Greene County Democrat

Tag: Corey Cockrell

  • Celebrating Dr. King by calling Greene County’s Community to ‘Serve with Love’

    By Maya Quinn, Reporter

    Greene County’s Historic community and neighbors gathered on a chilly morning at the Activity Center in Eutaw for a breakfast prepared by local volunteers. The comforting, southern spread preceded a celebration at William M. Branch Courthouse to honor the love and life of Dr. King this past Monday.

    The event was not only a celebration but also a reminder that Dr. King was a servant at the heart of his actions. The impact of his efforts persists today because of his sacrifices for the community, his help to others, and his leadership with love.

    At breakfast, Eutaw’s mayor, Corey Cockrell, humbly addressed the crowd with reverence for those seated with him. Former Union Mayor Lodyleetta J. Wabbington was also present to give her own greetings at the courthouse. Wabbington gave remarks calling Dr. King “our drum major for justice,” describing him as a man of nonviolence, great integrity, and justice. She also gave a brief biography of Dr. King’s origins and academic history, highlighting his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse and his doctorate from Boston University.

    The celebrations had greetings delivered by a variety of individuals, including African Americans who contributed to Eutaw’s grassroots movements and previous governmental leaders. One such man was William Branch Jr., son of the courthouse’s namesake. He retold an impactful story of his father helping a white man who came to their doorstep in search of water. William Branch gave the man water and food, despite his unfriendly tone. He believed his father had a spirit that operated in love and grace.

    Community Chairman Garria Spencer then began his remarks by recounting the purpose of this historic community. Every hand involved with the construction of the buildings was an African American man or woman. The strategic placement of the buildings helped increase African American voting participation. Spencer fought to have the building named after Branch because of his kindness and love shown to those around him, much like Dr. King.

    Latasha Johnson, the second African American female mayor and former mayor of Eutaw, also spoke on love in leadership. “Love is an action word,” she stated as she recalled the leadership of Dr. King, “We have got to come together in love.”

    Special guest and lifelong activist Attorney John Due, age 91, recounted the struggles that he and his late wife, Patricia Stephens Due, endured for their nonviolent, direct actions. Patricia pioneered many nonviolent tactics that Dr. King later piloted, such as sit-ins and the Tallahassee bus boycotts. She was well known for her involvement in the Florida bus boycotts and for leading students in nonviolent protests. He ended his speech with a call to action for young people to carry on the struggle for freedom in America.

    Reverend Dr. Kevin Cockrell attended as the keynote speaker of the event. Much like Dr. King, he is well educated and serves his community. “We’ve been waiting too long…” he stated during his sermon, “Small communities such as ours are struggling to keep an adequate health facility’s doors open.” He warns that the current generation may be sleeping through a revolution, comparing the lack of action to Rip Van Winkle’s sleep. Cockrell concluded his sermon with another warning, this time against division in the heart that spreads into the community.

    After the closing remarks, Spiver also offered the microphone to anyone in attendance. John Zippert, owner of The Democrat, recited some of Dr. King’s sermon “The Drum Major’s Instinct” regarding a posture of service.

    “You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968

    Spiver concluded his remarks by stating, “Everyone can help other people… That’s what we’re celebrating here today.”

    An almost endless stream of warm recognitions for the city’s “Godly Men” and “Godly Women” were presented by event coordinator and local activist, Spiver Gordon. The list of men and women ranged from church members to city officials. Spiver acknowledged their sacrifices to serve in any capacity they were able. Eutaw’s community keeps reminding us that the best way to honor Dr. King is to lead with love and have kindness for others in our hearts.

    Citizens and neighbors of Greene County are putting aside biases not only to honor the legacy of Dr. King, but also to strive for unity in their own community. While the furnace of justice within these men and women still burns, they are ready to pass on the fight for justice to the youth of today.
    There was also a program on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the New Peace Baptist Church. Elder Spiver Gordon, brought nearly 100 Greene County High School students to an educational seminar on Black history and the importance of standing up for justice and equality. The newly selected Superintendent for Greene County, Dr. Timothy Thurmond, spoke to the students before the seminar discussion began. Student participation with the speakers, Elder Gordon and the Interim Superintendent, Darryl Aikerson, made for an enjoyable event where everyone learned about the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy.

