National Library Week 2008

Dear Editor,

I recently visited Hamilton for Christmas with family. This is the first time I have been here since I was a teenager. As far as I can tell, not a whole lot has changed. Watha's moved, the Radio Shack moved, Fred's moved. A few new building or hardware stores opened, but not much has changed. One thing that I noticed that really hasn't changed is the lack of professional craftsmanship in the mechanical trades, that is, construction, plumbing, electrical etc. I am an electrician by trade, and an electrical contractor by profession, so I tend to notice poor quality in construction, especially electrical. In Hamilton, every building I went in had some pretty significant "jack leg" work. That's a term electricians use when describing unprofessional work, or the people who perform that work. "Don't let him work for you, he's a jack leg", or "Who wired all this jack leg junk?".

I operate my business in Atlanta, Ga. Sure, we have plenty of jack leg work going on there too, but what I saw in Hamilton makes me concerned for the safety and health of the innocent people who can be harmed by the local jack leg handy man. But in Atlanta, and almost all the counties and cities around it, there are building departments that require permits to be issued for major construction projects, and inspectors to make sure the work is performed in a workman-like manner. Don't get me wrong, you can find jack leg work there, but in Hamilton it was blatant. Jack legs in Georgia try hard to hide their work, not so in Hamilton, at least not from what I've seen. I won't name names, but here's a few of the things I've seen:

A gas station had a cracked and broken plastic conduit with the wires exposed feeding an outlet. I can't even begin to describe just how dangerous that is. But let me say this, even if the conduit wasn't broken, the whole installation was still wrong and dangerous. One building had the drains running out into the woods behind the building. A hair cutting business had lights with exposed connections. Someone had built a large deck onto a house I visited. The whole thing was NAILED together. Not a single bolt in it. A gas station had an outside outlet installed, with plumbing fittings used for the wiring. A gas line to a heater had a large wad of duct tape wrapped on it and covered with what looks like PVC glue smeared on it. A gas line! I couldn't believe it!

I could go on, but my point is this: your handyman/plumber/roofer does a fine job hanging pictures and cleaning gutters. But does he know how to do the jobs that can potentially endanger you and your family members' lives? Obviously not! But hey, as long as it works it's OK, right? WRONG! Just because it works doesn't make it right. Ask your handyman if he has had training as a plumber or electrician. He'll tell you he knows all about it. Guess what? HE DOESN'T!! The state of Alabama has had a licensing board for General Contractors since 1935. They now license plumbers, electricians, and HVAC. Ask your handyman to see his license. Chances are he doesn't have one. And a business license from the city is NOT a contractor's license!

I learned that Hamilton, and Marion County in general, doesn't have a Building Inspections department. Needless to say no inspector either. I know that most people don't know what is right or wrong when it comes to these things, that's why you hire someone. You presume the person you hire has the knowledge. That isn't always the case. Write/call/email your councilman or mayor and request that they create the necessary departments. Your safety and perhaps your life may depend on it.

Don't let your un-licensed, un-skilled, and un-trained handyman do the jobs that can directly affect your safety. If you must have it done, and you can't afford the high-priced professional, watch closely. If it looks wrong, question your handyman. Generally, if it just looks messy and wrong, it probably is. You've always needed a Building Department. Now DEMAND it.

Thank you,
Anthony Reynolds, Commercial Lighting and Electrical
clesvc@gmail.com

On December 10, 2007, I had the opportunity to speak with John Mark Karr, former resident of Hamilton, AL.  He was visiting the Clyde Nix Library in Hamilton on that Monday evening a little over a week ago.

As it came time for the library to close, I walked over and began a conversation with John Mark.  I talked to him of the friendship between my mom and dad and his grandparents from the time I was a child and even on until their deaths and what fine people they all were.  I didn't really have to tell him this though because he remembered my parents and their names.  He said his grandmother used their names together as a couple whenever she talked about them.  That was a compliment, of course.  That's "the way we are" in the South!  

We walked outside and sat on the bench outside the front of the Library.  We talked of many things that he asked for me to keep private and I respect his request.  John Mark told me that the next day, Tuesday, December 11th, 2007, was going to be his birthday and he was to spend it in Hamilton as well.

I asked him to write something about his visit to Hamilton this time and he sent me the letter below. 

Judy Webb Mays / jmays@49countynews.net  

Please read the following:

Letter From John Mark Karr Concerning His Recent Visit to Hamilton...

Recently, I returned to my home in Alabama. I am reminded of the life I once lived in the same house for so many years of my childhood and the years I raised my own children there. I recall my grandparents – wonderful people who instilled values in me that I have struggled to uphold. I was raised to take responsibility for my actions regardless the consequences. I was taught that truth must never be compromised. As difficult as it was, I honored their teachings in the spring and summer of 2006. I’ve no regrets for the responsibility I took then and continue to take. My deepest regret is that so many have done so much to steal the closure that a grieving family once held.

