Greene County Democrat

Tag: Bennie Abrams

  • City Council of Eutaw holds Organizational Meeting; names new police chief

    The new City Council of Eutaw met at 5:00 PM on November 3, 2025, for its Organizational Meeting. The new Mayor, Corey Cockrell presided at the meeting which was attended by all five council members. Districts 1,2, and 3 (Valerie Watkins, Jonathan Woodruff Jr. and Tracey Hunter) were represented by persons who served on the previous council, while District 4 and 5 council members Lorenzo French and Carrie Logan were newly elected and had not previously served.
    The Organizational Meeting was to set the rules and procedures for Eutaw City Council meetings, make appointments and clarify the banking and financial roles of the Mayor and Council members.
    The Council adopted Resolution 2025-14 for the rules of procedure for meetings of the Eutaw City Council which included quorum requirements, use of Robert’s Rules of Order, reporting, minutes, adoption of resolutions , decorum, public comments and other regulations.
    The Council adopted Resolution 2025-15 specifying that there will be two regular meetings per month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, at 5:00 PM at the Eutaw City Hall.
    The Council adopted Resolution 2025-16 on Banking stating that two signatures will be required on each check. Four persons are designated as signatories: Mayor Cockrell, Sha’Kelvia Spencer, City Clerk, Council members Tracey Hunter and Jonathon Woodruff.
    The Council adopted other resolutions naming Councilwoman Tracey Hunter as Mayor Pro Tempore, who will preside over meetings in the absence of the mayor; Sha’Kelvia Spencer as City Clerk; Joshua Swords as Municipal Judge; Zane Willingham as City Attorney and Municipal Prosecutor. These persons are currently serving in the same roles.
    The Council adopted Resolution 2025-20 naming Kendrick Howell as Chief of Police replacing current Chief Tommy Johnson. No information was given as the reason for the change. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 3 to 2, with new members , Lorenzo French and Carrie Logan, voting against the resolution. Bennie Abrams was re-named to his position as Fire Chief.
    Several other resolutions were adopted naming Mayor Cockrell as the Superintendent of the Water Department and a separate resolution authorizing the mayor to have a limit of up to $10,000 in discretionary spending. The resolution requires the mayor to report on discretionary spending at the next regular Council meeting.
    Due to Veterans Day falling on the second Tuesday, the next regular meeting of the Eutaw City Council will be held on Wednesday November 12, 2025, at 4:00 PM. A Eutaw Council work session will be held this Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM, to discuss pending issues and design the agenda for the November 12 meeting.

  • Groundbreaking held for Love’s Travel Center at Interstate 20/59 Exit 40 Eutaw

    Officials participating in groundbreaking (L. to R.): Kenneth Boswell (ADECA), Rep. Ralph Howard. Senator Bobby Singleton, Eutaw Mayor Raymond Steele, Governor Kay Ivey, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Jenny Love Meyer, Rep. A. J. McCampbell, Bill Gleason (Love’s), Eutaw Council members Joe Lee Powell, Sheila H. Smith, Bennie Abrams, LaJeffrey Carpenter, and Danny Cooper (GCIDA)

    On Monday, October 15, 2018, a groundbreaking was held for a Love’s Travel Center and Country Store, near the location of the new business on the Southside of the Interstate 20/59 Exit 40 on Highway 14 coming into the City of Eutaw.The mid-morning groundbreaking was attended by Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Legislative delegation members, Senator Bobby Singleton, Rep. A. J. McCampbell and Rep. Ralph Howard, members of the Eutaw City Council, Greene County Commission and other state and local agencies involved as well as Jenny Love Meyer and William “Bill “ Gleason representing the Love’s corporation. The new $12.5 million travel stop will be built on a 13.9-acre site and is expected to bring an estimated 43 jobs to the area with a projected 1,000 trucks per day. The new Love’s will be one of the largest Love’s sites in Alabama and will include a Hardee’s, Godfather’s Pizza, and Chester’s Chicken. The Eutaw location will also consist of 96 parking spaces for professional drivers, with the possibility of future expansion for more parking spaces. Councilman Joe Lee Powell welcomed the over 250 people assembled for the groundbreaking ceremony by stating, “You are welcome in Eutaw the Gateway to the Alabama Black Belt.” Rev. John Hodges, Pastor of the Saint Mathew Baptist Church in Boligee gave the invocation. Congresswoman Terri Sewell thanked all the groups and agencies present for their contributions to make the project a success. “We thank Love’s for bringing jobs to the Alabama Black Belt where they are greatly needed. We can assure you that people are our greatest asset – their strength, their intellect and their heart, which will become part of this project.” State Senator Bobby Singleton said, “this is a great day for Eutaw and Greene County. This project is a gamechanger that will bring new jobs and open opportunities for other development and jobs.” State Representatives A. J. McCampbell and Ralph Howard, who represent Greene County, echoed these same sentiments. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said, “This is an exciting day for this county, when Greene County wins, Alabama wins.” She reviewed her success in bring 16,000 jobs to Alabama since she became Governor. “We are working to make groundbreakings like this an everyday occurrence in Alabama. We know that Love’s has 14 locations in Alabama, especially in rural locations like this one. We wish them success in providing drivers a quality and safe place to rest and refuel,” she said. Jenny Love Meyer speaking for the Love’s Company said, “This will be one of 470 locations around the nation that will bear our family name. We started in Oklahoma to build clean and friendly places for truckers and other travelers. We know this new location will live up to our company’s mission and vision.” William ‘Bill’ Gleason, Real Estate Property Manager for Love’s, who was instrumental in finding the location, said, “ Our travel centers have no wheels under them. Once we build, we are with you to stay!” Mayor Raymond Steele thanked everyone involved in the project, including ADECA, Delta Regional Authority, USDA Rural Development Greene County Industrial Development Authority and the West Alabama Regional Planning Agency who provided funds and direction to extended sewage and other utilities to the Exit 40 site. The Mayor also thanked the Eutaw City Council, the Greene County Commission, Jamie Banks family, who sold the land for the project and many others for making the project possible. “We hope that this is just the beginning for new jobs and growth in our community. With this project, we have a chance to move forward together and open other new opportunities for the people of our area,” said Mayor Steele, before a large group of the invited dignitaries put their golden shovels in the ground to turn over the dirt symbolizing the start of the project.

