ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy has been elected vice president of the Alabama League of Municipalities. Murphy was elected to the position during the League’s annual convention. The convention was held in Montgomery earlier this month.

The election sets up Murphy as the group’s president in 2010. Roy Dobbs, mayor of Berry, is the current president.

“The vice president still has to be nominated (to be president),” said Murphy, adding that most vice presidents do become League president the next year.

According to Murphy, Robertsdale mayor John D. Sellars was League president in 1975-1976. James Nix of Fairhope led the group in 1982-1983 and Arthur A. Holk of Foley was president in the 1986-1987 term.

“We’re kind of fortunate to have a man like Charlie in charge, and next year, he’ll be president,” said Robertsdale City Council member Paul Hollingsworth.

Word of the honor came out when Murphy told the group that council member Joseph Kitchens had been honored by the League with a plaque for his years of service to the community.

Murphy was modest but clearly pleased to be recognized by his peers. He is the second mayor from Robertsdale to be elected to serve the ALM. Mayor Josh Sellars previously served the ALM as vice president and president, Murphy said. He noted that in the past 63 years, Baldwin County has had three mayors lead the organization.

“For Robertsdale to have a second mayor (elected to lead the ALM) is a great honor,” Murphy said.

The job of the vice president, Murphy said, is to support the president, who “represents all the cities and towns in Alabama,” said Murphy.

According to a press release, the League was established in 1935 and has more than 440 member municipalities representing much of the urban population of the state.

“Charles has been involved with the league for many years,” said League Executive Director Perry Roquemore in a press release. “He has served on a number of League committees and his municipal knowledge and leadership skills have been an asset to our organization. He will serve us well as Vice President.”

Murphy is also on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation. AMIC is a program developed by the League to provide insurance, loss control and risk management services to the state’s municipalities.

Murphy has attended League workshops and other training sessions. He also completed the League’s Basic and Advanced Certified Municipal Official programs. Both programs require 40 hours each of training. Membership and participation in the League is voluntary.

“We get a lot of support from the League,” said Murphy.