight Foundation is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that uses the power of the Internet to catalyze greater government openness and transparency, and provides new tools and resources for media and citizens, alike. We are committed to improving access to government information by making it available online, indeed redefining “public” information as meaning “online,” and by creating new tools and websites to enable individuals and communities to better access that information and put it to use." http://sunlightfoundation.com/about/

OPEN GOVERNMENT IN ALABAMA http://open.alabama.gov/

NATIONAL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COALITION, ALABAMA: http://www.nfoic.org/alabama-foi-resources

Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Alabama: http://www.rcfp.org/ogg-search

Alabama Attorney Generals Office Guide for Public Officials:  A Manual for Alabama Public Officials 

Measurements for "Good Governance in Cities:" http://www.gdrc.org/u-gov/good-governance.html

Scottsboro City Council

Last night was a work session and a regular city council meeting.  The big issue was the decision concerning the city radio system. The city will purchase a new digital radio system off of the state bid list. This will cost approximately $213,000. Several companies made presentations at the work session but in the end the city council voted for purchasing the new radios off of the state bid list.

Various area Communications Companies listed spoke about the new city radio system. Some attempted to clarify statements others opposed the issue, items 2-5.  Mr. Lewis Pleasant spoke about access issues in the Dear Meadows Estate subdivision located off of Gant Rd. and Shelby Dr. A question of a bond was mentioned. Apparently the city cannot locate any bond concerning the subdivision project. There is a road in the subdivision which was supposed to be complete which is not complete, item 1 on the agenda.

In other business: 1) The city Attorney made a presentation concerning the purchase of additional property for the Cedar Hill Cemetery. This property belongs to Mr. Larry Ward, is approximately 9 ac more or less and it was reported valued at $162,000 per appraisal. Mr. Kennamer, the City Attorney, stated Mr. Ward would sell the property at this time for $120,000. Several council members stated they would like to see the property prior to a purchase. There was no action taken on the issue at this time. Mr. Kennamer stated if the council waited till after the first of the year Mr. Ward would probably sell the property for the amount plus tax cost. 2) Apparently The Impact Learning Center is interested in moving to the old city police station on John T. Reid Parkway; lease, rent or sale options were not discussed. 3) CDG Engineering was awarded the engineering bid for the South Broad St. paving project in 2 parts - Professional Engineering Services, $22,900.00 and Construction Engineering Services $52,500.00 4) Patrick Lumber company was awarded the bid for installation of the City Hall Generator System for $17,194.00.  5) City council meeting dates for Jan 2, 2012 and Jan 16, 2012 will be moved to the following Monday as the dates listed are holidays.


Scottsboro City Council, "Faces of Decision" at last nights City council meeting concerning the discussion about the city radio issue.

Council Member Garry Speers. (Other members names are visible on their name plate.)

                        Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter

Scottsboro Police Chief Ralph Dawe listens intently to the discussion concerning the pros and cons of the new radio system and other vendor proposals. Last night's decision was a critical decision for the people of Scottsboro and the Police Department.

City Attorney Steve Kennamer reviewed the proposals and had asked many questions last week relative to warranty and service information.

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all from http://arklite.blogspot.com "Watch for Snakes n Scottsboro."

More Jobs for Jackson County - Brown and Forman Cooperage Mill, Stevenson, Alabama

$7.5 Million  investment into plant site - Governor Bentley makes presentation of Alabama State Seal to Brown and Forman Executives Jill Jones, Executive Vice President and Greg Roshkowski Vice President and General Manager. Governor Bentley stated, "We work close with local government to bring projects such as this to our state...Here you will find workers that work hard." The plant is expected to begin operations by May of 2012. When fully operational the mill will provide 30 citizens with jobs.

 In a prior press release Stevenson Mayor Ricky Steele stated, "We are excited about this quality of a company selecting our community to build their next mill." Mayor Steele commented today, "This is huge, this is the first ground breaking ceremony we have had since 1995."

WAFF-TV Ch48 Video link and story to event. http://www.waff.com/story/16335011/new-jobs-coming-to-stevenson-with-addition-of-stave-mill 


Daily Sentinel Article: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_2ce9e504-2773-11e1-8368-0019bb2963f4.html

Goodrich A. Rogers "Dus," President and CEO, Jackson County Economic Development Authority commented: "We were very pleased with the turnout and the company was amazed and excited about the program. Mayor Rickey Steele and his folks did an outstanding job of getting everything set up. They went all out. Jill Jones, Executive VP Brown-Forman Corporation, was very impressed and really enjoyed meeting our folks. We look forward to their growth here in Jackson County."

State Senator Shad McGill and EDA CEO Dus Rogers discuss the new Cooperage Plant in Stevenson.

Jackson County Chamber of Commerce CEO Rick Roden makes Friendship Award presentation to Stevenson Mayor Ricky Steele for a job well done in preperation for this event.

Clarion article: http://www.theclarion.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3054:stevenson-welcomes-brown-forman&catid=42:clarion-rotation-stories&Itemid=142

Information about the Brown and Forman Corporation: "Values - Our past is defined by generations of visionary individuals and decades of progress. Our future will be determined by continuity in our direction, commitment to our strategies, and confidence in our capabilities."

"Over many years, Brown-Forman has developed and nurtured a set of core values that have become deeply ingrained in our consciousness and our culture. These time-honored values — integrity, respect, trust, teamwork, and excellence — remain real and relevant today, guiding us in the conduct of our day-to-day business."

For more about the Brown and Forman Corporation go to   http://www.brown-forman.com/company/