You have questions, they have answers. One additional thing you have this election year is options. Four or the five seats on the Gulf Shores City Council contested. We asked the 11 candidates for their answers to a variety of questions ahead of the Aug. 25 election.
What would you do in your first 90 days if elected?
Place 1
Joe Garris (incumbent) - In the first 90 days, I would like to look back at East Gulf Shores along canal road, at what is called Live-Work Unit. This allowed you to live at your residence and have a business on your property. A couple of examples: a rod and reel repair shop, office or clothes alterations shop.
Bill Coyne - During the first 90-180 days, of my term in office, I would examine all approvals and actions taken by the previous sitting Gulf Shores City Council and Mayor. Especially zoning variances granted in Business class zones. This would give me an idea of how the City Council and Mayor have dealt with issues and special variance requests. I would also make every effort to meet with all department heads to discuss projects, grant requests and any problems they are encountering in the operation of their department.
Edward L. Rease - I would establish policies that would set forth a course of action to better the quality of life for the people of Gulf Shores. It would involve improving our infrastructure; improving our education system; more jobs creation; strengthen economic development; ensuring the city’s financial sustainability; create policies to improve public safety; expand our police force; expand and improve city’s parks; establish a public transportation system with surrounding neighbors; create policies to better protect our environment; establish policies that improve land use; augment the city’s beautification efforts; add attractions for the city; implement sound annexation goals with the support of our surrounding communities; and, set forth policies to establish term limit. Consequently, the support and opposition that I will encounter will have a bearing on what I will be able to accomplish.
Place 2
Gary Sinak (incumbent) - I would continue with our 2025 strategic plan already in place, which includes zoning and traffic studies, and start plans to research our City’s future needs and extend the plan out to at least 2030.
Nan Hedgspeth - I want to be a clear voice for every citizen of Gulf Shores. I will work with the elected council and mayor to prepare a way forward for our community. There is a lot of work to be done and I am willing to hit the ground running to best represent the citizens of Gulf Shores. I think a sense of urgency is important right now. Many citizens have said they just want to be heard. This is where I slow down, to listen and make each person feel respected, valued and heard. I want to have a complete understanding of the current building developments that are occurring in our community. We have a lot of development happening which will increase our population growth. Our infrastructure needs to be in line with growth. Our community has attracted a lot of developers.
Michelle Stancil - My first 90 days will be focused on evaluating and assessing the culture at the city, meeting with department leaders to see what they need more of and/or less of from their council, understanding the 2021 financials/operating plans, and settling in quickly to be an informed and effective member of the council team. My most important 90-day task will be to work with the City Administrator to review all citizen reported or escalated issues over the past 12 months and use that information to immediately reinitiate and modernize the “Town Hall Meeting.” To be a thriving community, all constituents must have access to information, have the opportunity to be seen and heard, and feel validated. I will personally lead this initiative using a hybrid approach of community roundtable meetings and an online forum to report concerns, have open conversations, share information, track issues, monitor action plans and follow up. This initiative can be implemented quickly and will resolve a lot of the concerns that we have heard over the past few weeks on the campaign trail.
Place 4
Jason Dyken (incumbent) - I believe we have made incredible progress in improving Gulf Shores by implementing the citizen-driven Vision 2025 plan. These accomplishments are almost complete, but there is still work to be done. One of the things that has become clear to me as I run for reelection is that we must do a better job communicating with the community about all the positive things happening throughout the community. Some citizens do not feel that they are being heard, and the city’s accomplishments and project delivery is not being fully communicated to locals. It is the city’s responsibility to ensure that its citizens are informed of how their government is working and to provide a process for citizens input, ideas and questions to be addressed. In the first 90 days, I would like to work to develop a process to enhance the communication between the city and our citizens. The citizens need to have a clear path to voice their opinions and participate more directly with its government and I will work to implement a strategy to ensure that this takes place. An informed and engaged citizen benefits all stakeholders.
