The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper

Vol. 14 No. 15 - February 5, 2014

FEATURE

Baird known as a friend to all

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

Recently retired city clerk Alice Baird, center, in
black jacket, is surrounded by friends and former
colleagues at Friday’s retirement reception.

joe hendricks | sun

ANNA MARIA – Friday afternoon, former city clerk Alice Baird’s colleagues and friends shared their thoughts on the retirement of an Island icon.

Anna Maria Mayor SueLynn said, “We’ll put someone else in the position of city clerk, but we can’t replace her. We can’t replace the knowledge, who she is and how she did her job. We’re going to miss her.”

Commissioner and former planning and zoning board chair Doug Copeland jokingly said, “She’s been a pain in our butt for 14 years; now maybe we can get something done in this city.”

On a more serious note, Copeland said, “She’s been a great help and certainly made my life a lot easier by clarifying things, answering questions and being there as friend. If I had a question, she had an answer, and if she didn’t have it, she found it.”

Commissioner Carol Carter said, “I’m really happy that she’s going to go into another phase of her life, but we’ll miss all her good work here in the city of Anna Maria.”

Former Commissioner John Quam said, “When I was the chair, she really helped me out by preparing things and getting the agendas ready. She was great.”

Planning and zoning board member Margaret Jenkins said, “I hate to see her go. We’re really going to miss her. She helped me with many things over the years.”

Sissy Quinn, from the Anna Maria Island Preservation Trust, said, “Alice is helpful, kind and friendly. If no one else could give me information, she found it and followed through with it. She’s a great gal, and she’s going to be missed.”

Sherry Oehler met Baird when they served on the canvassing board that certified the 2010 vote to recall and remove from office Commissioner Harry Stoltzfus.

“We were part of the history making recall election here in Anna Maria. That was a monumental time for Alice. She has served the beach communities wonderfully, and I hope she sails off and has a great time,” Oehler said.

Holmes Beach City Clerk Stacey Johnston views Baird as a mentor, friend and colleague. In 2006, Baird hired Johnston as Anna Maria’s minutes clerk. In 2007, she encouraged Johnston to apply for the clerk’s job in Holmes Beach.

“Alice and I have attended city clerk training together and sat through over 500 Anna Maria meetings together. She’s introduced me to many Island residents and city clerks around the state and has been a huge help with her knowledge and history of the Island. We really understand each other and the trials and tribulations of our unique careers. She has become my very dear friend and I will miss her,” Johnston said.

Sun reporter Tom Vaught interrupted his vacation to attend Baird’s party. “She was a very good clerk and her offices in both cities always did a good job. She was always there to help us. She made sure the records were available, and she told us what was going on,” Vaught said.

Sun reporter Pat Copeland, who was unable to attend Friday’s reception due to illness, said, “It was 1988, and I had just become editor of the Anna Maria Islander Press. One of my reporters wickedly suggested that I take Bradenton Beach as my beat. Unbeknownst to me, Bradenton Beach was like the Wild West with meetings lasting until midnight and rampant political intrigue and shenanigans.

“Fortunately, one of the first people I met was City Clerk Alice Baird, She took me under her wing and helped me navigate the politics and personalities to get me through the first few months and our friendship was born.

“Fast forward to 2000, when I became a reporter for The Island Sun and Alice had become city clerk in Anna Maria. We rekindled our friendship, and when I took over coverage of that city, she was once again there for me. Her incredible knowledge of city government, patience and professionalism will really be missed in this city.”

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