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I would say none of the above, For right now this is home. some people complain about me being so far out in the middle of nowhere. The truth could not be more opposit. Atualy everything evolves from right here in keaty branch hollow, (some call it hoodlam holler). but actualy my day begins right here and It always ends here. I have had other offers, but why would I want to leave home if I dont have to.
The shoals area produces an educated and professional work force (college grads) but unfortunately it moves to bigger and better paying cities. Actually I read in money magazine a couple of years ago that the shoals area was in the top five cities in the US to open an upper class eatery.but still the pay scale here is the pitts. You can be self employed here and make more money and work less hours seems to me.
There are not enough choices in the poll for me to answer. Instinctively my first choice would have been "Excellent...would retire here.." but that leaves alot unanswered as far as what to do in the meantime. Alot of people say there is nothing to do here and I can see their point. My answer is usually that you just have to make something to do. But that uaually involves money and some creative thinking along with careful planning. Watersports and mud/trail riding are two of my "things to do" but I have to be careful not to play too hard or my waverunners and four wheel drive will be broken down and I will have "nothing to do". There seems to be alot of focus on getting the big spenders to come here but not too much being done to help the spenders that live here. What jobs are being created by getting the big spenders here other than the mininum wage retail jobs? I don't blame the Shoals for all the problems as I know alot of it is due to the State goverment also. But, why can't the Shoals do something more for its people? A couple of things that irritate me(especially when my son was younger) is the fact that so much money went into the marina at Florence Harbor, the Tower, Hall of Fame, and yet why not a safe place for us and our kids to fish and swim? Now that all the fancy smancy golf courses are going there is plenty of room for a cove for the both at McFarland Park but if they ever dug that it would be set aside for the high rollers in their fancy bass boats.

As far as employment and income? There isn't much of either. Ever wonder why unemployment compensation is so much higher in other states? Its based on an average per capita income. With Alabama having one of, if not the, lowest amounts of unemployment compensation amounts even my simple mind translates that as having some of the lowest wages. I come from a family of seven children. I am the only one left here and that is only because I am what my brother called "resourceful". I own my own home(yes, it does have a place for wheels). I own 2 trucks(paid for). I have my waverunners.(older but paid for) I am debt-free except for the recurring utilites, cell bill, etc. And I raised my son on my own. I don't think I could be where I am, even if some people wouldn't consider it as much, if I had to depend on a particular employer to get me here. But, I have no insurance and not much to look forward to in the way of retirement benefits(I'll never actually "retire" though as long as my health holds up).

All this said, the Shoals and the state as a whole have cost me my family as all my brothers and sisters had to move to other states since its simply too hard for someone in education, phsycology, law enforcement, and small business owners to make a decent wage here. Once my son decides which way he wants his life to go I'm sure I'll lose him too(which may be what eventually takes me away). In the meantime I guess I will still "loan" him a few dollars when he needs it.


My choice?

Excellent.......would retire here.....IF...........BUT.......
My ONLY 'gripe' about The Shoals area is, like others have stated, the LACK of jobs for PROFESSIONALS. That, and the ANNOYING habit some of the local employers have with advertising 'non-existant' jobs. Sure, they 'advertise' positions....and you send in a resume and wait...and wait...and wait......and wait. You KNOW 'something's fishy' when the 'vacancy' posted in the paper ISN'T listed on the agency's national website, as 'other' positions are.
quote:
drdemo35
New Kid on the Block

Posted 08 February 2007 09:39 AM Hide Post
Oh yeah, what about some entertainment incentives on the state and local levels? We need them. Just ask Tonya Holly at Cypress Moon Productions in Sheffield why they are going to be filming most of her Bonnie and Clyde movie in Louisiana

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE NO MORE INCENTIVES! Next thing you know Forrest Wright will claim THAT is the reason he and SEDA need more money, so Tonya Holley can make another FLOP like that last fiasco of a film (Did you SEE it?) The thing this area needs MOST is citizens who will DEMAND that the local governments and elected officials do THEIR job and IMPROVE the area. Until that time, it will stagmire with pie in the sky promises, golf courses, whining for more taxes and inhabitants with their heads in the sand (and asses flying in the wind) THE DOG
[/QUOTE]
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE NO MORE INCENTIVES! [/QUOTE]

