Reporter's Notebook/NSB: Mayor recognizes Mullinax Ford

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Mayor Sally Mackay congratulated Mullinax Ford Mercury during Tuesday night's City Commission meeting for its "2008 President's Award" as among the top Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealerships in the country.

"This is great for New Smyrna Beach," the mayor said, "We really appreciate our businesses."

Mullinax was among 327 dealerships from 3,000 across the county to receive top honors from Ford Motor Co., prompting Larry Mullinax, the North Dixie Freeway's owner to say in a press release: "Earning this award is a reflection of our entire staff's commitment to delivering the best customer experinvce possible."

The mayor learned of the award after reading a business news item about it in a recent edition of the Daytona Beach News-Journal, which ranked Mullinax as the 11th largest dealership in the Volusia-Flagler Market, with nearly 800 automobiles sold in 2007.