Editor:

Dean Mosher, I am repeatedly told, is an artist of significant acclaim. An artist is both imaginative and creative. An artist can turn two-dimensional items, like canvas and oil, into a 3D dreamscape. An artist can use stone and metal to create fairytale worlds. An artist is a master at making people see what the artist imagines.

Mosher has shown that he has a tremendous imagination. For over a year, he has crafted the illusion that Fairhope is embroiled in calamity, catastrophe, disaster, financial ruin, political turmoil, thievery, “backstabbery,” political pandering and other forms of nastiness.

My problem with his illusion is that it doesn’t reflect the real world. I’ve been a resident of Fairhope for 5 ½ years. I came here specifically, and I am not exaggerating, because Fairhope was and is the best place I could imagine to live. I look around every day and think to myself, “What do I want that I don’t already have?”

For 100 years, Fairhope has been a success story. Until recently Fairhope had a pristine reputation. Now that reputation is tarnished, and our citizens and public officials have been publically embarrassed.

I’ve struggled personally about whether to publicize my feelings. I realize that this letter may alienate friends and neighbors, but I hope it doesn’t. I just cannot stand that Mosher is making a mockery of my chosen hometown. Mosher has and continues to embarrass Fairhope. His public statements have required me to defend Fairhope to my friends and family. For that I am angry.

What I find most despicable is the manner in which he performs his craft. He doesn’t work respectfully with the city government or through the legal system as should someone with a complaint. Instead, he broadcasts in the newspaper, But, he doesn’t broadcast facts. He uses innuendo and prejudicial rhetoric, a manipulative tactic that no reasoning person can directly answer. With his writing, Mosher paints a picture with words that is ugly and deliberately hurtful.

Let us be clear. Mosher is an artist with both canvas and words. While his skills are to be admired, I don’t believe for a minute that he has Fairhope’s interest at heart. While I don’t claim to know what drives Mosher, I am certain it isn’t my welfare. The illusion he continues to generate is disturbing and sickening, and I wish he would stop.

Groucho Marx is quoted as saying “Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?” With all due respect to Dean Mosher, I’ll believe my own eyes.

Chris Toney, a Fairhope resident of 5 ½ years, has a bachelors and masters eegree in software and systems engineering. He has won numerous scholastic and professional awards. His nine years of university study include pre-medicine and doctor of pharmacy studies. He currently is an independent consultant who works around the U.S. and Europe.