Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/25/2016 9:16:32 PM

This is so embarrassing to me:

http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/2016/04/25/fight-brewaks-out-at-city-hall-after-council-meeting/

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/25/2016 10:22:42 PM

Dang, looks like Beekeeper Tony needs to chunk a hive into the mayor's house.

Name:	Casey -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/25/2016 10:57:41 PM

Hard to call it a "new low" when we have Leon Archer in Dadeville and Governor Bentley in Montgomery. 

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/25/2016 10:58:26 PM

Another article.

How Low Can You Go

Name:	Samdog -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/26/2016 9:30:43 AM

You have lived in Alabama all your life. This is business as usual.

Name:	lucky67 -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/26/2016 10:12:48 AM

Its a known fact--no employee in a government office, local, state or federal, is accountable for anything & has a job for life

Name:	JTenn -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/26/2016 1:32:37 PM

Just remember Leon was sorry for what he did, meaning sorry he go caught. The gov, just sorry.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/26/2016 4:11:33 PM

Flyfisher - I don't know where you get your "facts", but what you said is simply untrue.  As an example, I will refer you to an office director that I fired for misappropriation of government money.  It is not anywhere close to the truth that no one is held accountable. 

I read this article and I tried to imagine what could possibly cause two adult men, who are supposed to be leaders, to get into a fistfight.  I think it is time that they both get fired and try to get some mature adults into those leadership roles.  Alex City has a lot of challenges facing it in the next ten years.  If they don't get some people in leadership roles to move the city forward, it is just going to dry up and blow away.  If you don't believe me, look at the demographics. 

Name:	lucky67 -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/26/2016 4:28:36 PM

hound--how many 'professionals' were fired in the VA hospital debacle ? and you only name 1 instance of a govt employee being fired--is that the only one ??

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/26/2016 6:06:58 PM

As I understood it, a number of people lost their jobs over the VA but just not the people at the top.  The people responsible for the GSA scandal for outrageous conference expenditures were fired.  Yes, I have known other people that were fired over the years, but the I wanted to make a point that what you were saying just isn't true.  I watched my boss, fire another office director for not accomplishing the goals she set out for him.  When you are a member of the Senior Executive Service, you can be fired for incompetence.  My point is that people are held accountable, but they don't always get fired.  There are other serious disciplinary actions that get put on people who fail to perform.  It's just tht you don't hear about them in the news. 

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	You can count on one hand....
Date:	4/26/2016 9:46:21 PM

those fired in the VA Bureaucracy.  Gubment employees, especially this one, tend to defend the bureaucracy at all costs.

Name:	Shortbus -	Reply
Subject:	You can count the good guys on one hand....
Date:	4/27/2016 12:06:31 AM

You can't get scumbags to change their ways by asking nicely.

I don't know the mayor but I do know Tony.

He doesn't like dishonesty, and has no problem letting the ones comfortable with it know how he feels.

Tony cares about your tax money, and will do his job to assure it is accounted for and spent wisely.

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/27/2016 8:25:57 AM

There are other serious disciplinary actions that get put on people who fail to perform 

The ones I hear about get promoted and retired!!  I am sure that some are relieved of their jobs but it is my layman's opinion that it is very difficult to hold folks accountable and it seldom happens.  Too much back patting, and looking the other way.  I want to put Greta in charge of Department of Accountablility.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/27/2016 10:04:15 AM

The truth just doesn't support your view. I can't speak for state and local government, but in the federal workforce, there is accountability.  People get disciplined, they get counseled and depending on the offense, they get fired.  And they surely don't get a pat on the back and promoted.  I would suggest to you that if you had ever actually worked in the government, you would not persist in making these ridiculous statements.  Furthermore, I would suggest we move this discussion, should you and Flyfisher wish to pursue it, to the Off Topic forum, since this does not deal with a Lake issue.

Name:	Leadawg -	Reply
Subject:	You can count the good guys on one hand....
Date:	4/27/2016 10:50:09 AM (updated 4/27/2016 10:51:16 AM)

What does the Alexander City BS have to do w/Lake Martin topics? 

