Commission loans BWWMH $1 million; Judge Deas addresses major juvenile need

With budget hearings set to begin later this month, the Marengo County Commission heard from several petitioners Tuesday at its meeting, including Circuit Judge Vince Deas.

Deas showed his anger when he told commissioners that the state will not pay for a second Juvenile Probation Officer. With the retirement of chief probations officer Darren Glass in July, that leaves Marengo County with one JPO, Virginia Norman, who cannot handle the heavy workload by herself. The judge estimated that at any one time the juvenile system has some 60 children on supervised probation, as well as neglected and/or abused children, too many for one officer.

Deas said he has been in conversation with Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Lyn Stuart who finally agreed to fund half the salary of an additional JPO, or $27,500.

“I don’t know whether to be thankful or aggravated,” said Deas.

He told the Commission that Stuart has agreed to talk with them, perhaps at the September meeting, to explain the Supreme Court’s actions.

Deas said the refusal of the court to fund an additional JPO “doesn’t make sense.” The bottom line, he continued, is “how does it affect the youth of this county.”

Deas also approached the Commission about helping to fund a Child Advocacy Center. It would be headquartered in Demopolis and serve the 17th Judicial Circuit counties of Sumter, Greene and Marengo. It is the only area in the state without such a center.

In his previous life, Deas said, he prosecuted those who sexually or physically abused children. The center would meet the needs of those children, including medical, emotional and legal support.

Past efforts have been unsuccessful because the counties are required to provide a location, staff and a board to oversee operations. With the donation of a building and the promise of $12,000 from the state at the end of next year, Deas said, “I’m asking for as much money as I can get,” although he is requesting at least what the state has promised.

Once the Child Advocacy Center is operational, he continued, it will be sustained through grant funding. He said he also will be asking for financial support from the other counties.

Commander Clint Sumlin of the 17th Judicial Drug Task Force, received unanimous approval from the Commission to again host the 10-county regional task force covering the 10th and 17th judicial districts.

With the county’s approval, the task force will receive $197,000 to operate, including some $10,000 to cover the county’s administrative costs.

Rob Fleming and Allen Bishop, board members of Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital, gave commissioners an update on the progress of the hospital under the new direction of CEO/Administrator Doug Brewer.

“We’re starting to right the ship,” said Fleming.

County attorney Woody Dinning and commissioners Freddie Armstead and Jason Windham highly praised Brewer and the actions he has taken in the six weeks he has held the job.

Dinning, who said he is “excited” about the future of the hospital, which he called an “oasis” for the area, said in the past he would have been hesitant to recommend the county provide some support for the hospital. He has no such reservations now.

After an executive session, commissioners agreed to co-sign a $1 million loan with the hospital.

In other business, the Commission approved:

• Hiring Ronnie Clark as a sheriff’s deputy.
• Hiring Kara Rohr as a clerk in the Probate Office.
• The highest rate for the Tobacco Tax CD between Sweet Water State Bank and First Bank of Linden, once both rates are submitted.

Probate Judge Laurie Hall announced the office will be closed Friday, Sept. 28, to change over to a new computer system. Customers still will be able to do business online, and all late fees will be waived.

Commissioners set the date of the budget hearing for Thursday, Aug. 30 at 5 p.m.