Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 5/7/2024
Item Status: New
From: Frank Lundy, P.E., County Engineer
Submitted by: Audra E. Mize, Administrative Support Specialist IV
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Resolution #2024-113 - Recognition of Mr. Gayland Gillikin, Sr., and Dedication of Interpretive Center at Live Oak Landing
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Take the following actions:
1) Adopt Resolution #2024-113 in recognition of the outstanding civic service demonstrated by Mr. Gayland Gillikin, Sr., as a distinguished ambassador of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Region and Baldwin County and dedicate the Interpretive Center at Live Oak Landing Recreational Area & RV Campground as the Gayland Gillikin Interpretive Center; and
2) Approve the installation of display cases inside the Interpretive Center for memorabilia of significance to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Region to be donated by the Gillikin family.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: Mr. Gayland Gillikin, Sr., was a resident of Bay Minette, Alabama, and served as an ambassador of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Region, more specifically, Baldwin County for more than 40 years. From a young age, Gayland had a tremendous passion for fishing along the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. As he grew older, Gayland dedicated his life work to promoting the fishing industry along the delta as well as focusing on the educational stewardship of the delta.
In the mid-1970s, Gayland embarked on a career as a promoter of the fishing industry when Baldwin County fishing legend Lew Childre of Lew Childre and Sons in Foley, Alabama, asked him to join his company. During this time, he traveled all over the country with Lew promoting and field testing their rods and reels before they went into production. Gayland learned a tremendous amount from Lew that would serve him for many years to come. During this time of extensively traveling the country, Gayland quickly began to realize that perhaps the most diverse and incredible fishery in the entire nation was right in his back yard, the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. This experience sparked a vison within Gayland of what North Baldwin had to offer and led him on a journey spanning the next three decades.
During the late 1980s, a time predating the internet, fishermen lacked an effective means to share knowledge. Recognizing this, Gayland started the Faulkner State School of Fishing. For over 10 years, he utilized his industry contacts to bring in top-tier fishermen from around the country to share their knowledge with local anglers. To this day, the Faulkner State School of Fishing remains the largest continuing education class ever offered at the community college.
In 1990, Gayland created the World Champion Bowfin Tournament at Live Oak Landing. Fishermen traveled from multiple states not just for the prize money but because Gayland turned this into a major summer event with live music, food, and vendors. The World Champion Bowfin Tournament received both regional and national media coverage in both print and TV. These tournaments at Live Oak had a way of bringing people together that never fished competitively. Over the next 11 years, this event evolved into the largest tournament of its kind in the United States and in 1997 was recognized as the largest freshwater fishing tournament in Alabama according to Alabama Game & Fish Magazine. Each year, Gayland used the proceeds from the tournament to fund a two-year scholarship for one Baldwin County senior to attend Faulkner State Community College, provided they major in a field that would benefit the fishing community.
Another enduring legacy dates back to Gayland’s childhood. Each day, his mother, Genevieve, would drop him off with Mrs. Eddins at Cliff’s Landing while she went to work at her restaurant in Bay Minette. In the mid-1980s, he identified a need for a free public boat ramp even though there were plenty of private boat ramps along the Tensaw River. In 1988, he drove to Atmore, Alabama, to see his old friend and persuaded Mrs. Eddins to divide her property into three parcels and sell the boat ramp to the County. With the help of Baldwin County Commissioner Frank Burt, Cliff’s Landing was reborn in 1989, and to this day, both anglers and pleasure boaters frequent this outstanding facility. Cliff’s Landing is currently the most utilized Baldwin County boat ramp on the delta.
Previous Commission action/date: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: $10,000.00
Budget line item(s) to be used: 14457238.52130
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Administration Staff print resolution for Commission signatures and place in binder. Update administrative wording of Policy #2.23 - Reservation of Live Oak Landing and Bicentennial Park Facilities and notify CIS for reservations/website purposes if needed. Frank Lundy, County Engineer and Madison Steele, Parks Director will coordinate placement of the display cases.
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): N/A
Additional instructions/notes: N/A