Jim McCamy





Candidate for Scottsboro City Mayor





1. There are several organizations that have been instrumental in making great strides in the revitalization of the downtown area. Would you be supportive of these projects and get involved to help see projects through to completion?


Response: Yes. Main Street Scottsboro, Downtown Redevelopment Authority (DRA), and Commercial Development Authority (CDA) all have a significant role to play in the revitalization of Downtown. Completion of their existing projects and support of new initiatives are key in the success of the revitalization of Downtown.


2. If elected, what would you do to support the live broadcast of council meetings via live stream or social media platforms, such as Facebook, in support of transparency and government awareness for citizens who cannot attend meetings?


Response: I totally support the livestreaming and/or videoing of council meetings. This not only supports transparency it also provides a means for the public to observe council proceedings without the concern of COVID-19 exposure.


3. How did Covid-19 effect the way you campaigned? How have you modified your campaigns to be more eco-friendly?


Response: COVID-19 has required me to be more sensitive with door to door campaign and contact. I constantly carry or wear a mask if I am unable to keep a 6 foot distance. Additionally, COVOD-19 has also driven me to utilize more social media campaigning which reduces paper and printing methods. I have also employed the use of an electric golf cart to move around neighborhoods as opposed to a car.


4. What, if anything, do you propose to be done with the old woodyard site adjacent to the former BB Comer bridge?


Response: I believe the old woodyard site is an excellent location for a restaurant, park, or recreation area with boat access. A significant amount of groundwork has already been done to make this happen to include an additional 10 acres of land available. TVA has already established this for commercial use so private investment should be possible. The most significant challenge is the extension of the fresh water intake located in the slough. This would be an expensive project but can be done.


5. There is warranted concern by residents that live near or adjacent to properties that aren’t maintained or have an overabundance of discarded personal property strewn throughout the yard, some treating it as a year-long yard sale or business in a residentially zoned area. This poses health and safety concerns to residents, especially children. How will you enforce the ordinances adopted by the council?


Response: This is an issue in several areas of town. We first need to make certain we have the proper and enforceable ordinances in place. Then we have to make sure they are equally, fairly, and carefully enforced. We also need to be sensitive to residents who may not have the capability or means to manage this issue.


6. Why can't Scottsboro put a traffic light up at Clemmons Road and Hwy 35? A fire station is located on that corner, the population is getting older in the subdivisions on Clemmons and traffic seems to have increased on Hwy 35. I cannot help but think it is dangerous for the firefighters to pull out onto Hwy. 35 and the delay in entering the highway could mean life and death to people waiting for their help.


Response: I think that is an excellent question and should be considered. That is a state highway so ALDOT will be key in making this a reality. Additionally, and unfortunately, the cost of a traffic control device is significant and would be a factor in how and when that could be done. Initially some additional caution signage and other measures might be an option until a better solution such as a light can be put in place.


7. The current COVID-19 pandemic has almost certainly had an impact on revenue in cities across the U.S. Do you see this as a concern for Scottsboro and how do you propose to prepare the city of it is?


Response: This is definitely a concern for Scottsboro. COVID-19 has impacted sales tax, lodging tax, gas tax as well as business in general. The key is to ensure we are budgeting and prepared to maintain a reserve so we can ensure city services continue to function. This should be a key annex of the comprehensive plan I continue to point out that we need and don’t have. Just like each resident should be prepared to be self sufficient for a period of time, the city must be prepared to continue city services for an extended period of time.


8. Do you feel that Scottsboro’s recycling program is as efficient as it could be? Is there anything you would change?


Response: No it is not. First I would never have arbitrarily and unexpectedly shut down the recycling program with no notice or discussion with the city council or a plan to continue or restart it. That action left a gap that was unexpected and unplanned. There was obviously no plan to manage a critical program and the collateral damage that action created. Restarting that program creates its own issues with lack of capability to pick up, transport and sort recyclables. It appears to finally be headed in a positive direction but still is not where it has to be to be cost effective and efficient. We need to take advantage of programs in neighboring municipalities that we can learn from to improve ours.


9. The COVID-19 crisis is far from over in our country. This has not only had an impact on our local school system, but also families who must provide additional supplies for their children. How would you work with the superintendent and school board to provide funding or supplies to address these concerns?


Response: First the superintendent and school board would need to provide a complete and accurate needs assessment for the schools and students. Next I would leverage any funds we can access from the CARES Act. That funding is to cover necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID–19. Expenditures that were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020. And expenditures that were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 30, 2020. Then we would research any other financial options we have available to ensure the schools continue to provide our students with the best education possible.


10. Last April, some in the city were subjected to horrible smoke, smells, air pollution and weeks of haze from a fire at the old rock quarry on Highway 35. Residents in that area of Scottsboro feel that their concerns and complaints were ignored or never addressed. How would you handle this if or when it happens again?


Response: Issues like that require accurate and effective crisis communications plan that deliver timely, direct, and factual information to those impacted by the incident. That is accomplished by first ensuring that all phone calls are returned and responded to. Then you establish individual face to face contact or an organized group meeting conducted by the Mayor and responsible Department Heads. Crisis communications should be a critical part of any credible emergency response plan.




William Robin Shelton





Candidate for Scottsboro City Mayor





1. There are several organizations that have been instrumental in making great strides in the revitalization of the downtown area. Would you be supportive of these projects and get involved to help see projects through to completion?


