Greene County Democrat

Tag: Johnnie M. Knott

  • 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.

  • Former Greene County Commissioner Edna Chambers honored with special salute: It’s Your Time

    Shown above Joe Chambers, Cathelean Steele, Edna Chambers and Dr. Charles Steele.

    Mrs. Edna Chambers, the first African American female to serve on the Greene County Commission, was honored for her outstanding community work at a special program entitled, It’s Your Time, held June 15, 2019 at the Eutaw Activity Center. Mrs. Chambers is noted as a trailblazer, civil rights activists and humanitarian in Greene County and throughout the state of Alabama.
    Chambers, representing District 1, served two terms on the Greene County Commission between 1998- 2004. Johnnie M. Knott, served at the Mistress of Ceremony. Mrs. Chambers was escorted by her son, Joe Chambers and grandson Ivory Chambers, Jr.
    Commissioner Lester “Bop” Brown delivered the history of her political career. Brown stated that due to a federal indictment at that time, he could not seek political office so he contacted Mrs. Chambers. He revealed that he asked her to run for the District 1 seat and before she could say anything he encouraged her to think about it and hung up the phone.
    Brown further explained that not only did Mrs. Chambers win the position, she ran and won by a landslide. Her platform was honest government, dedicated service and commitment to try and lift falling humanity. Her interest in Greene County’s welfare goes beyond politics. Mrs. Chambers often stated, “I want to work for all the people without regard to race, color, sex or creed.”
    Prior to running for office, Mrs. Chambers had just retired from the Greene County Health Department as a home health care employee. She and her husband for many years operated a small community grocery store. She was also a licensed agent with Primerica Insurance Company.
    In her capacity as a community leader, Mrs. Chambers helped and assisted with the following: Camp Montgomery, Knoxville Volunteer Fire Department, Montgomery Recreation Center and the USDA Commodity Distribution. She is also an active member of the Greene County Chapter of Alabama New South Coalition.
    Mrs. Chambers attends Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Knoxville. Her pastor, Rev. Robert Ellis, was on hand to provide words of encouragement and blessing of the food. She is the mother of two children Joe and Ivory. Ivory, her eldest child, died in 1997.
    The theme for Edna Chamber’s Day, It’s Your Time, was echoed throughout the event with musical selections presented by the Greene County Mass Choir.
    Mrs. Cathelean Steele introduced her husband, the guest speaker, stating that Mrs. Chambers played matchmaker for them. Dr. Charles Steele, Jr. President /CEO of National SCLC served as guest speaker. Steele stated that although he has traveled to many countries around the world, he will never forget that he is a product of Greene County.
    Eutaw Mayor Raymond Steele thanked Mrs. Chamber for being a trailblazer for not just for women but for all of us. A resolution was presented by the Greene County Sheriff Department.
    Other program participants included: Scripture reading by Minister Johnnie Chambers Sankey; Prayer by Rev. Michael Billingsley; Welcome/Greeting by Mary Beck and Carolyn Beck; Occasion by Mary Harris and Lester Brown; Musical Tribute by Antonio Pearson and Samoria Beck.Various family members and friends shared stories of inspiration and appreciation in how Mrs. Chambers touched their lives. Many spoke of Mrs. Chambers as a quiet, seemingly low-keyed person, but when she spoke, everyone knew exactly what her position was and what actions she would take.
    Mrs. Chambers thanked everyone for coming out and showing her love and she thanked the Lord for his many blessings.