     

  • Eutaw City Council holds regular meeting on September 9th

    The Eutaw City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Mayor Pro Temp, Tracey Hunter, presided in the absence of Mayor Latasha Johnson. All other councilmembers were present for the first meeting since the May 2nd certification of election results.
    Corey Cockrell was elected Mayor of Eutaw in the August 26th municipal elections defeating incumbent Mayor Johnson by 526 to 417 votes. Council members for Districts 1, 2 and 3 – Valerie Watkins, Jonathan Woodruff and Tracie Hunter, were re-elected. Carrie Logan was elected to the District 5 council position. The newly elected Mayor and City Council will take office on November 1, 2025.
    There is a run-off election in District 4 on next Tuesday, September 23, 2025, between Lorenzo French and Sarah Duncan Brewer. The polling place for District 4 is the Presbyterian Church, which will be open 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, for all eligible voters in District 4.
    In new business, the Eutaw City Council:
    • Approve Resolution No. 2025-12 appointing Johnnie M. Knott as Acting Absentee Manager, for the dates of September 16 for and 17, 2025, with a compensation of $125 a day.
    • Approved registration, travel, lodging and per diem for Councilmembers Valerie Watkins and Tracey Hunter to attend the Alabama Association of Regional Councils in Point Clear, Alabama on October 26-29, 2025. R
    • Approved registration and meals for Officer Tyler Johnson to attend Alabama Canine Law Enforcement Training in Northport, Alabama on September 9-15,2025.
    • Approved Restaurant Liquor License for Bayou Blue Cajun Bristo, LLC which was previously operated by the Cajun Café Restaurant,
    • Approved payment of bills.
    • Agreed to cancel the next regular meeting on September 23, due to the Run-off election and to schedule a meeting at Noon on September 30, 2025, to certify the results of the run-off election.

    Councilwoman Valerie Watkins reported standing water on Brown and Roebuck streets and in the 200 block of Chambers Court, this water may indicate a water leak for the city employees to repair.
    Joe Powell, Assistant Clerk, gave all the council members and newly elected members, an information sheet from the Alabama League of Municipalities about require training for municipal officials. Under Alabama Law 2024-194, all city officials are required to complete 10 hours of training annually for a total of 40 hours in their first term in office, starting January 1, 2025. Officials must complete a core curriculum of 20 hours comprised of twenty specific trainings from an approved list.

  • Corey Cockrell seeks Eutaw Mayor’s office


    A Proven Leader
    Committed to the Community
    Dedicated to progress


    My name is Corey Cockrell, and I am proud to announce my candidacy for Mayor of Eutaw. I believe I am the best candidate for this position because I will bring proven leadership, a strong vision, and a deep commitment to the future of our city.
    With over 11 years of experience serving on the Greene County Commission, I have developed the skills and insight necessary to lead effectively. I understand the challenges we face, and I know how to bring people together to build a solid foundation for lasting progress.
    My mission is to uplift our community—working hand in hand with the city council, our citizens, local businesses, and the school system—to build a brighter, more united Eutaw. I am a hardworking, dependable, and dedicated public servant. I am not just ready to lead; I am ready to work—for you, for our families, and for our future.
    As your Mayor, I will focus on:
    •Creating better job opportunities
    •Expanding programs and activities for our youth
    •Strengthening services for our senior citizens
    •Promoting affordable housing
    •Ensuring that every citizen has a chance to build a stable life
    I believe Eutaw has the potential to be one of the most vibrant and livable cities in Alabama. Together with GOD, faith, accountability, and unity, we can move Eutaw forward.
    Let’s build a future we can all be proud of— together.
    Active Member – Ezekiel Baptist Church
    Graduated – Greene County High School
    Bachelor of Science Degree – Physical Education, Jacksonville State University
    Member of Business Association Program – Jacksonville State University
    Member of Jacksonville State University Hyper Club
    Physical Education teacher & Coach at Greene County High School
    District 3 Greene County Commissioner

    My Vision

    To work together with my fellow city council to obtain the following:

    •Attract high paying jobs Make Eutaw a desirable place to live and do business by creating an environment that encourages economic development and supports local entrepreneurs.
    •Expand Recreational Opportunities Promote a healthier lifestyle for all ages by developing a modern Recreation Center, enhancing youth sports programs, and creating more spaces for families to enjoy.
    •Improve Infrastructure Continue the fight for better roads, clean and safe water, effective drainage and sewer systems, and a commitment to keeping our city clean and welcoming.
    •Strengthen Education & Workforce Readiness Build a closer partnership with our local schools to ensure our children are prepared for success and our workforce remains competitive in today’s economy.

