Fairhope Candidate Forum City Council Place Five

Fairhope, Alabama



Incumbent Kevin Boone



BOONE v. GOVER


Homestead Village August 4th
Life-long resident, incumbent Kevin Boone cited the new sewage treatment plant, bay front park improvements, the coming birth center at the hospital, new parking coming to downtown (behind library and on De La Mare), more "unity" among council members, and the flower clock as main accomplishments of the current council. He said that the city's founders had a "fair hope of success in 1898 and "I guess they succeeded ... now we are trying to curb the success a little to maintain quality of life"  by better planning/growth management and "tweaking" rules and ordinances. More growth is coming though, and he supports the mayor's proposed moratorium on new development because it is "overpowering" current ordinances": a pause is needed for adjustments to "control it in a fashion we want to see."  He added he thought the town was better now though with "all the newcomers" than in the 1960s when population was just 3,500.  He said he did not favor adding lanes to north Hwy 98 but synchronizing traffic signals (currently being done) should help traffic flow there. He said he now operates a Knockout Termite franchise -- and according to his city biography, is a partner in the ABK Development Corporation, K and B Enterprises Construction, and Fairhope Paving Co. He has worked for Summit Industries Construction of Magnolia Springs, a contractor for the city's new soccer complex, according to media reports -- click.



Former U.S. Marine, current city Preservation Committee chairman Gary Gover called the city a "jewel of a town" and added that its rapid growth is the result; managing it in ways to sustain the city's character is the #1 challenge. He called the new comprehensive growth plan a "roadmap" to get there, but it must be properly implemented; the city council is responsible for providing leadership and necessary resources to city staff. Besides growth management, other priorities are enacting heritage preservation policies, transportation, schools, and the environment; but they are all within the scope of the comprehensive plan as well. There needs to be better communication with the public using more town hall meetings "like this one" -- and city council meetings ought to be held in places all around town to better articulate policies and hear citizens' concerns. He said the solution to north Hwy 98 traffic is an additional parallel highway to the east (Fish River area?); that is one of the details already in the comprehensive plan that needs to be "fleshed out" and implemented. Citing his experience in business and financial administration, he said its time to get started: "I am all about the plan." Retired from federal civil service for the VA, Gover is also chairman of the annual Earth Day Mobile event locally.


Campaign websites:  Boone (click);  Gover (click)


(There will be another candidate debate event like this at the civic center on Thursday, August 18th at 6PM)

Gary Gover

Comments

Anonymous said…
To many traffic lights is what's holding up traffic on 98. Removing some like the one to the sprawling rock Creek neighborhood is the only solution.
Roger said…
Boone built a lot of the houses and roads around here, didn't he?
Anonymous said…
Gary Gover was impressive at the forum and seems to have no agenda other than being true to the people of our town. His record of service is impressive and I believe we need him on our council to lead us through a painful phase as we grapple with growth that has exceeded our infrastructure. He is a humble man who has an excellent grasp on issues and a plan to tackle them and we need to elect him.
KANT AFFORD 4 MORE said…
Boone is a Kant guy, really hard to deny that after the second candidate forum. Gover is not polished, none of them are, thankfully, but It is obvious Gover is not comfortable in front of large crowds. Gover would be a thorn in Kant's agenda and a vote against Boone is a vote against Kant.
Anonymous said…
So ,if Boon is a homebuilder and roadbuilder and works for another road contractor why didnt he mention it at the forums? said hes just a poor termite man ...
Anonymous said…
Boone did say he was a cotractor for over 30 years, retired then after a few months his wife told him he needed to find something to do. He now along with his brother ones Knock out pest control.
Publisher said…
Here is part of Mr. Boone's biography from the city's website:

"He is the owner of Fairhope Paving Co. Inc., a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity, founding member of Auburn University Water Ski Club and past team president, member of ABK Development Co. LLC, member of K&B Enterprises LLC, member of Fairhope Single Tax Corp., president of Woodlands Property Owners Association, member of First Baptist Church of Fairhope, volunteer with Builders for Christ, volunteer basketball coach with Fairhope youth basketball league for over twenty years, past member of Fairhope Kiwanis, past member of Board of Adjustments and Appeals for the City of Fairhope, past Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church of Fairhope."
Anonymous said…
Keeping Jack. Sweeping the rest.
Anonymous said…
There are people who consider that worthless clock an accomplishment? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Votes all these clowns OUT OF OFFICE!!!!