The Greene County Democrat

Tag: Education

  • Eutaw City Council holds routine monthly meetings in April 2025

    Trash collected in downtown Eutaw on Saturday April 12, Clean-up Day sponsored by Eutaw City Council, Eutaw Garden Club and other volunteers

    By John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    This is a report of three meetings that the Eutaw City Council held during April 2025, the regular meetings on April 8 and 21 and a work session on April 15, 2025. The Eutaw City Council handled mostly routine business as well as a continuing argument over the best use of financial resources.
    The Council adopted a Boligee and Eutaw Area Strategic Plan for 2025-2029 as a guideline and goals for future projects to support community improvement and economic growth over the next five years. The plan document was and prepared by the Delta Regional Authority with funding from Hope Enterprise Corporation. Engagement, writing and graphic design were completed by the Delta Design Build Workshop (Delta DB).
    The City Council tabled this item in its April 8 meeting but approved it at the meeting on April 21, which gave members time to read and study the document. Some members were concerned that the plan might obligate the City to matching funds on projects for which it does not have funds on hand. Mayor Latasha Johnson clarified that the Strategic Plan was a guide to needed economic development, infrastructure, cultural and arts projects which would assist the city’s growth and development in the upcoming years. Copies are available through City Hall.
    An agenda item that appeared in all three meetings concerned budget compliance for the General Fund and raises for city employees or laying off employees and return to a 40-hour work week. This agenda item was tabled in all three meetings pending a report through March 31,2025, half of the fiscal year, on the city finances and recommendations by the city’s Financial Adviser, Ralph Liverman. Some council members want Liverman to appear in person, so their will be no misunderstandings about his recommendations.
    Mayor Johnson said that she kept employees, on the 32-hour schedule, to keep within the budget guidelines and not layoff staff. Council members Hunter and Woodruff were arguing that their interpretation of Liverman’s advice was that they should layoff staff and return to the 40-hour schedule to be in budgetary compliance. This matter was tabled until the March 31 financial report and budgetary adjustments and recommendations are available.
    Another financial issue that came before the City Council, at all three meetings, was the disposition of two checks ($146,103.69 and $28,286.48) totaling $ !74,390.17, from the Alabama Examiner of Public Accounts from an audit of the Greene County ad valorem tax collections June 24, 2017 through June 26,2023, including some checks paid to the City that were outstanding and needed to be replaced. Councilman Woodruff asserted that these tax funds, which were an unexpected windfall, should be set aside in the Capital Improvements Fund for later use when the city’s financial status was clearer. The City Clerk explained that she used some of the funds to pay bills and that these funds will be reimbursed to the City from various construction projects. Woodruff also wanted to retain the funds to pay off the most recent loan to the City, at 6.5% interest, which he characterized as very high and expensive. This issue was postponed until there was a more accurate picture of the city’s finances, possibly after the March 31 financial report.
    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:
    • Approved a resolution for Zane Willingham, City Attorney, to represent the City in civil asset forfeitures of less than $5,000 on a contingency basis.
    • Approved a 020-Restaurant Retail Liquor License for the King and Queen Cantina on Boligee Street in Eutaw.
    • Approved Ordinance no. 2025-4 setting qualification fees for Mayor and City Council candidates in the upcoming municipal elections.
    • Approved Resolution 2025-3 for the 2025 “Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday on July 18-20, 2025.
    • Approved purchasing of dirt to repair the City Park Baseball Field.
    • Approved T&H Services for a contract to remove trash on Park Avenue.
    • Approved payment of bills.
    The City Water Clerk reported $132,291 in revenues for March 2025; as compared to March 2024 – $102,740, March 2023 of $113,365, March 2022 of $117,585. This means the increase in water rates is generating $20,000+ in revenues each month toward increasing expenses.
    Tommy Johnson, Chief of Police, reported that he had scheduled a special training class for women on the use of guns, for Saturday May 24, 2025, with registration at 7:45 AM and starting time at 8:00 AM at City Hall. The training will include a visit to the shoot range for practice in shooting. It also will include safety and maintenance of weapons.
    Several councilmembers complained of large potholes in city streets that need to be repaired. The Mayor said she had a long list of street repair projects which she was working on as fast as she could with limited resources for materials and staff.
    The Mayor thanked the Eutaw Garden Club for co-sponsoring the City Clean-up Day on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

