The Cherokee County Commission began its most recent meeting, held Wednesday, Nov. 14, by swearing in its two newest commission members, Randy Jones who won the election in District I and Marcie Foster who won in District III.

The meeting, which is normally held the second and fourth Monday of each month, was changed to Wednesday, Nov. 14, because the law requires that public meetings must not be held within a certain number of days following the general election which was held Tuesday Nov. 6.

Cherokee County District Court Judge Sheri Carver administered the oath of office individually to Jones and Foster, along with family members present. They each pledged to “support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Alabama so long as I continue a citizen thereof and that I will faithfully and honestly discharge the duties of the office of county commissioner upon which I am about to enter to the best of my ability so help me God.”

The commission approved a loan agreement with Generations Bank for $300,000 to finish up some 5.5 miles of paving work on Cherokee County Road 19 which is in Commissioner Kimball Parker’s district.

According to Parker, ATRIP (Alabama Transportation Road Improvement Project) funds, a program launched by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, would provide $1.4 million for the cost of the project.

The county would be required to pay some $300,000 in matching funds.

The agreement states that the county will pay the loan back at an interest rate of 3.25 percent and will pay the loan back at $9,000 per month for three years which will be paid out of District Two sales tax proceeds.

“We can’t afford to pass up $1.4 million because of $300,000,” said Parker.

Parker said the section of Cherokee County Road 19 left to be paved begins at Cherokee County Road 39 and proceeds to Cherokee County Road 71.

Upon Cherokee County Commission Chairman/Probate Judge Melvyn Salter’s request, the commission agreed to draw up a resolution honoring Debbie Bankson, chief clerk in the probate judge’s office, who has announced her retirement to become effective Feb. 1, 2012 after 35 years of service to the county. A copy of the resolution will be presented to Bankson in a future meeting.

“She has served our county faithfully,” said Salter. “I think somebody who puts in 35 years needs some kind of special recognition.”

In other business, the commission:

-Approved the 2012-2013 commission meeting schedule.

-Approved special fund requests, including $4,095.20 from Commissioner Carlton “Bubba” Teague’s, for repayment to the Cherokee County Highway Department for work done at Gaylesville School and $7,080.32 from Commissioner Parker for repayment to the highway department for work done at Centre Middle School.

-Announced that park and recreation board appointments for the unexpired term of Gary Banister who recently resigned and two members (Scooter Howell and Daphne Rogers) whose terms expire Dec. 31, 2012, would be made at the Jan. 14, 2013 regular meeting.

-Announced that the Cherokee County Health Care Authority appointments/reappointments for three members whose terms expired Dec. 31, 2012 would be made at the Jan. 14 meeting.

-Appointed Brad Jacoway to the Human Resources Board.

-Approve county depositories for 2013 including Generations Bank, First Southern Bank and Regions Bank.

-Approved a resolution authorizing Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver to present a service revolver and badge to retiring officers with 10 years service who are still in good standing with the sheriff’s office as discussed in previous meetings.

Before the meeting ended, Chairman Salter and commissioners welcomed the two newest members.

“I would just like to welcome Commissioner Foster and Commissioner Jones to our commission,” said Parker. “I look forward to working with them over the next few years to keep striving to do what is right for Cherokee County.”

“I too would like to acknowledge that,” said Teague.

“I remember both of them in my prayers,” said Salter. “Anybody who has been in those seats knows how important prayer is. We congratulate you on being elected by the citizens of the county to serve in this very important and we can say awesome responsibility, so congratulations to both of you.”

Following the meeting, both commissioners commented they were pleased with how their first day went.

“Very good, it feels good,” said Commissioner Foster. “Everyone was a pleasure to work with. I am looking forward to meeting with Tim in just a minute and finding out more about the accounts and the budget and my responsibilities as far as the fiscal part of this goes.”

“Well I think this first one was a pretty easy one,” said Commissioner Jones. “But like Marcie said, we have got to get with Tim and find out about the finances. I was glad to see family and friends out there today. If the rest of the meetings go as good as this one, I think we will be okay.”

They also commented on possible changes or additions they would like to pursue.

“We had a couple of discussions about board appointments and we had a discussion about the policies, about how that comes about,” said Foster. “I think we are going to work on that.”

Jones said he would like to see the commission meet with representatives of local industry about providing possible assistance and support with future expansion plans.

“Thank you to our family and friends for coming out today,” said Foster. “And a special thank you to Judge Sheri Carver for coming over and doing the honors of our swearing in for us.”