The Greene County Commission met in a work session, Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 5:00 pm. This is the opportunity for each commissioner to report on and/or raise issues and concerns relative to their districts. Concerns were raised about the upkeep of the various storm shelters throughout the county. The commissioners agreed that each community needs to keep its shelter clean and ready for use when severe weather warnings are issued. They directed that each shelter be maintained and inspected on a monthly basis and reported to the commission.
Other concerns raised related to the PARA Board and it’s operations. The Greene County Park And Recreation Authority is funded by ad valorem taxes, but seemingly the commission is not apprised of its various activities. It was also noted that the PARA Board is not holding regular meetings. Commission Chair, Garria Spencer, agreed to contact PARA Director Frank Smith and set a meeting with the commission.
As part of his financial report, CFO Mac Underwood informed the commission that a Positive Pay procedure has been put in place, which will inform the banks of checks written before the checks are processed by that bank. “This is another measure to help eliminate fraud,” Underwood said.
Commissioner Spencer informed the body that the former Greenetrack, Inc. has turned over its half ownership of the physical properties which were co-owned by Greenetrack, Inc. and Greene County, however the State of Alabama still has a lien on part of that property. “These are issues we still need to resolve,” Spencer stated.
At its regular meeting, held Monday, January 13, 2025, the County Commission toke the following action.
Approved financial report and payment of claims.
Approved purchase of a full page ad in the Democrat’s annual Black History Edition.
Approved extending solid waste exemption period until January 21, 2025.
Approved various conference travel for Highway Department personnel.
Approved Daryl Jones for IDA – District 5.
Approved Lucy Spann for Hospital Board – District 1.
Approved Pinnina Hines for Hospital Board – District 5.
Approved Pastor Michael Barton for Hospital Board – District 4.
Approved Cila Morrow for Library Board.
Approved Pastor Carolyn Branch for DHR Board – District 4.
The CFO’s financial report for December, 2024 included the following. Accounts payable totaled $941,064.29; payroll transfer totaled $498,064.27; fiduciary totaled $243,284.08; electronic claims paid totaled $141,941.25. Citizen Trust Bank unrestricted funds – $892,559.44; restricted funds – $4,650,770.29. Merchant & Farmers Bank unrestricted funds – $2,085,329.52; restricted funds – $2,141,194.90. Investments and CD’s totaled $1,897,871.16.
Tag: Commission Chair
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Commission raises concerns about maintenance and accessibility of storm shelters
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Alabama New South Alliance makes local endorsements
Last Saturday and Sunday, members of the Alabama New South Alliance (ANSA) the sister organization to the Alabama New South Coalition (ANSC) met to screen candidates for local offices in Greene County. ANSC develops a slate of candidates that the feel would do the best job and be accountable to the people of Greene County.
All local candidates, in contested races, were invited by letter to the screening, which was held in the Renaissance Theater, since the Greene County Commission did not grant permission to hold a “political meeting” at the Eutaw Activity Center. Commissioner Corey Cockrell has requested that the County Attorney seek a State Attorney General’s opinion on whether a political meeting can be held on county owned property.
It is a general rule of ANSA that candidates who do not attend the screening are not likely to be endorsed. District Judge Lillie Osborne presided over the screening process. Each candidate was given three minutes to introduce themselves and explain why they are they are the best person for the position. A ten-minute period for questions from the membership followed. Candidates for the same position were generally asked the same questions by the membership.
For Commissioner for District 1, Garria Spencer was endorsed. Shelia R. Daniels, his opponent did not attend the screening.
For District 4, incumbent Commission Chair, Allen Turner Jr. was endorsed. Neither of his opponents, Christopher Armstead or Malcolm Merriweather attended the screening.
In District 5, for Commissioner, Marvin Childs was endorsed. Anikia Coleman Jones attended, however, incumbent commissioner Roshanda Summerville and Sharlene French did not attend.
Incumbent Commissioners Tennyson Smith and District 2 and Corey Cockrell in District 3 are running unopposed and were not screened.
For School Board District 1, incumbent School Board Chair Carol P. Zippert was endorsed. Robert Davis Jr. attended the screening, her other opponent Fentress ‘Duke’ Means did not.
For Board of Education, District 2, incumbent Kashaya Cockrell was endorsed, neither of her two opponents, Brandon R. Merriweather or Tameka King attended the screening, although Merriweather called and said he had to attend some employment related training out of town.
For Sheriff of Greene County, Jimmie Benison and Beverly Spencer attended the screening. Incumbent Sheriff Jonathan ‘Joe’ Benison and challenger Hank McWhorter chose not to attend the screening. Both candidates, who came to the screening, were questioned in depth about their positions on law enforcement and the operation of electronic bingo. Beverly Spencer received the ANSA endorsement.
“We had an open, democratic and transparent screening process, over six hours on two weekend afternoons. All of the candidates, including myself, were questioned in detail on their thoughts, policies and programs. Now we need to go to work registering, educating and turning the people out to vote,” said District Judge Lillie Jones Osborne, Chairperson of the local ANSC/ANSA Screening Committee.