In the mayor-council form of government, the council is the local legislative body upon which rests the responsibility of determining the policies to be followed in the administration of the municipal government. In almost every instance where state law grants authority to cities and towns under the mayor-council form of government, such authority must be exercised through the council. The council is the ultimate source of power in the mayor-council city or town, and in its exercise of this power, the council determines the extent to which the governmental and corporate functions of the municipality are exercised.
Get to Know Your Council Members
Brandon Carlson – Place 1
Brandon was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He met his wife Shannon Morse, whose family was among the early residents of Summerdale, in the 1940’s. Her roots brought them to Summerdale frequently to visit family, and in 2015 it became home.
Brandon has had a wide range of careers from ski instructing, motorcycle rider coach, business to business telecommunications sales and real estate. In 2008 Brandon and Shannon invested in Baldwin County real estate which helped in making the move to Summerdale.
With the impending growth of Summerdale, Brandon is dedicated to the strengthening of our infrastructure, promoting responsible growth, and ensuring our town stays family friendly, safe and a great place to call home.
He and Shannon have three children, all married, and have recently been blessed with their first grandson.
Mary Carolyn McDaniel – Place 3
Mary Carolyn McDaniel is a native of Baldwin County and is serving her fourth term as council person on the Summerdale Town Council, Place 3. The daughter of the late Emmett and Inez Gulledge, Mary Carolyn was born and raised in Summerdale and attended Foley High School. After graduating from Gulf Park Women’s College, she married Ronnie McDaniel and moved to Fairhope where Ronnie was Superintendent of the Auburn University Experimental Station. In 2006 Mary Carolyn and Ronnie retired to Summerdale. She is a member of Summerdale Baptist Church and has two daughters, Heather Logan and her husband Jim who live in Eutaw, Alabama and Dawn and her husband Wally who live in Summerdale.
Mary Carolyn worked at Citizens’ Bank for 30 years. At Citizens’ Bank, she held positions as loan officer, branch manager and Vice President, and was a member of the Alabama Independent Banker’s Association. During this time, she also served as a board member and chairman of the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of the board for ARC and a member of the Robertsdale Rotary Club and was selected Volunteer of the Year and Woman of the Year.
Two organizations, close to her heart and that Mary Carolyn has played an instrumental part in are the Baldwin County Strawberry Festival and the Rileigh-Raylee Angel Ride. She helped to launch the Strawberry Festival and spent a number of years as Chairperson for the event and was a founding member of Angel Ride Foundation which provided medical assistance for children in need.
As a council person, Mary Carolyn serves on the events committee, personnel and public works departments. She is most proud to have worked to grow Summerdale’s Independence Day Celebration and Christmas Parade into fun events for the entire family.
Summerdale has always been a special place to Mary Carolyn. She believes it is important for everyone to have a voice and welcomes you to contact her anytime with questions or concerns.
Jacob Welch – Place 4
Hello, my name is Jacob Welch. I have lived in Summerdale since buying my first home here in 1999. I have been married to my wife, Chrissy, for 24 years and we have two sons, Conner and Justin. Our kids went to Summerdale School and both graduated from Elberta High School. I own a small business in Foley. I have served on various boards for the Town of Summerdale for the last seventeen years. I look forward to serving on the town council and hope to help this place I call home grow into something everyone can be proud of. If anyone has any questions or concern, please feel free to email me at jwelch@summerdaleal.com
Cheryl Stewart – Place 5
My name is Cheryl Stewart and I was born and raised in Summerdale. My parents were James and Gloria Wallace. I attended Summerdale Junior High School and then went to Foley High where I graduated in 1968, and earned my Associates degree from Faulkner State Junior College. I worked for Gulf Telephone for 37 years and then retired after working for Riviera Utilities for 15 years. I was married to Danny Stewart and we had three wonderful children, Kelli, Shane and Jennifer. We moved to Foley for a few years but I moved back to Summerdale in 2008. In 2012, I was elected to the council and I have loved serving our community. I have seen many good changes in our town and I hope to be a part of making good decisions that will make our town even better. If you have any questions, suggestions, compliments or complaints, please contact me at cstewart@summerdaleal.com.
