COMMUNITY NEWSwww.thecallnews.com

Joy M i d d l e t o n w a s named Chickasaw’s 2013 citizen of the year on June 20 in a banquet at the J.C. Davis Auditorium.

“I didn’t even know I was nominated until about four days before the program,” Middleton said the day af-ter the presentation. “My daughter came over to visit and asked if I was planning to attend the citizen of the year presentation. I said, ‘Yes, I normally do.’”

Her daughter replied, “Good, because you’re nom-inated.”

Middleton said she just wanted to enjoy the cer-emony and not concentrate on winning or losing.

“When I read the pro-gram and saw the other three nominees, I assumed one of them would receive the award,” she said. “Any of the other three candi-dates have done as much or more than I have for the city.”

And then her name was announced.

“I was floored,” she re-called.

Middleton, a 55-year res-ident of Chickasaw, was recognized for her volun-teer work and church ser-vice. She delivers meals to the elderly and shut-ins and is an active member of First Baptist North Mobile church in Saraland.

She has donated time and effort with local Girl Scout troops, youth sports events, the Chickasaw Gar-den Club, church work and

other charities. She also served on the Chickasaw Board of Adjustments.

“I lean toward helping the elderly,” she said. “Of-ten, our older citizens are forgotten. Some have no liv-ing family members. When I deliver a meal or pay a visit to an older person, it may be the only company they have that day.

“It is very satisfying to maybe make someone smile or perhaps bring just a little joy to a life. I do this by volunteering.” In a writ-ten statement, Chickasaw Mayor Byron Pittman said: “I would like to congratu-

late Ms. Middleton on being 2013 City of Chickasaw Citi-zen of the Year. She sets a fine example of a dedicated, loyal and giving resident of Chickasaw. I wish we could give all of the nominees this award as they all deserve it. Chickasaw is one of the most caring and giving cit-ies that I know of and I am honored to be mayor. It is people like Ms. Middleton that make Chickasaw the city that it is.”

Middleton said she and her husband, the late Billy Middleton, drove through the area over 55 years ago looking for a house in a clean, friendly town.

“Chickasaw seemed like that place, and over the years it has been,” she said. “I would not live anywhere else.”

Middleton has four chil-dren: Sandy Miller and Donna Yudman, both of Chickasaw, and Tammy Root and Bart Middleton, who live in Orange Beach.

When accepting her award, Middleton thanked the audience and the selec-tion committee, and told the crowd what her name “Joy” meant.

“When I was a little girl, my mother told me Joy is special,” she said. “‘J’ stands for ‘Jesus,’ the ‘O’ for ‘others’ and ‘Y’ means ‘you,’ as in you are last.”

Middleton is the 58th recipient of the title, dat-ing back to 1956. Other 2013 nominees were Nell Barnes, Robert McFall and Sam Rawls.

18A | Wednesday, June 26, 2013 CALL NEWS

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2566 Dauphin Street

SARALAND — The Saraland school board unanimously approved the hiring of Dr. Aaron Milner as superintendent at a special-called meeting on June 18.

Milner has served since 2010 as the su-perintendent for Enterprise City Schools, which has a student enrollment of more than 6,200, six elementary schools, three junior high schools and one high school, according to the school system’s website.

Milner was the Saraland school board’s first and only interview for the post out of 11 “excellent” applications, school board attorney Bob Campbell said.

Each board member individually re-viewed and ranked the applications, and board president Bill Silvers said Milner was everyone’s No. 1 choice.

School and city officials, along with community members, spent about 45 minutes lobbing questions at Milner Tuesday before the school board voted with little deliberation.

It was an abrupt end to the public por-tion of the search to find a replacement for outgoing superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers. Campbell said the application process largely remains confidential as a courtesy to prospective candidates.

Vickers praised the decision.“I could not think of a more outstand-

ing individual to come into Saraland and be superintendent,” Vickers said after the meeting.

Silvers said the board would begin drafting Milner’s contract on Wednes-day and that he will begin work within 30 days.

Although his salary will be part of the negotiations, Silvers said the school system will likely pay Milner an annual salary between $135,000 and $137,000.

“There’s no doubt in my mind or the board’s mind that he’s going to do a great job with our schools,” Silvers said.

Milner said his first order of business would be familiarizing himself with the

daily operations of the Saraland school system, reviewing finances and getting to know the central office staff and chief school financial officer Linda Agee.

“Every school board has its own unique culture,” Milner said. “I plan to come in an observing way first and tell the administration and the teachers that I’m here to work with them.”

Milner attended Tuesday’s meeting with his wife, Jennifer, and sons Matthew and Michael. The couple will enroll the boys in Saraland schools for the next school year, he said.

“I’m excited for the start of school, we’re in this business of children, and I’m excited to be around them,” Milner said. “We want to be in Saraland, we want to make this home. We’re just ecstatic.”

BY HANNAH GARCIAhannah@thecallnews.com

BY EMMETT BURNETTStaff Writer

Aaron MilnerJoy Middleton

Joy Middleton is named Chickasaw citizen of year

HONORED FOR VOLUNTEER WORK AND CHURCH SERVICE

Milner will lead Saraland schools

APPROVED AS NEW SUPERINTENDENT