Angie Swiger - As the only candidate with a written Action Plan, I’ll be ready to get to work from Day One. My Action Plan is a byproduct of attending city council meetings and planning meetings for years. In that time, I have had numerous conversations with small-business owners, contractors, citizens, even city employees who are frustrated with the inner workings of the current council. I know what the issues are. I know the city staff. I know how the council works and I know how to get things done.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am interested in results now, not five or 10 years from now. On the first day, I will schedule a meeting with each of the city staff members. I’d like to get their opinion and input on how we can better serve the citizens of Gulf Shores. I would like to discuss their ideas on how we grow responsibly, how we support small businesses, and how we engage with residents.
I’ll also create a diverse citizens’ advisory group made up of local citizens who are familiar with the building process, the process of opening and running a small business, local citizens who represent different neighborhoods, school parents, and a representative of the Arts. I need to hear from people who are “in the trenches” on a regular basis, people who can be consulted on a variety of topics. With the help of this group and the city staff, I will build a more streamlined, citizen friendly relationship between the city of Gulf Shores and its citizens.
Another pressing issue is our city support for youth and school sports. Every day, month, and year that goes by is a day, month, or year that we could have made a difference for our children and we did not. For years I have advocated and pleaded with our city to create an organized city sports league with the cooperation and coordination of our middle and high school coaches. Our young athletes and our volunteer coaches are eager to prepare their athletes for the next level but are often frustrated with the lack of city support. That frustration leads to a lack of interest as those athletes enter middle and high school, which hurts the school sports programs. These are Gulf Shores children and City of Gulf Shores Schools! We need to create a culture of excellence, support, and a winning attitude from youth league through high school. Every day that goes by is a day that we could have made a difference in the life of a child. My 4 children graduated from Gulf Shores Schools and we’ve been involved in nearly every sport from city league to high school. We are losing student athletes to neighboring communities every year because of our lack of support. It is broken and it needs to be fixed not in 90 days, but now. The COVID-19 reset is a great opportunity to revamp the entire organization, but it must start today.
All the items in my Action Plan need to be addressed immediately, and I will move quickly on all of them. The citizens of Gulf Shores will notice a difference immediately.
Tim Clayborn - We need to make sure properties are zoned correctly and for best use before continuing unbridled growth. I am not against growth, but for more responsible growth. I suggest a townhall meeting once a quarter at a time people could attend, maybe 6 p.m. This would give citizens an opportunity to talk to the mayor and council and express concerns. The mayor could report on upcoming projects and where we stand with the projects in progress each quarter. We could have this town hall meeting north of the bridge twice a year to make it easier for those citizens to attend. If we are truly going to put citizens first, we need to listen, and they need to be heard. I would also like to see the “Resident Parking” at the beach be made permanent. The locals need and deserve a place to easily park at the beach. I understand this locals’ parking area ends Labor Day or after the election. I am for the consideration of term limits and would like to begin that conversation. Does anyone really need to be on the city council for 16-20 years?
Place 5
Steve Jones (incumbent) - I will search for more ways to improve communication to citizens being informed of the true progress which has been made and is being made by the current administration on our projects. During this election cycle, it is clear that there are many residents that do not appear to be aware that many of the concerns and issues they are complaining about have already been identified and are being addressed. There are many opportunities for citizens to avail themselves of the information, including being able to sign up to be notified of all meetings of agencies that manage zoning, planning, and council meetings that take place. We unfortunately cannot force citizens to attend or become interested, but there is no shortage of information out there if it will simply be sought. I receive telephone calls, emails, text messages, and posts on social media about issues of concern, and I do my best to respond to each and every one. Not each resident that demands action gets what they want, but they do receive truthful answers and many of them get satisfaction with items that are within reason and the law. The recent COVID-19 situation, while most unfortunate, has at least generated the public streaming of our meetings, which opens the opportunity for more citizens to hear and see what is being discussing and be informed.
