Erica Techo
At its May 15, 2018 meeting, the Chelsea City Council voted to appoint Crystal Etheredge (left) as the new Chelsea City Clerk.
The city of Chelsea had a new face at its May 15 council meeting.
Crystal Etheredge took minutes at the pre-council and regular council meetings prior to her name appearing in a resolution on the budget. Etheredge was one of about 30 candidates who applied to be city clerk for Chelsea following the retirement of Becky Landers, said Mayor Tony Picklesimer. At Tuesday’s meeting, a resolution to appoint her to the position was unanimously approved. She will take over duties as city clerk from Gerri Roberts, who was appointed as interim city clerk on April 9.
Following the approval of the resolution, Picklesimer said he was appreciative of Etheredge’s experience and work ethic, which she will bring to the job.
Etheredge served as court clerk/magistrate in the city of Piedmont from 2002-08 and as city clerk in the city of Headland from 2008-14, respectively, according to her LinkedIn page. She also served as accounting officer for Hughes Construction Services LLC from 2014-17 and as payroll administrator for Machen McChesney - CPAs and Business Advisors since 2017.
Etheredge has a bachelor’s degree in psychology/criminal justice from Troy State University and a master’s degree in public administration with business concentration from Jacksonville State University.
“I just really have a passion for the job. I love working with people, and I was just excited to get back in it,” Etheredge said. “... It was, I think, the Lord working in mysterious ways. I had been wanting to get back in municipal government, and it was just one of those things that fell in my lap.”
Picklesimer said after his interview with Etheredge, the references he followed up with were “glowing” and that he believes she will take the job to a new level within the city. Etheredge officially starts in the position on Monday, May 21.
“I’m just really thankful for the opportunity,” she said, adding that she looks forward to settling into the job and seeing if there are any ideas she can bring to the table.
The meeting’s brief agenda also included a resolution regarding unused sick leave. By approving the resolution, full-time city employees will now be able to convert their unused sick leave to retirement service credit, Picklesimer said. He said too that it could be an incentive for city employees and to encourage people to come and work for the city.
Also at the meeting, the council:
- Heard from three candidates seeking office in Shelby County, including Patrick Kennedy, who is running for Shelby County Circuit Court Judge; Dickie Drake, who is running for re-election as Alabama State Representative for District 45; and Joe Starnes, who is running for Shelby County Probate Judge.
- Heard an update from Dana Polk regarding the Chelsea Public Library. The library’s new location opened six weeks ago, and Polk said “we have been extremely busy.” They have issued 165 new library cards in the last six weeks and circulated more than 9,500 items in April, she said. She also discussed the library’s summer activities, including a new Hands-On Thursday which will take place weekly from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. starting June 14.
- Heard from Tony Nivens regarding the Chelsea Historical Society. Nivens mentioned that the new Chelsea Historical Museum is set to have a grand opening on June 10. The celebration will also act as an Alabama bicentennial and the 110th anniversary since the post office came to Chelsea.
- Voted to pay the city’s bills.
