in thru the outdoor

chattahoochee river info

2011-10-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

http://www.hcc-al-ga.org/index.cfm

I spy

2011-10-11T11:59:00.001-07:00

some are tracking the work on the Chattahoochee for the rafting project

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracking-the-Columbus-White-Water-Project/241619309221975?sk=info#!/pages/Tracking-the-Columbus-White-Water-Project/241619309221975?sk=wall

another face book page for info

2011-09-30T10:45:00.001-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/groups/247655761946748/

got my eye on you

2011-08-17T11:04:00.001-07:00

this is where to post starnge activity in your neighborhood

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Neighborhood-Watchers/212528172116221

Yellow DOT Program

2011-07-24T11:07:00.001-07:00

This could help

http://www.adeca.state.al.us/C15/YellowDot/default.aspx

2010-11-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

more from Tues

2010-11-17T05:57:00.000-08:00

Tue's sunset over Alabama - more

2010-11-16T21:31:00.000-08:00

Tue's sunset over Alabama

2010-11-16T21:29:00.000-08:00

2010-11-16T21:28:00.000-08:00

Tue's sunset over Alabama

2010-11-16T21:26:00.000-08:00

Here we go again

2010-10-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

This spells trouble for the working people.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-4646&tab=summary

2010-10-08T14:10:00.000-07:00

Here is where the ballot is at on State Site

http://www.sos.state.al.us/downloads/election/2010/general/sampleballots/Lee-2010-Sample.pdf

2010-10-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

This is also on the ballot

SPECIAL ELECTION
ACT. NO. 2009-381
Do you support the adoption of Act
2009-381 restructuring Lee County
government by separating the
responsibilities of the Judge of Probate of
Lee County from those of the Chair of the
Lee County Commission by electing a
countywide part-time Chair of the Lee
County Commission whose salary shall be
ten thousand dollars ($10,000) more than
the salary of the other members of the Lee
County Commission?

2010-10-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

This is how the 1 cent sales tax increase looks on your ballot for Lee County.

The Commissioners are allready using dirt road money for other things they want to do ,, why are we suppose to believe that this will actually go to when the people vote on it (dah)

SPECIAL ELECTION
ACT NO. 2009-329
Do you favor generating funds to support
Parks and Recreation and School
Resource Officers through the levying of a
one cent sales and use tax outside the
corporate limits of the Cities of Auburn,
Opelika, Phenix City, and Smiths Station by
adopting Act No. 2009-329 Regular
Session?

Auburn Researchers Launch Oil Spill Blog

2010-07-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

Local input on the the great spill and scoop of the Gulf.

http://www.auburn.edu/research/oilspillblog/

Ah - put some dirt in yer mouth and shut up

2010-04-14T06:44:00.000-07:00

With the proposed deal to take away the dirt road money and use it to resurface existing roads that appear to be near the famed cities of Auburn and Opelika, the residents of the county that have lived on the air gaging - mud sticking - over night developing gouges - tire puncturing roads that they are going to have to put it with until they die.

What we have here is a complete lack of respect and support for couuty residents.

The citizens voted for the 5 cents a gallon fee some 18 to 20 yrs ago

a lite in the sky

2010-04-05T07:37:00.001-07:00

Viewers were once again in for a treat as this mornings launch of the shuttle's bright trail of power was visible from the local area and surprising that no one heard a word of it on any of the local news channels.

Democratic candidates in the June 1 primary

2010-04-05T07:33:00.000-07:00

This is from the OA newspaper - please check names for yourself for correctness

Circuit Court, Place 2
n Kenneth E. Gibbs

Circuit Court (Family Court), Place 3
n Joanne Camp

District Court Judge
n James E. Cox

District Attorney
n Walter M. Northcutt

Court of Civil Appeals
n Deborah Bell Paseur

Alabama State Board of Education, District 2
n Betty Letlow

Lee County Commission, District 5
n John Andrew Harris

Republican candidates in the June 1 primary

2010-04-05T07:31:00.000-07:00

This is from the OA newspaper - please check the names for yourself correctness.

Lee County Sheriff
n Jay Jones

Lee County Coroner
n Bill Harris

Lee County Board of Education, Place 2
n Larry Boswell

Lee County Board of Education, Place 3
n George Spence

Lee County Commission, District 2
n Butch Brock
n Johnny Lawrence

Lee County Commission, District 4
n Keith Elliott
n Robert Ham

2010 is Starting off Right

2010-01-08T05:14:00.000-08:00

Don't be stupid -- Look it up people

2009-08-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

All I need is help

2009-03-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

Talk about yelling for help, they should have made themselves more clear on what type of help Salem Community wanted.

