By Joshua Frye

The Brewton Standard

Escambia County’s newest two commissioners were sworn into office Nov. 14 at the courthouse in Brewton.

On Nov. 6, Escambia County voted Karean Reynolds into office as the new District 5 county commissioner and Scottie Stewart as the new District 3 commissioner.

Reynolds is a native of Atmore and joined the United States Army shortly before graduating from Escambia County High School in 2001.

Reynolds is a two-time combat veteran, having served in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Reynolds is currently still active in the U.S. Army Reserves at the rank of major.

Reynolds attended Troy University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2003.

He continued his studies in law at Birmingham School of Law.

He received a J.D. award and passed the Alabama Bar in 2017.

Reynolds has been responsible for developing, implementing and supervising a variety of programs geared towards helping youth overcome obstacles and breaking barriers.

Reynolds is the executive director of the Escambia County Children’s Policy Council and he is passionate about involvement with community youth, particularly with regard to identifying the needs of today’s troubled youth and developing strategies to meet their unique needs.

Reynolds is making one of his main goals of his service on the county commission to help establish programs and revenue that will aid on youth diversion and allow positive role-models and experiences.

“The youth is a major part of my concern. I would like to see programs that could help divert our youth away from drugs and crime and offer some positive things for them to be involved with,” said Reynolds.

Reynolds also wants to aid in much needed road construction within District 5 and help establish more job opportunities through the growth of new businesses and economy within the area.

Newly elected commissioner, Scottie Stewart is no stranger to District 3.

Stewart has been involved with public service since 1991.

Stewart served with the Flomaton Police Department until he was called to duty during Operation Desert Storm.

Upon returning to the states from deployment, Stewart went back to his position with law enforcement until he decided to go into construction.

In 2000, Stewart was employed with CSX and continues to currently work with the company.

He was voted into the Flomaton City Council in 2000 and served until he relocated just out of the district in 2002.

Stewart also has served with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for the past five years.

“I want to get involved with what is going on in our county. I want to help better the county and District 3 and let the citizens be heard,” said Stewart.

Stewart is hoping to make an impact on county education by helping bring much needed funding to the schools for improvements and to help build the future generation.

Stewart is also passionate about law enforcement and is looking to help make improvements, not just in the Flomaton area, but county-wide.

“I want to help better our county and would like to see more businesses in the area, especially along State Hwy. 113. This would bring in more revenue to our county and community and help build us in the direction that we need to go,” said Stewart.