• LOWNDES COUNTY ONCE MORE ENDURES SHAME AND EMBARRASSMENT

There are folks in our community who settle disputes by calling the law.  You know them, the ones who want law enforcement to settle neighborhood problems, or who want to take warrants out on people for revenge or hatefulness.

It’s hard to counsel people not to do that when law enforcement is doing it to each other.  You would think that grown men could settle disputes in a reasonable manner.  How do we teach our kids not to try to solve problems with violence when adult men with an obvious testosterone problem cannot do it?   Published September 25, 2009

• LETTER TO THE EDITOR: CHICKENS COME HOME TO ROOST

Lowndes Signal

The budget work session  on September 23 for the Lowndes County Commission was radically different from the last few months of meetings where the Commission spent nearly $120,000 on grant writers and economic developers.

It was clear on Wednesday evening that Lowndes County is broke. 

 Published September 25, 2009
 

• AMERICA IS CHANGING: LOWNDES COUNTY FAR BEHIND

On Saturday I was getting gas, quietly rejoicing at the price, when a car pulled up behind mine.  I didn’t really look until a woman came up to me, tears in her eyes.  She was a pretty woman with dark brown skin and hair styled in twists.  “What’s wrong?” I asked.  The woman told me that she had noticed the Obama stickers on my car, and then saw that I was a white woman, and she was overcome with emotion. Her tears touched my heart, and we hugged each other, shed some more tears and agreed that it’s a new and better day in America.  I may never see that woman again, but she really expressed what was in my heart, and I will never forget her.

 

I was afraid to get my hopes up about the election.  I was convinced that whites would not vote for a black man.  I am so delighted that I was wrong. 

 

But living in Lowndes County can put a person in a negative state of mind.  While the rest of the country is moving forward on the race issue, we are not making much headway.  The situation with the Sheriff is a perfect example.  There are people who are trying very hard to cause problems between the races for their own personal gain.  Published November 10, 2008

• INACCURATE GOSSIP SPREAD ABOUT BURIED GUNS

Gossip spread like wildfire through Lowndes County about guns buried near the Sandy Ridge Crossroads area.  Selma radio got into the act as people said the guns were for an impending race war.

 

It wasn’t true.   Published November 10, 2008

• FIGHT THE POWER!

Our county has once more received negative publicity and is on the verge of chaos because of what I believe is a manufactured crisis.

 

Commissioner Charlie King came really close to losing his election this year, and he is desperate to build back his eroding power base.  Now he has done some good things for his district, and he has good people who support him strongly.  He also has a whole lot of folks who do not support him and his actions.  Many of those folks are Black.  Add to that scenario the scrutiny in our voting system and the knowledge that the corruption is crumbling, and you have a man who is fighting for his political life.  And he is not alone.  He is supported by those wanting to keep the status quo.

 Published October 28, 2008

• RECYCLING & COMPOSTING DEMONSTRATION A HIT IN HAYNEVILLE

Hayneville:  Twenty-three people gathered in the Hayneville Square on Saturday, October 18 to hear Auburn Extension Agent John Pulliam talk about recycling and composting.  Afterwards participants gathered to enjoy hot dogs and talk about what they learned.  And they learned some surprising facts.   Published October 18, 2008

• THE ABUSE OF POWER IS NEVER RIGHT 

“You’ve got an opinion on everything, don’t you”, said one man to me recently.  Well, brother, you got that right.  I guess that could be because I am a news junkie and a reader.  I read about 6 different newspapers; only because our postmen are kind people do they even tolerate the amount of mail I receive. And I watch Free Speech TV.  I work hard to educate myself about issues.  So of course I had an opinion of our Secretary of State’s recent visit and speech to Lowndes County.

First, I want to commend those elected officials who attended:  Probate Judge Hulett, County Commissioner Robert Harris and County Coroner Audrey Marlette, Hayneville City Council member Cheryl Phifer.  The rest of our elected officials should be ashamed for not attending.  I am sure they had their reasons, but it is part of being an elected official to welcome state officials to our county.  It’s part of being a good leader.

