Greene County Democrat

Category: General News

  • Newswire : Biden takes aim at high rents, unveils comprehensive housing strategy

    By Stacy M. Brown
    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent


    As he continues to battle the twice-impeached and 34-times-convicted felon and Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump, President Joe Biden has not stopped working to improve the lives of the poor, disadvantaged, and disenfranchised. In his latest effort to level the playing field, Biden announced a series of actions to make renting more affordable for millions of Americans.
    The President’s plan includes:
    Legislative Push: Calling on Congress to pass a law forcing corporate landlords to cap rent increases at 5% or lose valuable federal tax breaks.
    Public Land Repurposing: Utilizing public land to create up to 15,000 affordable housing units in Nevada.
    Housing Rehabilitation: Revitalizing distressed housing and neighborhoods, particularly in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Biden emphasized the urgent need for Congressional action to make the American Dream accessible to more families. His proposed Biden-Harris Housing Plan aims to build 2 million homes and provide $10,000 in mortgage relief, potentially unlocking homeownership for millions. Housing construction has already reached its highest level in over 50 years, with new housing starting up 17% compared to the previous administration.
    Holding Corporate Landlords Accountable

    A significant element of Biden’s plan is cracking down on corporate landlords who have exploited housing shortages by imposing steep rent hikes. “Corporate landlords have raised rents far beyond their own cost increases, reaping huge profits while millions of Americans struggle to afford their homes,” Biden stated.
    The President is urging Congress to pass legislation that gives corporate landlords a choice: cap rent increases at 5% or lose federal tax benefits. This policy would apply to landlords with over 50 units and is designed to stabilize rents while new housing is built.
    Protecting Renters and Expanding Housing Supply

    The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) will introduce new protections for renters in multifamily properties financed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These include a mandatory 30-day notice before rent increases, lease expirations, and a five-day grace period for late fees.
    Repurposing Public Land for Housing

    The administration is also repurposing federal land to build thousands of affordable homes. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will sell 20 acres of public land to Clark County, Nevada, at below-market rates, enabling the construction of nearly 150 affordable homes. Additionally, 562.5 acres in Southern Nevada have been identified for potential housing projects, which could create up to 15,000 new units.
    The United States Forest Service (USFS) and the United States Postal Service (USPS) will lease land for workforce housing and repurpose surplus properties for housing developments.
    Community Revitalization

    HUD is announcing $325 million in Choice Neighborhoods grants to build new affordable homes, spur economic development, and revitalize communities nationwide. These grants will fund the construction of over 6,500 units and leverage $2.65 billion in additional investments. Cities such as Las Vegas, Syracuse, Chattanooga, and Miami are among the recipients.
    Legislative Roadblocks and Republican Opposition

    Despite these initiatives, Republicans in Congress have blocked Biden’s housing agenda. Efforts to cut rental assistance and programs that lower mortgage costs have been stymied, and Senate Republicans are currently holding up a bipartisan bill to help build 200,000 affordable homes.
    Biden remains committed to his housing goals, stressing the importance of Congressional support. Experts said the President’s ambitious plans likely would be repealed under a potential Trump administration where the conservative Project 2025 would make America devastatingly cruel to people with low incomes and disenfranchised, as well as the middle class and most African Americans, Latinos, LGBTQ, and other minorities.

    “We must stand up to corporate landlords and build more homes to lower rents,” Biden asserted.
     

