Spradley selected as USSA reviewer, PAGE 31 Schilling’s journey to Hall of Fame PAGE 11 Teacher of the year finalists announced The Courier PAGE 8-9 INSIDE MARCH 21, 2018 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ Fairhope Fairhope mayor withdraws approved for potential controversial police hire $17.8 million 7th annual Fireman’s Ball By CLIFF MCCOLLUM saying they had not been con- ward with the position. [email protected] sulted on the hire and an email “I believe there is a need for a in RESTORE in Spanish Fort published by The Courier from public safety director, and Tony Tickets are now on sale During last week’s Fairhope Fairhope Police Chief Joseph Goubil is a great choice for this projects for the 7th annual Spanish City Council meeting, Mayor Petties to Wilson that said “My position,” Wilson said. “But, I do Fort Fire Rescue Fireman’s Karin Wilson announced she Department has been in an up- understand other people would The City of Fairhope’s Ball. The ball will be held would be withdrawing the hire roar ever since Monday, Febru- like to have input and I want four proposed RESTORE Saturday, April 7 from 8:30 of new police sergeant/public ary 26, the night you announced to hear them out and come to a Act Council projects have to 10:30 p.m. at the Spanish safety director Tony Goubil. the hiring of Tony Goubil” and mutually agreed upon decision. been approved for a total There had been pushback that he had also not been con- I am withdrawing Mr. Goubil’s of more than $17.8 million. Fort Community Center. against Goubil’s hiring since sulted about the hire. name until a new organizational This approval is the Tickets are $15 per person Wilson announced it at a Febru- Wilson cited positive meetings chart can be developed and ap- next step in what has been or $25 per couple and can ary city council meeting, includ- with some council members and a more than five-year pro- be purchased now at Sta- ing feedback from the council Petties as a way of moving for- SEE POLICE, PAGE 2 cess of the distribution of tion No. 1 at 7580 Spanish funds related to mitigation Fort Boulevard or through and revitalization efforts any department member. as a result of 2010’s Deep- Visit the Spanish Fort Fire water Horizon oil spill. Rescue page on Facebook Another fun Arts and Crafts festival “We are thrilled that for more information about the entire RESTORE this amazing affair. Act Council saw it fit to approve the Fairhope- sponsored projects,” said Mayor Karin Wilson. “The Deepwater Horizon oil spill sent a shock wave through the relationship between our quality of Lots going on at life, our ecosystem, and Bayside Academy our economy. These proj- ects, as well as those pre- Bayside Academy students sented and approved by have been incredibly active our counterparts across lately in a variety of ways. Baldwin and Mobile coun- To find out what’s going on ties, will make incredible on campus, turn to pages strides to restore the 3-4. balance of our fragile ecosystem while also sus- taining our region as we DEATHS PAGE 16 experience more and more PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY STEPHEN SAVAGE growth and increased Barbara Phillips Byrd The 66th annual Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival was a fun success last weekend, as thousands upon thousands tourism.” Laurie Crafton of visitors covered the streets of downtown Fairhope to enjoy the vendors and stores despite the threat of bad Fairhope’s plans look at Tammy Kay DeWitt weather. See more photos in Out & About on page 18. the reality of creating re- Patricia L. Hanzlik silience in the relationship James Glennon Hietter between the ecosystem Raymond Earl Lanier and the challenges of eco- David D. Lannom nomic growth. Fairhope’s approved projects were Darryl L. Oursler proposed after Mayor Wil- Clara L. Van Ess son joined the RESTORE Margaret W. Yates Council and include: • “Working Waterfront and Greenspace Res- INDEX toration,” a three-year BALDWIN LIVING, 7 project, $6,200,000 • “Fairhope Area Com- CLASSIFIED, 5 munity-Based Com- HEALTH, 17 prehensive Land Use Plan, a two-year project, LEGALS, 21 $650,000 OPINION, 10 • “Fairhope Sewer Up- grade Phase I,” a five- OUT & ABOUT, 18 year project, $10,000,000 SPORTS, 11 • “Eastern Shore Sani- tary Sewer Overflow TV LISTINGS, 12 SEE RESTORE, PAGE 2 Gulf Coast Media VOLUME 124 • ISSUE 34 1 SECTION • 32 PAGES Serving Baldwin County since 1997 Hwy. 59 So. between Robertsdale & Loxley, Al. 251-964-7283 WWW.EMERALDHOMESLLC.COM 2• The Courier • March 21, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media Baldwin Bone & Joint partners with local school for Many More Miles campaign Record response from Mobile/Baldwin County schools as the top three participat- include: • Baldwin Bone and Joint ing schools who donate • Spanish Fort Elemen- (1505 Daphne