Lee County recognizes employee achievements

Lee County’s Emergency Management Agency is being led by one of only a few EMA directors in Alabama with credentials from the emergency managers’ international association.
At Monday’s Lee County Commission meeting, Lee County EMA director Katherine Russell was recognized for her work and study in receiving the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credential from the International Association of Emergency Managers, which is the association’s highest honor of professional achievement.
Russell was presented her credential by Chance Corbett, CEM, associate director emergency management Auburn University’s Department of Public Safety and Security. Corbett said he felt that she was one of maybe three directors in the state with the certification.
Commissioners approved a resolution commending Joey Marlett on attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Marlett’s Eagle project involved construction of the “Big Oak” Outdoor Classroom in the Auburn University Forestry Ecology Preserve located north of Auburn.
Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones recognized Lee County Deputy Sheriff Lee Fleming as Deputy of the Month for August for his and other deputies action taken at a burglary in progress in the Phenix City area of Lee County as well as for his dedication in service to the people of Lee County. Fleming’s tactics and quick action resulted in locating a vehicle believed to be involved in the crime which aided in the identification of multiple suspects in the burglary.
At the request of Lee County assistant engineer Justin Hardee, commissioners approved an agreement between the county and the Alabama Department of Transportation on Project HRRR-CN 10 (203) to install rumble strips, warning signs and pavement markers at two sites: the intersection of Lee Roads 72 and 188 and on Lee Road 151 from Lee Road 391 to Lee Road 148.
A motion on a two-part proposal from District 5 Commissioner John Andrew Harris failed on the lack of a second. Harris wanted members to consider approaching the local legislative group for their consideration in changing state laws to benefit local governments and for a half-cent occupational tax to generate revenue for economic development in the county.
In other business, commissioners:
n Agreed to look at a proposal from the Lee County Firefighters Association to meet in a work session on a three- five- and 10-year plans for the future of the volunteer fire departments in the county. The work session’s date is to be set at the next commission meeting on the last Monday of the month.
n Approved posting a 25 mph sign on Lee Roads 2082 and 2083 in the Westridge Subdivision.
n Approved a lounge retail liquor license for CABERET, 899 Lee Road 76, Waverly, and an off-premise retail beer and an off-premise retail table wine license for Stop N Shop, 6076 AL Highway 51, Opelika.