  • National Children Abuse Prevention Month

    Left to right are:  Kelley R. Wilson-Service Caseworker; Carmeshia Gibson-Adult Service Worker; Modesta Smiley-Service Caseworker; LaTonya H Wooley-Service Supervisor;  & Wilson Morgan-Director. Center sitting: Judge Rolonda M. Wedgeworth.   Ms. Takeshia Knox-Quality Assurance/Resource Supervisor who was not pictured.

    By Rolonda M. Wedgeworth, Probate Judge of Greene County, Alabama

    Whereas, our children are our most valuable resource and will shape the future of Alabama; and

    Whereas, positive childhood experiences (PCES) – like loving caregivers and safe, stable and nurturing relationships – can help mitigate trauma and the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACES) to promote the social emotional and developmental wellbeing of children; and

    Whereas, childhood trauma can have long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects throughout an individual’s lifetime and impact future generations of their family; and

    Whereas, childhood trauma, including abuse and neglect, is serious problem affecting every community in the U.S. and finding solutions requires input and action from everyone and

    Whereas, children who live in families with access to concrete economic and social supports are less likely to experience abuse and neglect and

    Whereas, we acknowledge that in order to solve the public health issue of abuse and neglect we must work together to change hearts and mindsets through storytelling and sharing, center the needs of families, break down bias and barriers and inspire action for expected and unexpected partners in prevention; and

    Whereas, we are committed to advancing equitable, responsive and effective systems that ensure all children and family are healthy and thriving; and

    Whereas, we recognize the need to prioritize kids and invest in more prevention initiatives like home visiting and family-strengthening policies, economic supports and community-based child abuse prevention programs at the national, state and local levels;

    Now Therefore, on this 21st day of April 2025, I, Rolonda M. Wedgeworth, Probate Judge of Greene County Alabama, do hereby proclaim April 2025 as National Children Abuse Prevention Month.

  • Strides Against Drug

  • Beyond the VOTE

  • City of Eutaw holds ‘Tony Rice Day’

    On Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 1:30 PM, on the old Greene County Courthouse lawn the Mayor and City Council of Eutaw, Alabama, held ‘Tony Rice Day’ to commemorate one year since the tragic death of Rice, a city worker, who died while repairing a sewage pipe in Branch Heights.

    At the ceremony, one of his city worker colleagues said, “Tony was a wonderful person. He always had a cheerful, smiling, and friendly disposition to everyone. He was a great role model for the other city employees.”

    Mayor Latasha Johnson proclaimed the day as ‘Tony Rice Day’ in Eutaw. She praised Rice for his dedication and loyalty to the city. “He was one of our best employees. He knew everyone in the city and was kind to everyone he worked with. He would wash his truck so often to keep it clean and looking good that I was worried that he would wash the paint off the truck.” Mayor Johnson gave his wife, Mrs. Decharo Rice, a plaque from the city.

    Mrs. Rice thanked the city and his fellow employees for helping her to recover from the loss of her husband. She said, “I am still a broken person from this tragedy, but I am working to celebrate this day for him and you in love, joy and peace.”

    At the end of the ceremony, which featured singing solos from some of the staff and friends, the audience released blue and white balloons to honor Rice. The City of Eutaw provided a box lunch for all who attended.