Thankyou for bringing me to my senses! I have always been against tax incentives for big corporations coming into the state since I think everyone should have to pay the same rate. I can't believe I suggested it for entertainment, but it was hard not to since so many movies are being made outside of Hollywood these days due to tax incentives from other states and there sure are alot of movies being made in Louisiana for that reason. Now that I think about it, the federal government should ban tax incentives as it is really no different than the illegals coming into the US and not paying their fair share.
I was at the Comcast conference at the Shoals Marriott the past two days. I had no idea how awesome that place was and how beneficial it can be to the area until I got there. The staff was awesome, the hotel was better than I've seen in major cities, and the campus was beautiful. It takes a lot of skilled people to operate that facility, that means jobs. Having something like that is also a good incentive to attract more companies to move to the area. Corporate people love conferences. If the Chamber of Commerce can promote the Shoals Marriott properly, it can be the key to attracting more industry.

Aside from that, after I finished Wednesday night I went out to see some old friends. The Shoals has changed very little. I don't see things as getting worse, but I don't see rapid improvement. I talked to a lot of people from my office who have never been to the Shoals, first impressions were all positive. It seems like it would be pretty simple to lure some companies down, but to do that would mean Florence would grow and the old politicians wouldn't like that. The Shoals simply needs some new blood in leadership that has ventured outside of the area and knows just how prosperous it could be.

It was funny explaining things to people here. First, I had to explain that the Shoals Marriott wasn't in Muscle Shoals, it's in Florence. Then I gave a few people good directions to get there. My boss got there 10 minutes before her boss, and he left before she did. It's always good when your bosses feel like you gave them some inside info.
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I was at the Comcast conference at the Shoals Marriott the past two days. I had no idea how awesome that place was and how beneficial it can be to the area until I got there. The staff was awesome, the hotel was better than I've seen in major cities, and the campus was beautiful. It takes a lot of skilled people to operate that facility, that means jobs. Having something like that is also a good incentive to attract more companies to move to the area. Corporate people love conferences. If the Chamber of Commerce can promote the Shoals Marriott properly, it can be the key to attracting more industry

Number one, I wouldn't brag about working for Comonopoly. It is nice to know they at least had the decency to through a bone of a conference at the Marriott since they have been overcharging the citizens of this area for 20 years and the water keeps rising (unless you are like me and most of my neighbors and friends who have satellite) Secondly, yeah the Marriott Shoals is a GREAT investment, we will be paying for it for the next 20 years and I am still waiting for that Mercedes plant offered by Dick Jordan and think it will be a long wait! Just curious, how many attendee's at the conference Nash? Want first hand knowledge since the numbers get kind of "fuzzy" that Debbie Wilson and Co put out. THE DOG
I moved here from Birmingham 15 yrs ago. I am an engineer and worked for a local company for several years before selling my interest in that company. I loved the area, loved the quality of life and the accessability to other places as well. I personally like Florence, like most of the people and love my church. I know there are problems - there are problems everywhere.
I don't have anything to do with the rates or service of Comcast, I wasn't bragging about where I work. As for how many people were there, with the exception of 4 rooms the entire hotel was booked by Comcast for it's employees.

Now think about sales tax, hotel tax, liquor tax, money spent on food, renting the conference center and rooms, money spent in the local restaurants and other stores, the city made quite a bit of clean money. I think the figure I heard that Comcast spent for the conference was over $100,000. Take in account all the taxes that goes along with that, factor in water and electricity used, that turns into a large chunk of change for the city in just three days. Would you rather all that money go elsewhere?
Now think about sales tax, hotel tax, liquor tax, money spent on food, renting the conference center and rooms, money spent in the local restaurants and other stores, the city made quite a bit of clean money. I think the figure I heard that Comcast spent for the conference was over $100,000. Take in account all the taxes that goes along with that, factor in water and electricity used, that turns into a large chunk of change for the city in just three days. Would you rather all that money go elsewhere?
Oh BY NO MEANS AT ALL! The SHOALS HAS to keep the place booked to pay for the 20 million dollar bond issue that the taxpayers of THIS area are paying 2 cents per gallon for! LIKE I SAID: THANKS FOR THE CONVENTION COMONOPOLY, but HOW ABOUT A DECENT RATE? I still say, throwing a bone! LOL THE DOG
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I think the figure I heard that Comcast spent for the conference was over $100,000.

