Posted by cheeta (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen about nowhere to shop in Clanton. I tried to complain to Wal-Mart headquarters via e-mail and instead of being able to contact the company I received about 50 unwanted e-mails for all sorts of stuff from dating services to sex...yes I said sex....! I was never able to get through to the corporate office with my complaint. I hate to admit it but the shopping experience is much better in Prattville than anywhere else within driving distance from Clanton.

Posted by AZSneed (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 11:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One cent tax increase will put it at nine cents for Clanton.
Prattville is eight and 1/2 cent, and better places to shop, so guess where my money will go to.

Trying to bribe us with better roads is too little too late, as I don't care anymore.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I really rather doubt that 1/2 cent difference in tax will be the breaking point for reasonable people. With gas at almost $3 per gallon the tax difference won't make a hill of beans difference in where to shop. Personally, I hope all the stores and other crap stays in Prattville and Calera, that's WAY plenty close enough.

Remember, for those interested in fairness, a sales tax is the ONLY fair tax.

Posted by Care4GodsEarth (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So you'll save 10 cents on every $20.00 you spend if you drive to Prattville. At that rate, if you purchase something for about 150.00 you break even on your gas costs assuming your time is worth absolutely nothing, and you don't mind the wear and tear on your car.

Every big box store chain store only keeps 43 cents of every dollar in the community in taxes and salaries, compared to the locally owned business folk who keep at least 63-72 percent in local taxes and salaries (depending on the study). At least 20 cents or more every dollar you spend in a local establishment continues to circulate in the area. It goes for supporting other services and salaries. And it frequently goes for community projects, (you can see local business names in many signs and local community projects)

Again I hear the big sucking noise of Chilton county's residents hard earned money leaving the area to pay for someone else's roads. 1/2 cent isn't worth the drive.

Posted by jsfpilot2b (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Without raising taxes these politicians can't justify their senseless spending. Buying another armored personnel carrier, more patrol cars and ladder fire trucks in these economic times is rediculous. While the blue collar workers in this county, like myself, have to make cuts in our spending and lifestyle these politicians continue spending like everythhing's fine. When will they learn???
It's not their money they are spending. It's mine and yours!!
Say No to any new TAX!!

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We could have seen that one coming. First they're sniveling about ad valorem revenues being down and how sad the budget is --- so, of course, the ONLY solution we can think of is to RAISE SALES TAX. I can hear it now--all the awful stuff that's going to happen if we don't vote for the increase. Well, from what I've seen, even with the .01 increase, roads, education, services - everything will stay the same anyway-except the citizens will be paying even more. That just really gripes my a….pples. ☺

Posted by shenley (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would rather keep my money in Chilton County, but we have to get some retail stores here to be able to shop locally. How can we keep our money here if there are no
stores here?

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, kws,

They're going to work real hard on getting this tax increase - what about anything else?

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't see myself voting to provide the county extra funding for the poor paving jobs that the county is capable of producing. Take a look at any road that the county crews paved 3-5 years ago. There are potholes and crumbling shoulders on every one of them today. If I'm dodging potholes, what do I care what material surrounds them?

NOW, if they stipulate in the bill that all paving will be contracted to paving companies licensed in the towns and cities of our county, then we'd be getting somewhere.

Here's a deal for the CoCo: you guarantee that you'll use the proceeds from this tax to pay professional pavers to pave and repair roads, and I will deliver my household's votes.

If you want it to buy tar and gravel for the patch jobs we're getting now, I'll keep my money and spend it on shocks and struts.

Posted by Care4GodsEarth (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We need to keep more of the sales tax here and not give it to Shelby and Autauga counties.

Posted by Care4GodsEarth (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You're right about the crumbling roads! I just about got hit by a work truck because he was dodging a pothole as he turned the corner!

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We have to pay a couple of cents extra on a lot of items that we buy in Chilton Co., already. Gasoline is a bit higher; a lot of grocery items are higher. You can do some price comparing just between Clanton Wal-Mart and Wetumka Wal-Mart and find Clanton is a little higher. Seems we're already paying an "isolation tax". Selections are limited, prices are higher. Add another penny on every dollar to that and then ask all the people who commute to B'ham and Montgomery to work, where they're planning to shop. For example, I can slip off I-65 at Exit 181 swing by Wal-Mart, then stop by Entec and its right on the way. Sorry Care4GodsEarth, we’re going to need some more incentive - as much as we'd love help. ☺

Posted by livinginthorsby (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)

kittycreek - I work in B'ham and shop at the Wal-Mart in Vestavia on my way home. Great selection, great prices. And, they are in a wet county, one more convenience...

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, livinginthorsby, A few months ago, I visited the Wal-Mart in Inverness---Different World!-- Employees actually ask to help you find stuff!

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I work in MGM and stop at the Prattville Publix and Millbrook Wal-Mart, both stores that didn't exist until p-p-p-p-progress came to those communities. Better selection, better prices, cleaner stores, friendlier employees, shopping carts that don't turn left by default, more registers open.

Explain to me again why I should experience the worst Chilton County has to offer in the Clanton Wal-Mart again? That store is a definite candidate for a rewording of the Chamber's slogan: Shop Chilton County's Worst!

Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I live about 40 miles north of Atlanta and our county sales tax is 6%. I'm less than ten minutes from any department store, shopping mall, or eating establishment imaginable. Our highways are always maintained, and I couldn't tell you where a dirt road is around here, and we pay no sales tax on groceries.

Here's my point, We came home (Chilton County) to visit family a couple of weeks ago and I could not believe the prices over there. A gallon of milk was almost $5.00, when here around Atlanta it's $2.49. We wanted to go out for a nice dinner but, there is nothing there that dosen't have a drive through, not to mention nowhere to shop except WalMart.

Steve42 is right on, the roads around there are in terrible shape. It's so hilarious riding through town with the windows down listening to all the squeaking and rattling vehicles that those pot holes have torn to pieces.

It just seems like the folks in Chilton are already taxed to death on everything and have absolutely nothing to show for it. And now they want more......

Posted by Care4GodsEarth (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So, if ya'll spend your money other places, why live in Chilton Co at all?

Civic pride is a good reason. Small town low crime is a good reason. Small friendly schools and community spirit, these are all good reasons. Those are also the things you trade when you don't support your own.

Two major clothing factories closed in Alabama and hundreds were layed off because big box retailers buy from China, not from Alabama, because things are cheaper. Those jobs are gone, but we now have better selections for cheaper goods at Wal-mart.

Shelby and Autauga counties happily take your money for the betterment of their counties. What does Chilton County get?

Posted by snowlady (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

as we keep saying give us some place to shop and we will keep our money in chilton county. i too work out of county so i stop on my way home no problem for me. if i had store inside chilton couty i would shop here. wal mart employees in clanton are hateful and grumpy and the store never has anything you're looking for. we need something besides fast food and gas stations bulit

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Shelby and Autauga counties have county sales taxes. How did they get their people to support them when Chilton County can't?

I would say it's a self-inflicted wound. Chilton County hasn't always been in the shape it's in now. Obviously people felt the money was not being invested well in the past, back when the infrastructure was sufficient for the day.

Move forward to today and those people who were unhappy then may still be alive and voting, and their displeasure was expressed often enough that their children picked up on it and they vote the same way.

So now, the County has to prove to us that it knows what it is doing and that it is spending the scarce resources well.

Building a bunch of 4-wheeler and horseback trails in the north end of the county when the roads are falling apart around them was not the way to prove it.

Boneheaded "special interest" projects that don't improve the way of life for a significant number of residents aren't the way to ingratiate them to you.

Posted by Care4GodsEarth (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There are many places to shop in Chilton County, but many places have closed, and we can only blame ourselves.

It is very rare that I don't find what I need in Chilton co.

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Two major clothing factories closed in Alabama and hundreds were layed off because big box retailers buy from China, not from Alabama, because things are cheaper."

