Warning: This column contains strong opinions and personal bias based on experiences with our current mayor. If this offends you, don't read farther.
Have you read the latest TimesDaily article on Andy Betterton? It seems the mayor decided to favor a certain group of tourists because they are "elite." In fact, the word "elite" was used at least four times in the relatively short article. The tourists/regulars who weren't elite were kicked to the curb. Apparently Handy Dandy Andy saw nothing wrong with doing this and then bragging about it.
So, are we at Shoalanda elite? We doubt it. How about any of you reading out there? Not sure if you're among Florence's elite or not? Does that make us the Florence equivalent of Deplorable in card-carrying Democrat Andy's book?
Think this is something new with Bigdaddy B? Think again. Let's return to the mid-nineties when Andy was a totally private person. Here's an interesting tale you might enjoy...
A UNA grad moved back to the Shoals after 20 years. He was more educated than Andy, smarter than Andy, and probably had more money than Andy. Alas, he certainly was not more dapper than bow-tied Andy. In other words, you wouldn't have mistaken this professional man for a GQ model.
Having been asked to attend a business reception, the newly returned gentleman saw this as a good way to make contacts. He was taken around and introduced to several in attendance. He later related that it was a pleasurable event until presented to Andy. As this man extended his hand, Andy walked off without a word. Why? Our only conclusion is that our friend was not dressed in an ELITE manner.
That was Andy Betterton 25 years ago. Has he changed that much over the decades...or is he still a sorry sack of snobbish excrement?
