MIKE CRISCILLIS AND ELKMONT LAST SUNDAY

I would like to thank the community of Elkmont for joining me last Sunday.  We  enjoyed great fellowship and snacks at the Meet & Greet.   Thanks for investing in me and in our community.  I look forward to seeing you at the polls on Tuesday, September 29th!  - Mike Criscillis

Here's a recap of the topics presented by the people of Elkmont and my responses to their questions:
 

·   Legalizing Medical Marijuana -I believe the medical marijuana issueshould be presented to the citizens of Alabama for a vote, based on the input of and recommendations from the medical profession.

·   Common Core – As a retired Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army, I look at this issue from a military perspective.  Let me explain:  a seventh grader with passing grades, who attends public school in Alabama should be able to transfer to Virginia without any penalty or deficiency in his/her coursework.  For example, if the student took Alabama history, he/she should not be held back or required to take Virginia history; passing Alabama history should fulfill the requirement.  The subjects covered in both states should be comparable and sufficient to allow the child to enter the eighth grade without having to take remedial courses. 
I think the state officials need to continue discussions at the state level (not the federal government), to ensure reciprocity for courses taught throughout the United States in our public schools. 
I also think we need additional training and communication with our parents, to assist them in working with students being taught by new methods and techniques.  We must make sure parents understand and can help children with their homework.

·    State Roads – Several of the main roads in northern Limestone County need to be repaired, re-lined and/or re-asphalted; however, to date, funding has not been made available to the area for these improvements.  As a legislator, I will review the allocation of funds among the County and its communities, to ensure that northern Limestone County and Elkmont receive their “fair share” of funding for road repairs.

·    Building Codes – Tornadoes and other types of storm damage place Limestone County residents at greater risk for “fly-by-night” contractors who perform substandard work and leave jobs unfinished.    As a legislator, I will work to require general and specialty contractors (electricians, plumbers and other tradesmen) working in the County to hold the same licenses, certifications and insurance coverage required for work performed inside city limits.

·    Economic Growth – Small businesses and tourist attractions in Elkmont are finding it difficult to thrive in Northern Limestone County.  As a legislator, I will work with city officials to formulate incentives to small businesses and large corporations, which will serve as a catalyst for economic development in the area.   I will also look for ways to fund enhancements to the bike trail and other natural attractions in the area, including benches, emergency phones and other security elements.

·    State Budget Issues – Fixed income and disabled residents are concerned about the potential loss of medical coverage and disability income due to state budgetary constraints.  As a legislator, I will work to ensure that state health care and disability income programs continue to receive the appropriations required to fund our obligations to these citizens.

SENATOR SESSIONS AND IMMIGRATION

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Chairman of the Senate’s Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest, responded today to the announcement from Secretary John Kerry that the U.S would increase its intake of refugees over the next two years to nearly 200,000, in addition to the existing annual resettlement of asylees, illegal border-crossers, foreign workers, and global green card recipients:
 
"The U.S. has already taken in four times more immigrants than any other nation on Earth. Our foreign-born population share is set to break every known historical record.  Since 9/11, we have permanently resettled approximately 1.5 million migrants from Muslim nations inside the U.S.  Ninety percent of recent refugees from the Middle East living in our country are receiving food stamps and approximately 70 percent are receiving free healthcare and cash welfare.  All of the nearly 200,000 refugees the Administration is planning to bring over the next two years would be entitled to these same benefits the moment they arrive.  Since we are running huge deficits, every penny of these billions in costs will have to be borrowed and added to the debt.  This refugee expansion would be in addition to the 1 million autopilot green cards handed out each year by the government to mostly low-wage migrants, including a large share from Middle Eastern nations.

LINK TO COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE

BILLY GUY KING - OBITUARY

Billy Guy King, 67 of Elkmont, died Monday at UAB Hospital in Birmingham. Mr. King was born June 4, 1948 in Limestone County, he was a retired Heavy Equipment Operator & Truck Driver and a former Service Station Owner.

Services will be 1 PM Thursday at Spry Funeral Home Chapel with Anthony Anderson officiating, burial will be in Lebanon Cemetery, visitation is from 6-9 PM Wednesday at Spry Funeral Home.


