Greene County Democrat

Author: greenecodemocratcom

  • Edwards seeks re-election as mayor of City of Eutaw

     

    Hattie Edwards Mayor Hattie Edwards

    Dear Constituents,

    I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the voters of the great City of Eutaw for electing me to serve as your Mayor for the past four years. I would like to thank you for your confidence and your vote.
    By the way, this is an election year. There are four men running for mayor again, against me, a woman trying to make a difference. The last four years were a challenge, but by the grace of the God I succeeded. I have secured over $5.2 million for the City of Eutaw, which will cover new digitally-read water meters as well as a new water tank, and two hundred new fire hydrants.  We will also be able to replace the pipes on Hwy. 14. The road that runs by Merchant & Farmers Bank (Prairie Avenue) is in the process of being paved. I’ve had new traffic lights installed – all in a four-year period. Just imagine what I will do if given the opportunity to serve another four years.
    At this time, I’m asking for your support and vote in my re-election campaign for Mayor on Tuesday, August 23, 2016. You may be asked to go out to the polls to vote for a different candidate for this position for a number of reasons, but I’m asking for your support because I’m the person not only with experience but with the dedication and a strong determination to continue to move Eutaw forward.

    During my four years as your Mayor I feel I’ve demonstrated exceptional commitment, loyalty and hard work. But my job is not over yet. I need your support and trust again, because I’m determined to move Eutaw to the next level with your help and support.
    Therefore, let my experience of forty six (46) years as a public servant, of which 34 years were with the county, 8 years on the Eutaw City Council, the last 4 as Mayor, stand for something.

    Hattie Barnett Edwards
    Mayor of City of Eutaw

     

     

     

     

  • School Board names consolidated middle school for former superintendent Robert Brown

    robert brown

    At its regular monthly meeting, July 18, 2016, the Greene County Board of Education voted unanimously to name the new middle school, formed recently with the combining of Carver Middle School and Paramount Jr. High, the Robert Brown Middle School.  Dr. Robert Brown was appointed as the first African American Superintendent of Schools in Greene County and served in that leadership position from 1970 to 1980. Prior to his appointment as superintendent, by the all African American member school board, Brown served as Principal of Paramount High School for three years, following his service as a science teacher at what was previously Greene County Training School.
    According to School Superintendent Dr. James H. Carter, Jr., once new signage is obtained for the Robert Brown Middle School, the unveiling ceremony will be announced.
    At the opening of his report to the board, Superintendent Carter brought forth a young man who had completed requirements for his high school graduation by attending summer courses.

    Vince

    Shown above  GCHS Principal Garry Rice,
     Vince Mullen and Superintendent Dr. James Carter

    Vince Chevas Mullen, Jr., 18 years old, was determined to achieve his high school diploma even though he did not have sufficient credits to march with his Greene County High School classmates at the May 2016 commencement.  Mullen satisfied all course requirements through the summer school program offered in the school system, and plans to attend Shelton State Community College. He is the son of Cathleen Prater and the grandson of Ethel Giles of Forkland, AL.

