Greene County Democrat

Tag: 2024

  • Newswire : No property seizures or diverted funds: White House counters misinformation amid Helene recovery efforts

    President Joe Biden meets with a family a surveys the damage of their home after Hurricane Helene, Thursday, October 3, 2024, in the Keaton Beach neighborhood in Perry, Florida.(Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith)

     

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    As the Biden-Harris Administration mobilizes an all-encompassing federal response to Hurricane Helene, it’s also tackling a growing wave of misinformation being spread by political adversaries, including former President Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. The White House has labeled this misinformation as “dangerous,” and it poses a threat to mislead hurricane survivors about their access to essential resources and federal assistance.

    President Biden recently reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to those suffering from Hurricane Helene. “Days before this storm hit, I directed my administration to pre-position federal personnel, critical supplies, and more near the storm’s path,” he said. “We’re moving heaven and Earth to make sure that everyone affected by this storm gets what they need. To all those affected, my administration and the nation have your back—and we will continue to have your back for as long as it takes.”

    Under Biden and Vice President Harris’s direction, over 6,400 federal personnel are on the ground, delivering more than $110 million in federal assistance, with additional aid forthcoming. The large-scale operation, outlined in a White House Fact Sheet, reflects a “whole-of-government” approach, which began with extensive pre-landfall preparations and continues with immediate deployment of resources for recovery and rebuilding.

    However, disinformation is hampering the efforts. Among the falsehoods spreading online is the claim that disaster relief funds are being used to support undocumented immigrants. The administration was quick to debunk this. “No money is being diverted from disaster response needs. None,” clarified a White House official. FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, which finances the agency’s response efforts, is strictly allocated for disaster-related expenses and remains untouched by other initiatives.

    Another widely circulated falsehood alleges that FEMA is confiscating the property of hurricane survivors whose land is deemed unlivable. The administration rebuffed this as categorically false, emphasizing that “FEMA cannot seize your property or land.” They added that applying for disaster assistance does not grant the federal government any claim or control over personal property.

    A further claim—that FEMA will provide only $750 in recovery assistance—was also exposed as misleading. FEMA officials clarified that $750 is an initial Serious Needs Assistance payment to cover essentials like food, water, and emergency supplies. It is one of many available support forms, including significant additional funds to repair storm damage, secure temporary housing, and replace lost agricultural assets.

    In another attempt to stoke fear and confusion, misinformation has circulated claiming that FEMA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are restricting airspace in North Carolina, thereby preventing private relief efforts. White House officials refuted this, noting that North Carolina has no airspace restrictions. Pilots need only to coordinate with local airports in Asheville or Rutherford for landing permissions, ensuring safe access for all parties involved in relief efforts.

    The White House said it’s actively working to counter these lies through official digital channels, emphasizing X, a platform owned by Elon Musk, an avowed Trump and MAGA supporter. The administration has partnered with online publishers and influencers to spread factual information about the federal response. For example, MeidasTouch recently collaborated with FEMA to produce a video debunking the misinformation, which received substantial engagement across social media and traditional media platforms.

    The administration is also leveraging SMS messaging, a resilient communication tool, to reach individuals in affected areas where internet connectivity remains unreliable. The opt-in service delivers essential updates directly to residents, ensuring access to accurate information during the ongoing recovery process.

    “Unfortunately, as our response and recovery efforts continue, we have seen a large increase in false information circulating online,” a senior White House official stated. “Scam artists and bad-faith actors are promoting disinformation about the recovery effort, which is wrong and dangerous and must stop immediately.”

    The Biden-Harris Administration vowed to keep its commitment to providing accurate information to the public and will continue to combat harmful narratives that jeopardize recovery efforts. “We will be there every step of the way,” Biden pledged.

  • Democrat to increase subscription rates beginning July 1, 2024

    Due to the increasing cost of postage and other inputs to the newspaper, the Greene County Democrat is raising subscription rates as of July, 1, 2024.

    Starting on that date, subscribers in Greene County will pay $25 a year; subscribers in Alabama, but outside of Greene County, will pay $30 a year; and subscribers outside of Alabama, will pay $35 a year. The news-stand price of the Democrat will remain at seventy-five cents per issue. Our
    Subscription rates are still below buying the paper each week at a newspaper vending machine.

    Until July 1, 2024, the Democrat will honor our current prices, so if you want to renew your subscription early or renew for several years ahead, you can do so at the old rates until July1, 2024, when the new increased rates go into effect.

    We currently post our front-page stories and the Newswire column on our website, http://www.greenecodemocrat.com, which you can read at no charge. As high-speed internet and WIFI are improved in our rural service area, we plan to place the full paper online, with a paywall and subscription price, to access all content in the paper and some midweek extras.