     

  • Map of the City of Eutaw voting districts for municipal elections


    The City of Eutaw released the official list of candidates who qualified for the August 26, 2025, municipal elections for Mayor and five City Council positions. The qualifying period, which ran from June 10 to 24, is now closed.
    There are three candidates for Mayor. Incumbent Mayor Latasha Johnson is challenged by Corey Cockrell, a current County Commissioner for District 3 and Tyrone Atkins.
    In each of the five City Council districts the current incumbents qualified, except for District 3, where incumbent Tracey Hunter is unopposed in the election. In District 1, incumbent Valerie Brewer- Watkins is challenged by Ke’Undra Quintz Cox. In District 2, Jonathan Woodruff, Jr., the incumbent, is opposed by Charles Naylor, Jr., and Quentin Maurice Walton. In District 4, incumbent Larrie Coleman is challenged by Sarah Duncan Brewer and Lorenzo French. In District 5, incumbent Suzette Powell, is challenged by Carrie Logan, Director of the Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce.
    If no candidate wins a majority of the votes for Mayor or in their district for City Council member, there will be a Run-off Election scheduled for September 23, 2025, for the top two vote-getters in each race.
    The election is open to all registered voters who have lived in the city or their respective district for 30 days or more prior to the election. The polls will be open from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM on election day and for the run-off election, if necessary.
    The last day to register to vote in this election is August 15, 2025, for those who recently moved into the city limits, or never registered to vote or are trying to reclaim their voting rights. The newly elected Mayor and Council will take office in November 2025.

    Council Meetings on June 10 and 24

    The Eutaw City Council held its two regular monthly meetings on June 10 and 24, at the City Hall. Councilman Woodruff was absent for the June 10 meeting. All council members were in attendance for the June 24th meeting.
    In the June 10th meeting the Council approved purchase of materials to repair potholes in streets and other roadway repairs. The Mayor said she had a long list of streets to be repaired, and the city staff would work on these when the materials and time were available.
    The Council tabled requests from the Mayor to purchase a tractor and a bush hog and a truck mounted sewer jet to clean out sewer pumping stations.
    The Council approved travel for the Chief of Police to attend the annual conference of police chiefs in August ; travel for officer Jaleel Powell to attend a training in August; payment for poll workers in the upcoming municipal elections and approved payment of bills.
    At the June 24th meeting, the Eutaw City Council approved a new employee health plan from Colonial Life Insurance Company which includes dental and vision coverage not available in the current plan.
    The Council approved a Memorandum of Agreement with United Way of Alabama to install a ‘story walk’ in the city’s Memorial Park on Mesopotamia Street. The walk will tell stories to children when the walk through and will be an addition to the playground and tennis courts in the park.
    The Council also approved for Attorney Zane Willingham to write a letter to the Mayor concerning employee overtime. The Council approved payment of bills.
    The Council received a report from the Water Department listing $158,000 in delinquent bills to the city from 2017 to June 2025. Sarah Leavelle, Water Clerk, explained that these balances include water, sewer, garbage and connection fees owed. The Water Department has negotiated a payment plan for these overdue accounts.
    Leavelle explained, “Sometimes people honor their agreements and sometimes they don’t. We do have the right to cut off water services if people do not pay their bills and past due balances. We try to work with people to get their bills paid.” The Council took this information under consideration in terms of their planning and budgetary decision making.
    Council member Valerie Watkins raised several concerns. One was about large trucks parked by the place where the old swimming pool was located. Mayor Johnson asked her to get the names of the truck owners and license plates of violators to help in getting this problem resolved. Watkins said she was reporting the problem but could not be responsible for the requested information. Chief of Police Johnson said the police would monitor the situation and advise the truck owners of the laws.
    Watkins said the city staff should check and identify streetlights that are not working and make sure they are replaced. She also said residents were complaining about a ditch that runs between Roebuck and Edwards Streets. The Mayor responded that this ditch is owned by the residents and not the city and therefore cleaning the ditch was their responsibility.
    In the public comments section of the meetings, Faye Tyree complained that the bathrooms in the City Hall need to be repaired for use by the employees and the public. Alfonzo Morton complained about flooding from the rains and asked the city to help in cleaning the ditch behind his house.

