Wilson Upsets Kant For Fairhope Mayor

Fairhope, Alabama



CITY'S FIRST FEMALE MAYOR



Mayor-elect Karin Wilson


MUELLER DEFEATED; BREWER IN RUNOFF FOR COUNCIL

Local business owner Karin Wilson has defeated four term incumbent mayor Tim Kant by a 53-47% margin (see her comments below), place two council incumbent Rich Mueller was defeated by Jay Robinson,  and place three council member Diana Brewer will most likely have to face challenger Jimmy Conyers in a runoff election because neither gained a 50% majority (after absentee/provisional ballots are counted).

Place one incumbent Jack Burrell was re-elected as was place five incumbent Kevin Boone.

The open place four seat being vacated by Mike Ford went to Robert Brown over James Nix Jr.

The new government will take office in early November.

(There were 867 more votes cast in the mayor's race than in 2012; Wilson won by 451)



Wilson 3407  53%
Kant    2974   47%
Jay Robinson

Burrell 5887
Smith  1287

Mueller   1979
Robinson 4287

Brewer    2918    46%
Conyers  2774    44%
Lawrence 660    10%

Robert Brown

Brown  4382  67%
Nix      2119   33%

Boone  3504  56%
Gover  2746   44%







Wilson's remarks posted to Facebook:

"Tonight history was made in Fairhope.
Here's our new mayor's message to you:
Nothing makes me happier than to report that my acceptance speech and concession speech are the same speech. I won. You won.

When I first announced my campaign, people were fearful. Fearful to speak out. Fearful their friends or family or employer would be upset. I thought, “Is this where I live? Is this really Fairhope?” As we started talking about my platform, going door to door, those doors started opening, and people would whisper, “I support what you are doing.”

More and more people starting coming out into the open. As it turned out, the community as a whole had a lot on their mind. We said “it’s ok”. We weren’t afraid. We began putting up more and more signs. More people joined this conversation and the chorus became louder. People began picking up their own signs. They began asking for me to come to talk to them and their friends in their homes. This long overdue community conversation became more and more open, honest, and truthful.

YOU started a conversation that has only just begun. This conversation will keep pushing our lawmakers to actually involve the community in their very important decisions – not just give the optics of involvement. This conversation will require leaders to communicate with the public on different terms, improving transparency and accountability. This conversation will necessitate a new approach to planning – one that is proactive instead of reactive and one that doesn’t saturate our community with over-development. This conversation will result in real changes that will make sense and benefit this community. This conversation will keep going.

Leadership will no longer be able to shrug their shoulders and say they aren’t sure how something impactful to the community happened. Leadership will no longer be able to say we can’t. They will be looked at by YOU to say “here are some ways we can.”

And let me make this very clear. Being Mayor is a position of leadership. The REAL people who do this amazing work, lead these city departments, run community organizations and extend nothing short of heroic efforts in Fairhope -- THEY will keep doing their work, and our town will continue to be an incredible place to live because of them.
Thank you to the many volunteers who made my campaign a success. Thank you to each person who took the time out of their day to be part of a fun, energized election in downtown Fairhope today. Thank you also to our Secretary of State, who responded to our requests and sent his General Counsel to personally provide election oversight support at the Civic Center today.

I am so proud to have been part of this experience. I WILL continue the conversation and the hard work we have just started to do. We will do this.

Here’s to a new chapter in Fairhope!"

Comments

Anonymous said…
Is it to late to change the name of the new tennis courts from ford to kant?
Anonymous said…
OMG!!
Anonymous said…
I wonder if it was the golf cart on the pier that cost Kant the election?
Anonymous said…
The fear people had to speak out against the status quo was real! Tis a great day for Fairhope!
Anonymous said…
Anyone know what Mayor Wilson is referring to here? "Thank you also to our Secretary of State, who responded to our requests and sent his General Counsel to personally provide election oversight support at the Civic Center today?"

