Editor:

I was an interested Fairhope citizen at Monday night’s Council meeting. Councilman Mixon and the Utility Department heads made a fairly compelling case in favor of a 2 percent sales tax. And then the public was asked to share their views. Happy to say the process worked well most of the time with good citizens either speaking in favor or against the proposal. They said their piece, in sometimes impassioned but always respectful tones, and then left the podium.

Then came the personal attack artist, Chris Warner, spewing his personal insults against the mayor and council and other city leaders like Greg Mims. This is a disease that seems way too stylish in America today. It is what is tearing at our fabric … and it has a price tag. I do not think we can afford this type of behavior in Fairhope today. As soon as someone gets too nasty and too personal in one of our meetings, I think they should be gaveled out of order and shut down!

This (in addition to a nasty flyer which was found on car windshields in the parking lot) is the kind of talk that I found out of order. I’ll use my reaction to what was said to just give a flavor for what Mr. Warner had to say.

· Debbie Quinn and the council members present are not “liars” or “reprehensible” to quote Mr. Warner. You may disagree with them but keep your value judgments to yourself.

· Greg Mims, is a decent and honorable guy. He has not “destroyed our Public Trust” as Warner says. I and many others who have worked with him find him to be an effective leader who is in touch as we bridge the gap between citizens and their city.

· Mayor Kant has 25 years of city service and has earned his pension, starting back in the days when he was planting the rose garden at the pier or serving as Fire Chief. When Warner likens the mayor’s pension to a “Madoff Ponzi Scheme,” what a disservice to someone who helped build this city when young Warner was still wet behind the ears.

· You know, I do not always agree with Debbie Quinn, and I have told her so … same sometimes with the mayor. But, they are my elected representatives. We owe them and our city the dignity of their office. What Fairhope purpose is served when we lower the dialogue to gutter level? What a gut shot to our basic humanity!

After 30 minutes of public input, Debbie Quinn remained the perfect chairperson and lady throughout the meeting and individually thanked everyone for their input … including Mr. Warner.

Good folks, please let’s keep Fairhope the classy city that it is.

Fairhope