  • Funeral Notice -Mary Pelt

  • Local Credit Union and Extension Office sponsor community gathering – Come Meet Your Credit Union


    The Federation of Greene County Employees Federal Credit Credit Union (FOGCE) and the Greene County Office of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A& M University and Auburn University) partnered in holding a community gathering – Come Meet Your Credit Union. The purpose of the gathering, held June 15, 2023 at the Robert Young Community Center in Eutaw, was to bring more attention to the local credit union and its current services, promote a membership drive for the credit union as well as to proposed addition financial literacy workshops to residents, which would be scheduled and presented through the local Extension Service Office, where Mr. Doug Fulghum is County Coordinator.
    Board members and staff of the FOGCE Federal Credit Union gave brief summaries of the history, committee roles, office procedures, loan process, and other relevant information on the operations and services of the credit union. Board Member. Board members also shared vignettes of how their membership in the FOGCE Federal Credit Union afforded them vital resources at very critical times in their lives.
    Board participants included, Dr. Carol Zippert, President, Mrs. Darlene Robinson, Vice-President and Chair of the Supervisory Committee, Ms. Mollie Rowe, Board Secretary, Mr. Rodney Pham, Chair of the Credit Committee, Mrs. Jacqueline Allen, Mr. Jimmy Pasteur and Mr. Earnest Edmonds.
    Mrs. Joyce Pham, Manager, assisted by Shaniqua Mayes, Clerk, shared information on membership intake and loan processing. Mrs. Pham noted that financial counseling is also available to members.
    Mr. Doug Fulghum, Greene County Coordinator, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, gave a presentation of the various financial service workshops available to the community. A poll of those present indicated a great interest in topics such as financial management and budgeting, improving credit scores, benefits of saving accounts, growing equity through home ownership and more.
    Following discussions on all the presentations, the credit union board pledged to volunteer payment of the $10 joining fee for anyone present at the gathering who joined the credit union. The new members would each pay at least the minimum share payment of $25 required for membership. Fellowship followed and refreshments were served.

  • Black Women in Leadership in Greene County

    Mrs. Phillis Branch Blecher is first Black woman to serve as CEO of the Greene County IDA.

    Dr. Marcia Pugh is first Black woman to serve as CEO and Administrator of Greene County Health Systems.

    Mrs. Loretta W. Wilson is first African American Woman to receive Community STARS Award.

     

     

    Mrs. Phillis Branch Belcher, a native of Forkland, Greene County Alabama, currently serves as Executive Director of the Greene County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) since April 1992.
    In this capacity, she has achieved accomplishments for the Greene County Industrial Development Authority in partnership with numerous organizations nationally and internationally, including acquired federal, state, regional and local funding for improvements to the Crossroads of America Port and Park.
    She continues to work with local leadership for industrial and economic advancement for the citizens of Greene County, AL.
    She also served as a Marketing Instructor at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa for one year.
    She is a 1974 Graduate of Paramount High School and received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL in 1977, earning a double major in Management and Marketing with a minor in Philosophy. In 1989, she earned a Master of Business Administration, Marketing from Adelphi University, Garden City, NY.
    Prior to returning to Greene County with the IDA, Mrs. Belcher held the position of Senior Account Executive with XEROX Business Services, Syosset, New York from 1985 to 1992.
    From 1978 to 1984, she worked with CMP Publications, Inc. of Manhasset, New York in Accounting, Information Technology, Sales, Marketing, Management.
    Her professional committee and commission experiences include the following: Alabama Tourism Advisory Board, Montgomery, AL; Economic Development Association of Alabama, Montgomery, AL; Impact Alabama, Auburn, AL; Leadership Alabama, Montgomery, AL; Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Council, Columbus, MS.
    Her voluntary contributions and community service include the following: Co-Founder Greene County Rotary Club; Co-Founder of Greene County Math and Science Camp Created t-shirt design; Founder of Leadership Greene County; Gear Up Alabama-Greene County; National Night Out City of Eutaw; Greene County Board of Education.
    Mrs. Belcher is a Charter Member of the Greene County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; The Links, Incorporated where she served as President of the Tuscaloosa Chapter; Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated. She is married to Charles Belcher; they have two children. She is a member of Bailey Tabernacle CME Church in Tuscaloosa.

