The party's brazen content theft (sans link to source; file under "tsk tsk") leaves Alabama pensioners reeling, and comes on the heels of a dramatic letter to the editor written by the troika of commissioners, at least two of whom are seeking other elected positions (file under "furry critters and ships a-sinkin'), in which there was much sound, fury and vintage Seabrookian phrasing:
As the executive branch of county government, the commissioners are responsible for the development and implementation of public policy for certain county operations. The county council is responsible for the fiscal oversight of those public policies and the fiscal operations of the functions of county government through the various elected offices.
Be still, my thudding heart ... okay, so it isn't exactly Winston Churchill at his most heroic, but it isn't easy for three executive-type guys to share an outdated electric typewriter, especially when two of them are Republican. As for the original editorial prompting Seabrook's stirring call to slumber, it's here, posted from the last time the Democrats tunneled under the paywall.
Officials can only play the dumb card so long before people will assume that they’re just not qualified to lead.
I persist in thinking that Chris Morris did not write these words, but at any rate, the Democratic Party mailing read like this:
Matt Nash: Let's make a better community.
News & Tribune Columnist makes the case for new county leadership.
In case you missed today's News and Tribune, local columnist Matt Nash heads strait to the point on the broken nature of Floyd County government. The piece provides a good outline on recent failings -- everything from the failure of the county to make timely payments for the YMCA and Parks Department to petty squabbles over trick or treat hours. Nash also outlines the many excuses that have come from the Republican leadership on these issues - Republicans control the County Commissioners 2-1 and the County Council 5-2.
Below, please find the full column. His concluding point: Maybe its time to find some new candidates for County office that are willing to work together and try to make a better community.
Following is the text of Matt Nash's column, as reprinted in its entirety in the Democratic Party e-mail, which makes it public domain, right?
Can we all work together?
By Matthew Nash, Local columnist
News & Tribune - 11/8/2013 Edition
One of the first pieces I wrote when I began this column more than four years ago was about building a pool in Floyd County. I lamented that it would probably never happen because it would take the city of New Albany and Floyd County government leaders working together to get something done. I pointed out that “New Albany and Floyd County governments have a very bad track record when it comes to working together on capital projects.”
Several years have passed, some of the principle characters have changed and it looks like we are back where we started. There still seems to be a disconnect with city hall and county government. What is going to take to get the two groups to work together to mutually benefit the taxpayers?
Last year New Albany was forced to sever ties with Floyd County as it pertains to their joint parks agreement. For years the city and the county operated the parks department together but over the last few years city residents ended up paying more and more than what was required because of a lack of funding from the county.
County leaders denied knowing that they were required to pay their portion of the parks deal and said we should just move on. A year later the city has moved on but it seems like county leaders still want to dwell in the past. Just last week they were complaining about a lack of communication coming from the city administration.
It seems that county leaders are unhappy with a plan to build a fire training tower at the Grant Line Road fire house. The property is adjacent to Sam Peden Community Park which is owned by the county. They believe there is a better location for the new tower and think they should be able to tell the city where to put it.
For years there was a tower at the very same location and from what I understand there was never any complaints before. Why is there now an issue when it is time to replace the one that was torn down? The fire station is isolated from the rest of the park and a fair distance from where many of the park goers congregate.
It was also pointed out that a Floyd County commissioner tried to contact New Albany about the plan to change the night for trick-or treat for Halloween. He was upset that New Albany would not change the night so they were on the same page. It seems to me that the city would be the best to decide when they would celebrate Halloween since there are more concentrated neighborhoods with children. If they were so concerned why didn’t they just follow New Albany’s plan? Ultimately the argument is still pretty petty.
A few weeks ago it was pointed out that Floyd County had not made its annual payment toward the commitment that it made for the YMCA. Some officials pointed out that they have always made the payment in the fourth quarter of the year. Other officials announced that they knew nothing about the annual payments. The more things change the more they stay the same.
The bond payment are said to be due in January and August of each year, but Floyd County hasn’t paid its share? Why is New Albany paying twice a year on time while the county is allowed to wait?
Each time that something like this comes up the members of the county council claim ignorance and say they will do what they are required. Why are they continuously allowed to make excuses? At what point will the “leaders” in Floyd County do what is right without being reminded?
One of the big excuses that the members of the Floyd County Council have used for years is the trials of David Camm have put a strain on the county’s budget. As the David Camm murder trial was finally coming to an end members of Floyd County Council decided it was time to start asking questions about some of the expenditures for the final trial. After 12 years of just rubber stamping payments without question why now have they decided to ask questions?
I pointed out last year that if New Albany wanted to get the money back that was never paid for the parks department they should just send the invoice to the Floyd County auditor in an envelope that says “Camm trial” ... then they would get their money, no questions asked.
We are a year away from elections in Floyd County where we have an opportunity elect many new leaders. Instead of returning the same people to their positions year after year maybe we should find some candidates that are willing to work together and try to make a better community for everyone.
— Matthew Nash can be reached at dmatthewnash@gmail.com
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