A drive by Thursday evening saw that they had pilled up the remains of the "Dr McLain's " office to burn, is this the type of help they needed ?

Other piles of debris was spotted and found out that some were the remains of structures that were not lived in, is this the type of help they wanted?

Several piles of trees and debris were lined up along the roadside, is this the type of help they needed?

I guess when A community yells for help,, others should ask first of what exactly do they need as for "Help" before one does help.

can you see me now?

2009-02-18T08:43:00.000-08:00

Channels 38 and 28 are the ones off today, others can still be veiwed?

On Hold

2009-02-12T07:16:00.000-08:00

We' re holding off all comments until after the "Big Switch" has arrived.......

NASCAR driver McQuagg dies at 73

2009-01-04T00:21:00.000-08:00

In July 1966, Sam McQuagg made a memory for his two sons that will last a lifetime.

Driving a Dodge Charger, the Columbus born and bred racer won the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

Sam McQuagg Jr., now 51, remembers what it was like being a kid in victory lane at Daytona.

“I remember getting to climb all over that car in victory lane,” McQuagg Jr. said. “I was all over it and through it. And my brother, Mark, was up on the hood.”

McQuagg Sr., 73, died Saturday morning at St. Francis Hospital from cancer. Visitation will be Monday from 6-8 p.m. at McMullen Mortuary. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at McMullen.

McQuagg raced mostly on the short tracks of Georgia, Alabama and Florida and spent the later part of his life as a corporate pilot.

He ran a total of 62 NASCAR Grand National (Sprint Cup) races between 1962 and 1974, with 21 Top 10 finishes

His lone Grand National win came in Daytona. McQuagg earned $21,000 for the victory, but the real bonus came when he returned to Columbus, McQuagg Jr. said.

“We went down to Daytona that year in ‘65 Chevrolet station wagon,” McQuagg Jr. remembers. “We drove it back to Columbus and went to Chuck Hutton Dodge. He and mother drove off that lot that day with two new 1966 Dodge Chargers.”

It looked like that win was going to land McQuagg in the seat of an established temam. He got an offer in 1967 to drive for the Wood Brothers.

“But there was a hitch,” McQuagg Jr. said. “They told him he would have to use Firestone tires. My dad was a very loyal man. He said he would only run Goodyears.”

The reason?

When McQuagg started racing and was running short on cash, Goodyear gave him tires.

“He just said he couldn’t do it,” McQuagg Jr. said.

NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough ended up with the ride.

McQuagg also played a big role in one of NASCAR’s most famous wrecks. In 1965 -- the year he was Grand National Rookie of the Year -- he was leading the Southern 500 at Darlington.

Yarborough tried to get past McQuagg’s yellow No. 24 car. Yarborough’s car flew over the guardrail, rolled six times, and ended up in the parking lot.

For several year’s ABC’s Wide World of Sports showed the clip during its intro.

“That was the agony of defeat,” McQuagg Jr. said.

Though McQuagg never found stardom in the big leagues, he was a well-known local short-track racer who played a role in bringing brothers Bobby and Donnie Allison and Red Farmer to Alabama.

McQuagg told his story to the Ledger-Enquirer in 1996.

He was at a North Florida Championship race when he ran into the men who later formed the famed Alabama Gang.

“It was about 1958, 1959, and they were asking me what racing was like up here and I told them we were racing three or four nights a week,” McQuagg said. “And they came up here and run some races with us and then decided to move here. But they liked the Birmingham area better than Georgia.”

McQuagg was inducted into the Jacksonville (Fla,) Speedway Hall of Fame and the Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame Association

But when McQuagg walked away from racing, he never looked back.

Late in his racing career he became a pilot. In 1973, he went to work for the W.C. Bradley Co. as head of the aviation department and retired 24 years later.

The last 10 years of his life, McQuagg and his wife of 54 years, Joy, travelled the United States in a motor home.

“They went from Alaska to South Florida, New England to California,” McQuagg Jr. said. “They put 450,000 miles on three different motor homes and had a real good life.”

He is survived by his wife, Joy Baggett McQuagg and three children, Sam McQuagg Jr., Mark McQuagg and Rita Renfroe, all of Columbus.

2009 Robins Air Show

2009-01-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

A free airshow

http://www.robins.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123127840

Motorists' habits spur call for tax increases

2009-01-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

We can not win for losing here.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h0jhIdk5jvjtf5bEpyAbXQNZJpxAD95F1RB00

yeah they did

2008-12-15T20:22:00.000-08:00

remember the second class citizens there, (what ever it is - it can wait).