    In his report, Superintendent Carter noted that the first day of school for students is Monday, August 8, 2016. Institute Program for school personnel is Wednesday, August 3 at 8:00 a.m. at Greene County High School.  New Teacher Orientation will be August 1 & 2 at 9:00 a.m. at the Board’s Central Office.
    The board approved the following personnel items recommended by the superintendent. *Recalled faculty and staff include: Erik Hendricks – Physical Education teacher at Eutaw Primary; Jerome Franks – Physical Education Teacher at Greene County High; Cordarrin Wilson – Teacher at Greene County Learning Academy; Linda Little – Social Studies Teacher at Greene County High; Romanda Askew – Cook at Eutaw Primary.
    * New employment approved:  Malenie Wakefield – Science Teacher at the new middle school; Ms. Cassandra Glover – School Nurse; Teresa Atkins – Family and Consumer Science Teacher at new middle school; Jerome Franks – Physical Education/Driver’s Education Teacher at Greene County High; Ellanise Walker – Science Teacher at Greene County High; Mary Henderson – Part-time Secretary at Greene County Career  Center; Wanda Gaitor – Part-time Secretary at Greene County High.
    * Reassignments approved: Sandra Gordon from 7th and 8th grade Reading Coach at Carver Middle School to 4th – 8th grade Reading Coach at new middle School for the 2016 – 2017 school term; LaJoycelyn Davis from Secretary/Bookkeeper at Carver Middle School to Secretary at new middle school for the 2016 – 2017 school term; Marilyn Sanford from Secretary/Bookkeeper at Paramount Jr. High School to Bookkeeper at new middle school for the 2016 – 2017 school term.
    * Resignation: Bruce Jackson – Physical Ed/Driver’s Ed Teacher at Greene County High.
    * Additional Service contract approved: for Jocephus Patrick – Track & Field Coach at Greene County High School for the 2016 – 2017 academic year. (Separate Contract).
    Other points from Superintendent Carter’s report are as follows:
    * All students will have opportunity to take AP classes.
    * More students will be encouraged to participate in dual enrollment program at Shelton State as well as the University of West Alabama.
    * Superintendent will organize a Superintendent’s Faculty Cabinet.
    * Pacing guides will be placed on-line for parents to follow.
    * Teachers will be required to develop syllabus for academic classes.
    * Student grades will be available to parents in a timely manner.
    * Professional development will be customized to needs of students and teachers.
    * Teachers and principals will be required to develop curriculum guides for all core subjects.
    * Local staff members will receive in-service training in use official curriculum documents that guide instruction.
    * Use of Chrome Books as resource to teach computer science.
    * Develop comprehensive curriculum for special needs students.
    * Actively encourage more parental involvement in education of our children.
    * Develop preventative maintenance plan for Greene County Middle School.
    * Create landscaping plan for all Greene County schools to enhance campus beautification.
    * Create menus in CNP Program that will be more inviting to students, but will meet the healthy lifestyles initiative.
    * Organize all Greene County Schools to ensure safety for students and teachers.
    Provide ACT tutoring for grades 9-12.
    In other business the board approved the following administrative services:
    * Revision of Information Guide for Parents and Students.
    * Hiring a company that deals specifically with Chillers for repair of the A/C unit at new middle school.
    * Agreement between board and Mattie J.  Strode to provide homebound instructions for identified children with special needs for 2016-2017 school year.
    * Agreement between board and Helping Hands Therapy to provide Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy for 2016-2017 year.
    * Agreement between board and Woods Therapeutic Services, Inc. to provide Behavior Aides for the 2016-2017 school year.
    * Agreement between board and Amy Wilson Quitt to provide Speech-Language Therapy services to children at Greene County Head Start for 2016-2017 school year.
    * Agreement between Kim Herren to provide development delay services to children at Greene County Head Start for the 2016-2017 school year.
    * Agreement between board and Community Service Programs of West Alabama to provide Special Education Services to eligible children in the Greene County Head Start Program for the 2016-2017 school year.
    * Mission and Vision Statement for the Greene County Board of Education.
    * Bid submitted by Johns and Kirksey for re-roofing Peter J. Kirksey Career Tech Building in the amount $168,000.
    * Bid submitted by Borden Dairy Company as milk supplier for CNP -FY 2016-2017.
    * Bid submitted by Flower’s Bakery of Birmingham as bread supplier for CNP FY 2016-2017.
    * Payment of all bills, claims and payroll.
    Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mr. Leon Dowe, CSFO.
    The board approved the following instructional Items:
    * All students will have the opportunity to take AP Courses beginning 2016-2017 school year.
    * Develop a procedure and process to accommodate non-traditional students who request to participate in Greene County School’s athletic program.
    * Require all students and employees follow a standard and professional dress code.
    * Reconstitution of the Alma Mater/School Song at Greene County High School with the collaboration of the band director and choral music teacher.

  • 100 Black Men,  General Motors encourage young people to pursue stem careers

    By Brelaun Douglas (NNPA/DTU Fellow, Atlanta Voice)

    Cadillac 30th Anniversary 100 Black Men Convention
    A young participant shares his art work during a workshop titled ““Bringing STEM Education to Life,” at the 30th Anniversary 100 Black Men Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. (Todd Burford/Cadillac)

     

    In an effort to boost minority participation in science and technology, 100 Black Men of America recently hosted a panel discussion with representatives from General Motors to encourage young minorities to think outside the box when it comes to their career paths.

