Dunning, McDaniel honored at Commission meeting
Probate Judge Laurie Hall presented two women in her office with a “resolution of recognition and appreciation” at the Marengo County Commission meeting Tuesday.
Shinetta Dunning and Paula McDaniel received accolades for their work, and Commissioner Freddie Armstead Jr. presented each of them with a $25 gift certificate.
Dunning has served as a tag and license clerk since Aug. 1, 1989, and McDaniel is the recording and election clerk, a post she has held for 20 years.
“We’re always grateful for all of our workers,” Hall said.
Armstead said other employees with many years of service will be honored at subsequent Commission meetings. Among them will be Pearl Williams, to whom Armstead also gave a gift certificate. Williams has 28 years with the Commission Office.
Commissioners approved a resolution reinstating the $5 tag fee to benefit the Marengo County Economic Development Authority.
The Commission approved a request by Patrick Price, owner of Magnolia Sports Bar, to extend his weekend operating hours from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Also approved was the County Transportation Plan.
Commissioners extended the appointment of Major Burrell to the District 1 seat on the county’s EMA Board of Directors and approved the annual extension of the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Site Assessment and Contract.
County engineer Billy Joe Webb said the engineering firm of Goodwin, Mills and Cawood wants to hold a work session as soon as possible with commissioners to determine how to proceed on getting the rights-of-way for road projects.
Webb said the work on County Road 38 should be completed by the end of August, weather permitting.
Revenue Commissioner Sharon Hilbish gave an update on the Board of Equalization notices sent last month to property owners. She said 66 informal hearings were held, with all issues resolved. Eight formal hearings are scheduled.
She also reported that the heavy rains caused flooding and some damage in the Courthouse revenue offices.
EMA director Kevin McKinney said two projects to construct storm shelters in the county are proceeding. The FEMA-sponsored project requires a lot of red tape to get approval, but the project sponsored by the Moore-Wright group working with the Black Belt Community Foundation is ready to begin construction. McKinney said the Moore-Wright project also received a United Way of West Alabama grant, enabling it to build a total of five shelters.
McKinney said he is working to get information on a county-wide severe weather notification system to replace the outdated and costly siren system now in place. The new system he is investigating would use text messaging to all people – including non-residents – who are in the county.
Commissioner Armstead reported he is attending a meeting in Mobile about distribution of a portion of federal disaster relief funding. He said 80 percent of the $500 million will go to five counties along the cost, but Marengo County might be eligible for a portion of the remaining $100