Editor:

This letter is in response to Stan Grubins letter dated March 28.

Dating back to May 2008 when I began campaigning for mayor, I made the Publix project on Parker Road a major part of my platform. As a Dr. of urban planning, I have a particular expertise and understanding of planning documents and theory. Our master plan strictly forbids such a project as it is not within the three designated “village” areas and it is altogether environmentally harmful, as it is in the watershed of a tributary to a nationally protected estuary. Moreover, there are safety concerns.

Since October of last year I have stood repeatedly before the city council and asked them to consider the treachery of their ways — to see the unlawfulness of the project. Specifically, I asked them to consider the many ordinance violations that occurred related to public safety, trees and wetland protection. The council only replied that they “cannot comment because of an ongoing lawsuit.”

Meanwhile through FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests, City Clerk Lisa Hanks has given me and Paul F. Ripp reams of related case documents. These documents show explicitly what was supposed to be done by the developer. What was built is something completely different. The council should wonder why they are paying a law firm $70,000 per month to tell them “not to talk” to me about the Publix project.

Stan Grubin labeled me “a personal attack artist.” He said that my assertions that Debbie Quinn and Greg Mimms are being untruthful are off base. However, Debbie Quinn broke the gag order and submitted a letter from the council stating that all of my and Paul Ripp’s assertions are unfounded, citing a 17-year-old 1992 ordinance. Paul Ripp and I have asked the City Clerk to produce this said ordinance. She cannot find it. As for Mr. Mims, why has he written Paul Ripp and I threatening to sue us for asking questions about the project’s obvious violations? Moreover, why has the planning commission recently through resolution effectively quelled future public comments?

Mr. Grubin is right in one respect — at times I am passionate to a fault. To the citizens of Fairhope, I apologize for my zeal. As a human being, I am imperfect. I can improve in this area, and I will. However, I will not stop writing letters, or speaking my mind toward suggesting how we can improve our public affairs. Strangely, no one ever finds fault with the merits of my arguments. Instead, they conveniently shoot down only the messenger.

In an effort to provide information and hope for a better government in Fairhope I have created a Web site. On it you can find the many documents that have been provided by City Hall through FOIA requests. Please view these documents and decide for yourself if our government is being honest and forthright. The Web site address is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Fairhopians4goodgovernment/

Fairhope