Now let me do some math. With the 3 dollar increase per month for the "enhanced" basic cable which has appx 60 channels at a rate of roughly $52.00 per subscriber, let's say in an area of this size (appx. 100,000 residents and 40,000 households, and I think that is a little low) $3.00 increase as of Jan. 1, 2007 at 40,000 comes to $120,000. RIGHT? YEAH THANKS FOR HELPING THE SHOALS OUT AND SPENDING YOUR MONEY COMCAST! Or was it the Shoals money? THE DOG!!!!
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Shoals like any other has its good with the bad,but what city,or town don't? I think you got a few people that hold her back.

THAT REALLY shows your interest in this area PBA! You can post pages on Israel, Iraq and everything on the face of the planet BUT let something that is REALLY important that is happening here in the SHOALS or affects the SHOALS come up and THIS is all ya got? Back on the ignore list and find a forum to post on WHERE YOU LIVE! MAD AS HELL AND AIN'T GONNA TAKE YOUR **** NO MORE! THE DOG
quote:
Originally posted by pba:
Shoals like any other has its good with the bad,but what city,or town don't? I think you got a few people that hold her back.


Two aspects of this post interest me:

1.) As the second person plural pronoun, the word "you" and its usage by this poster has some interesting implications.

2.) Someone assigned a gender to the Shoals area! And that gender was female. Hmmm... I simply disagree. Were I to personify it, the Shoals seems far more like a crotchety old man who is tolerating his punk rock stepson until he can get him out of the house. In the mean time, he sits on the couch drinking beer while his wife supports the family with a minimum wage job.
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Oh BY NO MEANS AT ALL! The SHOALS HAS to keep the place booked to pay for the 20 million dollar bond issue that the taxpayers of THIS area are paying 2 cents per gallon for! LIKE I SAID: THANKS FOR THE CONVENTION COMONOPOLY, but HOW ABOUT A DECENT RATE? I still say, throwing a bone! LOL THE DOG


The biggest problem the Shoals faces is people like this. Shortsightedness is what stands in the way of progress. I can't explain how the convention center benefits the Shoals any simpler, but then again I'm trying to talk sense to someone who thinks he's a dog.
The biggest problem the Shoals faces is people like this. Shortsightedness is what stands in the way of progress. I can't explain how the convention center benefits the Shoals any simpler, but then again I'm trying to talk sense to someone who thinks he's a dog.
THE BIGGEST problem is the Shoals is unemployment and underemployment. You might have asked a maid or two how much an hour they make at the GRAND (although only 3 star hotel) Marriot of the Shoals! There is no shortsightedness by anyone in the area that is paying the gas tax for the next 20 years, the ones who were blind were the elected officials who financed this with taxpayer money without a vote from the citizens, I DON'T NEED to put it more simplisticly, but then I am talking to some Comcast snot nose junior whatever who lives in Nashville and graced the area with his presence! THE DOG BY GOD YOU *******!
It takes a large staff to run that place, it's not just a handful of maids. It also takes a lot of managers to supervise the staff. It also takes event planners, organizers, people in billing, promotions, etc. Those are called "jobs".

As I said before, having a place where companies can have their conventions is attractive to new business. If properly promoted, that place can be the deciding factor when it comes to locating a new facility. A new manufacturing facility or company headquarters means what? Very good Mr. Dog, it means "jobs". So what have we learned today Mr. Dog? That's right, nice places for companies to meet and stay means companies are more likely to locate a facility nearby and that means more jobs. I'm glad you can understand it now.