  • Commission approves increasing Water and Sewer Authority to five members

    The Greene County Commission met in regular session, Monday, July 8, 2024 with all Commissioners present. As discussed in the Commission’s work session, Wednesday, July 3, Attorney Mark Parnell presented a Resolution which allowed the Commission to enlarge the board of directors of the Greene County Water and Sewer Authority from three to five members. The approved Resolution also stated that the Commission is the appointing authority for said directors, and it will be the policy of the Commission to appoint directors to the Authority so that each director will reside in each Commission district.
    The three board members currently serving on the Water and Sewer Authority represent Districts 1, 3 and 4. The Commission approved the appointment of Andre Woods from District 2 to serve on the board, as recommended by Commissioner Tennyson Smith. Commissioner Roshanda Summerville moved to table her appointment from District 5. The Commission agreed.
    In other business the Commission acted on the following:
    * Approved the request from Judge Lillie Osborne to place a Key Pad on the District Judges’s offices.
    * Approved the contract with Cook Pest Control, with the initial service costing $180 and monthly services costing $85.
    Approved replacing up to five HVAC Units in the county courthouse facility.
    * Approved the financial reports and payment of claims for the period ending June 30, 2024, as presented by CFO Macaroy Underwood in the following: Accounts Payable totaled $353,618.92; Payroll Transfer totaled $298,124.79; Fiduciary totaled $76,969.55; Electronic Claims paid totaled $70,648.10. Citizen Trust Bank unrestricted funds totaled $2,980,810.15; restricted funds totaled $4,019,473.37. Merchant & Farmers Bank unrestricted funds (bingo funds) totaled $3,089,684.04; restricted funds totaled $1,589,214.19. Investments totaled $897,970.63.

  • Atkins family launches Uncle Willie’s Original BBQ Sauce

    Mr. Willie Atkins, a lifelong resident of Eutaw, Greene County Alabama, is known for his barbecued meats, prepared with his family’s original barbecue sauce recipe. According to Mr. Atkins, he learned the process from his Dad who, over the years, had folk coming from all parts of Alabama and from outside the state as well to get the Atkins’s pull pork sandwiches and pork rib slabs. He noted that his Dad started Atkins Barbecue about 70 years ago with a pit dug in the ground.

    “We used to sponsor ball games on the grounds and that drew in so many people, all ages. They came to play or watch the games, but they also came for the barbecue. Seems like I could never have enough barbecue for the crowds,” Atkins said.

    Mr. Atkins said that his family had been urging him for years to market the family’s sauce. “When I finally agreed to have our family recipe bottled as Uncle Willie’s Sauce, I had no idea it would take off so fast. Now everybody wants my barbecue sauce,” he stated. Uncle Willie’s Original BBQ Sauce can be purchased at the Piggly Wiggly grocery in Eutaw and in all the Piggly Wiggly stores in Tuscaloosa County. To order Uncle Willie’s BBQ SAUCE go to website: http://www.unclewilliesbbqsauce.com or call 205-315-9465.

    The following statement appears on each bottle of Uncle Willie’s Original BBQ Sauce.

    Since 1965, this award winning sauce has been simmering to perfection in Eutaw, Alabama. Uncle Willie’s Sauce has been the highlight of countless family get-togethers, tailgates and summertime cookouts for decades. This sauce is more than just a recipe – it’s a taste of home.

  • Newswire : Allyson Felix introduces nursery for athlete moms at Paris 2024 Summer Olympics

    Allyson Felix

    By Analisa Novak, CBS News

     

    Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field athlete in history, understands the challenges athlete moms face. The retired sprinter and mother of two is advocating for Olympic moms, leveraging her experience to provide them with better support during the upcoming Paris Olympics.
    Felix, who holds a record 20 World Championship medals and 11 Olympic medals, including seven golds, has teamed up with Pampers to create the first-ever Pampers Nursery in the Athletes Village at the Paris Olympics. This nursery will offer a space for Olympic moms to bond with, nurse and play with their babies, helping to alleviate some of the pressures of competition.
    “I just knew how difficult it was to compete at the top level after I had my daughter, and some practical things were really hard. And so when I joined the Athletes Commission of the IOC, I really wanted to be that voice for athlete moms, and just take away one less thing for them to worry about in the pressure of competition,” said Felix.
    The Pampers Nursery will be located in the heart of the Athlete Village Plaza, where athletes live during the games. It will be a place where athletes can step away and have private time with their babies, Felix said.
    “I think it really tells women that you can choose motherhood and also be at the top of your game and not have to miss a beat,” said Felix.
    Felix will be attending the Paris Olympics, but in a new capacity. She says she feels a mix of emotions as she prepares for her first Olympics in two decades without competing. There’s a bit of loss and grief, Felix said, but also excitement for this new chapter. 
    “I’m bringing my whole family, and we will be able to take in the games and watch them with a lot less nerves. So I’m looking forward to that as well,” she said.
    For first-time Olympians, Felix offered simple advice. “Embrace it. This is a moment that does not come around, it’s not guaranteed. You have so much pride to represent your country and just really to take it all in and give it your absolute best.”
    Felix also shared her excitement about a $20 million grant from the Melinda French Gates Foundation to support Black maternal health. Upon learning about the grant, Felix said she was initially shocked and deeply humbled, especially after hearing that French Gates had been following her advocacy efforts. 
    “I’m so humbled to receive it, and I’m excited to put the money to good work,” said Felix.

