COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Ongoing and Upcoming Events, PAGE 4 HEALTH Signs your running shoes need to be The Courier replaced PAGE 14 INSIDE FEBRUARY 8, 2017 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ Daphne parents puzzled about potential new school district STAFF REPORT intrigued when they saw a potential zoning map, send their kids to Span- to Robertsdale’s schools. that could mean their which showed the borders ish Fort schools, would be Parents present at that Daphne city leaders children would be going to of what a Daphne City drafted into the potential PTO meeting said they are studying a possible different schools. system might look like. Daphne system, while would have liked to have New spot on the dial split to create a Daphne At a recent PTO meet- Some neighborhoods the Belforest community asked more questions, but Radio station WABF City Schools system, but ing at Daphne East, like TimberCreek and Bay would see its kids moved moves to 1480 AM some local residents were parents got a glimpse of Branch, which currently from the Daphne schools SEE SCHOOL DISTRICT, PAGE 2 page 5 65th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival Fairhope poster art unveiled planning director resigns ‘Happily Laughter After’ By CLIFF McCOLLUM [email protected] Comedian Pierce coming to Daphne Fairhope Planning Di- page 34 rector Jonathan Smith confirmed to The Courier he would be resigning from his position two weeks from last Friday. Smith’s departure follows the SMITH hire of for- mer Baldwin County Planning Director Wayne Dyess coming into the department. Books and boots Ardith Goodwin poses for a photo with her artwork, which was chosen as the poster for the 65th annual Arts and Crafts “I’m working the next Festival. two weeks and doing my Alabama Authors Day best to help Wayne Dyess kicks off with bus Poster features sailboats in bright coastal colors come in,” Smith said. “I tour of Blakeley Civil want to help him learn our War Battlefi eld SUBMITTED This year’s poster art by Ardith that had so much life, we knew we files, ordinances and how page 3 Goodwin features sailboats on the had found our artist,” said Festival we do business in our de- FAIRHOPE – The Fairhope Arts bay in bright coastal colors. Chairman Laura English, “This is partment.” and Crafts Festival Foundation “We knew when we started the the perfect selection to represent In an interview with proudly unveiled the poster art for search for the artwork that we our 65th year because it is vibrant, WABF 1220 AM radio last the 2017 festival, Friday night, Feb. were looking for something spe- active, fresh and expresses all the week, Mayor Karin Wilson PAGE 20 DEATHS 3 at Andree’s in Fairhope. This art- cial. We were at the Fairhope First joys of living on the bay in such a indicated Dyess would work will be used to promote the Friday Art Walk and in the Lyons wonderful coastal community.” be hired as the city’s new Elizabeth A. Bishop 65th Annual Arts and Crafts Festi- Share window was a beautiful ab- Goodwin combines her love of planning director and that James R. Gardner val throughout the Gulf Coast. stract painting with vibrant colors James Cecil Gartman SEE FESTIVAL, PAGE 2 SEE SMITH, PAGE 2 Frederic Burnside Harbottle III Patricia Joy Henton Buck Keith Nancy Christina Morris Fairhope council president combats bid rigging claims Mark Dean Stanton Sr. Norman J. Tweiten By CLIFF McCOLLUM Commission regarding his in- the Alabama Attorney General’s pealed to those offices to pursue a [email protected] volvement with a bid submitted office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, formal investigation. to the Fairhope Airport Author- the 28th Judicial Circuit and the “The council president was Fairhope Council President ity. FBI office in Mobile. part of a two man ad hoc commit- Jack Burrell has allegedly been Local blogger and lawyer Paul In that complaint, Ripp said he tee selecting the most qualified the subject of several complaints Ripp provided a 34-page supple- “has no confidence” in the Ala- filed with the Alabama Ethics ment to a complaint he filed with bama Ethics Commission and ap- SEE BURRELL, PAGE 2 INDEX Gulf BALDWIN LIVING, 6-7 OUT & ABOUT, 15 Coast HEALTH, 13-14 PUZZLES, 31 Media LEGALS, 22-30 SPORTS, 10-12 VOLUME 123 • ISSUE 28 OPINION, 8-9 TV LISTINGS, 16-19 1 SECTION • 36 PAGES 2• The Courier • February 8, 2017 • Gulf Coast Media study possibly costing more than “This is not being initiated by SMITH ronment here. I grew up SCHOOL DISTRICT that. the Baldwin County School Sys- here, so I’ve always had CONTINUED FROM 1 CONTINUED