The Greene County Democrat

Category: School

  • Mayor Steele reports to Eutaw City Council on recent positive progress

    Shown L To R: Mayor Raymond Steele, Anita Lewis Executive Director of Branch Heights and Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison inspecting newly paved road.
    Sgt. Jones displaying guns that were confiscated from juveniles in
    an arrest on O’Neal Street.

    After some routine matters, the January 8, 2019 first meeting of the new year was devoted to a report by Mayor Raymond Steele on positive progress by the city over the past weeks.
    The Eutaw City Council agreed to table discussion of bills and finances until a working session scheduled for January 15, 2019. The area of finances, a budget, audits of prior year finances and a general handle on the revenues and expenses of the city remain a concern to a majority of the Council members.
    Mayor Steele reported that work on resurfacing the streets in Branch Heights was underway. Central Asphalt Company of Northport was doing a good job. The major streets will be done first and then if funds are left in the contract, the individual cul de sacs in the community will also be resurfaced.
    The Mayor indicated that some supplement might need to be added to the contract to complete the full road and street resurfacing project in Branch Heights. This work is being funded by a special allocation of bingo funds and the city’s road repair tax account.
    Mayor Steele reported that site work for the Love’s Truck Stop project at the Interstate 59/20 exit would begin later in January. Some equipment has been pre-staged by the contractor for use in site preparations for the project.
    The Mayor thanked Rev. Barton for his work with youth at the Robert H. Young Community Center (formerly Carver Elementary School) including a basketball tournament, exercise and weight room and improvements to the exterior and interior of the buildings.
    Darren Cook of Unity in the Community, a non-profit organization, has assisted Rev. Barton with the youth program and sponsoring the holiday basketball tournament. Cook, who is a native of Tishabee community in Greene County, now resides in Huntsville raised funds through his non-profit to help with charitable projects in Greene County. Cook said his organization also provided bicycles for poor children through DHR and Christmas baskets to forty senior citizens in the community.
    Cook’s organization recently provided 30 table coverings for the Robert H. Young Center. Council members thanked Cook and praised the city administration for moving ahead in a positive way. Rev. James Carter indicated that he had employed three young people, in his family construction business, who he met at the basketball tournament.
    The Mayor announced that Auburn University was sponsoring a conference on economic development on April 4, 2019, in Eutaw, in conjunction with the city and surrounding communities.
    Police Chief Coleman and Sgt. Jones displayed two automatic guns that they had confiscated from juveniles in an arrest the previous week on O’Neal Street. The weapons which were modified to fire continuous rounds automatically looked dangerous and raised many questions as to how and why young people in our city should be carrying weapons of war suitable to a third world battlefield and not the streets of small town Alabama.
    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved use of the Eutaw Civic Center by the National Wild Turkey Federation, for their special annual event on February 22, 2019, including approval of a license to serve alcohol at the event; and
    • Approved travel for Chief Coleman to attend the Alabama Chief of Police Conference in Montgomery on February 17-21, 2019.

  • Commission invests in road re-surfacing and courthouse HAVC unit replacement; tables Forkland request for park property

