Community News

The beginning of a new year - a time to prune off the old unnecessary things in our lives and start anew with fresh new growth. It’s that time of year when we think about making New Year’s resolutions. They could be living our daily lives with more positive attitudes, being a more forgiving person, letting go of the past and looking toward the future, and yes, even a plan to lose weight.

Members of the Barbour County Board of Education approved the 2023-2024 School Calendar during their December meeting. Two options were presented for consideration with Option B receiving a unanimous vote from board members.

Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission was awarded a $310,877 workforce inclusion grant from the Center for Workforce Inclusion, Inc. (Center). Almost 90 percent of this grant – originally from the U.S. Department of Labor – will provide on-the-job training to no less than 52 low-income older Alabamians living in Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, and Houston Counties. This workforce inclusion grant will support Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission operate its Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).

A heated discussion broke out during the regular monthly meeting of the Clayton City Council last Monday night, December 5, when Protem Alex Moses questioned Mayor Kathy Thomas about $244,000 brought over from the previous year in the budget. He wanted to know why the money was not included in the new budget. After an extensive explanation of the budget by Mayor Thomas, she finally said, “I don’t understand your question and nobody else don’t understand the question.” At that time Councilman Buddy Weston spoke up and said, “I understand it.” Mayor Thomas replied to Councilman Weston, “I bet you would.” Mayor Thomas told Councilman Moses he could call the accountant to explain the situation to him. He replied, “He can come down here, we don’t need to call him.” Councilman Weston then jumped in and remarked that all he was asking of Mayor Thomas was “show us where the $244,000 is in the budget. Just show us the money. That is all I am trying to tell you.” Mayor Thomas quickly replied, “You are not trying to tell me nothing Mr. Weston!” Mayor Thomas then said that Accountant Cornelius Burrows will come “explain it to you Mr. Weston.”

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us. our focus turns to the Christmas season. As we prepare for this wonderful time of year to once again celebrate the birth of Jesus, we have many opportunities for holiday activities. Open houses with Christmas parties are being held, we celebrate the season with Christmas parades, gatherings with family and friends, special church services and programs, and many other ways.

The regular meeting of the Barbour County Commission scheduled for Tuesday, December 13 could not be held because of the lack of a quorum Due to sickness or other reasons, four commissioners were not present for the meeting scheduled to be held at the courthouse in Eufaula. Commissioners absent were Commission Chairman Earl Gilmore, Frances Person-Crews, Rachel Smith, and Stan Adams.

A large quantity of illegal drugs, weapons and electronics were confiscated during a contraband sweep at Ventress Correctional Facility in Clayton on Friday, December 2. The sweep of the dorms was conducted by the K-9 Bureau and Corrections Emergency Response Teams.