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/27/2016 10:59:10 AM

Only you defend goverment beauracrcy.  I have two friends, a husband and wife, who both work at a VA facillity.  She worked for the IRS and had an idiot promoted to her boss and couldn't take it any more.  She didn't want the job but several other imminently more qualifed did, and were passed over because of the "Peter Principal".  Everyone knew whe was an idoit, and lazy, vindictive, loud mouthed and obnoxious, but her supervisor got rid of his problem by helping get her promoted.  After getting in ther VA and seeing what a gravy train it was she told her husband to apply.  He is a journeyman electrician, union but not hardcore.  He worked non union jobs when he had to pay the bills.  He has always joked about how much harder he had to work on non union jobs, but the VA is a joke.  He may work 2 hours on a hard day, the rest of the time he rides the gravy train like everyone else.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Well duh,
Date:	4/27/2016 11:09:08 AM

Their decisions and behavior have direct impact on our lives.  Many of us live here and care about more than what happens in the 491' pool.  Their actions shape the current reputation of the area and hence the future growth.  Less growth is bad for everyone.  As Alex City declines so do your property values.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Well duh,
Date:	4/27/2016 11:55:13 AM

Great response.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/27/2016 1:34:01 PM

Have you ever personally worked for the VA?  Seems to me that people always have "friends" whose experience supports their views.  I have no first hand knowledge of how people in the trades do working for the government - however, considering how some of the trades people work around here, from my first hand knowledge, I'd say he was well trained for his "government experience". 

Secondly, usually when you hear about someone's "idiot" boss it means one of two things - either that they have a personal dislike of that person (usually do to having been reprimanded by the "idiot" boss) or there are sour grapes that they themselves did not get the job.  But before we start badmouthing the VA, let's consider the fact that it is clearly overwhelmed by the number of veterans needing it's services.  The people are likely overworked with the shear number of cases.  I'm not making excuses for the VA, but anyone can see that they are going to have to make some rule changes about when and how veterans can get the care they so deservedly should be getting.  My father's girlfriend is a veteran and has to use the Veterans Hospital in Florida and she's not often happy about the care she gets because the rules do not allow her to see a private physician.  You can only overwork people for so long until they just submerge.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	let's make a deal.
Date:	4/27/2016 7:06:02 PM

I will meet you anywhere you want and get my friend on the phone and he will tell you what a joke it is. It is not just how his group works, its endemic in the system. I'm sure I can get him to send you a pic of someone sleeping on the job. He says they don't even bother closing the door.

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/27/2016 7:33:31 PM

I have worked in government

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	let's make a deal.
Date:	4/27/2016 7:37:28 PM

Yes, I'm sure he could take a picture of people sleeping - on their lunch break?  The thing is Lifer, I lived it for 32 years.  I've been retired 10 years and I have no reason to lie about it.  I no longer have a dog in the fight.  So believe what you will - it doesn't matter; the VA is not going to be shut down.  They'll do some reorganization which won't change anything, because no one in Washington will acknowledge what the real problem is.  And it is not the employees.

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	let's make a deal.
Date:	4/27/2016 8:17:42 PM

What do you see as the "real problem"?  I say it is Accountability at the mid and high levels.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/27/2016 8:38:48 PM

I HAVE worked in the Government, both as a career military officer and a defense contractor working side by side with federal civil servants and I profoundly disagree with your assertion that there is accountability and firings.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	You can count on one hand....
Date:	4/27/2016 10:26:24 PM

You obviously can't read.  I am not a government employeee.  IN fact, I don't work at all, I am RETIRED.  I have nothing to defend. 

All of you who disagree - it's fine with me.  I know you are wrong.  I worked as an employee and an Office Director and finally a Deputy Director of my agency.   But I'm sure you all know much more about it.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/27/2016 10:33:21 PM

Disagree all you like.  I spent 32 years, as an employee, an Office Director and finally the Deputy Director of my agency.  But I am sure you both know so much more about it.  Hodja, we already know that you don't like govenment employees.  I truly don't understand how you can bring yourself to take money as a support contract to the U.S. government, while that institution has put food on your table and a roof over your head all these years.  If I had that much disrespect, I certainly wouldn't take their money. 

Lake and Gulf, I don't know what government you worked for or for how many years.  Perhaps you'll enlighten us about your experience. 

Name:	Casey -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/27/2016 10:40:26 PM

Y'all......time to move this discussion to off-topic.  It's now only the same cast of characters who like to debate, so why not move it there?  I'm sure most of the rest of us have read enough.  Move on......

Name:	Leadawg -	Reply
Subject:	Well duh,
Date:	4/27/2016 10:44:53 PM (updated 4/27/2016 10:45:58 PM)

I've seen many property value's decline in Alexander City ........... While Lake Martin has not as a whole! APC regulates the Values w/lake levels not Russell. I don't think The Mayor and Council has anything to do with lake levels. Let the lake dry up and see who still around. Anyways thought the School yard fight should have been on "Off-Topic". I'm sure I misunderstood what Lake Martins Topic stands for. Just an opinion and you know what they say?

