From left, Morgan County Sheriff Ana Franklin, Commission Chairman Ray Long and Detention Deputy Jeffery Tidwell. | Lauren Thornton Tobin

By Lauren Thornton Tobin

Morgan County Commissioners recognized Morgan County Sheriff Ana Franklin and Detention Deputy Jeffery Tidwell at their meeting on Nov. 16.

Tidwell completed a four-month extensive jail training course in Priceville put on by the Alabama Jail Academy that touched on legal based guidelines and policy procedure in regards to tactics and diffusing situations.

“Once certified, it reduces the liability insurance and is cost saving for the county,” Franklin said. “We have three other detention deputies completing the classes.”

Franklin said it’s her goal to have as many detention deputies in the department as possible.

Right now there are four instructors from Morgan County teaching.

“We’ve been really proactive and involved,” she said. “Many departments have no training and this was set up by the ACCA and the Alabama Sheriff’s Association to get training across the state and to make sure the training is through an academy. The training is voluntary, but we’re trying to make it standard.”

Chairman Ray Long took time before the meeting to express his appreciation for the opportunity to serve another term.

“I cherish what I do and I love the opportunity to serve,” he said. “This is what I always wanted and here I am getting sworn in to sever a second term.”

Long went on to say serving on the county commission is about working on a team.

“We’ve had a smooth six years and a lot has to do with these four guys,” he said, referring to Commissioners Jeff Clark, Randy Vest, Don Stisher and Greg Abercrombie. “We don’t try to undermine or go around each other. We do what’s best for Morgan County.”

In other news, commissioners:

Approved a resolution to accept bids for elevator maintenance for the Morgan County Courthouse Building.

Approved a resolution to accept a $28,960.88 bid by Staples Advantage for the computers at Morgan County New Jail Addition.

Approved a resolution for Chairman Long to enter into a contract for cabling at the Morgan County New Jail Addition with Gross Voice and Data Communications for $33,931.

Approved a $194,590 bid by Tractor and Equipment Company for an Excavator for District 3.

Agreed County Commission meetings will take place at 9 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.

Adopted a resolution for Chairman Long to terminate the SRO agreement between the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office and Jarrell Holland.

Adopted a resolution appointing Hartselle Mayor Randy Garrison and Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling to the NARGOG Board.
Long explained to commissioners that Garrison will replace Bill Smelser and Bowling will replace Don Kyle.
“When NARGOG redid the laws several years ago, it a person is defeated or dies, he or she must come off the board,” he said.

Adopted a resolution to advertise for bids for a pick-up truck for District 1.

Adopted a resolution to advertise for bids on a vehicle for the Morgan County License Department.

Adopted a resolution designating all banks in Morgan County as depositories for the Morgan County Commission.

Adopted a resolution to terminate the commercial service agreement with Trugreen for lawn, tree and shrub care services at 401 2^nd Ave. southeast in Decatur.

Adopted a resolution approving a certificate to subdivide a property on Kennemer Road and Six Mile Creek Road in District 4, and Old Six Mile Road and Lyle Circle in District 2.

Authorized a payment for $205,835.41 to West Morgan East Lawrence Water Authority for Utility Relocate on Vaughn Bridge Road for the bridge replacement project.
Commissioner Randy Vest said the project should be completed by the end of the year.

Authorized Chairman Long to pay the Racking Horse Breeders’ Association of America for $2,500 and the Bowl Breakfast for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, $500, from the Morgan County Tourism, Recreation and Convention Fund.

Authorized Chairman Long to pay $1,000 out of the Contingency Fund for re-roofing of the Tower Building at Union Hill.

Authorized $20,000 from the Contingency Fund to go to paving and fencing the parking lot of Morgan County Parks and Recreation.

Authorized $12,000 from the Contingency Fund to go to painting the inside of the Decatur-Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center.