Author: Bart Mercer

We all know the lack of Broadband access to some areas in Elmore County is a real problem. I normally try to read at night before bed and my internet speed  is so slow at home that I get frustrated so I  have started making sure I have something in “Print” nearby. But, at least I have access to broadband because many in our county do not.

I have been working closely with ECEDA in an effort to make sure other Broadband providers know Elmore County is a great place to consider for investment, much like is done with companies in other industries. The business model of a company that provides  broadband access is like any other private business, their investment must result in profit in order to stay in business. Yes, the County does enter into a Franchising agreement but basically all that does is charge a private company a percentage of their revenue for using public land (R.O.W) to install their lines. The provisions set in the franchising agreement are overwhelmingly determined by the Federal Cable Act and not your county commission.

I have posted a copy of a Wetumpka Herald article where I discussed this at a commission meeting in great detail.

With that said, I wanted to share that our efforts are starting to get the attention of other broadband providers. Conversations about the issue are taking place with other broadband providers and we have had a company talk with the Commission this week. The name of the company is Mobilitie and as it has been explained to us, they capture a  commercial grade wireless data signal with a satellite and transmit it to their pole mounted antenna and rebroadcast the wireless data signal about 1-2 miles out. I have asked the Mobilitie representative to meet with myself and an ECEDA representative very soon to find out more about what they do.

I will update you as I know something.

Bart

At the County Commission meeting last night I was honored to be selected by my fellow Commissioners to serve as the representative for Elmore County to the Association of County Commissioners of Alabama (ACCA) Legislative Committee.
The ACCA serves as a technical, legal and policy resource for each county in Alabama.

 This Committee will work with members of the state legislature as well as Gov Kay Ivey and her administration to affect change and guide policy that affects Elmore County.

I appreciate this opportunity in my effort to serve Elmore County and its citizens.

Bart

Polls will be open today from 7:00am to 7:00pm today to start the process of selecting a candidate to fill the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions.

Please go vote today!!

Bart

This is the work session agenda for the Commission meeting 8-14-17.

The Elmore County Commission meets on the 2nd Floor of the Elmore County Courthouse. Work Session starts at 5:00 p.m. and Commission meeting soon after normally about 6:00 p.m.

If you want to share a thought or have a question on any item please let me know.

Bart

Reminder: County Wide cleanup day is today Saturday August 12

Trucks will be at these locations from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The pick-up sites are for residents to bring amounts of trash larger than the normal residential trash container will accommodate.

Limbs smaller than four feet and no more than six inches in diameter will be accepted but it is not designed to accept trash or clean-up debris from contractors. Items such as batteries, appliances, oils and gases, paints or thinners will not be accepted.
These are the pick-up sites for this Saturday:

CEWSA Redland Facility
Holtville High School

Elmore County Judicial Complex

Emerald Mountain Equestrian Center

Kent – Old Highway Department

Town of Coosada

Any question please let me know.
Bart

Tuesday August 8,20178am

The Elmore County Highway Dept and Wiregrass Construction are working this morning to prepare the culvert project north of Ingram Rd to be opened to traffic. The Elmore County Commission anticipates work being completed so that this section of Ingram Road will be open to traffic by the end of the work day.

An update will be provided when this section of Ingram Road is open for travel. 

Below is a statement from the  Elmore County Commission concerning Ingram Road…….Bart

The Elmore County Commission would like to announce that the section of Ingram Rd north of Myrick Rd will reopen at 3pm today. County forces are currently completing the necessary work to prepare the road to be reopened later today.

Motorists are reminded to use caution even though this area of Ingram Road is open to traffic as crews will be putting the finishing touches associated with the two new concrete box culverts over the next several weeks.

The County Commission appreciates the patience exhibited by the public during this project. The opening of the northern culvert culminates a sequence of several road and bridge projects completed through the cooperative efforts of several local governments and utilities in the Millbrook/ Elmore/ Deatsville/ Coosada area.

Any questions related to this project can be directed to Richie Beyer, Elmore County Engineer at 334-567-1162 or wrbechd@elmoreco.org

8-7-17

The north bridge replacement project on Ingram Road is almost finished. 

County crews have completed the approaches and most of the shoulder work and are ready for paving tomorrow. 

The goal has been to finish before school buses start running this Wednesday. Paving and opening the road  tomorrow all depends on the rain not causing a delay. Right now the rain showing on the radar is not looking very positive but we will hope it holds off.

Thank you to the county crews that have worked so hard to get this project completed.

Bart

Statement and video on Ingram Road south bridge replacement project completion:​​​

The Elmore County Commission is pleased to announce that our Highway Department is opening the section of Ingram Rd just south of Myrick Road this afternoon. Traffic will be able to cross the newly installed culvert this afternoon beginning at 5pm.

The 3000 plus vehicles that travel Ingram Rd each day are reminded that the section of Ingram Rd north of Myrick Rd is still closed until the approach work for that culvert is complete. The County Commission hopes that the northern culvert will be opened next week as well. As with any road project, weather plays a major part in this project completing this project as planned.

While this stretch of road is open to traffic, motorists are still urged to proceed with caution as items of work, including additional paving, will occur on the newly opened stretch over the next several weeks.

Completion of improvements on Ingram Rd will cap off a series of improvements in the Millbrook/ Elmore/ Deatsville area that have been planned and executed over the past several years. The Commission appreciates the patience of the public as these improvements have been instituted along with the work and cooperation of our partners in our municipalities and our utilities.

Any questions related to the Ingram Rd project can direct their questions to Richie Beyer, Elmore County Engineer at wrbechd@elmoreco.org or 334-567-1162

​​Video update. More news to come. Pray for no rain today.

​Bart