Avenue, they commit to collect shoes for local homeless families the most shoes. Over tary (BC) Daphne) while earning cash for their schools’ P.E. programs the years, shoes donated • Fairhope Intermediate • Dr. Glenn Glass’ Of- by local schools have School (BC) fice (1303 Main Street, Local runners and ex- nering with the Port City under 2000 pairs distrib- provided the largest col- • Foley Intermediate Daphne) ercise enthusiasts may Pacers, Dr. Glenn Glass, uted in 2017. This year’s lective donation to this School (BC) • The University of have put a lot of miles on The University of South campaign began in Janu- important campaign. • Stapleton Elementary South Alabama Student old running shoes, but Alabama Student Recre- ary and final shoe drop- For the past two years, (BC) Recreation Center when they are donated to ation Center, and Mobile/ offs will be received at the Dixon Elementary, • Mary B. Austin El- • Participating Schools the “Many More Miles” Baldwin County schools 2018 Azalea Trail Run on Fairhope Intermediate, ementary (MC) in Mobile & Baldwin campaign, those shoes to collect shoes for the Saturday, March 24. and Spanish Fort El- • Dixon Elementary (MC) Counties will come to life again homeless outreach pro- Mobile and Baldwin ementary have won first • Final Drop-off Op- as they land on the feet grams of Wings of Life, County students are chal- ($300), second ($200), and Those interested in par- portunity: 2018 Azalea of someone who really Discovery Ministries, and lenged to collect shoes third ($100) place prizes, ticipating are encouraged Trail Run Expo (Friday needs them. the Salvation Army Run- for homeless families consecutively. to clean up those gently and Saturday, March For the 15th consecu- ning Forward program. in the area while earn- The response from used shoes, tie them to- 23-24, Mobile Civic Cen- tive year, Baldwin Bone & Response to the campaign ing money for their schools this year has gether in pairs and drop ter) Joint, P.C. is hosting this has grown since its in- schools’ P.E. programs. shown significant them off at any of the fol- important community ception from 200 pairs Baldwin Bone & Joint growth. Those partici- lowing locations: For more information, outreach project, part- donated in 2004 to just will award cash prizes to pating schools to-date call 251-621-5387. Spanish Fort Public Library welcomes Coletta Stejskal Bailey March 22 The Spanish Fort Public “Memories of the Past: at BCHM, Bailey has & WWII Baldwin County has been presented to mu- Shores & Orange Beach Library welcomes Coletta Feedsacks the Farm Fab- worked in all aspects of the Memories and the current seums, historical groups, Tourism Welcome Centers. Stejskal Bailey, represent- ric.” museum with emphasis Feed Sack Exhibit. She is the Baldwin County De- This event is free. For ing the Baldwin County The talk will include a on textiles and has been a member of the Baldwin partment of Archives and questions please call the Heritage Museum (BCHM) slide show and examples instrumental in several County Bicentennial Steer- History, and was part of Spanish Fort Public Li- on Thursday, March 22, at of feed sacks and hand- exhibits including: Aprons, ing Committee. Bailey’s the 2016-2017 lecture series brary at 251-410-READ 2 p.m. for a presentation, made lace. As a volunteer Hand Made Laces, WWI “Memories of the Past” sponsored by the Gulf (7323). POLICE position until a time the Brown raised further to talk about the hiring hires with, and she replied examples of why I did it,” council and mayor have questions about whom process in general and dis- the city’s personnel at- Wilson said, adding that CONTINUED FROM 1 had time to collaborate on Wilson consulted before cuss how it needed to be torney Josh Myrick and Brown and Council Presi- what everyone’s primary making the hire. more open to the public. attorney Matt McDonald, dent Jack Burrell had proved with council.” concerns are,” Robinson “What concerns me is “I think I’m very proud who also does work for the made several cuts to the Councilman Jay Robin- said. “It’s also imperative the manner in which it of the hires I’ve made so city. budget. “It’s all about com- son said he and Council- we discuss those concerns was done,” Brown said. far,” Wilson said. “I stand “And they told you to munication. It’s on both man Jimmy Conyers had with our chief of police “Nobody was consulted by my hires, and I want to announce at the council sides. I’m happy that most met with Wilson about the and make sure we are giv- as far as I know about move forward in a positive meeting a position that seem to want to move for- hire, and said he felt it was ing him all the resources the proposed hiring of a way.” wasn’t there to be filled?” ward in a positive way.” safe to say that both mayor he needs to do his job to public safety director hire.