Umm. Have you looked at the products on the shelves of the mom and pop stores? Their products are made in China, Japan, Mexico, everywhere but the USA. The reason is simple... nothing is made in USA anymore.

So, Care4, you want to buy a TV. Where do you go? Wal-Mart, Handy TV, Radio Shack or the Sears catalog store? They're all having to send money out of the county, even if it's just to have the right to use the name. Not one of them is selling TVs made in Alabama.

Buying a shirt? Go to Bennett's, Corner Fair, or some other little boutique and look at the label. "Hencho en Mexico" is a common feature. I've never seen a tag that read "Made in Thorsby" on any clothing I found in a store.

Don't blame Wal-Mart for overseas production. Blame the consumer for demanding lower prices and then blame the UNIONS (duck, here comes kwsr) for the high costs of making those products in the USA.

So let me see, what do we want? Great selections in locally owned stores of low-priced, high-quality products manufactured by well compensated employees.

Never happened, never will.

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"It is very rare that I don't find what I need in Chilton co."

OK, find a pair of size 6X girl's khaki or navy slacks suitable for wearing to school. Cargo pants don't count.

When you get done with that, I'll give you another product that is missing from the shelves of our local, non-big box retailers.

Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"It is very rare that I don't find what I need in Chilton co."

Ok, Find a nice place to have dinner, Taco Bell, McDonalds? I don't think so...

I have often wondered who WalMart is paying to keep the competition out of the county........

Posted by southernpride (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't like any taxes , new or old. However, if the commission put a limit on the time it is to be collected, say a year or so, I would be more likely to vote for it. Also it would be great if they earmarked so much to certain projects that benefit the whole county.

For the people who don't want growth all I can say is, keep living in the fantasy world for growth is coming!!

AS forest Gump would say, "Stupid is as stupid does". I don't mean to insult anyone but not wanting for the county to thrive is or seems to be ignorant.

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you don't mind my asking, Care4GodsEarth, what stores do you usually shop at in Chilton County? Believe me, I do understand your point about spending, and keeping the tax revenues in our home community, but besides Wal-Mart, Winn Dixie and Associated Foods, what else is there.
Let's see...There's Cato's, Dollar Tree, General Dollar, some drug stores. Most of us do not have time to make a lot of stops.

Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate Care4's loyalty, and not trying to be disrespectful, But there's just nothing there.

When I was a kid you had a few choices, Driver's, Mrs.Donaldsons, Barons, Watsons, David Lee's or maybe Lorches.... Hmmm, The only thing that's changed in 30 years is Wally World.....

Posted by Care4GodsEarth (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And what else do you need?

There is a difference between wanting and needing. I said everything I need I can find in Chilton county. I don't need much to live, I live within my means. By doing that, I have much more freedom and time.

I am sorry that a local store hasn't picked up on the need for school uniforms. It's too bad that wasn't better coordinated locally, especially since khaki pants are so classic. So to the person who complained about the 6x girls pants, I say you are right. Someone dropped the ball, or failed to run with the ball.

I remember the introduction of Walmart to the buying public, but no one wanted to listen to the local stores. Now they are all but gone.

Growth is a good thing, I am all for growth, never said I wasn't. I am all for growth that allows Chilton County residents to keep as much money working in the community as possible. Growth within the community is important for our children. Our children ahould have the choice to be able to make a life in Chilton county. I just hope that they have an opportunity to own their own business and that their community will support them.

Maybe in years to come folks will understand what the choices they make now mean to their community.

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Someone dropped the ball, or failed to run with the ball." Sadly, this story originated a couple of years ago when my daughter actually wore that size, and the ball is still dropped.

Schools in this county have been changing to uniforms for the past several years, but no retailer, big or small, has stepped up to the plate and begun stocking the girls' pants.

That's the issue. When you know you aren't competing well with out of town stores and you just don't care enough to change.