  • County Commission re-organizes: Garria Spencer is Chairperson; Roshanda Summerville is Vice-Chair

    Commissioner Garria Spencer was selected as Chairperson and Roshanda Summerville as Vice-Chair

    At its monthly session held Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Greene County Commission conducted its re-organization of officers, meeting schedule, bank depositories and signatures for checks. Commissioner Garria Spencer was selected as Chairperson and Roshanda Summerville as Vice-Chair.
    Commissioner Spencer noted that the commissioners appointments to various committees will likely remain the same, with the chairperson as head of the finance committee. The final committee selections will be announced at the next meeting.
    The commissioners approved the same meeting schedule as 2nd Monday of the month at 5:00 pm in the William M. Branch Courthouse. The bank depositories will also remain the same including in Eutaw Citizen Trust Bank and Merchant & Farmers Bank; Robertson Banking Company in Demopolis and Pinnicle Bank in Birmingham. The check and safety deposit box signatories will remain the same including, Commissioners Garria Spencer, Corey Cockrell, CFO Macaroy Underwood and Brenda Burke.
    CFO Macaroy Underwood presented the financial report for October, the first month of the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Accounts payable totaled $1.468,281.60; Payroll Transfer totaled $303.121.83; Fiduciary totaled $72,447.27. Total claims paid: $1,843,850.70. Electronic claims paid in July totaled $70,439.32.
    Funds in Citizen Trust Bank: unrestricted totaled $2,148,509.99; restricted totaled $3,960,857.94. Funds in Merchants & Farmers Bank: unrestricted $2,155,651.52; restricted totaled $1,883,575.14.
    Three CD accounts were established at Pinnicle Bank including two at $500,000 each and one at $125,000. Standing CD accounts include Merchants & Farmers – $128,111.58; $119,599.05; $406,375.69; Robertson Banking Company $117,792.63. Bank Investments totaled $1,896,878.95.
    The commission approved the minutes of the previous meeting, the finance report and payment of claims.

  • Eutaw City Council accepts bid for resurfacing West End Avenue;Also discusses racial fallout of selecting a new Council member

    Shown above Judge Lillie Jones-Osborne swearing in newly selected City Council person of District 5, Suzette Powell, accompanied by family. Also City councilpersons Tracy Hunter Larrie Coleman, Suzette Powell and Mayor Latasha Johnson.

     

    By John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    At its regular meeting on September 10, 2024, voted to accept the low bid of $383,343.82 from S.T. Bunn Construction Company for the repaving of about three miles of West End Avenue, from the city limits to Highway 11.

    The State of Alabama, Rebuilding Alabama Program, is providing $316,671.81 in two grants toward the project. The City of Eutaw must provide  $113,671.81 in matching funds, including $47,000 of engineering services and the rest to match for construction costs, with no allowance for cost overruns.
    Mayor Johnson said the city’s matching funds would come out of the 4 and 7 cent gas funds for road repair.

    Ms. Suzette Powell was selected by the Eutaw City Council, at a Special Meeting on September 6, to fill the remaining term of Ms. Jacqueline Stewart who resigned because she moved out of District 5. Ms. Powell was sworn in by District Judge Lillie Osborne a few hours before the meeting.

    The Council approved Resolution 2024-27 for the Rental of City Park, the R. H. Young Community Center and other areas. This policy provides a $75.00 per day charge for parking RVs on city property.

    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved travel  and expenses for Magistrates to attend training classes in Montgomery, either in November or December.
    • Approved travel and registration for Mayor Johnson to attend the 2024 AARC Annual Training Conference in Huntsville on October 6 to 8, 2024.
    • Approved allowing Deep South Rodeo to use the City Park and Hose Arena for a rodeo to benefit the Greene County Ambulance Service on October 4 and 5, 2024.
    • Tabled discussion of claim by Dave and Ethel Black for property damage.
    • Agreed to share costs 50-50 with the Greene County Housing Authority to repair a sewage line.
    • Discussed and tabled a discussion of raising the Mayor and Council salaries for those elected in 2025.
    • Approved payment of bills.