    This summer, 100 Black Men of America, an organization dedicated to educating and empowering African American youth, held their annual conference in Atlanta, Ga., that focused on topics like civic engagement and managing money. The event also included a panel discussion titled, “Bringing STEM Education to Life,” a workshop geared towards getting youth interested in science, technology, engineering and math fields, commonly known as “STEM.”
    Panel members included Sherwin Prior, managing director for General Motors Ventures; Tobin Williams, executive director of human resources and corporate staff for General Motors; and Aaron Richardson, senior manager for IT development for General Motors who discussed how STEM was involved in something young boys often love: cars.
    “[Technology] is absolutely essential. Over 33 years, the company that I work for [has become] a very different company,” said Williams. “Thirty-three years ago it was primarily a manufacturing company. Three years ago it was primarily a finance company and today it’s pretty much a software company. We are continuously looking for individuals who have the capability in software. There is a blending in terms of the software skill capability between engineering and computer science.”
    Prior agreed, stating that STEM is all about “ thinkers and problem solvers” and that the panelists were some of the people who drive the technology behind cars.
    The panelists also talked about the challenges that the young people may face in an industry or career path where most people don’t look like them.
    In 2012-2013, Black males accounted for just 8.7 percent of the people who earned degrees in STEM fields, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
    “Opportunities are rarely convenient,” said Richardson. “They’re often disguised in something that seems like, ‘oh, I got to do this,’ or ‘I can’t do this, I can’t do that.’ It’s always disguised in challenge. So I challenge you to think about that as you think about how you want to continue your learning in the STEM area to think about the sacrifices that you have to make that will ultimately lead to significant benefits in the long term.”
    Prior also told the youth not to be discouraged by the lack of diversity in STEM fields.
    “It’s about changing the narrative,” he said. “Don’t believe that African Americans aren’t doing phenomenal fantastic things. They just aren’t talked about in the media like they should be.”
    After the discussion, participants lined up to ask the panelists questions about how the technology in the cars worked and about the science and engineering that goes into building the cars. Questions included things such as what is the future of jobs for workers when more and more jobs are becoming automated, how safe the vehicle is and what the future of the technologic capabilities of the car looked like.
    Participants were then invited to draw their own cars and decide what type of technology, old or new, the cars would include. The young men designed everything from cars that could hover and drive themselves to cars that could be unlocked with a fingerprint rather than a key.
    The crowd was populated with young, Black boys, mainly middle and high school-aged, from across the nation including 13-year-old Noel Towson, who finds the 100 Black Men beneficial to him.
    Towson, along with five other young men from the South Bend, Ind., chapter, came to the conference with his chaperone Eldridge Lewis Chism Jr., who is also a 100 Black Men member. Chism has been involved with the organization for years and found the conference and panel beneficial because it gave the young men “new thoughts and new ideals and hopefully provide[d] them an opportunity.”
    “My mom took me to the ‘100 Black Men’ the first time,” said Towson. “I liked what they taught us, the life lessons and how to better prepare ourselves for the future, so I just stuck with it.”
    Brelaun Douglas is a 2016 NNPA “Discover The Unexpected” (DTU) journalism fellow at the Atlanta Voice. The DTU journalism fellowship program is sponsored by Chevrolet. Check out more stories by the fellows by following the hashtag #DiscoverTheUnexpected on Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about the program at nnpa.org/dtu.

  • Omarosa Manigault named Trump’s Director of African-American Outreach

    Written By Charise Frazier

    Omirosa Manigualt and Donald Trump

    Omarosa Manigualt with Donald Trump at the convention

    Former Apprentice star Omarosa Manigault breathed new life into her career by announcing her title as Donald Trump’s campaign director of African-American outreach on live television.

    Manigault, a longtime supporter of the presumptive GOP nominee, and former Vice Chair of the National Diversity Coalition For Trump, solidified her position during a Monday interview with MSNBC‘s Craig Melvin.
    Melvin pressed Manigault on the recent polling in Ohio and her home state of Pennsylvania, where Trump’s support from African-Americans stands at an astounding zero percent. “I just spent an amazing weekend with African-Americans for Trump, about 300 of them,” she said.
    “I’m just wondering who they called because those numbers would be flawed according to the people who have come out to support, had an amazing faith-based service yet with African-Americans who support Donald Trump, had an amazing reception yesterday evening with African-Americans who support Trump,” she continued. “So I look at the data, but my reality is that I’m surrounded by people who to want see Donald Trump as the next president of the United States, who are African-American.”
    Well, the numbers don’t lie and if Manigault has any chance of sustaining success in her position, she now knows where she can start.
    Manigault pivoted to touting Trump’s economic prowess as a principle for his readiness to lead the country. Though the controversy with Trump University’s multiple lawsuits stands as a stain on Trump’s economic record, and considering the questionable tactics he’s taken with his personal finances (filing for bankruptcy, refusing to make his tax returns public when prompted), Manigault still believes her candidate has “an incredible vision for this country.”