Cheryl Connell - In my first 90 days in office I would meet with the different departments and find out what projects are in progress, what’s pending and what future projects are on the way. I would find out what the departments need to better do their job or make it easier for them to do their job. I would make sure to answer all calls and emails from Local residents with questions during this time of transition. Communication between Local residents and their elected officials is key to having a better community.
Some people in the community say that we have traffic problems. What do you think? How would you mitigate those concerns or change the situation?
Place 1
Joe Garris (incumbent) - There are traffic issues. The council continues to work with the state to help to solve traffic issue. The city has received three grant totaling over $50 million to help with traffic issues.
Bill Coyne - The traffic problem description is mild in comparison to my description, unbearable. State Highway 59 is presently operating at 140% of capacity. Proposed improvements over the next five years are designed to take us to the year 2040. At that point it is estimated that Highway 59 will still be operating at 140% of capacity. That is a grading scale of “F” both now and in the year 2040. Variances to reduce subdivision lot sizes and approval of approximately 1800 apartment units within the city pose tremendous acceleration of traffic. Unless we throttle back on enticements to attract more tourists and sports events and first get citizen input on future development the problems will only get worse.
Edward L. Rease - I agree that we do have a traffic problem here in our beautiful city of Gulf Shores. It is a city of about 12,000 to 13,000 people that serve more than 6 million tourists each year. It creates a serious infrastructure issue. We can mitigate the problem by optimizing traffic-light management; traffic modeling; use CCTV to monitor our road conditions; enforce and improve existing road traffic laws; improve overall infrastructure such as adding additional bridges and roads as well as widening roads and bridges where needed; increase the efficiency and capacity of the road network such as eliminating bottlenecks; add public transportation to reduce the number of vehicles; use drones to deliver products, and drones can also be used as a bird-eye view of traffic to help us manage it.
Place 2
Gary Sinak (incumbent) - Yes, we do have traffic problems. We live in a very popular place that people like to come to and spend time here. It would be unconstitutional and illegal to try and keep people from coming here. We must find ways to help move the traffic more efficiently. We as a City Council have just finished having a corridor, roads and traffic study done. This will help very much in our planning of new roads, and expansion of existing roads. We have secured 10s of millions of dollars in grants to expand our existing roads (Coastal Gateway Boulevard and Hwy 59 South) and to reroute East Canal Road and are always trying to work with ALDOT on the state roads and intersections. Input from the residents is a must and very helpful and I encourage this input.
Nan Hedgspeth - I would agree with those that say we have traffic problems. I drive daily in the traffic. With our summer guests here, we have a lot of traffic. It is very worrisome. I feel our safety is sometimes compromised by the traffic. Since 2016 I have followed the status of our capital transportation improvement projects. There are millions of RESTORE dollars being used from ALDOT. It is important for our city to get these funds to improve our roads, especially HWY 59, When it takes 1-2 hours to get from Foley to Fort Morgan Road something is very wrong. There are not enough exits or entrances to our city. At one time one way in and one way out was charming and quaint. Now it could be a matter of life or death. Due to rapid growth and development in our city our roads are overused and overcapacity.
Michelle Stancil - I have lived in Gulf Shores off County Road 6 since 2003, so yes, I agree that we have traffic inconveniences. What I have seen over the past 17 years is that our traffic patterns have changed significantly. I cannot locate firm numbers, but I suspect that if we look at surrounding construction trends in Foley, for example, we will see more daily traffic on our state, county and city roads. Be it a day trip to the beach or daily commuting of our nonresident workforce. We have to understand the numbers, root causes, and the cost of solutions before any ideas of mitigation can be tossed out. Is it really condos that are driving our traffic or could it be that we are seeing a surge in traffic due to so much of our workforce having to drive in from surrounding cities? To do the ‘right things right’, we need to get to the facts and root causes so that we don’t do the ‘wrong things right.’
