By Haley Mitchell Godwin

Five reelected Crenshaw County Commissioners participated in a swearing-in ceremony Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. in the Commissioners Courtroom, located inside the courthouse.

David Smyth, Administrator for the Crenshaw County Commission, called the organizational meeting of the 2022-2026 Crenshaw County Commission to order based on the Alabama Code Section 11-3-1 that requires the commission to meet on the Wednesday following the general election to take care of very specific items including setting meeting dates and electing chairmen.

Before the commissioners signed their oaths, Smyth praised the county commissioners for all their hard work and then led an opening prayer.

“I want to take a few minutes to tell these commissioners what they mean to me and what they mean to Crenshaw County,” Smyth said. “I can assure you that Crenshaw County is a better place than it was four years ago before you all began the last term.

The main goal of this group has been to leave Crenshaw County better than they found it and now they have another four years to continue that legacy.

“As equally important as our commissioners are these five ladies that stand not behind their husbands, but beside them, heavily supporting them all the way. I thank these ladies and our commissioners, both past and present for what they have done over the last eighteen years while I have served as administrator and for what they will do in the future after my upcoming retirement.”

Probate Judge William A. Tate issued the oath of office to the commissioners individually after prefacing the ceremony with a few words.

“It is indeed an honor for me to stand up here not only swearing in these men as our commissioners, but I can honestly say I will be swearing in people I call friends,” Tate said.

After all commissioners were sworn in, county attorney Levi Nichols temporarily chaired the meeting, sharing his appreciation for the commissioners before opening up the floor for commission chair nominations.

“Sometimes change can be good and sometimes it can be nice when there is no change as it is here today,” Nichols said. “Congratulations to our commissioners and I reiterate what David said, it has been an honor and a pleasure serving as your county attorney and I thank you all for what you do.”

A motion was made to appoint Charlie Sankey Jr. as commission chair. A second was made by commissioner Mount, and all commissioners voted in favor of Sankey continuing to serve as chairman of the county commission.
Chairman Sankey then took the podium.

“Congratulations on your appointment to these seats,” Sankey said. “We must remember that we work for the citizens of Crenshaw County. I am thankful to have served with you all and I look forward to continuing to do positive things for this county…As David said, our wives are paramount to what we do, so thank you, ladies.

We thank the community, all the staff here, our lawyer and the judge, and everyone that works to help make our jobs a little easier.”

Sankey opened the floor for nominations for the county attorney and Levi Nichols was appointed to continue in this role.

A commission meeting schedule was adopted, with meetings to be held on the second Monday of each month at 9 a.m., and on the fourth Monday of each month at 6 p.m.

The final order of business before recess and a reception was addressed with the appointment of Raymond McGough as Vice Chair.

More information and minutes from past meetings can be found at https://crenshawcountyalonline.com/.