Secondly, I was thrilled at the turnout.  Some in power have suggested that the recent confiscation of Lowndes County votes from the June primary is race-based.  Well, the crowd and the remarks by people showed that black and white folks from all over the county are concerned about the state of affairs in Lowndes County.  That race argument is not going to work.  Even if the investigation was race based, it does not excuse wrongdoing.     Published July 29, 2008

• LOWNDES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT GOING TO THE DOGS

Hayneville:  “Hero” doesn’t like guns, loud talk or hitting.  He does love his red toy and his owner/handler, Lowndes County Deputy Sheriff Tom Birtley.  Hero is a Belgian Malinois dog who has not one but two certifications in narcotics detection.  Most folks looking at his red and sable color would think he is a German shepherd.  But the Belgian Malinois, sometimes referred to as a Belgian Shepard, was named after the Belgian City of Malinois and is world renowned for police work.     Published June 29, 2008

• THE INTEGRITY OF THE LOWNDES COUNTY VOTE: COMPROMISED BUT  NOT DEAD

The last Alabama Primary Election made big news when the Attorney General moved in on three rural counties after complaints of voting improprieties.  My home county, Lowndes is one of those counties and I can tell you from first hand experience the scrutiny is a long time coming.

     Published June 29, 2008

• LOWNDES COUNTY COMMISSIONS SUED BY GARBAGE COLLECTOR

Towns of Hayneville, Mosses and Lowndes Garbage Service Named As Co-Defendants

 

Purdie and Sons Refuse Service has filed a lawsuit naming the Lowndes County Commission, Town of Hayneville, Mayor Helenor Bell, Mosses Mayor William Scott and Kelvin Lawrence, owner of Lowndes Garbage Service as defendants. The suit filed on January 15 in the Circuit Court of Lowndes County, requests an immediate injunction to stop the towns of Mosses and Hayneville from doing business with Lowndes Garbage Service.

 Published March 4, 2008

 

• SABIC HAS ACCIDENT; 3 WORKERS INJURED

  Surrounding community not informed

Burkville:  Three Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) workers were injured on or about January 5, 2008 following an explosion at the plastic plant off Highway 80 in Burkville.  The plant manufactures plastic and was formerly owned by GE Plastics.

 

According to Walter Hill, Emergency Management Director for Lowndes County, three contract workers were seriously injured due to a malfunctioning machine.  Hill stated the event was described as “an explosion by some and as a flash fire by SABIC”.  The workers were hospitalized from 3 to five days following the incident.  Published March 4, 2008

PAST ARTICLES:

• Divide and Conquer

Any seasoned organizer is familiar with the tactics used to push the agendas of the power structure.  Divide and conquer is one of the favorites, and it is used at all levels.

 

When the current political administration wanted to draw attention away from the widespread corruption surrounding the Iraq War, they selected the issue of immigration to divide and conquer.  Talk radio embraced the issue, and the Republican Party is using it as their biggest issue in the upcoming elections.

 

Compare the violation of our law  by a Mexican crossing the border illegally to the criminal actions by our government at Guantanamo, the murder of innocent Iraqi citizens by Blackwater, or the illegal actions of big business like Enron and Halliburton, and the Mexican illegal immigrant pales by comparison.  Yet we have been programmed by some media and the right wing power structure to hone in on illegal immigration while the big time criminals for the most part go free.

 

Compare the sewage released illegally by Prattville into the Alabama River…..it has happened twice……to a family with no septic tank. Which is more dangerous?   Where is the outrage, especially from those living along the River? 

 Published December 18, 2007

• Greed and Gullibility Cost

It’s a well known fact that con-men (or women) know how to pick their “marks”.  They look for certain factors.  First, they know their marks have to be somewhat gullible.  Thos marks have to believe that great opportunities can just fall from the sky.  They are people who oftentimes don’t have the skills or wherewithal to check things out. 

