Staff Report
ATHENS— Jason Black, an educator at Clements High School and volunteer with the Limestone County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), announced on Tuesday, that he will be a candidate in the June 3 Republican Party primary for the Limestone County Commission in District 3. Black, a native of Limestone County, said his campaign would focus on returning commonsense to county government.
“We’re in some of the toughest economic times our nation has ever faced,” said Black. “The folks in Limestone County have to balance their checkbooks and eliminate unnecessary spending and waste every single day of their lives. As commissioner, I want to assure them we’re going to start doing the same thing in their government.”
Black, 45, and his wife, Velvet, have two daughters, Jasey, 13, and Allie Ruth, 10. The family attends Mt. Carmel Church of Christ.
In addition to his work as an educator, Black has committed most of his life to volunteer work with the Limestone County EMA. Black’s father, Spencer Black, was director of the Limestone County EMA until his retirement from the agency in 2010.
After the devastating tornado outbreak of April 2011, Black also helped found a non-profit organization to assist volunteer first responders that often do not have the funds to purchase or replace response life-saving response equipment. Black has also volunteered his service to the Limestone County Parks and Recreation Board for District 3, the Hospice Chili Challenge, the Tanner Tractor and Truck Pull, the Spencer Black 5K Race at Blue Springs, the Alabama Cattleman’s Association, Ducks Unlimited and several others. Black has also coached youth softball in Athens and Limestone County.
“My family has deep roots in Limestone County and District 3,” added Black. “I was born at Athens-Limestone Hospital. I’m honored to teach and coach at the same school I grew up at. My parents, Marcia and Spencer, taught me early on that if you can see a problem then you can find a solution.”
Black added, “Our campaign is going to be about finding commonsense solutions to our problems. I’m running because I know our government can be better than it is.”
Black encouraged those interested in volunteering with his campaign to visit his website, www.VoteJasonBlack.com.
