Mayor Kant has repeatedly stated that, if problems exist on the Publix site, he would not issue a certificate of occupancy. This raises the question: What does the mayor consider a problem?

Let’s start with the detailed questions that the (mayor-appointed) tree committee formally presented to the City Council on April 27, with the result that Council President Debbie Quinn instructed the city clerk to require the mayor to answer formally. These questions ask for clarification of contradictory statements by city officials and apparent inconsistency of application of rules and ordinances relating to the Publix site. To date, to my knowledge, no formal response has been made by the mayor.

Now, does this constitute a problem for the mayor?

Now let’s discuss the horrific environmental damage to Fly Creek, as put forward by the Fly Creek Preservation Association, which has now been joined by Mobile Baykeepers in their intent to serve notice directed at five different partners connected with the Publix project. Does the mayor consider this a problem?

And what about all the questions regarding changes to the site plan that appear to differ from past procedural practices? Does the mayor consider these a problem?

The city is already paying out large amounts of our tax dollars for legal fees ($500,000–$750,000 a year on average) to handle large numbers of lawsuits against the city. Many of these concern treatment that deviates from established, standardized procedures.

Do you folks realize that this expenditure alone represents between one-third and one-half of our projected budgetary shortfall for this year? In other words, if personnel or services are cut or eliminated (such as the senior center or recreation), we will continue to shell out much-needed revenue to defend our city government’s own inconsistent practices.

Still, with all these questions hanging like the sword of Damocles over our city’s future, my prediction is that the mayor will not consider any of these questions a problem and will do everything in his power to get the Publix site’s Certificate of Occupancy issued.

Prove me wrong, Mr. Mayor! But since you haven’t even answered formal questions officially put to you by the Council on April 27, I’m not going to hold my breath.

Dean Mosher, a Fairhope resident for 35 years, has chaired numerous committees and boards. He currently serves as vice president of the Fairhope Single Tax Corp. and is a professional artist known worldwide for his epic historical paintings.