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Covering all of Baldwin County, AL every Friday. Pirates repel Vikings 9-0 PAGE 15 Clean Sweep 2017 is this weekend The Baldwin Times PAGE 25 MARCH 3, 2017 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ ‘They are ignorant by choice’ on ACA Tony Kennon gressman’s office. done the research and you you think we haven’t done our Mayor Kennon, appearing to call Catlin took questions from the haven’t educated yourself. I hear homework? residents argue at some of the at- audience on several issues, but people talk about the Affordable Kennon: I don’t think y’all tendees ignorant. one question led to the exchange Care Act, they are ignorant by are listening to me and what congressional town A group of resi- that has made its way across choice. They do not know what you’re telling me is not the case dents had come to social media over the last few they are talking about. They are for someone who’s been in the hall last Tuesday Orange Beach’s days. preaching from a point of emo- business for 30 years. You really By CLIFF MCCOLLUM KENNON City Hall for a The video footage, taken by tion, but no science, no studies, don’t know what you’re talking [email protected] question and an- Jackie Gano, begins amid a no research. That’s my defini- about. swer session with Congressman discussion following a question tion of ignorant. If that doesn’t Unidentified Woman: You’re Tensions flared at a con- Bradley Byrne’s office. about the Affordable Care Act fit you, then don’t take offense to telling me that I am ignorant gressional town hall meeting Byrne was in Singapore on an and went as follows: it. But if you haven’t done your and haven’t done my research. in Orange Beach on Tuesday official trip, so Baldwin County Kennon: Then there’s a choice homework, you probably ought Kennon: I’m telling you that morning, as a video surfaced District Representative Daniel of being ignorant because you not … what’s the old saying? showing Orange Beach Mayor Catlin was representing the con- don’t know the facts, you haven’t Unidentified Woman: Why do SEE TOWN HALL, PAGE 2 Fairhope city employee pay, benefits in mayor’s ‘It can happen plan called into question Wilson barred press from meeting By CLIFF MCCOLLUM BALDWIN FAST [email protected] at any point’ FACTS Fairhope Mayor The City of Fairhope has Karin Wilson held two more than 375 full and meetings last week for part-time employees. Fairhope city employees, with questions about Source: The City of pay raises and insurance Fairhope costs on the agenda and where she asked a brought forward from Gulf Coast the mayor, employees Media edi- would have to start pick- tor to leave. ing up some of the costs. Several “We aren’t getting city em- cost of living raises and WILSON ployees we’re having to pay for later told our insurance now,” an a Gulf Coast Media employee said. “That’s editor the discussions a pay cut. How could included Wilson saying anyone think that’s any- there would be no cost thing but a pay cut?” of living raises for city Gulf Coast Media at- employees this year. tempted to attend one The mayor’s plan of the meetings, but our stated merit-based raises editor was asked by the would be implemented mayor to leave, saying it instead, which had some was not a public meet- employees worried. ing. “So, we have to hope However, Gulf Coast that whoever doles out Media learned at least these raises is going to one member of the pub- PHOTO BY CRYSTAL COLE be kind to us?” one em- lic not employed by the First responders from across the county worked diligently and swiftly to help those injured in the accident. ployee questioned. “This city, the mayor’s sister just seems like a way Kelley Lyons, was in to show favoritism to attendance for the meet- Mardi Gras parade accident leaves children injured, city reeling certain employees over ing. By CRYSTAL COLE in Gulf Shores was cancelled by a 73-year-old man who was others.” Wilson said she was [email protected] when an SUV accelerated into taken in for questioning. He is co- Also up for discussion unaware her sister was the high school’s marching band. operating with police officers, giv- was the employee insur- at the meeting, but For the thousands of people who Twelve students, both middle ing statements and blood samples ance package. didn’t think it was a big lined Highway 59 on Fat Tuesday and high school-aged, were trans- voluntarily. It is not believed to be Currently, the city