June 30, 2010

It is so hard to get people to do what's right these days. It took me 20 minutes to cancel a credit card service that has been overcharging my business for about 4 years. When I told them I had found another card processing service that didn't charge ridiculous fees, they wanted to match the fees of my new service. I had to explain to them that it was too late, they should have offered that four years ago. Rainy afternoon. . . . hope Alex isn't forcing copious amounts of oil up into our coastal wetlands.

June 29, 2010

Today, while invoicing some customers, I had the opportunity to speak with the police chief and two councilmen. No, I am not in trouble , but they wanted my opinion about the library cameras as to whether they recorded the recent break-in resulting in the theft of Kathy Couey's laptop computer. While heading down I-65 later in the afternoon, traffic came to a standstill as a fender bender caused one guy to plow into the center divider knocking big chunks from it. (see gaping hole in concrete divider by clicking on picture)

June 28, 2010

Kiwanis at noon, followed by a trip to 73D Kansas St. at West Lee to speak with Ms. Tanya Palmer about opening a hair salon to be named Royal Designs. Other than a few requirements about having a professionally installed vinyl floor and window sign, the code inspector and I felt secure about taking her application before the Commercial Board for a vote. We will try to sandwich her in before the Industrial Board Open Town Forum to be held July 6, 2010 One of my friends sent me this photo of the surf on Orange Beach. It is enough to make you sick to the stomach.

June 27, 2010

When we left the church last night, we made our way down Dauphin Island Parkway to the Mobile Elks club for a barbeque chicken dinner with Deborah's Order Of Athena. There were about 300-400 people there for a social get-together and we sat with all the ladies and their husbands from our Mardi Gras float. Everyone gets a numbered ticket and as they read out your number, you are elimininated. The last five numbers called each get $1000. apiece. We made it down to the last 20 numbers, but were unfortunately eliminated. But a few drinks and the chance to visit with friends is always special.

June 26, 2010

My good friend and fellow Knight, Ray Carney was ceremoniously honored as Alabamas new State Deputy at Little Flower Catholic Church in Mobile this afternoon. Deborah and I attended the mass, even though we had other plans and could not stay for the dinner they had after the Mass. Ray is the guy who consulted with me about running for Grand Knight in the Knights Of Columbus at St. Thomas Catholic Church.

June 25, 2010

Today, after two group projects, three DVD movies and a pop-quiz, we finally received our Environmental Justice diplomas. Lunch was provided by the city and Mayor Ron Davis read names and handed out our well deserved certificates.

June 24, 2010

This was "back to school" day for me. I am taking a two-day, twelve hour course on Environmental Justice, sponsored by a neighboring city grant. Sometimes, companies move into a community and fail to disclose the toxicity of their end-product or by-products of their manufacture. This is very often the case with some chemical plants or landfills. In a case near Spartanburg, NC., many people over the years developed the same type of bone cancer long after the company closed down and the property was resold. The course deals with how a city or town finds the ability to work together, utilizing each volunteer's capabilities to pull off success.