Posted by shak2467 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 3:11 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by mangled (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The sales tax is NOT a fair tax. In fact, it is an unChristian tax as it taxes the poor unfairly. It amazes me how limited and unimaginative our commissioners' thinking on taxes can be. It seems to me that that the last 1-cent sales tax was supposed to be temporary. That was a lie. Wonder what the lie will be this time?

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Unfair tax on the poor? Why, are we charging them more per dollar than the weathly pay?

The truly poor are paying for their groceries and the sales tax with EBT cards. Who cares how much tax they pay?

Posted by rmims404 (Roger Mims) on June 17, 2009 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just looking at the budget at my household, I'll not be voting for any increase in taxes. How 'bout lets cut all political office holders salaries by about 20% and take that money and pave our roads. If that was done they would see how the "other half" lives. And on the subject of shopping in Clanton, when you get past the normal grocery items and other stuff they stock at Wally World, it's over. If you want variety, size selection and such, you have to go out of town. I have tried to buy dress shoes in Clanton to no avail. "I'm sorry, we don't carry that size or width" is all I hear. Living in a small town is nice but if you want to get clothing it is a must to go out of town.

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sales tax is a proportional tax that disregards the “ability to pay” principle.

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And again I ask, WHAT ability to pay. If you are buying groceries with EBT, your "ability to pay" has been provided for you.

Maybe I'd be more caring if I didn't see so many double transactions where the EBT card is being used for the food and the cash is being used for the beer and cigarettes.

If folks can't handle the sales tax, then that beer and cigarettes tax ought to be kicking their tails, but I notice it doesn't seem to be slowing them down very much.

Posted by UABBlazer (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"The sales tax is NOT a fair tax. In fact, it is an unChristian tax as it taxes the poor unfairly."

1. Our tax policy should have nothing to do with your religious affiliation, so whether it is 'unchristian' is completely irrelevant.

2. Consumption taxes are THE single most fair tax in existence. Everybody pays the same rate. The more you have, the more you spend, the more tax you pay. Ever heard of the whole idea of 'all men created equal?' We should all be treated equally- including our tax rate. Graduated tax rates dependent on personal wealth is a primary idea of Marxism.

3. People who complain about not having shopping opportunities around here typically are the people who have never darkened the door at many local retailers, and probably never will. It's kind of like the old saying about people complaining about the weather and never doing anything about it. The backward thought process kills me.
For instance:
Joe complains about there being no shopping in Clanton, so I'll go to Prattville. Sam is considering opening a shop in Clanton, but all he ever hears is how people want to shop in Prattville, so he decides not to. And Joe complains about no shopping. Around and around we go. In the meantime, Sally opens a shop. Joe comes in and complains that a $25 dollar item can be had for $22 in Alabaster, so he doesn't buy anything, instead choosing to go to Alabaster. Sally goes out of business, and Joe complains about no shopping. It takes Joe deciding to break the cycle to lure business. It is supply and demand. People in this town should crack an economics book some time.

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey,

Who says poor people with EBT cards shouldn't have some fun and party, drink and smoke. They have just as much right as other people, don't they???

(Hee, hee, hee!----Just Teasing.)

Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just to respond to a few of the comments.............
1. The Clanton Walmart was the smallest prototype of supercenters when it was built(136K sq. ft.) you can only cram so many SKU's into that amount of sq. ft. .rattville's is a 188K. They are traited for many other PLUs. that Clanton simply cant get. If Clanton wants a bigger Walmart, trying adding another 10K people to the population.
2. Does Bobby Agee ever attend the comission meetings? Ive been to several and hardly ever see him there.
3. Steve, you are right about the unions bloating the expenses of American mfg. Wages are one of the biggest controlable expenses to a business. If I have to net a 4% profit for every dollar of revenue just to make a living and my employee wages increase, guess who incurs the cost? The customer!

Posted by Edward6 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How about some "change we can believe in". I'm definitely not seeing it! The only change I'm seeing is what's left over from the dollars I'm spending on taxes. Check out what some of these elected congressmen are proposing for new taxes on this site http://www.pointofview.net/site/News2?pa... .

