By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
July 19, 2005
While Hurricane Dennis hurt Dallas County farmers, many of them still counted their blessings, according to the Farm Service Agency.
Perry Woodruff, of the Agency, said that Dennis wasn't nearly as damaging as Ivan.
“Thank goodness,” he said.
Woodruff said that many crops in the area were bent over from the wind and rain, but much of the crops will be saved, although he couldn't say how much.
Many area farmers, who grow soybeans, cotton and corn in Dallas County, won't know how much of their crop is lost until the plants “stand up.”
“Only time will tell,” he said.
Still it was a lot worse with Ivan, Woodruff said, especially for cotton crops.
When Ivan came in, the cotton plants were closer to harvest time.
“A lot of it was open and ready to pick,” he said.
Woodruff said that much of the crop was literally blown away as the cotton bolls were open at the time.
In fact, Woodruff said, the damage was so low that the FSA didn't activate the Emergency Conservation Practices program.
The ECP is a cost-share program, administered by the federal government, that allows farmers to recoup a portion of their losses from the storm.
Woodruff said claims were still coming in from Ivan, but the damage reported was so slight, he said that the FSA didn't think it was necessary with Dennis.
“It was not near as bad as Ivan,” Woodruff said.
Most of the rest of Alabama farmers issued similar reports.
In a statement from Ron Sparks, state Agriculture Commissioner, the overall damage was “minimal to moderate.”
Baldwin, Escambia and Monroe Counties, however, reported major damage.
“Based on current reports, Alabama farmers and producers have been very fortunate compared to the widespread devastation incurred by Hurricane Ivan last year,” stated Sparks. “Most people feel truly blessed that Dennis lost a lot of its strength so quickly.”
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
EMA director asked to resign
By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
Oct. 25, 2005
The Selma Ministerial Association asked the Dallas County Commission to remove Emergency Management Director Brett Howard Monday.
Claiming that Howard “expresses very little concern for the citizens of Selma's safety,” the Association - composed of area Baptist ministers - said they didn't think Howard should continue as head of the EMA at a press conference held on the steps of the Dallas County Courthouse annex.
The Association's criticism revolved around Howard's actions during and after Hurricane Katrina, especially in regard to the needs of evacuees within Dallas County.
“This is a human life issue,” the Rev. Ezeikiel Pettway, a member of the Association, said.
The Association said that in the aftermath of Katrina, Howard showed disregard for the safety of human life, encouraged churches and pastors not to bring evacuees into the county, closed shelters prematurely, stated inaccurate numbers concerning evacuees, failed to communicate properly with area residents, expressed no concern for the citizens of Selma and didn't make a Katrina plan public.
They made their complaints official after the press conference, by presenting a resolution calling for Howard's job at Monday's Dallas County Commission meeting.
In that resolution, they said Howard told them in meetings on Sept. 16 and 17 not to bring evacuees to Dallas County.
Also, they claim Howard told them he wasn't concerned about the wants and needs of Selma's citizens.
“He said the citizens of Orrville and Valley Grande and other parts of this county pay his salary,” the Rev. L.L. Ruffin, Association President, said.
Ruffin said members of the Association told him Selma's citizens pay county taxes, which are also part of his salary.
“He replied that he did not see it that way,” Ruffin said. “Such statements and actions suggest a cavalier attitude and a discriminatory direction of the Dallas County EMA.
“(We) call for the removal of the director of the EMA.”
The commission said they would respond to the Association's charges later, but expressed support for Howard.
They said they believed Howard had performed admirably as EMA director, citing commendations he'd received from the Alabama EMA for his work.
“He's carried out his duties commendably,” Commission Chairman and Probate Judge John Jones said.
As for the comments Howard allegedly made, Jones said he wasn't aware of them, but they would be looked into.
He did, however, hint at how he personally felt about the allegations.
“May he who is without sin cast the first stone,” Jones said, quoting the New Testament to Ruffin. “Maybe we sometimes take things out of context.”
After Katrina, Dallas County became the temporary - and in some cases permanent - home for at least a hundred evacuees from Louisiana and Mississippi. It isn't clear how many evacuees sought shelter in the area, but estimates ranged from 200 to 600 at one point.