  • City Council grants liquor license to John’s club Eutaw recognizes National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend

    Girl Scott

    Shown Back Row L to R: Councilpersons LaTasha Johnson, Bennie Abrams, Joe L. Powell, Sheila Smith and LaJeffery Carpenter. Front Row L to R: Girl Scouts Madisyn Harris, India Duncan, Troop Leader Miriam Leftwich, Eutaw Mayor Raymond Steele, Girl Scouts Diamond White and Mackenzie Harris

    The Eutaw City Council, at its February 27, 2018 meeting presented a proclamation honoring local Girl Scout Troop 408 for National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend.  The Proclamation stated that the City of Eutaw proclaims the week of February 23-25 as National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend. Members of Girl Scout Troop 408, with their troop leader Miriam Leftwich were present.  Leftwich announced that there were boxes of cookies for sale.  Following the presentation, Girl Scout Diamond White thanked the city for its continued support of Girl Scouts.

    In other business, the council approved a liquor license for John’s club on Main Street, with councilpersons Sheila Smith and LaJeffery Carpenter abstaining. The council approved the $4,000 bid for demolition of a dwelling at 409 Tuscaloosa Street.
    At its meeting on February 13, 2018, the Eutaw City Council approved a liquor license for Chuck Wagon which will be moving to a new location in West End from its current space on the Prairie Avenue side of the Courthouse Square.
    At the request of Greene County Health Services, the council approved the use of the former National Guard Armory as an alternative location in the event of a natural disaster. At the February 13th meeting, the Council approved use of the National Guard Armory for the non-profit ANSC’s Black & White Heritage Ball.
    The council approved payment of bills, although the clerk was unable to print the documents for the council due to technical difficulties.
    The council approved a request from the local Boy Scout Troop to use the city’s property on Boligee and Washington Streets for an Easter Carnival.
    In his reports to the council, Mayor Steele stated that the power pole on Morrow Street will be removed by next week. At the prior meeting, Mayor Steele announced that the new water tank was cleaned, filled and placed on line as part of the City’s enhanced water system. He also stated that the grass in the cemeteries is ready to be cut, but the workers are waiting for a break in the rain.
    At the first meeting of the month, the Council approved adding the new City Clerk as a signatory on the bank account to assist with paying bills. The Council authorized payment of February bills and claims on hand at that time.
    Councilwoman Johnson noted that there are still vehicles illegally parked on Lock 7 Road.  Mayor Steele said these will be towed and the owners will be fined. The Councilwoman Smith said the caution light on Boligee St. was still not working.
    Councilman Carpenter requested that the council and Mayor set a date to update the City’s Handbook.  The body agreed to March 21 at 5:30 pm, to begin the process.
    City Attorney, Ken Aycock, presented a draft of the city’s proposed Public Records Request Policy.  He recommended that the council consider charging for staff time and for copying regarding request for public records.

  • Eutaw hires Katherine Bir as City Clerk

     

    Mayor and Secretary

     

    Eutaw City Mayor Raymond Steele and City Clerk Katherine Bir.

    In a called meeting held Friday, February 2, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., the Eutaw City Council hired Katherine Bir as City Clerk and transferred Grace Sanford to the City Magistrate’s position. The Magistrate’s position was held by Daedra Thomas, who resigned November 22, 2017. Bir and Sanford will assume their respective positions Monday, Feb. 5.
    Eutaw Mayor Raymond Steele stated that Ms. Bir stood out among approximately 20 individuals in the applicant pool. She holds a M.A. Degree in accounting and has held previous jobs in that area of expertise.
    “She will be able to assist us with our budgeting process as well as with our bookkeeping,” Steele said.
    Bir is a former resident of Eutaw and currently lives in Northport. She indicated that she is planning to relocate to Eutaw.
    When an inquiry was made as to the public announcement of the City Council’s call meeting, City Attorney Ken Aycock stated that a 24 hour posting is all that was necessary. The council members, mayor and attorney recessed to executive session prior to formerly voting to hire the new personnel.
    Council members present included LaTasha Johnson, Bennie Abrams, Joe L. Powell, Sheila Smith and LaJeffery Carpenter.