Posted by Care4GodsEarth (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UABBlazer- yep.

Somebody needs to educate Joe. If you live in Clanton a $25 item in Clanton is cheaper than a $22. item in Alabaster.

Ah well....

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's some info to consider......

http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/...

Ok, here's the breakdown:

General Sales Tax

Autauga County 2%
Prattville 2.5%
State 4%
Chilton County 1%
Clanton 3%

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry, my link malfuctioned somehow.

http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/...

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dang kw, I don't fall into any of those categories. I fall into the category that believes that businesses go into business to MAKE A PROFIT, and the larger one the better. And I don't think that makes them evil, like democrats and other liberals do. If my company ever changes that business model, I think I'll go ahead and retire because they'll soon be out of business. I've been lucky enough, I'm not sure I'll go out on a limb and say smart enough, to negotiate a nice living for myself without the need for a bunch of folks hired to extort my employer. But, that's just me, I guess.

Posted by gonefishen (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Union Wages are an uneducated individuals stone to throw because they have no other ammo. Wages (union or non-union) have very little to do with the cost of any product. Labor cost is typically the LOWWEST expense of any product. Corperate EXECUTIVE Greed is the BIGGEST expence of product in the country.
Here is an example - 1 ton of copy paper (40 cartons with 10 reams) sells for $925 a ton. Labor cost from woodyard to warehouse for each ton is between $16 - 18-50. The pallets cost $13.50 each. The packaging per carton is $8.50. Kinda get the point of where this is going. My UNION wages have netted me a cost of living increase of 4% in the last 3 years, not enough to make people want to run out and buy foreign paper.
As for the county commissioners, Everybody voted SEVEN times for their FAVORITE. Maybe someone should have made an informed decision based on QUALIFICATIONS

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The amount that your employer pays you is not by a LONG SHOT the total labor cost. If you think it is then I'd say you need to "educate" yourself a little more.

There certainly have been examples of "corporate greed", but that is an "uneducated union labor" stone to throw because you don't have any other ammo. Dismissing wages as having little to do with the cost of a (any) product is ridiculous.

Posted by gonefishen (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nov- Those are International Papers numbers. Those wage numbers are not mine, as I stated they are a combined wage number of the employees involved in the manufacturing process. Those figures are also from a mill which produces on average 1850 tons of cut paper a day. And I did not dismiss employee wages from anything. I also did not include health care expences because most third world countries do not have that burden. Are you trying to say that we should be more like those workers?

Posted by Care4GodsEarth (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My favorite comment of the day:

When I was a kid you had a few choices, Driver's, Mrs.Donaldsons, Barons, Watsons, David Lee's or maybe Lorches.... Hmmm, The only thing that's changed in 30 years is Wally World

Doesn't that say it all?

Posted by gonefishen (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"My job requires near constant travel, consequently I eat out A LOT. " Corperate card or out of pocket? How much of your travel expenses are pasted on to the consumer? How much of your work could be done without travel?
See Nov as with the county commissioners you want to act as if your position is not part of the problem.

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The big investors and corporate officers are too greedy to even pay minimum wage to US workers. They would much rather send your job to china or mexico. I'm all for unions. I had a great union job for a while but it was sold out to Mexico.

The local factories here in Chilton County could sure use a union.
Unions set a standard that other employers/businesses have to follow if they want any quality workers or quality products.

No one that doesn't already live in Chilton County is going to commute to Clanton to work in one of our glorified sweat shops like CRH, KMA or Gulf States in Thorsby (used to be IP) unless they are in a management position.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you aren't going to figure in health care costs as part of the cost of an employee then what's the conversation about? That's one of the major costs that a company is straddled with when they hire employees. I don't know about all companies, but in my company the folks that earn a $60,000 salary actually cost the company about $74,000, when you figure in health care, SSI match, Medicare, unemployment insurance, any 401K (or similar) match, liability insurance in case you do something stupid and get the company sued, and it goes on and on. The third-world comment was pretty juvenile, unless you want to consider that your employer is having to compete with those third-world companies that are not burdened with all these costs that American companies are. I can only speak for myself, but I don't care to take the pay cut that I would incur if my company suddenly went union. As I have alluded to before, if I ever need a bunch of goons to do my negotiating for me then it'll be about time for me to retire. But, as for right now, I'm doing just fine.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