Howard said, at the time, that most of these evacuees were staying with relatives and friends as far as he knew.
At first, the Black Belt Chapter of the American Red Cross opened several shelters in Dallas County. According to officials at the time, many of them were unoccupied after Katrina.
The last shelter, at Westwood Baptist, closed two days after the storm when the Red Cross determined there wasn't a need for it, ARC interim director Jakki Phillips said in a meeting last month.
Howard did say, after the commission meeting, that he has no responsibility over when shelters are opened or closed. He said that decision rests with the ARC.
The Selma Times-Journal
Oct. 25, 2005
The Selma Ministerial Association asked the Dallas County Commission to remove Emergency Management Director Brett Howard Monday.
Claiming that Howard “expresses very little concern for the citizens of Selma's safety,” the Association - composed of area Baptist ministers - said they didn't think Howard should continue as head of the EMA at a press conference held on the steps of the Dallas County Courthouse annex.
The Association's criticism revolved around Howard's actions during and after Hurricane Katrina, especially in regard to the needs of evacuees within Dallas County.
“This is a human life issue,” the Rev. Ezeikiel Pettway, a member of the Association, said.
The Association said that in the aftermath of Katrina, Howard showed disregard for the safety of human life, encouraged churches and pastors not to bring evacuees into the county, closed shelters prematurely, stated inaccurate numbers concerning evacuees, failed to communicate properly with area residents, expressed no concern for the citizens of Selma and didn't make a Katrina plan public.
They made their complaints official after the press conference, by presenting a resolution calling for Howard's job at Monday's Dallas County Commission meeting.
In that resolution, they said Howard told them in meetings on Sept. 16 and 17 not to bring evacuees to Dallas County.
Also, they claim Howard told them he wasn't concerned about the wants and needs of Selma's citizens.
“He said the citizens of Orrville and Valley Grande and other parts of this county pay his salary,” the Rev. L.L. Ruffin, Association President, said.
Ruffin said members of the Association told him Selma's citizens pay county taxes, which are also part of his salary.
“He replied that he did not see it that way,” Ruffin said. “Such statements and actions suggest a cavalier attitude and a discriminatory direction of the Dallas County EMA.
“(We) call for the removal of the director of the EMA.”
The commission said they would respond to the Association's charges later, but expressed support for Howard.
They said they believed Howard had performed admirably as EMA director, citing commendations he'd received from the Alabama EMA for his work.
“He's carried out his duties commendably,” Commission Chairman and Probate Judge John Jones said.
As for the comments Howard allegedly made, Jones said he wasn't aware of them, but they would be looked into.
He did, however, hint at how he personally felt about the allegations.
“May he who is without sin cast the first stone,” Jones said, quoting the New Testament to Ruffin. “Maybe we sometimes take things out of context.”
After Katrina, Dallas County became the temporary - and in some cases permanent - home for at least a hundred evacuees from Louisiana and Mississippi. It isn't clear how many evacuees sought shelter in the area, but estimates ranged from 200 to 600 at one point.
Howard said, at the time, that most of these evacuees were staying with relatives and friends as far as he knew.
At first, the Black Belt Chapter of the American Red Cross opened several shelters in Dallas County. According to officials at the time, many of them were unoccupied after Katrina.
The last shelter, at Westwood Baptist, closed two days after the storm when the Red Cross determined there wasn't a need for it, ARC interim director Jakki Phillips said in a meeting last month.
Howard did say, after the commission meeting, that he has no responsibility over when shelters are opened or closed. He said that decision rests with the ARC.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Sheriff's office: Drive-offs steady after gas increases
Prices affecting drive-offs?
By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
August 16, 2005
Gas drive-offs are a problem according to local law enforcement officials, but gas price increases haven't made a big difference, at least not in the county.
“We probably average five to 10 a month,” Dallas County Sheriff Department Captain Roy Freine said. “We've seen a little bit going up since the gas prices went up.”
Gas prices recently set a record, averaging about $2.55 per gallon nationwide.
Some Selma stations charge more.
Almost two-thirds of people surveyed for an Associated Press-American Online poll said they expect fuel costs to cause them financial hardship.
