LET’S PARTY: City of Fairhope plans New Year’s Eve celebration, PAGE 3 BALDWIN LIVING Fairhope-based singer/songwriter releases new LP The Courier PAGE 4 INSIDE DECEMBER 28, 2016 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ Zoning dominates Daphne meeting as developers and citizens spoke out during a We’d like to allow some changes at the edge of Discussion centers public hearing. property along 13 and 90 that would be some A representative from the companies look- commercial development.” on CR 13, Highway 90 ing to change the property’s zoning said the Those changes included creating some multi-zone change project was simply “con- pockets of B-3 zoning (professional busi- By CRYSTAL COLE sistent with the city’s comprehensive plan ness district), B-2 zoning (general business [email protected] and good planning practices. district), B-2A zoning (general business al- “This rezoning request is for that 77 acres ternate district - golf course) and R-7A (apart- Zoning changes for a parcel of property there,” the representative said. “Basically, it’s ment district). located at the southwest intersection of an existing property where much of it is cur- Spreading some County Road 13 and Highway 90 dominated rently zoned R-3 (high density single family). SEE DAPHNE, PAGE 2 Christmas cheer the Daphne City Council meeting last week, Air Force JROTC participates in local parades page 31 Casey Williams Spanish Fort named Eastern to consider Shore Chamber changes to president sign ordinance By CLIFF McCOLLUM Eastern Shore SPECIAL TO THE COURIER [email protected] Newcomers celebrate Casey Gay Williams (formerly Casey Zito) has Mayor Mike McMillan told recently been announced by the Eastern Shore council members last week that Christmas party Chamber of Commerce as the new Chamber he would like them to begin held at Fairhope President. studying the city’s sign ordi- Yacht Club Williams brings a wealth of knowledge, experi- nance, as he felt there may be a page 3 ence, enthusiasm and passion for the Eastern need to make some changes there Shore to the Chamber role. in the coming year. “I am born and bred Eastern Shore,” Williams “We need to get some clear defi- nitions with this thing,” McMil- SEE WILLIAMS, PAGE 2 lan said. “Right now, I think there are some concerns that there are some compliance issues around the city that a more strongly worded ordinance may help fix.” McMillan said some council Enjoying the members had raised concerns festivities about various possibly non-com- Point Clear Rotary pliant signage in the city, includ- Club Christmas party ABOVE: Casey ing temporary signage. Williams “Some of them are just special held at Rock Creek event signs,” McMillan said. Clubhouse LEFT: Williams’ “Some just say things like ‘Buy page 3 father, Charlie Gay, your holiday gift cards here.’ shakes hands dur- Some are at financial institu- ing the 1974 Arts & tions and some are strictly retail/ Crafts Trail. resale facilities. But the bottom line is, we need to have a stan- dard definition across the board of what is and what isn’t okay to do.” SEE SPANISH FORT, PAGE 2 Bridge scores See results inside page 3 Continental’s Southern Avionics operating unit moves to Fairhope SUBMITTED today that its operating current location at the has built, over the years, a ment. Southern Avionics division Southern Avion- Mobile downtown Airport reputation for excellence and Interiors will move to DEATHS PAGE 30 Continental Motors ics and Interiors would (KBFM). in avionics installations Group Ltd, an AVIC Inter- relocate to the H. L. Sonny Southern Avionics and and repairs, instrument SEE SOUTHERN AVIONICS, John Hilliard Rutz national Holding Corpora- Callahan airport (KCQF) Interiors was founded panel fabrication and inte- tion company, announced in Fairhope, AL from its over thirty years ago and rior design and refurbish- PAGE 31 INDEX Gulf CLASSIFIED, 22 PUZZLES, 29 Coast LEGALS, 23-27 SPORTS, 8-10 Media OPINION, xx TV LISTINGS, 18-21 VOLUME 123 • ISSUE 22 BALDWIN PEOPLE, 4-5 1 SECTION • 32 PAGES 2• The Courier • December 28, 2016 • Gulf Coast Media portant value he told her was vital in everything she did. Williams lives in her childhood home in Daphne with WILLIAMS CONTINUED FROM 1 “It’s been engrained in me to be part of the fabric of her new husband Lee Williams of Fairhope. Her daugh- service to your community. Growing up, my dad was ter Hannah and his children Hadley, Taylor, Net, Parker said. “I grew up on the water. I spent all my summer very involved; learning about people’s businesses and and son-in-law Caleb are all now part of the loving fam- days on the beach and most of my high school days on a what they’re doing. I admired that,” Williams said. “I ily she jokingly refers to as a modern day Brady Bunch. sailboat.” look forward