Fairhope Mayor Presents 2017 Budget Highlights
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Ongoing and Upcoming Events, PAGE 4 ANTIQUE DOLLS Doll expert addresses Newcomers of the The Courier Eastern Shore PAGE 5 INSIDE MARCH 15, 2017 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ Fairhope mayor presents Bauer Memorial Service Award 2017 budget highlights Sheri Swartz receives honor during recent Rotary Club of By CLIFF McCOLLUM Wilson said the process and arranged spend- ments, but it wasn’t was only about $5,000. Fairhope meeting [email protected] of combing through the ing my department in a reported in a way that Wilson said one area page 3 city’s previous years’ more easy to understand showed income or ex- the city did need to be During last week’s budgets was a difficult fashion,” Wilson said. pense.” proactive about address- Fairhope City Council one that had taken some “Before in the old budget Wilson said despite the ing was the usage and ex- work session, Mayor time and effort. book, you had the utili- changes she wanted to tension of city services. Karin Wilson shared “This version is going ties broken out and the make, the difference be- She threw up a map of some highlights from her to be a lot easier to read general fund all lumped tween her proposed bud- the city’s limits, police long-awaited 2017 budget because we’ve broken together. You could see get and the one the city for the city. things down further the different depart- has been working under SEE BUDGET, PAGE 2 Daphne breaks ground on new sports complex Fairhope council rejects mayor’s board nominees SUBMITTED Elected officials and citi- zens alike were agitated at last Tuesday’s Fairhope Fairhope soccer City Council meeting, as complex the council rejected two of Mayor Karin Wilson’s Community ‘kicks off’ three nominees for ap- new fi elds with a day pointment to the city’s of play and activity Airport Authority. page 38 The Fairhope Airport Authority has been a source of contention be- tween Wilson and several PHOTOS BY CLIFF McCOLLUM council members and Members of the Daphne City Council, Mayor Dane Haygood and city staff throw the ceremonial first shovels of dirt at Airport Authority board the city’s new sports complex. members since she took office, with Wilson trying Park Drive property will have 10 new baseball/softball fields to enforce a lease to pull 258 acres of land pur- By CLIFF McCOLLUM Drive will be the home of 10 new across Daphne were glad to be chased in 2007 back into [email protected] baseball/softball fields as well as starting this project. the city’s hands and Air- United Way a host of other amenities that will “To really see us move forward port Authority members donations It’s been almost 20 years in the eventually include a hiking/bik- and know that we’re going to start saying Wilson was pur- posefully blocking a $7.5 Organization helps making, but Daphne city leaders ing trail and a lake water feature. getting our hands dirty, the finish celebrated the groundbreak- million bond refinance for relieve parade victims Daphne Mayor Dane Haygood line is that much close and we’re ing ceremony for the city’s new the airport. with donations said the project has been talked very excited,” Haygood said. sports complex last week. about in Daphne for almost two Before the council took page 37 The 116-acre property on Park decades now, so he and others SEE NEW FIELDS, PAGE 2 up the nominations, Coun- cil President Jack Burrell Councilman told Wilson the Airport DEATHS PAGE 21 Robin LeJeune, Authority had voted ear- who has been lier that evening to recom- Charles Everette Hadley Sr. a driving force mend to her to renominate behind the the two sitting board mem- Dorothy Lorene Huyler project, thanks bers whose terms were George L. Matthews Jr. the crowd for expiring, Pam Caudill and Willie Buford Milstead their attendance Vince Boothe. and patience Maxine Bracy Palmer “I’ve seen the dedication Linda Kay Paulette with the development of these two people on the Melodie K. Perrone process. Authority, and I would ask Debra Lynn Russell you to consider their nom- Mary Ann Sislak inations,” Burrell said. Roy Dallas Wigfield Mayor Dane Haygood tells residents the future for Daphne’s sports looks bright with this project soon coming online. SEE AIRPORT, PAGE 2 INDEX Gulf BALDWIN LIVING, 6-8 OUT & ABOUT, 25 Coast CLASSIFIED, 10-11 PUZZLES, 9 Media HEALTH, 23-26 SPORTS, 14-16 VOLUME 123 • ISSUE 33 LEGALS, 27-35 TV LISTINGS, 17-19 1 SECTION • 40 PAGES