Gulf Shores Considers Lodging Tax Increase
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Ongoing and Upcoming Events, PAGE 3 Dolphins fall to LeFlore PAGE 13 Fun for fall gardeners The Islander PAGE 6 INSIDE SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ Gulf Shores considers lodging tax increase By CRYSTAL COLE 50 percent of our 10-year capi- to very soon widen County Road “Similarly, back in 1999 when [email protected] tal improvement plan,” Griffin 6 from Hwy 59 to the Sportsplex the lodging tax was increased, said. “It’s also four times that $1 and to also extend the turn lanes you earmarked that for beach re- Gulf Shores talked through a million average, so roughly $4.2 to get to Co. Rd. 6. nourishment,” Griffin said. “So, 2 percent increase in its lodging million annually for the next 10 He also spoke about the city the dune system and Leave Only tax at a recent city council work years. A 2 percent lodging tax annexing property on County Footprints is out of that fund. session. would only pay a portion of that, Road 8 for the Auburn project The mayor feels strongly that City administrator Steve Grif- but it is what we need in order and taking on maintenance of if he’s going to suggest this extra Oktoberfest fin said the last five years the city to balance this budget and deal that road. The city hopes to make 2 percent that it be earmarked.” celebration has averaged about $1 million in with some of the other issues like it a main thoroughfare on and off City councilman Philip Harris Local restaurant matching grants and/or general parks, police and fire.” the Foley Beach Express. He said said with how aggressive the capital improvement plan is, that Luna’s Eat & Drink, fund money for various transpor- Griffin said the Gulf Shores it was important to Mayor Rob- tation projects. Sportsplex has been a surpris- ert Craft to earmark this money a previously proposed gas tax located on Canal “Looking ahead 10 years, ing success story, but has caused specifically for infrastructure Road, will host its 2nd transportation represents nearly headaches traffic-wise. Plans are improvements. SEE GULF, PAGE 3 Annual Oktoberfest on Sunday, October 1 from 2 to 6 p.m. They will feature German inspired food as well New school gets approved with backlash as beer, polka music, Orange Beach stein hoisting and games. For more, approves jump to page 35 delayed lodging tax increase By CRYSTAL COLE [email protected] The Orange Beach City Coun- cil approved a measure at its last meeting that would increase the city’s lodging tax by 2 percent be- Phase 2 beach ginning May 1, 2018. improvements Mayor Tony Kennon said the The City of Gulf city was getting no help from state PHOTO BY CRYSTAL COLE/ ISLANDER EDITOR Shores has begun agencies and that the only reason construction on Phase Baldwin County Superintendent Eddie Tyler speaks to a packed house at a city council meeting in Orange the Canal Road widening was able Beach City Hall about a proposed (now passed) new middle school in the city. to move forward was thanks to BP 2 of its Gulf Place settlement funds. Revitalization Project By CRYSTAL COLE middle school, and eliminate be recommending approval “In talking with our lobbyists which is a master [email protected] the need for portables. of a significantly altered at the federal level, they’re saying planned transforma- “I didn’t create the over- capital improvement plan for if Trump does an infrastructure tion of the city’s main A new pleasure island crowding nor the portables the Gulf Shores High School plan that it would be all based on public beach area. middle school is officially in in Gulf Shores, I inherited feeder pattern on Thursday, matching (funds),” Kennon said. The current phase of the works with the Baldwin it,” Tyler said. “I’ve worked September 21 was an unex- “We need the state park evacuation the project is slated County Board of Educa- hard for the last two years pected surprise to me and the road. I don’t think we’re ever going for completion in the tion, but the facility hasn’t to resolve this because it has members of our city coun- to see that built if we don’t pony up spring of 2018 and will been met with all positive weighed extremely heavy cil,” Craft said. “I was first the money ourselves.” encompass the public responses. on me since my first day as notified of this altered plan He said he had many talks with At a recent Orange Beach superintendent. Gulf Shores through an email from Mr. Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft beach areas between city council meeting, county will always be a special place Tyler on Tuesday, September and the two were in agreement West 1st Street and superintendent Eddie Tyler to me because of my time 19 at 2:23 p.m. Mr. Tyler and I that if one municipality raised its East 1st Street. To find spoke to the crowd about spent as principal of Gulf have always maintained very lodging tax the other one would out more, see page 3 a proposal to use land do- Shores High School.” open dialogue in his time as need to follow suit. nated by the city next to the The school is slotted to be Superintendent. The com- “I’ve heard people’s concerns, Sportsplex on Canal Road. for grades 7 and 8, with an plete absence of communica- and I understand entirely,” Ken- The land, valued at more infrastructure capable of tion while this plan was being non said. “What is the alterna- than $5 million, is just a few handling 1,000 students and engineered is perplexing. tive? It’s a given that we need to DEATHS PAGE 20 miles form the current Gulf an initial enrollment of 750. “Approximately 75% of the improve our infrastructure as we Shores Middle School cam- City of Gulf Shores Mayor children attending schools increase our density and growth. Fredrick Burmeister pus. Robert Craft released a state- within our feeder pattern live People ask why does infrastruc- Elizabeth Sheffield Byars Tyler said in a statement ment expressing concern in Gulf Shores. While I am ture never come ahead of growth, Frances Louise Flowers he released Friday that the about the school and how encouraged that the Baldwin well, you don’t want to spend the Dixon plan would be to combine the little he knew about it previ- County Board of Education money ahead of growth, you want Lois Willem Magnon Gulf Shores Elementary and ously. now has $15 million avail- to spend the money when you have Gulf Shores Middle School “Baldwin County Schools able to invest in our feeder to. We’re trying to get out in front buildings, with the middle Superintendent Eddie Tyler’s grades moving to the new announcement that he will SEE SCHOOL, PAGE 33 SEE ORANGE, PAGE 34 INDEX Gulf BALDWIN LIVING, 6 OUT & ABOUT, 9 Coast CLASSIFIED, 4 PUZZLES, 8 Media HEALTH, 22 SPORTS, 13 VOLUME 41 • ISSUE 40 LEGALS, 25 TV LISTINGS, 16 1 SECTION • 36 PAGES OPINION, 11 2 • The Islander • September 27, 2017 • Gulf Coast Media Gulf Shores begins phase 2 public beach improvements SUBMITTED facilities • Environmentally- The City of Gulf Shores friendly lighting has begun construction • Attractive hardscaping on Phase 2 of its Gulf and landscaping Place Revitalization Project which is a master The Phase 2 construc- planned transformation tion planning process of the city’s main public has included extensive beach area. The current coordination with the phase of the project is Annual National Shrimp slated for completion in Festival, the Oyster the spring of 2018 and Cook-off and Craft Beer will encompass the pub- Festival and other events lic beach areas between to ensure their success. West 1st Street and East Periodic closures of pub- 1st Street. lic beach areas within “Our public beach is the construction zone one of the most impor- will occur as the project tant resources we have is completed. The public in our community,” said is requested to utilize the Mayor Robert Craft. recently completed West “This project will con- Gulf Place beach access nect our entire half-mile at West 2nd Street during of public beachfront PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF GULF SHORES these times. through safe pedestrian- Phase 2 include: For more information and bike-friendly routes and visitors to enjoy this • Children’s playground access and safety regarding the Gulf Place and will provide signifi- area year-round.” • 20 foot wide beach • Seating and shade • Improved traffic flow Revitalization Project, cantly enhanced oppor- boardwalk structures and drop-off locations visit www.gulfshoresal. tunities for our residents Improvements within • Large open green space • Improved pedestrian • New public restroom gov/GulfPlaceProject. Every child deserves a Christmas SUBMITTED Cheer Program. This pro- can be made at the CSC of- school. Anyone applying gram will begin its 2017 fice located at 317 Dolphin must reside in our service The Christian Service Christmas Cheer food Ave. in Gulf Shores during area which includes Or- Center (CSC) makes and gift intake Monday, our regular office hours ange Beach, Gulf Shores Christmas possible for all October 9 and will con- which are 9-12 each week- and Fort Morgan. Proof our local youth through tinue through Thursday, day morning. This year, of residency is required its Children’s Christmas December 14. Donations there will only be self-reg- through a current bill or istration with English or lease agreement. This Spanish packets available, program is sponsored by which must be filled out our area churches, clubs, CORRECTION: in the office.