COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Ongoing and Upcoming Events, PAGE 4 Summerdale student places in science fair PAGE 5 High school scores The Islander PAGE 14 INSIDE APRIL 11, 2018 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ Gulf Shores talks NCAA volleyball tourney By CRYSTAL COLE in partnership with the Gulf Orange Beach Tourism to split this is it,” Malone said. “The [email protected] Shores & Orange Beach Sports the cost of production 50/50,” first two years was carried on Commission, bid on and were Brown said. “The cost of pro- Turner Networks on TBS, TNT CSU Appoints Styron The NCAA beach volleyball awarded a contract to host duction is roughly $370,000.” and TruTV. With a five-year tournament was the center the next five years’ (2018-2022) Herb Malone, President program now, the NCAA has as New President of talks at the City of Gulf championships. and CEO of Gulf Shores and made an arrangement with Columbia Southern Uni- Shores’ most recent city coun- Grant Brown, Recreation Orange Beach Tourism, spoke ESPN. Early events will be on versity’s (CSU) Chief Op- cil work session. and Cultural Affairs Director, about the new agreement this ESPN with final events on the erating Officer Ken Styron Following the staging and said along with the bid award year for the tournament to be mother station. Tremendous, will transition into the role hosting of two successful comes the cost of hosting the televised nationally on ESPN’s tremendous expansion with of president beginning May NCAA National Collegiate event, which isn’t cheap. family of networks. coverage and audience we’ll be Beach Volleyball Champion- “We entered into a relation- “We’re always conscious 1. The university’s board of ships, the City of Gulf Shores ship with Gulf Shores and of return on investment, and SEE VOLLEYBALL, PAGE 2 trustees nominating com- mittee voted in the appoint- ment of Styron to replace CSU’s current President Robert Mayes, Jr. For more Gulf State Park Orange information, see page 2. improvements Beach passes shine at Chamber vacation breakfast rental limits By CRYSTAL COLE [email protected] By CRYSTAL COLE [email protected] Improvements to the Gulf State Park were the centerpiece After months of work of discussion at the Coastal and plenty of outcry Alabama Business Chamber’s from the public, the City First Friday Breakfast for April. of Orange Beach passed Speaking at the event were Matt SUBMITTED PHOTO two ordinances limiting Leavell, responsible for plan- able tourism, of which the three desired for Gulf State Park by vacation rentals in resi- Island Spirit Award ning and management of the key pillars are environmentally- maximizing current revenue dential areas. The Coastal Alabama Busi- project as well as coordination friendly operations and facili- sources and also creating new The first ordinance ness Chamber recently of the design work, and Bill Ben- ties; support for the protection ones and help everyone connect amended the zoning presented its Island Spirit nett, the General Manager for of cultural and natural heritage; to nature and the history of this ordinance of the city to Award for March to Annie The Lodge. and direct and tangible social special place. include create what is Leavell said the project has and economic benefits to local The Interpretive Center will known as “vacation rent- Nolan. To read more about been a lot of fun and meant a people. feature indoor and outdoor als” apart from the short- Nolan and her achieve- lot to him as a Baldwin County The goal of the project are to spaces and exhibits, and will term rental category. The ments, jump to page 33. native. construct facilities targeting the serve as a gateway to the park second provided for regu- “I grew up over in Daphne,” highest levels of international for visitors. The project is de- lation of vacation rentals Leavell said. “This place and environmental certifications, signed to provide a net positive in certain residential dis- everything about it is incredibly Support the high levels of pub- impact to the local environment tricts, including any RS DEATHS PAGE 20 special to me.” lic access, visitor service, and and MHS zones. Leavell spoke about sustain- environmental sustainability SEE PARK, PAGE 35 The council also voted Ann Stapleton Dent to repeal the previously Jody Lee Helm enacted moratorium on James Glennon Leighton new business license for William Lee Luker rentals. Caroline Bickel Marks Alabama to see 47-day Red Snapper season Mayor Tony Kennon Susan Kennedy Stuardi By CRYSTAL COLE exempted fishing permit (EFP) addressed the issue with [email protected] by the Department of Com- PUDs, which he said are merce. all over the place. A longer federal Red Snapper “Last year, we were facing a “I don’t see how in INDEX season is already being heavily three-day Red Snapper fishing the world we would