Moore named Probate Judge, commission chair

By Staff
Melissa Cason
Franklin County Times
Governor Bob Riley appointed Franklin County a new Probate Judge Wednesday morning.
Barry Moore, 41, a lifelong resident of Russellville, will be taking over as the new Probate Judge.
Moore said he is looking forward to serving the residents of the county, and plans to work toward finishing where the late Mike Green left off.
"Mike Green did a lot for Franklin County, and I want to continue with his work until it is finished," he said.
Moore is looking forward to working with the County Commission as their chairman for the good of the county.
"We will all work together to accomplish goals and to make things better in our county," Moore said.
The commissioners passed a resolution after Green's death asking that Riley appoint his widow, Connie, as Probate Judge. Residents also circulated petitions asking that Connie be named his successor.
While Riley chose not to honor those requests, the Franklin County commissioners all said they were all looking forward to working with Moore and moving the county forward.
"I don't know him very well but I am looking forward to meeting him," Gene Graham said. "We will do our best to work with him."
Commissioners Jackie Bradford and Rayburn Massey echoed Graham's sentiments in regards to Moore's appointment.
"I wish him all the luck, and I am sure he's got the county at heart," Bradford said.
Massey has known Moore's family for a number of years, and he feels that he will make a fine Probate Judge.
"We are going to band together to go on and serve the taxpayers of Franklin County," Massey.
"I think he'll be good for the people of Franklin County," said Commissioner Norris Lewey who served in Iraq with Moore. "I was in the National Guard with him, so I know I can work with him…He's a good man."
Moore's appointment was effective immediately. He is currently working out a notice with HART Machine Tools, Inc. in Muscle Shoals, where he serves as Office Manager.
Moore said he decided to apply for the Probate Judge's position because he wanted to serve the county where he was born and raised – the same county where he still resides with his wife,Deedra, and seven-year-old daughter, Ashton, who attends West Elementary School in Russellville.
Moore is a 1990 graduate of the University of North Alabama, and a 1984 graduate of Russellville High School. He is a member of the Franklin County Veterans of Foreign Affairs.
"I want to thank Governor Riley for this confidence in me, and my family and friends for their encouragement in the selection process," Moore said.