Fairhope, Alabama
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| Incumbent Rich Mueller standing |
MUELLER v. ROBINSON
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| Challenger Jay Robinson |
During the event last week at Homestead Village, incumbent Richard Mueller said he "wouldn't need" the full time allotted to him: "I won't need five minutes ... don't say a lot ... but think I make good decisions." Citing his 21 year residency and successes of the current council, particularly in debt reduction, Mueller summed up his political philosophy as "if it is legal, most of the citizens want it, and we can afford it ... just do it." Maintaining quality of life is the number one issue and he does not support an independent school system ("we can't afford it") but would allow a voter referendum about a special school tax district. He supported the controversial Fly Creek apartment project change because it is better for the creek; population density is the same as the old plan. Major goals for this next term are to complete a heritage preservation policy, additional debt reduction, and find sources of bacterial pollution in beaches. An architect by profession, his wife Patti is a life-long city resident and they have three adult children who grew up here.
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| Moderator Cody Philips |
Attorney and current Planning Commission member challenger Jay Robinson defined himself as "a concerned citizen who believes in community service." He highlighted addressing rapid growth as the number one challenge as well, and proposed "changing the focus from how to get more (people)
in ... to how to take care of those
already here" by imposing a temporary moratorium on big new multi-family developments to "let the infrastructure catch up." Higher impact fees on such developments and better financial management of funds freed up by debt reduction could pay for necessary improvements to roads/traffic, drainage, overcrowded schools, downtown parking, performing arts center, etc. Schools are "great" now, but could be even better without imposing any new taxes (without prior voter approval): He called an independent school system "not economically feasible" and, like Mueller, voted
for the controversial Fly Creek apartment project (as a Planning Commissioner) because it is more environmentally friendly to the creek. He and his wife Alex have two sons, ages 7 and 3.
More information may be found on their websites:
Mueller: https://www.facebook.com/Re-Elect-Rich-Mueller-for-Fairhope-City-Council-Place-2-1736445413280993/?fref=ts
Robinson: https://www.facebook.com/votejayrobinson/?fref=ts
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