Mayor's Supporter Says Fire Police Chief Press, Not Officers

Foster

Fairhope, Alabama                                                          

BISCUIT KING RESTAURANT OWNER

Saying they are "friends of mine," county resident Willie Foster, owner of the Biscuit King Fun Barn restaurant on CR 24. south of town, told a Times reporter he thought Police Chief Bill Press should be fired; and the six officers now facing termination, retained.

Foster said he had no other complaints against Press, other than his efforts to terminate his friends.

SUPPORTED MAYOR KANT

Foster's donation to Kant

Foster at first denied having any political connections -- but when confronted with campaign finance records, finally admitted he had donated to Mayor Kant's campaign fund. Foster had issued denials in previous media reports as well (Fairhope Courier).

Reporter: "Did you ever donate to Mayor Kant's campaign?"

Foster: "No I have not."

After his donation was exposed, Foster called councilman Mike Ford a "friend of mine" as well. Both Kant and Ford have openly advocated for Press' removal.

KNOWS FORMER OFFICER STEVE GRIFFIS TOO

Asked if he personally knew now-retired Fairhope Police Captain Steve Griffis, Foster said he did -- but then became belligerent when asked if he (Griffis) should have been made Police Chief instead of Press.

Foster: "I don't think that's any of your business. I'd advise you to move on down (the street). You are asking for trouble."                      

Foster claimed that neither the Mayor or Councilman Ford, had encouraged him to mount this protest.

Since Foster does not live within the city limits, he cannot vote in Fairhope elections.

(Publisher's Note: In similar public demonstrations back in 2009, the Mayor, Ford and a group of citizens had publicly advocated for then-Captain Steve Griffis to become Police Chief. (click))

SAYS SLEEPING/SEX ON DUTY ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Foster refused to talk about specifics of the officers' pending disciplinary cases, but implied he thought some of the charges  (according to prior media reports) were not serious enough to warrant termination.

Reporter: "If they did that, should they be fired?"

Foster: "Was Bill Clinton fired for what he did?"

"I would have sex out here right now if I thought it was a good thing to do!"

Chief Press has so-far only publicly identified sleeping on duty multiple times -- and lying to internal affairs investigators as the primary reasons for the proposed terminations. Police department issues are reviewed by an independent agent (Chief Barber of the Mobile Police Department), then officers may appeal to the city's Personnel Board if they desire to do so. Two such appeals are currently pending.