I have asked myself over the years if there are certain sins that cannot be forgiven. I know in my heart that there is one sin that I shall never forgive myself for committing. Though not forgiven, it is within my power to change. It is the enormity of my past sin that will forever drive me to never repeat any such act that has brought such pain and devastation to so many. I am not perfect – not even on the periphery of perfection; however, I have tried so hard to be a better person to all around me. While so many think me a threat, they fail to understand that I would never do anything to bring such grief to so many ever again.

Since my life has been exposed in so many ways, I have felt it important to express to all whose children have been placed in my care in the past that I honored their children in every way. It is heartbreaking to feel that any parent might feel uneasy about their children having been in my presence in the past. Regardless the harshness of the coverage, I was a hardworking, professional teacher. I was very serious about my work. It was an honor to me to be placed in such a trusted position. I did not abuse my standing. And for any parents in this area whose children have been placed in my classroom and in my care, rest assured, I gave them the very best of care and made certain that they received the best education I could deliver.

I have experienced mixed reactions from people in Marion County. As a whole, most are polite to me. Just today, I was at a couple of different stores where I saw certain people I have known for many years. One man had been a friend to my family since his teens. He has spent the night at our home on numerous occasions. It hurt me very much when he would not speak to me at all as if I were a stranger to him. On another occasion today, I saw a dear friend to my children. I had always known her to be a nice person to all – a Christian. I approached her and said hello. The reception was very negative. I was so surprised by it that I asked if she remembered me. She said she did and turned away. It was so hurtful. Having said all this, I want to establish that I understand why these two people reacted as they did. In every way imaginable, I deserved it and I accept it. Though my understanding is ever present, so too is the pain that their coldness inflicts.

At other times, there are those who approach me and treat me with kindness. I visited my past college today and was met with such hospitality. I entered the library asking if there was any wifi there. The librarian said there was not but that she would call the public library for me so that I might ask the same of them. While walking down the hallway of my past alma mater, I was greeted by a friendly face who recalled me from high school. It was then my pleasure to talk to one of my past teachers at the college who entered the office where I was filling out a form for my transcripts and spoke to me. It meant so much. I then went to the public library and was treated nicely by the librarian who I remember when she was a child. She now has a child of her own. I was approached by a past classmate while in a restaurant who was so nice to me. She introduced me to her little girl of eight and her son of 18. It meant the world to me that she showed me such respect. It was such a pleasure to meet her children. And so there are many who are polite to me in Marion County. I don’t feel I am worthy of kindness but I so appreciate it when I received it.

There is much I miss about Marion County. It’s a beautiful place. The little contact I have had with the media has told me that, while in Hamilton, they found it to be a beautiful place. I have many fond memories of Marion County. Some of them are sad while others are so sweet. I have traveled the world over and still remembered one of the most important places in my past - Marion County. It will always have a place in my heart. I will always consider it one of my homes.

"NORTHWEST ALABAMA ARTS COUNCIL" <nwal.artscouncil@yahoo.com>

We received this today from the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel as the lead story in their August 17 newsletter:

"Y’all Magazine has special section on “The Year of Alabama Arts”
The September edition of Y’all – The Magazine of Southern People has a special 12-page section dedicated to state tourism’s “The Year of Alabama Arts” promotion. Highlighted in the section are: the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art in Auburn, Jack Warner and the Westervelt-Warner Museum of American Art in Tuscaloosa, Jerry Brown Pottery in Hamilton, “The Miracle Worker” play at Helen Keller’s birthplace in Tuscumbia, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, the Wiregrass Museum of Art in Dothan, and the Quilts of Gee’s Bend. http://www.yall.com/feature2.shtml "

The article is pretty lengthy and mentions the JBAF. In fact, the photo in the article is one from the festival. When you look at the other individuals and places and events listed above, it is a very prestigious list. What wonderful publicity for the festival!

Hope you enjoy!



Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 694
Hamilton, AL 35570
(205) 921-9483
www.nwaarts.org
www.jbaf.org

Dear Editor,

I followed the rules, obeyed the law, did as instructed by the police, but she was killed in her own yard and a four year old left to suffer. Many of your readers have seen my name in The Journal Record over the last several months in relation to the County Commission and Hamilton City Council in regard to the "stray" dog problem. The following is Holly’s story.

Holly was a fluffy tortoise shell cat found at Gasco Auto Parts when she weighed just over a pound. She was a "stray" that I rescued and she became the pet of our middle son. Holly was one of those inside-outside cats. We live on twenty-five acres and none of our close neighbors have dogs that run loose so she should have been safe on her own property.

Last April or May we began having two dogs traveling from the East running through our yard and chasing Holly. I reported it to the police, a report was written with a description of both dogs, and after that I reported every return visit to 911 for documentation. (I was instructed to do this by the police using the non-emergency number.) I did as instructed, but nothing ever happened... the dogs kept coming.  Every time these two dogs came and tried to dig into the pen which houses the Easter chickens or chase the cats I called, but nothing happened. Although I was in compliance with the state law and doing as instructed by the police nothing happened. Always the same two dogs, no rabies tags or visible means of identification, always coming from East of my home and unable to be caught by me.