  • Hillary Clinton goes on attack against Donald Trump in NAACP speech

    BY LISA L. COLANGELO
    NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

    Hillary Clinton addresses NAACP

    Hillary Clinton
    addresses NAACP

    Hillary Clinton made it clear Monday she isn’t about to let the GOP cast Donald Trump in a softer light at the Republican National Convention.

    During an emotional speech before the NAACP’s national conference in Ohio, Clinton painted her likely Republican opponent as a President Obama-hating, white supremacist sympathizer who was once investigated for refusing to rent apartments to African-Americans.
    “He might say otherwise if he were here, but of course he declined your invitation,” Clinton told members of the historic civil rights group. “So all we can go on is what he has said and done in the past.”
    Her comments come as Republicans are expected to launch a wave of attacks against her as part of the first day of the convention’s theme: “Keep America Safe Again.”
    Clinton, who is poised to receive the Democratic nomination for President next week, kicked off an aggressive campaign to register 3 million new voters in the coming weeks.
    “This man is the nominee of the party of Lincoln and we are watching it become the party of Trump,” she said to cheers. “That is not just a huge loss to our democracy, it is a threat to our democracy. … Donald Trump cannot become President of the United States.”
    Her voter registration campaign will include 500 events at diverse locations including minor league baseball games, college campuses and hair salons.
    “Your votes count more than ever,” Clinton told the crowd.
    Hazel Dukes, president of the NAACP New York State Conference, tried to head off GOP criticism by lauding Clinton’s service as Secretary of State.
    “She strengthened national security, championed human rights and opportunities for women and girls across the world,” Dukes said. “She was instrumental in restoring American standing in the world.”

  • Black Lives Matter is not a hate group

    July By B19, 20BJ. Richard Cohen is president
    of the Southern Poverty Law Center

    IF
    HUNTS POINT, BRONX, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – 2016/07/17: On the second anniversary of the death of Eric Garner by NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo, the Black Lives Matter community organized the Stop The Violence Rally, March and Healing Circle in the South Bronx to remember Eric Garner and other victims of police brutality with a peaceful demonstration around the neighborhood culminating the march at the 41th Precinct where participants held a moment of silence followed by chanting “I CAN’T BREATHE” 11 times as Eric Garner did before his tragic death by an illegal choke-hold. (Photo by Erik McGregor/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

     

    Each year, the Southern Poverty Law Center, of which I am the president, compiles and publishes a census of domestic hate groups. Our list, which is cited extensively by journalists, academics and government officials alike, provides an important barometer—not the only one, of course—to help us understand the state of hate and extremism in America.

    In recent weeks, we’ve received a number of requests to name Black Lives Matter a hate group, particularly in the wake of the murders of eight police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge. Numerous conservative commentators have joined the chorus. There is even a Change.org petition calling for the hate group label.
    In our view, these critics fundamentally misunderstand the nature of hate groups and the BLM movement.
    Generally speaking, hate groups are, by our definition, those that vilify entire groups of people based on immutable characteristics such as race or ethnicity. Federal law takes a similar approach.
    While it’s no surprise, given our country’s history, that most domestic hate groups hold white supremacist views, there are a number of black organizations on our hate group list as well.
    A prime example is the New Black Panther Party (NBPP), whose leaders are known for anti-Semitic and anti-white tirades. Its late chairman, Khalid Abdul Muhammad, famously remarked: “There are no good crackers, and if you find one, kill him before he changes.” Bobby Seale, a founding member of the original Black Panther Party, has called the NBPP a “black racist hate group.”
    We have heard nothing remotely comparable to the NBPP’s bigotry from the founders and most prominent leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement and nothing at all to suggest that the bulk of the demonstrators hold supremacist or black separatist views. Thousands of white people across America—indeed, people of all races—have marched in solidarity with African Americans during BLM marches, as is clear from the group’s website. The movement’s leaders also have condemned violence.
    There’s no doubt that some protesters who claim the mantle of Black Lives Matter have said offensive things, like the chant “pigs in a blanket, fry ‘em like bacon” that was heard at one rally. But before we condemn the entire movement for the words of a few, we should ask ourselves whether we would also condemn the entire Republican Party for the racist words of its presumptive nominee—or for the racist rhetoric of many other politicians in the party over the course of years.
    Many of its harshest critics claim that Black Lives Matter’s very name is anti-white, hence the oft-repeated rejoinder “all lives matter.” This notion misses the point entirely. Black lives matter because they have been marginalized throughout our country’s history and because white lives have always mattered more in our society. As BLM puts it, the movement stands for “the simple proposition that ‘black lives also matter.’”
    The backlash to BLM, in some ways, reflects a broad sense of unease among white people who worry about the cultural changes in the country and feel they are falling behind in a country that is rapidly growing more diverse in a globalizing world. We consistently see this phenomenon in surveys showing that large numbers of white people believe racial discrimination against them is as pervasive, or more so, than it is against African Americans.
    It’s the same dynamic that researchers at Harvard Business School described in a recent study: White people tend to see racism as a zero-sum game, meaning that gains for African Americans come at their expense. Black people see it differently. From their point of view, the rights pie can get bigger for everyone.
    Black Lives Matter is not a hate group. But the perception that it is racist illustrates the problem. Our society as a whole still does not accept that racial injustice remains pervasive. And, unfortunately, the fact that white people tend to see race as a zero-sum game may actually impede progress