Place 4
Jason Dyken (incumbent) - When you are a city of 12,000 and serve over 6.5 million visitors a year, it is inevitable that you will have traffic issues. Traffic has been a constant battle for as long as I can remember. We have and continue to work to do everything within our power to improve the traffic conditions in this community. Most of the traffic issues arise on roads that we as a city do not have control over so they require the state’s attention for improvement. We have aggressively lobbied and co-funded many road projects with the state moving our needs up in priority as a result. Our dedicated effort has resulted in securing over $54 million in funding for significant traffic improvements to improve our local roadway system. Over the next four years, we will be implementing this comprehensive plan that will provide real traffic solutions. Looking beyond these improvements, as an Airport Authority member, we have successfully recruited commuter commercial service to the community. The impact of this reality will be the conversion of many of our driving tourists into flying tourists. Hopefully, this will bring a reduction in the number of cars on the road. All of these thing should work to improve the traffic, but we still have to manage growth in a smart and intentional way so that the fabric of our community is not disrupted and we maintain the small city, big beach community that we love.
Angie Swiger - If the people in the community say we have a traffic problem, then we have a traffic problem. The types of traffic problems we have differ from one area to the next and solutions differ as well. One problem we have with traffic stems from the tourist season. We all know that as a resort community, we rely on our tourists to survive, but when hundreds of thousands of visitors are on our island to enjoy a week of paradise, it results in congestion on the island. The solution to traffic seems simple to me fewer cars on the roadways. In my experience, most visitors prefer to park their cars for the week and either walk or shuttle to their destinations.
First, it’s impossible to create a walking district at the beach while enforcing ridiculous parking requirements for businesses. The vision is in complete conflict with the code. This not only mandates and reinforces car traffic, but also stagnates the development of new small businesses. Most of the lots are small and existing buildings can’t accommodate the parking that the city requires. The city needs to provide adequate off-site parking so people can park and walk.
Second, I would like to work with local companies to create a shuttle system or even a trolley system, much like the one used during Hangout Fest or Shrimp Fest. The shuttles could run on the island down Hwy 59 and East and West Beach. The system may be utilized all year or maybe just during the busiest months, but it’s a great way to eliminate a great deal of traffic to and from the beach. We can likely sell enough advertising on the interior and exterior of the trolley cars or shuttles to pay for (or at least off-site) the cost of the program.
We do have some traffic issues, however that are not created by tourists, but are created by development and lack of infrastructure. This has been a major concern for the residents of Regency Rd, County Rd 6, North Craft Farms, and others on and off the island.
It only stands to reason that when you take an area that is subject to traffic congestion already and you add hundreds of apartment units, city facilities and high density housing developments, the result is the equivalent of traffic mayhem.
Where is planning and zoning when this is happening? Why isn’t the infrastructure put in place before accommodating developers? This was a grievance of mine when I served on the school board. There should be a checklist in place in regard to infrastructure.
How does the development affect the surrounding neighbors?
How does it affect traffic? Utilities? School population? The environment?
Developments cannot be driven by dollars, leaving our residents to deal with the aftermath. Infrastructure first, development second.
Coastal Gateway is being widened (I assume) to accommodate a future school or other facilities. Why wasn’t this done for County Rd 6 when the sports plex went in. Have you ever tried to get out of the stadium after a ballgame? Was infrastructure or citizen input even considered before the development of apartments on Regency or the apartments on East 2nd Street? The East 2nd complex will put hundreds of cars on the already overcrowded roads due to Elementary, Middle and High School traffic.
The city has recently announced plans for additional roadways in the next four years; however, it seems like we are always four years out, 10 years out. If development continues at the current rapid rate, those roadways will be overburdened before they are even completed.
We are moving in the wrong direction in the traffic battle. We need some commonsense governing.