  • Newswire : Survey finds Black adults develop unique coping skills for racism

    By Stacy M. Brown,NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

     Black adults in the United States often develop distinctive coping skills by adulthood to handle the chronic stress of racism, according to a new survey by Duke University researchers. The study, as reported by Duke Today, suggests that these coping mechanisms are not typically found in their white counterparts, highlighting the unique resilience cultivated through lived experiences of racial discrimination.The study identifies that social support and religion are among the most common coping strategies employed by Black Americans. Social networks and religious communities offer emotional support and a sense of belonging, which buffer against the negative psychological impacts of racism.
    Additional strategies include avoidance, substance use, positive reframing, and activism. Some respondents reported using avoidance techniques, such as disengaging from stressors or using substances like alcohol and tobacco, for temporary relief. Cognitive strategies like positive reframing—focusing on positive aspects in difficult situations—and working harder to overcome obstacles help maintain a sense of control and purpose. According to the study, activism and affirming one’s identity through positive self-statements were also significant strategies. “By educating others and advocating for social change, individuals reclaim a sense of agency and counteract feelings of helplessness,” the researchers wrote.
    The study also reveals gender differences in coping strategies. Black women are more likely to engage in activism and use social support, whereas Black men often employ passive strategies like ignoring racism. They determined that physical activities are more effective for men, reflecting social and cultural influences on coping behaviors.
    The findings have crucial implications for mental health practices, researchers assert. Mental health professionals are encouraged to recognize and validate these coping strategies, tailoring their support to enhance their effectiveness. “By fostering open discussions about these mechanisms, professionals can help Black individuals navigate racial stress more effectively,” the researchers determined.
    However, the study emphasizes the need for more comprehensive research. The study found that there remains a call for research exploring coping strategies across different ethnic groups and intersecting identities, such as LGBTQ+ and disabled communities. Further research is needed to understand the overall effectiveness of these strategies in reducing racial stress and improving well-being, the authors noted.
    They concluded that the survey highlights the resilience of Black adults in the face of racism, underscoring the necessity of culturally informed mental health support. The findings also “emphasize the importance of recognizing diverse coping mechanisms and call for continued research to better support marginalized communities,” experts said.
    An earlier study by the University of Georgia found that the negative effects of racial discrimination and the unfair or prejudicial treatment of individuals based on race on Black Americans are well documented. Researchers said “experiences with racial discrimination are associated with negative mental (e.g., depression, anxiety, hopelessness, violent behavior) and physical (e.g., hypertension, thickening and calcification of the arteries, and heart rate variability) health outcomes.” These detrimental effects on health are found independent of socioeconomic status, age, and gender, the university reported.

    Moreover, over 60% of Black Americans endorse at least one experience of racial discrimination in their lifetime, and findings suggest that the links between experiences of racial discrimination and negative health outcomes are stronger for Black Americans than for any other group.

