Upcoming openings include BOE, MCEDA and Water Works boards

Officials with the city of Demopolis are on the hunt to fill six positions on various boards for the city as well as Marengo County. The boards with open positions are the Marengo County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA), the Demopolis City Board of Education and the Demopolis Water Works and Sewer Board.

MCEDA has three positions open with immediate start dates. Each of the four board members serves a three-year term and is appointed by the Demopolis City Council. MCEDA members operate on projects that promote trade and commerce in the area and encourage commercial enterprises to locate new facilities or expand current ones in Marengo County.

“They guide economic development within Marengo County,” according to Demopolis Mayor John Laney said.

The Water Works and Sewer Board has one position open with an immediate start date. Each of the five board members serves a six-year term and is appointed by the city council. The board operates Demopolis’ water and sewer system.

The Demopolis City School Board of Education has one position open with a start date of April 1. Each of the five board members serve a five-year term and is appointed by the city council. The board of education operates the public schools in Demopolis.

“Members are responsible for setting the direction of the school board in the city of Demopolis,” Laney said.

Those interested in filling any of the positions can complete an application with the city clerk, Sam Gross, with information such as education, professional licenses/associations, professional experience, civic interests and service memberships. Gross will then pass their applications along to the city council for discussion.

“They will be given very serious consideration,” Laney said.

Laney also said that the qualifications for each position varies depending on the board, but certain qualities are needed for all members.

“You have to have an interest in the community and want to make the community better and feel you can do that by serving on this board,” he said.

According to Laney, public involvement and citizen participation is vital to the success of the Demopolis.

“The reason I think public involvement is important to our city is because our community is made up of our citizens and if our citizens do not actively participate, it leaves the elected officials making decisions without proper input.”

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, January 31 issue of the Demopolis Times.)