WOODLAND - A year ago, the government and citizens of the Town of Woodland set a goal to win the City Spirit award at the Mississippi Municipal League annual conference. The town, already known for taking care of its own and promoting the positives, took things a step further. Townspeople made extra efforts to celebrate holidays, recognize student and public achievements, participate in civic and community outreach programs and instill an even bigger sense of pride in the town.

Each program, parade, or visit to the pumpkin patch was recorded in photographs and bound in a full-color, hard-cover book to present at MML this July. The city leaders went into the competition sure that their efforts would bring recognition and an award.

"That's the one we thought we would win, for sure," said Alderman Lorene Hamilton.

However, the town did not win the Spirit award. Instead, they brought home the 2009 Best Overall Excellence award for their efforts.

MML released the winners list, with Woodland at the top and credited them for their efforts.

"The community pride and town spirit of the citizens of Woodland serves an example of the wonderful like in small town Mississippi," was the written critique from MML.

"They divide the competitions into two categories, over 10,000 people and under 10,000 people," said Woodland Mayor Patti Watkins. "You could enter Public Safety, Planning and Economic Development, and City Spirit. Then they take the best of the winners for the overall award."

The town of Woodland, population 159, has made strides not only in cultivating and growing spirit, but also in improving infrastructure, increasing beautification and providing a safe, clean hometown for residents.

Watkins and the board of aldermen are constantly researching grants and funding for projects to benefit the town. Currently, they are working toward a grant to reconstruct and repair the sidewalks around town, but won't be satisfied to stop there.

"We always say when we finish something, 'We'll be fine now,' but we can always find something else to do," Watkins said.

Watkins said winning the Overall Excellence award was a wonderful experience, but credited help in the community and surrounding areas for making it possible.

"The folks at McDonald's in Houston were great," Watkins said. "We used their internet to put the book together. We sat there for three straight days, open to close, working on it."

The book opens to a dedication to the "Unsung Hero" of the community, Alfonzo Hughes. Alfonzo came to Woodland as an inmate on the work-release program and quickly found a home. His dedication to the town and it's residents earned him the position as the only full-time employee of the town.

"He's our everything," Watkins said. "We couldn't do without him."

More area recognitions

The three-day training and leadership development convention sponsored by the MML was also attended by representatives of Houston, Houlka and Okolona. During the conference, recognition was made of two local aldermen for their dedication to city service.

Shenia K. Jones was inducted into the Mississippi Municipal League's Hall of Fame during the conference. Jones has served the City of Houston as an elected official (Alderman Ward 11) for over 20 years.

Houlka Alderman David Wiggs was also inducted into the Hall of Fame and has served the Town of New Houlka for over 20 years. Now in his seventh term, he has been involved in projects including the construction of the new Town Hall, rehabilitation of the sewer system, converting accounting and utility billing to a computerized system and provides a stabilizing influence on the board.

The MML was established in 1931 and represents 288 city, town and village governments in Mississippi, providing training, technical assistance and legislative advocacy.