The P&R department is falling apart....Get Tony back the FPD is falling apart... who in the hell is running this **** city...
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Get Tony back the FPD is falling apart...
What is going on now with the PD? It seems to be doing ok for now.
What is going on now with the PD? It seems to be doing ok for now.
Have you been to municipal court recently?
Fox, what is happening with city court?
I've been twice in the past 6 months. Its a mess.
Like everyone else, I've heard rumors about the police situation with municipal court, etc. I was there in January; I can say it was a bit of Bedlam, and the ladies' room was filthy (not or monumental importance, but still disconcerting). On the positive side, I had a great attorney and didn't have to pay a dime!
quote:Originally posted by TamaraKnight:
I've been twice in the past 6 months. Its a mess.
Maybe you and yours ought to obey the laws -- you wouldn't have to go to court at all. I had to go pay a ticket for my son (I was only the courier, it was his money) and I found the people there to be very courteous. By the way, the FPD does not control municipal court. They are there only to testify if needed and to provide security.
falcon -- I think Tamara has something to do with the court system -- not there as a defendant...but I may be wrong about that...
Did they finally get Doggett out completely or is he still prosecuting? That is one of the main issues I have with MC is him...
FPD does have some issues to get settled, but to be honest -- until the Chief decides to retire some of those things will never be resolved...They've gotten 2 new deputy chiefs and are still having the same problems -- that tells you it is the "old management" that is still in place that is the issue because they got rid of PART of the problem (Williford) and then He (Singleton) got rid (in a roundabout way) of Logan. OVERALL THOUGH, I think the PD is doing a great job considering all of the hits they have taken in the past few years...They are growing in many ways...
Did they finally get Doggett out completely or is he still prosecuting? That is one of the main issues I have with MC is him...
FPD does have some issues to get settled, but to be honest -- until the Chief decides to retire some of those things will never be resolved...They've gotten 2 new deputy chiefs and are still having the same problems -- that tells you it is the "old management" that is still in place that is the issue because they got rid of PART of the problem (Williford) and then He (Singleton) got rid (in a roundabout way) of Logan. OVERALL THOUGH, I think the PD is doing a great job considering all of the hits they have taken in the past few years...They are growing in many ways...
I should explain that I had a non-moving violation. It was my second time to be there, the last being in 1987, also for a non-moving violation. I sincerely feel those who were there for whatever reason were much too oblivious to their situation, i.e., even if they just had to pay court costs, it would have been 109.00. I'm sure I was more able to afford that than many, but was sincerely relieved that I didn't have to.
quote:It was my second time to be there, the last being in 1987
Wow. You never struck me as a habitual criminal, Fire. Impressive!
quote:Originally posted by Carol None:
Singleton needs to back off his strong position with the republican governor if he wants to be police chief. The police chief should not be in charge of selecting interim DA's and judges. That presents a huge conflict of interest. Is there a possibility that Doggett held the police toes to the fire instead of falling in line with their every whim?
I don't think the Police Chief is in charge of selecting the DAs and Judges. Politics are always in play, but even Singleton doesn't have that much clout.
No, there is no possiblity of Doggett holding the police to the fire -- he was drunk in court on several occasions...He would plead out DUI's most of the time regardless of number of DUIs ... he was a pot calling the kettle black and it showed in the manner he handled cases in court. He has been sheltered by the City Council for too long and gotten away with too much.
quote:Originally posted by GoFish:quote:It was my second time to be there, the last being in 1987
Wow. You never struck me as a habitual criminal, Fire. Impressive!
I was thinking the same thing Fish...
Chief Singleton actually had nothing to do with Tony leaving. Ask Tony, it was his decision based on his actions. Everyone at the city misses him, he is a nice guy.
Well, for old times at Cullman High, let's just say are you sure everyone? Your husband got Tony's job. Just a thought.
The City is being run very poorly day to day right now. It is a mess. All the "leaders" do is protect their own hide. It's all political posturing and self-preservation. The good of the City overall is suffering greatly. It starts at the top.
quote:Originally posted by FDR:
The City is being run very poorly day to day right now. It is a mess. All the "leaders" do is protect their own hide. It's all political posturing and self-preservation. The good of the City overall is suffering greatly. It starts at the top.
The highlighted portion is the normal way of the world these days, it seems. I can't think of a single politician that doesn't, first and foremost, protect his or her hide. It isn't suprising to me that we have the same problem locally.
It doesn't matter who gets voted in, until people start demanding change, on a larger scale, this kind of stuff will keep on happening.
I'm not sure what all is happening with the municipal court. That part was extremely vague and left up to assumption or perception of the reader. PLEASE people if you are going to post, elaborate for those of us that do not stay in the loop better.
