County Commission | The Magazine August 2018 | Page 9

FROM THE COVER
1952
The Association of County
Engineers of Alabama was
formed for the purpose of
promoting sound
infrastructure,
exchanging ideas
among engineering
professionals
and maintaining
cooperaton between
counties and the state
highway department.
1955
Farm-to-Market Road
Program achieved its
goal: 100 miles of roads
paved in every county.
1955
100% membership: The
first time all 67 counties
were Association
members.
1963
Registration for the 35th Annual Convention, held at the
Admiral Semmes Hotel in Mobile, was $20 per member.
Group meetings were organized specifically for engineers,
clerks and probate judges. The keynote speaker for the
banquet was Countess Maria Pulaski, a WWII spy.
1961
Legislative wins for the counties included two proposals to
expand the allowable expenditures for the special road and
bridge fund. There was also county support for two newly-
enacted tax incentives to encourage construction of fall-out
shelters.
1966
1956
Winston Stewart, longtime
probate judge in Coosa
County, was named to
the Association’s top staff
position.
At the 38th Annual Convention that June
in Mobile, highlights included speeches
from the Governor and First Lady. Gov.
George Wallace hinted at a presidential
run, while Lurleen Wallace, then the
Democratic Party’s gubernatorial nominee,
promised a new road program would be a
priority of her administration.
1970
67 counties, one name: By act of the Alabama
Legislature, county governing bodies were all named
“county commissions.” Terms such as “board of
revenue” and “commissioners court” were retired.
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