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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

The Chilton County Commission extended its excitement and support for the upcoming strawberry festival in Thorsby on April 9.

Commissioner Allen Williams asked Commissioner Matthew Mims what the Chilton County Industrial Development Authority had going on in the near future.

Mims, the commission’s IDA representative, said that the IDA is focused on the upcoming strawberry festival.

Mims said the goal of the festival is to bring attention to the local farmers and growers in the county. Although in Thorsby, the festival is designed to showcase the county’s farmers as a whole group.

“It is outreach for the farmers. You’re looking at the largest industry in the county in farming,” Mims said. “We have an opportunity to help every farmer in this county get their goods out to other citizens and surrounding counties.”

Williams gave an update on the new bathroom at the tag office in Clanton. The permits are in place and preliminary work will start once the materials arrive in 4-6 weeks. Williams said the bathroom should not take much time to complete.

Williams also introduced Jeffery Bennett, the new Chilton County Veterans Affairs Administrator. Bennett gave a brief overview of the veteran’s affairs office and what it offers. The office is located at 110 6th Street South in Clanton and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“This is one the best uses of state tax payer dollars you can think of, to take care of veterans and their families,” Bennett said. “I promise you our veterans here will be taken care of.”

Commission Chairman Jimmie Hardee thanked Bennett for his service and welcomed him to Chilton County.

The meeting ended in lighthearted manner with Hardee clarifying his post on social media over the weekend of a big announcement coming on March 21 was just his birthday on that day.

Also, during the meeting, the Commission:

• Approved the personnel reclassification of Luke Walker as a full-time deputy sheriff effective March 19, and Ranchel Corona Sosa as a full-time clerk effective April 1.
• Approved the road department to hire Walter S. Elbinger as a truck driver effective March 23, and Richard Allen Ray as a laborer effective April 4.
• Approved a $500 sponsorship for the Chilton County Peach Jam Jubilee.