Survivors: 
Wife: Cecelia Joy King, Elkmont
Son: Tracey McMahan, Athens
Daughter: Amanda Lawrence, Elkmont
Brother: Glenn Trousdale, Cullman 
Sisters: 
Brenda Jensen, Huntsville
Betty Thomas, Athens
Vicki McGee, Elkmont

Grandchildren: 
Levi Lawrence, Katlin Frazier, Grayson McMahan, Levi McMahan, Brandley Helton; 
Great Granddaughter: Alayah Clem.

Pallbearers: Phillip Davis, Wayne Haggard, Rodney Duggar, Levi McMahan, Chad Carter, Jason McMahan.

Honorary Pallbearers: Levi Lawrence, Grayson McMahan. Preceded in death by: Son: Bradley King; One Brother & Two Sisters.

HOW DID YOU SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE VOTE LAST WEEK?

September 21, 2015 In this MegaVote for Alabama's 5th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Iran Nuclear Agreement Disapproval Resolution ‘Shell’-- Cloture House: Frivolous Lawsuit Sanctions House: Planned Parenthood Funding Moratorium -- Passage House: Failed Abortions -- Passage Upcoming Congressional Bills Senate: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act House: Quarterly Financial Report Reauthorization Act House: Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act

Recent Senate Votes

Iran Nuclear Agreement Disapproval Resolution ‘Shell’-- Cloture - Vote Rejected (56-42, 2 Not Voting) The Senate rejected a motion to invoke cloture on the McConnell, R-Ky., substitute amendment no. 2640, that would replace the measure with a joint resolution that would disapprove of the nuclear agreement reached with Iran by the United States and five other nations that was transmitted by the president to Congress on July 19, 2015, for purposes of prohibiting any waiver or suspension of statutory sanctions by the United States pursuant to the agreement. Sen. Richard Shelby voted YES Sen. Jeff Sessions voted YES

Recent House Votes

Frivolous Lawsuit Sanctions - Vote Passed (241-185, 8 Not Voting) The House passed a bill that would change federal rules governing civil lawsuits to require federal courts to impose sanctions on parties that file frivolous civil lawsuits. The sanctions would need to include monetary payments to the other party to cover the other party's attorney fees and costs. The bill also would eliminate the so-called "safe harbor" clause by removing the ability of parties to withdraw or correct claims considered frivolous within 21 days of filing. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES Planned Parenthood Funding Moratorium -- Passage - Vote Passed (241-187, 1 Present, 5 Not Voting) The House passed a bill that would bar, for one year, federal funding for Planned Parenthood and its affiliates unless they certify that, during that period, they will not perform abortions or provide funds to other entities that perform abortions. The prohibition would apply to all federal funds, including Medicaid. The bill would provide exceptions for abortions provided in the case of rape, incest, or threat to the life of the mother. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES Failed Abortions -- Passage - Vote Passed (248-177, 1 Present, 8 Not Voting) The House passed a bill that would require health care practitioners to give the same level of care to an infant born alive during a failed abortion as they would give to any other infant born at the same gestational age. The bill also would require health care practitioners to ensure that these infants are immediately sent to a hospital. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES

Upcoming Votes

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act - HR36 The Senate is expected to consider a motion to proceed to HR 36, a bill that would ban most abortions after 20 weeks. Quarterly Financial Report Reauthorization Act - HR3116 The bill would extend by 15 years the authority of the Secretary of Commerce to conduct the quarterly financial report program. Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act - HR348 The bill would provide for improved coordination of agency actions in the preparation and adoption of environmental documents for permitting determinations, and for other purposes.

POSSIBLE HURRICANE/TROPICAL STORM IN GULF NEXT WEEK?

Looking at maps and reading the WeatherBell's thoughts about next week's possibilities.  There may be something hit in the Gulf around Texas, September 30.  At this time, we won't get much rain but the wind bands might blow through here on October 1.  Hoping this doesn't pan out.  Next week is homecoming week and this would ruin our homecoming parade.  However, use this week wisely and get some of those outdoor jobs done that are weather sensitive.

