County Commission | The Magazine October 2017 | Page 41

observed growing respect for county
and 99.9 percent of the time they were seem to be pulling more in the same
commissioners.
able to willingly share their wisdom.”
direction today,” he said, giving credit
“I’ve said many times that the
Over the years, ACCA has grown
to commissioners who have served as
general public’s perception is that
both in unity and in member services,
board members and officers as well as
county government is nothing more
ranging from insurance coverage to
to the executive directors during this
than the pothole in the road in front of
joint bidding to education programs to
time, Buddy Sharpless and
their house, and county government
name a few.
Sonny Brasfield.
is much, much, much more
The general rule says
than that,” he said. “I think the
Alabama judges cannot begin a
“For me, the Association has
Association has helped change
been very much a part of allowing new term of office after their 70th
a lot of that perception.”
birthdays, so McCollum cannot
He got involved – and has
me to fulfill my responsibilities, seek reelection next year. These
stayed invo lved – with ACCA
days he’d rather discuss any
not only from an education
for a simple reason: he wanted
standpoint, but the relationships number of topics other than what
to do a better job.
he will do at term’s end.
“For me, the Association
you’re able to develop”
Whoever succeeds him will
has been very much a
inherit a surging economy, a
part of allowing me to fulfill
growing population and a community
“I’ve seen the Association when
my responsibilities, not only from
that has accomplished so much of
it was working counterproductive
an education standpoint, but the
the hard work to recover from the
because of factions within the
relationships you’re able to develop,”
devastating 2011 tornadoes. However,
he said. “Folks in these other counties organization, and now I have seen it
“don’t put me out to pasture,” he said.
as we have unified and brought the
have tackled some of the same
“I’ve got a lot to get done.” n
issues, and you picked up the phone
affiliate groups into the fold. We all
711 East Hobbs Street
•
Athens, Alabama 35611
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