Within the city limits, gas drive offs appear to occur more frequently. Reports show that since Aug. 9 five stores were the victim of gas drive-offs.
Selma Police officials were unavailable for comment on Tuesday.
Freine said that while the situation isn't a big problem for the county, he urged gas station owners and workers to be vigilant.
“We like taking any opportunity to advise store owners to use their common sense and judgement,” Freine said.
Freine suggested that attendants require suspicious individuals to pay before pumping.
Also, Freine said it is always helpful to law enforcement if attendants pay more attention to their customers.
“Be more alert of who's pumping gas,” Freine said.
Freine said details about what the car looks like could be helpful in catching culprits.
Also, Freine warned potential gas-thieves about the consequences of their actions.
Those found guilty of stealing gas could have their drivers licenses revoked, Freine said.
“Who wants to lose their licenses over a little bit of gas?” he asked. “No one.”
By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
August 16, 2005
Gas drive-offs are a problem according to local law enforcement officials, but gas price increases haven't made a big difference, at least not in the county.
“We probably average five to 10 a month,” Dallas County Sheriff Department Captain Roy Freine said. “We've seen a little bit going up since the gas prices went up.”
Gas prices recently set a record, averaging about $2.55 per gallon nationwide.
Some Selma stations charge more.
Almost two-thirds of people surveyed for an Associated Press-American Online poll said they expect fuel costs to cause them financial hardship.
Within the city limits, gas drive offs appear to occur more frequently. Reports show that since Aug. 9 five stores were the victim of gas drive-offs.
Selma Police officials were unavailable for comment on Tuesday.
Freine said that while the situation isn't a big problem for the county, he urged gas station owners and workers to be vigilant.
“We like taking any opportunity to advise store owners to use their common sense and judgement,” Freine said.
Freine suggested that attendants require suspicious individuals to pay before pumping.
Also, Freine said it is always helpful to law enforcement if attendants pay more attention to their customers.
“Be more alert of who's pumping gas,” Freine said.
Freine said details about what the car looks like could be helpful in catching culprits.
Also, Freine warned potential gas-thieves about the consequences of their actions.
Those found guilty of stealing gas could have their drivers licenses revoked, Freine said.
“Who wants to lose their licenses over a little bit of gas?” he asked. “No one.”
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Hanil E-Hwa making an impact
The Selma Times-Journal
Jan. 7, 2005
By Steven Jones
Hanil E-Hwa Interior Systems has only been in the area for a few months, but they've already started making a big splash in Alabama's automotive manufacturing community.
Less than six months after announcing their decision to locate a plant in the old American Candy Building, Hanil E-Hwa has already manufactured and supplied door trim for more than 14,000 cars. At four trim assemblies per car, that winds up being 56,000 units in the month of December alone.
That's not all.
According to David Kim, of the company's planning department, the plant has been supplying parts since November, but didn't start manufacturing at the Dallas County site until December.
“It's been kind of busy,” Kim said. “(But) everything's on schedule.”
Hanil E-Hwa already has about 140 employees working at their new plant and everything is going fine.
Kim came into Selma just before the plant announced its intent to build here in August.
He's been part of a team of Hanil E-Hwa employees that have been working hard - sometimes around the clock - to make the new plant a reality in an astonishingly short period of time.
Hanil E-Hwa started working with Dallas County's economic development officials in the middle of 2005.
Economic Development Agency head Wayne Vardaman got a call from Kim in the middle of a Friday morning prayer meeting.
“I really do believe it was heaven sent,” he said when the company made their announcement.
In a lot of ways, Hanil E-Hwa, along with companies like Lear/Kyungshin and Renesol, are the fulfillment of a promise made by a more earthly source.
Area leaders said in May 2005 that Hyundai's decision to put a plant in Hope Hull would reverberate through the Black Belt region.
“The activities around the Hyundai plant are not slowing,” Selma Mayor James
Perkins Jr. said when Hyundai had its kick-off celebration.
About three months later, Selma had the promise of 240 jobs and possible more to come when Hanil E-Hwa came to town.
Before it's over, Hanil E-Hwa officials have promised to make a capital investment in the area of about $38 million, including the renovation of the American Candy company.
