Submitted by Jo Miley, Administrative Assistant, Madison Co. Commission, District 6
(Photo: RonaldPollardPhotography)
What a privilege it is to serve as commissioner of the sixth district of Madison County. These past twelve months have been demanding and rewarding. Great strides were made to rebuild a sense of community and purpose in the district. While the learning curve has been steep, sheer dedication and hard work have afforded District Six much success throughout this year.
As I enter my second year in office, I want to take a moment to highlight some of the great triumphs we have had, but also the work that we have in front of us. I began my term in the middle of a global crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on basic needs in District 6 our health/healthcare, housing, and food insecurity. I turned to my tried-and- true method of praying, strategizing, coalition building, and taking action to get results.
Our COVID-19 Initiative was launched in December 2020, focusing on health, education, and COVID relief. Through partnerships, we supplied the community with protective masks, set up COVID testing and vaccination sites, produced virtual panel discus- sions, and helped secure federal assistance for rent and utility payments for those on the verge of losing their shelter. That program ended in November after investing $5.2M in Madison County.
Thanks to grants awarded by the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Planning Organization, you will soon see land moving on the Robert “Bob”; Harrison Senior Wellness and Advocacy Center campus. We will connect the campus to the community with additional sidewalks and lighting, improving the space for those with limited mobility. Perhaps the most exciting addition is a grand entrance afforded by a retaining wall that will showcase signage and landscaping while welcoming travelers from Pulaski Pike.
The District 6 Community Garden is booming. An $18k grant allowed us to purchase a tractor-pulled, quick-cut greens harvester. This equipment has taken the garden to new heights by cutting hundreds of pounds of greens an hour. The greens and thousands of pounds of squash, okra, corn, and beans were distributed across the county free of charge.
But this year has not always been easy, and I found myself several times on the road less traveled. I have taken some bold stances with the district at heart and learned invaluable lessons. I regret nothing. I enter my second year working to ensure your voices are heard in the redistricting process and will continue to fight for a fair and equitable county budget. As we navigate the road ahead, I value your support while tack- ling the district’s most pressing issues, steward- ing the people’s money, and continuing to build relationships with city, county, state, and federal officials. We have limited resources yet grow- ing needs in District Six; however, we can still accomplish many things if we work together.
It is a privilege and honor to continue to serve you every day. Rest assured, we have only just begun.