The Jefferson County Commission today bid farewell to Steve Ammons, who attended his final commission meeting as a member of that body.

Ammons recently announced that he’s stepping down from the commission to be the CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance.

Commissioner Lashunda Scales acknowledged that she and Ammons didn’t always get along when they began their time together. But their relationship has improved, she said.

“We started being oil and water and we’re ending being nothing more than balsamic vinegar,” Scales said.

“Sounds just like grease,” Commissioner Joe Knight joked as Scales continued.

“I’m sure you’ll do very well where you are,” she said. “I just look forward to you working very intentionally with this commission. I just want all of us to have equity and inclusion across the board. I know that a good, nice Christian young man like yourself is going to see to it that the Bible is fulfilled, the kingdom is expanded and great things are going to happen with BBA because of your presence.”

Knight joked during the commission’s committee meeting that he would lead county staffers in a remix of the song that years ago closed each episode of the Mickey Mouse Club. He got through “Now it’s time to say goodbye to all our company” before stumbling fitting Ammons’ name into the familiar melody.

Instead, Knight drew laughs with a poem he wrote about Ammons.

Commissioner Sheila Tyson appeared annoyed when she told Ammons, “Bye,” before striking him on the shoulder. Moments later, the pair embraced on the dais.

In his parting words, Ammons said he has complete respect for all of his fellow commissioners. “Especially you two,” he said of Commission President Jimmie Stephens and Knight, who were part of the prior commission that dealt with challenges that included bankruptcy.

“I’ll always be grateful for the work that you did and the work that you guys will continue to do together,” he said.

The departing commissioner said his father brought their family to Birmingham in 1978 when he took the job as the director of budget management. He recalled “running up and down these hallways on Saturdays when my dad would have to come to work through the summer to make sure the budget was ready.”

The former Vestavia Hills city councilman became emotional as he spoke of the loss of both his parents during his term in county office.

“They saw me come here,” he said, “and they’re not able to see me leave.”