South Alabamian

Averett will seek re-election to Commission






Averett

Averett

Elma Averett is seeking a third term as Clarke County Commissioner for District 1.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of District 1 and of Clarke County for the past eight years. I feel that the experience and knowledge I’ve gained while working with the other members of the Commission, the county staff, and with other agencies throughout the state will only continue to benefit the citizens of Clarke County,” Averett said.

He noted that during his term he has completed the mandated County Commission training and the graduate courses, and received certification from the Alabama Local Government Training Institute, through Auburn University.

He has served on numerous boards and committees during his tenure, including the Association of County Commissions Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee, the County Administration Steering Committee and as a member of the Community and Economic Affairs Steering Committee for the National Association of Counties. Averett is also a member of the Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance Executive Board.

First elected in 2006, Averett has worked with the commission on numerous efforts to help reduce overall costs and to improve on services for the citizens. He voted to provide inmate medical care through an independent company with a nurse on staff daily; to implement a new fueling system for county vehicles; and voted for implementation of a new security system for the courthouse. All of these efforts have created significant savings to the county budget, he said.

He supported the completion of the new office space for the Circuit Clerk’s office, making the access to these services much improved for the office’s staff and the citizens of Clarke County.

Averett believes improving the overall quality of life in Clarke County is vitally important to the county’s continued success. “It is imperative that the county commission continue to prepare the county for growth. We must work together with the municipalities and other agencies to continue to improve recreational facilities, health care services, educational opportunities and infrastructure systems throughout the county.”

He said he has been a strong proponent of new traffic signals on the bypass in Grove Hill. “For the safety of citizens in District 1 and all Clarke County residents and travelers through Clarke County, it is vital that we work together to establish traffic lights at the intersections of Hebron Road and Highway 43 and at Cobb Street and Highway 43,” he said.

During his previous terms, Averett has supported many projects that have helped and will continue to help citizens throughout the county. Commissioner Averett voted in favor of utilizing federal stimulus funding to improve bridges in the county. He also worked to help obtain nearly $14 million in ATRIP funding to improve roads and bridges throughout the county. These grant funds will be used to replace bridges on County Road 15 near Boise and also pay to repave major collector roads throughout the county. He supported allowing the Town of Fulton to receive the 2009 CDBG grant funding to provide sanitary sewer services to the town’s residents. Averett also helped to complete the implementation of the NACo prescription Discount Card for the citizens of Clarke County.

“There is no doubt that Clarke County, along with the state and nation, has seen some tough economic times during the past years. It is even more important now that we become prepared for opportunities that may exist. We cannot sit back and hope that opportunities find us but we must be progressive and proactive in preparing for growth,” Averett said.

Averett said that he has worked diligently in helping to prepare the entire county for opportunities and has been a driving force behind planning for industrial opportunities in Grove Hill. During his term, the commission has worked to recruit new and maintain existing jobs throughout the county. More than 450 industrial jobs have been created including Grove Hill Forest Products, Grove Hill Tie & Timber, Energex, Set Enterprises, Metals USA and Louisiana- Pacific. These direct jobs have created even more jobs in the area including trucking opportunities and retail growth.

Averett, a resident of Grove Hill, was employed with BASF (formerly Ciba) as an operator technician in environmental operations for 48 years. He served on the workman’s committee for 12 years and negotiated three labor contracts. Mr. Averett retired on Feb. 28, 2013 and is now able to focus his fulltime attention to the duties of the county commission. He also served 30 years in the Army National Guard.

He has been a member of the Clarke County Democratic Executive Committee for the past 26 years and has served as chairman for the past four years. He has previously served as a member of the Board of Equalization. He is a graduate of Leadership Clarke County and was appointed by the commission to serve as a member of the Animal Shelter Committee. He is member of Tompkins Baptist Church where he has served as a deacon for the past 34 years.

Averett is married to the former Elaine Newton and they have three children, LaSha (Hudson) Hines, Emily (Nick) Steadham and Kevin Averett, and have five grandchildren.

“I would like to have an opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of District 1 and Clarke County and I would appreciate your vote and support on June 3,” he said.


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