Fairhope, Alabama
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| Incumbent Kevin Boone |
BOONE v. GOVER
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| Homestead Village August 4th |
Life-long resident, incumbent Kevin Boone cited the new sewage treatment plant, bay front park improvements, the coming birth center at the hospital, new parking coming to downtown (behind library and on De La Mare), more "unity" among council members, and the flower clock as main accomplishments of the current council. He said that the city's founders had a "fair hope of success in 1898 and "I guess they succeeded ... now we are trying to curb the success a little to maintain quality of life" by better planning/growth management and "tweaking" rules and ordinances. More growth is coming though, and he supports the mayor's proposed moratorium on new development because it is "overpowering" current ordinances": a pause is needed for adjustments to "control it in a fashion we want to see." He added he thought the town was better now though with "all the newcomers" than in the 1960s when population was just 3,500. He said he did not favor adding lanes to north Hwy 98 but synchronizing traffic signals (currently being done) should help traffic flow there. He said he now operates a Knockout Termite franchise -- and according to his city biography, is a partner in the ABK Development Corporation, K and B Enterprises Construction, and Fairhope Paving Co. He has worked for Summit Industries Construction of Magnolia Springs, a contractor for the city's new soccer complex, according to media reports --
click.
Former U.S. Marine, current city Preservation Committee chairman Gary Gover called the city a "jewel of a town" and added that its rapid growth is the result; managing it in ways to sustain the city's character is the #1 challenge. He called the new comprehensive growth plan a "roadmap" to get there, but it must be properly implemented; the city council is responsible for providing leadership and necessary resources to city staff. Besides growth management, other priorities are enacting heritage preservation policies, transportation, schools, and the environment; but they are all within the scope of the comprehensive plan as well. There needs to be better communication with the public using more town hall meetings "like this one" -- and city council meetings ought to be held in places all around town to better articulate policies and hear citizens' concerns. He said the solution to north Hwy 98 traffic is an additional parallel highway to the east (Fish River area?); that is one of the details already in the comprehensive plan that needs to be "fleshed out" and implemented. Citing his experience in business and financial administration, he said its time to get started: "I am all about the plan." Retired from federal civil service for the VA, Gover is also chairman of the annual Earth Day Mobile event locally.
Campaign websites: Boone
(click); Gover
(click)
(There will be another candidate debate event like this at the civic center on Thursday, August 18th at 6PM)
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| Gary Gover |
Comments
"He is the owner of Fairhope Paving Co. Inc., a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity, founding member of Auburn University Water Ski Club and past team president, member of ABK Development Co. LLC, member of K&B Enterprises LLC, member of Fairhope Single Tax Corp., president of Woodlands Property Owners Association, member of First Baptist Church of Fairhope, volunteer with Builders for Christ, volunteer basketball coach with Fairhope youth basketball league for over twenty years, past member of Fairhope Kiwanis, past member of Board of Adjustments and Appeals for the City of Fairhope, past Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church of Fairhope."