During the Monday morning meeting of the Cherokee County Commission, a number of representatives were on hand from Gadsden State Community College as April was declared “National Community College Month” by the Commission.  Commission Member Carlton Teague read that Resolution before those gathered and it passed with a unanimous vote.  Commission Chairman Tim Burgess asked Gadsden State President, Dr. Kathy Murphy, if she had anything to say:

Dr. Murphy also shared that on Monday, April 18th at 5:30pm at Beck Gymnasium on the Gadsden State campus there will be a very special announcement which will soon – very hopefully – be followed by another meeting that’ll be filled with good news.

Those in attendance from Gadsden State Community College: 

Dr. Kathy Murphy / President of Gadsden State Community College

Luanne Hayes / Campus Director at Gadsden State Cherokee in Centre

Dr. Tera Simmons / Vice-President of Gadsden State Community College

Dr. Farrah Hayes / Dean of Academics

Kevin McFry / Dean of Finance

Kaitlin Meats / Student Representative from Gadsden State Cherokee

In other business the commission approved an agreement with Wood Environmental & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc., for mandatory groundwater monitoring for 2022 – at the Old Leesburg Landfill; that, in the amount of $11,000.

And, Chairman Burgess also had a very important announcement to share:

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency instituted the closure “to ensure a successful and thorough transition” to the “Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Driver’s License System” or LEADS.

Among the new services that will be available once LEADS is up and running, on April 26th:

• Ability for driver’s to update their addresses
• Ability to pay and reinstate their licenses
• Ability to upload U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Medical Cards
• Ability to view Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Hazmat background checks
• Ability to issue duplicate licenses to eligible foreign nationals
• Ability to pre-apply for individuals who are requesting an Alabama License for the first time

The current licensing system has been in place for over two decades, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The next meeting of the Cherokee County Commission is set for Monday April 25th at 5:00pm in the County Administration Building on the Cedar Bluff Road in Centre.