GULF SHORES, AL — There was much hilarity and good cheer in the Gulf Shores council chambers on Aug. 8 as the Carolyn Doughty farewell tour began.

Mayor Robert Craft announced the tour of sorts on Aug. 1 to recognize the 15-year councilwoman’s service on the council.

“We are going to talk about the great things that have happened since she’s been on this council, 15 years,” Craft said.

Up first were, as Craft called them, “senior” members of the staff, Fire Chief Hartly Brokenshaw and City Clerk Wanda Parris.

“You know I love you dearly and this is all in jest,” a grinning Parris began as she turned toward Doughty. “Hartly and I think you’re one of the smartest women we know. You’re always professional and helpful even when you call to point out our errors and omissions in our work.

“We want to be like you in our next life, but we’re pretty sure that ship’s sailed in this life.”

The two came up with a tongue-in-cheek method to praise Doughty’s intelligence. Parris said a discussion ensued between herself and Brokenshaw over authorship of the dictionary.

“We thought it was Oxford Press or Funk and Wagnall or maybe Webster’s,” she said. “But then we both agreed it was you. So we brought these books for you to sign and autograph for us today. Make one out to Hartly.”

And Brokenshaw came forward with a cellphone and selfie stick and the grinning trio huddled together for a photo.

“You know you’re on your game when you get a selfie,” he said.

Brokenshaw pointed out Doughty’s diligence in watching how the city’s money was spent and her yearn to get the most for it.

“There’s one I can remember and it involved Joe (Garris) and Steve Jones when they were on the fire department committee and we were getting ready to do something with the fire station,” he said. “It was falling down, we’re trying to do something. We put together a package and some costs, and this was in some downturn times, we weren’t real up on our money at that time.”

Brokenshaw the committee came together with city staffers and architects to present the amount for the project they had come up with, one he said they were proud to present.

“It was like $1.8 million,” Brokenshaw said. “She looked up, and all the architects were in the meeting, too, and said ‘tell ‘em to get their pencils a little bit sharper.’

“Guess what? It got a little bit sharper. There are still people who cannot believe what we did with that station with that amount of money. Every day they come in and can’t believe. She keeps us straight on a lot of things. We do what Carolyn says.”

Brokenshaw said her support for the fire department has been unwavering during her tenure.

“She is very proud of our paramedic and advanced life support capabilities,” he said. “She’s upfront in the green technology and if it’s green she’s all for it and we’re right behind her. We appreciate that.

“I appreciate the way you look after the citizens and the tax dollars in the community.”