As you’ve probably heard by now, Mayor Kant has ordered the Certificate of Occupancy he said he would not grant to the Publix site if there were any unresolved issues.

“Unresolved issues”—I’m struggling to find a resolved issue. Controversy and pending lawsuits over the permitting process, site plan modifications without proper procedure, the disappearing-reappearing tree survey and horrific and continuing environmental damage to Fly Creek make up quite a list of unresolved issues in my book.

As I predicted two weeks ago, Mayor Kant did ramrod through the Certificate of Occupancy without any more than token acknowledgment of any problem.

The only thing he has ever done is say everything is fine and done according to the proper procedure. He never gives specific answers to specific questions. What procedure? What process? What dates? Which ordinances?

At the last City Council meeting, we all found out that he controls the entire $52-plus million budget and can give any or all of it to anyone he wants. I was appalled when our paid City Attorney Tut Wynne, who is supposed to serve the City Council and Mayor equally, sat mute as Kant rattled off control after control that the mayor has over the council, which even I know is nonsense. After holding his position as City Attorney for around a quarter-century, I would hope Mr. Wynne could come up with a little more than “I’ll have to research that.” Our legal expenses are out of control, with no end in sight and new litigants lining up daily, which will only fatten the coffers of our current bunch, evidently all too happy with the status quo of “the more, the merrier.”

Has anyone made a comparative analysis of those who contributed to Mayor Kant’s campaign in the last election and those who have been contracted to do much of the city’s business? If you look at the businesses, individuals, PACs and consultants who contributed generously, I think you may come up with a few questions of your own.

For some reason, Mayor Kant seems determined to maintain absolute control of his authority, regardless of the law, and will block any attempt by the council to challenge it. Nearly two years ago, when the council got a little uppity, Kant unleashed a rant in which he poured out secret information he had gathered on each of the four present in an attempt to keep them quiet. That tactic will not work on the new council.

Mr. Mayor, I predict that if you continue on your present course of defiance, you will lose.

Dean Mosher, a Fairhope resident for 35 years, has chaired numerous committees and boards. He currently serves as vice president of the Fairhope Single Tax Corp. and is a professional artist known worldwide for his epic historical paintings.