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/28/2016 7:02:32 AM

Has nothing to do with liking or disliking Govies, as I treat each as an individual.  My disdain is for the government system that makes it difficult to get rid of no performers.  If you go back and read my posts over the years you will find that I value many of my civil service acquaintances and former colleagues as true patriots who go far above and beyond what is required by their job description and/or their nominal work schedule.  Why you choose to ignore that I don't know.  I admire that you were willing to expend the effort to get rid of non- or under-performers.  My point is others I have observed through the years were not willing to do so.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Well duh,
Date:	4/28/2016 7:18:56 AM (updated 4/28/2016 7:26:02 AM)

There are none so blind as those who will nor see. APCO doesn't regulate property values, the MARKET does. As for if the water went away who would still be here, those folks sitting on the council and the locals that attend them, thise are the folks that will still be here. All the high dollar Russell developments will be empty but us folks in the low rent districts will still be here.  We live, work and play here. We dont show up a few weekends a year and think we rule  the lake world. But if you think the lake exists in a bubble and is not subject to the effects of the local economy, well, ya can't fix stupid.

As for those that say move it to off topic, I say stuff it. If you don't want to read this thread then don't, but don't tell me where to put what. Flag it if you want and if the webmaster wants to move it he can. I don't remember an election or anointment of a forum king or even constable so lighten up.

Name:	Shortbus -	Reply
Subject:	Toot, Toot.... drive by composition
Date:	4/28/2016 11:31:42 AM

Please compose your free speech in the appropriate free speech area.  Thank you.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Toot, Toot.... drive by composition
Date:	4/28/2016 11:37:42 AM

Both of you stop it! Hound declared thread hijacking a no no. Only she can do it. Get in line you two.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	Toot, Toot.... drive by composition
Date:	4/28/2016 2:43:37 PM (updated 4/28/2016 2:46:13 PM)

Hey, guess she feels a need to blow her own horn.  Inflates one's head.....

Name:	Leadawg -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	4/29/2016 6:56:20 AM

LMAO ........ 

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Toot, Toot.... drive by composition
Date:	4/30/2016 3:24:54 PM

And that is where you are wrong.  I don't live in the past.  It might interest you to know tht when I retired, I threw out every certificate, award, medal, pictures etc.  I ever got associated with my career, so if I was inerested in tooting my horn, I 'd have all that stuff strung on my walls today. But I don't, because it no longer matters.   What I said is just the facts of my career and why I know something about the personnel system.  That fact that you think that is tooting my horn says a lot more about you than it does about me.

Name:	roswellric -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	5/3/2016 9:36:32 PM

You have to ask yourself...in the larger scheme of things, who or what should be responsible for positive dynamic leadership in the Lake Martin Area? 

This horrible example of governance is reflective of its leadership and is not something that will attract industry and jobs much less a sense of community. The Lake Martin area should be searching its soul to find a higher purpose for a community that has so many beautiful resources. Time for a re-evaluation of where its people want to go and who is going to lead it.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	5/3/2016 10:09:25 PM

It is sad. Today I met with my  boat broker from NC, a buyers broker and the buyers of our boat from California. While the surveyor was doing his thing the rest of us were talking and our broker laughed and said what's up with your mayor? When he said that the buyer and his broker laughed. It seems they all googled Alex City and the first hit was the front page of the Outlook. So today Alex City is the laughing stock from coast to coast. But on the bright side it looks like we sold the boat. Whee!

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	5/5/2016 7:00:15 PM

I have to agree with Roswellric.  A few demographics in Alex City:

Median household income is:  $33, 313.00

Unemployement rate is: 8%

21.32 households earn less than $15K

The biggest age group is 50-54:  1116, and large numbers in the ages older from there.

Total population is 14, 875

The tax rate is 8.5%, but income tax is 5%

Alex City desperately needs new businesses and businesses that will bring in well-paying jobs.  Instead they have put their efforts into developing the downtown.  But not the main road through Alex City, but what is essentially a side street that most people don't go down unless they live here.  So instead of developing an vision for the lake area or even for their own town, they get into a fist fight a personnel issue.  They need to bring in someone with experience in developing for how and at what pace the lake area should be developed.  Too many people in Alex City do not want any change. 

Just my opinion. 

Name:	Shortbus -	Reply
Subject:	A New Low In Alex City "Politics"
Date:	5/18/2016 9:10:54 AM

Simple solution.   Just vote to copyright the meetings.  Fights are now gubment propitty.

You may be fined for pictures......................................

http://www.wnd.com/2016/05/california-wants-copyrights-on-everything/