Shelby County landfill receives ADEM award
The Shelby County landfill was recently selected as the No. 1 landfill relative to municipal solid waste by the Alabama Department for Environmental Management.
“A significant feat,” said County Manager Alex Dudchock. “And I had very little to do with it.”
The Shelby County Commission recognized and thanked several people who work at the landfill at its Nov. 9 meeting. County Development Services Manager Chad Scroggins said the team that works at the landfill is responsible for the recognition. He thanked them for their dedication to the county and to their job.
“Our newest employee at the landfill has been there seven years, so that tells you about the strength and the camaraderie of the men there,” Scroggins said. “If they didn’t enjoy their job in a tough environment, they wouldn’t be there.”
Sue Johnson, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham, was also at the meeting to thank the Commission for its dedication to the organization. Commissioner Mike Vest approached Johnson about bringing Big Brothers Big Sisters to Shelby County three years ago, and Johnson said Vest’s help in connecting her with Shelby County Manager of Community Services Reggie Holloway helped open a lot of doors.
“We worked hard. We worked hard for three years, and Reggie also provided some funding from the Shelby County Commission, which I want to thank you all for,” Johnson said. “We have 200 children right now who are matched with positive role models.”
More than $50,000 in grants and commission funding is now being funded into Shelby County, Johnson said, and she expects Big Brothers Big Sisters to grow even more. Johnson also formally thanked Holloway for his help at the meeting. Without him, she said, they would not have seen the same amount of success in the program.
“[He] just went way above and beyond the call of duty to help the children of Shelby County,” Johnson said. “…This is because you cared about the children of Shelby County, and you helped us pull this together and make it happen. It’s hard to establish a new program in a community, and you are the one, you were the ring leader that made it happen.”
Holloway also thanked the commission and Dudchock for their help in building and supporting the program. Vest thanked Johnson for coming to the commission meeting and noted he is a product of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
“Today, I’m just proud of you, Reggie and Alex, for taking the time to believe in me … Thank you, commission, for doing that for those 200 kids,” Vest said.
Also at the Commission meeting:
- Montevallo Mayor Dr. Hollie Cost discussed recent changes and improvements in the City of Montevallo. She thanked the Commission for their partnership during the city’s many projects.
- Cynthia Green from the Liberty Learning Foundation discussed the Foundation’s goals of creating inspired American citizens. She asked the commission to consider the Foundation in the future and said she hoped to be able to submit another proposal for Shelby County Schools.
- Freshwater Land Trust Executive Director Wendy Jackson announced the purchase of Smyer Ridge. The property will now be preserved by the Freshwater Land Trust.
- Approved commission and committee board appointments.
- Approved the appointment of William T. Harrison to the library board.