    Please contact us at our office at 206 Prairie Avenue, Eutaw, AL 35462; or by phone at 205-372-3373, if you have questions or concerns about the increased subscription rates.

  • June 9, 2024, program to commemorate 60thanniversary of ‘Bloody Tuesday’ in Tuscaloosa

    Tuscaloosa Police arrest a protestor on ‘Blood Tuesday’

    On Sunday, June 9, 2024, civil rights organizations in Tuscaloosa, Alabama will hold a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of ‘Bloody Tuesday’ when in 1964, police, state troopers and Klansmen beat 300 Black people gathered at the First African Baptist Church. The people, guided by the leadership of church pastor Rev. T. Y. Rogers of SCLC, were preparing to march to the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse to integrate the facility.

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had recruited and trained Rev. T. Y. Rogers for a major role in the Civil Rights Movement and sent him to Tuscaloosa to lead the movement. ‘Bloody Tuesday’ occurred eight months before the ‘Bloody Sunday March’ in Selma, Alabama, but did not receive the same news coverage and national attention, although there was more violence and arrests, against more people in Tuscaloosa. ’Bloody Tuesday’ was the largest assault and invasion of a Black church by law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement.

    The 60h anniversary commemoration will feature Congresswoman Terri Sewell of the 7th. Congressional District speaking on the importance of voting and revitalizing the protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which have been diluted b y Supreme Court decisions and state voter suppression laws. Charles Steele, President of SCLC and a former Tuscaloosa City Councilman and State Senator will make remarks. Steele and his brother, both teenagers at the time, were present at the church on ‘Bloody Tuesday’.

    Other surviving movement foot soldiers, who were present at the church, like Maxie Thomas and others, will present greetings. There will also be a re-enactment of the march to the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse.

    History Professor, John Geggie, of the University of Alabama, who has written a new book on ‘Bloody Tuesday’ will be at the program to give remarks and sign copies of the book.

    The program will he held on Sunday, June 9, 2024, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at the First African Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa, 2621 Stillman Boulevard, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404. The public is invited to share in this important civil rights commemoration and recommitment to restoring voting rights for Black and poor people.

  • Eutaw City Council urged by Fiscal Advisor to increase water and sewer rates

    At its regular meeting on March 26, 2024, the Eutaw City Council was presented with financial reports, by Ralph Liverman, Fiscal Advisor on several of its funds including the General Fund, Sewer and Water Funds, 3 Cent and 7 Cent Gas Tax Funds. These reports were for the first five months of the current fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2023, until the end of February.

    In his report, Liverman pointed out that both the Water and Sewer funds were running a deficit each month of the fiscal year. The city’s Water Fund had revenues of $283,399.14 with expenditures of $363,128.88, for a deficit of $60,004.72 for the five-month period. The Sewer Fund had revenues of $94,133.56 and expenditures of $178,569.62, for a deficit of $84,436.06 for the five months.

    In his accompanying report, Liverman said, “The Council must raise both water and sewer rates and do it sooner rather than later! Current collections will not support your present expenditures and debt repayments to USDA Rural Development on loans to improve the system. He also urged a review of personnel, overtime, and other expenditures, looking for ways to cut expenses in this department.

    Liverman also indicated that the City Water and Sewer Department needed to negotiate new rates with the Consolidated Catfish Plant, which had been receiving a special incentive rate since it opened 25 years ago.

    Liverman said in the past, funds from electronic bingo were used to cover the Water and Sewer deficits, but the city was no longer receiving bingo distributions from the Sheriff of Greene County, to handle these and other expenses.

    CPA Rick Harbin, the City’s auditor, also pointed out in a previous meeting, when reviewing the city’s audit report and finances, that an increase in water and sewage rates was needed.

    The current rate for water, for residential customers in Eutaw is: $14.41 for the first 2,000 gallons and $5.39 for each additional 1,000 gallons. The sewer rate is $8.59 for the first 2,000 gallons and $1.55 for each additional 1,000 gallons. There are higher rates for small business and commercial customers.

    Sarah Levelle, Chief Water Clerk stated, “We have had some rate studies by different agencies, recommending increases. We have not increased water and sewer rates since 2015 but the cost of all our supplies and workers has increased.”

    The Council deferred action on water and sewer rates until its next working session where they could discuss the issue in more detail.

    Liverman also recommended close attention to expenditures in the city’s General Fund, especially for street repairs and for the use of city owned facilities such as the R. H. Young Community Center (formerly Carver school) and the National Guard Armory. He said rental for the use of these facilities was not covering expenditures. He recommended closing one or both facilities. Earlier in the meeting, the Council had tabled a proposal for establishing rental rates at the R. H. Young Community Center, until the next scheduled work session.

