Fairhope, Alabama
BREWER v. CONYERS DEBATE
Last Thursday, the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce sponsored a debate/forum between the remaining candidates for place three city council: incumbent Diana Brewer and Jimmy Conyers.
The two repeated much of previous positions (click) expressed before the August 23rd general election and seemed to be substantially in agreement ... except for two items: The Fly Creek PUD apartment amendment and how to assist the five Fairhope-area Baldwin County schools.
*Fly Creek apartments:
Conyers said it was a complex issue and there were gray areas involved, but he would have voted against the apartment amendment because of the overwhelming opposition from the public. Brewer did not directly address the issue at this event but had said before she researched the issue thoroughly and concluded there was a need for more housing alternatives (for a healthy "diverse population" -- ie. younger families) and the project added green space and was more environmentally-friendly for the creek (less storm water runoff).
*School support:
Both do not support an independent school system and Brewer favors continuing supplementing via the city's EAC committee with contributions of $350K or more yearly; Conyers said he favors continuing supplementing the schools, but with donations to the private Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation (FEEF) instead.
Also:
*Both supported a six-month moratorium on new subdivisions/multi family projects to allow a review of city regulations and ordinances regarding growth, staffing, and related growth issues; but Conyers thought an additional three months or more may be necessary to tweak/alter the city's comprehensive plan itself.
*Both supported hiring more personnel for the planning department, a city staff engineer to review projects, and probably a city administrator/manager since the mayor-elect has said she is not interested in running the utilities. Conyers thought the engineer/administrator jobs may be combined, handled by the same person.
*Both suggested better use could be made of the parking garage to relieve downtown parking issues.
*Conyers said having a new mayor would bring a "new direction and opportunities" and hoped to work with her (Karin Wilson) on common ground first: the "low hanging fruit." Brewer has known Wilson for many years: they had worked together on a performing arts center -- and she thought her own experiences during her first term may help with the new mayor's "steep learning curve."
Additional questions and answers here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/15e701cf-54d5-4431-9030-c1c76570fc2d
The sole polling place, the Civic Center, will be open Tuesday from 7AM to 7PM.
Turnout is usually much lower for runoff elections.
BREWER v. CONYERS DEBATE
Last Thursday, the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce sponsored a debate/forum between the remaining candidates for place three city council: incumbent Diana Brewer and Jimmy Conyers.
The two repeated much of previous positions (click) expressed before the August 23rd general election and seemed to be substantially in agreement ... except for two items: The Fly Creek PUD apartment amendment and how to assist the five Fairhope-area Baldwin County schools.
*Fly Creek apartments:
Conyers said it was a complex issue and there were gray areas involved, but he would have voted against the apartment amendment because of the overwhelming opposition from the public. Brewer did not directly address the issue at this event but had said before she researched the issue thoroughly and concluded there was a need for more housing alternatives (for a healthy "diverse population" -- ie. younger families) and the project added green space and was more environmentally-friendly for the creek (less storm water runoff).
*School support:
Both do not support an independent school system and Brewer favors continuing supplementing via the city's EAC committee with contributions of $350K or more yearly; Conyers said he favors continuing supplementing the schools, but with donations to the private Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation (FEEF) instead.
Also:
*Both supported a six-month moratorium on new subdivisions/multi family projects to allow a review of city regulations and ordinances regarding growth, staffing, and related growth issues; but Conyers thought an additional three months or more may be necessary to tweak/alter the city's comprehensive plan itself.
*Both supported hiring more personnel for the planning department, a city staff engineer to review projects, and probably a city administrator/manager since the mayor-elect has said she is not interested in running the utilities. Conyers thought the engineer/administrator jobs may be combined, handled by the same person.
*Both suggested better use could be made of the parking garage to relieve downtown parking issues.
*Conyers said having a new mayor would bring a "new direction and opportunities" and hoped to work with her (Karin Wilson) on common ground first: the "low hanging fruit." Brewer has known Wilson for many years: they had worked together on a performing arts center -- and she thought her own experiences during her first term may help with the new mayor's "steep learning curve."
Additional questions and answers here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/15e701cf-54d5-4431-9030-c1c76570fc2d
The sole polling place, the Civic Center, will be open Tuesday from 7AM to 7PM.
Turnout is usually much lower for runoff elections.
Comments
The number of Fairhope citizens overall wanting a no vote is far in excess of 2%, more like 75% would be a more realistic estimate based on how many concerned citizens actually attended the meetings. In the last p an z meeting, literally hundreds of Fairhope citizens attended to request a no vote, there was not one single person attending in this critical meeting in support of the apartments besides the devloper and property owner. The question was asked is there anyone here in this huge crowd who supports this development? and not even one person came forward or even raised their hand.
Mayor Karen unfortunately was very rude tonight to the board who has a very tough job. Boy she will realize that all the redric some of her backers have been hollering will not work in the real life operations of the city and county. She won fair and square, just hope she works together with the good people of the city and county. Yes there are a few that get away with other people doing the work and takes credit for it, they are very noticeable and should be gone. Wish you the very best.