    In its regular meeting held, Monday, January 14, 2019, the Greene County Commission approved a resolution allowing the county to enter an agreement with ALDOT to resurface County Road 72. The county’s share of the financial investment in the project will be $348,945.01. The commission also approved replacing the HAVC unit on the main courthouse facility at a cost of $29,753.
    The County Commission is hoping to have a Bill in the 2019 State Legislative Session that will bring some changes regarding the County Coroner. The proposed Bill would allow the coroner to have a salary, instead of just depending on fees; it would allow the coroner to get needed equipment and space through the county including a vehicle for transporting. At Monday’s meeting, the commission approved advertising the Coroner’s Bill.
    A delegation from the Town of Forkland was present anticipating action from the commission regarding a request for the county to convey to the town the property associated with the Forkland Park. At the commission work session, the previous week, the Forkland Mayor, Charlie MacAlpine and members of the Town Council presented this request to the commission. At that session, Mr. MacAlpine explained that the park needs to be re-vitalized and the town is willing to take on this responsibility including the up-keep, but would like to own the property.Following an executive session, Commissioner Allen Turner, who represents Forkland, offered a motion to table the request, seconded by Commissioner Corey Cockrell. The motion passed.
    An item added to the agenda was the request from the Sheriff Department for the purchase of a vehicle. Commissioner Turner moved to purchase a vehicle at fair market value not to exceed the requested amount. At the previous work session, Chief Deputy Jeremy Rancher, presented a proposal to the commission for the purchase of a used vehicle available at a cost of approximately $45,000. He stated that a normal patrol car would cost from $55,000 and above. He also said that the county needs six vehicles replaced, and it would help if the commission could provide one at this time.
    In other business, the commission appointed Greene County Health Services CEO, Dr. Marcia Pugh, to the EMT Board, and approved the purchase of a full page ad in the annual Black History Edition of the Greene County Democrat newspaper.
    The commission was scheduled to confirm appointments on various county boards, however, many of these positions were tabled for a later time. For the Industrial Development Authority Board, the commission did approve the re-appointments of Dr. Warren Burke and Mr. Luther Winn, from Districts 1 and 2 respectively. IDA appointments for Districts 3 and 4 were tabled. For the PARA Board, the commission approved Mr. Christopher Stepner for District 4. PARA Board appointments for Districts 1 and 5 were tabled. Housing Authority of Greene County Board appointments for Districts 3 and 4 were tabled. Ms. Anna Gray was re-appointed to the Library Board for District 4. Districts 2 and 5 appointments were tabled.
    The commission approved the travel requests for the County Engineer and Assistant Engineer, and approved hosting the Association of County Commissions of Alabama District Meeting scheduled for February 4, 2019. The ACCA will cover food and catering expenses.
    The commission approved paying Mr. Jasper Means $6,500 for the safe house foundation until funds from FEMA are received.
    The commission approved the financial report and the payment of claims as proposed by the CFO, Paula Bird. Ms. Bird reported the following bank balances as of December 18, 2018: Citizen Trust Bank, $3,186.545.46; Merchants & Farmers Bank, $2,458,290.70; CD Bonds, $924,445.41. There was not a report for the Bank of New York.

  • Newswire: Soar Like an Eagle: 12 African American teens reach the pinnacle of success in the Boy Scouts

    By Jeffrey L. Boney, Associate Editor via Houston Forward Times

    Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Boy Scout Troop 242

    Here in the United States, the Boy Scouts of America is considered to be one of the most revered institutions for the development of young boys.
    In the Boy Scouts of America, the highest achievement or rank that one can attain is the designation of Eagle Scout and reaching that accomplishment is not an easy task.
    The Eagle Scout designation is highly respected because only 4 percent of all Boy Scouts are ever granted this prestigious rank after fulfilling the many years of requirements that must be achieved. On Saturday, January 5th, twelve African American young men reached the ultimate milestone of being awarded the Eagle Scout distinction.
    Shane Bennett, Dameion Crook II, Dylan Gaines, Kyle Gaines, Chandler Green, Daniel Hinton, Marshall Hudson, Marcellus Jordan III, Eron Lord, Eric Sims, Asa Singleton and 242Benjamin White are all a part of Boy Scout Troop 242, a historic troop located at Wheeler Ave Baptist Church.
    Boy Scout Troop 242, led by Scoutmaster Dameion Crook, Sr., presented the 12 African American Eagle Scouts during the Eagle Court of Honor ceremony that was held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. His son was one of the newest Eagle Scouts, which is the cherry on the top of Scoutmaster Crook’s two years leading Boy Scout Troop 242.
    “This event marks a tremendous milestone in the history of our troop,” said Scoutmaster Crook. “We have a long tradition of creating Eagle Scouts and to have these 12 young men complete the Boy Scouts of America program is a testament to our legacy and our scouting program.”
    Twelve Eagles at one time is pretty much unheard of for any troop and definitely for an African American troop like Troop 242. All 12 of these young men have had their “eye on Eagle” through years of hard work, fulfilling their obligations with more than just the minimum obligations required for the honor to be called an Eagle Scout.
    This group of talented young men not only achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, they did so in historic and memorable fashion.
    The Boy Scouts requires a minimum of 21 merit badges, but most of these Eagles have more than 30 merit badges. Only through planning and carrying out a community service project, coupled with demonstrated leadership in and out of the Troop, can a scout who lives the scout oath be considered for an Eagle Board of Review that consists of the District and Council representatives from the Boy Scouts. All of these things must be done before the Scout turns 18.
    Although the average age for attaining the rank is 17.5 years old, at least five (5) of these new Eagle Scouts fulfilled the commitment before turning 16.
    These young men have gone beyond their Troop and have represented scouting locally, regionally, nationally and internationally in various endeavors such as Order of the Arrow (scouting’s Honor Society), National Youth Leadership Training (premier leadership training for Scouts), participating in the Philmont Trek, representing Troop 242 in Switzerland, etc.
    Often overlooked by families seeking to engage their sons in meaningful, positive activities, the Boy Scouts have proven to be an old, but tried and true method that has not lost its effectiveness. These twelve young men have taken full advantage of all that the scouting world has to offer.
    Troop 242 and the parents of these young men should be extremely proud of their accomplishments and dedication. We look forward to all they will achieve in the future.

