Late Montgomery County Commission Chairman Elton Dean honored at Montgomery Whitewater

The life and work of the late Montgomery County Commission Chairman Elton Dean is being honored at Montgomery Whitewater, which he was instrumental in developing before his death.

Yesterday, his family and local and state leaders gathered to unveil a plaque at Montgomery Whitewater in his memory.

Elton Dean, chairman of the Montgomery County Commission, who died in 2002. – Photo from Montgomery County Commission

Opening remarks were given by Montgomery County Commissioner Carmen Moore-Ziegler, who spoke about his dedication and leadership in getting the whitewater recreation project off the ground.

Dean’s son, Brandon Dean, spoke through tears as he reflected on his father’s long career as a public servant.

“My dad was not into politics. He was into people, and so he believes that if any person or anything has faith together, they could do anything they wanted to. He had that bold confidence and today is a testament to that confidence he had in everybody else in Montgomery,” Brandon Dean said.

Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said Elton Dean was a champion of west Montgomery and instrumental in advocating for Montgomery Whitewater, noting that many of his efforts took place behind the scenes and without recognition.

Montgomery Whitewater – Photo from WAKA Action 8 News

“This plaque is a recognition to all of that. Walk by and read it, that one person can make a difference, that one person can have a vision and change things,” McNair said.

Each of Dean’s family members was given a replica of the plaque to take home.

Elton Dean was first elected to the Montgomery County Commission in 2000, serving for 22 years. He was named chairman in 2009. Dean died in 2022 after a long illness.

Montgomery Whitewater opened in July 2023. It is a 120-acre recreation and entertainment complex that offers rafting, kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding in addition to other activities designed for beginners and experts alike. It is one of only three centers of its kind in the country.

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