Commissioner Dale Strong announced he will run for Chairman of the Madison County Commission in the upcoming 2012 election.

Strong

Commissioner Strong currently represents the largest commission district in Madison County.

Strong was elected in 1996 and was the youngest elected Commissioner in the State of Alabama.

“I believe we need new leadership and fresh thinking to move Madison County forward and bring new jobs,” said Strong.

While representing Madison County’s largest commission district, Strong has the smallest staff of any commissioner with a road operation, instead using the money he saves on overhead to improve roads, build new parks, and improve public safety in his community.

On the Commission Strong has led the fight against new taxes and worked to cut wasteful spending by reducing overtime, auditing the county health insurance program, changing the way we feed prisoners, and updating phone systems.

“As Chairman, my priorities will be on those things that help Madison County create and attract new jobs and improve our quality of life,” he said. “We must invest more in our roads, our schools, and our law enforcement and fire departments and ensure every tax dollar is spent wisely.”

Strong has a proven record of supporting our community. He has built new parks, a youth center and a library by working in partnership with the community to combine tax dollars with private donations. Strong also built an early warning system in his community to provide early notification of tornados, and this system has saved lives.

He helped lead the recent efforts that fed thousands in the wake of the April 27 tornados, and he coordinated the County’s response to this disaster.

A licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and a volunteer fire fighter, Strong also led the efforts to build a new hospital in Madison to improve healthcare and reduce emergency room (ER) wait times for the entire county.

“Madison County is a great place to live, but we need new leadership to help us build new roads, support our neighborhoods and communities, and make our schools the best in Alabama,” he said. “I believe my record of accomplishment proves that I am the best candidate to bring our community together and build a successful future.”

Strong is a lifelong resident of Madison County and has deep family roots here stretching back several generations.  He has been married to the former Laura Toney for 12 years, and they have two children: Whitney, who is nine, and Harrison, who is seven.  A graduate of Sparkman High School, Strong holds a B.S. in business administration from Athens State University, and he received his EMT license from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).  Strong is a little league coach and community volunteer, and he is also a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.