VIDEOS ABOUT ELECTRICITY AND PREPAREDNESS

Just found this and wanted to share.

Good and Ready for PrepareAthon Initiative

 PrepareAthon Overview

Disaster Preparedness Video of the Day
Access a set of daily Twitter, Facebook and E-Mail messages you can use to engage your community in disaster preparedness.
Week # 4 - September 20th - 26th Power Outage
9/21 - Downed Electrical Line Safety
9/20 - Power Outage Preparedness

RADISHES FOR YOUR FALL GARDEN

Radishes are a very easy vegetable to grow, and they love coolish weather. So you can start a very successful crop in late summer or even early fall. Here's what to add to your soil to help radishes thrive...

To invigorate your radish plants, serve them a weekly tonic made from one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in one gallon of water. They'll thrive on the trace minerals that the apple cider vinegar has to offer.

LAST DAYS OF SUMMER

Fall officially starts this week on September 23. Lovely weather in the 80s and upper 70s with little chance of rain will usher out the last few days of summer.

Not only will those football games and cross country meets be more enjoyable to watch but you will have great weather to do the following:

*plant a strawberry bed so you will have homegrown strawberries in the Spring

*plant trees and bushes - the roots will grow until the ground freezes

*establish that fall salad garden that produces often into December

*outdoor painting projects

*prune the bushes one last time for 2014

* bonfires - it goes without saying that you will need marshmallows

* walk Elkmont's wonderful trail

*jump in leaves

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH - DAY 19

You may have wondered if you should put a few things aside, just in case. You don’t know exactly what the “just in case” situation might be but you have a feeling things are just not right. Your gut instinct is saying things are different. Perhaps this is a time to begin planning a life of self-sufficiency.

Something to Think About

Today, as I was loading some groceries into my car, I thought, I am only making fajitas and I had to go to the store. What shape would you be in if you had to visit a store for your next meal’s supplies and the store wasn’t there anymore? It really made me think. We are preparing and living the life of self-sufficiency to the best of our current ability but we are NOT 100% there yet.

HOW DO YOU BEGIN?

You may not have a lot of space or a lot of money. Believe me, you are not alone, but it can be done. The biggest step is the one you are thinking about. Just make a committed decision to begin. Once you start you will add on to your plan on a consistent basis and you will begin to gain a sense of security knowing you are better prepared than you were.

The whole process of being prepared is a mindset.

OWL BOUTIQUE GRAND OPENING

  HELLO FROM AN OWL:

My name is Alisa Koken, my husband (Rip) and I have lived in Ardmore for over 7 years now and we truly love the North Alabama area. However when thinking of a place of where to start my business, Elkmont was for me. It has made a wonderful effort to support the "shop local" movement and I wanted to be a part of that and the extremely friendly community. I have spent many years riding my horses on the trail and never thought I would be blessed enough to be a part of this wonderful little town. Everyone I have met has been so welcoming and I am thrilled to be here.

Owl Creek Boutique will be a place for other local folk to offer their handcrafted work to you at a reasonable price. We have about ten vendors who are very passionate about what they do and they are all happy to do custom orders. From sprucing up your home to finding the perfect gift for that special occasion, Owl Creek Boutique will have it all!  Refinished & re-purposed furniture, home decor, wreaths, jewelry, folded books, crochet accessories, canvas art and paintings, lotions and scrubs, and baby clothes and accessories are waiting for you to discover. 

I have been a newborn and maternity photographer for the past 4 years and have loved every minute of it. Photo shoots will also be offered in addition to our other products and services here at the Owl Creek. The addition of our first baby has only made this part of my business that much more enjoyable! 

You are invited to our grand opening on September 19th.  Come celebrate with us as we offer you food, music and a few small giveaways. If you haven't checked out my new business yet, please do! We are open and can't wait to meet you.
After we are all settled in, we will offer weekly craft classes! We want to be involved with the community of Elkmont. 

Operating Hours: 

Wed-Fri 10-5 and Sat 9-6

Sun, Mon & Tues - closed

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