  • 8,000 people open accounts at Citizens Trust Bank in Atlanta, with branches in Alabama

    By: Taryn Finley Black Voices Associate Editor, The Huffington Post

     

    citizens_trust_bank-500x263

     Atlanta executive staff of Citizens Trust Bank

    In the weeks following the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, more and more influencers, like Solange and Killer Mike, have started to #BankBlack and have transferred their money into Black-owned banks.

    Now, a historic black bank in Atlanta has seen a spike in business. In just five days, 8,000 people have submitted applications to join Citizen’s Trust Bank, according to 11 Alive. Citizens Trust also has branches in Birmingham and Eutaw, Alabama.
    “It’s a tremendous propel forward for the bank and the future of the bank and bringing new relevance to a bank that’s been here for 95 years. And, it’s a statement about what the next 95 years will look like,” Jay Bailey, chairman of the bank’s Next Generation Advisory Board, told the local outlet.
    The bank’s CEO and president, Cynthia N. Day, thanked Killer Mike on Twitter  for urging people to collectively put $100 million in Atlanta’s only black bank just days before the increase in business.
    Executive Vice President Fredrick Daniels said the bank, which was founded in 1921, has survived despite several economic hardships. Now, he said Citizen’s Trust is looking to grow and get more black people to keep their money in their communities.
    “Citizen’s Trust provides a financial foundation for our community and that really helps us to put in place the businesses that we wanna see that we don’t see in our communities,” Daniels told 11 Alive.
    With $328.8 million in deposits as of the end of 2015, Bailey said Citizen’s Trust’s goal is to make history by becoming the first black-owned billion dollar bank in the country. Bailey noted that while protesting racial inequality is important, a perhaps more noticeable change comes when black people invest back into their communities.
    “I’ve been telling people that it’s time to come home,” he said. “Rallies are great and they’re necessary. Protesting is great and it’s necessary but what will sustain and grow from here is our dollar and galvanizing our dollar.”
    The United States had 23 black-owned banks, credit unions or savings and loan associations as of March 31, according to the Federal Reserve.

  • A renewed Greene County Health System Part 1

    By Mynecia D. Steele

    Imaging Room

    The X-ray equipment located at the Greene County Hospital can be seen in an upgraded, under water themed, X-ray room.

    The Greene County Health System (GCHS) is constantly working on improving its facilities and reputation, says Mr. Elmore Patterson, CEO of the Greene County Health System.
    Patterson has worked to upgrade the Greene County Health System, and in less than three years of holding this position he has overseen various renovations.
    But, Patterson does not take all the credit for the current condition of the Greene County Health System. Great employees create a comfortable environment for the patients and residents.
    GCHS only hires the best Patterson said. There are three full time physicians, Medical Director, Dr. Salahuddin Farooqui, MD; Dr. Thomas McDermott, MD; Dr. Michael Gordon, MD; currently working within the health system.
    The staff also includes one part time physician and two nurse practitioners, Kurtizzia Howard, CRNP and Cheryl Hill, CRNP. Each physician is board certified.
    GCHS also has about 150 other full time employees. The staff includes: registered nurses (RN), licensed practical nurses (LPN), certified nursing assistants (CNA), business office people and engineers. GCHS even works with the Greene County School System, providing its nurses to work in the schools.
    Great staff is grounds for well-run facilities. The Greene County Health System is CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) certified. This is the same certification that all Alabama health centers are required to meet.
    Yes, the facilities in the Greene County Health System are held to the same standards as all other health care facilities in Alabama. But, GCHS strives to go beyond the minimum requirements set by the state of Alabama.