But the biggest factor is greed.  Most people who understand that in this life you have to work hard for what you get, and who believe it is wrong to take or accept what is not yours, don’t get ripped off.  Those who are looking for something for nothing are primary candidates for the big rip off.  The greed doesn’t have to be monetary.  Sometimes it is lust for power.  Greed blinds people to things that are right there in front of them.  Greed blinds people to common sense.    Published October 25, 2007

• I’VE GOT THE TRASH CAN BLUES

I have to admit I have agonized over this column.  I really want to be helpful when it comes to being a good Lowndes County citizen.  I really dislike when people criticize without having answers.  I know how hard it is to be a Lowndes County Commissioner or for that matter, an elected official of any kind charged with making difficult decisions.

But I am frustrated with this garbage situation, not just because I am one of the customers that had their trash can removed without a replacement, but because I have witnessed much of the whole mess at the Commission meetings.  And I have feelings about what happened.

I wasn’t in favor of mandatory garbage pick up when the Commission passed it several years ago.  I felt like people who wanted the service could get it, and those who had an appropriate method of trash removal could do what they wanted to do.  I felt like the County should prosecute illegal dumping and pass laws, going through the State if necessary, to prosecute inappropriate dumping.  The reasoning behind the mandatory garbage pick up was to reduce the illegal dumps that are all throughout the county.  I believed, and still believe, that the answer is to educate people about recycling and proper trash disposal and then hold their feet to the fire if necessary.   Published October 10, 2007

• WHAT'S HAPPENING:  COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

ALTERNATIVE FUEL COMPANY PROPOSES PLANT IN LOWNDES COUNTY

W&B Trading Co., LLC, presented a proposal to the Lowndes County Commission on August 13 to build a 15 million gallon bio-diesel facility in the Lowndes County Industrial Park.  The plant would take materials such as chicken fat and droppings, cottonseed oil, soybean oil and switch grass and manufacture environmentally friendly bio-diesel fuel that can be used in diesel engines.  They would employ up to 15 people at wages stemming from $8.00 per hour to $16.00 per hour.

   Published August 16, 2007

LOWNDES COUNTY COMMISSION CHANGE GARBAGE SERVICES

In an extension of their first Monday meeting, the Lowndes County Commission voted to accept the bid from Purdie & Sons Refuse Service for the collection of Lowndes County garbage.  “We have to accept the lowest bid”, said Commissioner Dickson Farrior as he made the motion to accept Purdie’s bid. Purdie’s bid was for $19.95 per household per month, and includes the $1.10 environment fee used to fund the Lowndes County Enforcement staff. 

 Published August 16, 2007

• ET's JULY 12, 2007 REPORT:  INSIDE THIS EDITION

SENATOR BISHOP'S ACTIONS:  IS GANG MENTALITY

 

On Friday, June 8 I happened to tune into Don Markwell’s talk radio show out of Montgomery.  The subject was the physical attack on Senator Lowell Barron by Senator Charles Bishop.  I listened to caller after caller congratulating Senator Bishop, calling him a “real man”, and lamenting that no blood was drawn.  I couldn’t believe my ears.

 

GE PLASTICS RELEASES 450 POUNDS OF TOXIN GAS

 

Bulletin:  On May 1, 2007, GE Plastics had an accident with a mal-functioning piece of equipment.  450 pounds of methane chloride were released into the air.  It took GE Plastics 45 minutes to alert Walter Hill, Lowndes County Emergency Management Director.  Apparently the Sheriff was not notified, and no roads were blocked off.  Reportedly the State was notified.

