(Gadsden, AL - August 17, 2010) Etowah County Commissioners are choosing to change their own rules when it comes to discretionary spending during a political season.

Four years ago, when McKee defeated incumbent Butch White in the Democratic Primary race, White allegedly spent all of McKee's discretionary funds in the six weeks between October 1, 2006 (the beginning of the fiscal year) and McKee's swearing in later in November of that year. The financial difficulties for Etowah County's District 1 caused by the fast spending resulted in a new resolution that restricted spending of any Commissioner running for re-election from spending any discretionary funds during a particular period of an election year.

Today, commissioners voted to amend the "McKee Rule" to allow uncontested commissioners, and those who had already been defeated in primaries to spend any discretionary funds in reserves prior to the new fiscal year which will begin on October 1.

The only commissioner who would fit that description would be outgoing District 5 Commissioner Willie F. Brown. Brown was defeated by his Democratic challenger Carolyn Parker earlier this year.

Of the six county districts, District 5 typically has the largest discretionary funds reserves because it also has the least miles of roads in unincorporated areas of Etowah County.

With the passing of the amendment to the resolution today, Brown will be allowed to spend all of the remaining discretionary funds on almost anything he wishes within the county - whether it is within the confines of his district lines or not.

Occasionally in the past, Brown has been known to share some of his discretionary funds with other commissioners who have significantly more miles of roads to maintain. Commissioners have also spent some of their discretionary funds in the past promoting tourism and other events in Etowah County, although that practice officially ended after the formation of the Etowah County Tourism Board.

County CEO Patrick Simms says Brown will be free to spend his money on any number of projects already approved within the county, whether the project is inside his district or not.

(Gadsden, AL - August 16, 2010) The Northeast Alabama TEA Party has issued its first candidate endorsement of the 2010 political season. Local and state candidates who requested the endorsement of the NEAL TEA Party were sent a questionnaire seeking responses from candidates on issues the local tea party felt are important issues of the day.

During tonight's meeting in Gadsden, the TEA Party members discussed the questionnaire and responses from one candidate who is seeking the endorsement of the group seeking to restore constitutional government back to local, state and federal politics.

Republican candidate for Alabama Senate, District 10 Phil Williams is the first candidate to respond and to be officially endorsed by the TEA Party in Etowah and Cherokee County.

The party's 15-item statement for State Candidates required a candidate's initials signifying their agreement with the statement, and allowed for responses from the candidate on each of the issues. On each of the 15 statements, Williams signified his agreement, giving detailed responses on several.

The 15 statements included an oath:

"I do solemnly pledge my sacred word that I stand in agreement with and will do everything within the power of my position to support, defend, or strive to achieve the following:

1. Uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America- in the spirit it was written and intended by our Founders, it is the ultimage law of our land.

2. I believe in fiscal responsibility; we must enforce the balanced budget, reduce government spending, and allow no unfunded mandates.

3. I believe in limited government; representing 'we the people.'

4. I believe and support the free market system; I will work to promote our state and encourage business development.

5. I will fight to protect our gun rights.

6. I will promote and support legislation to oppose any national Healthcare mandates; and any other national mandate not in the interest of and supported by the people of the State of Alabama.

7. I oppose cap and trade policies that will totally defeat our economy, and will work to encourage the use of our own natural resources.

8. I believe in the sovereignty and security of our state and country and will support measures to close our borders except through measures to allow immigrants to enter legally. I will vehemently oppose any measure giving any otehr nation, country, the UN or any other entity power over Alabama and US citizens.

9. I believe the United States of America is the greatest country on earth and will never apologize for policies or actions which have served to free more and feed more people around the world than any other nation on the planet.

10. I support reasonable term limits on all offices.

11. I will work for ethics reform at every level in our government and for it to be true reform, not in name only.

12. I will work to restore integrity to my office and our state.

13. I believe life begins at conception and will promote and support only pro-life legislation and fight to defeat anything else.

14. I will work to promote and proved transparency in our government.

15. I will work to end PAC to PAC transfers.

In a text message statement from Williams tonight, he expressed excitement in the support shown him by the Northeast Alabama TEA Party, saying "EXCELLENT!"