    Three Main Departments

    The Greene County Health System is divided into three main departments. These departments are: the Greene County Physicians Clinic, Greene County Residential Care Center and the Greene County Hospital.
    In addition to the three main departments, the GCHS provides urgent care, home health, rehab (including: physical, occupational, and speech therapy), radiology (including: x-ray and CT (computerized axial tomography) scans, ultrasounds, echocardiograms, Nuclear Medicine Testing and women’s care (mammography and bone density scanning).
    The Greene County Physicians Clinic provides in house laboratory services, immunization vaccines for children, Medicaid EPSDT screenings, in house EKG services, injections (B12, Flu, Pneumonia, allergy), yearly exams, physicals (sports, DOT etc.), referrals to specialty services as needed, Saturday Clinic, mammograms and dexascans according to the GCHS website: gcheutaw.com.
    All of these treatments are readily available at the Greene County Health facilities.
    And, accessing the facilities is not a problem either. GCHS provides transportation for Greene County residents who don’t have a way to the GCHS campus.
    The Greene County Health System not only provides a productive atmosphere for healing, but the facilities are top notch, as well, Patterson said.
    “To bring a hospital to current health care trends, was a challenge,” Patterson said. “But, that’s where we are now.
    “We are able to provide the same health care services that you can have rendered at any hospital in Alabama, for the care that we provide.”

    Many Improvements Made

    Many improvements have been made since Patterson became CEO.  The hospital is a 1958 Hill-Burton hospital. There had been no renovations before he arrived nearly three years ago, said Patterson.
    Today, the facilities now have a much more modern look.
    Showers and flat screen televisions have been installed in every hospital and residential care room.
    The hospital has upgraded their cafeteria as well. Their meals are now aviliable to the public for purchase.
    A secured dementia unit has been added on to the Residential Care Center. This renovation was completed within 30 days of Patterson becoming CEO.
    Cleanliness is of utmost importance in the Residential Care center, as well.
    This wards off that nursing home smell. It is important that the residents are in a safe and clean environment said Patterson.
    The concern with cleanliness shows in their critics. The center is regularly monitored. Since 2013, their usual demerit count during reviews has decreased from 20 to only about six.
    A buffet style line has been installed in the residential care dinning area.
    Local barber, Marcus Steele and stylist, Linda Wheat visit the nursing home regularly to groom the residents. A salon and barber area has been added on to the residential care center to accommodate their services. This area includes shampoo bowl, styling chairs, hair dryers and everything needed to keep the residents feeling and looking their best.
    The clinic is receiving a makeover, as well.  The roof is currently being redone.
    Over the past few years the Greene County Health System has seen some major improvements, all with the community in mind.

  • USDA issues closing instructions on $3.1 million loan and grant package for Eutaw water system

    Hattie Edwards

    Mayor Hattie Edwards

     

