During their Monday meeting, members of the Cherokee County Commission and Chairman Tim Burgess honored one of the county’s own for reaching a goal that isn’t easy to attain:

At this time there are only five coroners in the state of Alabama with this certification – and now Cherokee County is home to two of those – Deputy Coroner McDonald and Coroner Dr. Jeremy Deaton. 

Cherokee County Coroner Dr. Jeremy Deaton states, “Chief Deputy Paul McDonald takes the responsibility and honor of speaking for the dead very seriously. This level of certification is one of the nation’s highest achievements, and I commend Paul for his diligent search to further his knowledge in the area of medicolegal death investigation. This certification is not free, and this has been paid out of his personal expenses. At his salary of $200 per month, he has dedicated well over a year’s worth of his county’s salary to further his knowledge in this field. Not only as the Coroner, but as a citizen, I thank him for his commitment to excellence and dedication to the citizens of the county.

Tim Burgess, Judge of Probate and Chairman of the Cherokee County Commission states, “I would like to extend my congratulations to Mr. Paul McDonald for passing the certification examination to be a Diplomate of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.  I have always found Mr. McDonald to be well organized and professional in his duties as Cherokee County Deputy Coroner.  We are very fortunate in our county to have a man of the character and expertise that Mr. McDonald presents.  This new achievement speaks to his willingness to be completely committed to his position by increasing his qualifications and raising the standard for service.

Our county should be grateful that we now have two individuals who have achieved this certification. Cherokee County Coroner Dr. Jeremy Deaton and Deputy Coroner Mr. Paul McDonald have both received this distinction. 

 

I really appreciate these two men and their commitment to achieving these high standards to better serve our community.” 

 

In other business during the County Commission meeting, a Public Hearing was held for the vacating of a portion of County Road 103 in District IV.  That stretch of roadway extends for approximately 300’ at the dead end of 103 – and that motion was approved. 

 

The Commission also adopted the Cherokee County School Choice Week Proclamation. 

 

During the January 28th County Commission meeting appointments to the District II and III positions on the Cherokee County Industrial Development Authority will be made; resumes will be accepted through January 23rd. 

 

During the February 11th County Commission meeting appointments to Place #6 and Place #7 on the Cherokee County Communications District Board will be made.  The resumes will be accepted through February 6th. 

 

The next meeting of the Cherokee County Commission is slated for Monday, January 28th at 5:00pm in the County Administration Building on the Cedar Bluff Road in Centre.