CENTRE —  Outgoing Probate Judge Melvyn Salter took a few moments at the conclusion of his final meeting as chairman of the Cherokee County Commission on Dec. 10 to offer words of thanks and encouragement to his fellow county officials.

As his remarks began, Salter said he initially decided to run for office “with one desire in my heart.”
“If elected, I wanted to give my best to make Cherokee County a better place to live, work, raise a family and educate children,” he said.

Salter commended current and past commissioners for the many significant advances he feels the county has made since 2006.

“As I look back on the past six years, I am amazed at what was accomplished,” he said.

Salter listed a few of the Commission's highlights during his term, including the county's new animal control policy; establishment of a FEMA flood plan, which since its establishment Salter said is commonly considered “a model for the state”; Alabama’s first-ever sewage ordinance to deal with the illegal dumping in Weiss Lake; the passage of a one-cent sales tax to help keep the county trade school open when the Board of Education faced massive cuts in state funding; enactment of a plan to upgrade and improve the county Highway Department and build a new headquarters; modernization at the Cherokee County Historical Museum; funding for construction of a new addition at the Cherokee County Public Library in Centre; development of Cherokee Rock Village in Leesburg; and new technology for the sheriff’s department, among many others.

“And the list goes on,” Salter said. “I am proud to have been a part of these and many more important actions on the part of this Commission.”

Salter said he will spend his post-probate judge years “as a regular citizen with some concerns for the future.”

“I would remind all of us that the only way to deal with a budget deficit is to eliminate services or personnel, or both,” he said. “You will need to keep in mind that we are operating off the same revenue bases as 30 years ago.”

Salter offered several suggestions for increasing income and easing budget concerns in the years ahead, including rigid enforcement of the new sewage ordinance.

“If a person does not want to abide by the law, they ought to pay,” Salter said. “We have gone long enough letting people destroy our lake. Imposed and collected fines will go into the General Fund.”

Salter also suggested rental fees and additional business license fees, and adopt building codes in advance of a predicted housing boom in Cherokee County in 2015-16.

In closing, Salter thanked the many other county officials he has worked with, including Administrator Tim Burgess, Sheriff Jeff Shaver and Revenue Commissioner Johnny Roberts.

Salter, 70, is prohibited by state law from seeking another term because of his age. Kirk Day, who defeated Sid Garrett in the Nov, 6 general election, will be sworn in as Salter’s successor on Jan. 13, 2013.