County Commission | The Magazine November 2019 | Page 10

Sonny has recruited an amazing
staff of talented and dedicated men
and women who help provide every
resource we need to better serve our
counties. Sonny, you can’t imagine
how much I’m looking forward to
working with you these next 12
months.
There’s yet another way to meet
the challenges that face each of us.
To those of you in your first term
as commissioners, I ask that you
commit to joining our leadership
program called PLAN 2022 during
your second term. I’m currently a
member of PLAN 2020, and we’ve
already discovered opportunities to
address those challenges by learning
from each other.
We all understand that the issues
we face are many and varied. I ask
tonight that we focus especially on
these four:
• First, it’s absolutely vital that we
implement the Rebuild Alabama
program in a professional and
transparent manner;
• Secondly, that we address inmate
reform so that we can change
legislation that is costing us
millions of dollars — dollars that
are rightfully the expenses of state
government;
• Third, that we take advantage
of the opportunity presented
by the recent changes in the
state retirement system; good
employees are the key to good
government;
• And, finally, that we continue
the fight to prevent unfunded
mandates.
We in Henry County, like most
other small, rural counties, often
struggle to move forward on our
own. Many of you are fortunate to
come from counties with resources
that we can only dream of having.
Our hopes of moving our county
forward rest, in large measure, on
the ability to forge regional alliances.
Because of something known as
regionalism (or neighbors helping
neighbors), Henry County is part
10 | NOVEMBER 2019
of a team of
counties in the
Wiregrass region
that work together
with no regard
to imaginary
boundary lines.
We feel that
our individual
successes lead to
the growth of the
entire region. This
is the type of team
thinking I will be
promoting as your
president.
For the past
Only one other elected official from Henry County has ever
served as ACCA president — Probate Judge Bill Woodham
24 months,
in 1974.
we’ve joined our
neighbors in
go unnoticed in a way that we never
Houston County: Chairman Mark
even realize they’ve left their seat.
Culver and the Houston County
The ride will often be filled with joy
Commission; Mayor Mark Saliba
and, at other times, sorrow. There’ll
and the City of Dothan and Matt
Parker, president of the Dothan Area be laughter; there’ll be tears — many
hellos and farewells.
Chamber of Commerce, as well as
our partners on the state and federal
Success on this train consists
level to announce the creation of
of having good relationships with
over 100 new jobs in Henry County. all passengers. It requires that we
Gov. Ivey will be in Abbeville next
give the best of ourselves, that we
Tuesday to help us celebrate the
recognize those who have made our
grand opening of Abbeville Fiber,
journey more enjoyable and take
an automated sawmill being built
the time to say “thank you” to folks
by a good friend and strong Henry
like Jeannie and her mom and Mr.
County supporter…
Calvin Saunders, folks like Coach
I close by circling back to the
Oppert and Uncle Lindy and the
subject of trains. We all ride this
girl you met on that blind date who
train together. And while it may be
never left your side and to so many
an allegorical journey, we find in it a in this room tonight.
ton of truth. At birth, we board this
Because the mystery is this:
train and are met by our parents.
we never know at which point the
We’re hopeful that they’ll travel by
“Master Conductor” may determine
our side for most of this journey,
that this is the station where we’re
and maybe they will. But we must
to step off the train. So, we must
realize at some point that they
love, serve, forgive and offer the
may step down at one of the many
best of who we are. I thank God for
stations along the way, leaving us to
our journey to this point, and I’m
travel alone. As time passes, others
looking forward to joining each of
will board. Some will be rather
you for the next 12 months as we
significant — our close friends, our
travel together down this road called
siblings, our children, even the love
county government.
of our life.
Thank you very much for this
Many will step down and leave
a permanent vacuum. Others will
honor. n