Gudger speaks highly of those involved, teamwork making water projects and funding possible

Speaking during a press conference regarding the Marion County Public Water Authority’s announcement of $5.7 million in funding for current projects, $8.9 in pending projects and future congressional earmark-requested funds, Alabama State Senator Garlan Gudger repeatedly thanked all those involved in initiating the projects.
He noted “today is a celebration day” for those who had worked hard for years, and are now seeing all their efforts coming to fruition.
“But without us working together as a team, that would have never happened,” he said. “Today, we truly celebrate the strength of all of us coming together to have a vision and working together through teamwork to finally get to the end of what we set our sights on and accomplishing our goals.”
The senator also explained when he was first asked to help years ago, he’d explained “unless the community wants to get involved,” he couldn’t do anything at the state level.
He said a community meeting was organized by Marion County Commissioner Keith Nichols, who was chairman at that time, bringing together water board members, county officials, leaders in the community and in the county and people interested in the future of the county’s water projects.
He said everyone put their “two cents in” and started a process which eventually led to the current results.
He mentioned a trip made to Montgomery by those involved to meet with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, with 30 people sitting around one table. He thanked Nichols for bringing the “crew” down, saying he appreciated his efforts in bringing everyone together.
Gudger said during that meeting, those present explained they wanted to change the direction of where they were going and what their goals were. When the meeting ended, he said everyone on all sides got up and shook hands—and then went to work.
“When we did that, ADEM changed the direction of where this particular county was going with water, and the direction of the future of this county,” Gudger noted.
From their initial vision, he said the board sat down and came up with their current plans.
Regarding the water authority leadership, Gudger thanked general manager Eric Terrell for all the time and effort he’d put in. In July of 2024, Terrell took over the role after the previous manager retired.
The senator also mentioned the importance of building relationships with officials. He said after he’d been asked for a million more in funding, he’d called Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Director Kenneth Boswell and said “we need you to come here.”
“The reason he came is because when you have relationships you’ve built over the years, you can call and say, ‘I need some help,’” Gudger said. “And they’ll come if they know you’ll take whatever you get and—as it says in the Bible—push it down, shake it and multiply it.”
From that short meeting, the senator said the million was awarded.
He stressed again all the hard work and determination of those involved, plus the endless hours of planning by the water authority board, will now change the face of the communities and the county.
“Today, we’re celebrating successfully getting our fair share of tax dollars returning home to you and to our area,” he said.
Gudger also thanked Gov. Kay Ivey, Boswell, Sen. Robert Aderholt, Sen. Katie Britt and Sen. Tommy Tubberville for their involvement.
During his comments, he also mentioned the importance of having someone locally to help spearhead the vision and efforts.
“So, just one shoutout,” he said. “Keith (Nichols), I appreciate you more than you know. You were the spearhead for me because you were the chairman at the time and pushing to make things happen at the state level. I just want to let you know I appreciate you. I thank you.
“I thank you for your vision and everybody in this room. For all the hard work we’ve done to get to this level, I want to say thank you. Because it took every single one of us.
“County commissioners, I thank you with all my heart. We have a great relationship. We’re going to continue to have that, and I’m going to continue to get funding for you as we move forward.
“Thank you for your time. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m honored to represent you as your senator for Marion County. I’m glad Marion County is a part of my senate district.”