Mayor Kant Defends New Street Markings

Fairhope, Alabama

PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN PLANNED

In response to an inquiry by Councilman Kingrea, Mayor Kant defended the new downtown street 
markings and said he and city staff were planning a campaign to educate the citizenry about it. The Smart Coast organization is also proposing a campaign to raise public awareness, according to Kingrea.

Kingrea: "What are we going to do ... when are we going to start doing it."

Kant: "The first meeting is with the Rotary (Club) ... we are going around to the different civic groups to start ... ."

Kant said that the primary concern seemed to be the lack of centerlines on some streets, particularly Bancroft Ave. He said some of the diagonal parking there may have to be changed back to parallel to increase road width.

Kant: "I've instructed Johnathan Smith (City Planner) ... to start setting up meetings and explain what complete streets are ... then go forward with the plan ... try to get it in front of all our civic groups the best we can."

Kant: "Anybody else who would like us to come visit ... just call Johnathan or my office ... to schedule a visit to explain what we are trying to accomplish."

Kant: "Its a work in progress ... hopefully we'll get the thing worked out."

Comments

Anonymous said…
OMG - this is laughable. And yet another example of why the mayor and the council MUST be voted out of office.
Anonymous said…
You got have of that right the Mayor must go....by the way fdo not use my name in vain!!!!
Anonymous said…
How about just admitting you screwed up and implemented a really stupid idea as opposed to "educating" the population about this idiotic folly? "Complete streets"= Complete MESS. And it looks awful...I'm surprised that a city that gets its panties in a wad when someone cuts a shrub down would implement such visually awful street striping.
Anonymous said…
"How about just admitting you screwed up and implemented a really stupid idea as opposed to "educating" the population about this idiotic folly? "Complete streets"= Complete MESS. And it looks awful...I'm surprised that a city that gets its panties in a wad when someone cuts a shrub down would implement such visually awful street striping."

Amen to that!

Mayor Kant and Mr. Kingrea admit this is a stupid idea (even by Fairhope standards), write a check to the city to cover the costs of your folly and let's get focused on the things that matter to all of the citizens of Fairhope.

Vote these folks out!
Anonymous said…
i like the new striping, it makes it safer for pedestrians.
Anonymous said…
no problem. just paint some cenerlines
Anonymous said…
Ok, so I'm on Bancroft and see a bike rider, where is he riding? On the sidewalks! Go figure! If they really want to slow traffic down, they need to concentrate on N. Section between the school and Civic Center. 25 mph - I don't think so.
Anonymous said…
I would personally love to hear Mr. Kant and Mr. Kingrea's explanation of the arrows to nowhere on N. Section street.
Anonymous said…
"i like the new striping, it makes it safer for pedestrians."

I assume you are the same person who posted something similar on the previous article. Again, PROVE IT!!!
Anonymous said…
downtown fairhope is a disaster...gotta have a "progressive" come in from out of town to tell Fairhope how to "stripe" it's already congested streets...police didn't have one say in the matter...must have the signs in the middle of the streets to tell people pedestrians have the right of way and all the handicapped spaces have flower beds so the passenger doors can't be opened...need one way street flow, it can be done, plans have been given to City, they ignore everything rational....just try to pull out of Compass onto Bancroft...talk about a t bone accident waiting to happen...
Anonymous said…
The citizens that elected these "fine" officials never get a say so on what they think is best. JMO
Anonymous said…
"Its a work in progress ... hopefully we'll get the thing worked out."

No, Mayor Kant - Hopefully, the citizens of this town will finally come to their senses and vote you and your council out.
Anonymous said…
After they educate us about the new streets, we can educate them on what happens when elected officials act against the will of the people.
Anonymous said…
I'm sorry...did I miss the rash of hit and runs that were rampant in downtown Fairhope? I've walked all over this city for years...THERE IS NO PROBLEM! That's the issue. They bring in some doofus "national expert" to address a problem that is imaginary...at the very least it's not a big enough problem to spend any money on it when all we hear about is how broke government is at all levels. The funny thing is that the morons like Kant think they're really being "progressive" with such nonsense...when the truth is that 99% of the people are laughing at them.
Anonymous said…
Well, 99% of the people may be laughing at him - but the majority of the people voted for him. Explain that.
Anonymous said…
They are nuts and fall for his double talk......he cannot tell the same story twice.
Anonymous said…
The fact of lines on the pavement giving bikes and pedestrians the right of way doesn't mean even educated drivers will do the same. It is a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed
Downtown so the wrongfully death lawsuits will get them removed. I remember a planning board having to approve all construction before implementation and it all had to be worked out. We couldn't submit plans that were still in progress.