A recent vote in Alabama by the House Constitution and Elections Committee was in favor of a bill that would divide Alabama’s electors proportionately.  In a 7-5 vote, a House committee approved the bill to scrap the current ‘winner-take-all- system’ that divides Alabama’s nine electors in presidential elections.  Though Democrats on the panel were in support of the bill as it would allow people voting for the losing candidate to feel like they are still part of the process, Republicans debate that this would only work if all states employed this system as well.  The bill will now be facing a decision at the House, and the bill will be further discussed pending approval or rejection.

For more on the latest news in Alabama, including Mobile and West Mobile, visit Al.com.

For more on buying or selling property in Mobile or West Mobile AL, contact local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

According to a recent Baldwin County News article, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami will be issuing watches and warnings for storms earlier than ever before.  With advancements in track forecasts, a greater lead time for costal storms is made possible starting this year; the estimated new lead time for watches and warnings will be issued 12 additional hours earlier than in previous years, making it possible for residents to prepare for what may be coming.

For more on the NHC’s new technology in watching tropical storms, visit Baldwin County Now.

For more information on buying or selling property in Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Daphne, or Spanish Fort AL, contact your local, knowledgeable realtor Barbara Reeves.

There will be a few new changes to the beach policies in Alabama’s Gulf Coast area for 2010.  These new policies include moving forward with the addition of more lifeguards and widening the area along the coast that they will patrol.  The key concerns for 2010 are improving beach operations through more focus on safety and cleanliness.  City officials also put forth a series of new beach policies that would regulate the use of personal watercrafts and limit where tents and heavy beach chairs can be positioned on the coast.

For more on beach policies in Alabama’s Gulf Coast region, visit Press Register online.

For more on available property in Gulf Coast AL, including  Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL contact your local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

Baldwin County AL Libraries Rank Highest in Country

In a new study conducted by the Library Journal, Baldwin County AL’s beaches have some of the best libraries nationwide.  Orange Beach library has earned its place at the top of the list with the magazine’s highest grade on record; just below Orange Beach is Gulf Shore AL’s Thomas B. Norton Public Library which appeared one notch under the highest rating.  The magazine features a brief write up on why these libraries scored so high with their study’s criteria including visits, circulation, program attendance, and public internet use.  The director of the Gulf Shores library, Wendy Congiardo reported that the draw of tourists to the beach areas also draws them to public libraries.  It can also be considered that the focus on community in these areas makes them top libraries for residents.

For more on what makes Baldwin County AL libraries top in the country, visit AL.com.

For more information on real estate in Baldwin County AL including Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL contact your local agent Barbara Reeves today.

Holiday Events in Gulf Coast AL

The holiday calendar in Gulf Coast AL is packed with great entertainment for the entire family.  There will be a Christmas Tree Maze event starting on Dec. 3rd and running through Saturday, presented by the Daphne Optimist Club and Fish River Trees.  This family fun event located at the Chick-fil-A in Daphne AL will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day and give children an opportunity to explore the maze and donate a toy to charity.
And don’t miss the City of Gulf Shores Tree Lighting on Dec. 3rd beginning at 6 p.m. at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center.  At the Tree Lighting activity, refreshments and entertainment will be provided and expect a visit from Santa later in the evening.

Starting on Dec 12th is the Gulf Coast Ballet in Orange Beach’s production of “The Nutcracker.” This ballet performance will take place at the Erie Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores and feature over 80 local dancers and begin at 7p.m. with tickets available for $10 per person with children 5 years of age or younger admitted for $5 per child.

For more upcoming events in Gulf Coast AL this holiday season, visit the Press-Register online.

For more information on real estate in Daphne, Spanish Fort, Fairhope, Mobile and West Mobile AL contact Barbara Reeves today.

The economy is improving locally in Baldwin County AL, as Foley’s recent monthly report reveals.  For the month of October, the Building/Inspections Department issued 126 permits at a total evaluation of over $3.2 million, a new commercial permit was issued for Coastal Investment Medical Properties for a reported $980,000, and 381 inspections were performed.  Also adding to these developments were twelve single-family residences which received permits last month at a total construction valuation of over $1.6 million.  All of these permits are a sign of continued growth and economic stimulation for Baldwin County AL.

For more information on news in Baldwin County AL visit baldwincountynews.com.

For more information on real estate in Baldwin County AL including Fairhope, Daphne and Spanish Fort Alabama, contact your local agent Barbara Reeves today.

According to a recent article in the Press-Register, municipal financial planners in Gulf Shores AL are predicting an increase in revenue for 2010.  Over this year, city officials have been cutting expenses and the preliminary budget proposal for 2010 should allow the city to put away nearly $1.1 million in reserve.

Differences in the budget from 2009 to next year include a decrease in funds from $3.64 million to $150,000 for the Police Department, an increase of $43,000 for special events and programs, and cost savings from restructuring the administrative functions of City Hall; the latter restructuring process should eliminate positions that will be replaced for more efficiency and these changes are expected to save money in the long run.  This new 2010 budget is expected to get the city back on schedule with street resurfacing and putting away a significant amount by the end of the year.

For more news on the economy on Alabama’s Gulf Coast visit the Press Register online.

For more information on real estate on Alabama’s Gulf Coast including Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL contact Barbara Reeves today.

photo credit: Suat Eman from freedigitalphotos.net

The Baldwin County Planning and Zoning Commission voted last week to recommend the County Commission to rezone 10 acres of land from outdoor recreation to a multiple family district.  The land is located at Gulf Highlands’ site where a residential development is planned.  The change was due, in part, to making the area more consistent as all the surrounding area was already zoned for multi-family development.  However, the site will not be developed and the Press Register reported that it may be to the benefit of the owners as this move could potentially increase the land value for tax purposes.

For more information on this beachfront zoning in Baldwin County AL, visit the Press Register online.

For more information on real estate in Baldwin County AL including Fairhope, Daphne, and Spanish Fort AL contact Barbara Reeves today.

This Veterans day, Baldwin County AL has a few events planned for families to recognize and honor veterans.
Mark your calendars for Daphne’s Veterans Day parade which will begin at 10 am at Daphne City Hall; the parade will be followed by a ceremony to honor military veterans.  At the George P. Thames Senior Center in Robertsdale, an appreciative program will begin at 11 am with veteran Rusty Champion as a guest speaker followed by a potluck lunch and a World War II memorabilia display.  Bay Minette AL will hold its parade at 10:30 am starting at Bay Minette Intermediate School and ending at the eternal flame on Courthouse Square where a brief ceremony will be held and followed by a program at the Korean War memorial.

For more Veterans day activities in the Baldwin County AL area visit the Press Register online.

For more information on real estate in Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL contact local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

After a recent Daphne Planning Commission meeting, plans for the Caroline Woods subdivision are looking a little different than they originally planned on.  The original plans were approved in November 2008 as part of the Madison Place subdivision concept, but will now be a separate subdivision; also altered is the number of lots required from 86 lots to 79.  Engineer David Diehl feels that this new plan will fit better into the “Smart Growth” category for Daphne and offers an improved design.
Other information discussed regarding this new Daphne subdivision include the possibility of additional studies on surrounding neighborhoods including a traffic study to determine how it would impact traffic flow, and the recommendation of a privacy fence to be built along the northern edge of the development.

For more on the Caroline Woods subdivision plans in Daphne AL visit Baldwin County Now news online.

For more information on real estate in Daphne AL contact your local agent Barbara Reeves today.