    University of Georgia researchers added that while individuals of all racial-ethnic minority groups (i.e., Latinx, Indigenous peoples, etc.) are at risk of experiencing racial discrimination and racial trauma, Black Americans are especially at risk, as anti-Black racism is individual, systemic, and historical. Additionally, researchers noted that it is important to consider the compounding impact of belonging to multiple marginalized and oppressed groups, including (but not limited to) race, gender, and sexuality, and how these intersections interact and increase susceptibility to experiences of racial trauma.
    Researchers noted that the toll of racial trauma and stress is not limited to psychological outcomes. The negative effects of racial trauma also affect physical health outcomes. The common lack of access to quality medical care for people of color as a result of institutional racism frequently makes these symptoms worse.
    Further, the study found that there’s a “clear positive relationship between racial discrimination and poor psychological functioning.” Racial discrimination is also associated with low infant birth weight, lower self-esteem, self-worth, and adaptation. In a sample of African American college students at predominantly white institutions, experiences of racism and racial discrimination were associated with subsequent increases in sleep difficulties. Furthermore, greater levels of internalized racism (i.e., believing racist messages like Black Americans are “lazy” or “criminals”) are associated with a stronger relation to sleep difficulties.
    Researchers added that racial discrimination experiences are associated with poorer mental health (i.e., more symptoms of depression and anxiety) as well as lower individual and collective self-esteem. “Being seen and heard is essential to healing,” University of Georgia researchers posited.

  • Newswire : Senators demand Special Counsel to investigate Justice Clarence Thomas over undisclosed gifts and financial omissions

    Justice Clarence Thomas


    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA National Coresspondent


    In an unprecedented attempt to uphold judicial integrity, Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) have urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to appoint a Special Counsel to investigate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for potential violations of ethics, false statements, and tax laws. The request follows recent revelations by the Justice and his wealthy benefactors of undisclosed gifts and financial omissions.
    In a letter sent last week and released on Tuesday, July 9, Whitehouse and Wyden, who chair the Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, and the Senate Finance Committee, respectively, pointed to solid evidence of wrongdoing. “The evidence assembled thus far plainly suggests that Justice Thomas has committed numerous willful violations of federal ethics and false-statement laws and raises significant questions about whether he and his wealthy benefactors have complied with their federal tax obligations,” the senators wrote.

    They stressed the need for a thorough investigation into Thomas’s financial disclosures and his relationship with his benefactors, emphasizing that “no government official should be above the law.”

    The senators’ letter specifically calls for an investigation into Thomas’s failure to disclose more than $267,000 in forgiven debt used to purchase a luxury motorcoach. Wyden’s Senate Finance Committee discovered the omission, which raises concerns about whether Thomas declared the forgiven debt as income on his tax returns. Despite repeated opportunities to clarify this, the senators asserted that Thomas’s counsel had not provided satisfactory explanations.
    The letter also outlined numerous undisclosed gifts from billionaire benefactors, including private jet travel, yacht trips, country club memberships, sports tickets, and significant financial support for Thomas’s family. According to Whitehouse and Wyden, these gifts, which Thomas should have reported under the Ethics in Government Act, suggest a pattern of omission that warrants further investigation.
    In addition to these worries, a January letter written by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) and other lawmakers highlighted potential conflicts of interest involving Ginni Thomas, the wife of Justice Thomas. The letter urged Justice Thomas to recuse himself from cases involving the 2020 election due to Ginni Thomas’s public support for Trump’s attempts to overturn the election results and her participation in the “Stop the Steal” rally before the Capitol attack. The lawmakers argued that her actions and financial interests align with Trump’s, potentially compromising Justice Thomas’s impartiality.

    The January letter also highlighted the fluctuating value of Ginni Thomas’s consulting firm, Liberty Consulting, which saw significant increases during Trump’s presidency. “The value of Ms. Thomas’s consulting firm skyrocketed from only ‘up to $15,000’ before Mr. Trump was elected to ‘between $100,000 and $250,000’ during his presidency, and then fell again to ‘between $15,001 and $50,000’ the year Mr. Trump lost the White House,” the letter stated, suggesting a direct financial benefit tied to Trump’s political success.
    Whitehouse and Wyden said their letter underscores the importance of transparency and accountability. They urge appointing a special counsel to investigate potential criminal violations by Justice Thomas and his benefactors. They cited previous Department of Justice prosecutions of other officials for less serious disclosure violations, emphasizing the need for consistent enforcement of ethics laws.
    “We, therefore, request that you appoint a Special Counsel authorized to investigate potential criminal violations by Justice Thomas under the disclosure, false statement, and tax laws; pursue leads of related criminal violations by donors, lenders, and intermediate corporate entities; and determine whether any such loans and gifts were provided pursuant to a coordinated enterprise or plan,” the senators concluded.
    “Presented with opportunities to resolve questions about his conduct, Justice Thomas has maintained a suspicious silence,” the senators added.

