Gulf Shores, Ala – May 1, 2012 – The City of Gulf Shores was recently presented with the Municipal Workers Compensation Fund (MWCF) “Ten Year Award”. This award commemorates their participation in the Alabama League of Municipalities “specialized insurance program” for workers compensation. The City of Gulf Shores has been a member and purchased their workers comp insurance through this program, which was specifically designed for municipalities in the State of Alabama.

Terry Young from the MWCF stated, “We are honored and proud to have the City of Gulf Shores in the MWCF program. The Mayor, Clerk and entire staff have worked hard year after year in managing their insurance costs and their efforts have paid dividends annually.”

Due to the City’s outstanding claims history and their continued efforts to successfully manage their insurance costs, the City has received over $232,000.00 back in dividends from this insurance program over the past ten years.

“Our Finance and Administration Department are to be commended for their efforts in tracking and ensuring compliance for each of our vendors and managing our insurance costs effectively,” said Mayor Robert Craft. “The entire City staff has truly made safety an integral part of our workplace culture and this award is a reflection of their hard work and dedication.”

According to MWCF, the City of Gulf Shores has consistently maintained an average MOD factor of .70, ranking them among the best in the nation. The MOD factor is calculated annually and provides an indication of how successfully companies are managing their insurance costs against the national average.

“Obtaining the Worker’s Compensation savings for Gulf Shores is truly a team effort. All City departments have truly made a commitment to reducing our Worker’s Compensation claims,” said Cindy King, Finance and Administration Director. “Human Resources Manager, Sandy Carden, has led the initiative to improve our ratings and staff members Candy Porter and Jane Cates assure we are compliant with Worker’s Compensation guidelines. Anna Fuqua of the Accounting staff has also worked diligently with vendors ensuring documentation of compliance is obtained at all times.”

Gulf Shores, Ala – April 19, 2012 - According to the Alabama Library Association (ALLA), the Gold Star Standards Achievement Award is a level that all Alabama public libraries should strive for, though notably, only few will achieve.

On April 26, the Thomas B. Norton Public Library in Gulf Shores will become the only statewide public library to receive the prestigious ALLA Gold Star Standards Achievement Award at the association's annual convention held at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover.

The ALLA Gold Star Standards Achievement Award is awarded each year to libraries throughout the state that represent the "Alabama Public Library Standards" at an exemplary level. These standards are the guiding principles for all statewide public libraries and encompass facility, administrative, planning, budgetary, collection, public service and technology standards.

"The Thomas B. Norton Public Library is deeply honored to receive this award," said Wendy Congiardo, Thomas B. Norton's Managing Librarian. "To be recognized by the ALLA is a tribute to the enthusiasm and hard work of everyone on our staff and to the collaborative effort and support put forth by our entire city."

This year's award will mark the fourth time the Thomas B. Norton Public Library has been recognized by the ALLA. The library was the recipient of the association's highest honor, now known as the Blue Ribbon Award, in 1998, 2000 and 2003.

"That is the next goal on our horizon," Congiardo said. "Our staff has already begun working on our application for next year and we look forward to continuing the rich legacy of our library and improving each and every year."

The Thomas B. Norton Public Library is located at 221 W. 19th Avenue in Gulf Shores and is open six days a week.

(Gulf Shores)

“The city of Gulf Shores recently received the Distinguished Service Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of America (GFOA), for  the city’s 2011 budget.  It was the first time in the city’s history to receive the award, which is the highest honor paid to local governments from the GFOA.

Cindy King, Director of Finance and Administration for the city credited both the city’s finance committee, Chaired by Councilman Jason Dyken, as well as her staff in putting forth the effort to apply for and win the award.  “it was well worth the effort and hard work the staff and finance committee put into improving the financial structure,  transparency and reporting of our finances”, said Ms. King.  Chairman  Dyken said, “We’ve come a long way in improving our budget process and plan to continue the sophisticated work we have started.”

Other members of the City’s Finance Committee are Councilmember’s Carolyn Doughty and Phillip Harris.

Photo From left to right:  Councilman and Finance Committee Chair Jason Dyken, Finance Staff members:  Evie Grow, Bill Fetner, Marsha Ward, Layla Dawson (in back), Sandy Carden, Mayor Robert Craft, Linda Deeds (in back), Phyllis Hagler, Cindy King, Anna Fuqua, Michelle Mims, Council member Carolyn Doughty, also on Finance Committee.

(Gulf Shores)

Fourteen restaurants were nominated for the 2011 "Hobbi Award" for best chicken wings.  After well over one-thousand votes, West Beach Grille was victorious.  West Beach Grille is located at: 1154 West Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores.  Here is a description provided from their website:

West Beach Grille has it all, featuring outdoor seating, a view of the Gulf of Mexico, a delicious menu, live music, all with a bustling bar. The food menu boasts tasty classics such as baby back ribs, nachos supreme, and several signature dishes, plus a lot more including a healthy section featuring fresh salads. The 8 HDTV's are a sports fan's paradise and always have your game on. Each and every day, our daily specials will keep you coming back time after time. And remember, every hour is happy hour at West Beach Grille!

West Beach Grille also has a Wednesday Promotion called "Wings-Day".  Wings-Day consist of .29 cent wings all day with your choice of over fifteen flavors to choose from.  On the evening the "Hobbi" was presented, West Beach Grille introduced "Man vs. Wing" a competition facing one customer against fifty wings.  The catch, twenty-five minutes.  Hobnobgulfshores.com was present to document the first two customers to attempt the challenge.  Watch the video below to see how they fared.

(Pleasure Island)

Hobnobgulfshores.com is pleased to announce the "Hobbi Award" nominees "Best Chicken Wings".  January is football month and what goes better with football than chicken wings.  Now, I am sure all of you have your area favorite for wings.  This is your chance to voice your opinion and help us crown a winner on Super Bowl Weekend.  Each month we will be giving away a "Hobbi".  Please vote below daily to support your favorite.  The top three will be visited by the Hobnobgulfshores.com video crew and the winner will receive The "Hobbi".  The Nominees are:  Guy Harvey, O'Choppers, West Beach Grill, Doc's Seafood Shack, Hooters, Rafters Restaurant and Sports Bar, Tacky Jack's, Live Bait, Lester's, Dog House Grille, Bahama Bob's, Pink Pony Pub, After Ours, The Hangout and Champ's Place.

SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO VOTE.

(Bay Minette)

January 10, 2011

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office recently awarded its 2010 Employee of the Year Award. The award was presented to Deputy Sheriff Lonny Mckinney. Deputy Mckinney came to work with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office in June 2006. Deputy Mckinney is a 1997 graduate of Theodore High School and a veteran of the United States Navy. Deputy Mckinney is a 2004 graduate of the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission.

Deputy Mckinney currently serves the Sheriff’s Office in the Uniform Services Command. Deputy Mckinney serves the Sheriff’s Office as a PPCT Defensive Tactics Instructor as well as a Field Training Officer.

Over the past year, Deputy Mckinney excelled in his performance as a Deputy Sheriff and was presented the Employee of the Year Award at the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Annual Meeting on December 3, 2010.

(Bay Minette)

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office announces Mrs. Kim Kelly as the Employee of the Quarter for the 4rd Quarter of 2010. Mrs. Kelly has been with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office for approximately 6 years. Mrs. Kelly is the Finance Manager of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office where she handles many areas of the budget and discretionary funds. Congratulations to Mrs. Kim Kelly for this award.