In fact, area officials said that the 100,000 square-foot building was one of the reasons Hanil E-Hwa decided to move into the area.
A tilt-up concrete structure, the building is sturdy enough to withstand massive tornadoes.
Of course, like all economic advancements in the area, officials are always quick to point out that Dallas County's residents are a big selling point in any transaction.
A crowd of about 200 showed up in August to welcome the company.
“We're very overwhelmed,” said Kim. “It's a very nice welcoming from Selma.”
Kim promised that the progress in Craig Field isn't over yet.
Construction is still ongoing to renovate the site, and the company still needs to hire about 100 more employees to achieve full capacity at the site.
That progress will come soon enough Kim said.
“It should be finished before the first quarter (of 2006),” he said. “Our production is running pretty smoothly, (but) we're still kind of on our toes.”
Jan. 7, 2005
By Steven Jones
Hanil E-Hwa Interior Systems has only been in the area for a few months, but they've already started making a big splash in Alabama's automotive manufacturing community.
Less than six months after announcing their decision to locate a plant in the old American Candy Building, Hanil E-Hwa has already manufactured and supplied door trim for more than 14,000 cars. At four trim assemblies per car, that winds up being 56,000 units in the month of December alone.
That's not all.
According to David Kim, of the company's planning department, the plant has been supplying parts since November, but didn't start manufacturing at the Dallas County site until December.
“It's been kind of busy,” Kim said. “(But) everything's on schedule.”
Hanil E-Hwa already has about 140 employees working at their new plant and everything is going fine.
Kim came into Selma just before the plant announced its intent to build here in August.
He's been part of a team of Hanil E-Hwa employees that have been working hard - sometimes around the clock - to make the new plant a reality in an astonishingly short period of time.
Hanil E-Hwa started working with Dallas County's economic development officials in the middle of 2005.
Economic Development Agency head Wayne Vardaman got a call from Kim in the middle of a Friday morning prayer meeting.
“I really do believe it was heaven sent,” he said when the company made their announcement.
In a lot of ways, Hanil E-Hwa, along with companies like Lear/Kyungshin and Renesol, are the fulfillment of a promise made by a more earthly source.
Area leaders said in May 2005 that Hyundai's decision to put a plant in Hope Hull would reverberate through the Black Belt region.
“The activities around the Hyundai plant are not slowing,” Selma Mayor James
Perkins Jr. said when Hyundai had its kick-off celebration.
About three months later, Selma had the promise of 240 jobs and possible more to come when Hanil E-Hwa came to town.
Before it's over, Hanil E-Hwa officials have promised to make a capital investment in the area of about $38 million, including the renovation of the American Candy company.
In fact, area officials said that the 100,000 square-foot building was one of the reasons Hanil E-Hwa decided to move into the area.
A tilt-up concrete structure, the building is sturdy enough to withstand massive tornadoes.
Of course, like all economic advancements in the area, officials are always quick to point out that Dallas County's residents are a big selling point in any transaction.
A crowd of about 200 showed up in August to welcome the company.
“We're very overwhelmed,” said Kim. “It's a very nice welcoming from Selma.”
Kim promised that the progress in Craig Field isn't over yet.
Construction is still ongoing to renovate the site, and the company still needs to hire about 100 more employees to achieve full capacity at the site.
That progress will come soon enough Kim said.
“It should be finished before the first quarter (of 2006),” he said. “Our production is running pretty smoothly, (but) we're still kind of on our toes.”
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Treasure trial continues
By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal Dec. 6 2005
The prosecution turned over their witness to the defense; Erskin Mathis, attorney for Steve Phillips, bulldozed his way to the witness stand, Mickey Mouse tie flailing, to cross examine George Mickey Corson.
"Are you the river police?" Mathis asked.
"No," Corson, a Selma public works employee, replied.
"You were just nosy and sticking your nose in somebody else's business," Mathis barked.
The prosecution objected.
"He doesn't have the right to badger and attack the witness," Dallas County prosecutor Mickey Avery said.
Corson had just finished testifying that he spoke with Phillips, of Vandover, and Perry Massey, a magazine executive from California.
Both men were charged with theft of a cultural resource under a 1999 state law - the Underwater Cultural Resource Act.
