Crenshaw County Probate Judge Jim Perdue was the “man of the hour” last Thursday evening as he was honored by the Crenshaw County Chamber of Commerce as its 2007 Citizen of the Year Award.

The banquet and awards dinner was held at the Crenshaw County Recreation Club.

Perdue was presented the award by William Petrey, Kyle Richburg, and Ray Hilburn.

“Jim has been a true friend to Auburn University, to Crenshaw County, and to me,” Hilburn said.

Some of Perdue’s civic duties and activities over the last several years include being the Crenshaw County Auburn Club president, the U.S. 331 Improvement Association president, a member of the Alabama Private Industry Council, a Board member for the South Central Alabama Development Commission, a member of the South Central Alabama Mental Health Board, and the Alabama Probate Judges Association Legislative chairman.

Perdue has served as the county’s probate judge since 2002.

He is a 1969 Luverne High School alumnus, and an Auburn University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

“I consider this the most prestigious award a citizen of Crenshaw County can receive,” Perdue said. “We have so many good people in our county, and I know there are others who are more worthy than I am to receive this.”

Perdue thanked everyone for coming, especially guest speakers Sen. Wendell Mitchell and Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom, Jr.

“And, they say behind every good man stands a good woman – well, I’ve got three good women behind me—my daughter Mary Cathryn, my sister Pat Davis, and my Chief Clerk Sandra Berry.”

Sen. Wendell Mitchell said that he sees Perdue as a person who “takes a lead and gets things done.”

“The Judge of Probate is such an important position,” Mitchell said. “The things that he has accomplished have been so important.”

Mitchell smiled and said that Perdue’s mother, the late Mary Perdue, had worked for him for 15 years.

“She thought Jim was a good boy,” he said, laughing. “We all still miss her.”

“Jim Perdue represents the finest in public service,” guest speaker Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr., said. “He has made so many contributions to his university, his county, his businesses, and to politics because he loves serving the public.”