The Montgomery County Commission marked a period of transition Nov. 4 as it was the last for commission member Ronda Walker, who decided not to run for reelection after serving for 10 years.
Walker represented District 3, which includes Arrowhead, Highland Park, Montgomery East, Fox Hollow and Mountain View Estates, as well as Capitol Heights Middle School, Garrett Elementary School, Cornerstone Academy and others.
Though she was leaving the commission, she stressed that she is not retiring.
“I know that God has a plan for my next season. This isn’t retirement,” she said at one point in the meeting. "I’m only 52. Retirement is a weird word to say. I’m not retiring; I’m simply changing jobs.”
Multiple people spoke about Walker, starting with Michael Briddell, chief administrator at the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, which is now led by the recently appointed Azzie Oliver.
“And it’s not just our office,” he told her. “I mean you’ve been a phenomenal public servant, generous with your wisdom, with your time, with your resources, and you will be sorely, sorely missed.”
On behalf of the DA’s office, he gave her a glass inscribed with her name.
“It’s beautiful, and they spelled my name correctly,” she said to the people’s amusement when she accepted it. “I love it.”
After the commission passed all of the items on its agenda, other commissioners spoke, often becoming emotional.
“I just want to tell Commissioner Walker that it’s been an honor working with you,” said Commissioner Isiah Sankey. “And I wish you the best going forward.”
Commissioner Daniel Harris said, “Ronda, it’s been 10 years. My, time flies when you’re having fun. I’d like to say though I really, sincerely appreciate the many constructive contributions that you’ve made to our deliberations and our discussions, and I wish you all the success in any and all of your future endeavors.”
Commissioner Carmen Moore-Ziegler thanked Walker during her comments.
“Many don’t know Ronda was one of the people who supported me when I worked the Small Minority Business for the city and the county,” she said. “Ronda was my champion and supported me then, and when I became appointed on this County Commission, she supported me then. I am a firm believer that one woman must always fix another woman’s crown when it’s tilted. Ronda is that woman who has fixed my crown many times when it’s tilted.”
The commission was shown a video featuring various county employees, including Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham.
“Ronda’s been a great, great commissioner,” said Commission Chairman Doug Singleton. “I mean she’s representing her district, but she’s always had the entire county at heart for what she wants to do.”
In her closing comments Walker recalled explaining her platform shortly after she was first elected.
“I said that my priorities were fiscal responsibility and [Singelton’s] said I’ve done that,” she said. “Economic development and thanks to (Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary) Ellen McNair and the Montgomery Chamber (of Commerce) I’ve been able to play a very small role in gang buster economic development in Montgomery County but also building relationships. We’re not going anywhere, and I look forward to continuing those relationships.”
During his comments, Singleton took a moment to acknowledge Kindell Anderson, who was promoted from Deputy Administrator to Administrator of Montgomery County.
“Somebody made a point to me the other day and said that [Anderson] is the first African American administrator from Montgomery County,” he said. “And I said that I never thought about that. But that’s not why he got the job. He got the job because he’s the best choice we had, and we have full confidence. [Anderson’s] proven that over the last few years as Deputy Administrator.”
Anderson said, “I’m so thankful because I’m not from here, but I’ve been here my entire professional career.”
The Montgomery County Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 101 South Lawrence Street. Information sessions begin at 10 a.m. followed by the formal meeting.
Livestreamed meetings can be seen on the commission’s YouTube and Facebook pages.
Agendas with additional details can be found at the commission’s documents section of the website.
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