County Commission | The Magazine October 2017 | Page 5

ate of Etowah County – who lives
some 200 miles from my home in
Dale County – became known as the
“Voice” of county government. It was
that afternoon that I started to think
about the possibility that I could offer
myself in service to this organization.
Because of his leadership in creating
our new logo and image, all of us
have embraced the phrase “67 coun-
ties, One voice.” The visual image
of that capitol dome with the letters
ACCA have come to symbolize a
strong, collective effort to serve the
citizens who depend on us.
67 counties. One voice.
It’s an easy phrase to utter, but
I’m not sure that all of us understand
the price that must be paid to meet
the standard set by these words – 67
counties. One voice.
This Association has estab-
lished its own course over the last
five decades; moving from a small
organization with little influence
and small hopes to our status today
as the true leader in public policy
and vision in our state. It is a fact.
County government routinely sets
the pace for our state’s economic
growth and is at the heart of all ma-
jor policy initiatives, and its support
is now coveted by all those seeking
to become leaders in Alabama.
We’ve forged partnerships with
sheriffs and tax officials that have
benefitted all groups and have
strengthened the “unified” voice of
county government. And, today,
with the election of my neighbor,
Henry County Probate Judge David
Money, as vice president, I know
that a stronger partnership with the
probate judges is also within our
reach. When that goal is achieved to-
gether, then we can truly say we have
one unified voice in the courthouse.
But all news is not good tonight.
Everyone in this room was
frustrated when our road and bridge
program did not become law during
this past session. I can tell you that
the day our bill reached the floor –
but was not allowed to be voted on
– was the most disappointing day of
my public career. However, that out-
come is not a measure of the efforts
by many of you or of the dedication,
ability and leadership displayed by
our executive director and his staff.
Because of our Association, counties
were at the heart of the effort and
each of us owe a debt of gratitude
for their constant commitment and
unwillingness to give up, even when
things looked extremely dark.
In the end, however, we were all
dismayed and confused at the final
outcome. What was more troubling,
in my opinion, was the evidence
around Montgomery that county
government was not completely uni-
fied in its support of this uniquely
fair and much-needed initiative.
I certainly recognize that ev-
ery person in this room could have
provided a roadmap on how to put
continued on page 8
COUNTY COMMISSION | 5