On May 24, Mayor Bobby Hayes of Pelham was elected by his municipal colleagues to serve as President of the Alabama League of Municipalities for 2005-2006. He was elected and took office during the final day of the League’s annual convention, which was held in Huntsville May 21-24, 2005.

League Executive Director Perry Roquemore looks forward to working with Mayor Hayes over the next year. “Bobby has served on the League’s Executive Committee and has been actively involved with the League for many years,” said Roquemore. “As League Vice President, he attended numerous League meetings and training sessions as well as workshops hosted by the National League of Cities. He has a great deal of municipal knowledge and his leadership skills will serve us well as League President.”

In addition to his committee involvement, Mayor Hayes has completed the League’s Basic Certified Municipal Official (CMO) program. This professional program was begun in 1994 and requires 40 hours of training through a series of one-day continuing education programs designed especially for mayors and council members who voluntarily wish to receive formal training in municipal government. Through this program, Mayor Hayes has received formal classroom training in subjects such as council meeting procedures; parliamentary procedure; the Sunshine Law; public records; ordinance drafting; conflicts of interest; the State Ethics Law; duties of the mayor and council; tort liability; the competitive bid law; zoning and planning; annexation; municipal regulatory powers; municipal revenues and expenditures; personnel actions; and leadership development.

The Alabama League of Municipalities is based in Montgomery and was organized in 1935. Since its inception, the League has served as the recognized voice of the cities and towns in Alabama. Through the years, the organization has steadily grown and now serves 445 municipalities. This voluntary membership brings officials of cities and towns together in fellowship of public service – which strengthens and guides local government in a progressive, responsible fashion. The primary purpose of the League is to promote understanding of municipal government and administration in Alabama and thereby advance the welfare of the people of this state.