Tim Clayborn - The people in the community saying we have traffic problems would be 100% correct. Traffic every day is like the Fourth of July. Highway 59 is currently at 140% capacity and graded an “F.” Twenty years from now, at a bare minimum, the traffic flow will increase 40% to 70% depending on future development. The city has approved and built so much north of the bridge before having infrastructure in place that at times Highway 59 is bumper to bumper from as far as Foley. We do have help coming with the additional lane going South on 59 and the bridge that will come out onto Canal Road. We have grown too fast. Have you been to County Road 8 or the Coastal Gateway recently? Those neighborhoods should have had a voice in that being built before it was pushed through. I am not convinced this will be a great help. It is kind of like robbing from Peter to pay Paul. What will the residents on County Road 6 do when 1,200 more apartments are built at Traditions?
Also, an additional 400 homes will be built on 5,500 square foot lots that the city allowed the developer a variance from a footprint that should have been 11,000 square foot lots. The developer’s impact fee was minimal and not proportionate. How will the citizens on County Road 6 get onto Highway 59 when all this development is completed? This is going to present problems.
Place 5
Steve Jones (incumbent) - People in the community are correct; we do have traffic problems. No city in our region does NOT have traffic problems. In spite of our attempts to publicize the awarding to the City of Gulf Shores of federal, state, and local matching dollars that have already been secured that will address traffic concerns, many residents either do not know, or have forgotten this as they may have to sit in traffic a bit longer. What must be remembered especially now, is that we are in an unprecedented situation that has driven traffic to us at a level never before experienced. Airline travel is hamstrung, cruise ships are not operating, traditional destinations have been limited in guest traffic, so we are seeing many more new visitors and “day trippers” like never before. None of us have seen this level of activity before, so we must realize that the situation has not been this unpleasant, and that as the virus hopefully begins to subside, activity levels will return to more normal conditions moving forward. It will not be immediate, but it will improve. In the meantime, engineering and planning is taking place for projects on Highway 59 both north and south of the bridge, county road 4, county road 6, county road 8 aka Coastal Gateway Boulevard, and there are at least two more north/south roads between east and west corridors that are in design. There is only a certain amount of real estate available for travel, and each possible option is under consideration already but it is clear that not everyone that is complaining knows that. Besides, these projects take time to engineer and complete. It is difficult to be patient, but we must be patient.
Cheryl Connell - Yes, there is traffic. Besides the weather it is a No. 1 topic of conversation. I have been coming here for over 50 years. When Gulf Shores grew so did the complaints about traffic. Yet we still came, as did my own family later, every year. Highway 59 is congested to say the least. Widening roads like County Road 8 or Coastal Gateway Boulevard to feed traffic off the Foley Beach Express to Highway 59 or on to Foley Beach Express from Highway 59 only compounds the problem and adversely affects the neighborhoods surrounding County Road 8. I want to see more about the plan for the proposed third lane on Highway 59 and find out why it will not be four lanes before stating an opinion. The traffic problem goes both ways as we all know. I do not want to see any more east to west roads widened until the full impact of widening County Road 8 is known.
What makes you stand out from other candidates?
Place 1
Joe Garris (incumbent) - I have lived in Gulf Shores for 60 years. I know were the city was 60 years ago to where we have progressed 60 later as a progressive city with the supporting business. That helps me as a councilman to make good decisions. To help our city to kept moving forward.
Bill Coyne - I do not think it is constructive to try and evaluate other candidates against myself. We each have our own thoughts and qualities. I am committed to being the best councilperson I can be. I will try to keep an open mind, consider other suggestions and try to understand the reason for their opinion. I want to establish a clear vision of what the future should look like and establish a clear path to get there. I am truly interested in the future and I will sometimes need to make decisions that are not popular with the current residents.