 

   Published July 12, 2007

• LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2007 REVIEW

"WHEN ELEPHANTS FIGHT, IT IS THE GRASS THAT SUFFERS" African Proverb

The Alabama State Legislature 2007 will go down in history as one of the most unproductive and nasty sessions ever. Everybody has an opinion on why; each party got their line out to their often sheepish followers. Since I was there, I have my opinion as well, and it doesn’t follow anybody’s line. It began with an attempt to remove power from the Democratic majority, and then dissolved into personal attacks. Some Democrats broke with their leadership and joined the Republicans. That made the split 17 to 18 The coup failed... So the Democrats paid those who attempted the takeover back by insuring the "minority" (Republicans and a few Democrats) didn’t have the best committee chairmanships and other "perks’. Then, for pure revenge and anger, the 17 used all sorts of procedural tricks to stop the work of the Senate. I promise you, it very early got to the point where principle went out the window, and it became a gang war fed by ego and testosterone.    Published June 5, 2007

• COUNTY COMMISSION VOTES TO HOLD COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACCOUNTABLE

Hayneville: The Lowndes County Commission has voted unanimously to withhold funds from Lowndes County Fire Departments until they prove their non-profit status and account for monies already received  Published April 26, 2007. (large PDF file 208KB)

• THOMAS, MITCHELL INTRODUCE LANDFILL BILL

Despite the struggles in the  Alabama tate Legislature, all factions have come together to support HB 639 and SB 396, dubbed the Landfill Fairness Bill. State Representative James Thomas (D) and Senator “Walking” Wendell Mitchell (D) have introduced legislation that would relieve county governments of a 90 day deadline to take action on applications for landfills.  Published April 11, 2007. (large PDF file 161KB)

• COUNTY LAWSUITS:  JURY RULES TO GIVE WALTER LEWIS $346,950 PLUS INTEREST

Birmingham: The Daehan fiasco has once more cost Lowndes County. This year the Lowndes County Commission settled the lawsuit brought by former economic developer Eugene Crum by paying him $299,000 for services Crum claimed he performed for the Lowndes County Commission.  As if that was not enough, this week a Birmingham jury ruled that bond broker Walter Lewis is due $346,950 plus 6% interest for services he says he performed during the financing of the deal to bring Daehan to Lowndes County.  Published April 11, 2007. (large PDF file 161KB)

• AREA SHERIFF PAYS BACK $53,190.00 STATE AUDIT FINDS BIG PROBLEMS 

Sheriff Willie Vaughner has repaid $53,190 after an audit by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. The money had to be repaid, according to the audit report, because Sheriff Vaughner double billed the State and Lowndes County for prisoners housed in the Lowndes County Jail.  

 

HAYNEVILLE LIBRARY MAY HOUSE SENIOR CENTER  Hayneville: Dickson Farrior may just be onto something.  Since there’s not enough money for a state of the art library and senior center, why not combined them into one building?     

 

BURKVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT GETS 6/9 ISO RATING!  After 11 years of hard work and fundraising, the Burkville Volunteer Fire Department has received an excellent rating that will result in hundreds of homeowners getting reduced insurance rates. Fire Chief Lamar Hall is very pleased. “We want to thank all the citizens who have contributed to our success over the years,” said Chief Hall. But there is still a lot of work to do. 

 

 Published March 31, 2007. (large PDF file 212KB)

• GE DUMP DEVELOPER TARGETS CALHOUN AREA

Golson Properties, with an address in Greenville, has asked the Lowndes County Commission to consider a landfill near Calhoun. No details were available since the request “to discuss” the matter was not a formal application, but the Memo said a “Fortune 500” company would operate the dump if approved.  Has Waste Management found another avenue to get their greedy hooks in Lowndes County? “They just keep coming”, said Commissioner Dickson Farrior at the February 26 meeting of the Lowndes County Commission. Commissioner Joey Barganier was adamant in his refusal to consider the dump. “I made a promise to my constituents not to vote for any landfill unless it is a landfill for Lowndes County waste”, said Barganier, and Commissioners Farrior, Harris, and even Thomas joined him in voting no. Commissioner Charlie King did not vote.   Published March 1, 2007. (large PDF file 239KB)

