Morgan chairman seeks another term: Glasscock touts economic success

Morgan County Commission Chairman John Glasscock chose a State of the County address Thursday to announce he will seek re-election next year.

He touted economic success in Morgan County, even during a recession, and praised collaboration among the county and municipalities.

Glasscock mentioned that, despite the national economy, Nucor Corp. is producing at its galvanizing plant and AlphaPET is making plastic bottles. He highlighted the robotics center under construction at Calhoun Community College.

He said he continues to expect Morgan County to benefit from Base Realignment and Closure, which is adding 4,300 jobs at Redstone Arsenal and many contractor jobs.

"You can be certain Morgan County will earn and reap its share of this phenomenal growth," Glasscock said.

Glasscock has had a tough year personally.

Most recently he faced public opposition when county workers removed a tree from on or near his property. A constituent recently requested the district attorney to look into the incident.

Another man, Bob Copeland, said he saw the tree removal and it was on the right of way, not on the chairman's property.

The more serious problem for him was his health.

"On Friday, June 26, I went to the emergency room with severe right wrist pain," Glasscock said.

One test led to another, he explained, and an arteriogram revealed he needed surgery -- a triple bypass -- on July 1.

Because he had neither a heart attack nor stroke, Glasscock said, his doctor said he should have no future problems.

"Today I feel great and am regaining my strength," Glasscock said. "My plans are to seek re-election as your chairman of the Morgan County Commission next year, and to continue to serve you to the best of my ability."

Glasscock talked about unlimited opportunities.

He also touted the county animal shelter and environmental services facility, both of which he said should be ready for use in December.

"Both of these have been paid for with normal cash flow, without incurring debt," Glasscock said. "That's something we all can be very proud of."

He praised the county corrections, calling it a self-supporting success story and said he hopes the county can build a juvenile detention center in the next two to four years.

Despite his financial successes, Glasscock's first term has been marred by controversy. He drove his vehicle into another one and drove away. He later called the incident a "bump and run." The Morgan County Commission paid a $1,154 deductible on a claim filed with its insurance agency for the accident.

Glasscock also came under fire for explicit e-mail pictures on his county computer which he passed along to others.

He gave his state of county speech at the Chamber of Commerce gathering at the Holiday Inn.