Edward L. Rease - Diversity brings in new ideas and experiences. I sincerely believe that we can learn from each other. Bringing in different ideas and perspectives leads to better problem-solving. Through working in diverse teams, it opens dialogue and promotes creativity. Diversity provides access to a greater range of talent, not just the talent that belongs to a particular world or group’s view or ethnicity or some other restricting definition. The value of diversity is just as true for our culture, too. I sincerely believe that if people experience diversity in their everyday life that they will be exposed to people, cultures, traditions, and practices that are unlike their own. It is a rapidly globalizing world, and diversity is becoming increasingly present. It has also provided for growing acceptance by diminishing discrimination.
Due to my diverse background, I sincerely believe that I have a lot to offer to the people of Gulf Shores. I will be able to bring forth completely new insights regarding how our government should work for the people of Gulf Shores. I will be able to bring together people of various backgrounds with different life experience to generate ideas or perspectives that others may not have ever considered or been aware of. I sincerely believe that through my diverse background, education, training, and life experience that I will be able to help Gulf Shores be more effective, more successful, more profitable, more environment friendly, and more responsive and supportive of its people’s quality of life.
Place 2
Gary Sinak (incumbent) - My experience of working for our city for so many years sets me apart from other candidates. The 34 years I worked for our Fire Rescue Department allowed me to work with every prior administration since 1980 and with the other city departments and I gained a valuable knowledge of their operations. These last four years on the City Council has allowed me to apply that knowledge and gain new knowledge to help us give better service to our residents.
Nan Hedgspeth - I believe in thoughtful and deliberate planning and growth. I understand the concept of “Locals First” and I am available to listen.
Michelle Stancil - I am an effective leader, team oriented and problem solver. My skills and hands-on approach set me apart from the other two candidates for Place 2. I have over 25 years of experience in the public utility sector in high-growth or startup company environments and spent the past 10 years in entrepreneur mode. I am the right candidate for Place 2, right now. I am quick to learn and understand complex issues, I am diligent about fact-finding before making decisions, and I am a skilled collaborator. We need a woman’s perspective, care, and poise to ensure constituents are considered in decision/policymaking, to lead, and to promote healthy and productive teamwork.
Place 4
Jason Dyken (incumbent)- I believe I stand out from other candidates because of my medical background, business training, education and experience. I am a problem solver and take my time in analyzing situations and coming to the best solution available. I do not make rash decisions, and I base my decisions on the facts. I do not have any personal agendas other than the desire to serve this community and make it an even better place to live and work. I do not like to be in the spotlight, and you will never see me grandstand or pontificate. I just want to go to work to help solve the challenges that face Gulf Shores and would be honored to serve this community.
Angie Swiger - My compassion and empathy for the hard-working people in this community gives me the drive and motivation to work on their behalf. I have raised 4 children here, started two different small businesses here, and made my home here. We moved here in August 2003, opened a small restaurant, and put our children in Gulf Shores Schools. The Schools were far from perfect, but I felt like I could work to make a difference. Hurricane Ivan took our home and our restaurant in the same day (Sept. 16, 2004). Our children were scheduled to returned to school, but we had nowhere to live, no jobs to sustain us. During that time of hardship for Gulf Shores, I witnessed a community coming together in a way I had never seen. Families offered to take our children in, they offered their homes, they offered food and water as our residents rebuilt and put our lives back together. We had dabbled a bit in real estate, so we decided to get our real estate license.
We knew most real estate agents were busy flipping condos, but noticed no one was helping families, so we grew our business through our friends and neighbors in our school community.
It was during that time of hardship that I fell in love with Gulf Shores, but not just the beautiful beaches. I fell in love with the people. I loved the small-town feel, the friendly hellos, and the fact that everyone was connected and most importantly, everyone was equal. I knew it was a place where I could give back and make a difference. The people made me want to.