    Dr. Marcia Pugh (DNP, MSN, MBA, HCM, RN) is the Chief Executive Officer and Administrator of the Greene County Health System which includes the Hospital, Nursing Home, the Physicians Clinic which is a rural health clinic and other specialty services. She is the first Black woman to hold that comprehensive role.
    Dr. Pugh has worked over 50 years in the healthcare field and held many positions during her career in health systems in Anniston, Tuskegee, Birmingham and Demopolis, AL and Baltimore, Maryland.
    She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Tuskegee University. She received her Master’s Degrees in Nursing and Business from the University of Phoenix where she did specialty courses in Health Care Management. She holds a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from The University of Alabama where she was inducted in Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She has also taken Health Care Management courses from Capella University and UCLA (the University of California in Los Angeles).
    Being the first female CEO is not the only first for Dr. Pugh. During her 25 years at Whitfield Regional Hospital (previously Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital) she initiated the Grants, Research and Outreach of West AL (GROWestAL) grants division. This division operated for eleven years (until her move to Greene County) and was instrumental in bringing in over ten million dollars in grant funding to the organization and surrounding communities.
    Dr. Pugh has two children. Her daughter, Dr. Nakieta Lankster, is a Clinical Psychologist and has her own practice. Her son, Barrown Douglas Lankster, who served a tour of duty in the Air Force, has given her the joy of a granddaughter who keeps her very busy.

    Mrs. Loretta W. Wilson is the first African American recipient of the Community STARS Award presented by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) at the annual celebration of National Rural Health Day, November 17, 2022 in Montgomery, AL. The annual celebration honors those who serve the vital health needs of nearly 61 million rural Americans. This award is presented to individuals and organizations making a positive impact in rural communities. Only one recipient is selected per state.
    Loretta Webb Wilson is regarded as a passionate community leader and convener. Working to bridge health disparities and improve outcomes in the state’s poorest communities in Alabama’s Black Belt, she formed a team in collaboration with multiple organizations, agencies, and institutions, bringing COVID-19 education, testing and vaccinations to places where it mattered most. The results of her efforts are found in CDC data. For example, eight of Alabama’s top 10 most vaccinated counties are in the Black Belt.
    Mrs. Wilson currently serves as the CEO of Hill Hospital in Sumter County. She has 31 years of experience working in rural hospitals and clinics where she has gained understanding of state and national healthcare policies and their impact on the health of rural residents. Additionally, she is the founder and Director of Rural Alabama Prevention Center, a non-profit organization, where she seeks funding to address social determinants of health issues afflicting West Central Alabama. Through her non-profit organization, she manages numerous grant programs and knows the importance of these programs are to addressing health services and new initiatives that would otherwise not be available. She currently serves on the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS) where she provides feedback relative to the challenges rural healthcare providers face in providing quality health care.
    Loretta Webb Wilson is a 1985 graduate of Eutaw (Greene County) High School, holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Stillman College in Business Administration; a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Healthcare Management from the University of Phoenix; and a Health Care Executive Program Certification from the University of California, Las Angeles (UCLA) Anderson School of Management.
    She is a member of the Greene County Alumna Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and was featured in the Demopolis Times Pink Magazine 2011 Issue as one of the “Most Influential Women” in the community.
    Mrs. Wilson is a member of New Generation Church, where she severs as Church Administrator, member of the Women’s and Inspiration Choirs, and Praise Team. She lives in the Dollarhide community with her husband Floyd and two children Zaddrick and Lauren.

  • ADECA will host a Alabama Commuity Broadband Technical Assistance Program Meeting

  • Covid-19

    As of September 18, 2022, at 10:00 AM
    (According to Alabama Political Reporter)

    Alabama had 1,512,134 confirmed cases of coronavirus,
    (7,954) more than last week with 20,322 deaths (83) more
    than last week.

    Greene County had 2,109 confirmed cases, no more cases than last week), with 51 deaths

    Sumter Co. had 2,922 cases with 52 deaths

    Hale Co. had 5,336 cases with 109 deaths

    Note: Greene County Physicians Clinic has testing and vaccination for COVID-19;
    Call for appointments at 205/372-3388, Ext. 142; ages 5 and up.