By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The DeKalb County Commission held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 13.

Since this meeting was the last meeting before the new Commission is seated, current District 2 Commissioner Scot Westbrook bid farewell to the Commission. 

Westbrook addressed the Commission with a quote from Vince Lombardi, “Gentleman, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it, but we are going to relentlessly chase it because in the process we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in just being good.”

Westbrook went on to state, “What we do here as politicians...nothing that we do is perfect. We try our best to make things better for those we serve. It was my honor and privilege to sit on that side of the table.” 

Westbrook thanked all his fellow commissioners, County Administrator Matt Sharp, the staff, the media, and most of all his family. 

“The only promise I made while campaigning was that I would be accessible, and I have done that. I am a public servant and I will remain in public service,” Westbrook concluded.  

Commission President Ricky Harcrow, District 1 Commissioner Shane Wooten, and District 3 Commissioner, Chris Kuykendall all expressed gratitude for the job well done by Westbrook while serving on the Commission. Terry Harris will replace Westbrook as the District 2 DeKalb County Commissioner next month.

Tom Broyles of the DeKalb County Road Department gave a road maintenance update to the Commission. Broyles stated that the road department was trying to keep up with pothole patching. Due to rain, work has not been able to be performed on County Road 835. Broyles stated that he would love to have the job finished by the end of the year, but stated there was no time frame on the project. 

DeKalb County Engineer Ben Luther presented two damage claims to be forwarded to the insurance carrier.  There was a broken windshield on CR 57 due to patching material. On  CR 81, a rock was slung into the side window while mowing. 

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department requested the hire of Dustin Bailey to replace Katiyln Waldrop as a full-time corrections officer, which was approved by the Commission. 

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Commission will be November 11 with the new Commissioners being sworn in.