New York Knicks fans likely have never felt they missed out by skipping a Jefferson County Commission meeting — until Thursday.
Birmingham’s own Trey Jemison, a two-way contract player for the Knicks, appeared before the commission as it passed a joint resolution with the Treasurer’s Office honoring his athletic achievements and his endeavors in community advocacy.
In June, Jemison made it big when he helped the Knicks win the NBA championship, its first in 53 years.
Jemison has still found the time to give back to the community that first put a ball in his hands. He runs an annual youth basketball camp at Hoover High School that teaches the fundamentals of the game and reminds kids where they come from, and his advocacy for financial literacy also gives them the tools to score well beyond their home court.
“Trey Jemison represents the very best of Jefferson County,” said the resolution. “He has shown our young people that success is about more than talent — it’s about character, service, and investing in others. We are honored to recognize his commitment to financial empowerment and his dedication to giving back to the community that helped shape him.”
After fanning out over the celebrity, the commissioners moved through the rest of the meeting almost as speedily as they had during this week’s committee meeting, approving items without discussion.
Work on the Northern Beltline proceeds. The commission disclosed that the county has fully funded right-of-way acquisitions for seven tracts in the Carson Road Improvements Project Phase II, with more tracts still needed. It also advanced a resolution for the Galleria Boulevard extension to pay for 0.25 acres of right-of-way.
Commissioners also voted to extend the Old Rocky Ridge Road widening contract with Volkert Inc., leaving $7,033,592.74 from the original $54,799,312.59 budget.
Though commissioners highlighted that Jefferson County has come far since emerging from bankruptcy, but with the new school year approaching, they stressed that this is no time for complacency.
“Your county is about to go through the budget process; we have received awards for what we have done so far, but you can’t sit on your laurels and what you’ve done,” said Commission President Jimmie Stephens, “it’s about what we’re about to do and going to continue to do for the citizens is what is important.”