  • Annual Kwanzaa Program celebrated in local schools and community

    Community wide Kwanzaa held Dec. 28, 2018 at Eutaw Activity Center, sponsored by Greene County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Harambe Community Youth Organization.

    Kwanzaa Celebration at  Greene County High School
    Kwanzaa Celebration at Robert Brown Middle School
    Kwanzaa Celebration at Eutaw Primary

    The annual Kwanzaa Celebrations in Greene County focused on presentations at the local schools as well as the community wide event. Kwanzaa co-sponsors, the Greene County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Harambe Community Youth Organization, conducted celebrations at Greene County High School, Robert Brown Middle School and Eutaw Primary School during the week of December 17, before students left for Christmas Holiday. The community celebration was held Friday, Dec. 28 at the Eutaw Activity Center.

    The program participants included members of the sponsoring organizations and students from the respective schools. The participants at the community event also included DST Debutants of the 2019 Season and the Greene County Community Choir.
    Kwanzaa, a Swahili word meaning First Fruits, is a harvest celebration honoring the culture and heritage of African Americans. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga during the Black Power Movement to honor African American people, our struggles in the United States, our heritage and our culture. During Kwanzaa Celebration, family and community gather together to give thanks for the harvest, which brings us good things from the earth. We remember the past and our ancestors who worked the earth and we celebrate hope and promise for the year to come.
    Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 through January 1. Each day a candle is lit and a Kwanzaa Principle is discussed. On the first day the black candle is lit representing the principle Umoja (Unity). On the following days, alternating red and green candles are lit from the black candle for the remaining principles – Kujichagulia (Self-determination); Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility); Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics); Nia (Purpose); Kuumba (Creativity; and Imani ( Faith).
    The community shared the Talking Stick for expressions and applications of the Kwanzaa Principles. A harvest feast was shared by all.

  • DST Chapter provides gifts for family of 10 children

    Shown L To R: Shirley Ezell, Carolyn Young, Marva Smith, Miriam Leftwich, Tameshia Porter, Isaac Atkins, Phillis Belcher, Johnni Strode Morning, Carol Zippert and Jacqueline Allen

    The Greene County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. partnered with the Greene County Department of Human Resources to provide Christmas gifts for a local family of 10 children. The sorority members provided toys, games, books, various electronics as well as clothing for each child in the family. All the gifts were selected in attempts to fulfill the wishes of the children. The various lists of the children’s wishes were provided by the DHR staff.
    Mr. Wilson Morgan is Director of the Greene County DHR office.
    Mrs. Carolyn Young and Ms. Jackie Allen serve as chairperson and co-chairperson, respectively, of the DST Chapter’s Adopt-A-Family Committee. Mrs. Isaac Atkins serves as Chapter President.

  • FOGCE Federal Credit Union holds Annual Meeting

    Members of FOGCE Federal Credit Union at Annual Meeting.