Response: Yes. I take great pride in being involved with the revitalization of downtown Scottsboro during the past 4 years. I believe the Main Street, DRA and CDA boards have a very important role in making our vision for downtown a reality. I would like to see one council member added as an adjunct member to each board and I also think it would be beneficial if each board met with the council in a work session twice a year to discuss their status and upcoming projects. I also think that funds need to be utilized annually instead of “holding” them for 2 -3 years waiting for a large project to come along. If and when a viable project of that magnitude does present itself then the mayor and council need to be informed so that additional funds can be made available.


2. If elected, what would you do to support the live broadcast of council meetings via live stream or social media platforms, such as Facebook, in support of transparency and government awareness for citizens who cannot attend meetings?


Response: I do believe in transparency and wish that more people would attend the council meetings but also know that is just not possible for everybody for many different reasons. I would like to see all council meetings recorded for play back. Our IT specialist is currently working on adding recording equipment to the upcoming budget discussions.


3. How did Covid-19 effect the way you campaigned? How have you modified your campaigns to be more eco-friendly?


Response: It has most definitely impacted the way we campaigned this time. We put a lot of thought into this and decided that we would do as much door-to-door as we could based on feedback from my last campaign. Some people want it and expect it while others do not. My family and I always wore a mask and maintained social distancing if someone came to the door and wanted to talk. In terms of being eco-friendly we chose not to do mass mailings but instead focused on getting my message out via my website, social media, door-to-door, texts and phone calls.


4. What, if anything, do you propose to be done with the old woodyard site adjacent to the former BB Comer bridge?


Response: The City has a lease from TVA to utilize this area as a park with some restrictions in place. We are currently working on preliminary plans to have a walking and biking trail beginning at the old wood yard and ending at the Sportsmen’s Landing boat launch at the end of Clemons Road. The Jackson County Commission has a TVA lease agreement on that property and the City has attempted to lease and control as well. It is my desire as we move forward to enter into a joint effort with the county to develop both areas as day parks for various outdoor activities including food trucks, outdoor entertainment, etc.


5. There is warranted concern by residents that live near or adjacent to properties that aren’t maintained or have an overabundance of discarded personal property strewn throughout the yard, some treating it as a year-long yard sale or business in a residentially zoned area. This poses health and safety concerns to residents, especially children. How will you enforce the ordinances adopted by the council?


Response: The city has an abatement and code enforcement officer who handles all complaints. If a citation is written then that individual must appear in City Municipal Court. If the individual fails to clean up the property the City Council can then file an injunction at the courthouse for further action such as an eviction from the property.


6. Why can't Scottsboro put a traffic light up at Clemmons Road and Hwy 35? A fire station is located on that corner, the population is getting older in the subdivisions on Clemmons and traffic seems to have increased on Hwy 35. I cannot help but think it is dangerous for the firefighters to pull out onto Hwy. 35 and the delay in entering the highway could mean life and death to people waiting for their help.


Response: Highway 35 is a state controlled highway. A traffic count would first be required to see if the volume of traffic entering Highway 35 from Clemons Road justifies a signal. If a signal is warranted the City would then bear the cost of the new traffic light and installation. I would definitely be in favor of investing in the signal if the Council would approve the study.


7. The current COVID-19 pandemic has almost certainly had an impact on revenue in cities across the U.S. Do you see this as a concern for Scottsboro and how do you propose to prepare the city of it is?


Response: The City of Scottsboro has been fortunate in that we have maintained a strong revenue base during the COVID-19 crisis thus far. I believe our community will stay on solid financial ground since we are not just dependent on very large retail establishments. I do know firsthand that our small businesses have been impacted some more greatly than others but I do see an upward trend that I hope continues. This is based on current revenue numbers for our community year to date.


8. Do you feel that Scottsboro’s recycling program is as efficient as it could be? Is there anything you would change?


Response: The recycling program will become more efficient with time. The City currently does not have all the baler equipment being utilized but that will be remedied in the next 2 - 3 months. The new recycling addition is awaiting the needed wiring for such equipment as well as lighting, etc. Also, ADEM is assisting the City with efforts to have a program for recycling scrap tires as well. This effort will be a county wide approach with the possibility of tristate expansion.


9. The COVID-19 crisis is far from over in our country. This has not only had an impact on our local school system, but also families who must provide additional supplies for their children. How would you work with the superintendent and school board to provide funding or supplies to address these concerns?


Response: I would definitely be in favor of the City assisting in some capacity be it financially and/or with collecting school supplies. This crisis has impacted every individual within our city in some form. We must all step up and do what we can to help make sure our students and teachers get the supplies they need. It is also my understanding that the state might possibly be offering more funds to school systems for these needed supplies.


10. Last April, some in the city were subjected to horrible smoke, smells, air pollution and weeks of haze from a fire at the old rock quarry on Highway 35. Residents in that area of Scottsboro feel that their concerns and complaints were ignored or never addressed. How would you handle this if or when it happens again?


Response: The fire was definitely a very unfortunate incident. We stopped all debris from being dumped into the old rock quarry at the time of the fire. We contacted several different agencies to see how we could attack the fire with some recommending that we just let the fire burn itself out because of all the safety concerns for our city personnel based on the pockets of fire and cavities beneath the surface. This proved to not be a good idea. We ultimately put the fire out with hoses and water. We did take the concerns and complaints seriously and our employees worked long and tireless hours trying to deal with the situation. Thankfully, this is over now and the City should look at selling the property for some other use. Since then, the debris that is picked up from residential areas is shredded and used for landfill cover.