MAGNOLIA SPRINGS — Jim Gaines has announced his candidacy for Place 3 on the Magnolia Springs Town Council. He was the first candidate to qualify for this open seat on the Council.

Gaines served on the Magnolia Springs Incorporation Committee, has twice been president of the Magnolia Springs Community Association and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Weeks Bay Foundation.

Also a member of the Baldwin County Master Gardeners, Gaines wants to enhance the unique beauty of Magnolia Springs. In his view, simple steps like planting new live oaks and improving access to the town’s public places will benefit present and future generations.

An advocate of open government, Gaines calls for better communications and greater public debate about issues involving development.

“In this day and age, the flow of information can easily be made routine and accurate,” he said. “Average citizens should not be required to attend every meeting of the council and its committees to know about their town’s government.”

Gaines is concerned about recent litigation resulting from ill-advised actions of the current council. In one lawsuit, judgments in excess of a million dollars were recently assessed against the town by a Baldwin County Jury.  

A graduate of Auburn University with a law degree and a Master of Laws from the University of Alabama, Gaines has donated his legal services to the Magnolia Springs Volunteer Fire Department, the town’s Public Library, its Community Association, Baldwin County Master Gardeners and The Clothes Closet.

Gaines says that “government can be kept small through citizen participation, careful planning, and good judgment. I would love to see town council meetings so open that all citizens feel welcome to express their views. As I see it, people should always know that the town council listens to their concerns before making council decisions.”