Hammock with Guntersville mayor and VP of Alabama League of Municipalities Leigh Dollar

Wilson, Hammock earn League designations

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Tallassee mayor Johnny Hammock and Darrell Wilson have earned professional designations of Certified Municipal Official and Certified Official Emeritus respectively.

Wilson completed 40 training credit hours conducted or endorsed by the Alabama League of Municipalities, followed by an additional 40 training hours to receive an advanced certification. Attaining CMO Emeritus entails a minimum of 120 credit hours of Continuing CMO Education plus 15 points. Hammock completed 40 credit hours of training.

Hammock is a member of the 24th graduating class of Certified Municipal Officials. Wilson is a member of the 5th graduating class of the CMO Emeritus level. Each were recognized during graduation ceremonies held in Prattville on Oct. 3.

The training program for elected municipal officials was created in 1994 by the Alabama League of Municipalities, under the direction of its Executive Committee, to complete the cycle of training for municipal officials and employees. Until that time, no formal training had been offered for elected officials. The Executive Committee instituted a series of one-day continuing education programs designed for mayors and councilmembers who voluntarily wish to receive formal training in municipal government.

Because of his attendance at statewide and regional educational conferences, Wilson and Hammock have received formal classroom training in subjects such as council meeting procedures, parliamentary procedure, the Open Meetings Act, public records, ordinance drafting, conflicts of interest, the State Ethics Law, duties of the mayor and council, tort liability, the competitive bid law, zoning and planning, annexation, municipal regulatory powers, municipal revenues and expenditures, personnel actions and leadership development.

Dollar with Wilson

"All CMO graduates spend many hours over several years attending day-long workshops and lectures on the finer points of municipal government," said Ken Smith, Executive Director of the League of Municipalities. "Earning the CMO designation is a significant achievement. Earning the CMO Emeritus designation is the epitome
of this journey and a significant achievement. I commend our graduates for their dedication and
motivation to become better informed, more effective municipal offioials."

The Alabama League of Municipalities was organized in 1935 and has since served as the recognized voice of the cities and towns in Alabama. Through the years, the organization has steadily grown and now serves more than 440 municipalities. This voluntary membership program brings officials of cities and towns together in fellowship of public service – which strengthens and guides local government in a progressive, responsible fashion. The primary purpose of the League is to promote understanding of municipal government and administration in Alabama and thereby advance the welfare of the people of this state.