kitty: Is it possible at all that those jobs were sent to Mexico BECAUSE labor was more affordable there? Yes there is greed in the corporate world, but I'd say that unions would know something about greed. And, greedy or not, the corporate folks don't have a choice about paying minimum wage, or higher.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

kw: Thank You! But, if I recall correctly, I didn't see any union person in the office with me and my boss when we negotiated my salary. Just me and him. But thanks!

Posted by Edward6 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think this is the leftist-socialist meeting blog but I'll add my 2 cents in. Unions definitely had their place during the industrial revolution to make work areas safe and to keep underage kids from working long hours. They've pretty much have gone the way of the dinosaurs due to their own greedy downfall. The UAW pretty much committed suicide when they made such a great deal with GM for workers compensation. Barack bailed GM out just to prolong the inevitable and to keep the unions alive since they backed him during his campaign. What is really sad is the money to bail out the car companies came up for a vote and it was voted down but they were able to get bailout maney any way.

Posted by gonefishen (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nov - I enjoyed the eyecandy of an responce, but it did not have anything to do with my questions. Typical management stance (misdirection). So let me see - Its OK for you to negotiate what YOU think is fair, BUUUUUUT you think that a group doing the same is just a bunch of uninformed goons? As to the third world issue, IP does that through a mill in Brazil. Labor is cheaper, health care etc.... Paper cost to you is the same. Go figure.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gonefishin: I didn't see your question. I use a corporate card, the bill comes to me and my company reimburses me weekly after I send in my expense report. SOME of my expenses are "pasted" on to the customer, but not all. NONE of my job can be done without travel. Care to explain how that "makes me part of the problem", and just which "problem" are you talking about? But make it quick, I've got to leave at 3am to, I suppose, go be "part of the problem", whatever that is, again.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gonefishen: You got it right! I DO think that it's OK for ME to negotiate MY salary, but when a gang extorts a company, I think that is wrong. You finally got it.

Posted by peachydixie (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I shop in town 90% of the time.Lately when I go to get my 9 month olds formula the stores don't have it.I even go in and tell them to order more before she runs out.when it comes to cloths it's hard to find kids cloths. most of the stores don't carry name brand to fit kids.for example went to bar-d to buy 10 husky levi for a boy didn't have.so I went to bennett's they didn't either.people would shop here if the stores would get a big slection.i don't mind the tax as long as it goes for the roads and schools.But not to line the pockets of the county officals.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 11:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

kw: I more or less understand the different types of unions, and that construction unions are different than the UAW, etc., but why are you defending ALL unions? Anyhow, I understand your position, too. And, I respect your ability to defend your position, even though I strongly disagree with it, as you do mine.

Believe you me, I'm too ---- stubborn to be swayed by Fox News or anybody else. I'm swayed by my own opinion based on experience, reality, and opening my eyes and letting them see what is before them. I just hope you don't pay much attention to MSNBC, now that is where you will find your America haters. And, again, Sean Hannity that you so dislike, drives union made vehicles and has said that he has no interest in driving foreign-owned vehicles.

Posted by nannyof4 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gravey I actually agree with you this time. Let's not make a habit of it though.
I just wonder how long it will be before the commission votes themselves a raise?

Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 11:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Regarding children's clothes ... I tried to find some jeans for my granddaughter that WERE NOT low rise or even slightly low. I wanted some that hit at her waist where jeans SHOULD hit. She's six for pete's sake! But all wally had were low rise .. no way this grandma is buying those ... Bennett's didn't have any ... Corner Fair didn't have any ... I even tried Freds.. and Bargain Town. So I ordered them over the internet cause I wasn't about to drive all over central Alabama looking for little girl's jeans.

