New county district lines approved
Marengo County commissioners Tuesday approved the redistricting plan presented at the March meeting by demographer Louis Hines of Alabama State University’s Center for Leadership & Public Policy.
The map of the changes has been on display for the past month in the county Courthouse, but no one spoke at the Commission meeting either for or against the plan.
Hines said few changes were needed, and all five districts are within 10 percent of each other in population. The current districts will be used in the 2022 elections, and the new boundaries will be in effect for elections in 2024.
Commissioners okayed the use of kitchen facilities at the former National Guard Armory by Create Community LLC/Clayhill Farms and Gardens. The action was tabled at the last meeting while they reviewed the lease. Kayla King, speaking for the businesses, said all the issues have been resolved, and they hope to begin their work before Mother’s Day.
However, Commissioner Calvin Martin had questions about one of the clauses in the contract giving the group access to the conference room. The Commission approved the contract with that clause deleted.
New Day Ministries, which also requested use of the facility, had its contract approved for a new faith-based program. It has scheduled its services at 9 a.m. on Sundays to avoid conflicts with other churches.
Commissioner Windham thanked Kerry Howell with Waste Management and J.R. Rivas and Personal Touch. The company loaned a dumpster, and workers spent three days picking up a mountain of trash on two roads in the southern part of the county.
“It’s bad; it’s really bad,” Windham said of the amount of debris along county roads. He hopes law enforcement will be able to crack down on those who litter.
In other actions, the Commission approved the following resolutions:
- Designating Chairman Terry Hinton and his successors to be the county representative for the American Rescue Plan Act.
- Adopting the Model Policies & Procedures on reporting the use of ARPA funds.
- A joint bidding program with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama.
Ellen Tate and Johnny Cade, residents of Bunny Creek Road, asked that the road be maintained and paved. They were assured that it is in the plan to be paved, but Commissioner Jason Windham explained that getting all the rights-of-way approved, engineering work completed and bidding on the project takes considerable time. Commissioner Michael Thompson told them that so far they were the only ones on the road to have approved rights-of-way.
“Your road’s going to be paved,” Windham assured them.
County engineer Billy Joe Webb said the county had received $250 million from the Rebuild Alabama fund to pave and stripe County Road 33. The county will need to pay for part of the project since the money received will not cover the three-mile project.
Probate Judge Laurie Hall said the formal approval to eliminate the Office of Constable will be presented by Rep. A.J. McCampbell at the next special or regular session of the Alabama Legislature.
She said plans are being finalized for the May 24 primary. The ramp is in place at the Linden location, and utilities at Magnolia site are being put in place. While most of the businesses in Faunsdale were destroyed or damaged by heavy storms two week ago, the Community Center building where voting takes place came through unharmed.
Hal Cain with Business Alabama magazine asked the Commission to purchase an ad in the June edition which will feature the county. Marengo was last highlighted in the magazine two years ago. The cost of a half-page ad is $1,825.
Bernice Nixon introduced herself as the county coordinator for Altapointe Health of Mobile. She said the group works to reduced underage drinking, substance abuse and mental health issues among teens.
Nixon said Altapointe will sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt Saturday in Linden. Her program already is in county high schools.