The Cullman Times
CULLMAN —
The creation of the Duck River advisory board in March passed by without much fanfare. The same can be said when the Cullman County Commission took the next step and appointed the initial three members to serve on the panel.
Even without a celebration, those actions signal pivotal moments in the relationship between the City of Cullman and the leaders of county government. The age of cooperation that has been rising over the last two years has taken on a visible form that has lasting value for everyone.
Calming the waves after years of consternation over developing a new water source for the area means that peace and cooperation among the government entities will open abundant doors of opportunity for the area.
In time, the county commission will appoint another seven members to the advisory board. As a board these members will oversee a variety of issues concerning the reservoir. The board gives a wide-ranging voice to county residents, the various water authorities, as well as the city. That’s everybody. That’s fair. And that’s the way this community-wide resource should be governed.
A recognition that government decisions and economic development benefits everyone in Cullman County is gladly rising to the surface of the political front and spreading among residents. The connecting dots throughout Cullman County are strong enough that a single, metro government would make sense for the area. But that’s probably too soon for much discussion in an election year.
Nonetheless, the realization that every town, city and rural community of Cullman County is vital territory has dawned and is taking off into a promising horizon. The value of maintaining and building upon this cooperation is clear. The people of Cullman County want leadership that creates an environment for sustained economic growth and a viable future.