cre- BALDWIN LIVING, 5 praised by Congressman Brad- season,” Byrne said. “I went ate anything to address ley Byrne. to work with Senator Richard any PUD,” Kennon said. CLASSIFIED, 8 The 2018 Red Snapper season Shelby, the Trump Administra- “Most of the PUDs have HEALTH, 22 in Alabama will run from June tion and my Gulf Coast col- homeowners associa- 1 through September 3, with leagues to ensure a real Red tions, and it’s a majority LEGALS, 26 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Snapper season. Thankfully, rule. If a majority of the OPINION, 10 open to fishing. The entire week this year Alabama fishermen PUD wants vacation rent- of the Fourth of July (June 30 will have a 47-day season. I’ll als, they’ll vote on it. I OUT & ABOUT, 11 FILE PHOTO through July 8) will also be open continue working to stand up don’t know if we need to PUZZLES, 12 for Red Snapper fishing. for our fishermen and coastal ico Fishery Management Coun- be getting into that busi- The announcement of a 47- communities.” cil’s approval of an exempted ness. We’re protecting SPORTS, 13 day Red Snapper season comes Byrne has previously spoken TV LISTINGS, 16 following approval of Alabama’s out in favor of the Gulf of Mex- SEE SNAPPER, PAGE 35 SEE RENTAL, PAGE 2 Gulf Coast Media VOLUME 42 • ISSUE 16 1 SECTION • 36 PAGES Serving Baldwin County since 1997 Hwy. 59 So. between Robertsdale & Loxley, Al. 251-964-7283 WWW.EMERALDHOMESLLC.COM 2• The Islander • April 11, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media Columbia Southern University Board of Trustees votes in new president SUBMITTED In his role of president, and prayer, I have made with a unique perspective Styron will focus on execu- the decision to transition built on data and guided Columbia Southern tion of strategy, day-to-day from president of Colum- by innovation. University’s (CSU) Chief operations, policies and bia Southern University During his tenure with Operating Officer Ken procedures. The ceremony — and what better time to CSU, Styron has worked Styron will transition for Styron’s inauguration do it than during our 25th in levels of increasing re- into the role of president will take place in con- anniversary,” Mayes said. sponsibility including his beginning May 1. The uni- junction with CSU’s 2018 “During Ken’s tenure with current role of COO, chief SUBMITTED PHOTO versity’s board of trustees commencement ceremony CSU, he has proven him- of staff, chief information Orange Beach University observes 25th anniversary with nod nominating committee Friday, Oct. 19, an event self time and time again. officer, vice president of to new president. voted in the appointment that will also honor the Over the years, I have seen instructional design and of Styron to replace CSU’s university’s 25th anniver- him grow into an excep- technology and director of Styron said. “During my Styron will be CSU’s current President Robert sary. tional leader. He will be a information technology. time at CSU, I have seen third president following Mayes, Jr. “After much thought wonderful president to our He holds a Bachelor of this university grow from the university’s co-founder employees, and most im- Science in information sci- a small public safety col- Robert G. Mayes (1993- ‘During Ken’s tenure with CSU, portantly, our students.” ence from the University lege in Orange Beach, 2005) and the university’s Since joining CSU in of South Alabama and an Alabama, to an interna- current president and co- he has proven himself time and 2002, Styron has capital- MBA from CSU. He serves tional university that’s founder, Robert Mayes, Jr., ized on decades of ex- on the Mobile Area Coun- helped thousands of adult who took office in Septem- perience in information cil Boy Scouts of America learners create better lives ber 2005. Upon Styron’s time again.’ technology to propel the Board. for themselves and their transition, Mayes will con- online university forward. “I am humbled and families. As I embark on tinue in his role of CEO His background in sys- honored to accept the role my presidency, I am com- of Columbia Southern ROBERT MAYES, JR. tems and technology has of president for Columbia mitted to continuing this Education Group, CSU’s Current President of Columbia Southern University enabled Styron to lead Southern University,” mission.” parent company. VOLLEYBALL Also discussed at the plan for the Walking and utilize the streets Works Director, said tems in the amount of meeting were: District. In order for and adjacent tidally in- the city processes $99,193.00. These street CONTINUED FROM 1 Gulf Shores to achieve fluenced wetlands for 1,400,000 aluminum signs will be installed • Application for a its goal of creating a storm water treatment cans at its recycling on the new mast arm reaching with this.” $30,000 Coastal Plan- compact, walkable, therefore reducing or facility.