Point made this evening from another local tv station, Something that has not happened in some 50 yrs in Alabama was put some 8 minutes into the newscast, and followed 2 others storys before a break and another story after the brexk some 12 minutes in.

We'll just have to wait and see how advertisement that is sold to Alabama customers is compared to Georgia customers,,,interesting yes..

Not so fast

2008-12-14T16:49:00.000-08:00

Oil prices have come down, looks like everything will stay high..I don't think the Utilities will be wanting to surrender their hard raises,

Is there really a "Rubber" shortage on this planet. Word has it if the shortage continues - the spring 09 could see tire prices double or triple.

The big TV switch is coming Feb 09 to the Digital world, is it going to be a big deal to lose local tv? Is it.

One of the Local TV stations are cutting back on News production on the air. they already rely on a newspaper to report news that comes from the west of the river, remember the second class citizens there, (what ever it is - it can wait).

Cable and Satelite provider's are takeing a good share of viewing these days. don't forget the Internet, So I ask again, is it going to be a big deal to lose local tv.

talking about a cold case

2008-12-04T15:35:00.000-08:00

OANEWS
Special to the News
Published: December 4, 2008

* Theft of property was reported Wednesday on Lee Road 886 in Smiths Station after someone took a golf cart between 9 p.m. Tuesday and 3 a.m. Wednesday. The cart was recovered.

* Theft of property was reported Wednesday on U.S. Highway 280 East after someone took a 1965 Ford Mustang between Feb. 25, 2005 and Wednesday.

* Theft of property was reported Wednesday on Lee Road 343 in Salem after someone took a utility trailer between 3 p.m. Monday and 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.

* Criminal possession of a forged instrument was reported Wednesday on U.S. Highway 29 North after someone took a bogus business check between Nov. 12 and Nov. 14.

* Fraudulent use of a debit card was reported Wednesday on Lee Road 980 after an incident occurred Nov. 4.

It seems that the theft of a Mustang has had time for any trail to vanish - Don't ya think

WOW lose a game

2008-12-03T17:42:00.000-08:00

http://www.oanow.com/oan/sports/college/article/tuberville_resigns/49411/

ghost of McLain

2008-12-02T06:41:00.000-08:00

From what I can remeber that Dr McLain's office was in Salem. Here - http://www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org/buildings.html - says that soon a display for Dr McLain.

The McLain building in Salem is now home for a Ministry including what looks like a ramp on the right of way for traffic, talk about drive up service.

What else is left in Lee County, maybe jus ghost

2008-10-22T07:27:00.000-07:00

Oh Yeah

http://www.algop.org/images/al/lee08.general.pdf

what is in Act No. 2005-200

They want more money with this one Act No. 2007-200

Don't worry, Vote early

2008-10-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

Please vote early in Alabama - either here http://www.alabamavotes.gov/

or at the Justice Center in Opelika -

Lee County Davis T K Justice Center
Circuit Clerks Ofc
Opelika, AL 36801

(334) 737-3526

from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Central Time

you can also pick up a Form to send off for a ballot at

City of Smiths Station
P.O.Box 250
2336 Lee Rd 430
Smiths Station,AL 36877

Phone:
334-297-8771

Hurry, Time is running out to vote early

sea sick pills needed

2008-10-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

The Wall street ride has thrown out you money then gave back a little to tease you and then the big ride down - looks like another huge storm is needed to have a ride that raises things

Not Freaking good idea at all

2008-10-01T19:38:00.000-07:00

Amy Weaver
Staff Writer
Published: October 1, 2008

Lee County has a plan to spend $35.5 million during the 2009 fiscal year, including using monies budgeted for deputies to pay for an aquarium feasibility study.

The entire county commission agreed with the budget presented to it Monday night, which called for additional funding to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to add four deputies, two investigators and one clerk. Increases were also awarded to the Highway Department and the Emergency Management Agency.

It did not include a $25,000 allocation for the aquarium feasibility study, until Commissioner Johnny Lawrence suggested that monies allocated for the deputies be budgeted for it.

Sheriff Jay Jones opposed the idea of redirecting some of his funds, but he said he would work with the county administrator if that is what the commission wanted. Lawrence proposed using the sheriff’s money because Jones said it would be months before his positions were filled. Rather than let the money sit there, Lawrence asked that $25,000 of it be invested in the study.

Commissioner Annell Smith approved the budget, but she opposed the idea of allocating any money to the aquarium study when no outside agency received a funding increase under the proposed budget.

Commission members met four times before Monday night to hear from all the agencies requesting additional dollars in 2009. According to County Administrator Roger Rendleman, the Lee County Humane Society was the only agency not operated by the county to receive more money. He said their services are under contract.

