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By JOYANNA LOVE and ZACHARY SEIFTER

For many, Thanksgiving is a time of reflection on present circumstances, the past year and counting one’s blessings.

Leaders in Chilton County recently took time to discuss what they are especially thankful for this year.

“The number one thing I’m thankful for is my salvation,” Jimmie Hardee, chairman of the Chilton County Commission, said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to spend time with my family and my grandchildren. I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Chilton County. I’m thankful to be working with people that have vision for the future of our community. We have a lot of servants, people with servants’ hearts. I’m just thankful for the opportunity to give back to my community.”

After a year in officer, Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims said “for me to be able to get the council on board with me” is one of the things he is most thankful for this year, after a “chaotic” season when he first took office.

He commented that not every mayor in Alabama can say the same.

“The council members are on board with the things we are wanting to do,” Mims said. “We all, I think, have the same vision, and it shows by looking around town.”

He said the city has made improvements to the overall look, and he is looking for continued improvements in the year to come.

Reflecting on the past year, Jemison Mayor Eddie Reed said he was thankful that restrictions on gatherings last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic are no longer in place.

“We are grateful that God has made things much better for us,” Reed said. “The pandemic seems to be settling down now and people are doing much better now with the vaccine … we have a lot to be thankful for.”

He said families will be more able to get together and celebrate the holidays this year.

“This year, the spirit of Thanksgiving is going to mean a lot more to us,” Reed said. “Life has returned to some normalcy … We can’t do a thing but praise God and thank him for lifting some of this burden off of our hearts.”

Maplesville Mayor W.C Hayes said he was thankful “for the military that keeps us free” and “how the Lord has blessed us” in Maplesville.

“I think the town is doing well,” he said.

Hayes also expressed thanks to the staff that work for the town and keeps things running smoothly. Maplesville High School making it a few rounds in the playoffs was also a source of gratitude for the mayor.

“First of all, I’m thankful for God’s mercy, His blessings and His love for me. I’m thankful for support of family,” Thorsby Mayor Robert Hight said. “Wife and kids, extended family. Going through election years, it can be rough on families, so I’m thankful they support me. I’m thankful for being able to live in a small townlike Thorsby where everybody is close-knit. You know your neighbors and there’s not a lot of strangers around you. You know everybody. I’m thankful for great town employees that make my job as mayor a whole lot easier. I’m thankful for the residents of Thorsby. Most of them love and support their town. They show up for school functions, any type of town functions, I’m thankful for that.”