BY MICHELLE KEY
PUBLISHER
LEE COUNTY — The Lee County Commission recognized several local students, community members and public employees during Monday night’s meeting while also receiving an update on the county’s Alabama PALS Spring Cleanup efforts and approving a slate of routine business items.
Student recognitions
Lane Wilson from Beauregard High School was recognized during Monday night’s meeting. He was recognized as the Region 4 Class 5A Student Athlete Achievement winner at the Bryant-Jordan Student Athlete Banquet in Birmingham and was also named the state winner.
Cam Torbert from Beauregard High School was recognized as the Class 5A girls discus state champion.
AaLaisha Pitts from Loachapoka High School was recognized for her medal in the girls 400 meter dash in the AHSAA finals. The coach also recognized additional team members, but their names were unavailable before press time.
Tristan Cliatt from Smtihs Station High School earned a fifth-place finish at the 7A state wrestling championship.
Jackie Henderson
Lee County commissioners recognized 91-year-old Jackie Henderson during Monday night’s meeting, honoring her decades of service as a school lunchroom employee serving students in Beauregard and Smiths Station.
Commissioner Jeff Drury said Henderson was also honored during a May 5 community wide town hall in District 3. During the event, county and city officials presented what he described as a rare joint proclamation signed by both local mayors and Lee County Probate Judge Jere Colley.
Commissioner Tony Langley said Henderson served Lee County schools for more than 40 years and was known for making sure no child went hungry.
“Back in the older days, sometimes you had money, sometimes you didn’t,” Langley said. “Miss Jackie was always there. If somebody didn’t have money to buy the lunch, she was always saying, ‘We got you today.’ So nobody went hungry on her watch.”
Michael Holden
The commission also recognized Lee County Emergency Management Agency employee Michael Holden for earning his bachelor’s degree in emergency management while working full time and raising three children as a single father.
Lee County EMA Director Rita Smith said she first interviewed Holden over Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the interview, he lost internet service three times but remained calm and professional throughout.
“He’s sure calm under pressure,” Smith recalled thinking at the time.
Smith said he came to the agency with prior experience from the Beauregard Fire Department and worked for years while pursuing his degree. She said he recently completed both his bachelor’s degree and his Certified Local Emergency Manager credential, further preparing him for future leadership opportunities.
“He went the extra mile while being a single parent, and he is a great asset to Lee County and to our agency and to the residents and visitors that we serve,” Smith said.
Holden thanked Smith and the county for encouraging him to continue his education, joking that algebra “is not his friend.”
“[There were] many times that Rita pushed me when I was ready to quit, especially with math, that’s not my strong suit,” he said. “But she said, ‘You get past this and you’ll make it.’ It has been a great honor to finally accomplish this.”
PALS Spring Cleanup
Lee County Environmental Services collected 572 bags of litter from nearly 60 miles of roadway during April’s Alabama PALS Spring Cleanup campaign, according to department head John McDonald.
McDonald thanked commissioners and community volunteers for supporting the cleanup efforts, noting the department set aside its normal daily operations throughout the month to focus on roadside litter removal.
“The Environmental Services Department had three department events where we put aside what we normally do on a regular day, and we went out and cleaned up,” he said. “The department was actually able to clean 572 bags of litter off of right at 60 miles of roadway.”
He also recognized community volunteer Judy Lockhart, who organized cleanup efforts in Loachapoka along Lee Roads 394, 396 and 397.
In other business, the
commission:
• Approved minutes from the April 27 meeting and ratified claims and procurement card transactions
• Approved the second reading of an opening on the Beulah Utilities Board
• Approved a proposed land donation for Integrea Community Mental Health Services
• Approved a Peace Officers Memorial Day resolution as presented by Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones. There will be a ceremony on Friday, May 15 at 10 a.m. at the Opelika Public Library.
• Approved an ABC 020 Restaurant Retail Liquor License for Heads or Tails in District 4
• Approved an extension of the USDA lease for the Agriculture Extension Building
• Approved the final plat for Moonbrook Subdivision
• Approved a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant application presented by Justin Hardee.
Due to Memorial Day, the next commission meeting will be held May 26.