Auburn University, the City of Auburn and Lee County officials have joined together for the possibility of building an aquarium on campus property on North College Street. The $75,000 cost for a feasibility study would be divided among the three parties.

“It’s such a small investment, that could pay large dividends in the future,” said Commissioner Mathan Holt.

Commissioner John Andrew Harris voted for the budget as well, but he expressed concern over the omission of $1 million to fix a leaky roof over the old jail. Rendleman said the roof is not the only issue that needs attention at the facility. He reiterated the importance of an amendment on the November ballot that would create monies to improve the justice center.

aweaver@oanow.com | 737-2534

Sure, why not jus cut the budget for deputies to where they have bicycles to move around on and not lets forget to keep them all surrounding the only 2 cities the commissioners are concerned about.

This what the people get for having County reprentatives that live inside the 2 cities..

What a freakin' joke

Gas Price Watch Reporting Form

2008-09-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

http://gaswatch.energy.gov/

unbelievable [people

stick a diaper in it, will ya,

2008-08-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

Some one needs to stick some diapers in the mouths of the ones whining about the Rain.

We need to sit back and enjoy what we are receiving.

Cannot win for losing around these people.

packing up, movin out

2008-08-14T11:25:00.000-07:00

With signs in the windows, and a new location bought, all that is left to do is pack up the belongings and move out of the community,

They have been in the area for a number of years with a good followship, some refused too, others cannot be pleased.

Aug 27Th is the last day of business for JR's, Moving to Ladonia in Russell County on the edge of Lee County (the old Jimmy's Seafood Building), and with the move comes a lineup of Breakfast too.

Maybe with the gluttony of Crybabies, the old location might have a tough time of finding a new home of business.

all tied up in traffic

2008-08-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

after several trips by the New North Bypass on/off ramps for 5th ave, where's the the traffic.

only 2 pickups have been seen on them when on the trips motoring bye and one of them was headed out of town.

I guess when the lights come on that will draw motorist to use the muli-million construction.

is there anybody out there!

2008-08-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

After hearing that NO one has stepped up to run in the open spot for District 3 Commissioner's race on the Democratic side, this just takes the cake people.

Not only do people whine the most, but, apparently they do not back up the crybabies that this community is so accustomed doing.

For the last couple of years you could not go anywhere around the area without hearing how bad it is here, how terrible the government is, how (our) group is going to change things.

Well, what the Hell happened to you.

Did you forget your mind when you woke up.

Has the crybabies stepped in their own poop.

We could not be that lucky.

opps - I did it again

2008-08-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

Did someone step forward to run for Dist 3 commissioner only to go silent - not answering phone calls and tell people they did not put their name in, and leaving a political party looking like a fool for beliiving this person!.

lost city lines

2008-08-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.oanow.com/oan/news/local/article/fatal_fire_in_lee_county/30533/

I'm pretty sure that area is in the grey area of "Who's it is"

maybe under Friendship fire area, I jus do not believe it is Smiths Station's limits, Maybe school zone!

Still sad from what happened.

opps,

2008-07-30T05:29:00.000-07:00

Is there something fishie in Gotham.

Has some one been disqualified from the Commissioners race.

Will there be a mystery canididate to run?

A Candidate's web site for Mayor

2008-07-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

For some reason the email from this Candidate went to junk box, sorry for the delay in posting a reponse.

Check it out

http://www.kcbelcher.com

2 out of 6 is bad

2008-07-16T08:07:00.000-07:00

Early news has it that one person signed up to run against Smiths Station mayor and 2 signed to run for a council spot vacated by Councilman Sawyer

With all the whining the community has been doing over the last couple of years, where are they NOW.

Phil Graham has it right,, all whine and no shine.

The community needs to project all that energy into useful ways..

what a joke they have turned into.

A ghost of a canididate

2008-06-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

Talk has it that someone has already qualified to run for office.

Why no media news on it.

No mention on the web site

Wonder if the media will be quite when others sign up to run?

where's my tanker

2008-06-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

I do not think GAO has ever done something like this.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/18/news/companies/usaf_tanker_bid/?postversion=2008061818

here's what the Airforce has to say on it.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123103415

M I A

2008-06-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

With the lack of any coverage for Alabama elections, it is a wonder anyone goes to vote anymore.

The Georgia stations are really doing a fine job of covering Georgia elections, even the morning talk show has candidates on.

Bummer

2 weeks late in lettting the people know - why?

2008-05-14T06:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.adem.state.al.us/PressReleases/2008/4BurnBan.pdf

high water sunday morning

2008-05-13T03:47:00.001-07:00

jus a teaser

2008-01-20T07:19:00.000-08:00

What did we do to deserve to be teased with the mention of snow, and only see the media show how much the people to the north of the area recieve the white stuff.

