GULF SHORES - So far all the jabs at retiring Councilwoman Carolyn Doughty have been humorous reminders and praise for her accomplishments during her 15 years on the Gulf Shores City Council.

And Building/EMA Official Brandan Franklin did poke fun at the popular lady known among city staffers for being a stickler for details. But he also pointed out to the audience at the Sept. 26 council meeting the tender, caring side that is Carolyn Doughty.

Prior to the Aug. 23 municipal elections, Mayor Robert Craft said each meeting from here on out would be a farewell tour of sorts for Doughty.

Led by City Clerk Wanda Parris and Fire Chief Hartly Brokenshaw, the tour was followed up Aug. 22 by Beautification Board and Arbor Day member Evelyn Sanders and City Planner Andy Bauer who rose to both praise and chide Doughty.

“Everybody here has heard how much Miss Carolyn loves the City of Gulf Shores,” Franklin began. “Well, I’m going to touch on something a little different today. I want to share an experience I’ve had with Miss Carolyn.”

Franklin was on a trip to Washington, D.C. with Doughty and Public Works Director Mark Acreman for the American Beach and Shore Preservation Association’s annual meeting.

Franklin received an urgent call from home.

“While we were in D.C., I get a call from home that my child, he was 10 at the time, was running a fever, couldn’t keep anything down and headed to the doctor,” he said. “You get that worried feeling.”

By the next day at noon the child had not improved and was being admitted to USA’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Mobile.

“Any of you that are a parent, you can only imagine,” Franklin said. “Your child’s in the hospital, he’s sick and they really don’t know what’s wrong with him and you’re a thousand miles away. It’s a helpless feeling.”

But, he said, Doughty sprang into action.

“Because of that lady right there I got to walk in my child’s hospital room late that night in Mobile, Alabama,” Franklin said. “Yes , Miss Carolyn, you are a walking, talking, editing Gulf Shores loving person. But it’s that loving, caring, family-first person that I wanted to share with everyone.”

Humor, however, was not left out of Franklin’s presentation.

“This conference gave us the opportunity to go up and talk to our congressmen about our beaches,” he said. “Since we were just a few months removed from the oil spill it was a perfect opportunity. We got to meet with Jo Bonner and representatives from Sessions' and Shelby’s office.

“You can only imagine how these meetings went. Picture this: I got Miss Carolyn on one side and I got Mark Acreman on this side.”

Between the two, Franklin said, he had a hard time getting any questions in.

“Then I remembered what my grandpa used to tell me,” he continued. “It’s better to sit there and look dumb rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt. I didn’t have a problem sitting there and not saying anything. I wasn’t able to get a word in edgewise.”

Mayor Robert Craft said the presentations will continue at future council meetings to help remind people of Doughty’s legacy.

“This is a loving discussion about what she’s done for the city, about what she’s done for all of us that work here and work with her here,” Craft said. “When she leaves we want to make sure everybody knows what special contributions she’s made to the city.”