Desirae Jackson, Jacquelyn Thomas Square Off At Coosada Debate For Elmore County Commission Seat

By Sarah Stephens

Elmore Autauga News

Candidates for the Elmore County Commission, District 5 seat, went head-to-head Thursday evening at the Coosada Community Center to try and persuade the crowd they are the best choice for the position.

Desirae Lewis Jackson is the incumbent for District 5 Commission, and Jacquelyn Long Thomas is currently a Millbrook City Council member nearing the end of her first term in office.

To view Elmore County Commission Districts, visit

With a flip of a coin by Coosada Mayor Jim Houston, Jackson won the right to speak first.

“District 5 is a very unique district. It stretches across the majority of Elmore County. I am over the City of Millbrook, Town of Elmore, Town of Coosada, Crenshaw Community, Wallsboro community, and Wetumpka.”

Jackson said she is an attorney during the day, but as a county commissioner, she is on call 24 hours a day. She said if constituents need to reach her, her phone number is 334-245-5655.

“Four years ago, when I sought this position, I saw a district that was not unified,” she said.

She spent a lot of time going door to door to talk to residents and learned that most of them did not know who their county commissioner was. She said they were unaware of ongoing projects in their areas. She said they felt they were not being represented.

“I would like to say that in four years since I took office, I have changed that,” she said. “I have done projects, road projects and also tried to do some community joint projects with the town.”

Jackson spoke on achievements over the past four years, stressing she is one person, and worked with the entire commission on multiple goals that have impacted the county in positive ways.

She mentioned improvements to Lindsey Road, Coosada Road, Lower Gibson Town Road, Airport Road and Alabama River Parkway. She said that many of those roads were done because of residents notifying her of issues.

She also worked to create a new entrance remodel to Coosada Town Hall and the Fire Department.

 “It was imperative to make sure that our fire trucks were able to come in and exit without any hazard.”

She stressed the importance of the Coosada Fire Department, saying that over the past four years she has obtained funding for their benefit. She plans to continue that in her next term.

She said it is important to also support the schools within her district.

Jackson is a big proponent in fighting litter and continuously uses weekends to pick up trash throughout her area. She also loves to support area sports teams, often inviting them to help in trash pickup for community pride.

She recalled a recent incident with the school system when all phone lines went down in the county. “We have installed a second fiber system, where if the phone lines go down parents are not worried that they cannot reach their child.”

In her tenure as commissioner, Jackson has held five town hall meetings to meet up with constituents and heard concerns, adding communication is key.

Jackson said the commission continues to expand broadband internet across the county, as many areas remain an internet desert. Another achievement she noted is immediate response to a resident’s concerns. “I prefer and love when residents call me directly.”

Jackson spoke of a grant she helped obtain for CIA in Millbrook, which allowed for new floors at the community center. She also focuses on right-of-way debris and issues.

As for the next four years, she said she will continue to advocate for Coosada and all areas in her district.

For Coosada, she said there is a big concern for sewer issues.
“We have a West Elmore County group that is based on sewer. When it was proposed to the Town of Coosada, the council turned down joining that group. However, I made sure that there was a clause should the council ever decide that they want to join in.”

She said she would also like to work toward Coosada working with surrounding municipalities.

“The Town of Elmore, the City of Millbrook – we are better when we work together, and we get things done.” She said she will encourage Coosada to work with the county. “I cannot do this without the council working with me to benefit the citizens of the Town of Coosada. I have seen the success of when we all work from the same page, we get things done.”

Jackson said in her first term, she learned an important lesson when it comes to dealing with different communities.

“Just because you are the county commissioner of an area, that does not mean you have the power to force a town council to accept anything,” she said, adding the city or town councils must agree before a project can move forward.

She also acknowledged a long-time problem with a bridge that was shut down on Lower Gibson Town Road many years before she became a commissioner.