Yeah, I want it to snow , and snow all lot--like 12 inches or more..

we need it.

we need a sign that we really are suppose to be in winter mode more than a few days at a time..

we need more freezing temperatures for days on end to make sure the Power company will have reasons to ask for more rate increases this spring...

well, we are...

The Three Kings a Christmas poem by Longfellow

2007-12-16T15:49:00.000-08:00

Make it Snow !

Three Kings came riding from far away,
Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar;
Three Wise Men out of the East were they,
And they travelled by night and they slept by day,
For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star.

The star was so beautiful, large and clear,
That all the other stars of the sky
Became a white mist in the atmosphere,
And by this they knew that the coming was near
Of the Prince foretold in the prophecy.

Three caskets they bore on their saddle-bows,
Three caskets of gold with golden keys;
Their robes were of crimson silk with rows
Of bells and pomegranates and furbelows,
Their turbans like blossoming almond-trees.

And so the Three Kings rode into the West,
Through the dusk of the night, over hill and dell,
And sometimes they nodded with beard on breast,
And sometimes talked, as they paused to rest,
With the people they met at some wayside well.

"Of the child that is born," said Baltasar,
"Good people, I pray you, tell us the news;
For we in the East have seen his star,
And have ridden fast, and have ridden far,
To find and worship the King of the Jews."

And the people answered, "You ask in vain;
We know of no King but Herod the Great!"
They thought the Wise Men were men insane,
As they spurred their horses across the plain,
Like riders in haste, who cannot wait.

And when they came to Jerusalem,
Herod the Great, who had heard this thing,
Sent for the Wise Men and questioned them;
And said, "Go down unto Bethlehem,
And bring me tidings of this new king."

So they rode away; and the star stood still,
The only one in the grey of morn;
Yes, it stopped --it stood still of its own free will,
Right over Bethlehem on the hill,
The city of David, where Christ was born.

And the Three Kings rode through the gate and the guard,
Through the silent street, till their horses turned
And neighed as they entered the great inn-yard;
But the windows were closed, and the doors were barred,
And only a light in the stable burned.

And cradled there in the scented hay,
In the air made sweet by the breath of kine,
The little child in the manger lay,
The child, that would be king one day
Of a kingdom not human, but divine.

His mother Mary of Nazareth
Sat watching beside his place of rest,
Watching the even flow of his breath,
For the joy of life and the terror of death
Were mingled together in her breast.

They laid their offerings at his feet:
The gold was their tribute to a King,
The frankincense, with its odor sweet,
Was for the Priest, the Paraclete,
The myrrh for the body's burying.

And the mother wondered and bowed her head,
And sat as still as a statue of stone,
Her heart was troubled yet comforted,
Remembering what the Angel had said
Of an endless reign and of David's throne.

Then the Kings rode out of the city gate,
With a clatter of hoofs in proud array;
But they went not back to Herod the Great,
For they knew his malice and feared his hate,
And returned to their homes by another way.

Am I in the right season?

2007-12-10T11:23:00.000-08:00

If I knew it would be so warm, I would have started back sooner.

Political world is churning out there..lots of rumors so far..

Is it too late to change some of the bowls games played in the southeast to the " Dust Bowl", or how about " Play for Rain" bowl !

2007-12-03T12:31:00.000-08:00

cooler weather has me writing again..

IS the Smiths Station geneal area about to slammed by more close home building?

When oh when will the recreation park be done?

2007-08-24T11:40:00.001-07:00

2007-08-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

ALDOT Deficient Bridges (2007-08-02).

2007-08-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.dot.state.al.us/NR/rdonlyres/239220A3-CFD8-413D-9E23-A79D77778D33/0/ALDOTDeficientBridges20070802.pdf

2007-07-06T17:06:00.000-07:00

jus about too hot to try to post .

must find cooler weather.

need a change of atmosphere - soon.

school zone ahead

2007-06-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

The Lee county school Board wants more money from you.

They now want 7 mil more added to your property taxes.

If the County commission approves it, the vote should be Aug, 28th of 2007 - along with the Governor signiing a bond issue this week for schools - the school systems will be the ones with the dough.

This BRAC thing looks like a few more may be in the PHOLC (poor house of lee county).

squirt, squirt

2007-05-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

Neighbors have had visits and calls from the Smiths Water about either watering on weekends or "your water usage was high for the last month".