    Racial fallout from discussion of new Council member

    At the end of the meeting, when the Mayor, Council members and the public have a chance to speak, Councilwomen Valerie Watkins raised the point that she had been spoken to disrespectfully at the end of the September 6 Special Meeting.

    The Council had interviewed two candidates for the District 5 Council position, Suzette Powell, who is Black and previously worked at Piggly Wiggly and Carrie Logan, who is white and serves as President of the Eutaw Chamber of Commerce. The Council chose Powell over Logan. Mayor Johnson was not pleased with the decision and voted against it, because she had hoped to add a white voice to the Eutaw City Council for more diversity of representation.

    After the September 6th vote, Danny Cooper, retired Alabama Power employee and Chair of the Greene County IDA was visibly angered and spoke disrespectfully to some of the Council members. He has since apologized to Councilwoman Watkins. At the meeting, Danny Cooper gave another heartfelt  statement of his “love for Eutaw and Greene County”.

    Corey Cockrell, Chair of the County Commission, who was in the audience, spoke and said, “We really need more honest and genuine cooperation and discussion with Black and White people in Greene County. We need white people to support and let their children attend the Greene County public schools if we are really going to work together for a common future.”

    Mayor Johnson closed the meeting saying, “We all need to work together and have more honest discussion of the problems we face in our city
    going forward.”

  • Greene County PARA scheduled to reorganize under appropriate State Statue

    The Greene County Commission held a called meeting on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, to discuss the status of Park and Recreation Authority (PARA). According to Commission Chairperson, Corey Cockrell, the Commission recently requested that the PARA Board take on the operation/supervision of the county’s golf course named for the late Dr. Robert Brown. In the course of the research of the official status of PARA, County Attorney Mark Parnell discovered that the Greene County PARA had two sets of Articles of Incorporation filed with the State of Alabama (2007 and 2018) and both were filed under the wrong State Statue. There were also different board members listed with each set of Articles filed.
    Seemingly, the Articles filed in 2018 were an attempt to alter the number of PARA board members. The current PARA Board Chairperson, W. Scott Smith, stated that it was difficult to conduct PARA affairs due to the board not having a quorum present at meetings.
    Attorney Parnell explained that the situation can be remedied. New Articles of Incorporation under the appropriate State Statue can be filed and the number of board members will be determined by the State Statue. “ There are particular steps to follow, including the resignation of current PARA board members and new appointments by the Commission in keeping with State Statue,” Parnell stated. He noted that the current board members may be considered for reappointment. Attorney Parnell indicated that he would prepare the process that must be followed and present the same to the County Commission and the PARA board and staff.
    The Commissioners and PARA personnel were in agreement with this.
    Commissioner Cockrell also stated that the PARA operations would be relocated to the Robert Brown Golf Course. “The county has sufficient property at the golf course site to put up the facilities PARA needs for its operations and activities. There is no need for PARA to be paying rent at other sites,” Cockrell said. He noted that the current facilities at the golf course will be upgraded and expanded. There was not a timeline set for when the move would occur.
    Commissioner Garria Spencer reminded everyone that there are great park facilities throughout the county. He recommended that PARA arrange to utilize these for its outdoor recreational activities.
    The Greene County PARA is supported by a .5 ad valorem millage. According to county records, PARA has received $91,000 since the start of the current fiscal year.

  • Greene County Commission urges ‘yes’ vote on Amendment 1 on March 5th primary ballot

