Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
5:01 am Wednesday, January 23, 2002

County petitioners oppose line of credit

By By Chris Allen Baker/staff writer
Jan. 23, 2002
Lauderdale supervisors learned Tuesday that people who oppose their application for a $5 million line of credit from the state are circulating a petition. If they get 1,500 signatures, the county will have to hold a countywide election on the question.
To be valid, the petition must be submitted to the chancery clerk's office by 9 a.m. on Feb. 19.
Community activist Hugh Johnson told supervisors that petitions are already available at stores and other public areas and supporters plan to solicit signatures door to door.
Johnson said he did not start the petition drive but supports it.
On Jan. 11, supervisors voted 4-1 to approve a resolution allowing access to $5 million through the State Development Bank, funds which supervisors say will give the county options on a number of projects.
At an interest rate of 2.95 percent, supervisors said the county could borrow money to help pay for the projects on an $8.3 million "wish list."
Supervisors point out that each withdrawal would have to be individually authorized by a vote of the board. Johnson said this is not enough of a safeguard.
In the original resolution declaring their intent to apply for the line of credit, supervisors set Feb. 18 as the deadline for opponents to file opposing petitions.
In Tuesday's meeting, supervisors voted to extend the date to Feb. 19 because Feb. 18 is a legal holiday, Presidents Day. The extension was approved by a 4-1 vote.
District 5 Supervisor Ray Boswell opposed the change because he thinks the issue should have been decided by a county election in the first place.

Also on Franklin County Times
County school board adopts $52M budget
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE Franklin County Schools has adopted a $52 million budget for fiscal year 2026, reflecting a $2.5 million increase over last year. The bud...
Judge denies YO status for Phinizee
Main, News, Z - News Main
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 17, 2025
FLORENCE — Youthful offender status was denied Tuesday for a 17-year-old charged with the death of a 13-yearold during what authorities said was a rob...
RCS passes $43.3M budget
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- The city school board has approved a $43.3 million budget for the 2025-26 school year. Chief Financial Officer Lisa Witt said revenues...
Program tackles stress of caregiver burnout
News, Records, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- Many people deal with caregiver burnout. Kids and Kin childcare partner Marquita Wilson presented a program at the Russellville Public...
Flavil Wayne McCaig
Obituaries
September 17, 2025
Flavil Wayne McCaig Sept. 12, 2025   Flavil Wayne McCaig, 82, of Russellville, passed away Sept. 12 at his residence. He was born March 3, 1943, to Au...
Cultura Garden Club begins its year with roses and plans for fall
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
September 17, 2025
The Cultura Garden Club held its first meeting of the year. President Cheri McCain presided. She provided information on projects and programs for the...
We can’t afford to lose electric vehicle industry
Columnists, Opinion
September 17, 2025
In Alabama, we understand what it means to build things that matter. We’ve long been home to builders and winners – our steel won wars and built the s...
Firefighters, cadets honor 9/11 with stair climbs
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Firefighters and RHS JROTC cadets participated in a stair climb in recognition of the 24th anniversary of 9-11. Sgt. Grant Tarascou and...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *