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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

The Chilton County Commission appointed Ricky Green to fill the vacancy in the Chilton County Industrial Development Authority Board at its meeting on Nov. 22. The meeting was the third meeting for nominations for the vacancy and previously nominated Thorsby Councilman Justin Killingsworth asked to be removed from consideration. Green’s term will expire on Sept. 24, 2023.

There were no new nominations for the Chilton Medical Center Property Board at the second meeting for nominations. The next meeting will be the third meeting for nominations and voting to fill the spot will be held. Commission Chairman Jimmie Hardee asked Commissioner Joseph Parnell to get with the proper people to get the qualifications for a board member so the commission can seek out the best options for the spot. Commissioners Matthew Mims and Randell Kelley were absent from the meeting.

Mickey Bates thanked the commission on behalf of the 80-85 residents on County Road 264 for its help in repaving a portion of the road. The commission approved a resolution on June 28 to pave five miles of CR 264 with the county and residents on the road splitting the $540,000 cost of the project. Bates presented the commission with the final $20,000 check to cover the last portion of the funds owed by the residents on the road at the Nov. 22 meeting.

Hardee introduced Chris and Sarah Bloomfield and their three children to the commission to end the meeting. The Bloomfield family have traveled the country for six and a half years and has visited all 48 continental states. Hardee met the family in 2017 while camping at Minooka Park and the families have remained in touch ever since.

Chris Bloomfield gave his perspective on how Minooka Park has changed after visiting it the first time in 2017. Chris Bloomfield said he has stayed at Minooka on three separate occasions and each time it was improved significantly.

“Last year, when we came back we saw a dramatic improvement at the park … whoever is running the place is doing a fantastic job,” Chris Bloomfield said. “Normally, we do not stay at a place three times, but I did not even look around I just called the park and said I wanted to stay there because it is one of our favorites now. We have been to a lot of parks and (Minooka Park) has a lot going for it.”

Chris Bloomfield gave the commission a few small things that travelers, like his family, would like to see added such as a few coin-operated washer and dryers and more signage to let people know the park is there.

Also, at the meeting, the commission:

• Approved the request from Cawaco to elect Chilton County Administrator Sylvia Singleton to its board.
• Approved nine correction officer hires at the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office.
• Approved a request to advertise and hire a probate clerk.
• Approved two new hires in the motor vehicle office of the revenue commission.
• Approved three new hires and removed one employee from the payroll for the road department.