FROM 1 “It’s something we’re going tem,” the official said. “The re- a sincere vested interest were unable to do so, which left to have to continue to discuss quest came from a board member Smith would be shifted in Fairhope and making them feeling confused about what and come to an agreement on,” to the system about what it would into another position it a great place to be.” could happen with their children. Councilman Robin LeJeune said. look like if a Daphne city schools within that department. Smith’s exit marks Daphne city council members “Obviously, nothing is set in stone system had formed.” Smith was hired as the second departure of said nothing is set in stone yet, as yet. We’re just trying to gather The official said the county a planner for the city a Fairhope department the council is currently discussing information to show people and school system certainly did not back in 2006, eventually head, following the sud- how much they’re willing to pay to get some guidance on what we endorse a Daphne split from the rising to the position of den resignation of Op- complete such a study. think could be best for the city of system. director of planning and erations Director Scott The council had previously Daphne.” “The Baldwin County School zoning. Sligh on Jan. 20 after budgeted $30,000 for a feasibility An official with the Baldwin System is not looking at rezoning Smith said he was sad three days on the job. study to assess what it would take County School system explained nor are we pushing for a Daphne to leave the city, but felt Wilson said she had to create a city school system, the map had been created after school system,” the official said. it was the right call to seen Smith’s resignation but during a recent work session, parent concerns reached a school “Our stance has always been that make. letter Monday morning. questions were raised about the board member. we are better together.” “It’s been a difficult “I appreciate Jona- job, but a great one,” than’s many years of ser- Smith said. “I hated to vice for the city and wish make the decision, but him well in his future en- artist for the 65th An- I’m excited for the op- deavors,” Wilson said. FESTIVAL nual Fairhope Arts and About the Fairhope portunities ahead and Council President CONTINUED FROM 1 Crafts Festival. Growing Arts & Crafts Festival now is the time to do it.” Jack Burrell said he was writing and educating with up along the Gulf Coast Smith praised his de- surprised by Smith’s an- a self-taught passion for art has given me a rich con- The 65th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival will be held March partment for the work nouncement and said he and has been a professional nection to our beautiful 17, 18 & 19 in the streets of Downtown Fairhope along the they’ve been able to do hated to see him leave artist for the past 15 years. way of life here and the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. over the last ten and a the city. Despite facing life chang- ability to express that cre- half years together. “I’m very sad to see ing orthopedic challenges, Festival hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 “We’ve done the best him go,” Burrell said. atively was exciting,” said p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 230 Ardith holds true to her Goodwin, “What a joy it we could with what “He’ll be hard to replace. faith and the belief that no exhibitors will bring their best works from all over the we have,” Smith said. We’ll miss his experi- was to capture that love country to showcase at this prestigious juried show. matter what challenge life of coastal living through “We’ve certainly been ence and knowledge of throws her way, nothing paint.” The Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival is one of the oldest through a lot together the city. Losing quality, will quench her spirit to Posters can be purchased art festivals in the country and is ranked in the top 50 over the last 10.5 years, informed employees like continue creating, sharing for $10 at the festival infor- in the U.S. by Sunshine Artist Magazine. There will also and I have nothing but Jonathan is certainly and inspiring. mation booth. Prints can be live entertainment and delicious food available. For good things to say about worrisome, but we wish “It is an honor to be be purchased for $20 and more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/ everyone. I love the city, him well in whatever his selected as the featured t-shirts are $15, XXL $18. artsandcraftsfairhope/ the people and the envi- future plans may be.” staff how to write them.