On a 4-2 Vote the Chambers County BOE accepted the property donated by the City of Valley to build the New Chambers County High School. Finch, Hunt Leak and Siggers voting in the affirmative while Board Members Herring and Lyons voted against the motion.
The news hit Chambers County with mixed emotions.
In Lafayette Mayor Kenny Vines expressed his disappointment in the Boards decision. Lafayette is the center of Chambers County and Department of Justice said when school consolidate, they need to be centrally located.
Additionally Mayor Vines expressed his concern about the economic impact the closure of Lafayette will have on the local community, especially now that The City of Lafayette has recently been accepted to participate in the prestigious Main Street Alabama program. “Main Street stresses public-private partnerships to spark new investment, attract visitors and spur growth.” Also, Main Street is a program where it function is to perverse the history of a community. One could not argue that Lafayette is the home to some of the most historical buildings and homes in all of Chambers County. Only 25 cities in Alabama have been designated for this program including Opelika, Eufaula and Alexander City.
On the Eastside of the County Valley Mayor Leonard Riley was very pleased with the outcome, noting that the Valley site was already prepared with the needed infrastructure. Riley also pledged to change Valley from Eastern to Central Time, “Valley will change to central time zone if that is what needs to happen” Riley said.
Riley’s pledge to change Valley to central time zone brings up more questions than answers. By doing so will this be a vote of the people or by the city council. Perhaps, they will rely on the “convenience” slogan. Also, how will this affect Lanett and West Point. Are both of them to follow suit and change to Central. Doubtful West Point will considering they are in Georgia and their official time zone is Eastern. Will I-85 not only be the dividing line between Lanett and Valley but will it be the new dividing line between the Central and Eastern Time Zones?
Just so happens, on November 6, 2022 this Sunday, daylight saving time will end. So for folks on the Eastside of the county this will be a good trial run. This year instead of falling back 1 hour, fall back 2 hours, poof you are on Central Time.