One Saturday morning last July Holly wanted out. I let her go and went back to bed only to be awaken by the dogs. They had Holly! I ran outside and got the dogs off her. I knew she was hurt badly and rushed back to the house. I picked up the cordless phone, the pet taxi and ran back to her. I was calling 911 on my way through the yard reporting the tragedy that had occurred. I got Holly in the taxi, I knew she was dying, and by the time I made it through the yard and to the car she was dead ...what was I going to tell my son? You see Holly was not just a cat she was a comforter. Our middle son has lattice corneal dystrophy. This eye disease leaves him in severe pain and literally blind until his corneas heal. During this "breakdown" process he must be in total darkness... the slightest bit of light is excruciating and he must lay still... his corneas are literally eroding and the disease is invading and taking over... sometimes this will last for a week, but during this time he always had his faithful friend. Holly seemed to sense his pain and would not leave him. She would stretch out her full length beside him and not move.

I called 911 again and reported the death and requested a police officer. When the officer arrived a report was written about the same two dogs. The officer was kind and I believe honest when he told me he did not know what he could do. The dogs were located. Their driveway is over six tenths of a mile West of my home. A week later the owner was found... he had moved to Hackleburg, but left the dogs returning only to feed them. Even upon locating the dogs nothing was done! The dogs were not impounded, the Rabies Officer was not notified of the violation to the state law... the dogs were free, but my son was suffering because I obeyed the law and did as instructed.

As I mentioned a second police report was written, a warrant was sworn out and my case awaited trial. Ya see, Hamilton has a Vicious Dog Ordinance. I received a subpoena and a court date, but the day before court the case was postponed...my case was finally heard the first of March 2007.

I am sure many are questioning as to why I did not destroy the dogs and I will be honest and say the thought did cross my mind, but.... In the Code of Alabama under the section entitled public health you will find the State Rabies Law. Briefly the law states that all dogs and cats three months of age and older be vaccinated yearly for rabies and dogs and cats found running at large without proper rabies identification are to be impounded. The law also states that is the responsibility of the County Commission to provide an Impounding Officer and a County Pound. To the surprise of many we the citizens of Marion County do have both and Impounding Officer and a County Pound. Now because Hamilton has a population of over 5,000 the city has the right to chose if it will contribute a pro rata share to the upkeep of the county pound or provides a pound of its own. Well, I knew all this, but it seemed to be a surprise to many of the city and county officials. To sum up the months of going to both city council meetings and county commission meetings Hamilton agreed to pay their share and the rest of the county is covered under the law without further compensation. So when animals are in violation of the law there is no reason for them not to be impounded. The Rabies Law requires these services be provided and if owned the impounded animals can be redeemed. The phone number for the Impounding Officer is 487-2581.

Now for another BIG surprise the city police have IMPOUNDING POWER!, but they must have access to the county pound. According to the State Health Officer and an Attorney General Opinion our local police officers have the power to impound animals found in violation of the state rabies law.

As I mentioned previously Hamilton has a Vicious Dog Ordinance. It is Ordinance 485. If you or your domestic animals have been harmed by a dog you may prosecute the owner under the terms and conditions of this ordinance. There is no cost to the victim, but you must be willing go to the police and follow their procedure. If you take matters into your own hands it is my understanding you can be prosecuted in criminal court.

One more tidbit of information, the state of Alabama also provides a leash law. It is found in Section 3-1-5 of the Code of Alabama. The only thing is our local Commissioners do not know if they have adopted this code section or the Code of Alabama in its entirety It is my understanding that if this law has been adopted each city can write their own as long it is more strict or just rely on the one provided by the state.

Animals running at large are a real problem not just at my home but throughout the county. Because of loop holes and ignorance I am the one who had to tell my son that Holly is not coming down from heaven. I am the one who heard him cry out in pain both mental and physical, just six weeks ago because Holly was not there to lay with him in the darkness... hurting from the disease that affects his eyes and pain in his heart because "the softest fur in the world" was not there with him. At my home the death was a cat, but at other homes in Hamilton the attacks have been to children!

I followed the rules, obeyed the law, did as instructed by the police, but it was all a "DEAD" end. There are no guidelines... it would seem nobody knows what to do with the verbal and written reports or who to notify with complaints. It is time that we the citizens of Marion County put pressure where it is due and demand the law be upheld. It is time the Commissioners provide the citizens with a protocol for reporting and impoundment of these animals. It is time the law officials stand behind the citizens to get this accomplished... it is a state law. There must be protocol for all involved... police and deputies, 911 operators and the Impounding Officer. Those with authority must be educated to the law and required to uphold it.

Holly held and special place in a little boy’s life and hopefully her story will help you protect not only your pets but also your family.

Sincerely,

Tami Williams

175 Mayflower Trl

Hamilton, AL 35570