The Greene County Democrat

Tag: Operations Taking Back Our Community (TBOC)

  • TBOC requests support from city council

    TBOC requests support from city council

    By Maya Quinn, managing editor

    On Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026, city council members gathered for a regular
    meeting in City Hall. No decisions were made during the work session held prior to this session. All city council members were present.

    Mayor Cockrell reported that the city is diligently working to address water leaks while keeping the streets clean. He also states that the city is in communication with new businesses coming to Eutaw and with AL-DOT regarding infrastructure progress.

    Council member reports consisted of reminders for June events and students within the Greene County School System.

    Councilwoman Hunter urged parents of Greene County students to update their personal contact information, as she is not the point of contact for personal school communications. She also commented that Sun Bucks have already been distributed, and many may not have received them due to incorrect contact information. As a parent herself, Hunter urged attendees to contact the school with updated information and to check the post office for undelivered Sun Bucks.

    Councilwoman Logan wanted to remind citizens that the 250th Celebration of America will be held this Saturday, June 27th. There is still time to sign up for the parade, and admission is free. They are seeking participants with classic cars, tractors, and wagons. Councilwoman Watkins will be handing out fresh produce that same morning at 10:00 am at 218 Boligee Street. They are requesting a $5 donation during the distribution.

    During public comments, Mrs. Gloria McCruter from the Taking Back Our Community (TBOC) Summer Enrichment Program requested financial support for the program. TBOC showed up with only a small portion of the over 50 students enrolled this summer, yet they easily commanded the audience’s presence. Three students stood alongside her, testifying to the positive impact the program has on them. They delighted in the guidance teachers gave academically and spiritually. “It’s a beautiful thing to see all the children in the audience today,” Councilwoman Watkins told McCruter as she recounted when TBOC was just a dream in the making, 19 years ago. “I take my hat off to you.”

     

    There was no old business reported. Here are the approved new business items for the meeting:

    1. Resolution ACT 2026-608 #05: Local Unit Retirees and Beneficiaries of Deceased Retirees

    2. Resolution 2026-06: Authorizing Red Clay Concrete Co. LLC to assign or subcontract a portion of the R.H. Young Community Center Roof Replacement Project to Mike O’Bryant Construction Inc.

    3. Resolution 2026-7: Appointing a committee to evaluate engineering statements and qualifications for the City of Eutaw’s Community Development Block Grant Program

    4. Recommendation for City Clerk, pending background check and bonding

    5. Travel, per diem, and registration for Linda Spencer, court clerk, and Joe L. Powell, Court Magistrate, to attend the Alabama Municipal Court Clerks and Magistrates Association 2026 Annual Conference, September 22-26, 2026, in Perdido Beach, Orange Beach, Alabama

    6. Room reservation for Councilwoman Hunter for Wednesday, June 24, 2026, for $135.38

    7. Lighting Services Agreement between the City of Eutaw and Alabama Power Company to install a light at the Eutaw Airport Board and Authority by the Council

    8. Cease the use of all City Property for profit until approved by the Council; companies will be notified before any actions are taken.

    9. Easeent or Alabama Power re-routed a secondary line from a pole on the south side of Greenseboro Street across Clarence Thomas Cemetery to a pole near the property of Spiver Gordon at Thomas Avenue; Council members Hunter and Woodruff. opposed

    10. Mayor Cockrell Appointments to City Zoning Board of Adjustments, Shalonda Fulgham

    The next city council meeting will be held on July 14th at 5:00 pm. The next city council work session will be held on July 21st at 5:00 pm, and Councilman French encourages citizens to attend with any ideas or concerns.

     

    Featured Image: TBOC students and staff inside City Hall (Maya Quinn/The Democrat)

  • Greene County receives $41, 263 in BBCF grants Black Belt Community Foundation awards over $300,000 in community and arts grants

    Shown above are representatives of Greene County groups awarded BBCF community and arts grants. At far left are: Dr. Carol P. Zippert, a BBCF Founder; Ms. Darlene Robinson, BBCF Greene County Board Member and Ms. Felecia Lucky, BBCF President.
    BBCF presents grant award to the Society of Folk Arts & Culture which is sponsoring the 50th Celebration of the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival, August 23-24, 2025 in Eutaw, AL.

    L to R: Felecia Lucky, BCF President; Darlene Robinson, BBCF Board Member, Carol P. Zippert, Festival Coordinator and Aaron Head, BBCF Arts Coordinator.

    The Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) awarded $344,447.20 to 141 community and arts projects across its 12 county service area in the Alabama Black Belt Region, including Bullock, Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter and Wilcox. The presentations were made at its 2025 Arts and Community Grant Ceremony held Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Wallace Community College Selma. “As we continue to celebrate BBCF’s 20th anniversary through May, the Black Belt Community Foundation is proud to award these funds in 141 different grants to community and arts organizations across the 12 counties we serve,” said BBCF President Felecia Lucky.
    Greene County received 13 grants for community and arts projects, in the amount of $41,263.24, awarded to the following organizations: Alabama Art Casting, Boligee Senior Center, Boss Ties LLC, Broader Horizons, Bundle of Joy Praise Team, Eutaw Elderly Village Inc., Greene County Human Rights Commission, Mount Pleasant Home Protection Society, Operations Taking Back Our Community (TBOC), Release the Earth, Society of Folk Arts and Culture (Black Belt Festival Grant,) United Purpose Inc. The 2025 arts grants, including the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival, totaled $14,125; community grants totaled $27, 138.24.
    Ms. Darlene Robinson, BBCF board member representing Greene County, stated that each of the 12 counties has a group of volunteers, known as Community Associates, who raise funds for the Foundation and these resources, which receive a percentage match from BBCF, are allocated in grants to the respective county. “We hold a lot of fundraising activities in Greene County, but that money can only be spent in Greene County through grants,” she said.
    “We continue our focus on empowering local initiatives by first listening and responding to the very needs voiced by the communities themselves — all while fostering growth and impacting the entire Black Belt region,” stated President Lucky.