“That bridge has been shut down for several years. There have been two other commissioners before I took office who have tried to work on getting it back open as well. That bridge could have been opened years ago when Mayor Powell was our mayor and Earl Reeves was our commissioner. However, it was an offer of ownership of that road being turned over to the town from the county.”

Jackson explained this was so the bridge could be opened and closed in case of flooding.

“It is my understanding that it was turned down because the police chief did not want to assume the liability of opening and closing a bridge despite the wishes of the residents out here in Coosada. We have had meetings since then.”

She said that so far, that is a joint county and town project “that just won’t go through.” She hopes positive steps will be taken in the future.

Another joint project between the county and Coosada she attempted was back in 2021-22.

“The county was able to give each municipality $250,000 for a road project. With that project, it was suggested that the Town of Coosada use it on Chapman Road. The Town of Coosada did not wish to use it on Chapman Road so the county allowed them to make a decision on what they wanted to use it on. There was no decision on what they wanted to use that money on, so the money was lost.”

She said before it was lost, she attempted to create a town and county project by having the town sign the money over to the county and the county would do the maintenance, pay anything over, but that was shot down. “So, everybody lost in that situation.”

Jackson said after that happened, the Town of Coosada filed a lawsuit against the county commission.

“There is a pending lawsuit against the county commission right now. It was filed in November of 2023. And so that has placed a hold on a lot of joint projects and projects that I am able to do with the county and the area.”

She again stressed that a good relationship between the Town of Coosada and the county is imperative.

In closing, she said, “I am the only candidate in this race with county government experience and certification. I have taken the classes, got certified and the governor even appointed me to the training institute to train other commissioners how to do this job.

“I am the only candidate with a legal background and proper communication skills to work with officials in Elmore County, in our House and our Senate in order to get big matters handled for Elmore County.

“And I am also the only candidate in this race that has not voted to take anything away from the Town of Coosada. There was a recent annexation that happened with Rodger’s View in the city of Millbrook. Rodger’s View was a neighborhood here in Coosada. In doing my research, it was my understanding it was my opponent (Millbrook Councilwoman Thomas) who made the motion to begin that annexation and that was done in March. She seconded to take that neighborhood out of Coosada in April.”

Taking the podium was then Thomas, who said she is a lifelong resident of Millbrook, but has a close connection to Coosada.

“You pretty much can’t live in Millbrook and not be a part of Coosada. Coosada is definitely a town I am very passionate about.”

Thomas said she attended Stanhope Elmore High, graduating in 1989. There she met her husband Ricky Thomas whom she has been married to for 29 years.

“I am the daughter of Richard Long and I am very proud of that fact because I always had the opportunity to be in service to the community.” She said that was something that began long before she was elected to Millbrook City Council.

“Service was a lifestyle for my family. There were many of my family members who served here in Coosada and the City of Millbrook. My dad was a part of the first city council in the City of Millbrook.”

She is a retired teacher, having taught for 25 years at Coosada Elementary.

“I have a lot of experience dealing with kids and dealing with conflict and arguments. I also work with the Elmore County court system, juvenile court, and I work with kids who are on probation as a life coach. So, conflict resolution is something that I am highly skilled in and communication.”

Thomas then talked about what made her decide to run for Elmore County Commission.

“I am very passionate. My heart is in city business and county business and making sure about where I am. Because when I say Elmore County, I have a love for all of Elmore County. And I want to see my children, grandchildren. A lot of people, they want to move away. So, I always wanted to have an impact and be able to create some things here in the county to allow kids and our grandkids to want to stay here.”

Thomas said she hears complaints that there is nothing to do, the roads still look the same, as well as other issues.

“So, these were some of the reasons that I decided to run because I am very passionate about it. My heart is in service. I am not a politician; I am a servant. And so, I always want to put the constituents first. As a representative for you guys, that is my duty. Just like that defense lawyer that is defending someone who is a murderer. I don’t care what your issues or concerns are. I represent you and I should represent your issues.”

She referred to Commissioner Jackson’s earlier talk, and said she heard a lot of blaming.

