From staff reports

Incumbent Norman Burton has qualified and is seeking a full term on the Cedar Bluff Town Council.

In December 2010, Burton was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Council Member Mark Hicks upon Hicks’ untimely death.

“I have been honored to represent you since that time,” said Burton.BURTON from 1A

“My wife and I chose to move to Cedar Bluff and build our retirement home on Weiss Lake in 2009. We have grown to love Cedar Bluff and will spend our remaining days here. I retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service as the coordinator and executive director of the ALA-TOM Resource Conservation and Development Council located in Southwest Alabama. It is a non-profit organization covering nine counties. In that position, I worked for county and municipal governments, community organizations, farmer groups and others in developing plans and helping implement community and economic development projects. I planned, wrote grants and helped implement projects as well as administered an in-house grant program.”

Burton is a graduate of Auburn University, an active member of Centre First United Methodist Church where he sings in the Chancel Choir. He is vice president of the Cedar Bluff Civitan Club and also chairman and co-founder of the new River Highlands Community Development Corporation.

Burton has received training in Economic Development, Board Development, Effective Meetings, Management and Supervision, non-profit accounting, grant writing and financial management.

Some of his awards include USDA Certificate of Merit (eight times), selected Civitan of the Year for Grove Hill in 1999, member of the first class of Leadership Clarke County, RC&D Coordinator of the Year in 1995 and 2001 for Alabama, Southeastern U.S. Coordinator of the Year in 2002.

“In my short period of time on the Town Council, I have used my knowledge and experience in successfully writing the following grants to improve the town:

• A $5,000 grant from the Tillotson-Menlo Charitable Trust for improvement to the Town Park

• A $2,500 grant for the River Highlands Community Development Corporation to clean up three burned down and abandoned house in town, from the Cooa Valley RC&D Council

• A $1,940 grant for the Cherokee County Board of Education for an anti-littering and recycling program at the Farm-City Week Program for all county school children, from the Coosa Valley RC&D s

• A $3,000 grant for a promotional brochure and web site upgrade for the town to attract residents, businesses, tourists and retirees from the Coosa Valley RC&D Council.

• I arranged for the town to participate in a clean-up day at no cost to the town. Hundreds of pounds of litter and debris and more than 700 tires were collected and recycled.

“I may not be able to visit with you personally, but I am asking for your vote and support in the August 28 election,” said Burton. “When elected, I will continue to use my abilities to secure grants to move the town forward. I think it is important that the town do things that will help it grow and prosper while protecting property values. I am always available to hear your concerns and ideas, so feel free to contact me.”