  • Newswire : Undeterred, Black Democrats staunchly defend Biden amid calls for him to drop out of race

    President Biden meeting with Congressional Black Caucus in the Oval Office in February 2024

    Editors at NewsOne

    
Black voices are conspicuously missing among the growing voices of prominent House Democrats calling for President Joe Biden to drop out of the race following an unfortunate debate against Donald Trump nearly two weeks ago.
    In fact, Black Democrats are the ones who are most staunchly defending Biden, 81, and urging Party unity amid mainstream media reports amplifying that possibility more than the calls for Trump to also drop out of the race after being convicted of 34 felonies.
    On Monday, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) held a call with Biden to express their confidence as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. “None of the members who attended the virtual meeting expressed any doubts to the president about his electability or said he should step aside,” the New York Times reported. Also on Monday, CBC Chair and Nevada Rep. Steve Horsford said in a statement that “Biden is the nominee.”
    That came one day after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries hosted a similar call with fellow House Democrats to help convince them to keep supporting Biden’s candidacy. Jeffries told the Times that he “has not changed” his opinion about Biden’s candidacy.
    “I made clear publicly, the day after the debate, that I support President Joe Biden and the Democratic ticket,” Jeffries said.
    Over the weekend, longtime California Congresswoman Maxine Waters displayed the type of loyalty to Biden and the Democratic Party that has become emblematic of Black voters for decades.
    “I don’t care what anybody says — it ain’t going to be no other Democratic candidate,” Waters told attendees at the Essence Fest in New Orleans this past weekend. “It’s going to be Biden.”
    South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, largely seen as Biden’s closest adviser who is Black, has also spoken in no uncertain terms about the president’s reelection bid.
    Beyond Congress, Black Democratic leaders like former President Barack Obama and the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus have expressed their support for Biden to remain in the race.
    That same kind of ardent defense contrasts with at least nine House Democrats — all of whom are not Black — reportedly calling for Biden to step aside. Washington State Rep. Adam Smith said on Monday that Biden should drop out “as soon as possible” and that “there would be a huge sigh of relief amongst just about every Democrat in the House” if he did so.
    Biden, for his part, has been adamant about remaining in the race.
    The unwavering support from Black lawmakers for the president comes as a new poll found that Vice President Kamala Harris would fare better in an election against Trump than Biden. The poll also found that other politicians whose names have been floated as potential candidates replacing Biden on the Democratic ticket – Govs. Gretchen Whitmer and Gavin Newsom – would lose against Trump. Whitmer has said she wouldn’t run.
    On the flip side, calls have grown for Harris to be the Democratic nominee in the aftermath of the debate late last month.
    Reuters, citing “seven senior sources at the Biden campaign, the White House and the Democratic National Committee with knowledge of current discussions on the topic,” reported last week that Harris, 59, is the “top alternative” presidential candidate if Biden steps aside.
    Former U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Julián Castro, who served in President Barack Obama’s administration with Biden, also called on the president to allow a “stronger Democratic candidate” to run for the Party’s nomination.
    “Defeating Donald Trump is too important for Democrats to do nothing,” Castro posted last week in a thread on X, formerly Twitter. “With the understanding that the stakes are so high, President Biden should make the difficult decision to withdraw from the race.” Castro added that now is the time to act, noting that “Time is running out.”
    Castro floated Harris’ name as a possible replacement who he said has “a better chance of winning” against Donald Trump than Biden. That same sentiment was also expressed by Michael Arceneaux, whose new op-ed for NewsOne makes the case for Harris to be the nominee.
    “Biden can spend the next week pleading his case. But if he fails, he should reconsider being the bridge candidate he promised to be and step aside for his running mate,” Arceneaux wrote.
    Concerns remain about Biden’s candidacy regardless, with longtime Democratic strategist James Carville predicting that the president will drop out of the race “Whether he is ready to admit it or not.” Carville recommended in a New York Times op-ed for Democrats to have “a plan” in place when that happens.