    The Greene County Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 12, 2024. All five commissioners were present, including: Corey Cockrell, Chair and District 3, Garria Spencer, District 1, Tennyson Smith, District 2, Allen Turner, District 4, and Roshonda Summerville, District 5. The Commissioners handled an agenda of routine business, taking a forty-minute Executive Session to discuss personnel and legal matters, without announcing any actions that needed to be approved by vote.
    The Commission approved a resolution urging voters to support Amendment No. 1 on the March 5th primary ballot. Amendment No. 1 would allow the Alabama Legislature to consider and approve ‘local legislation” by a majority vote prior to passing a budget in the session.
    Currently the legislative rules require a 60% super-majority for votes on legislation prior to the approval of the budget. This change would allow for easier passage of ‘local legislation’ when the Legislature does not approve a budget until the end of the session. In the past, some ‘local legislation’, including some Greene County proposals, have been lost or postponed because they could not be voted on prior to passing the state budget.
    In other actions, The Greene County Commission:
    • Approved levies for Alcohol Licensing for 2024-2025.
    • Approved a contract with M&H Construction for $1,950 to replace ceiling tiles at J. C. Poole Memorial Library, that were damaged in a recent storm. The Commission had already repaired the library roof with insurance funds.
    • Approved contract with the State of Alabama for clean-up at dump site on County Road 181; and also accepted state funding for clean-up of up to three other illegal dump sites.
    •Approved travel for Assistant Engineer to attend a training class in March in Prattville, Alabama.
    •Approved purchase of a full-page ad in the Greene County Democrat’s Black History issue.
    •Tabled action on the Greene County Golf Course to gather more information.
    The Commission also heard and accepted a financial report from CFO, Mac Underwood, in which he listed $8,610,648 in Citizens Trust Bank of which $4,189,591 is in unrestricted General Funds and $4,421,055 are in restricted funds for designated government purposes, like road and bridge repairs. He also reported $5,542,720 in Merchants and Farmers Bank, including $3,129,181 in unrestricted funds and $1,413,539 in restricted funds. This is a total of $14,153,366 in restricted and unrestricted funds available to the county government. There is also $894,166 in Bond Sinking Funds.
    He also reported the expenditure of $1,769,202, in bills and claims paid for January 2024. Another $101,056 in electronic claims were paid during the same period. For the four months of the fiscal
    year, October 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024, 68% of the budgeted funds are left to be utilized for expenditures this fiscal year, which is in line with proposed budget, for this point in the fiscal year.

    County Commission Work Session

    At the Greene County Commission’s monthly work session, held Wednesday, February 7, 2024, County Coroner, Ronald Kent Smith, presented his concern regarding his salary. Smith noted that a local Bill authorizing an increase in salary for the County Coroner was passed by the Alabama Legislature in 2020. The Bill scheduled the salary increase for the next election term. Smith was re-elected in 2022, expecting that his salary increase would go into effect at that time. To date, the Greene County Coroner has not received an increase in salary as designated in the 2020 Legislation. Smith also indicated he receives no travel compensation for transports to Montgomery. The Commission’s response was to take all this under advisement, referring the matter to the Alabama State Attorney General for an opinion on how to proceed.
    The County’s Greenes Committee also addressed the Commission at this work session.relative to the Greene County Golf Course. Committee members James E. Morrow, Don Black, and Doug Bell alerted the Commission that the golf Course was in danger of closing within the next three weeks, due to lack of funds to continuing operating.
    Morrow noted that the Golf Course was receiving Bingo resources until Sheriff Jonathan Benison cut off community distributions in May, 2023. Morrow indicated that there are no designated funds from the county for the Golf Course. “The county owns the Golf Course. It comes under county sponsored recreational activities, therefore the county should support it,” he stated.
    The Greenes Committed stated that there are 22 members, contributing $40 per month, but it takes approximately $4,000 per month for utilities and upkeep.

  • County Commission and Greene County Entertainment Inc. finalize rental agreement