I have not seen what the penalties are if you do not comply with the water restrictions, maybe someone out there knows?

we let people roam in our country that we say are "illegal" - but water your yard on the wrong date and the Law will make you life a little interesting, go figure.

jail house rock

2007-05-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

Lee County had open house on the county jail remodeling - and also the announcement of the crack down of speeders and Seat belt use on the up coming weekends...Interesting

I'm all dryed up

2007-05-16T16:34:00.000-07:00

Rain, Rain,, Rain,

Please

Annual Reappraisals Might Stop

2007-05-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

MONTGOMERY -

Legislation to end annual property tax reappraisals for Alabama homes won overwhelming approval from a state Senate committee Wednesday, but its sponsor said only a strong push from the public can get it through the Legislature.

The Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee voted 12-2 for a proposed constitutional amendment by Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, that would end annual property reappraisals for residential property and return Alabama to doing reappraisals every four years.

Beason said winning approval in the Senate will be much tougher than the committee vote.“The public has got to contact their legislators. This will be a savings of millions of dollars,” he said.Education groups and the lobbying association for county commissions opposed the legislation, saying schools and counties have begun to count on the revenue from annual reappraisals and have issued bonds based on that revenue.“It’s going to have some trouble in the Senate.

There is too much at stake here with bonds that have been issued,” said Paul Hubbert, executive secretary of the Alabama Education Association.In 2003, the state revenue commissioner ordered counties to stop doing reappraisals of homes every four years and begin switching to annual reappraisals.

Most counties have already made the switch, and the last three counties are scheduled to finish next year. Business property and vehicles were already reappraised annually.Annual reappraisals became a major issue in last year’s state elections.

When the current legislative session began March 6, lawmakers introduced several bills to switch back to reappraisals every four years. Most bills were assigned to unfriendly committees and have not come up for a vote.Beason said his bill, which was assigned to a committee headed by a proponent, appears to be the only bill that has a chance of passing.

The Legislative Fiscal Office estimates Beason’s bill would reduce property tax collections for state and local governments, including schools, by $13.5 million in 2010, $33.7 million in 2011, and $48 million in 2012. That’s because property values will be flat for three years rather than going up each year.

Beason said government officials never should have counted on the money. “This was a backdoor tax increase. That’s all there is to it,” he said.Hubbert said he doesn’t believe Beason’s bill will win approval, but if it does, it will face a legal challenge over the constitutionality of appraising some property annually and some every fourth year.

Beason said he’s not concerned because other states have different reappraisals schedules for different types of property.

So - What are you waiting for CALL and Call often

find your reprentative by Zip Code

www.legislature.state.al.us/misc/zipsearch.html -

or by looking up from the State's site

www.legislature.state.al.us

drying mad

2007-05-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

It has been months that the citizens have been told that online payments can be made for Smiths Water.

After checking this morning, - still cannot do it.

I guess it will show up like the water bills do - the day before the due date

no mo potholes here

2007-04-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

Whoo, the county is actually paving some raods in the area....

2007-04-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

Finally.. A light at Old Opelika rd and Stafford rd.

Lets see if Phenix City can mess it up.

2007-04-19T12:49:00.000-07:00

The media is treating the problemed person from Virgina Tech as a Celebrity of highest value.

Maybe the Media should be held resonsible for some of the problem.

2007-04-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

whackey weather

it's like someone is pulling the joker card out when they give the forecast .

2007-04-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

funny how that video of the alleged chop chop was of the business outside of the Smiths Station city limits while another visit from the Law was about the same time that was inside the City limits was not mentioned anywhere???

mine all mine

2007-04-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

You have to wonder if the Recreation/Ballfield/Senior Citizen Center is for ones to actually play ball or is it really for the Retired to lure their Grandkids too?

in thru the outdoor

2007-03-26T05:12:00.000-07:00

Opelika knows how to bring jobs to their City- WHY CAN'T Smiths Station bring it too

2007-03-11T21:15:00.000-07:00

seems that the city is spending money on the old City hall that is now at the Lee County Ball Field,, good to have asecond home ot fall back on.

2007-02-26T19:18:00.000-08:00

Well - the ride was short, NOW, Back to high gas prices for the year.

warm weather has many out doing yard earlier than they want too..guess they have the couch potatoe bug still in them, along with extra pounds .

the price of scrap metal is at a all time high, this is a way to clean up the back yard.

in thru the outdoor -fast

2007-02-16T05:22:00.000-08:00

Some one seems that they did not like what their calculator was telling them and they decided to make it someone else's problem at the post office Thursday.

All that equipment in Downtown is because of the installation of sewer lines (finally).

Smiths Station High has a new class for Tech jobs trainig, yeah, still way behinnnnd the times - but- slowing gainnnning speed.