of deal. for a day of revelry, a cruel re- ported to area hospitals. an intentional act. Fairhope fully pays for “She’s not a reporter,” minder of how quickly tragedy The vehicle in question, a white Grant Brown, public information its employees’ coverage, can strike lurked in the shadows. SEE FAIRHOPE, PAGE 5 2008 Ford Expedition, was driven but under the proposal The annual Mardi Gras parade SEE INJURIES, PAGE 3 Deaths Page 26 Gulf Olive Havard Hearon Henry Warren Robbins Coast Richard Arney Horn Christine Marriott Rutter Media John William Price Michael McInnis Thomas VOLUME 126 • ISSUE 42 1 SECTION • 28 PAGES 2 • The Baldwin Times • March 3, 2017 • Gulf Coast Media I’m not shutting you out, “In general, we were The woman from the TOWN HALL but please don’t call us ig- just discussing decisions video said Kennon did say The Baldwin Times CONTINUED FROM 1 norant. I heard you call us about the Affordable Care the police could be used ignorant. Act and had made some to remove people from the 901 N. McKenzie St., Foley, AL 36535-3546 you are ignorant of the Kennon: Don’t take points about the concerns meeting. true facts, ma’am. I’m offense to the word igno- we had,” she said. “No- “The gentleman argu- PHONE: (251) 943-2151 | FAX: (251) 943-3441 telling you that you do rant. Ignorant means you body was going against ing back was essentially [email protected] not know what you are don’t know what you’re anything or saying any- saying ‘Stop calling us talking about, and I have talking about. thing rude about the ignorant,’” she said. “He Parks Rogers Tony Whitehead a right to say that. If you Unidentified Woman: congressman, but it was made no move to get up, Publisher Sports Editor don’t like that, then don’t That’s offensive to me. angry from the get-go.” he wasn’t shouting or (251) 947-7712 (251) 928-2321 accept it. This is one town Kennon: Well, get over Attendees said a fur- using bad language. But parks@gulfcoast tony@gulfcoast where there is going to be it. You’re a grown woman. ther exchange happened then the mayor said ‘This a counter from the public media.com media.com Get over it. between Kennon and is my house’ and that he to your assertions. At that point, Catlin another attendee that was was going to start throw- Cliff McCollum Classified Advertising Unidentified Woman: stepped back in and urged not caught on video, with ing people out.” Managing Editor Jessica Vaughn I don’t mind the counter, all parties to calm down. those attendees alleging Kennon said things did (251) 947-7712 jessica@gulfcoast but I’m not convinced this “Let’s all take a deep Kennon had threatened seem to get heated, but he is a productive way to get [email protected] media.com breath here,” Catlin said. to have the police remove felt nothing rose to a per- your point across. “I want everybody to be them. sonal attack on his part. Destiny Brown Legal Advertising Kennon: I see. I see. So respectful of one another. Kennon said he never “I’m the first one that Gulf Coast Buzz Editor April Wallace the productive way for you We can disagree on every threatened anyone in can get red-faced or upset, guys is to shut the other (251) 943-2151 alegals@gulfcoast point here, but we can the audience and simply but, at the same time, I try side out. act civilly toward one an- wanted to make sure not to get personal,” Ken- destiny@gulfcoast media.com Unidentified Woman: other.” every opinion was heard. non said. ‘We understand media.com With regards to the ex- “I didn’t threaten them things get overheated at in any way,” Kennon said. times, but everyone has To subscribe, make an address change or vacation delivery TRENDING change in the video, Ken- stop, you may call our office at (251) 517-1690, go online at www. non said he was trying to “The gentleman was at- the right to speak. No one gulfcoastnewstoday.com and click on the “e-edition” link in the 1. ‘They are ignorant by share his expertise about tacking me because he comes to Orange Beach and will shut down dia- black toolbar. Under “don’t have an id’ there is an option for how to choice’ the healthcare industry didn’t like what I was say- become a subscriber. or email [email protected]. learned from his years of ing.” logue. That’s not how we 2. Fairhope mayor fires two ©Gulf Coast Media 2016. No part of this newspaper may be work experience in that Kennon said he has had do things here.” reproduced without the prior written consent of the group publisher longtime city employees sector.