Roy Moore has declared his candidacy for the District 4 Dallas County Commission seat.

Moore, who is running for his fourth term as county commissioner, said he was talked into running for office for the first time about 11 years ago. But he knows, the job is not finished.

According to Moore, his constituents’ biggest concern is roads. &uot;That’s probably at the top of their list,&uot; he said. &uot;Now, we’re working on paving roads in rural Dallas County.&uot;

In the past four years several county roads have been resurfaced – some of which haven’t been retouched since originally being paved. About 40 miles of road have been resurfaced during Moore’s third term.

But resurfacing roads, like anything, takes money. The 40 miles of road resurfaced in the past four years cost $60,000 a mile. Paving one mile of road can cost $100,000. That’s a tall order when the county’s annual budget is $14 million.

The commission has paid for its various projects through grants. When asked why someone should vote for him, Moore pointed to several improvements the county has seen under his watch, many of which were possible because of grants.

The county recently received a $2.5 million grant for an access road between Craig Field Industrial Park and South Dallas Industrial Park. The road will enable faster access to U.S. Highway 80 from the two parks.

A $2 million grant provided the funds to build a railroad spur into both parks. &uot;We feel good about our two industrial parks,&uot; Moore said.

Grants gained through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs improved water quality in rural parts of the county. The county has also received $1,600,000 in grants to fight juvenile crime. Those funds were distributed to agencies such as the Perry Varner Boot Camp and the Dallas County drug task force. &uot;Going after grants is real critical,&uot; Moore said. &uot;We go after grants to fight the drug problem in Dallas County.&uot;

Not all of the county’s funds come from grants. Moore noted that when he was first elected the county was in debt. A one-cent sales tax, which passed a vote of the people, provides about $800,000 a year to county schools.

About 10 years ago the county’s budget was $3.5 million. It’s now about $14 million. Moore attributed the rise in funds to expanding industry and an increased tax base. &uot;People are building homes outside city limits,&uot; Moore said. &uot;Property taxes are increasing and the county is getting more property tax.&uot;

A tax base is needed to continue growing the county’s economic development program, Moore said. &uot;Dallas County is about to see its share of Hyundai deals coming its way,&uot; he added.

When asked about crime, Moore pointed to funds given to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department each year. About eight years ago the department received $1.5 million. It now gets $2.6 million a year. &uot;We try to give the Sheriff’s department what it needs to fight crime in Dallas County,&uot; Moore said. &uot;There’s just been so much done in Dallas County in the past eight years.&uot;

Moore was born and raised in Dallas County. He is self-employed as a farmer. &uot;That’s all I’ve ever done,&uot; he said.

Moore is married to Barbara Moore. They have three children – one in Mobile, one in Middlebrook and one still in college.