    The Federation of Greene County Employees (FOGCE) Federal Credit Union held its Annual Meeting and Christmas Celebration on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at the credit union’s offices in downtown Eutaw.
    The meeting was well attended by more than 35 members who came to learn the status and future plans for the credit union.
    Joyce Pham, Treasurer, gave a financial report indicating that as of December 31, 2017, the FOGCE had $503,782.56 in loans outstanding to the membership with assets of $1,343,153.16. There are 891 members and net income for 2017 was $13,819.19.
    Mary Dunn, Chairperson of the Credit Committee reported that the FOGCE had made 333 loans in 2018, for a total of $421,537.69, which included ten automobile loans with a value of $153,839.
    Rodney Pham indicated that the Credit Committee had increased the maximum loan for an automobile from $40,000 to $60,000. Loans are based on the car’s value, repayment ability and credit rating of the borrower.
    Dr. Carol P. Zippert, President reported on the credit union. “ We started in 1975, 43 years ago, with around $25,000 in savings and we have grown to have $1.3 million in assets today. After years of operating in renter spaces, we now own our own building on the Courthouse Square in Eutaw.”
    Zippert continued, “ We recently received a $10,000 grant from Inclusiv (formerly the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions) for technology upgrades, accounting and compliance, financial education and counseling for members and marketing and communications expenses to improve contact with our members. We plan to use these grant funds to grow and improve our credit union. We would like to have 1,000 members and over $1.5 million in assets by the end of 2019.”
    Joyce Pham indicated that any person who lives, works or worships in Greene County is eligible to join the credit union. It takes $35.00 to join, with $10 for administrative fees to set-up the account and $25.00 as the initial share deposit. All savings are insured by the National Credit Union Administration up to a value of $250,000 per account.
    Pham said the credit union is now getting payroll deduction of savings and loan payments from more than thirty employers and businesses in Greene County and surrounding communities including Aliceville, Demopolis, Tuscaloosa and others.
    In the business meeting, the members re-elected three board members including Darlene Robinson, Rodney Pham and Mollie Rowe. Also re-elected to the Credit Committee were: Mary Dunn, Rodney Pham and Vonda Richardson. .
    Several visitors from the Federation of Southern Cooperatives made congratulatory remarks to the members. These included: Carrie Fulghum, Alabama Board member with the Federation, Dr. Marcus Bernard, Director of the Rural Training and Research Center in Epes, Alabama, and John Zippert, long time Federation staff member.

  • Newswire : The Schomburg Center acquires Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis’ Archive

    Written By NewsOne Staff

    Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis

            The legacies of late actors Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis will prevail in Harlem. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at The New York Public Library—a cultural institution that serves as a hub for research and programming surrounding the global Black experience—has acquired the legendary couple’s archive, the New York Public Library reported.
        The couple’s mementos being brought to the Schomburg Center is very fitting as the two spent time living in Harlem. The items that are a part of the collection capture the essence of their social activism efforts and give a glimpse into their marriage. 
        Amongst the items are postcards and letters exchanged between the couple and activist Malcolm X, a greeting card that Coretta Scott King sent to the couple, Ruby Dee’s original script for “A Raisin in the Sun,” footage of Dee and Davis’ television appearances and interviews, correspondence between Dee and Langston Hughes and other items from the couple that are embedded in the fabric of Black culture.
        The Schomburg Center acquired the archive as a part of it’s Home to Harlem project; an effort to capture the stories of impactful Black figures who had an influence in Harlem and beyond. “Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis were pillars of creativity, friendship, and support during the greatest artistic and political movements of our time,” Kevin Young, Director of the Schomburg Center, said in a statement. 
        “Their love for each other and for their closest friends, as well as their commitment to advancing social progress through the arts and advocacy, is reflected in the vastness of this archive. Having their archive home to Harlem will help scholars and researchers tell an even more comprehensive story of the cultural and political evolution of the 20th century. We are privileged to be stewards of the Dee and Davis legacies, and to make them available to the public for study and exploration.”

