CULLMAN, Ala. – Two local women were recognized by the Cullman County Commission at its monthly meeting held Tuesday, Oct. 17. Nancy Moore was recognized for her work with Restoring Women Outreach, Inc., a local 12-step residential program. Angie Carter was also recognized; she represented Cullman County in the Ms. Senior Alabama pageant this summer and brought home first alternate, after her win as Ms. Senior Cullman County.
Library board
Resident Lance Conn addressed the commissioners in an attempt to table a vote on Commissioner Garry Marchman’s Public Library Board of Cullman County member appointee, Jill Meggs, who is slated to replace current board member Lea Scott. Conn’s address contained concerns of censorship in the Cullman County Public Library System (CCPLS) and a conflict of interest between the CCPLS and Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County, a group for which Meggs also holds a board seat.
Conn spoke plainly as he said, “It’s my understanding that this appointment will cause a conflict of interest between the Cullman County Public Library System and the group Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County. Jill Meggs currently serves on the board of Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County, and should not also serve on the Cullman County Public Library Board.
“What has been most disturbing to me is that Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County have been asked to disassociate from the Cullman County Public Library, due to its lack of support for the Cullman library. It is also my concern that some commissioners may be attempting to overload the board of Cullman County Library with individuals who want to ban books (and) censor information.
“We are all aware of the recent news where book bans are becoming increasingly common, and while these bans are disguised behind calls to remove ‘pornographic,’ ‘obscene’ or ‘indecent’ books, that is usually a smoke screen for removing anything that testifies to the existence of gay people. For the record, censorship is defined as the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable or a threat to security.
“I believe we are on a dangerous road if our elected officials believe that banning books is the correct side of history to be on; it’s inappropriate for our elected officials to target specific communities of people and to let that stand. Our state and our county have an ugly history of allowing the majority to beat up the minority, whether that be based on the color of our skin, the choice of our religion, or the sexual orientation and gender identity of our families. It is my understanding that the library submitted a name of an individual that has been supportive of the library and should be considered for the position. I would request that the commission reconsider their appointment and instead appoint Susan Hauk to the Cullman County Library Board. We need individuals on the library board with no conflicts of interest, who understand that everyone in Cullman is welcome in the library and that the materials in the library represent them one and all.”
When it was time for the commissioners to vote on Meggs’ appointment, Chairman Jeff Clemons called motioned to approve, Marchman quickly seconded and Commissioner Kelly Duke carried the motion.
It should be noted that Public Library Board of Cullman County member Tanya Allcorn also serves on the board of the Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County.
As the Tribune previously reported, Marchman said in September, “I don’t believe we should have a single book in that library, period, that covers anything to deal with LGBT, and I know that’s a strong statement.” His comment was in response to the commissioners signing the Clean Up Alabama petition. Read the full story at www.cullmantribune.com/2023/09/09/county-commissioners-sign-clean-up-alabama-petition-regarding-libraries.
Two days later, the Public Library Board of Cullman County at its Thursday, Oct. 19, meeting discussed three challenged books, choosing to take no action. (Background: www.cullmantribune.com/2023/09/20/cullman-library-board-discusses-challenged-books-censorship)
Smith Lake Park
At its Tuesday meeting, the commission also voted unanimously to apply for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant. Cullman County Economic Development Project Coordinator Tiffany Oldacre explained the need for the application (Resolution 2023-45), saying, “This is for a splash pad at Smith Lake Park. We also want to complete repairs on the existing pool.”
The commission approved the following agenda items:
- Proclamation of October being recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month countywide
- Proclamation of October being recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month countywide
- Resolution to change the speed limit on County Road 645 to 25mph
- Resolution to change the speed limit on County Road 388 to 30mph
- Resolution to apply for an Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Fund Grant to provide materials needed by local police
- Set the dates and times for 2024 Commission meetings
- Authorize Chairman to sign the North Alabama Safety Grant for FY2024
- Authorize Chairman and County Administrator to sign NARCOG Title III Aging Contract for FY 2024 and new HIPAA Business Associate Agreement
- Authorize Chairman to sign the Alabama Department of Youth Services Grant Agreement for FY 2023-2024 in the amount of $74,612.00 as the fiscal agent for Jackson County
- Authorize Chairman to sign the Alabama Department of Youth Services Grant Agreement for FY 2023-2024 in the amount of $79,680.00 for Blount County
- Authorize Chairman to sign the 5311 Supplemental Agreement No. One between CARTS and ALDOT
- Authorize Chairman to sign ARP Act of 2021 Furlough Certification for CARTS
- Consider allocation of $250,000 to Good Samaritan Health Clinic from Opioid Funds for capital campaign and amend budget accordingly
- Consider approval of the annual subscription for the Revenue Mapping Software- cost $55,000 to be paid from the Reappraisal budget
- Consider quote from Summertown Metals for water department storage building in the amount of $60,653.42
- Consider quote from Deep South Construction for stabilizing the back entrance to the water and EMA building in the amount of $29, 868.53
- Consider quote from D.A.B. Restoration LLC for courthouse renovation project in the amount of $97,585.00
- Consider the surplus of a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe from the Sheriff’s office to be auctioned on GovDeals
- Proposed preliminary plat re-subdivision of lots three, four and five of Duck Creek Estates; a minor subdivision located on County Road 1669 and corner of County Road 1668 in Commission district three
- Proposed preliminary plat Smith Lake RV Resort Phase Four; a major private subdivision containing 58 lots located off County Road 202 in Commission District Four
- Proposed re-subdivision of Lot one in Magic Farms subdivision; a minor subdivision located on County Road 1539 and County Road 1319 in Commission district one
- Proposed change of name of Hamby subdivision to Jacob’s Well subdivision located on County Road 559. Hamby subdivision was originally approved May 16, 2023; there have been no changes to the original plat
The next Cullman County Commission work session will be Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. in the commission meeting room; the meeting will follow at 6.
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