County Commission | The Magazine November 2019 | Page 31

NEWS YOU CAN USE IN PROFILE Vice President Dean Calvert C ommissioner Dean Calvert got into public service at the encouragement of a former high school teacher, and although he had not followed politics closely prior to his election, he seems to have found something he loves. “It gets in your blood as far as helping people and getting things done,” he said. “You see projects get started, and you know you want to see them through.” Calvert, a 52-year-old, three-term commissioner from Blount County, has just been elected Vice President of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama. According to the traditional officer rotation, he will be sworn in as ACCA president in August 2021. According to the most recent edition of Comparative Data on Alabama Counties, 17 of the state’s 67 counties use a district system, in which commissioners supervise roads and bridges in their respective districts. Hon. Dean Calvert, Calvert speaks with pride of his district’s ACCA Vice President 208 road miles, recent improvements and Blount County’s District 3 projects underway. He said it makes his Commissioner since 2010 days different from those of his colleagues who don’t manage their own road crew and PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND equipment. He might start his workday • Licensed homebuilder with 28 years of experience in the inspecting progress on construction of a family glass business bridge, then participate in a ribbon cutting and later make sure a downed stop sign is EDUCATION replaced right away. “We’re actually on call • Level II Certificate, Alabama Local Government Training Institute 24-7,” he said. FAMILY Probably the largest single initiative of his • Fifth of nine children born to Bobby and Sue Horsley Calvert commission career has been the establishment • Married to his high school sweetheart, Sheila, for 33 years of a 1-cent sales tax to benefit roads and • Three adult children and three grandchildren other needs in the county. It was his “Passion Project” during his time in PLAN 2016, the PERSONAL INTERESTS Association’s leadership program for second- • Hunting for deer and turkey, fishing term commissioners, and the referendum ACCA ENGAGEMENT passed in 2016. • Member, Board of Trustees, ACCA Liability Self-Insurance Fund Inc. “It was not the work of any single person; • Member, PLAN 2016, the inaugural class of the Association’s it was a countywide coalition,” Calvert said. leadership program “That’s why I say with the Association’s pledge to speak with One Voice, we can 205-914-3436 Dean Calvert move mountains.” Proceeds from that sales tax are paying [email protected] a bond issue for county roads and bridges. Get to Know… Blount County COUNTY COMMISSION | 31