by Hunter Dawkins
A packed house at the Pass Christian Yacht Club celebrated the 64th Annual Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Ollie Bailey of State Farm Insurance and Curt Ladner of the city’s Beautification Department, as Employee of the Year. For the last five years, Pass Christian Main Street has been associated with the city’s Rotary Club to honor two individuals dedicated to the community.
Surrounded by family and friends, Bailey spoke of his raising in Alabama projects and how blessed he was in the Pass Christian community. “I have no friends in here, but I consider you all my family,” said Bailey in his remark to the crowd. Bailey has been involved in numerous city groups along with an abundant amount of support with the Pass Christian schools.
Ladner was recognized for his work by Pass Christian Mayor Leo “Chipper” McDermott. “We may not be the biggest city, but we have the best workers and we would not trade them,” said McDermott. “What I tell people that Curt’s job is that he does everything similar to the Public Works except he doesn’t have heavy equipment.”
Rotary Club Officers Ken Austin and Robin Rafferty each gave positive remarks after the dinner, expressing the great year and many of Pass Christian’s benefits of 2018. Newly appointed Main Street President S.F. Pittman addressed the audience that the organization had powerful plans this year along with expressing thanks to the past officials.
