The Selma Times-Journal

At 31, he may be the youngest commissioner to serve Dallas County.

On Monday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m., Clifford O. Hunter will be sworn in at the Court House Annex as county commissioner of District 4.

On Feb. 5, Hunter was appointed to the seat by Gov. Bob Riley.

The seat became vacant when then-Commissioner, Kim Ballard, was elected as probate judge, leaving a little over a year left to serve as commissioner.

“This seat is not my seat,” Hunter said. “This seat belongs to the people. My duty is to serve the district in a fair and responsible way.”

Hunter was out of town on the day of the announcement and learned of his appointment via a telephone call from the governor’s office.

“Happy I am,” Hunter said of the opportunity.

Hunter has not served in such a governmental capacity before, but says he is ready to roll his sleeves up and get to work.

“I’m ready to get out into the community,” He said.

Given a little time, and support, Hunter said, he will “do what needs to be done as a commissioner.

“I’m happy for the opportunity and I’m willing to work with the other commissioners,” he said.

Hunter is currently employed as interim coordinator at Selma CareerLink on Water Avenue. Hunter also serves as youth director at Ellwood Community Church.

In the Nov. 7 election, Hunter ran for the Dallas County Board of Education District 2 seat on the Freedom Party ticket. He lost to Democratic incumbent Roy Edwards.

An Orrville native, Hunter is a 1994 Keith High School graduate and a 1999 graduate of Faulkner University. He is the son of Brenda Hunter and is the eldest of three.

Hunter said he was surprised by his appointment – especially an appointment by the governor of Alabama.

“God has a way of working things His way,” Hunter said. “It’s a great accomplishment for me. It’s a blessing from God.”