to the Chamber really making a difference Most weekends you can find Williams riding on a Williams has a very special connection to the Eastern in the lives of our merchants, our cities and quality of boat, relaxing on the beach or cheering on the Auburn Shore Chamber that dates back to her childhood, when life.” Tigers football team. She is a pet-lover and advocate for her father Charlie Gay was the Chamber’s manager for Williams graduated from Fairhope High School, be- the environment. She also enjoys cooking and entertain- many years. fore heading to Auburn to major in fashion design, mer- ing. “I used to run around the Fairhope office as a child,” chandising and textile chemistry. Williams values her faith and plays an active role as a Williams said. “In a way, it feels like I grew up around She had planned to be a fashion buyer, but her career member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. the Chamber so it’s almost like coming home working took a turn to banking soon after graduation. She began Williams has dedicated countless hours to service. here now.” her banking career as a customer service representative She volunteered for several years on the Chamber’s She recalls judging the Christmas Parade when she in Lagrange, Georgia. Jubilee Festival Committee, serving as the festival chair- was seven years old and posing with her father for a pic- Williams obtained her Georgia real estate license, man in 2004. ture in The Courier as they unveiled a new billboard for moved to the mortgage division, then eventually transi- “This was such an enjoyable opportunity for me to the Arts and Crafts Trail. tioned to sales and services manager where she handled give back to the area I love and showcase our art com- Williams said she admires the work her father did to advertising, marketing, public relations, business devel- munity,” Williams said. help create an environment on the Eastern Shore that opment and training. Other volunteer roles include serving as a past chair- invited tourists to venture off the highways and come She said this role spoke to a higher calling of helping man and board member of the Daphne Redevelopment visit. people reach a brighter financial future. Authority, the Vice President of the Baldwin County She said her father also instilled in her a sense of civic “I learned that management was a strong suit for me. Humane Society, a member of the Fair Ballot Commis- involvement, that giving back to the community was an im- I truly enjoy helping people grow and giving them op- sion of Alabama, and member of the Auburn University portunities to develop new skill sets,” Williams said. MBA Advisory Board. Williams moved back home in 1998 to work for First Williams said her first priority is to get out and hear The Courier Gulf Bank. She moved to United Bank six years ago as from as many members as possible. “We want the the Executive Vice President and Retail Director, work- Chamber to be a true resource and value to our mem- ing with 17 different offices. bers,” said Williams. 901 N. McKenzie St., Foley, AL 36535-3546 Her background in banking will play a major role in She is confident that the future looks bright for the PHONE: (251) 928-2321 | FAX: (251) 943-3441 how she leads the Chamber. “It’s all about getting the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce and the business [email protected] most for the money we are entrusted with. We’ll need to community. look at what is critical to do business and what money “I want to be accessible and visible,” said Williams, Parks Rogers Tony Whitehead can be put back into the community.” “I will be listening and seeking to understand what it Publisher Sports Editor Although Williams has held many prestigious roles is that we can do, and I will work to form collaborative (251) 943-2151 (251) 928-2321 throughout her career, she said, “My most precious role partnerships to ensure we are all walking together and [email protected] [email protected] is that of grandmother to Charlie, who is 18 months old.” understand where we are going.” Cliff McCollum Classifi ed Advertising Managing Editor Jessica Vaughn (251) 943-2151 [email protected] cliff @gulfcoastmedia.com asked. “Because I’ve seen some through here and follow the letter Legal Advertising SPANISH FORT places that do have them and I know of the law and make every business Crystal Cole April Wallace CONTINUED FROM 1 there have been some the city hasn’t we’ve got angry if we want to, but Editor [email protected] allowed.” we need to find some sort of balance (251) 928-2321 Retail Advertising Councilman Bill Menas ques- McMillan said Menas’ question that works for the city and for busi- [email protected] Frank Kustura tioned the use of banners for some was a perfect example of why the ness.