Awlahjaday Agee is interim coroner in Chilton County, and said his experience in the office would help him serve the county.

“I do feel like the coroner’s office has moved forward a great deal since we’ve been there the last 10 years,” Agee said.

Aaron Ellison talked about the coroner’s role as a liaison between a grieving family that has lost a loved one and law enforcement officers who have a job to do.

“There has to be that coming together,” Ellison said. “It becomes our responsibility to have to stand there and convey to a grieving family why these things are having to take place, and I believe I’m the best candidate to stand in that area.”

Chilton County residents voted to create a new position, revenue commissioner, with this year’s elections. The tax assessor’s office and the tax collector’s offices would be combined, and the two men leading those offices have been joined by Chilton County Commission member Joe Headley in seeking the office.

Rex Cleckler, the current tax assessor, said the primary benefit of combining the offices would be convenient for residents.

Cleckler and Tim Little, the current tax collector, said the combining of the offices might not be as drastic of a change as might be assumed, since the offices are already run efficiently.

“All these people we have up there have jobs to do, and they need to be where they’re at,” Cleckler said.

Little said he would be the best candidate because he’s seen the county’s ad valorem tax revenue almost double while his office’s budget has remained relatively flat.

“I think I’m the best candidate for this position because I’ve spent the last 10 1/2 years as your tax collector,” Little said. “During this time, we’ve seen a lot of changes. I’ve done what I was supposed to do.”

Headley said he thinks some savings could be realized if the revenue commissioner did not hire an assistant.

He also said his business background would be an asset.

“I think I’m the best candidate for this position because I’m a successful businessman,” Headley said. “I have three successful businesses that I run.”

The candidates for superintendent of education were asked to give their top priorities for the school system.

Greg DeJarnett said No. 1 would be health and safety, with teacher morale as the second priority.

“They feel like more is asked of them, yet their paycheck is shrinking,” he said.

Tommy Glasscock said communication with teachers, parents and administrators; and facilities.

Louise Pitts said academics, including preparing students for college or their career; and finances, including building a positive image of the school system.

“The public is focusing on the negative aspects of our school system,” Pitts said.

All the candidates agreed that the use of dogs for drug searches at schools is an effective tool but said other approaches, such as administrators working to build relationships, could be even more important.

DeJarnett, Glasscock and Pitts pointed to their experience as a reason they could be successful in the office.

All have served as teachers and administrators, as well as a variety of other roles, such as Glasscock’s post as supervisor of LeCroy Career Tech Center, which has benefitted from a “changed perception,” he said.

“Students do not learn the way they did 20 years ago,” Glasscock said.

Candidates for statewide offices were given the opportunity to introduce themselves to a crowd that almost filled the Clanton City Council chamber to capacity. Those present included Tom Vigneulle and Gary Palmer, both of whom are campaigning for the 6th Congressional seat, and Brian Morgan, who is running in District 30.