By Blake Deshazo | The Selma Times-Journal

Dallas County Commissioner Connell Towns’ started his last commission meeting Monday just like any other meeting with a prayer.

But it was the way it ended that he didn’t expect—a standing ovation.

“It means a whole lot to me,” Towns said. “It lets me know that my work wasn’t in vain, that people recognize the job that I tried to do in the community, and I really appreciate it.”

Towns served as commissioner for District 1 for 16 years and in those four terms he has accomplished much for his district and county.

“I have done a lot of community clean up tearing down abandoned houses in my community,” Towns said. “I had a traffic light installed on Roosevelt and 80, which we had over nine accidents in one year and one fatal.”

Towns was also responsible for paving many roads in his district, which covers east Selma, Selmont, Tyler, Sardis, Minter, Pleasant Hill, Carlowville and Brooklane, as well as writing and being awarded grants for many other projects like the Sardis Community Unity Fellowship Center.

“It says that I’ve accomplished a lot in a short time,” Towns said. “I have accomplished a lot that a lot of politicians would not have accomplished in the short time.”

Towns said 16 years has gone by in a flash, but he has enjoyed every minute of working with his fellow commissioners.

“It has been wonderful. We have been working close, having fun, doing projects helping Selma and Dallas County move forward,” Towns said. “It’s just been wonderful working together on one accord.”

Before the close of the meeting each commissioner and chairman Kim Ballard spoke about Towns and showed their appreciation for the work he has done.

“Connell Towns has been my friend down through the years,” said Commissioner Curtis Williams. “The same way we started, we’re still friends like that today. He is one of the leading county commissioners that we have up here … and perhaps one of the hardest working commissioners we have up here.”

Towns said he plans to continue to work on improving his community and has plans to work with the commission on future projects, including helping incoming commissioner Valerie Reubin.

“Sixteen years has truly flown by in a flash, but I can look back over it and see all of the things I have done,” Towns said. “I just want to thank my family, my many friends, my fellow commissions and Probate Judge Ballard for the support they gave me as a new commissioner coming into office 16 years ago.”