For a decent place to eat try Helens, or Cattlemans, or San Marcos. Maybe they're still not toney enough for some but I'm not too toney myself ... and frankly neither is much of Chilton's folks. I have to add my granddaughter really enjoyed going to the Cow Pasture. LOL Whatever Anna likes I do too (except catsup on my fried chicken ~shudders~)

I know of course its more fast food but oh how I would love to have a Milos here!

Posted by reaowner (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 1:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe we should have the commissioners' do a Krispy Kreme fundraiser every time the budget is short...or a car wash...or maybe even a dunking booth. This way, at least someone gets something out of the deal besides another election term of bad money management.

Posted by shenley (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We don't have any quality clothing stores in Clanton. I love to give my business locally, but I have been in Bennett's many times to find that they don't have my size in clothes because they are limited with stuff. I wear dress clothes to work (I work out of town), so there's no choice but buy clothes out of town. I occasionally find something at Bennett's but I can find the same brand names at Belks, Penney's on sale and pay much less.

Posted by bamagirl3 (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There is no place in Chilton Co. to buy clothes that will fit me. I am rather large and there are others out there like me. Where do we find things to fit us? I order mine off the internet, or shop out of the county. Another tax for roads is plain stupid. They don't pave them right the first time, but they want more money to do the job over. My Mom once told me, Do the job right the first time so you don't have to do it again. How right she was. I go out of town for all my shopping. Wally World is the worst place in the county. The people there are so arrogant. They won't help you find anything. This county, as a whole, has no place to shop or eat in a nice setting. Our leaders will not let anything come into our area. I believe they want to keep us in the 80's forever. Let's hope they will see the need for growth. I for one will not support another tax increase.

Posted by Jenbo (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There is very limited places to shop and eat in Clanton. Unless you want fast food or Mexican, Cattleman's is about the only "upscale" restaurant. The clothes are so pricey at Bennett's and the other clothing store in Clanton that you will have a much larger selection and save money if you go to Prattville or Alabaster and shop at Belk.

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

kswr said: "Those against organized labor fall into these categories"

Or #6: Those of us who watched our father who was in middle management go and work 48 hour shifts for weeks on end with no time for family because the union was on its second strike in the same year asking for more money and more time off.

gonefishen said: "As for the county commissioners, Everybody voted SEVEN times for their FAVORITE. Maybe someone should have made an informed decision based on QUALIFICATIONS"

If you waited to vote for qualified individuals, you've never get the whole CoCo filled. Precious few qualified people are running. It's a vicious cycle.

UABBlazer said: "People who complain about not having shopping opportunities around here typically are the people who have never darkened the door at many local retailers, and probably never will. "

I buy fertilizer, grass seed, insecticide and dog food from Jones' Seed & Feed. I get my hair cut at City Barber Shop. I eat at Hickory Chip, Edgar's, Three Amigos, the Whistle Stop, Whataburger, and Waffle House. I buy tractor parts at Sunbelt (used to be Grey and Sons) and Howell's small engines. I buy auto parts from NAPA and Advance. I get my car serviced at Major Muffler and Morris Auto. I buy electronics parts at Radio Shack. I'd buy my wife something frilly at WIley and Josey's, but all of you people would be talking about it while you are getting your hair did on Saturday.

kwsr also said "If it weren't for UNIONS, Bill, everyone in America would be working for $1.10 per hour"

That's a convenient and unproveable statement. Precious few people in my industry are unionized, and we started a kid right out of college at 65K.

November said: "I didn't see any union person in the office with me and my boss when we negotiated my salary. Just me and him."

And that means that there was no union guy to pay after you negotiated that salary... I've always said that collective bargaining serves to protect the folks who don't have the brainpower or motivation to bargain on their own. I believe that if kwsr is as good an electrician as he says, and I think he probably is, he'd be getting a good wage without the union. He doesn't. There's our basic philosophical difference.

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can hear Jeff Foxworthy now:

"If your town's most upscale restaurant has wagon wheels for decorations and a Conestoga Wagon for a salad bar, you might be a redneck."