    At Tuesday’s regular City Council meeting, Mayor Hattie Edwards distributed copies of letters from USDA Rural Development transmitting closing instructions for the $2,219,000 loan and $788,000 grant package for improvement of the City of Eutaw water system.
    “We have been working on this $3 million package for more than three years. We have met all of the conditions and the project which will replace the old water tower in Eutaw, replace and extend water mains, install electronic water meters, repair 52 non-working fire hydrants and other improvements, is now ready to be bid,” said Mayor Edwards.
    The letters which came from Ronald Davis, State Director of USDA Rural Development and Theresa Long, Area Director in Tuscaloosa set August 18, 2016 as the date to open bids.
    City Attorney Ken Aycock indicated he has been taking with the various parties including a bank that will provide interim construction financing for the project while under construction to make sure all requirements are in place. The engineer for the project is Burns Whittaker of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, who designed the project.
    City Engineer, Torris Babbs commented that the work would begin with replacement of the water tower as phase 1. The City of Eutaw has an existing grant from the State of Alabama – ADECA-CDBG funds to repair the water tower. A portion of this grant remains, after it was determined that the old water tank, built in 1921 was un-repairable, which will be used toward this total project.
    Babbs also reported that work on the resurfacing of Prairie Avenue, between the Courthouse Square and Highway 43, is proceeding on schedule and that bids for this project will be opened on July 25 at City Hall. “There will be several projects going on in Eutaw starting in August and going through the fall of the year and longer,” said Babbs.
    Babbs also pointed out that he had observed several building projects, like roof replacements, room additions and others, that persons had not secured building permits from the City, before doing the construction work. All construction work in the city, residential as well as commercial, requires a building permit according to Babbs, the Mayor and City Council. Councilwoman Shelia Smith suggested that the City put out more notification, in the newspapers and other places, of these requirements.
    In the absence of the City Clerk, Deadre Thomas, who is out on medical leave, the City Council approved employment of Ms. Johnnie Knott, retired Circuit Clerk of Greene County, to be interim city clerk and absentee election manager for the upcoming city elections on August 23. The council also approved a list of city election officials to serve for the municipal elections.
    The qualifying period for the city elections closes next week on July 19 and absentee ballots will be available soon thereafter.
    In other business, the City Council:
    • approved travel for Derick Coleman, Police Chief to a training meeting on August 1-5, 2016;
    • paid bills and claims for the period May and June 2016;
    • reviewed a request from Hodges Smith, to rearrange some property boundaries on four acres of land purchased for construction of the Greene County Fire Fighters Association offices and training facility on Prairie Avenue at J Street;
    • approved providing security and assistance in collaboration with the Greene County Commission for the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival;
    • heard from a number of citizens in the audience praising the work of city employees, especially police and first responders, for their dedicated work and service.

  • Commission seeking Assistant County Engineer Commission recognizes Jackie Hill for 18 years of dedicated service

    Commissioner.jpg

    Shown L to R:  Commissioners Lester Brown, Tennyson Smith and Michael Williams, Assistant County Engineer Calvin Culliver, County Retiree Jackie R. Hill, County Engineer Willie Branch, Commissioners Corey Cockrell and Allen Turner, Jr.

    The Greene County Commission, at its monthly meeting held Monday, July 11, 2016, presented Mr. Jackie R. Hill with a special Certificate of Recognition for his dedicated service to Greene County.  Hill is retiring after working 18 years as a skilled equipment operator with the County Engineer’s Department. During public comments, Hill thanked the commissioners for their support and cautioned that they make sure workers hired to operate county equipment know how to do so. “The only time a machine stopped on me, it was out of gas,” Hill remarked.  The various financial reports and budget amendments were presented by CFO Paula Bird and accepted into the county’s record.  Bird noted that budget amendments  represented a status of the remaining county budget. “The figures reflect what has been spent and what remains for this fiscal year,” she stated.
    The commission accepted the resignation of Assistant Engineer, Calvin Culliver, who was employed in the County Engineer’s office for approximately three years.  County Engineer Willie Branch was authorized to advertise for the position of County Assistant Engineer.
    The commission approved the appointment of Margaretta Bir to the Greene County Health Systems Hospital Board from District 2.
    In other business the commission approved the following:
    * Request from Engineer Branch to declare as surplus and sell two dump trucks at $263,190 and one Lowboy truck at $110,670.
    * Request from Engineer to order three dump trucks at $134,625 each and one lowboy at $114,458.
    * Request from Engineer to consider loan from Merchants & Farmers Bank for financing new trucks as necessary.
    * Contract from Cooks Pest Control for Eutaw Activity Center at initial cost of $100 and $50 monthly.
    * Request to enter into supplemental agreement #1 for Geotechnical Services (bridge over County Road 86 over Little Buck Creek) for $18,216 and authorize the Commission Chairman to sign all necessary documents.
    * Agreement for preliminary engineering for bridge on Flag Road over Spencer Creek at $72,938 and authorize Commission Chairman to sign all necessary documents.
    * Request from Engineer to accept the bid regarding new shop building.
    * Request from Engineer to advertise for equipment operator.
    * Appointment of Commissioner Lester Brown to negotiate with Greenetrack CEO regarding rental payments.
    * Tabled the request from the Society of Folk Arts & Culture to make courthouse restrooms available to the public during week end of the festival.