Commission approves proclamation, razing building
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
During its June meeting, held in two parts, the County Commission approved a proclamation honoring two long-time school coaches and razing a county building, among other matters.
In its regular meeting, with Commissioner Ronnie Joiner unable to attend, the Commission unanimously approved a proclamation presented by Vice Chair Brandon Davis honoring Doris Gamble and Calvin McKinney. Davis stated at the meeting that Central High School would officially be naming the basketball court Gamble-McKinney Court on June 14.
In part, the proclamation reads, “Recognizing the naming of Joe N. Belyeu Gymnasium Basketball Court in Hanover to Gamble-McKinney Court in honor of Ms. Doris Gamble and Mr. Calvin McKinney.
“Whereas, Ms. Doris Gamble and Mr. Calvin McKinney have rendered exceptional and enduring service to the Coosa County School District, particularly through their leadership and commitment within the athletic department, profoundly influencing the lives of numerous students and community members; and whereas, they have achieved multiple area championships, accumulated decades of dedicated service both in the classroom and in athletic coaching, and attained coaching distinctions that remain unmatched to this day; and whereas, their unwavering dedication to the development of young athletes, promotion of teamwork and embodiment of sportsmanship has fostered a culture of excellence and character, leaving an indelible mark on the Coosa County community…”
The proclamation also states that it is “both appropriate and meaningful to commemorate the extraordinary legacy of both Ms. Doris Gamble and Mr. Calvin McKinney by naming a public space in their honor.”
“This recognition stands as a lasting tribute to Ms. Doris Gamble and Mr. Calvin McKinney for their tireless dedication, outstanding service, and transformative influence on the sports of basketball and volleyball, and for their broader contributions to the educational and communal life of Coosa County,” the proclamation reads.
Also during its regular June meeting, after adding it to the agenda, the Commission took action regarding the county building next to the courthouse, which had primarily been utilized as the office for Coosa County Extension.
Commission Chair Lamar Daugherty stated that the Commission talked about the state of the building for years and held a public hearing regarding it. However, he said he thought it was still in the county’s best interest to tear down the building, or raze it.
Commissioner John Forbus made a motion to raze the old Extension building, with Davis seconding the motion and it being unanimously approved.
In other business, the Commission also unanimously approved closing the bridge on County Road 28 on the West side of U.S. Highway 280, per inspections and recommendations of the Emergency Bridge Inspection Team through the Alabama Department of Transportation.
County Engineer Tad Eason explained that the bridge went from being inspected every two years to every year and then to every quarter. He said the bridge is a liability and that it is not feasible for the county to replace it, adding that there are only two landowners on the road.
Eason said that the state recommended closing the bridge, which led to the action taken at the Commission meeting.
In other business at its regular June meeting, the Commission also unanimously approved:
- An alcohol license application for Chevron Grocery, located at 24123 U.S. Highway 231 in Hanover, with the store being under new ownership and this being done as a formality.
- Vice Chair Davis to serve on the 2025-2026 Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) Legislative Committee.
- For Chair Daugherty to sign the Property Program Coverage Renewal for July 1, 2025, through July 1, 2026.
- Vulcan Material Company’s bid for limestone from the bid opening held May 27.
- Placing signs at each end of County Road 63 for “No thru traffic,” relating to trucks using the road.
- A contract change for County Road 63 to place plant mix instead of chip seal, with county attorney John K. Johnson stating there was no issue changing it.
- The Insolvents, Litigations and Unsold Tax Liens for 2024 and uncollected insolvents and taxes in litigation for previous years, which is done annually.
- Russell Endeavors installing a pipe and necessary construction to correct drainage issues at the Sheriff’s Office outside the sally port, with an estimated cost of $2,300, to be paid from the Capital Improvement Fund.
Two items on the agenda for the regular meeting were tabled until 8 a.m. June 18, when the Commission reconvened to take action on those and officially adjourn its meeting. Those items were approving the awarding of a bid for McClellan Industrial Drive and adopting a resolution opting into the county sales and use tax exemptions pursuant to Act 2025-280.
Commissioners Joiner and Forbus were both absent from the reconvened portion of the meeting.
With the remaining three commissioners present, no action was taken on adopting the resolution for the sales and use tax exemptions, so the matter died for lack of a motion.
The three commissioners also unanimously approved accepting a bid for McClellan Industrial Drive.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Coosa County Commission will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 8.
