News

Coffee County Commissioners appoint new members to strategic planning committee

During their regular bimonthly meeting held Monday morning, July 9, Coffee County Commissioners approved new appointments to a committee formed in the 1990s with intent to help plan for the future of the county.
Commissioner Tom Grimsley noted a need for new appointments to the Coffee County Strategic Planning Committee. He said commissioners from each district nominated two individuals from their district to serve on the committee.
Those nominated and approved by commissioners to serve on the Coffee County Strategic Planning Committee were: District 1 – Mickey Murdock and Don McPherson; District 2 – Roy Byrd and Andy Lavender; District 3 – Heflin Smith and Daniel Stephens; District 4 – Neal Brown and David Garrett; District 5 – Calvin Garth and Joyce Stanford; District 6 – Jackie Thompson and Kenneth Boswell; and District 7 – Josh Pipkins and Dan Presley.
Dr. John Granger, director of missions for the Coffee County Baptist Association, addressed commissioners during Monday’s meeting. His purpose was to ask for permission to conduct a prayer service on the courthouse steps (in Elba and Enterprise) on March 14, 2013 at 10 a.m.
Dr. Granger said the Alabama State Convention wants to have prayer at every courthouse in the state on March 14, 2013.
Commissioners voted unanimously to allow this prayer service to be conducted at the two buildings in Coffee County.
Commissioners also heard a couple of reports from the county extension office during their meeting.
Annie Hendrix reported on the 4-H livestock judging competitors. She happily reported that the Jr. Livestock Judging team for Coffee County placed first at district competition while the Sr. Livestock Judging team place third at district and sixth at the state competition.
Teresa Forehand, a registered dietician, works through the extension office focusing on human nutrition, diet and health. She said health and wellness is a #1 issue in Alabama and that obesity often leads to chronic illnesses such as diabetes – a growing health problem in this country.
Forehand said she covers eight counties providing information in this topic area. She said any entity that needs her help or would like for her to come and speak on this subject should contact her through the Coffee County Cooperative Extension office.
Also during Monday’s meeting, commissioners:
• Approved a request by county engineer Randy Tindell for a resolution allowing him to initialize road projects on County Roads 651, 460, 547 and 537. He said this request was only to initialize the projects to have them ready to start should funding become available.
• Approved a request by county administrator Rod Morgan to participate (if so chosen) in a joint bid on a debris removal contract through the Association of County Commissions.
Commissioner Robert Stephens noted that it seemed as though the people of Coffee County participated in the patriotic spirit more than ever this 4th of July through decorating and holding events. He said he was very proud of this.
“As an old soldier, it gives you a wonderful feeling,” Stephens said.
The next Coffee County Commission meeting will be held Monday, July 23, at 9 a.m. in the community room of the county complex in New Brockton.