Commission conducts interviews, makes two hires
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
During its April meeting, after conducting standard business the County Commission continued its meeting with interviews starting at 11 a.m.
In total, the Commission interviewed four applicants for the county administrator position, to fill the vacancy left with former County Administrator Amy Gilliland’s contract having ended April 24.
Following the four interviews, the Commission offered the administrator position to current county employee LaCresha Alexander of Equality.
Alexander, who held a human resources payroll position in the Commission Office, has now been promoted to county administrator.
With that promotion causing a vacancy for her recent position, during the interview process the Commission asked potential candidates if they would be interested in the HR payroll position if offered, and the candidates said yes.
Ultimately the Commission offered Alexander’s former HR payroll position to Tammy Patterson of Sylacauga.
During her interview Patterson had explained that she was currently unemployed and would not need to work out a 2-week notice. Additionally, Patterson shared that she had accounting experience, as well as experience with billing, the bid process, accounts payable, human resources, and more from her previous work with Cheaha Regional Mental Health Center, AltaPointe and a doctor’s office.
Alexander and Patterson began working in their respective offices last Monday, familiarizing themselves with some of the accounts and crossover work that would be required. Following the state holiday Monday, the two had the office fully to themselves as of Tuesday morning.
In other business during the April meeting, with all commissioners present, the Commission unanimously approved awarding a bid to Gary Ingram Grading & Paving Inc. in the amount of $245,534.75 for a project for resurfacing and striping on Firehouse Road, County Road 50 and various Kellyton roads. It was stated that those would be interior roads in Kellyton, and resurfacing would be done using plant mix.
The Commission also unanimously approved and adopted a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Martha (Marty) Ann Belshaw Rittmann, as presented by the Coosa County Children’s Policy Council.
In part, the resolution reads, “Whereas, it is with profound sorrow that we note the death on January 15, 2026, of Ms. Martha Ann Belshaw Rittmann, lovingly known to family and friends as Marty; and whereas, Marty Rittmann dedicated countless hours to the improvement of our community through her career in education, numerous activities, and countless volunteer hours in Coosa County; …and whereas, she dedicated 35 years to teaching students in Coosa County, including teaching math and various sciences at Coosa County High School from 1974-1988; math, science, social studies, and computer at Rockford Elementary School from 1988-1991; math at the vocation school from 1991-1992; math, science, and computers at Rockford Elementary School from 1992 until her retirement on June 1, 1999; and whereas, following her initial retirement she returned to teaching computers at Central Middle School from October 14, 2003, through 2004, and went on to teach chemistry, physics, algebra, math, special education, physics, and physical science at the Coosa County Career Tech Center from 2004 until her retirement on June 1, 2013; and whereas, her impact on the youth and others in the county continued through numerous activities, various positions, and innumerable hours of volunteerism; and whereas, she volunteered for 11 years with Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama, where she helped many in Coosa County and beyond with tax-filing services; and whereas, she demonstrated her support of her community and county by joining the Coosa County Chamber of Commerce as a charter individual member in 2016; and whereas, she was actively involved with the Coosa County Children’s Policy Council, which began in 2014 when she joined initially as a coalition coordinator with Cheaha Mental Health Center, working with the Strategic Prevention Framework grant addressing underage drinking in Coosa County, but after her involvement with Cheaha and the grant was over in 2016, she remained an active part of the Children’s Policy Council; and whereas, she continued to be involved with the Children’s Policy Council through the years, organizing and heading monthly meetings, in addition to activities, during which she always supported and encouraged other agencies to network and share information; and whereas, she took acts of service and volunteerism to heart, partially demonstrated through introductions at the monthly Children’s Policy Council meetings, during which she would proudly state, ‘I’m Marty Rittmann, and I’m a volunteer!;’ and whereas, she further demonstrated a heart for her community and youth by serving as a Board member with the Boys & Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area, serving as an adult leader with the Boy Scouts of America, participating in numerous food drives, and performing quality assurance for the Coosa County Department of Human Resources; and whereas, she demonstrated true humility, known for being the type of person who would rather give someone else the credit for what she was doing rather than taking the credit herself; and whereas, she was a caring and compassionate woman, as well as a tireless worker, one who would eagerly work 18 hours a day if she felt like she could get just one more thing accomplished; and whereas, she was the loving wife of James “Jim” Rittmann, who preceded her in death in August 2010, and a proud matriarch, whose children and grandchildren were her pride and joy, the light of her life; and whereas, her tireless efforts, kindness, and dedication to helping others served as a guiding light for our community; and whereas, her passing leaves a void in the lives of her loving family, many friends, and the entire community, where she was highly regarded.”
The resolution concludes with, “Be it resolved by the Coosa County Commission, that the death of Martha Ann Belshaw Rittmann is recorded with deep sadness, and this resolution is offered in tribute to her life and with heartfelt sympathy to her family.”
Following the reading of the resolution, Chair Lamar Daugherty said, “That speaks in itself to what type of a person Ms. Marty was. I think it speaks for itself on that.”
It was mentioned that her passing is a big loss to the whole county, but especially the youth.
Daugherty offered Paige Adams with the Children’s Policy Council the opportunity to speak, noting that he knew Rittmann was a big part of her life.
“Marty Rittmann was an awesome person,” Adams said. “That’s all I can say. We appreciate y’all doing this for her family.”
In other business, the Commission:
- Unanimously approved retroactively approving Sheriff Michael Howell applying for the Firehouse Subs grant of up to $40,000, with it being a no-match grant.
- Unanimously approved the chair signing the Participation Agreement for the national opioid settlement.
- Discussed the legislative report, reviewed by Daugherty.
- Unanimously approved surplusing a 2025 Mack GR64 dump truck from the Highway Department, which County Engineer Tad Eason said would be used to trade out to buy a Kenworth.
- Unanimously approved the chair signing the LATCF resolution to use local tribal funds to purchase two F150 extended cab 4×4 pickup trucks from the Highway Department, with one being for the maintenance department and one for the county landfill.
- Unanimously approved a resolution and letter of designation for the fiscal year 2027 Section 5311 grant application to the Alabama Department of Transportation to support the Coosa County public transportation, as is done annually.
The Commission also discussed the Standards of Operation and discipline policy for the EMS department, presented by EMS Director Hollie Osbourn.
Daugherty explained that the Commission had requested those after a couple of meetings and issues going on with the ambulance service. He said the commissioners had just received the updated Standards of Operation that morning and as such had not had a chance to review the document yet.
Osbourn reviewed some of the changes during the meeting, noting that she added some forms into the Standards of Operation packet and that every employee was given a copy of the updated documentation.
No action was taken on the matter as it was on the agenda for discussion only.
During staff reports Osbourn stated that for March the county ambulance received 62 calls and made 37 transports.
Also during staff reports, Administrator Gilliland stated that it was her last meeting with Coosa County. She thanked everyone for “being so kind over the years” and said that she has “learned a lot.”
She mentioned the close county friends she has her, adding, “I am a Coosa County girl. I’m always going to be a Coosa County girl.”
Gilliland said that they have “done a lot” since she’s been there. She said going forward she will be the county administrator for Talladega County.
“But I’m always going to be here for anyone who needs it,” she said.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Coosa County Commission will be held at 9 a.m. May 12.
The audio recording of the April meeting is available online at www.thecoosacountynews.com.