  • Sketches #1932: by Hank Sanders – A Relay for Freedom

    A relay for freedom. We love relay races. We love the 4×100-meter race where each of four runners carry the baton for 100 meters for a total of 400 meters. Each runner plays his/her part. Each of the first three runners hand off the baton to the next runner. If the hand off is not performed correctly, it delays the next runner and results in defeat. The final runner is called the anchor. He/she carries the baton across the finish line but the victory belongs not just to her but to the team. There are similar races in the 4×200 and 4×400. Each carrier must be fast and strong. Each hands off the baton to the next runner until the anchor crosses the finish line. It is a team victory. No one feels that they must carry the baton all the way to obtain victory. A relay for freedom.
    I wonder if we should have a political relay. A political relay is even more important when freedom is at stake. We need a relay for freedom because liberty is at stake. The freedom of a diverse citizenry is at stake. The constitution is at stake. Ultimately democracy in this country and maybe the world over is at stake. So much of freedom as we know it is at stake. A relay for freedom.
    I wonder about a relay for the current and the next presidency of the United States. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have carried the weights of the baton of democracy under vicious attack for nearly four years. The weight is getting heavier and heavier. I wonder if there’s an opportunity for the runners to shift position. I wonder if there’s an opportunity for new runners to take turns in carrying the baton of the presidency. A relay for freedom.
    I greatly appreciate the tremendous leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris. They had to take on an incumbent President of these United States of America who was determined to hang on to the power of the presidency at all costs. That president initiated and fueled an insurrection to maintain the presidency by force. More than sixty judges ruled that the election was not stolen. In spite of all the court ruling against him he has continued the “stop the steal” lie to this day, insisting that he was wrongly deprived of the presidency. A relay for freedom.
    When President Biden and Vice President Harris commenced serving on January 20, 20221, they were met with a worldwide COVID Pandemic that killed more than one million persons just in the United States of America. More lives loss in this country than in any other country in the world, including China and India, each of which has four times the population of the U.S. The economy of the U.S. was busted because businesses were closed. Schools were closed. Governmental offices were closed. It was a terrible time made so much more terrible by the destructive leadership of then President Trump. A relay for freedom.
    President Biden and Vice President Harris are gallantly carrying the baton of economic recovery. They have provided 15 million jobs. They beat back inflation. They caused schools and other governmental entities to open again. They vaccinated tens of millions. They passed legislation that is rebuilding the country’s infrastructure. They reduced the stifling student loan debt. They reduced undocumented persons entering into this country. They fought off a rising tide of isms – sexism, racism. They tackled a threatening global weather change. They fought to protect voting rights and reduce gun violence. And there is so much more. A relay for freedom.
    The anti-democracy forces have been so determined that they commenced attacking President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris immediately after the election even before they were sworn into office. They attacked President Biden through his vice president because she is female and of color. They have been relentless for nearly four years. Lies told over and over in the media, on social media and otherwise take deep roots and are resistant to even waves of truth and reasons. A relay for freedom.
    A relay allows each of us to carry the baton for freedom as fast and far as we can. Then we pass it to the next runner in the race. President Biden and Vice President Harris are carrying the baton of freedom far and fast, and I salute them. I am not at all suggesting that Biden and Harris be pushed out of the highest leadership positions. I could not and would not ever push either out. They have contributed and are contributing too much. Besides, I still believe President Biden and Vice President Harris can win. I am just lifting the opportunities that exist in a relay for freedom. A relay for freedom.
    I wonder whether a unique application of the relay for freedom will help save this country. I wonder what happens if President Biden and Vice President Harris pass the baton in the reelection campaign for the presidency. I wonder about President Biden passing the presidency and allowing Vice President Harris to complete the final six months of the term. He helped her to become the very first very first female vice president in more than 200 years. He can help bring about the very first female President in more than 200 years. I wonder if she would voluntarily not pursue the presidency or vice presidency in 2024. I wonder if history would say President Biden not only saved the country but advanced civilization throughout the world. Both would go down in history. A relay for freedom.
    I wonder about a new two-person team of political warriors to carry the baton in the next relay for freedom. They would be fresh and fast. I wonder if President Biden and Vice President Harris could contribute greatly to the selection of these two warriors to avoid confusion and to unify the forces of freedom. Of course, they would need to agree. Such a move would increase the opportunities to win the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate by margins sufficient to govern effectively. I wonder if the new House and Senate would be in position to stem the destructive tide of the current Supreme Court. A relay for freedom.
    The likely Republican nominee for President still refuses to accept the 2020 election results and all court findings; promoted an insurrection and attack on the U.S. Capitol; has been impeached twice; has been convicted in a criminal court of law on 34 counts, has been found liable for sexual assault, rape and fraud; and promotes falsehoods and lies again and again. This nation cannot afford another term with former President Trump.
    The old folks have a saying: “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Sometimes we are given something that we do not see as a gift. We may in fact see it as a curse. So, we examine and examine and examine it. We look the gift horse in the mouth. This moment that we are in may well be a gift if we are just willing to unwrap it. A relay for freedom.

