Hall, who served as Scottsville’s mayor from 1994 through 2002, is congratulated by current Scottsville Mayor David Burch, left, and Allen County Judge/Executive Dennis Harper, who had previously served as a Scottsville City Councilman during Hall’s tenure as mayor. Photo and caption courtesy of BRADD.
PRESS RELEASE
Glasgow News 1
“I just loved it.”
That’s how Dell Hall described nearly three decades of service on the Board of Directors for the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD).
Hall was honored during BRADD’s August 23, 2023 meeting with a special title: “Director Emeritus.”
As the agency approaches its 55th anniversary, Ms. Dell Hall has served a total of 29 years on the regional agency’s board. She joined the BRADD in 1994 upon taking office as Scottsville’s mayor, a post she held until retiring from office in 2002, with the end of her last elected term. She continued to serve on BRADD’s board as a citizen member from January of 2003 to present, including two years as board chair (2013-2015).
“I loved every minute of it,” Hall said. “BRADD is a great organization that helps a lot of communities.”
Hall’s recognition ceremony included stories from fellow public officials. The first was Gayle Davis, who became Scottsville’s City Clerk in 1999, serving until her own retirement in 2021. Davis opened the ceremony, describing the Director Emeritus selection criteria, which include at least 20 years of service as a director, exhibiting leadership, being active in BRADD initiatives and attending board meetings regularly. Davis fondly remembered her years working with Hall in Scottsville’s City-County Building.
“I could tell what kind of day it was going to be by the sound of her heels as she got off the elevator,” Davis smiled. “If it was normal walking, I knew it was calm. If her heels were clicking fast, I knew something had happened and somebody was already upset.”
Davis remembers Hall being dedicated to three big parts of her life: The City of Scottsville, BRADD, and having lunch daily with “the love of her life,” her late husband, Dr. John Hall, whose decades of medical service to the region began when doctors, including Hall, were still making house calls.
Current Allen County Judge/Executive Dennis Harper, who had previously been a Scottsville City Councilman when Hall was Mayor, also shared memories.
“I was younger and didn’t know how to be a leader yet; I thought everything should happen right now,” Harper recalled. Igniting laughter across the audience, he remembered Hall kicking his shin under the table to reign him in.
“I needed it,” Harper laughed.
BRADD Executive Director Eric Sexton said during Hall’s tenure as a director, the agency witnessed many successes. Adding that the steadfast leadership of veteran directors like Hall kept BRADDs mission at the center, even when challenges arose.
“Leaders like Dell Hall deserve to be recognized for their contributions to better our region” Sexton said. “The heartbeat of this agency and the successes we reap today are a direct result of people like Dell”.
Newly-named BRADD Director Emeritus Dell Hall is congratulated by BRADD Executive Director Eric Sexton. She is only the second person to have achieved the honor, following BRADD founding director Elroy Larimore. Photo and caption courtesy of BRADD
As Director Emeritus, Hall will be considered a board member for life. She is the only the second person to have earned the title; the first was the late Elroy Larimore, one of BRADD’s founding directors.
Kentucky has fifteen Area Development Districts (ADDs) that provide a system of complete coverage to all 120 counties and a link between local leadership, the Governor’s office, state and federal agencies, and private organizations. The mission of Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) is to preserve and advance the quality of life and economic well-being for the citizens of the BRADD through regional collaboration. For more information about our organization go to www.bradd.org.
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