~Amanda
quote:Originally posted by GoFish:quote:It was my second time to be there, the last being in 1987
Wow. You never struck me as a habitual criminal, Fire. Impressive!
Well, now I feel like Hector in Zits. I did have a moving violation once--an actual speeding ticket in Sheffield when I was 17. And, yes, it was on Hatch Boulevard (the subject of another current topic).
Goo'ness, Firenze, with a record like that I'm not sure I want you to drive me any place anymore.
quote:Originally posted by DixieChik:quote:Originally posted by Carol None:
Singleton needs to back off his strong position with the republican governor if he wants to be police chief. The police chief should not be in charge of selecting interim DA's and judges. That presents a huge conflict of interest. Is there a possibility that Doggett held the police toes to the fire instead of falling in line with their every whim?
I don't think the Police Chief is in charge of selecting the DAs and Judges. Politics are always in play, but even Singleton doesn't have that much clout.
No, there is no possiblity of Doggett holding the police to the fire -- he was drunk in court on several occasions...He would plead out DUI's most of the time regardless of number of DUIs ... he was a pot calling the kettle black and it showed in the manner he handled cases in court. He has been sheltered by the City Council for too long and gotten away with too much.
Dixie, not responding to your post but simply using it as a place to get a word in here.
Mr. Doggett is a good man.
Contrary to the wishes of some he does not see any logic in punishing only the “disadvantaged”.
If we with our eyes wide open insist on alcohol being sold and expect only rational use of it, I have no problem with the DA being drunk on his ass if he so chooses.
Mr. Doggett is not a District Attorney. He is the City Prosecutor, not an elected office. I believe he answers to the City Council. He also is the City Prosecutor for Rogersville, unless this has changed recently.
quote:Originally posted by FirenzeVeritas:
Mr. Doggett is not a District Attorney. He is the City Prosecutor, not an elected office. I believe he answers to the City Council. He also is the City Prosecutor for Rogersville, unless this has changed recently.
You are correct Fire...my bad.
Billy Jackson is now the Florence City Prosecutor. Since Jan. 1, 2008.
Yeah, I heard that. Wonder how that's going?
I'm sure it will be chaos cleaning up some of the mess that was left by Doggett. Sorry rram, you must be a friend of Doggett -- I don't mean it personal, but how do you expect someone to uphold the law when they don't follow it themselves?
Billy Jackson is a fine guy and is honorable so he will probably do a good job. He's been on since the first of the year like I said earlier. Has anybody heard for real how it's going so far? Is the same guy still Judge? What's his name? Hall?
Yes, James E. Hall, II, was still judge when I was there in January. His uncle, James E. Hall, was a City Commissioner at one time. I believe Hall has been judge since c. 2000, when Judge Hanbery left.
quote:Originally posted by DixieChik:
I'm sure it will be chaos cleaning up some of the mess that was left by Doggett. Sorry rram, you must be a friend of Doggett -- I don't mean it personal, but how do you expect someone to uphold the law when they don't follow it themselves?
No problem Dixie,
I have been in that courtroom so many times I could not count them.
Not for any violation on my part I’m glad to say .
From the street out front to the other side of the detention center is festering lunacy,
I’ve been in that courtroom when there was standing room only with the vestibule packed by the teeming masses.
If the judge only said how-dee-doo to each person there he would run out of time.
It is an overwhelming mess.
No Doggett is not a close friend but He Billy and I are on first name basis.
I would recommend everyone go there when possible and observe the zoo.
I would guess it is the same in every city.
It is absolutely pitiful the families in there with three or four screaming kids with a look of horror on their faces. Most of which hitched a ride down there and fixed two flats on the way.
They are sitting on the benches constantly looking over their shoulder hoping to see the face of grandpa or grandma making it in time to bring money for the fines.
What is this all for you might ask?
It is so the responsible drinker of alcohol can have his fill.
Doggett had pity and so will Billy.
Judge Hall. I don’t see how he keeps his sanity.
rram, you described exactly what I saw. It was utter bedlam, and those that were there didn't care. I attempted to read while waiting, but had little luck in doing so amidst the chaos.
I assume the judge and City attorney are paid reasonably well. My freind Lawgirl loved my joke that the population of Florence is 35,000, and 34,999 are attorneys. They don't make 1 million a year as some think. I have never thought my friend who works there made a mint from it, but I have much newfound sympathy for him after observing some of his (other) clients.
I suggested to my freind that someone should open up a birth control concession outside the court room...