• ESTHER'S TRUMPET GUEST AT NATIONAL MEDIA CONFERENCE

Memphis, TN: Lowndes County’s Esther’s Trumpet was honored with a scholarship to attend the National Conference on Media Reform held in Memphis, TN. And, Editor Barbara Evans made the most of the trip.  “I was thrilled to attend workshops to upgrade my skills and meet independent press and media people from all over the county”, said Evans. The speakers were dynamic and included film star Danny Glover, Geena Davis, Congressman Ed Markey and Senator Berney Sanders. Other trainers included noted journalist Bill Moyers, TV host Phil Donahue and journalist Helen Thomas.     Published January 29, 2007. (large PDF file 380KB)

• GE PLASTICS FOR SALE

Burkville: The General Electric Corporation has announced that the GE Plastics Division is up for sale.  GE doubled its profits in 2006. Burkville is home to a GE Plastics plant. Nobody really knows what this will mean to Lowndes County, but we can be assured of some changes.    Published January 29, 2007. (large PDF file 477KB)

• FREEDOM WRITERS PROJECT

Esther’s Trumpet is in the process of developing a new project that we hope you will find exciting. We want to work with groups of youth who are interested in the basics of becoming writers. We are asking educators and principals to give extra school credit to those students who participate in the project.   

• CORRECTIVE ACTION ORDERED BY ADEM:

Pintlala: Stuckey's Pecan Shop and Gas Station at 1122 Tyson Road, Pintlala, in Lowndes County, has released material from an underground tank that has resulted in corrective action ordered by the Alabama Department of Environmental management.  Groundwater was affected.

 

Interested parties may view copies of the corrective action plan at ADEM in Montgomery, or call for a public hearing no later than January 26, 2007.  Requests must be made in writing.  The site is identified as facility ID 14723-085-009153 and the incident number is UST98-01-09.  This information comes from ADEM Public Notice 201.

• COMMISSION APPROVES $299,000 FOR LAWSUITS: FARRIOR VOTES NO

IN PROTEST:

Hayneville: The Lowndes County Commission has voted to approve $299,000 to pay two people suing them. County Administrator Jackie Thomas told ET the amount is a result of mediation, but has yet to be approved by Judge McFerrin. ET believes these lawsuits were filed by Gene Crum, former Industrial Recruiter for Lowndes County and Walter Lewis, the person hired to float a bond for the Daehan Plant.    Published January 15, 2007. (large PDF file 850 kb)

 

• LOWNDES COUNTY HELP CONECUH COUNTY STOP A DUMP!

About 500 people organized “Citizens for a County” and jammed the Conecuh County Commission meeting on January 8. In a bold and courageous move, the five members of the Conecuh County Commission unanimously voted down the measure. The week before, Alabama Watch Director Barbara Evans and Lowndes Citizens United for Action President Debra Harris met with Conecuh County residents to share experiences and educate the community.  Published January 15, 2007. (large PDF file 850 kb)

• KIDS OF DESTINY LEARNING CENTER OPENS TO RAVE REVIEWS:

Burkville: Children, parents, grandparents and community people gathered at the grand opening of Kids of Destiny Learning Center on Highway 21 just North of Hayneville.  Co-owners Shaletta Davis and Felicia Jenkins were overjoyed at the turnout, which was held on December 28. The refurbished building is absolutely beautiful, with bright colors, books, all kinds of toys and equipment. It includes a computer lab and a special room for babies, in a stimulating and nurturing atmosphere. “We waited to make sure we got it right”, said Ms. Davis. “Our curriculum is the finest available and we offer computer training, music, art and even Spanish to our children”. Published January 2, 2007

• BARGANIER SAYS NO LANDFILL ON RIVER:

Newly-elected Commissioner Joey Barganier has told Esther’s Trumpet that he is not in favor of a landfill on Highway 80 or on the Alabama River. Published January 2, 2007

 

• COMMISSION TABLES REQUEST FOR SOLID WASTE PLAN AMENDMENTS:

Hayneville: Lowndes County resident Bruce Sharpe thought he could mend some fences and help the Lowndes County Commission address some of the weaknesses in the County’s Solid Waste Plan.

