Tag Archives: priorities

I am very concerned about a community that would purchase an armored vehicle over weather radios —Sharon Flory

Received 17 February. -jsq

My name is Sharon Flory and I am the Sales Representative for Alert
Works Products, the company who was working with Lowndes County to


distribute roughly 3,500 weather radios to the community. After
working for about 8 months with Ashley Tye we were both ecstatic when
the grant came through only to be shot down by the newly appointed
commissioner. I could not believe

what I read below.

She quoted

Lowndes County priorities: tanks and lunches for Commissioners, but no lunches for seniors? -jsq

I am very concerned about a community that would purchase an armored
vehicle, that would only protect about 5 people at a time, over
purchasing weather radios that would protect upwards of 10,000 people
when you consider the families that live in each home.

I am a sales rep and my job is to sell radios BUT my job is also my
passion. I live in Ohio and have been affected by storms all of my
life. I have been down right scared to death from storms and feel that
the politics in this town is not moving in the right direction.

I see that you have the same feelings and hope that you can make a
difference. Thank you for caring and keep up the good work. Someone
will listen!!!

-Sharon Flory

Alert Works

419-779-8132

Lowndes County priorities: tanks and lunches for Commissioners, but no lunches for seniors?

So the Lowndes County Commission wouldn't accept a grant for NOAA Weather Radios, (but did vote themselves $75/day travel per diem), wouldn't accept a grant for an emergency vehicle, cancelled lunches for seniors, and barely approved a grant to help people with home downpayments, but the Lowndes County Sheriff's office did accept a grant for an armored vehicle.

Dawn Castro wrote for the VDT today, BearCat Rules: Lowndes sheriff’s office has new armored vehicle

BearCats are typically referred to by law enforcement as being armored rescue vehicles primarily used to transport tactical SWAT officers to and from hostile situations and to assist with the recovery and protection of civilians in harm’s way during terrorist threats, hostage incidents or encounters with armed offenders. The BearCat is designed to provide protection from a variety of small arms, explosives and IED threats.

Sure, and it will never be used against peaceful protesters.

Last month in Tampa, Adam Freeman wrote for WTSP.com 21 November 2011, Are Tampa police using tanks to threaten Occupy protestors?

Members of the movement say TPD is cruising by in the big, armored trucks. Pictures spread around the country over Facebook and Twitter, leading to speculation that TPD was moving in with the tanks.

But officers say it's just a coincidence, and the vehicle act passed by on its way to a Great American Teach-In event.

Maybe the Lowndes County Sheriff's dept. would never misuse an armored vehicle.

And I know, the Sheriff is a constitutional officer and the Lowndes County Commission has very limited control over the Sheriff's budget.

But it's still our same tax dollars. Are these our priorities?

-jsq

Felony sentencing for possession — Are you high?

And now a word from the ACLU (yes, I am a card-carrying member):


As we watch the state budget crisis deepen, one of the most wasteful
and harmful policies of our state government – felony sentences for
simple drug possession – remains in place. We are spending unnecessary
millions to incarcerate people who pose no threat to public safety.

Sentencing reform is the way to bring prison spending back in line
with other priorities – like public schools and universities, social
services, and drug treatment.

That’s actually from the

ACLU of Northern California,
but the point is the same for anywhere that locks up people
for minor drug offenses, like Georgia.

We don’t need a private prison in Lowndes County.
Spend that tax money on schools instead.

-jsq