Just curious, have you ever been inside the hotel or convention center?
[QUOTE]Originally posted by NashBama:

As I said before, having a place where companies can have their conventions is attractive to new business. If properly promoted, that place can be the deciding factor when it comes to locating a new facility. A new manufacturing facility or company headquarters means what? [...] That's right, nice places for companies to meet and stay means companies are more likely to locate a facility nearby and that means more jobs.

QUOTE]

Nash,

I find myself both agreeing and disagreeing with you here. I agree with the link between industry and the hotel. Yes.

Here's where I differ, or at least have a different perspective. You assert that the hotel and conference center would, if promoted well and so forth, attract companies. That's where I differ.

I travel a good bit on my job, and I have to go to (far too) many conferences and conventions for that reason. What I notice is that there are huge companies and centrally-located industries (like music in Nashville, as an example), and hotels and conference centers spring up around those. That is to say, there's a need, and those hotels come in to fill it.

To work in the reverse direction, to reason that a nice hotel and convention center will attract company headquarters or manufacturing facilities doesn't seem to make much sense. It's putting the cart before the horse, so to speak.

Granted, the Shoals is notorious for backwards thinking, but still...
I understand what you're saying about putting the cart before the horse. However, companies are moving their facilities all the time. A company looking to move a plant to an area that has lower property taxes will take in consideration that the Shoals already has a nice hotel and convention center for when the upper management wants to visit, where other places may have to build such facilities years later. Would a company CEO rather stay in a Best Western or a nicer Marriott?
Posted 10 February 2007 09:28 AM Hide Post
It takes a large staff to run that place, it's not just a handful of maids. It also takes a lot of managers to supervise the staff. It also takes event planners, organizers, people in billing, promotions, etc. Those are called "jobs".

As I said before, having a place where companies can have their conventions is attractive to new business. If properly promoted, that place can be the deciding factor when it comes to locating a new facility. A new manufacturing facility or company headquarters means what? Very good Mr. Dog, it means "jobs". So what have we learned today Mr. Dog? That's right, nice places for companies to meet and stay means companies are more likely to locate a facility nearby and that means more jobs. I'm glad you can understand it now.

Just curious, have you ever been inside the hotel or convention center?
Mr. Comonopoly that lives in Nashville: I was in management for years for a telecommunications company and helped plan several conventions. Usually in Atlanta or Myrtle Beach. The rest of your logic in the reply was already rebutted by the cart before the horse, and what you don't seem to get (or care, after all you are in NASHVILLE AND WORK FOR COMCAST: the company that has ripped off the Shoals for YEARS), Most of the Management, event planners and whatever were TRANSPLANTED from other Marriotts! Check it out snotnose! You are defending something that doesn't even affect you, since you buy your gas in Nashville, but if you move back just ask around and see HOW many CITIZENS in the area were for and are for this rip-off and everything related Bronner! THE DOG
Ok, I'll use smaller words and less of them for you Mad Dog.

I have nothing to do with the rates of Comcast and I agree that they are too high. The conversation has nothing to do with the rates of Comcast. If you don't like Comcast, no one is forcing you or anyone else to do business with them.

Still with me?

You said yourself that you have not actually been to the hotel or convention center. How can you be against something that you have not seen with your own eyes? Do you think that the hotel and convention center will prevent business from moving to the area or will attract business?

Go back, read again, make sure you understand. Ok, let's keep going.

My parents live 5 minutes from the hotel and convention center. My grandparents also live in Florence. Their welfare is very important to me, so I do have an interest in what happens in Florence. I still call it my hometown and I want it to prosper. How can you prosper if you don't try to attract business?

Hopefully that simple response will be easy enough for even a dog to comprehend.
Well Nash little boy, since your company COMCAST was so impressed with the Shoals Marriott and YOU made it sound like this was the way to go to draw industry (cart before the horse) why not tell your bosses at Comonopoly to move their CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER from Huntsville (which has 3 cable providers, and Comcast charges a rate one-third of what is charged to subscribers in the Shoals area) to THE SHOALS! Your logic don't fly with me kid. And as for the other little twit, SMART CHICK, which should be SMARTASS CHICK, stay whereever you are, you got out, STAY OUT! I don't have cheap liqour, if I do it is the best and I don't appreciate insults at me when I wasn't even addressing you. THE DOG
quote:
Well Nash little boy, since your company COMCAST was so impressed with the Shoals Marriott and YOU made it sound like this was the way to go to draw industry (cart before the horse) why not tell your bosses at Comonopoly to move their CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER from Huntsville (which has 3 cable providers, and Comcast charges a rate one-third of what is charged to subscribers in the Shoals area) to THE SHOALS! Your logic don't fly with me kid. And as for the other little twit, SMART CHICK, which should be SMARTASS CHICK, stay whereever you are, you got out, STAY OUT! I don't have cheap liqour, if I do it is the best and I don't appreciate insults at me when I wasn't even addressing you. THE DOG


