The pledge of allegiance was in honor of Cherokee County EMA at tonight’s County Commission meeting.  The EMA have 2 employees and 8 volunteers on staff and can be called upon at anytime to assist other counties.  Their personnel are on call 7 days a week, 365 days a year and Vice Chairman Carlton Teague commended EMA Director, Shawn Rogers, as well as EMA/Homeland Security Officer, Alex Abernathy for all that they do.

Chairman, Tim Burgess was absent from tonight’s meeting, so Vice-Chairman, Carlton Teague took charge of the meeting.

Old business consisted of two announcements:

1. Chairman’s Announcement: Troy Patterson has tendered his resignation from the Human Resources Board (Seat #4). The appointment to fill his six-year unexpired term ending September 2023 will take place at the Monday, July 11th, 2022 meeting. Submittal of resumes, letters, etc. will be accepted through Wednesday, July 6th, 2022 until the close of business in the Commission Office.
2. Chairman’s Announcement: Jacob Crump has tendered his resignation from the Cherokee County Industrial Development Authority (District #3). The appointment to fill his six-year unexpired term ending January 2023 will take place at the Monday, July 11th, 2022 meeting. Submittal of resumes, letters, etc. will be accepted through Wednesday, July 6th, 2022 until the close of business in the Commission Office.

New business consisted of one announcement:

1. Chairman’s Announcement: The appointment of one position (Seat #5) on the Cherokee County Parks and Recreation Board will take place at the Monday, July 25th, 2022 meeting. This is a six-year term that will end in January 2028. Submittal of resumes, letters, etc. will be accepted through Wednesday, July 20th, 2022 until the close of business in the Commission Office.

It was also approved for there to be a job posting for the Grounds Maintenance Director (Grade 7).  They are not currently taking any inquires for this position, as the job will not be posted for another week.

Also in the meeting, representatives from DHR were present for the adoption of a proclamation recognizing June 15th, 2022 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations.

The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

In addition, WEAAD is in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. WEAAD serves as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

The commission also approved the agreement for Section 5311 Nonurbanized Area Public Transportation with the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission with a local match of $17,198.00  and authorized the Vice-Chairman to sign.

Also approved was an agreement with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for the collection, management, and disposal of scrap tires and authorized the Vice-Chairman to sign.

Several items, including two vehicles from the Sheriff’s Office were considered surplus and will be sold at auction.

Another important item in tonight’s meeting was lowering the speed limit in three difference locations:

1. County Road 45, between County Road 29 and County Road 324 will be lowered from 45 to 35 mph.
2. County Road 144, East side of 68, will be lowered from 45 to 25 mph.
3. County Road 257, will be lowered from 45 to 25 mph.

Commissioners adjourned the meeting. The next meeting of the Cherokee County Commission is set for Monday, July 11th, at 10:00am in the County Administration Building.