2007-02-03T12:57:00.000-08:00

so much for the parking spaces up near the building at walmart during the day...that didnt last long.

do lee county deputies all have to leave the county to get something to eat on the east end, I know the residents do not support the local eateries that much, but this makes russell county look good.

2007-02-03T03:15:00.000-08:00

gas prices are about to take off again , the ride was a short one.

seems that some residents want phenix city to pickup their trash at the curb and phenix city says no, we just want your property tax money, what a joke.

the old city hall was moved to the Recreation park this week, the water board wins again.

2007-01-29T13:06:00.000-08:00

2007-01-22T12:42:00.000-08:00

Wow

I could find a parking space near the building at Walmart in Phenix City.

Wonder what the reason for that is (g) (g).

Zoned in

2007-01-12T14:59:00.000-08:00

look out for the vehicle riding around,, it's the Zone Enforcer.

if you have not done your addition to your house yet,,and want to, the Zone enforcer will pay you a visit.

if you have a certain type of vehicle parked in your front yard,, the Zone enforcer will pay you a visit..

The Zone enforcer is part time, but, the eyes will be watchin all the time....

The Zone enforcer.

The Zone enforcer.

The Zone enforcer will be everywhere.........................

in thru the outdoor

2007-01-10T15:54:00.000-08:00

it's time fill up the gas tank and ride.....

2007-01-07T11:06:00.000-08:00

"I want my community back, no more city"

in thru the outdoor

2007-01-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

" Is our local government still active. we have not heard any thing since the curb srvice issue"

2007-01-07T08:11:00.000-08:00

Why do County employee's elected or appointed, object to having the County Emblem pasted on the side of the County funded ride that they use 24/7 ?

Where have they been going with the vehicles ?

2007-01-01T06:17:00.000-08:00

yeppie, a new year

they will not come if it is not done

2006-12-28T18:29:00.000-08:00

Where's there a Ballpark to play in, not in our backyard

Where's the money going to from the famous Curbside service, good question, is there any left over?

Where are the lights to see where you are going once you drive on the Recreation center, not there.

Where there is a way to mess things up, the recreation board can do it.

2006-12-24T07:04:00.000-08:00

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask him.
The words choked in my throat, as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement, TEACH THE CHILDREN! I was puzzled: What did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.
As I stood there bewildered, Santa said, Teach the Children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that a now-a-day Christmas has forgotten!
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it on the mantle. Teach the Children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.
He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. Teach the Children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of that promise.
He then reached into the bag and pulled out a CANDLE. Teach the Children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.
Once again he reached into his bag and then removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. Teach the Children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.
He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. Teach the Children that Santa Claus symbolizes the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December.
He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF. Teach the Children the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent blood shed by Him.
Next he pulled out a GIFT from the bag and said, "Teach the Children that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift. Teach the Children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We should give gifts in the same spirit as the wise men."
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. Teach the Children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the shepherd's staff helps bring back strayed sheep from the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper.
He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. Teach the Children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will.'
Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. Teach the Children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of a bell, it should bring people to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.
Santa looked at the tree and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the Children the true meaning of Christmas, and not to put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One who is, and I bow down and worship Him, our Lord, our God."

2006-12-15T20:15:00.000-08:00

The new changes for Landlord/Tenants are useless if the Local Law does not change it's way too.!!!!

the new 7 days notice is down from 14 days notice,, maybe this will help cut down on possible criminals that use those extra days to do whatever they wanted to do.

A place to rent that has to have A/C - this will hurt a lot of property owners,, means that the tenants will have a place hide during the summer days now...

There are other Dumb rules in there,,, jsu goin to take a few weeks to sort them out.

Mo

2006-12-12T17:58:00.000-08:00

mo for garbage

mo for property taxes

mo for lunch

mo for gas

mo for clothes

mo done run me broke

saturday evenin' glow

2006-12-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

The weather was cold out and made for some TV watchin and time on the internet.
Flippin around on the net I was watchin the NASA TV and heard that the shuttle launch could be seen through much of the southeast, So, I stayed tuned in waitin for the moment, then I realized that NASA TV on the net is delayed.
At around 40 to 30 seconds before launch I went out to see, lookin southeast Nothing was there,,,,so I waited, and waited , then- just like what others have said about it, there it was - a redish/orangish glow risin up above the tree line and goin in and out of the clouds until too many clouds. I did pick a small bright blue glow a little later on up in ther sky which was just the Shuttle engines.
Some of the Military described the glow like some of the Missliles used in the Iraq war, but, way smaller and not as bright - but - close enough.
I have seen a few launched in person and would recommend it to anyone to go and watch one there..

steepin out

2006-11-30T03:43:00.000-08:00

On that accident in Columbus involving the A Truck from the Fire Deparment.