Wow, still didn't get it. I have to remind myself not to try to debate someone who thinks he's a dog. It's about as effective as debating my own dog. As for the insults part, don't dish it if you can't take it.
Brentenman,

Obviously I cannot answer the poll, but considering the variety of people who participate in this group, I think I could enjoy living in the Shoals area, till someone shot me. And, I suspect you folks are better quality shooters than the people round here who have missed.
I tend to agree with Kindred Spirit, home is where the heart is, but being uncomfortable in the bathroom would send my heart packing before the next pulse beat.
I really love Arizona, but like anyplace it has bad to balance the good. People get beaten to death waiting for busses, they get shot for changing lanes not in safety, Summers in the Southern part of the state are rather warm, but, people are friendly, seem to get along in crowds well, look out for each other, and have their prejudices. You can take a pistol to Church or the Bar, if the proprioters allow it, the pawn shops have bargains, and there is plenty of recreation.

I suspect that it is a matter of taste, and not grace where people choose to live.
FWIW, the lsat time the Marriot listed 'house keeping' jobs in the TD, they were for $7/HR, IMSMC.... Not 'living wages' by a LONG shot...which tends to be THE major problem with employers in the Shoals area. Shoals employers want their employees to make THEM wealthy at the expense of their employees. I'd bet my bottom $ that the major employers in the Shoals HAVEN'T passed a 'cost of living' increase on to their employees since the Clinton administration.
There are plenty of "jobs" in the Shoals, I would bet that everyone on this forum is employed or retired. The problem is we have so many people that dont want to work, they just want a pay check. I am a manager in a local business and we receive about twenty to thirty apps per week. What shocks me is several men in their thirtys have had either no job history or have been employed so many times they run out of room on the form, we call them "job hoppers".
What this tells me is that too many men, many with familys to support, will find a job and work for a month or so then get lazy, its easer to complain about not having a job that to get up every morning and go to work!!
If you want a job then get off the sofa, take a shower and put on clean clothes!!, grab an ink pen and hit the streets.
I get so sick of people complaining that they cant find work, I have a "help wanted" sign out all year long and when I call on an applicant for an interview the first question is "do you work late?" followed by "do you work on Saturdays?".
If you need a job and are not affraid to "WORK" I have a place for you.
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Knowitall:
There are plenty of "jobs" in the Shoals, I would bet that everyone on this forum is employed or retired. The problem is we have so many people that dont want to work, they just want a pay check. I am a manager in a local business and we receive about twenty to thirty apps per week. What shocks me is several men in their thirtys have had either no job history or have been employed so many times they run out of room on the form, we call them "job hoppers".
What this tells me is that too many men, many with familys to support, will find a job and work for a month or so then get lazy, its easer to complain about not having a job that to get up every morning and go to work!!
If you want a job then get off the sofa, take a shower and put on clean clothes!!, grab an ink pen and hit the streets.
I get so sick of people complaining that they cant find work, I have a "help wanted" sign out all year long and when I call on an applicant for an interview the first question is "do you work late?" followed by "do you work on Saturdays?".
If you need a job and are not affraid to "WORK" I have a place for you.


Yes, there are plenty of jobs, convenience stores, resturants, fast food establishments, bars... but not nearly enough GOOD jobs to help the average joe support his family.

We fail miserably on that point... our political leaders of this area are just NOT the ones to attract new businesses, and that has proven true for many many years.

I don't think that the majority is LAZY, I think they are just chasing that extra dime an hour.

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