    The Council approved a resolution declaring ‘Tony Rice Day’ for April 25, 2024, the one-year anniversary of Rice’s untimely death in an accident, while working to repair a water main in Branch Heights. The Mayor also honored Dr. Sandrall Hullett, former medical director of West Alabama Health Services and the Greene County Health System, with a moment of silence on her passing.

    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Scheduled a Council Work Session for April 8, 2024, at 2:00 PM at City Hall.
    • Approved a loan of $5,000 to the Eutaw Chamber of Commerce for painting a mural, with repayment from reimbursable state grant funds, which can only be received after an invoice is presented for work completed.
    • Approved use of meeting space, at no cost, for a meeting on March 28, 2024, of the Black Belt Community Foundation, Greene County Associates, at R. H. Young Community Center. The meeting was to explain the availability of Arts and Community Grants by the foundation.
    • Approved closing City Hall for a holiday on Good Friday, March 29, 2024.
    • Approved payment of bills.

  • Attorney Rob Lee announces candidacy for Circuit Judge


    To the Citizens of Greene County.

    My name is Rob Lee and I am a candidate for Circuit Judge in the March 5, 2024 Democratic Primary Election. I have been practicing law for 25 years and have a wealth of experience in civil, domestic, and criminal law; all of which are important to serve as Circuit Judge. I am well-versed in the courtrooms of this circuit and other areas across the state. I received my Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama and my Law Degree from Mississippi College School of Law.

    I was raised in Greene County and have lived in Eutaw, Alabama with my family for 26 years. My wife, Robin, has been an educator for 29 years and is from Thomaston, Alabama. She currently works as a Regional Literacy Specialist with the Alabama Reading Initiative. We have three children: Seph (21), Marilyn (17), and Bill (14). Our children attend the Demopolis City Schools and we are members of St. Stephens Episcopal Church.

    As your Circuit Judge, I will serve with integrity and honesty and I will strive to uphold the law and rule accordingly. I look forward to meeting each of you as I continue to visit in and around your communities. I humbly ask for your support and your vote in the Democratic Primary March 5, 2024. Please join our team and help elect me, Rob Lee, as Circuit Judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit.

     

  • USDA extends application deadline for Discrimination Financial Assistance Program to January 13, 2024

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the deadline for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program to January 13, 2024, to give eligible farmers, ranchers and forest landowners more time to apply for assistance. The original deadline was October 31, 2023.
    This deadline extension is responsive to feedback from potential applicants, nongovernmental program administrators and community-based organizations working closely with USDA to inform and assist eligible individuals. The new deadline will allow more time to reach and help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners through direct, no-cost technical assistance and training sessions. The extension will also ensure everyone has adequate time to apply, including producers whose harvest season falls during the original application period.
    “USDA knows it must earn the trust of the farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who are eligible for this program. That makes transparency in the administration of the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program crucial,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “In that spirit, after receiving feedback from organizations that have been supporting producers throughout the application process, we have made the decision to extend the deadline. We believe this is the appropriate action to take to ensure all eligible individuals wishing to apply are adequately informed about the program and have the opportunity to receive any necessary assistance.”
    Cornelius Blanding, Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/LAF , a cooperator organization that has been assisting with outreach and technical assistance on DFAP applications, said “ We are pleased that USDA has extended the deadline to January 13, 2024. This will give us a chance to reach the hundreds of farmers who have contacted our offices across the South seeking assistance in filling out their DFAP applications. We will be able to devote time to planning and preparing quality applications for each farmer instead of rushing to meet the October deadline.”
    This program delivers on Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides financial assistance for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021. Congress provided a total of $2.2 billion for this program. The amount of money awarded to individuals through this program will depend on the number of eligible applicants and the consequences of the discrimination. Eligible individuals have the option to apply online or by submitting paper-based forms via mail or in-person delivery to local program offices. Applicants are not required to retain an attorney and should take precautions to protect themselves from potential scams.
    In addition to the application deadline change, the deadline to request records from USDA’s Farm Service Agency for use in applications has been extended to Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. The application process was designed so that FSA records are not required, though relevant records may be attached to an application as additional evidence if they are available.
    To learn more about the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program or receive assistance in English or Spanish, visit www.22007apply.gov, email info@22007apply.gov or contact the national call center at 1-800-721-0970 from 8 a.m. ET to 8 p.m. PT, every day except federal holidays. If you use sign language to communicate, you can use the 711 relay service to call. You may also email or contact the national call center if you have a disability and need another accommodation. Information about the program, resources, recent office openings and local events across the country is also available through a weekly e-newsletter.
    Persons interested in contacting the Federation of Southern Cooperatives for technical assistance in filling out applications may call : 1-888-533-3271 or contact: 22007dfap@federation.coop to schedule an appointment for technical assistance in the application process.