NEAL TEA Party director Johnny Phillips says other candidates are seeking the support and endorsement from the various TEA parties throughout the state. Those seeking the individual support and endorsement by the Northeast Alabama TEA Party chapter should contact him by calling (256) 892-8882.

The NEAL TEA Party, together with some other east Alabama TEA Party organizations will be conducting a Candidate's Forum on October 8, 2010 at the Gadsden Convention Hall beginning at 1 p.m.

(Birmingham, AL - August 16, 2010) The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for east central Etowah County until 1:15 AM.

FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
EAST CENTRAL ETOWAH COUNTY IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 115 AM CDT

* AT 1019 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 3 INCHES OF RAINFALL HAS FALLEN ACROSS EAST CENTRAL ETOWAH COUNTY. WITH STORMS TRAINING OVER THE SAME AREAS...ANOTHER 1 TO 2 INCHES IS POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE FLASH FLOODING LIKELY OVER LOWER LYING AREAS.

Delnora Reed, Kay Moore and Jayron Weaver. Reed & Weaver are alternative country music duet "Blue Eyed Grass." The duet will perform at Third Thursday concert series next week. (Photo by: Lisa Nail)

(Gadsden, AL - August 13, 2010) When Nashville-based Delnora Reed and Atlanta-based Jayron Weaver return to Gadsden next Thursday, it will be the third time the alternative country duo - Blue Eyed Grass will play their unique style of music for their Gadsden metro fans.

The two will return to Gadsden for their second "Third Thursday" performance at the Courtyard between the Pitman Theater and the Gadsden Senior Activity Center on Broad Street next week.

In a phone interview today, the two say they have been blessed since their last visit. In addition to writing "too many songs" for their second CD project, the duo has recently been approached by a film company about the inclusion of one of their songs in a yet-to-be-shot feature film.

According to Reed, the song will be used in a movie based on a short-story written by a friend. The friend, says Reed, was then inspired to modify some of the scenes in the movie based on their song. Weaver was quick to caution that the script is still being written, so nothing should be seen before next year.

In addition to the movie news, the two continue to travel and hone their skills as singers, musicians, songwriters and musicians. Weaver says the two have played a lot of gigs around the Knoxville, TN area. "A lot of our opportunities in that area have come as a result of our work on WDVX radio" in the Knoxville market. That station features up and coming regional acts and helped open opportunities for the two.

"We've played in several theaters in the Southeast, like the Lyric Theater in Lowden, just outside of Knoxville," Weaver says, "We really play a lot of places in the southeast, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama." He says the duo has really focused on getting into their "backyard area, build it stronger, and provide a full package to a record label" when the time comes.

When asked about the style of music they play, Jayron jokes "pick a genre', we're not that!" They play all sorts of musical styles from mainstream country to alternative country, "some could be considered mainstream country, some folksy, and Jayron just wrote a more bluesy song," says Delnora.

Delnora Reed plays guitar, mandolin and electric guitar while singing lead and harmony vocals for the band. Jayron Weaver sings harmony and lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, dobro and electric guitar in their performances.

Reed's singing, songwriting and instrument playing has recently gotten the attention of singer/songwriters in the Nashville area - she'll be playing next Tuesday night in the monthly "Chicks with Picks" songwriter's performance series. That series has featured some of the most well known female singer/songwriters at some of the premiere musical outlets in the Nashville, TN area.

In the couple's typical, quirky humor, the two spoke fondly of their previous visits to Gadsden, including the awareness of the hot Alabama summer weather. "Last year, we got so tired on those bricks (at the Waterwall Courtyard), that I had to take my shoes off," Reed joked, "but, we'll be prepared this year." When reminded of the baring her feet of her red high-heeled shoes, she said "I might just have to coordinate my outfit and wear those shoes again!"

Music lovers who enjoyed Blue Eyed Grass's music performance (and sense of fashion) last year, will find some of their standards. "We'll throw out some of the stuff we're considering for the new album. We've changed our show around a good bit," Reed says, "as we've traveled around we've learned more cover songs to sing, and new tunes, too." While Weaver says the group rarely ever plays DGI Executive Director Kay Moore's favorite song from their first album, "we'll be ready to sing "More"."

Speaking of Gadsden, Weaver says he's decided there's only two places he'd much rather live than home: Gadsden, Alabama or Franklin, Tennessee. Welcome home, Blue Eyed Grass, welcome home!