According to the law, anyone disturbing, taking or damaging a "cultural resource," usually an archaeological or historic artifact, without a permit issued by the state can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor or a Class C felony, depending on the value of the artifact.
According to Corson, he told Phillips on the banks of the Alabama River on Oct. 23, 2003, that it was illegal to dive for artifacts.
"I explained to him there was a law against it," he said. "He (Phillips) said he had a permit and he knew the law."
Phillips didn't have a permit when he and Massey emerged from the river with an 1865 Civil War musket and they were arrested.
Corson testified that he told officials with Old Cahawba Park about the dive trip after speaking to Phillips. They contacted state officials, the district attorney's office and a local conservation officer who actually made the arrest.
Prosecutors presented a witness Monday, Dr. William Shane Lee, who said the rifle pulled out of the mud in the Alabama River was worth an estimated $2,000.
If the jury agrees with him, the charge against Phillips is a Class C felony and if convicted he could face jail time.
Lee, a doctor in a Marion clinic, is also a collector and exhibitor of Civil War artifacts.
He served as a national state park volunteer for 15 years. He minored in military history in college, and later received a master's degree in military strategy. His dissertation was an analysis of Wilson's Raid on Selma.
He said the rifle was a musketoon, shorter than a standard musket, which was originally used by support staff and artillery soldiers.
"Which makes it a bit more rare," he said.
Musketoons were imported from England by both the Union and the Confederacy during the Civil War. Lee testified that tools and dies were also imported and a musketoon factory was established in Tallassee. If the rifle is from Tallassee, which Lee said he had no way of knowing from the photographs, then its value might be even higher.
The defense's argument centered around the validity of the law, which was enforced the first time for this incident.
Mathis asked the state archaeologist, Dr. Thomas Mayer an employee of the Alabama Historic Society and a witness for the defense, if the state had authority in the case.
He presented a federal statute stating that the federal Department of the Interior had a final say over what properties were considered eligible, challenging Mayer's statement that the state had authority.
"You told this jury the state made the registry," Mathis said.
"We determine in the state office what is eligible," Mayer replied.
"I guess you can do what you want as long as nobody calls you on it," Mathis said.
"No sir."
While earlier in the trial, Mathis made arguments to the effect that without a listing of eligible historic sites, which isn't publicly available, Phillips couldn't have known he was violating the law.
Mayer, during questioning from the prosecutors, testified that he met with Phillips in 2000 regarding the Underwater Cultural Resources Act.
Phillips, during that meeting, "expressed his dislike" of the law. Mayer said Phillips did not get permission to excavate any site in the state during that meeting.
Mayer was called in when Phillips was arrested. He testified that he spoke to him then.
"Mr. Phillips asserted that he had a permit from Dr. Weaver," Mayer said. "He asserted that I had to give him a permit right then. I declined to do so."
The discrepancy between state and federal regulations was cleared up by Elizabeth Brown, interim director of the Alabama Historic Society.
"I'm happy to do (the job) on a short-term basis," she said.
She said that Mathis was correct in stating the Department of the Interior was the keeper of the national historic Registry, but a different section of the statute gave state authorities more leeway.
"The whole process really runs without the keeper of the Registry," she said.
She said the list of eligible sites isn't publicly available to protect them from potential looters, but if a potential excavator wants to find out, the Society can provide them with details about a particular site on a case by case basis.
Later the trial recessed until 9 a.m. today, when the witnesses for the defense will be called.
Mathis said he felt really good about his chances in the case.
"I don't think (the state) proved their case," he said. "I'll make a motion (to dismiss the charges) to that effect tomorrow."
He feels like the state hasn't proven that the site is eligible for listing on the state or national Historic Registry. Without that proof, Mathis said there is no charge against his client.
"Phillips has never denied diving anywhere," he said.
The Selma Times-Journal Dec. 6 2005
The prosecution turned over their witness to the defense; Erskin Mathis, attorney for Steve Phillips, bulldozed his way to the witness stand, Mickey Mouse tie flailing, to cross examine George Mickey Corson.
"Are you the river police?" Mathis asked.
"No," Corson, a Selma public works employee, replied.