That is what drives me to serve. I served the children of Gulf Shores for 10 years and I gave them a voice. Since that time, I have noticed more and more that the citizens now need a voice. Our city government is no longer governing for the people and we are losing the quaint, compassionate, small town feel of our wonderful community. I am passionate about fixing what is broken simply by bringing the right people to the table and giving everyone a voice. I am passionate about helping people fulfill their dreams of living, working and thriving in paradise.
We have a lot of work to do. I know it can be done. If not me, then who? If not now, then when?
Tim Clayborn - I know many of the candidates are saying “Locals First.” I, too, believe we need to put our locals first. I have addressed the mayor and council many times on behalf of my neighbors. I suggested a “Land Swap” which was scoffed at but a perfectly viable option for the Regency Place Apartments debacle. I have no special interest in big real estate, big business, developers or contractors. I am not sure any of the incumbents or my competitors in Place 4 can say that. I am truly for doing the right thing for the locals, such as giving locals some well-deserved privileges for instance “Resident Beach Parking.” Local citizens deserve quarterly Town Hall Meetings and public notice hearings. Citizens need to be informed and quit being blindsided by our current local government. Without sweeping change, this will all stay the same 4 more years. As a voter, do you want to continue down this path?
Place 5
Steve Jones (incumbent) - Three things; experience, commitment and engagement. Long before I was ever elected to office, it was my goal to get involved in this community. Within a week of moving to Gulf Shores in 1991 I visited the Chamber of Commerce to introduce myself as the new manager of the Quality Inn Beachside Resort Hotel, and offer my volunteer services to any groups that might have an opportunity for me. I was already a Kiwanis member from my club in Guntersville, and they happened to be meeting at the hotel where I was now working. Since then I have had the privilege to volunteer for many organizations, serving on or chairing the board of directors of many as well. This wonderful community took me into their embrace and allowed me to serve with them and help build this city into what it is today, a wonderful place to live, grow, learn, work and serve. We have raised our kids together, built parks together, cleaned our beaches together, and struggled with storms, economic downturns, oil spills, and we built a zoo together. I love this city and its people and am nowhere near done serving to meet the next challenges. Service is the rent we pay for the space we take up, the motto by which I live. I promise to be as I always have been visible, available and responsive.
Cheryl Connell - I have 32 years of state service mostly as an Information Systems Analyst. I understand how government works and the restrictions and laws under which it must abide. I also understand politics. Any politician in power will work with whomever is elected to achieve a common goal. It’s not the person, it’s the office. I have written Disaster Recovery Plans as they pertained to Information Technology Systems. I had training from the Red Cross as a Disaster Recovery volunteer. I also have training in Project Management and have acted as a project manager.
Place 1
Joe Garris (incumbent) - The one major issue is the traffic and as a councilman I will continue to work with the state as our city continues to grow.
Bill Coyne - Term Limits. There is no reason for any member of the City Council or the Mayor to spend more than two four-year terms in that office. The current City Council and Mayor, in total will have served 72 years at the end of their current terms. Term limits will have to be voted on by the registered voters in Gulf Shores.
Edward L. Rease - The major issue that I plan to address is the quality of life for the people of Gulf Shores because there is a serious infrastructure problem within the city. Again, we are a city of about 12,000 to 13,000 people that serve more than an estimated 6 million tourists each year. Although tourism provides many job opportunities and provides a major tax base for Gulf Shores, tourism also can have a negative impact on the people of Gulf Shores quality of life. Traffic jams during the peak tourism season is a never-ending nightmare. This problem is mainly due to improper planning and zoning for our infrastructure. There are also financial and economic concerns. Where will the money come from to support such an enormous amount of people? With such a small tax base it creates a critical financial burden on the people of Gulf Shores and the quality of life that they live. As an example, funds are redirected to infrastructure needs to support tourism that take away from money to improve our communities. Therefore, we need to find a balance between both. How can we meet the needs of our tourists while also addressing the quality of life for the people that make up the citizenship of Gulf shores?
