During a meeting of independent Fairhope school proponents at the Windmill Market Thursday, former Fairhope Councilman and local business owner Cecil Christenberry proposed gathering 2,000 signatures to petition the City Council to take the next step toward possibly separating from the county-- and establishing an independent City School System.
Christenberry: "Years ago . . . when this was first first brought up . . . thought it was ridiculous . . . had my fill of politics . . . not up to the fight . . . (but) more I researched . . . listened to teachers . . . might be on to something special . . . could be a turning point . . . in a community we all love . . . be all we can be."
Christenberry said he had spoken recently with Council President Lonnie Mixon and thought a petition drive may be the best way to proceed now: ". . . 2,000 names on a petition needed . . . 1/3 the voting population . . . to get the council to proceed . . . in an election year."
Christenberry characterized the effort as emotionally charged on both sides -- and conceded his business may lose customers accordingly, but in his opinion it was worth the effort to move forward and "get some answers . . . pursue to the bitter end to see what can happen . . . for (our) children and grandchildren."
Councilman Stankoski, a spectator at the meeting, said he thought it (petition) was a good idea -- as did Mr. Kingrea; but Kingrea said he still wanted a voter referendum as well.
Another proposal, by Mrs. Quinn to form an Educational Study Committee as the next step, is also still on the table.
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