By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has appointed Helena resident David Elwyn Bearden to fill the Shelby County Commission District 5 vacancy left by the Nov. 8 death of Commissioner Joel Bearden.

Elwyn Bearden is Joel Bearden’s nephew, and was appointed by Bentley to a commission term ending in 2016. Bentley wrote a letter to Elwyn Bearden on Nov. 30 appointing him to the position.

“Appointing you to this position comes with great responsibility because you will be making important decisions that affect the citizens of Alabama,” Bentley wrote. “Honesty and integrity are two virtues that I prioritize for my administration to exemplify, and l know that you will do the same while in service to our great state.

“You are a servant of the people of Alabama, and I trust that you will fulfill your duties and set a standard for others to follow,” Bentley wrote. “I appreciate your willingness to serve in this position, and I am confident that your time will be spent in a manner to improve the state of Alabama.”

Bentley was tasked with appointing a new commissioner to fill the District 5 seat because Joel Bearden had already been re-elected to the position when he passed away. Joel Bearden had been serving on the Shelby County Commission since the early 1990s.

Shelby County Republican Party Chairman Freddy Ard praised Elwyn Bearden, and said Bentley made a good decision.

“Personally, and in my capacity as chairman, I congratulate Elwyn Bearden on his appointment to the county commission,” Ard wrote in a statement. “I know Elwyn to be a person of integrity, and furthermore, am confident that he will demonstrate the exceptional qualifications, temperament and suitability for this critical office.

“I welcome Elwyn to the family of Republican elected officials in Shelby County,” Ard wrote. “Joel Bearden’s death leaves all of Shelby County with a profound loss of a gentleman and dedicated public servant, and I am certain he would be pleased that his nephew follows in his footsteps.”