Commission honors Armstead, sets public hearing on redistricting

One chair sat empty at the Marengo County Commission meeting Tuesday, the chair the late Freddie Armstead used before his fatal accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound last month.

The remaining four commissioners started the meeting by reading a resolution honoring Armstead as his son, Freddie Armstead Jr., stood with them.

Almost everyone who spoke before the Commission began by expressing sympathy for the Armstead family and the Commission members, starting with Louis Hines of Alabama State University who presented the final proposal for the county’s redistricting.

Hines said no changes have been made to the lines dividing districts 3, 4 and 5 and only small changes for districts 1 and 2.

The Commission voted to advertise a public hearing on the changes at the April 12 meeting and to determine where the map will be displayed for residents to examine it.

At the February meeting, commissioners voted to donate $30,000 to the Moore-Wright group to provide storm shelters in rural Marengo County. The donation matches the amount raised through donations and grants.

When the Rev. Jesse Moore appeared before the Commission Tuesday, he faced several questions about the implementation of the project. He said the contractor is on hand to construct the shelter as soon as the Commission determines where they should be located. The Moore-Wright group, he said, will make sure payment is made. Since this is not a county project but a private one, the county has no liability.

Two groups requested the use of the former National Guard Armory for activities. Kayla King, speaking for Clayhill Farms and Gardens, requested access to the kitchen facilities an extra day per week, from Thursday through Sunday, beginning the weekend of Mother’s Day. It will be used only for food preparation to be served from food trucks and not for serving or storage.

Commissioners needed to review the previous lease and tabled the request until the next meeting.

Darryl Maguire of New Day Ministries asked to use the facilities for a new faith-based program he described as using “praise and worship to bring all races together.” The ministry is “not trying to draw from other churches” but to cross racial lines to reduce tension, he continued.

New Day Ministries has scheduled its services at 9 a.m. on Sundays to avoid conflicts with other churches. The first event will be a revival May 1, with services on the first Sunday of the month for three months and then weekly.

The Commission granted permission to advertise the services and will finalize the contract at the April meeting.

Commissioners passed a resolution as the next step in the county-wide one-cent sales tax to benefit schools. Linden City Schools superintendent Dr. Timothy Thurman said the system is nearing the end of getting money levied for a new high school in the old Fun Factory. “Everyone is ready to go.”

Now the system can float a bond based on the tax income, and the resolution assured lenders that the tax will be in place through the life of the bond issue.

Probate Judge Laurie Hall said the formal approval to eliminate the Office of Constable may not be brought up in the regular session of the Alabama Legislature this year. She will work with Rep. A.J. McCampbell and follow his recommendation on when to submit the legislation, whether for a special session or for the regular session in 2023.

Hall said the access ramp for the voting site on Highway 43 needs to be replaced before the May 24 primary. She received a bid from one company for a new ramp but is waiting on a second company to submit a price.

The Commission gave her two weeks to get the second quote but authorized Chairman Terry Hinton to approve the first bid if needed.

Hall reminded commissioners that the county driver’s license office will be closed April 18-22, reopening April 26, as the state installs a new license portal. All other services will be available at the office during that time. She encouraged anyone who needs to make a name change or who requires a driving exam to do it before the office closure.

In other action, the Commission:

• Accepted a bid from H&L Construction of Troy for a replacement bridge on County Road 38 at $782,032.50.
• Declared items at surplus for auction by J.M.Wood for a minimum guarantee of $115,000.
• Awarded a bid to the Marengo Leader for the publication of the county voter list.
• Approved rights of way for road construction projects.
• Renewed the CD at Sweet Water State Bank at a rate of .50 per cent.
• Denied two claims against the county, first concerning a deputy’s salary and the second, a cable break.