Posted by shak2467 (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Union shmunion, I've been in one, alot of B.S. goes on there.
Lets just see how BETTER off we are in four years after the current 1 termer is gone!!!!!!

Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"No one that doesn't already live in Chilton County is going to commute to Clanton to work in one of our glorified like CRH, KMA or Gulf States in Thorsby (used to be IP) unless they are in a management position."

Kitty, I actually work at one of these "sweat shops" and about 25% of our hourlys commute from Autauga county.

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As far as the great negotiating power of UNIONS goes, I used to work for a company that was a subcontractor on a larger contract. The contract covered the gamut from bus drivers to IT workers to ditch diggers and welders.

Somebody working for the prime got the bright idea that they could get better pay and benefits if they unionized, so they brought in a union... the United Steel Workers. They assigned someone to handle the process and to "represent" the workers and the people voting against it watched the polling boxes as people came in carrying 30 and 40 ballots when they worked in a shop of 15-20 people. Needless to say, by the end of the day, the USW had a new Local and a bunch of IT workers were dragged kicking and screaming into it. The next year, the IT workers stood by helplessly as the Union negoiated for steel-toed boots and safety glasses instead of 401k matching funds. The next year, the union pushed for a fixed dollar amount raise instead of a percentage, essentially cutting the raises of the higher paid employees.

Fortunately, I got out before the union closed the shop to non-union subs. I'm now making more money than the highest paid person in that contract, and they lost the contract because of shoddy workmanship by the blue-collar folks who cried out for the union.

The employees who are trying to get jobs in the new contract complained because the union reps hadn't been involved in wage discussions, so the new prime called the union. They said they would "try" to get someone down there to them. Apparently, the 1% plus 12 cents an hour the members are paying the union isn't enough to get someone to drive 75 miles to represent them.

Posted by gkeys (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just an observation I have made, but most all of the Honda’s I see on the road are littered with bumper stickers. In amongst those stickers of “Save the Forrest” and “PETA”, you will find an “Obama/Biden” sticker….Does that mean Democrats are Anti-American?

Posted by shak2467 (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well then, let's all pool together and buy them a one way boat ride!!!!!!!

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry getbizi,

Just so you'll know, I wasn't being "snobby" I’ve worked at two of those sweat shops myself, one of them for 5 years. My point was that no one will commute 45 miles or more to work in Chilton County unless they are in a higher position. For the most part, people commute out of the county, not into it, to work. People will commute a long way to work at a place with reasonable pay, good working conditions, and a little respect. Chilton falls short on jobs like that.

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

kwsr, nobody said I had issues with my "Daddy." He's a great guy and he is there for me any time that I need him. My issues are that even as a 4th grader, I could see that crying "we want more" when you just got more 6 months ago was wrong.

I have a real issue with an organization that comes up with new ideas like "thou shalt cool down the ovens between every shift" so that 6 hours of production is lost each day, and then they threaten to take their toys and go home if the employer balks at it.

If it were all about fair pay and safe work environments, I'd be 100% for it, and I believe that's what it started out to be. But like PETA and Al Sharpton, they couldn't stop at sensible and now they are just coming up with new reasons to cause a stink.

As for BROTHERHOOD (why do you capitalize all your UNION words, or it that part of the deep SECRET you can't talk about?), I don't need BROTHERS at work. I have BROTHERS in my family and I have BROTHERS in Christ.

I also don't need a UNION to make sure I earn $40 an hour in a 40 hour work week with good benefits. I've got it now, and I don't have to give any of it to my BROTHERS. I have these things because of what the LORD has done for me, not because of what the UNION has done.

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Chilton falls short on jobs like that."

kitty, that's because we don't allow alcohol sales. :-)

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That's cute, steve42,

We could start a whole new debate with that one! ☺

Posted by shak2467 (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's a really interesting story for all the Pro Unioners. Read this and then come with your excuses!! You may have to copy then paste.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090622/ap_o...