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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The great thing about living in a constitutional republic is that each person can have an opinion on what happens in government.

If someone does not like what is happening, there are options to try to change that. Usually when someone makes a statement like that, people assume they are talking about the importance of voting in local, state and national elections. While participation in these elections is important, it is not the only way to create change in governmental decisions.

Contacting your elected officials about matters that are being considered that are important to you is also an option.

Contact information for elected officials that represent you on the state and federal level can by found at legislature.state.al.us under the “Find My Legislator” tab by entering your zip code.

However, local issues are likely to have a more immediate impact on Chilton County residents. Contact information for these representatives can sometimes be found on the municipality or county website.

If not, every scheduled meeting of these local governments (and the board of education) is open to the public to attend. Residents can call often several days ahead and get on the agenda for the meeting to address the council or commission on what is important to them.

However, there is always the option of getting there early and talking to your council member or catching them before they leave after the meeting.

I have been in several meetings where elected officials have mentioned receiving calls on an issue while discussing options before the vote.

The Chilton County Commission meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month with a work session at 5 p.m. and a voting session at 6 p.m. in the large courtroom on the upper floor of the courthouse.

The Clanton City Council meets the second and fourth Monday at 5 p.m. in the city hall meeting room. A work session is held the Thursday before at 5 p.m. in the same room.

The Jemison City Council meets the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at city hall. However, meetings have been rescheduled some due to COVID-19.

The Thorsby Town Council meets the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Thorsby Annex building (next to the fire station.)

The Maplesville Town Council meets the second Monday of every month at 6 p.m. in the library room at town hall.