Commission honors Crawford for 16 years of service

Two Marengo County residents who spoke before the County Commission at last month’s meeting about their roads came back Tuesday to thank commissioners for the maintenance that has been done.

They also asked for more work on the roads.

Aubrey Patterson, a resident of Red Oak Road in the Coxhealth community, said he appreciated the grader smoothing out the dirt road and asked when the side cutter will be able to trim the shoulders.

“We’re working that way,” said county engineer Ken Atkins.

“We’re going to continue to improve that road,” added Chairman Calvin Martin.

Ellen Tate of Bunny Creek Road near Putnam also thanked the Commission but asked members to see what can be done about the narrow wooden bridge leading to the church in the community.

“We pray every time we cross it,” she said.

Scott Jones, a Registered Nurse and former EMT, asked how the county is preparing for the eventuality of AmStar EMS ambulance service going out of business. While Demopolis has chosen to purchase an ambulance for its citizens, the county will be left with no coverage, he said.

Commissioners would not go into the financial difficulties of AmStar, saying that was not proper for the members to get into personal business. However, both Freddie Armstead and Jason Windham assured Jones that ambulance service would continue uninterrupted should AmStar no longer exist.

“There will never be a day this county will go without service,” Windham said.

Probate Judge Laurie Hall reminded Commissioners of the election Nov. 6 and encouraged everyone to vote. She said the new computer system installed in her office went live last week. There were more than 400 customers served that first day, a record for the county.

In other action, the Commission voted to:

• Reappoint Linda Yelverton to the county Economic Development Authority from District 5. Armstead asked that his appointment from District 1 be carried over until the November meeting.
• Hire David Bennett as a deputy sheriff.
• Approve a liquor license for the 702 Sports Bar, owned by Belinda Preston.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, Nov. 14, eight days after the usual date, because of state regulations concerning commission meetings after an election.

After the meeting closed, members presented outgoing commissioner John Crawford with a photograph honoring his 16 years of service on the Commission.