It's an interesting statement, and I'm curious what caused the need for those requests. They say "To the victor belong the spoils", but she took the high road in that speech. Good sign for Fairhope.
Anonymous said…
Can you get them to come back and finish paving my street?
Unknown said…
Moving there in Novemeber and have been following this. Glad to hear!
Anonymous said…
Place # 5
Mr Gover raised $500 and a few hand painted signs and received 44% of the vote. 😳😳😳
Does this make a statement?
Anonymous said…
She insulted both the citizens of Fairhope and Mayor Kant to insinuate that we cannot have an honest, fair election without help from someone in Montgomery.
Anonymous said…
Hope we are not just substituting a new 'good ole boy/girl system' for the old one ... .
Anonymous said…
the golf cart on pier was Burrels idea ...
Anonymous said…
Refer back to the complaints from the 2008 election to understand why General Counsel was in Fairhope yesterday. The complaints were legitimate
Anonymous said…
Congratulations on winning this election for mayor; I find it troubling that in your statement there was not one word of thanks to the man who led this city for the last 16 years.
Remember who pays your salary and who you work for.
Anonymous said…
Being mayor is a relatively thankless public service especially in a town with too many rednrcks. It is not a high salary position. Time to clean house in Fairhope.
Anonymous said…
I work the polls. I'm glad The General Counsel was there watching us. I always do my job to the best of my ability. I do what I'm supposed to do every election so I was not worried. Any poll worker who did not like him being there, must not do their job to the best of their ability. I am there for the voters and I do my best to make it an easy,quick and an honest process for them. I don't know what has happened in the past but I feel that most of them do their job - honestly.
I hope that very soon, we can have a more technical election. It would be quicker for all of the voters. Maybe someone will see that now.
Anonymous said…
Hopefully, she'll clean up the mess at the Library! Not just the architectural fight, but its lack of management too!
The heads of staff don't seem to be doing much for that building unless there's a photo-op involved.
Anonymous said…
I agree with one comment,that our newly elected Mayor should have thanked Tim Kant for his long time and dedicated service to Fairhope.33 years working for the city and 16 as mayor.Show some class!
Anonymous said…
Yes her comments are rude to the Mayor, council and the employees. Her business thrives because of the people that have started Fairhope as it is now. Back in 1973 Nix started the change and grew a city with one piece of equipment and 10 employees to a self sufficient public utility that 1000 of people a year put in applications wanting to be a part of this great city. She ran her campaign on misinformation that people were to lazy to verify their self and read it on Facebook and so called news sites like the ripp report. If you look at all these ethic inquiries they were all filled out by one person. Yes there are inquiries but anyone can print off the paper fill in the blanks and get it notorized. Then they have to investigate. Hope she realize that all things come through the council, then they give the mayor and city clerk authority to follow through with what ever it may be. The city is the employees not the mayor or council. When you take things away they will start leaving, as they leave the city will start going down the drain
Anonymous said…
Why does he need to be thanked? Does he deserve all the credit for work performed by other people? And, if we have to thank him, should he be forced to apologize for the many bad things that have happened under his administration? It's over. Get over yourself!
Anonymous said…
ripp is the best liar in town. even under oath....
Randal said…
Too many rednecks in this town? Get off your high horse.
Anonymous said…
It was time for a change. No one should hold any elected position for 16 years.

Hated Boone got re-elected...hopefully Brewer will get booted in a runoff.
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said…
hope all of the newly elected will remember the Golden Rule ... not be mean and vindictive ... rise above it all ...
Anonymous said…
She has no idea what she is getting into.

It is not at all what she expects!

Hope she goes easy on city employees: not mean and vindictive; they have only been doing what they are told.
Anonymous said…
As one who voted for Wilson and most of the elected council members, I hope they can follow through on their campaign platforms. This town is at an inflection point and needs their leadership and citizen involvement. I for one will be holding each elected official accountable. Great place to live and could me much, much better. Hated Gover didn't get elected because he was the only candidate that demonstrated passion and commitment for implementing the comprehensive plan. Someone on the council needs to accept this role.

On another issue, I'm not certain the idea of eliminating at-large elections for this town is the best course. I prefer the option of the voters to sweep out unproductive officials on the council. If we use district voting, I'm concerned the election process could lead to council members being elected and re-elected based on something more than qualifications and results. We're not a large town, and each council member has 20% of the voting strength. If issues in a certain area are not being addressed, that's an contention the mayor/council should personally and collectively take action to resolve. Just seems voting by electoral districts could create more problems than it is intended to rectify.
Anonymous said…
Well said. Totally agree!
Anonymous said…
I agree with "As one who voted for Wilson". Good comment. At-large elections might be best for a city our size. I also agree that Gover was by far the better candidate.
Anonymous said…
Any word of a "run-off" between Brewer and Conyers?
Anonymous said…
It would be a terrible mistake for karen to start firing everybody just to satisfy some of her vindictive supporters for pay back for perceived offenses in the past.
Anonymous said…
No. There have been questionable practices in previous elections. Having insurance this election was above board is great. If you have nothing to hide, it shouldn't have been a problem.
Anonymous said…
Karin isn't going to fire anyone for vindictive reasons. But, hopefully hiring and compensation decisions will follow the documented handbook and not constantly violate the cities own guidelines.
Anonymous said…
It will be nice to allow the employees to do their jobs without fear of retribution from a petty, vindictive mayor. I expect the employees are some of the happiest with this outcome, even if they have to be careful not to show it.
Anonymous said…
She will have to learn to say no to the demands of her craziest supporters if she wants to have a successful administration.
Anonymous said…
Just went to the gas station in Fairhope and was told that I can not buy beer after midnight on any day. We need a leader not a mother. I am an adult citizen and can make my own decisions about what I consume. If this is true we need to do a recall vote to remove her.
Anonymous said…
I just went to a local gas station in Fairhope and was advised that our citizens can no longer buy beer after midnight on any day. Well Ms. Willson I already have a mother. I also moved out of her house when I was seventeen. I talked to my mother and she has no problem with me a 38 year disabled veteran buying beer after midnight. I think a recall vote is in order her.
Anonymous said…
I completely agree with "as one who voted for Wilson". I hate that Gover did not win but I do hope that everyone gets out to vote for Conyers in the run-off election. Brewer needs to go!
Anonymous said…
To the commenter about not being able to buy beer after midnight…….Karin Wilson is not yet in office. If you can't buy beer after midnight, it is certainly not her fault.
Anonymous said…
She ought to be able to have the one's she wants and trusts for her staff, just like Kant did.

would not recommend firing anyone like he did though.