I assume the judge and City attorney are paid reasonably well. My freind Lawgirl loved my joke that the population of Florence is 35,000, and 34,999 are attorneys. They don't make 1 million a year as some think. I have never thought my friend who works there made a mint from it, but I have much newfound sympathy for him after observing some of his (other) clients.
I suggested to my freind that someone should open up a birth control concession outside the court room...
quote:Originally posted by FirenzeVeritas:
rram, you described exactly what I saw. It was utter bedlam, and those that were there didn't care. I attempted to read while waiting, but had little luck in doing so amidst the chaos.
I assume the judge and City attorney are paid reasonably well. My freind Lawgirl loved my joke that the population of Florence is 35,000, and 34,999 are attorneys. They don't make 1 million a year as some think. I have never thought my friend who works there made a mint from it, but I have much newfound sympathy for him after observing some of his (other) clients.
I suggested to my freind that someone should open up a birth control concession outside the court room...
Fire,
I guess one has to see it to believe it.
I doubt if there are enough attorneys available to fill the “court appointed attorney” needs.
They are shoulder to shoulder waiting their turn, looking at their watches , in a panic to get to the courthouse for another case.
Half the police department is there and the poor guys are wondering if the case is going to be continued and they will have to return for the same case five or six times.
Sometime I wonder if it would be better for the judge to just line everybody up, the accused, lawyers, LEO’s, spectators, employees , and family and just paddle them all because they will be back next week.
If you put all the folks jail you have to apply the “pigeonhole principle”.
Wikipedia
“The pigeonhole principle, also known as Dirichlet's box (or drawer) principle, states that, given two natural numbers n and m with n > m, if n items are put into m pigeonholes, then at least one pigeonhole must contain more than one item.”
This forum is titled "Get Regina Back", but her name is not mentioned in a single post.
I still think there are too many chiefs and not enough indians in the public service area in Florence. There should be one professionally qualified administrator over the Police and Fire department call him The Chief of Public Service if you will to report to the mayor, and have an asst chief for Police and one for Fire and Shift Supervisors and alot of people out in patrol cars. Eliminate the enormously wasteful hobbies like a SWAT team which is not needed. Chief Noah Danley seemed to run the police department fine years ago with no SWAT team and very few high ranking deputies and the population in Florence was greater then than it is now.
Also no department head should be allowed to share his time running a business like a barbeque joint or having another job. How unprofessional is that?
The business of this city is to keep growing the number of employees and doing less and spending more tax money.
Also no department head should be allowed to share his time running a business like a barbeque joint or having another job. How unprofessional is that?
The business of this city is to keep growing the number of employees and doing less and spending more tax money.
EvilGenius, I like that idea, but my opinion is that it's all political. Frost combined Gas, Electric, & Water, only to have Irons undo it. Of course, then Irons combined Cemeteries, Tourism, and some others in the name of cost effectiveness. There's no rhyme or reason.
Florence needs to pay it's rank and file Police and Fire more. It is disgraceful that much smaller cities pay and retain much better than here.
Both departments, Police especially, are top heavy with higher-ups that drain off resources, pay, benefits, vehicles, etc. Then the down-the-line personnel get the short end of the stick.
There are too many "supervisors" supervising too few people. Does a City this size really need THREE Police Chiefs?
We ought to pay the rank and file more in both departments and reorganize the "management" part.
Any "leader" who is complacent, or playing out the string, or caring only about self-preservation, or not managing correctly, to the actual harm to the organization and City must be addressed.
Morale is low in both because of the problems. Too much equipment, expenses on non-essentials, glamorous stuff, programs, etc. Not enough pay for real people with real needs.
Florence City Government needs to get back to the basics. Spending is crazy. The "mayor" talking about cost-cutting now is comical. Who is he trying to fool?
$Millions are wasted, mismanaged, spent on all kinds of things, and then he says he is "cost-cutting" to save a few thousand dollars because of a economic recession he then denies we are even in here in Florence. Laughable. It is duplicitous nonsense.
Campaign contributors do not get rewarded by pay raises for city employees. They do by expensive "projects" and city contracts and the like.
People over projects is what we need. It is time to be ethical and honest and right towards people.
Our City, citizens, and city employees, deserve better. Now would be a good time to start.
Both departments, Police especially, are top heavy with higher-ups that drain off resources, pay, benefits, vehicles, etc. Then the down-the-line personnel get the short end of the stick.
There are too many "supervisors" supervising too few people. Does a City this size really need THREE Police Chiefs?
We ought to pay the rank and file more in both departments and reorganize the "management" part.
Any "leader" who is complacent, or playing out the string, or caring only about self-preservation, or not managing correctly, to the actual harm to the organization and City must be addressed.