    EPILOGUE – Every crisis contains seeds of opportunity. This may or may not be a crisis, but the seeds of opportunity are embedded. Can we look beyond the moment and see the opportunities? Relay for freedom.

  • Greene County PARA scheduled to reorganize under appropriate State Statue

    The Greene County Commission held a called meeting on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, to discuss the status of Park and Recreation Authority (PARA). According to Commission Chairperson, Corey Cockrell, the Commission recently requested that the PARA Board take on the operation/supervision of the county’s golf course named for the late Dr. Robert Brown. In the course of the research of the official status of PARA, County Attorney Mark Parnell discovered that the Greene County PARA had two sets of Articles of Incorporation filed with the State of Alabama (2007 and 2018) and both were filed under the wrong State Statue. There were also different board members listed with each set of Articles filed.
    Seemingly, the Articles filed in 2018 were an attempt to alter the number of PARA board members. The current PARA Board Chairperson, W. Scott Smith, stated that it was difficult to conduct PARA affairs due to the board not having a quorum present at meetings.
    Attorney Parnell explained that the situation can be remedied. New Articles of Incorporation under the appropriate State Statue can be filed and the number of board members will be determined by the State Statue. “ There are particular steps to follow, including the resignation of current PARA board members and new appointments by the Commission in keeping with State Statue,” Parnell stated. He noted that the current board members may be considered for reappointment. Attorney Parnell indicated that he would prepare the process that must be followed and present the same to the County Commission and the PARA board and staff.
    The Commissioners and PARA personnel were in agreement with this.
    Commissioner Cockrell also stated that the PARA operations would be relocated to the Robert Brown Golf Course. “The county has sufficient property at the golf course site to put up the facilities PARA needs for its operations and activities. There is no need for PARA to be paying rent at other sites,” Cockrell said. He noted that the current facilities at the golf course will be upgraded and expanded. There was not a timeline set for when the move would occur.
    Commissioner Garria Spencer reminded everyone that there are great park facilities throughout the county. He recommended that PARA arrange to utilize these for its outdoor recreational activities.
    The Greene County PARA is supported by a .5 ad valorem millage. According to county records, PARA has received $91,000 since the start of the current fiscal year.

  • Newswire : Simone Biles will lead the women’s gymnastics team at the Olympics

    By BlackmansStreet Today


    Simone Biles, the reigning world gymnastic champion, will lead American women gymnasts to compete in the Olympic Games after placing first in the all around competition at the 2024 US Olympic Gymnastics Trials on Sunday in Minneapolis.
    The opening ceremony for the XXXIII Olympiad is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. ET on July 26 though soccer and rugby events kick off on July 24.
    Biles, a four-time Olympic gold medalist finished in Minneapolis with an overall score of 117.225. Suni Lee came in second with a score of 111.675, and Jordan Chiles finished third with a score of 111.425.
    Lee, Chiles, Jade Carey, and 16 year old Hezly Rivera will join Biles on the US women’s gymnastics team in Paris next month. Joscelyn Roberson and Leanne Wong were named the traveling replacement athletes.
    The 27 year-old Biles, who became the most decorated gymnast ever at last year’s world championships, clinched an automatic spot on the team after placing first.