Welcome to District 4!

Like I said when I was first sworn in as a Commissioner, it is my goal to work for you and make the best decisions for the citizens in District 4 and all of Elmore County. In order to accomplish this goal, I need to hear from you regarding an important issue that came before the Commission. I feel it is my duty to not allow my personal feelings to be the deciding factor when I vote on an issue and this is a good example of such an issue.

Subject:  Sunday Alcohol Sales in Elmore County

The Commission as a whole has received numerous requests from business owners that are asking the Commission pass a resolution requesting our legislative delegation introduce a local Bill that would allow the sale of alcohol on Sunday.

General Information Related to the topic:
On-Premise Sales – an example is when someone buys alcohol in a restaurant
Off-Premise Sales – an example is when someone buys alcohol in a grocery store or convenience store

As I understand it, currently this is what is allowed as far as Sunday Sales in Elmore County:
Millbrook and Wetumpka – On premise
Tallassee – Off Premise
Kowaliga Restaurant, Lake Martin –  On Premise
All other areas in Elmore County sales are not allowed on Sunday

This is the reasoning, in general, we are hearing from businesses at this current time and why the Commission is being asked to pursue this.

Elmore County is a hub for local recreation and tourism during the Spring and Summer with people going to Lake Martin and Lake Jordan.

Off Premise sales are currently allowed on Sunday in Montgomery County.  As of last November Tallapoosa County businesses were allowed to sell on Sunday.

As most of us all know, Lake Martin and Lake Jordan are very popular attractions for Elmore County residents and for tourists primarily during the Spring and Summer months.  With the larger of the two lakes taking in a portion of Tallapoosa and Elmore County, those businesses located on and around Lake Martin and also those businesses located on the roads leading to Lake Martin fear since Tallapoosa County businesses are now allowed Off Premise Sunday Sales, the Elmore County businesses in this same general area will be at a great disadvantage on one of the two busiest days of the week.

I have done some research over the last few days and have spoken with a person that operates multiple convenience stores in the river region. They told me the store they operate that is located in Montgomery County and is closest to Elmore County will see a 40% – 50% increase in sales on Sunday depending on the time of the year. They went on to say this didn’t mean it was all related to alcohol sales, but alcohol sales were a large part of the increase.

I spoke with another person that has once owned a convenience store in Elmore County and they told me their store was open on Sunday but all they sold was gas, very little in-store purchases  and at the time there was not much profit in gas sales.

These are some of the thoughts that have been shared with me when I have asked people their opinion:

This is a basic economic decision. Not selling alcohol in Elmore County is not going to prevent people from drinking on Sunday so this is not about an individuals opinion on consuming alcohol on Sunday. If you don’t want to drink alcohol on Sunday then don’t buy it, but don’t allow my business to operate at a competitive disadvantage when similar businesses in neighboring counties are now allowed to sell on Sunday. It is making my business only competitive 6 days a week.

Sunday is the Lords day and it should be kept Holy.

People are going to drink on Sunday regardless if they buy it in Elmore County or drive to Montgomery County. If you don’t want to consume on Sunday then don’t buy it.

One guy told me it would be great to not have to drive to the Chevron on the interstate in Montgomery on Sunday to buy beer.

This would be an economic decision. The Commission needs to best position its businesses to compete.

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This is what I know, please share your thoughts because I will be voting on this issue not based on my personal convictions but based on what the people of District 4 direct me to do. I am certain regardless of how I vote there will be someone unhappy with my actions but I am committed to voting at the direction of the majority of the people in District 4.

Thanks,

Bart

The Elmore County EMA office sent out this update today concerning the railroad maintenance CSX is currently preforming in our area and specifically details on the railroad crossing closings.

If you have any questions about this please let me know.

Thanks

Bart

 This is the County Commission meeting agenda for Monday 3-13-17.

If you have any questions or comments please share them.

Thanks,

Bart

Be aware CSX Railroad will start a rail maintenance project in our area the week of March 6 2017.

This rail maintenance work will begin in the Coosada area and while the work on the rail itself will not interfere with vehicle traffic flow ,the maintenance taking place at each of these crossings will.

We understand each of these crossings will be closed for a period of time at some point after March 6 2017.

Prattville Junction

Rogers Dr

Coosada Rd

Pecan Grove Rd

Private Crossing

Gas Plant

Gaddis Dr

Lucky Town Rd/ Fire Station Rd

Cypress Rd /CR 40

CR 7/Deatsville Hwy

Alpha Springs Rd/CR 85

Thanks

Bart

Many weeks back the County Commission meeting that would normally be scheduled for next Monday night was rescheduled to Thursday 2-23-17 due to the majority for the Commissioners attending a conference.

This is the meeting agenda for the 2-23-17 meeting.

If you have any questions or comments please share them.