It looks like some of the drivers stopped in their tracks when an Emergency Vehicle comes up on them and this is the result.

Now I hear that someone says the Brakes on the Truck were not working correctly...

I know first hand of someone that worked hard with a local Vol fire department to get their trucks under a Maintance plan that would have the trucks checked on a regular basis for Safety purposes.

What happened to this person being with the Department is not uncommon. After the word got around on what was happening - false comments started on what this person was up to, and not long after the Maint. program was started and all the trucks were safe to drive this person left. Why is this allowed, cause the County fire districts Do Not Follow the rules - They are allowed to do basically do what they want to do when they feel like doin it.

Recently the Citizens voted Down a Fire Fee Increase, and Now we hear it will be on the Ballots again - soon. We have a Cowardless Commission that will not take the Steps to make the Changes needed for better, Improved Fire Departments that will be needed for the Expanding County.

stepping back thru the door

2006-11-26T18:32:00.000-08:00

I know I must be losing it now, A new "Rocky" movie is coming out.

IS this the revenge of AARP.

2006-11-26T17:00:00.000-08:00

Is there a place to go for therapy for listening to too much Chirstmas Music??

2006-11-22T18:31:00.000-08:00

The pro football team had just finished their daily practice session when a large turkey came strutting onto the field. While the players gazed in amazement, the turkey walked up to the head coach and demanded a tryout. Everyone stared in silence as the turkey caught pass after pass and ran right through the defensive line. When the turkey returned to the sidelines, the coach shouted, "You're terrific!!! Sign up for the season, and I'll see to it that you get a huge bonus." "Forget the bonus," the turkey said, "All I want to know is, does the season go past Thanksgiving Day?"

What key has legs and can't open doors?A Turkey.

Gobbler said, "Doctor, help me! I can't stop acting like a turkey!""I see," said the doctor. "How long have you had this problem?""Let me think a second. Mom laid the egg in 1954...

"What did the mother turkey say to her disobedient children?If your father could see you now, he'd turn over in his gravy!

If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?Pilgrims!

Why did the turkey cross the road?It was the chicken's day off.

If the Pilgrims were alive today, what would they be most famous for?Their AGE

Why can't you take a turkey to church ?Because they use such FOWL language

What are the feathers on a turkey's wings called?Turkey feathers

What's the best dance to do on Thanksgiving?The turkey trot

Can a turkey jump higher than the Empire State Building?Yes - a building can't jump at all

What do you get when you cross a turkey with an octupus?Enough drumsticks for Thanksgiving

How can you make a turkey float?You need 2 scoops of ice cream, some root beer, and a turkey

What kind of music did the Pilgrims like?Plymouth Rock

Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?The outside

Why did they let the turkey join the band?Because he had the drumsticks

Why did the police arrest the turkey?They suspected it of fowl play

What's the key to a great Thanksgiving dinner?The turKEY

What did the turkey say before it was roasted?Boy! I'm stuffed!

Where did the first corn come from?The stalk brought it

Why did the Indian chief wear so many feathers?To keep his wigwam

What happened to the Pilgrim who was shot at by an Indian?He had an arrow escape

How did the Mayflower show that it liked America?It hugged the shore

2006-11-15T16:29:00.000-08:00

Open table Voting is what we did on Election Day. We all had to sit at tables with around 4 to 6 others. I guess we should jus had passed the ballots around for others to vote outside our own districts. Yeah this is wrong, but, when voters are asked to do it this way...why not..

stormy

2006-11-15T15:15:00.000-08:00

Excellent coverage from the TV Stations on the Storm on Wensday.

Give yourselves a big pat on the back.

2006-11-15T04:43:00.000-08:00

nose in the middle

2006-11-09T18:13:00.000-08:00

"hey Lee"

What's on our minds

Your Main News Reporter reported on the news cast earlier this week that they could not find anyone that was against the Fire Fee increase for Lee County"

"Well - Gall-a-lee Gee - Wheez what do you know.. It failed - It failed county wide.

Seems that the one sided news reporters were at it again, this time - sticking their noses in Lee County Alabama business - trying to influence an outcome.

- because your own city used safety as an issue to influence a election-you thought it would work else where too...

Lee County voters saw thru what the Amendment turely was and sent it back to the trash can, we're not as dumb and stupid as the east side of the river thinks we is.

Say good nite "Jon Boy"

in thru the outdoor

2006-11-06T17:41:00.000-08:00

yes

Yes

yes

yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

oh Yes

yes

the campaigning is finally over