Morale is low in both because of the problems. Too much equipment, expenses on non-essentials, glamorous stuff, programs, etc. Not enough pay for real people with real needs.
Florence City Government needs to get back to the basics. Spending is crazy. The "mayor" talking about cost-cutting now is comical. Who is he trying to fool?
$Millions are wasted, mismanaged, spent on all kinds of things, and then he says he is "cost-cutting" to save a few thousand dollars because of a economic recession he then denies we are even in here in Florence. Laughable. It is duplicitous nonsense.
Campaign contributors do not get rewarded by pay raises for city employees. They do by expensive "projects" and city contracts and the like.
People over projects is what we need. It is time to be ethical and honest and right towards people.
Our City, citizens, and city employees, deserve better. Now would be a good time to start.
FPD-I honestly only know one officer who is worth a flip.The rest are unethical,worthless,control freaks,and perverts.The leadership is worthless,swat team-more like teletubby team..3 chiefs yea they need that to keep each others butts clean.
Move on over to the courthouse and you have..
Judge Suttle what a pitiful excuse for a human,much less a judge.Please retire you old fart and stop destroying lives,the Holt's will still give you hush money.I have no idea how this man sleeps at night with the wrong he knows he is doing.
Move on over to the courthouse and you have..
Judge Suttle what a pitiful excuse for a human,much less a judge.Please retire you old fart and stop destroying lives,the Holt's will still give you hush money.I have no idea how this man sleeps at night with the wrong he knows he is doing.
Nothing to say about Judge Jones and his loose tongue?
Actually Jamba -- we are past Tony and on to the Judges Hall and Suttle now....
I know many officers with Florence that are worth their weight in gold, but I agree with the statement that FPD is too top heavy and that is draining the resources for the low end guys. I remember several years ago they did away with one of the ranks because of the "top heavy" bit but then it was brought back and it is showing it's cracks. I do think that officers that have seniority should have rank and benefits, but I think the job description and responsibilities should cover the needs of the community and not just the "prize" for hanging in there.
Our officers do a great job!
I know many officers with Florence that are worth their weight in gold, but I agree with the statement that FPD is too top heavy and that is draining the resources for the low end guys. I remember several years ago they did away with one of the ranks because of the "top heavy" bit but then it was brought back and it is showing it's cracks. I do think that officers that have seniority should have rank and benefits, but I think the job description and responsibilities should cover the needs of the community and not just the "prize" for hanging in there.
Our officers do a great job!
Fox, I can't comment on Jones. I have seen Suttle in action and he is unfair and reckless. He does not look at evidence or even won't to hear it. He does not care about children's safety and well being. I hope and pray everyone he has treated unethical will turn him in to the bar and he receives jail time for his unethical behavior. These judges and police officers and so called "leaders" have oaths and are not above the law. Instead of talking about it do something about it.
Alabama Bar Ass.1-334-242-4089 This is for Judges and attorney.
Senator-334-242-7800
FBI-205-326-6166
It is past time we the citizens stand up for our rights.
Alabama Bar Ass.1-334-242-4089 This is for Judges and attorney.
Senator-334-242-7800
FBI-205-326-6166
It is past time we the citizens stand up for our rights.
I hope you reported him freebird . 
If Judge Suttle wont listen to evidence ,how in the world can he judge ?
If Judge Suttle wont listen to evidence ,how in the world can he judge ?
It is precisely because there are many fine people working Fire and Police that they deserve better. Better pay, better benefits, better working conditions, better leadership and management, better morale, better across the board.
People who really care about the rank and file, and don't just fill the air with rhetoric about how wonderful everything is when it's not, is what we need as city officials.
Some officials just use them and are really all about political self-preservation and self-interest.
It's time people wake-up to this and see the difference between the real and the fake. Then they might just get what they really need.
People who really care about the rank and file, and don't just fill the air with rhetoric about how wonderful everything is when it's not, is what we need as city officials.
Some officials just use them and are really all about political self-preservation and self-interest.
It's time people wake-up to this and see the difference between the real and the fake. Then they might just get what they really need.
quote:Originally posted by freebird19:
FPD-I honestly only know one officer who is worth a flip.The rest are unethical,worthless,control freaks,and perverts.The leadership is worthless,swat team-more like teletubby team..3 chiefs yea they need that to keep each others butts clean.
Move on over to the courthouse and you have..
Judge Suttle what a pitiful excuse for a human,much less a judge.Please retire you old fart and stop destroying lives,the Holt's will still give you hush money.I have no idea how this man sleeps at night with the wrong he knows he is doing.
I am too curious to pass this up now....who is the one honest FPD officer, excuse me...the "one officer that is worth a flip?"