ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - There was standing room only for the weekly Town Hall meeting in Orange Beach on Wednesday as angry citizens, business owners and elected officials had an opportunity to express their anger to several BP representatives who were present.

Mayor Tonya Kennon, city councilmen Jeff Silvers and Ed Carroll, along with other city staff were present along with individuals working with emergency management.

There were a number of people standing outside who were not allowed into the building due to the large crowd.

“This is the kind of crowd we need every week guys,” Kennon told the crowd. “You have to stay engaged. You can’t fight a war without soldiers, and I don’t mind leading.”

Kennon was very outspoken regarding his disappointment in the way BP continues to handle issues related to claims of lost revenue and hiring of local boat captains for work in the Gulf.

Kennon told the crowd that he had met with BP officials for five hours on Tuesday, but had come away with few answers and continued frustration.

“I don’t know what to tell you about that meeting. We had strong dialog, and I am hoping we can mesh philosophies, and get something accomplished to getting checks written and money in people’s hands right away.”

Representing BP at the meeting were Baldwin County community outreach contact for BP, Glen Johnson; Foley claims office manager Kevin Thibodeaux; regional claims manager John Goforth; BP representative Darryl Gonzales; and Gary Wallis, liaison officer from Mobile’s Unified Command.

During the three-hour meeting, many in the crowd had an opportunity to step to the microphone and voice their concerns, which included sales people, restaurant owners, charter boat captains and people with health concerns.

Kennon was concerned that the representatives present were not guys with decision-making power at BP, and he was quick to express his opinion.

“For four weeks now, I have begged for BP executives, attorneys and folks that can actually make real decisions to come visit with us,” said Kennon. “They have yet to do that. It’s not like they can¹t do two things at once. From what I understand, they have 700 staff lawyers worldwide, they ought to be able to load up and RV and bring some down here to get something done. I am very frustrated with the lack of a sense of urgency on BP’s part. Everyone in this room has a sense of urgency about paying our bills and keeping people employed.”

Kennon encouraged the crowd to let the representatives feel their sense of urgency, and hoped it would motivate them to go up the ladder to get things accomplished.

“I want you to let the passion show. I want them to understand your needs,” Kennon said. Indeed that is what happened.

“BP told me they were going to take care of everything,” said local property owner Terry Hannah. “I turned in claims the first day and got my claim number. They wanted all of my tax records for the last three years. Well I have rental property in Arkansas, Tennessee and Louisiana. I sent them the pages that concerned Alabama, and they told me that wasn’t good enough. They said they were afraid they were going to be scammed. I’m not trying to rip anybody off. You said you were going to take care of us.”

Another lady who identified herself as a vacation rental property owner was concerned about the ladies she recently hired as domestic help.

“I hired several housekeepers for the vacation season who were stay-at-home moms. They can’t walk in and give you tax records for the past three years because they haven’t worked in three years. So, we are getting a lot of hassle as far as what they are supposed to provide for you.”

Orange Beach resident Richard Sherman said he was concerned about his health.

“I have asthma. If I want to breath and the oil comes on shore, I will have to leave,“ Sherman explained. “The main irritants to my asthma are chlorine bleach and petroleum products, I can’t even pump gas, my wife has to do it.”

Sherman said as a retiree, he, like many others, is on a fixed income with a mortgage payment and bills to pay.

“I can afford those because we planned for those in our retirement, but I can’t afford alternate living. I want to know, not just for myself but for others like myself, what plans does BP have to take care of our situation?”

Clyde Brothers, owner of a fishing boat, was concerned about his claim as well.

“I called the number to get my claim number and I have never heard back. I called on the very first day.’

Brothers was also frustrated that since he was local and has been here for many years, he could help as a vessel of opportunity and was concerned with all of the boats from out of town that were working, when he has been deactivated.

Although questions were fielded for almost three hours, few answers were offered by the BP panel, and that is what continued to anger Kennon.

“This is what I am talking about. With all due respect to Mr. Willis, Idon’t know that he can give any of us an answer. That is my issue guys. I just want someone to come down here and say ‘this is what we are going to do.’ I feel like we are being told ‘feel-good’ stuff again and I am tired of it. We need a dadgum claims process that works that is in a functional timeframe, and these guys need a paycheck every single days.”

Councilman Ed Carroll asked the BP reps to stand up and look at him before he went on his two-minute rant that drew applause from the audience.

“This is killing the dolphins. What are you creating out here in the Gulf of Mexico is the same as the Dead Sea,” Carroll said. “You are responsible for this and for these people who are losing their jobs and can’t go out there and fish.”

City administrator Ken Grimes said that hopefully the Community Center would be available for next weeks meeting to accommodate the crowd.