“I don’t know if you guys heard it that way, but it was like, you know, the council didn’t do this or ‘I couldn’t perform my duties as I needed to.’ So, all of those things I think we are not taking accountability. Because no matter what, as your leader, I should be your voice. She (Jackson) should be your voice for the county. She should represent you. She should try to clarify your issues so that it doesn’t create a division.”

Thomas said that as a part of the Millbrook City Council, she understands it takes more than one person to get things done.

“Sometimes you have to choose a side. Sometimes you have to realize that your constituents are the ones who elected you. These are the people that we serve. We don’t serve our colleagues. I think a lot of times we do lose sight of who we are serving.”

Thomas said she will work side by side with her constituents to resolve whatever conflicts exist rather than pretend it isn’t happening.

“Because at the end of the day, everyone you elect…they have an obligation to take care of Elmore County. Not this area, or that area, or this area is not getting as much. Every area should get their fair share.”

Thomas then brought up Gibson Town Road and the bridge that has been closed for many years.

 “That bridge was literally taken down. I know it was not under (Jackson’s) leadership. But there was no effort to even add any curb appeal or anything. And it is an eyesore in this community. That is something that I know greatly concerns the citizens here in Coosada.”

She said that as a commissioner, she would at least do something where the area is not a blight.

“We have got to learn how to listen to each other. That is something that we do not know how to do. Certain sides get an idea and then this side disagrees. And then we are too set in our ways to even compromise. And sometimes we need to work together to compromise.”

Thomas said there are funds available that can help communities such as Coosada, referring back to Jackson’s reference to monies she was able to give to CIA for new floors.

“That organization (CIA) has a lot of money. So, she is a member of the board. I would think that she would, at least, have probably suggested that maybe we enhance this park, or this building, or maybe use some of that to be put in the town of Coosada. I would make sure that you guys are not overlooked.”

Thomas said that Coosada has a lot of available land for future development and neighborhoods as well as other projects. She believes there is more than can be done to generate revenue and make Coosada more viable.

Thomas then reflected back on Jackson’s statement about a vote Thomas made regarding the annexation of Rodgers View Court neighborhood.

“I voted for the Rodgers View community, or whatever, because when I look at things, I try to look at it as right or wrong. And that entire community, they did come and say that nobody forced them. I had conversations with them. But we weren’t giving them the right to zone. We were only giving them the right to take their issues to the legislature. And so, I wouldn’t want to take away your rights as landowners, either. It was just a decision where they all wanted to do it, it was the entire community. I wanted them to have the right to take their concerns and allow the legislature to make that decision. That was not a decision that we made as a council.”

Thomas said that as a commissioner, she would work to get things done, even if sometimes, “It is not pretty.”

She continued, “Sometimes as your leader or public servant, you have to pick a side and make some good trouble some of the times. And it’s OK and I am the person that will do that. Serving is not about hobnobbing and photo ops. I promise you that my desire to get along with my colleagues will never, ever be greater than my duty to serve you.”

The election for Elmore Commissioner District 5 will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5, the same day as the presidential election.

After the debate ended, one resident said she would like to see more unity, absolutely, but also better communication from the Town of Coosada to residents. She said she was completely unaware there was even a debate Thursday night until she had a phone call from a friend that lives in Texas.

Speaking of the small crowd, she said. “This is pitiful. And I can promise you that none of my neighbors even know that this meeting happened. “

No other media were at the meeting, and we do not know if they were contacted. We learned about the meeting just hours before it was set to occur by a local resident. Mayor Houston said to his knowledge, the announcement was posted to the community board within Town Hall and he requested it be placed on the town’s Facebook page.

Editor’s Note: We encourage Coosada residents to check the community board for upcoming meetings and events. There was no mention of the debate on the town’s Facebook page, and they do not currently have a website.

We would also remind all that to promote upcoming events, you can contact me directly at [email protected]

There is no charge for public announcements that involve upcoming meetings or free events.