Thanks..Bart

Had a wonderful time at the Mardis Gras parade and festival in Millbrook. Lots of good fun and friends.

Big Thanks to the Millbrook Revelers and City of Millbrook for having such a great event.

Follow Up on the Probate Judge /Attorney Issue

Topic:

At next Monday night’s meeting, the Elmore County Commission is scheduled to hear from Judge John Enslen concerning proposed legislation with regards to qualifications of future candidates for probate judge. It is my understanding he will request the Commission support legislation to be placed on the ballot in 2018, in Elmore County. The proposed legislation would expand the powers of the Probate Judge in cases that originate in Probate Court and would also require starting in 2025 all future candidates for Probate Judge to be a license attorney.

First let me diffuse a rumor. The proposed legislation IS NOT asking the legislative delegation to introduce legislation that would actually mandate the probate judge be a licensed attorney. The proposed legislation if passed by the legislature would pose that question to the voters of Elmore county. If passed by the legislature the issue would be put to a vote in 2018.

Second, after reviewing the proposed legislation these are my best interpretations of the changes that would be enacted if the proposed legislation is passed by the legislature and approved by the voters.

1. Under current law, if a case is filed in Probate Court and during the proceedings certain legal issues arise that the Probate Judge cannot legally rule on, then a case has to be filed in Circuit Court and a Circuit Judge has to rule on that specific issue. Then the Circuit Judge’s ruling is sent back to the Probate Court case to proceed forward. The proposed legislation would allow the Probate Judge to rule on those issues and the case would be handled totally in Probate Court.

2. Since the powers of the Probate Judge would be expanded and similar to the authorities of a Circuit Judge, then any person elected Probate Judge would be required to be a licensed attorney.

The same changes in the proposed legislation have been given to the Probate Judge in 4 other counties in Alabama. As the representative of the people in District 4, I feel it is my responsibility in situations related to how the government “governs” or expands the powers of the government that the voters should determine the merits of the proposed changes and make the ultimate decision. However, we should exercise due diligence to ensure issues proposed are valid and prudent issues before putting through a lengthy legislative and ballot process.

These are my thoughts please share yours by contacting me HERE.

As you may or may not know, an Elmore County Commissioner has very, very limited powers to impose rules on the citizens of Elmore County and I don’t think that is a bad thing.

In order for there to be any action taken that relates to how a citizen is “Governed”, in general, it takes the County Commission to request those members of the State Legislature that represent Elmore County to introduce a Local Bill in the Alabama State Legislature and that entire body has to approve it.

Within the last business day Elmore County Probate Judge John Enslen has sent to the Commission a proposed Bill that would in-part mandate a Probate Judge be an Attorney in Elmore County. The way it is currently written, if approved by the State Legislature, this issue would be on the ballot for Elmore County citizens to vote on during the election of 2018.

Currently there is no mandate that the Probate Judge in Elmore County be an Attorney. A person that is an Attorney can run to be elected for that office as can a person that is not an Attorney can run and the citizens can choose who they want.

I have already sent Judge Enslen some questions and I will share the info when I get it.

This is not a new issue and has been discussed in public (prior to me being appointed to the Commission) for months which is why this topic is the most popular item people currently talk with me about in support of and in opposition.

I will post updates as I get additional information on things I am hearing from those on both side of the issue and am asking for your input.

What are your thoughts on this subject?  Contact me HERE.

Today Senator Chambliss hosted a group of Elmore County elected officials and County Department heads at the Alabama Statehouse.

We had an opportunity to spend time speaking with our entire legislative delegation and to attend a committee hearing where Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn was one of the speakers discussing the proposed Prison Reform Bill that will be considered by the legislature this session.

For those that may not be aware, if passed, the effects this Prison Reform Bill could have on Elmore County are huge. Elmore County is home to more prisons than any other county in the state and has a large number of A.D.O.C. employees that have a very large economic impact on our county. Rest assured there is an ongoing effort to protect the best interest of Elmore County.

We appreciate Senators Chambliss and Brewbaker and Representatives Holmes, Ingram and Beckman for taking time out of their busy schedules to be with us.

This morning’s severe weather caused widespread flooding primarily on the West side of the county with much of the property damage on the Central and Eastern portions. There were many reports of property damage and about 180 power outages reported.

When threatening and dangerous Storm are approaching, the Elmore County EMA opens the Emergency Operations Center. During a storm event this is where calls for service that come directly to the EOC or that come through the Sheriffs department are in-part dispatched or monitored.

Post-storm damage reports and response is managed by this same staff comprised of County employees and volunteers.

Once the storm passed I was at the EOC getting a status report on damage and the response in District 4 and then visited many areas that saw flooding or property damage.

Storms Round 2 is approaching with significant wind, rain and possible tornados overnight. Please moniter weather reports and stay safe. Bart