By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Shelby County Commissioner Larry Dillard praised county leadership before his final commission meeting.

“We’ve got the best department heads and some of the best people,” Dillard said during his retirement party Oct. 22.

After 20 years on the County Commission, Dillard was ousted by Mike Vest for District 6 during the March 13 primary election.

County Attorney Butch Ellis elicited laughs from the crowded Commission chamber as he said he appreciated Dillard being an “even tempered, quiet, unassuming and unassertive kind of man.”

“It’s been a great pleasure working with you these last 20 years,” Ellis said to Dillard. “You’ve been a great addition to Shelby County.”

County Engineer Randy Cole, who worked with Dillard on the county’s highway committee, said he wanted to thank Dillard for what the commissioner taught him during their 20 years working together.

“We’ve done a lot of things in Shelby County with partnerships,” Dillard said, noting the county has more than 20 parks, including the largest state park in Oak Mountain State Park. “If you work with cities and county government, you can accomplish a lot more in parks than anyone working by themselves.”

Before working with the county, Dillard served in the U.S. Army and Reserve for 30 years, as well as working for U.S. Steel for 37 years.

“It’s been a pleasure for what you’ve been for the county,” Commissioner Corley Ellis said during the commission meeting after the retirement party.

Dillard said he would be available to “liven up” commission meetings during his retirement.

“If you need anything livened up, call me, and I may be able to help,” Dillard said, laughing.