Holcomb honored for distinction

RED BAY – Some people are content to just maintain the status quo at their jobs, but Red Bay’s city clerk, Linda Holcomb, is not one of those people.

After months of hard work and continued education, Holcomb earned the title of Master Municipal Clerk as bestowed by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

The title is only held by 26 people in the state of Alabama, but Holcomb said she had the desire to earn the distinction for the betterment of the town she has served since she was first hired as Red Bay’s municipal clerk in 2004.

“The people who hired me trusted me with this job, so I want to make sure I am doing it to the best of my ability,” Holcomb said. “A trained clerk is a better clerk, and with my job, it is necessary to participate in continued education because many aspects of my job are constantly changing and evolving.”

In order to receive the distinction, Holcomb had to attend training classes, which she said were taught by attorneys for the Alabama League of Municipalities.

“The laws concerning city governments are always changing and it’s my responsibility to stay on top of those laws so I can assist the mayor and council,” she said. “About 75 percent of my training was taught by these attorneys who study the law and know how to handle certain situations, so I think the training will be beneficial to the city of Red Bay.”

As the city clerk, Holcomb also has the responsibility of municipal election duties, acting as custodian of the city’s seal and records, submitting government reports and preparing city contracts and corresponding with other local governments and city officials.

On top of all that, Holcomb is the one who handles complaints about city ordinances and policies, but Holcomb said she does it all gladly because she enjoys her job.

“I work for a great mayor and council who are dedicated to their job and to making Red Bay a better place,” she said. “It is a privilege to work for them and a privilege to work for the people of Red Bay.”

Holcomb enjoys the people and the town enough that she and her husband, Don, have called it home for over 20 years.

“Red Bay is such a giving community and working with the people here is what makes me enjoy my job so much. I never really considered myself to be a people person before I took this position, but working for good people makes it easy.”

Red Bay Mayor Bobby Forsythe said he is proud to have a dedicated person like Holcomb working for the city.

“Linda is one of the finest people I’ve had the opportunity to work with and I don’t know what we would do without her around here,” Forsythe said. “She always does an extremely good job and is always willing to go the extra mile.

“We depend on her a lot and there’s just no way to tell what a fine job she does for this city. We’re proud of her and this great accomplishment in her career.”