The Pike County Commission honored longtime commissioner Ray Goodson with a retirement reception on Monday before holding the last commission meeting of Goodson’s career.

Goodson, 69, has served on the commission for 24 years.

About 50 people packed into the Pike County Commission chambers including elected officials, family and friends.

State Rep. Alan Boothe, R-Troy and State Sen. Jimmy Holley, R-Troy, presented Goodson with a proclamation commending his years of service.

“For 24 years, he has been a powerful advocate of all his constituents’ needs,” Boothe said.

Goodson got emotional as he thanked God and the people who supported him. “It’s been an honor to serve this county and District 4,” Goodson said.

Sherriff Russell Thomas praised Goodson for being a great man.

“I love this man right here,” Thomas said. “We became friends when I was a deputy and he was in his first term and we’ve been friends ever since. If he gives you his word, you don’t need a contract. These kind of men are hard to find.”

Many others echoed Thomas in praising Goodson’s integrity to keeping his word and seeking to serve others.

“He loved his people and they loved him,” said Steve Flowers, a former state representative. “He works for his people and not for himself.”

At the work session that followed the reception, the commission honored Pike Liberal Arts student Susie Stell for her athletic excellence in winning her third straight AISA women’s golf championship.

At the regular meeting, the commission unanimously approved roadwork to be done on portions of county roads 3350 and 3314 that were reported to be in particularly bad condition.

The commission also approved a funding agreement for work on County Road 1101, which Oliver said has been planned for years but finally could be done due to funding from the Federal Highway Administration.

The commission also closed out a community block development grant with the South Central Alabama Development Commission.

Oliver announced that the Alabama Department of Transportation had awarded funding for the resurfacing of County road 5516, also known as Swindall Road, which would most likely begin in the spring of 2017.

The commission also passed three resolutions publically supporting upcoming amendments on the general election ballot.

The supported amendments are Amendment 3, Amendment 4 and Amendment 14. Amendments 3 and 4 make it easier for some local policy decisions to be made at the local level instead of going through the state legislature.

Amendment 14 protects laws passed for the past 30 years that could be legally challenged in court due to a technicality of the law not being followed.

The commission approved for a special organizational meeting to be held November 16 for the new commission to elect a new chairman and to decide meeting times.

This meeting was the last for Commissioner Joey Jackson as well as Goodson.

The other commissioners thanked the two for their service and time with the county commission.

The next meeting will be on November 16 at 6:00 p.m.