Two Troy residents have been appointed to an advisory board by Gov. Bob Riley.

Tennie Jarrell, director of Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Pike County, and Police Chief Anthony Everage will serve on the Governor's Advisory Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention for the Alabama Dept. of Economic and Community Development.

"Anything I can do as a police chief to deal with any problems we might have will benefit not only the state but the City of Troy as well," Everage said.

Jarrell, who has some 20 years of experience working with children and families, said she hoped her appointment would be an opportunity to continue prevention and early intervention work.

"I believe that the juvenile justice advisory board for the governor's office needs to be composed of individuals who understand what the real juvenile issues are and who have the background and knowledge of the changes that need to be implemented," she said.

The council, which meets quarterly in Montgomery, participates in the development of state plans, advises the governor and Legislature on the JJDP Act, obtains input from juveniles under the juvenile justice system, reviews grant proposals and monitors juvenile justice programs.

"Basically the board provides input to us as to what the greatest

(juvenile justice) needs are in the state," said Scott Stewart, an ADECA employee who works with the advisory council.

"The advisory council helps us identify those areas so that we have a greater chance of turning (juveniles delinquents) around, and you have a greater chance at turning them around than adults in the system," he said.