    The Greene County Commission met in a special session on Friday, April 7, 2023 to act on the revised rental agreement between the county and the newly formed Greene County Entertainment Inc. The commissioners present gave unanimous approval to the four year agreement with Greene County Entertainment Inc. for use of the facilities previously occupied by Greenetrack, Inc. The agreement calls for Greene County Entertainment Inc. to pay the county approximately $260,000 annually, through monthly disbursements. Prior to the final action on the agreement, Commission Chairperson, Corey Cockrell, requested that the lease agreement call for an initial advance payment of one month. Both entities accepted the adjustment.
    At this special session, the County Commission also acted to terminate the lease agreement with Greenetrack, Inc., however, it was noted that, this does not affect any outstanding payments due the county by Greenetrack, Inc.
    The Greene County Commission held its regular monthly meeting, Monday, April 11, 2023 with all commissioners in attendance. The business meeting opened with an executive session certified for discussion of pending litigation and safety issues.
    In addressing the items under new business, the commission acted on the following:
    Approved resolutions regarding use of the William M. Branch Courthouse. In recent years, the commission had denied a local organization use of the facility, seemingly for political reasons. County Attorney Mark Parnell revealed that he had secured an Attorney General’s opinion that the county could allow use of the courthouse by political groups, as long as the courthouse is made available to all on the same basis. Two recent requests had been made for use of the courthouse, not during official hours.
    Approved advertising for a clerk for the Revenue Appraisal’s office.
    Approved ABC license for Bama Shines (Brewery).
    Approved ABC license for Forkland One Stop.
    Approved July 21-23, 2023 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday.
    Approved several travel dates for training sessions for Assistant County Engineer.
    Approved purchasing a full page graduation ad in Democrat newspaper.
    Approved financial report and payment of claims.
    Tabled IDA appointment for District 1.
    The county’s financial report ending March, 2023 indicated the following unrestricted and restricted bank balances: Citizen Trust Bank – unrestricted $3,266,803.15, restricted $5,147,885.31; Merchants & Farmers – unrestricted $3,170,447.63, restricted $1,275,275.38; Bond Funds – unrestricted $876,776.81, restricted $879,937.27.
    Claims Paid March 2023, $113,351.16; Payroll Transfer, $276,591.06; Fiduciary, $$66,381.18.
    Total – $456,323.40

  • City of Eutaw receives $5.6 million for water and sewer improvements, first installment of a multiyear commitment to update Eutaw-Boligee joint system

    Shown L to R: Greene Commission Chairman Corey Cockrell, Mayor of Boligee Hattie Samuels, Mayor of Eutaw Latasha Johnson, Councilwoman Valerie Watkins, Corey Martin, City of Eutaw Water Operator, and Pro Tem James Morrow

    On Friday, December 2, 2022, the City of Eutaw held a press conference to announce receipt of grant of $5.6 million, $2.6 for drinking water and $3 million for sewage, from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) State Revolving Loan Fund.

    This will allow the City of Eutaw to proceed with water and wastewater system improvements for the unified Eutaw and Boligee water and wastewater systems.

    This funding, which is a grant with no matching fund requirements, was made possible with funding from the Biden Administration initiatives,
    American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Congresswoman Terri Sewell was instrumental in urging the state to use these Federal funds to benefit projects in the rural Black Belt counties within her Congressional District. Sewell was the only member of the Alabama delegation that voted in favor of this legislation in the past year.

    The $5.6 million is the first installment of additional funding to be provided over the next three to five years for improvement of the joint Eutaw and Boligee water and sewage systems. This system also provides services to the Crossroads of America Industrial Park at Boligee.

    Mayor Latasha Johnson expressed thanks to the many persons and agencies that made the project possible including Congresswoman Terri Sewell, John Laney and Jim Graciano of ADEM and project engineer, Angela Henline of Cassidy Company in Tuscaloosa, who will be designing the project.

    Corey Martin, City of Eutaw Water Operator, said, “The first part of the project will be to renovate and replace six lift stations which move sewage back to the lagoon in Eutaw. The second priority involves bringing the Boligee water tower back on line to relieve water quality and pressure issues. We do not know all the problems with the system and how they will be addressed until our engineer makes her official assessment and design plans for repairs.”

    Mayor Hattie Samuels of Boligee, commented, “The Town of Boligee
    Local funds were being drained to make constant repairs in the water and sewage systems. This is truly a blessing – to receive these grant funds to give our residents a better quality of life.”

    Mayor Samuels read from a statement sent by Congresswoman Terri Sewell, which said,” This is GREAT news! For too long, Alabama’s rural communities have suffered from failing wastewater systems that have put the health and well-being of our residents at risk.

    “Access to clean water and adequate wastewater infrastructure is a basic human right, and thus funding for the City of Eutaw will be instrumental as we work to end this crisis.

    “I am proud to have voted I favor of both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the American Rescue Plan, which made these grants possible. I will continue to fight for more of these critical investments across Alabama’s 7th Congressional District.”

    Governor Kay Ivey sent a message, which was read Greene County Commission Chair, Corey Cockrell, stating “In Alabama, we believe in helping our neighbors, and that exactly what the city of Eutaw and the city of Boligee are doing here. I’m proud to see both cities come together and strike a mutually beneficial compromise that will go a long way to improving the quality of life for the residents of each community.”