Greene County Democrat

Tag: AL

  • Newswire : Newbern, AL, first Black mayor, who had been locked out of office, wins re-election

    Mayor Patrick Braxton of Newbern

    By The Associated Press


    NEWBERN, Ala. — The first Black mayor of a tiny Alabama town overwhelmingly won election this week, four years after white residents locked him out of the town hall and refused to let him serve.
    Incumbent Mayor Patrick Braxton was elected as the mayor of Newbern, winning 66 votes to his opponent’s 26, according to results posted by the town. His victory puts a punctuation mark in the dispute over control of the town government that drew national attention.
    “The people came out and spoke and voted. Now, there ain’t no doubt what they want for this town,” Braxton said in a telephone interview Wednesday night.
    The election Tuesday was the town’s first since at least the 1960s, held under a federal settlement. Black residents had sued, challenging what they called the town’s “hand-me-down governance” and refusal to let Braxton serve after he ran unopposed for mayor in 2020.
    Newbern’s residents number just 133 people. A library, the town hall, a mercantile and a flashing caution light anchor the downtown, about 40 miles west of Selma.
    What the town had been without is elections.
    Newbern’s mayor-council government had not been put to a vote for six decades. Instead, town officials held “hand-me-down” positions, with each mayor appointing a successor who appointed the council members, according to the lawsuit filed by Braxton and others. The result was an overwhelmingly white government in a town where Black residents outnumber white residents 2-1.
    Braxton, a volunteer firefighter, qualified in 2020 to run for the nonpartisan position of mayor, and since he was the only candidate, he became the mayor-elect without an election. He then appointed a new town council, as other mayors have done.
    But the locks were changed at the town hall, and Braxton was denied access to the town’s financial accounts. His lawsuit also alleged that outgoing council members held a secret meeting to set up a special election and “fraudulently reappointed themselves as the town council.”
    “I didn’t get a chance to serve but one year out of the five years,” said Braxton, who finally occupied the office last year after a three-year legal battle.
    Town officials had denied wrongdoing, arguing in court filings that Braxton’s claim to be mayor was “invalid.”
    The settlement agreement included a promise to hold a mayoral election in 2025.
    Braxton had one challenger this time — a white auctioneer and Realtor, Laird Cole.
    “Mayor Braxton’s election represents a turning point for Newbern, restoring democratic governance, ensuring fair representation, and reaffirming that every resident has a voice in their local government,” Madison Hollon, program manager of political campaigns for the SPLC Action Fund, said Thursday. The group endorsed Braxton in the race.
    The mayor said his lopsided victory should eliminate any “doubts people had hanging in their heads on if people want me.”
    “It feels good the second time,” Braxton said.

     

  • Commission agrees to lease former Greenetrack facility to First Biometrics

    The Greene County Commission met in a called session, Thursday, May 1, 2025 with all Commissioners present. The two items on the presented agenda, relative to access to the former Greenetrack facility, included consideration of a lease between the Greene County Commission and First Biometrics and consideration of a lease between the Commission and Tim Anderson. Chairperson Garria Spencer noted that the Commission had not received a proposal from Tim Anderson, thus the agenda was adopted omitting the latter item.
    Commissioner Allen Turner, Jr. suggested going into an executive session, however, Chairman Spencer proposed that the body just vote on the sole item on the agenda. On a three-two vote, with Commissioners Allen Turner, Corey Cockrell and Roshanda Summerville voting yes, the Commission approved entering into a lease with First Biometrics which will allow them access to the former Greenetrack facility for restorations, renovations and security.
    In previous Commission meetings, Charlie Gomez of Iron Wolf LLC based in Huntsville, AL, advanced the proposal from First Biometrics which included language indicating a lease agreement would be presented asking the Commission to consider the financial investment for facility improvements made by First Biometrics. Commission Attorney Mark Parnell will prepare the lease agreement.
    It was noted that if bingo is brought back by the lessee to the renovated facility, Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison would have to issue the appropriate license to a charity operating the bingo gaming. First Biometrics indicated they would be considering gaming and a variety of entertainments.

  • Greene County scholars participate in Youth Freedom March in Selma

    Greene County 3rd grade scholars joined approximately 500 youth from various parts of Alabama to participate in the Children’s Sojourn/Youth Freedom March across the historic Edmond Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL, Friday, March 7, 2025. The children’s march was part of the 60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the 33rd Annual Bridge Crossing Commemoration and Jubilee held in Selma.
    “Youth were central to the struggle for voting rights in the 1960s, bravely facing arrests and significant danger. Friday’s march recognizes their courage and contributions. Initially, young people were not going to be allowed to make their annual sojourn across the bridge for the 60th Anniversary. Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL) and Congressman Jim Clyburn (SC) were both instrumental in ensuring Friday’s Youth Sojourn could take place, helping organizers keep the bridge open for the young people’s historic march,” stated Attorney Hank Sanders, co-founder of the Annual Bridge Crossing Commemoration.
    Following the Children’s Sojourn/Youth Freedom March, conversations were held with Foot Soldiers of 1965 at the Memorial Park on the Montgomery side of the bridge. The youth also visited other historical sites in Selma.

    Emma Jackson, of Eutaw, AL, receives a commemoration honoring her brother Jimmie Lee Jackson who was killed by State Troopers during a peaceful march in Marion, AL in 1965. The plaque was presented at the annual Freedom Flames Award Banquet Saturday, March 8, 2025 in Selma, as part of the 60th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March.

  • Greenetrack charities distribute $67,500 to local non-profit groups

    Shown L to R: Johnnie Knott, Woman to Woman Inc; Hodges Smith, Assoc. Volunteer Fire Department; Iris Sermon, E911 Communication Services –photo on file

    The non-profit charities operating electronic bingo at Greenetrack in Eutaw, AL, E-911 Communication Services, the Greene County Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, and Woman to Woman, Inc., provided charitable contributions, for the month of June, to a variety of local organizations, all benefitting Greene County residents.
    According to Luther Winn, Greenetrack CEO, “By giving to the organizations directly, the charities are taking a progressive approach to assist the community in areas where the need is most apparent.”
    Winn explained that the Greenetrack charities operating electronic bingo at Greenetrack are following the rules set forth by Sheriff Jonathan Benison but they have decided to provide the funds directly rather than through the Sheriff’s office.
    A total of $67,500 dollars was divided and given to the following charities:
    Greene County Board of Education ($13,500); Greene County Hospital ($7,500); Greene County Commission ($24,000); City of Eutaw ($4,500); City of Union ($3,000); City of Boligee ($3,000); City of Forkland ($3,000); and Greene County Ambulance Service ($9,000).
    The following non-profit groups received $300: Greene County Nursing Home, SCORE, Greene County Golf Course, James C. Pool Memorial Library, Greene County Foster & Adoptive Parents Association, PARA, Greene County Housing Authority Youth Involvement, Children’s Policy Council, Reach, Greene County DHR, Greene County Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, and the Society of Folk Arts and Culture.