Etowah County Commission recognizes local Extension Office
The Etowah County Commission on Tuesday declared Oct. 22-28 “Alabama Extension Week” in Etowah County, presenting a proclamation to Alabama Cooperative Extension Service employees.
Extension’s local office is on the fourth floor of the county courthouse.
The proclamation cited the various ways Extension carries out its mission, according to its website, of “providing research-based educational programs that enable people to improve their quality of life and economic well-being.”
Regional Extension Agent Eric Schavey, in accepting the honor, noted that the service “touches one out of three Alabamians.”
Besides the 67 county offices, it has nine urban centers in Alabama’s largest cities (Anniston and Gadsden are served there by Calhoun County Extension), six research stations, pathology labs in Auburn and Birmingham, a forestry center in Auburn and the Graham Farm and Nature Center in Jackson County’s Paint Rock Valley.
“We’re here in your community if you need us,” Schavey said.
Commission President Craig Inzer Jr. noted the variety of services Extension provides, and Chief Administrative Officer Shane Ellison said it was good to see more activity at the courthouse. (Extension moved there last year from its previous home on West Meighan Boulevard.)
Smooth opening for driver's license office
Along those lines, Ellison said the Oct. 2 opening of the new Alabama Law Enforcement Agency driver’s license office on the courthouse’s second floor went smoothly.
He said traffic there was “steady, not wild by any stretch of the imagination.”
Drivers still can renew existing licenses in the probate office, but must go to the new office for driver’s tests, to apply for STAR licenses and other needs.
Driver’s tests are now given in the neighborhood around the courthouse, Ellison said. There are four reserved parking places for test-takers next to the old health department building.
CommUnity Thanksgiving
Commissioners (as did the Gadsden City Council later in the day) heard from representatives of the CommUnity Thanksgiving Celebration, seeking financial and volunteer support for this year’s event.
The annual Thanksgiving Day meal at The Venue at Coosa Landing provides a free Thanksgiving meal for anyone who shows up or requests a delivery, and has become a major social event and volunteer opportunity in the city.
Darlene Harcrow and Craig Scott of the event’s board said this year’s budget has been pushed to $40,000 by unforeseen expenses; commissioners seemed receptive to helping as they’ve done in the past.
Harcrow said the event has become as much about “faith, food and fellowship” and rekindling memories of “Thanksgiving at grandma’s house” for those who don’t have access to that.
Gadsden State
Commissioners in addition to routine personnel and financial items confirmed their commitment to support the Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce Training Skills Center under construction at Gadsden State Community College’s East Broad Street campus. The commission has pledged $100,000 over four years.
Feedback
Commissioners said they were appreciative of the “thank-you’s” they have received from county employees on the heels of their vote the previous week to give them raises in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.
Employees in classified positions got increases of 7.5% or more; those in non-classified or salaried positions received a 5% hike.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Etowah commission honors local Alabama Extension office