TYSON MAN SAYS HE’S WAITED 30 YEARS TO GET ROAD PAVED

 Robert Landers lives on Tyson Road near Stuckeys and close to the Flying J.  Trucks have damaged the road, and with the increase in traffic, Tyson Road near Stuckeys is a real mess. Published December 13, 2006 10th Online Edition

• ET’S SPECIAL REPORT ~ November 29, 2006

   

  AREA RESIDENT ASKS LOWNDES COUNTY COMMISSION TO CONSIDER AMENDING SOLID WASTE PLAN

   

Hayneville:  Lowndes County resident Bruce Sharp asked the Lowndes County Commission to consider amending the Lowndes County Solid Waste Plan written two years ago, and he brought in the author of the existing plan for suggestions on how to do it and what to include.  Published November 29, 2006

• LANDFILL DEVELOPER GETS 2 YEARS:

  Lanny Young, who was the major force behind the landfill proposed for the Civil Rights Trail on Highway 80, was sentenced to 2 years in a federal prison for his role in a public corruption conspiracy to exchange bribes for official state acts.

   

  Also, Joey Barganier sworn in and County Commission gets new lawyer.    Published November 23, 2006. 

• 2006 ELECTION REVIEW:

JOEY BARGANIER DEFEATS PAUL SLOANE 547 TO 411

WINSTON PRINGLE PREVAILS OVER AUDREY MARLETTE 2,907 TO 1,072

Lowndes County:  Joey Barganier narrowly defeated Paul Sloane for Lowndes County Commission, District 4.  Sloane, who was appointed to the position following the death of Sam Barganier, is the first Republican in recent history to come close to defeating a Democratic candidate in Lowndes County.  Paul Sloane ran on his open government platform; Joey Barganier has never attended a Lowndes County Commission meeting.  Barganier is the nephew of the late Sam Barganier.

 

PROBLEMS AT THE POLLS

 

Although Poll Inspectors try to keep problems private, it was revealed that in the Burkville Precinct a 2004 ballot was found in the machine.  Write in tallies did not match, and when polling officials asked the Probate Judge for help, he told them it wasn't his fault.  When the Poll Inspector expressed concerns about the problems with the vote tallies, Probate Judge Hulett said, "What are you going to do about it?" Published November 8, 2006

• 2006 Election Edition: Your life will be affected by November elections so go to the polls and VOTE.   Published November 3, 2006

• The Lowndes County Development Board is being sued by Gene Crum, former economic development consultant with the County. Also, The HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) Program addresses a problem that isn’t unique to Lowndes County, but which has a major impact. Local educators are working with Lowndes County parents to train them on how to ready their pre-schoolers for a good education. The instructors distribute worksheets and provide instruction to parents who then work with their own children in their homes. Published October 15, 2006

• The Lowndes County Commission has voted NOT to accept the proposal for a landfill made by the Alabama River Partners LLC. Published August 28, 2006

•  Citizens for a Clean Blackbelt, Lowndes Citizens United for Action and Alabama Watch have all asked the Commission to vote no. Chemists, landfill experts, environmental experts and economic development experts have provided the information to back up their claims that the landfill will be a disaster for Lowndes County. Published August 19, 2006

   

•  It’s the community that used to be known for the Calhoun High School, an offspring of a private Black school that was known for excellence “back in the day”. It’s the home of Ramah Church, one of the oldest churches in Lowndes County. It’s a beautiful, rural area with rural homes tucked away in every corner. Now it is the home of fear and crime. The break-ins at Calhoun have surged to the point where residents are afraid to leave their homes. A grieving family at a loved one’s funeral returns home to find their house burglarized. Published August 15, 2006