OPINION, 12-13 2• The Courier • March 15, 2017 • Gulf Coast Media efits without all of those these funds are not being would not be in favor of the consequences of this. city’s own attorneys had BUDGET costs.” put into the capital im- that at all,” Conyers said. If you’re using this time to agreed the freeze was not CONTINUED FROM 1 Wilson posted statistics provement funds we need If the library ceased to see how you can gain more an unlawful one. she said showed the city them in.” function independently, it power, why are we doing “We are not taking your jurisdiction and planning had been running a deficit Wilson said one such could lose out on the abil- this to the city?” ability from you,” Burrell jurisdiction to illustrate budget in its general fund investment she’d like to ity to apply for and win Councilman Kevin said. “We’re not hiring for her point that a majority for the last several years: a see would be consolidating several state grants. Boone said he felt the you and we’re not firing of people who are enjoy- $4.218 million loss in 2013, some of the city’s electric Wilson informed the freeze was necessary be- for you. We’re not stymie- ing city services aren’t a $4.396 million loss in infrastructure into four council there were cur- cause the council members ing the government.” actually within the city’s 2014, a $2.078 million loss new substations. rently 43 open positions were concerned about hir- Burrell said the council physical limits. in 2015 and a $4.222 million She said she also hoped within the city that were ings given the fact they still had seen a figure stating a “What you can see loss in 2016. to find savings in better waiting to be filled, and had yet to see a budget. potential $600,000 increase when you look at this is Wilson said while those maintenance and tracking she took aim at the coun- “At this time, I think it for salaries in the budget that our actual city limits deficits were propped up of city-owned vehicles and cil’s recent 60-day hiring is very good for the city,” that gave them pause, only make up one-third by funding from the city’s by keeping a closer eye on freeze, accusing them Boone said. “We have which was a reason behind of our geographic area,” utilities, she felt it wasn’t overtime spending. of wanting to gain more no idea what we’ve been the hiring freeze. Wilson said. “What I’m a sustainable thing she felt Wilson also mentioned power. spending on.” “I think that we do need trying to demonstrate the city should continue bringing the city’s library “This looks like some- Wilson also questioned to communicate,” Burrell here is that we are at a to do. back under the umbrella thing you did in a rush,” the legality of the freeze, said. “We haven’t been tipping point. We’ve got “We have to see where of the city as a city depart- Wilson said. “You’re con- saying she had confirmed asked what we want to see a small area that’s pay- we’re going to make ment, a move that Council- stantly telling me to stop with several attorneys that in the budget, so there may ing for the operation changes,” Wilson said. man Jimmy Conyers told moving so fast, but you it was a violation of state be changes the council of the city, but a larger “Utility profits need to be her was not supported by did this pretty fast without law. wants to make and we do surrounding area that invested in utility infra- the library board. talking to me. I don’t think Council President Jack have the authority to con- is enjoying those ben- structure and, right now, “They have told me they you’re fully understanding Burrell countered that the trol the finances.” NEW FIELDS dream and push from for- AIRPORT strange the council sitting members Caudill pleaded for more unity mer Daphne Mayor Fred would possibly want to and Boothe had wronged and communication CONTINUED FROM 1 CONTINUED FROM 1 Smalls. deny such qualified indi- her. between the mayor and viduals from serving. “Why would you council. Councilman Robin Burrell said a lot of “This going to be the “You have the ability bring another option “I love this town and LeJeune, who serves as false accusations had new home for our baseball to either deny or ap- when you can’t get bet- I don’t like seeing it in a council liaison for the been made against the and softball programs, but prove these nominations, ter than this?” Wilson fight,” resident Nancy city’s Recreation Board, Airport Authority over it will also have some other but I’m not reappoint- asked. “As far as names Jennings said.