  • Eutaw City Council approves proposals for infrastructure improvements at the Interstate Exit 40 location of Love’s Travel Center

    This is a report on the past two meetings of the Eutaw City Council on November 27 and December 11, 2018.
    The City Council approved a proposal from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for $600,000 for enhanced lighting of on-and-off ramps at Exit 40 on Interstate 20 and 59, where the proposed Love’s Travel Center and truck stop will be located.
    ALDOT will finance the improvement of the lighting with the expectation of getting repaid for half of the costs – $300,000 – beginning in 2023 when the project will be generating increased gas and sales tax revenues for the City of Eutaw and Greene County.
    The City Council also approved bids for the extension of the sewage line along Highway 14 from the city limits to Love’s proposed location. The low bid of $728,731.50 for construction of the sewer line came from Cornerstone Civil Contractors of Northport, Alabama. The total cost of the sewer line project, including engineering and administration will be $897,406.50.
    The City of Eutaw has $772.425 in grants for the project from ADECA and Delta Regional Authority, which leaves $124,981.50 to complete the project. The Greene County Industrial Development Authority has agreed to loan this amount to the City with repayment based on revenues from taxes over time.
    Mayor Steele announced that based on his discussions with Love’s officials that construction of the Travel Center and truck stop will begin in January 2019 and be completed in nine months by the late Fall of 2019. Once Love’s is in operation it will generate $ 4 to 6 million in retail sales and 8 to 10 million gallons in gas and diesel sales per year.

    In response to questions from Council members, Mayor Steele said he would contact Central Asphalt and tell them they must begin immediately on the repairs to the roads and streets in Branch Heights or the project will be rebid.
    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:
    • approved the reappointment of Theresa Beeker to a four-year term on the Greene County Industrial Development Authority;
    • adopted a holiday schedule providing December 24 and 25 as holidays and December 31 and January 1 as holidays, employees may take additional time off using annual leave based on arrangements with their supervisors;
    • cancelled the second monthly Council meeting for December, which falls on Christmas Day;
    • voted 3 to 2 to declare a shed at the National Guard Armory as surplus, so it can be leased to REACH, a non-profit organization for storage of its furniture project. Mayor Steele objected to this proposal saying the building was needed for storage of Christmas lights and other city equipment;
    • agreed to a Christmas toy giving program to be held at the Robert H. Young Civic Center (formerly Carver Middle School), which the City of Eutaw is co-sponsoring, provided that the proper paperwork for use of the facilities is presented;
    • voted down, by a tie vote of 3 to 3, a proposal by Councilmember LaJeffrey Carpenter to name local Attorney Joshua Sword as Municipal Judge.
    At the end of the meeting, several Councilmembers reminded the Mayor of the need for a budget and audit report as well as a regular reporting of bills paid which had been left off the past three Council meeting agendas.

  • GCHS Homecoming a grand success; Tigers deliver a 30-13 win over Holt

    Greene County High School students celebrated Homecoming with a variety of activities, from crowning of kings and queens at their annual coronation to the Homecoming parade held Friday, which featured the still-in-formation Greene County High band, dance line, cheer leaders, numerous brightly decorated floats, majorettes, football players, motorcycle and horse riders. Many community participants entered vehicles carrying signs encouraging voters to go to the polls on Nov. 6 for the General Elections. Sheriff Jonathan Benison and Superintendent Dr. James Carter served as 2018 Homecoming Grand Marshals. A large number turned out to enjoy the parade and the game. The Tigers defeated Holt High School with 30 – 13 score, giving the Tigers a 1-3 season.

    The Greene County varsity football team has an away non-conference game at Sumter Central (York, AL) on Friday, September 28 at 7:00 p.m. Good Luck Tigers.

  • Mills Pharmacy holds grand opening

    Mills Pharmacy held its ribbon cutting ceremony July 22, 2018. Shown above Mills Pharmacy owner Robert Mills and Raymond Steele Mayor of Eutaw surrounded by employees. The community came out to celebrate and support the new business. Everyone enjoyed free hot dogs, inflatable games, face painting, snow cones and ballon animals. Store hours: Monday – Friday 9:00a.m. to- 6:00 p.m. Saturday 10a.m. – 2:00p.m. Fun was had by young and old.