"You were just nosy and sticking your nose in somebody else's business," Mathis barked.
The prosecution objected.
"He doesn't have the right to badger and attack the witness," Dallas County prosecutor Mickey Avery said.
Corson had just finished testifying that he spoke with Phillips, of Vandover, and Perry Massey, a magazine executive from California.
Both men were charged with theft of a cultural resource under a 1999 state law - the Underwater Cultural Resource Act.
According to the law, anyone disturbing, taking or damaging a "cultural resource," usually an archaeological or historic artifact, without a permit issued by the state can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor or a Class C felony, depending on the value of the artifact.
According to Corson, he told Phillips on the banks of the Alabama River on Oct. 23, 2003, that it was illegal to dive for artifacts.
"I explained to him there was a law against it," he said. "He (Phillips) said he had a permit and he knew the law."
Phillips didn't have a permit when he and Massey emerged from the river with an 1865 Civil War musket and they were arrested.
Corson testified that he told officials with Old Cahawba Park about the dive trip after speaking to Phillips. They contacted state officials, the district attorney's office and a local conservation officer who actually made the arrest.
Prosecutors presented a witness Monday, Dr. William Shane Lee, who said the rifle pulled out of the mud in the Alabama River was worth an estimated $2,000.
If the jury agrees with him, the charge against Phillips is a Class C felony and if convicted he could face jail time.
Lee, a doctor in a Marion clinic, is also a collector and exhibitor of Civil War artifacts.
He served as a national state park volunteer for 15 years. He minored in military history in college, and later received a master's degree in military strategy. His dissertation was an analysis of Wilson's Raid on Selma.
He said the rifle was a musketoon, shorter than a standard musket, which was originally used by support staff and artillery soldiers.
"Which makes it a bit more rare," he said.
Musketoons were imported from England by both the Union and the Confederacy during the Civil War. Lee testified that tools and dies were also imported and a musketoon factory was established in Tallassee. If the rifle is from Tallassee, which Lee said he had no way of knowing from the photographs, then its value might be even higher.
The defense's argument centered around the validity of the law, which was enforced the first time for this incident.
Mathis asked the state archaeologist, Dr. Thomas Mayer an employee of the Alabama Historic Society and a witness for the defense, if the state had authority in the case.
He presented a federal statute stating that the federal Department of the Interior had a final say over what properties were considered eligible, challenging Mayer's statement that the state had authority.
"You told this jury the state made the registry," Mathis said.
"We determine in the state office what is eligible," Mayer replied.
"I guess you can do what you want as long as nobody calls you on it," Mathis said.
"No sir."
While earlier in the trial, Mathis made arguments to the effect that without a listing of eligible historic sites, which isn't publicly available, Phillips couldn't have known he was violating the law.
Mayer, during questioning from the prosecutors, testified that he met with Phillips in 2000 regarding the Underwater Cultural Resources Act.
Phillips, during that meeting, "expressed his dislike" of the law. Mayer said Phillips did not get permission to excavate any site in the state during that meeting.
Mayer was called in when Phillips was arrested. He testified that he spoke to him then.
"Mr. Phillips asserted that he had a permit from Dr. Weaver," Mayer said. "He asserted that I had to give him a permit right then. I declined to do so."
The discrepancy between state and federal regulations was cleared up by Elizabeth Brown, interim director of the Alabama Historic Society.
"I'm happy to do (the job) on a short-term basis," she said.
She said that Mathis was correct in stating the Department of the Interior was the keeper of the national historic Registry, but a different section of the statute gave state authorities more leeway.
"The whole process really runs without the keeper of the Registry," she said.
She said the list of eligible sites isn't publicly available to protect them from potential looters, but if a potential excavator wants to find out, the Society can provide them with details about a particular site on a case by case basis.
Later the trial recessed until 9 a.m. today, when the witnesses for the defense will be called.
Mathis said he felt really good about his chances in the case.
"I don't think (the state) proved their case," he said. "I'll make a motion (to dismiss the charges) to that effect tomorrow."
He feels like the state hasn't proven that the site is eligible for listing on the state or national Historic Registry. Without that proof, Mathis said there is no charge against his client.
"Phillips has never denied diving anywhere," he said.
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