SPANISH FORT, Ala. — District 1 Councilman Dennis Dismuke said his decision to seek independent legal counsel regarding the city’s handling of franchise agreements is neither a one-man crusade against a local utility company nor an affront to his colleagues on the City Council.

“I may not be the most tactful person, but I have made a concerted effort to do this professionally, above-board and to deal with the facts,” Dismuke said Monday evening.

Dismuke said he sought outside counsel after conferring with sitting counsel for the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, the League of Municipalities and the city of Spanish Fort.

See the rest of this story in the July 14 Spanish Fort Sun.