SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Local residents perplexed by why the city has not yet erected markers honoring the lengthy list of Spanish Fort High School’s championship sports teams now have a simple answer.

Mayor Joe Bonner’s original request to place signs at all five of the city’s entrances declaring SFHS’s documented athletic prowess in 2010 has been denied by the Alabama Department of Transportation.

“ALDOT is now enforcing their right of ways because of legal concerns,…and they have sent letters to other municipalities that have them,” Bonner said during the council’s informal work session April 18.

As a compromise, Bonner received no opposition from the council to his revamped plan to erect a smaller sign on property adjacent to the high school.

“”I would just hate the spend the money, and then have to take it down,” Bonner said.

Baldwin County Signs submitted the low bid for the smaller sign of $3,500.

District 5 Councilwoman Mary Brabner asked if placing a second, more visible sign in front of City Hall is a possibility, and Bonner said proposed construction of a new municipal complex less than one mile away might make such a move premature.