Place 2
Gary Sinak (incumbent)- It’s hard to narrow it down to just one major issue. There are three major issues I feel we need to stay up on constantly. Those are traffic, zoning and public safety. Most of you who know me know that public safety is my specialty so I will narrow it down to that. We can deal with traffic and zoning OK, but the safety of our residents, families and guest, to me has to be a priority.
Nan Hedgspeth - It is hard to choose one, because one thing affects many things. Health and safety are one thing I’m passionate about. There is a multilayered approach of infrastructure and traffic, health and safety. It is imperative to lay the proper foundation of infrastructure and traffic to be able to keep our citizens and guests healthy and in a crisis get them the care they need.
Michelle Stancil - To improve the relationship between the constituents of our community and the city. To repeat my answer on the first 90 days: To be a thriving community, all constituents must have access to information, have the opportunity to be seen and heard, and feel validated. I will personally lead this initiative using a hybrid approach of community roundtable meetings and an online forum to report concerns, have open conversations, share information, track issues, monitor action plans and follow up.
Place 4
Jason Dyken (incumbent) - There really is not a single major issue to address. All issues are major and require thoughtful consideration of their immediate and future impact on our city. If reelected to the city council for another four years, I will work diligently as a fellow team member to advance the priorities that the citizens of Gulf Shores developed in the Vision 2025 plan. These goals included access to health care delivery, enhanced educational opportunities, Gulf State Park and environmental improvements, development of waterway village, and the continued improvements in the beach area. We have made great strides in the delivery of this plan, but there is still work to complete. Let me help finish the work that we started.
Angie Swiger - I have a 12-point Action Plan, and I am a result driven person. Everything on my Action Plan is important, and every day that goes by is another day lost. To answer the question, they’re all major issues and will be addressed accordingly.
Tim Clayborn - I want developers to pay their fair share on impact fees. Currently, they are not. Before you can stick a shovel in the ground to build a house in Gulf Shores, you, as a citizen, are required to pay an impact fee of 1%, probably $3,000 to $5,000 in many cases, maybe more. The developer of the Regency Place Apartments paid $19,000 to a sidewalk fund on what I would estimate to be a $15 million to $20 million project. There will be between 500 to 700 people living in those apartments. Do you think this is an appropriate amount for the impact it will have on our local police department, fire department, utilities, sewer, infrastructure, etc.? Of course, it is not! The city is playing favorites to these developers. That Ordinance needs to be amended to make the developer pay a more proportionate amount. Why are the big developers receiving special favoritism from our current elected officials?
Place 5
Steve Jones (incumbent) - I plan to keep advocating for our environment as I have for decades. The Leave Only Footprints program directly impacts we residents as much or more so than our invited guests. While we’ve made massive strides in improving the cleanliness and protections of our most valued resource, especially this year we’ve experienced a different type of visitor that does not respect our values and take the same pride that we locals do in keeping our beaches pristine. Even some locals break the law by bringing dogs to the beach and not cleaning up after them, leaving trash behind, and not respecting this fragile environment. We must keep developing new ways to improve enforcement and education to reduce the amount of debris and disrespect to our area and grow the relationship with our invited guests to share our philosophy and responsibility.
Cheryl Connell - Infrastructure is a big item. We need to take care of our resident’s infrastructure needs. My mom used to say, ‘If the tourists don’t see it, it doesn’t get done.’ I asked what didn’t get done. She replied ‘Anything.’ Walking around neighborhoods I now understand what she meant. Our infrastructure needs to be upgraded and repaired to not only support the current locals but the massive number of new locals from all the new construction in progress and planned.
Do you feel the current planning and zoning regulations are in the best interest of the property owners? What changes would you make?
Place 1
Joe Garris (incumbent) - I do believe the current planning and zoning does have the best interest of the residents of Gulf Shores. Why because the council hired a consulting firm, to look at the zoning of the city to make sure zoning was compatible in each area of the city
Bill Coyne – No, I think all zoning should be reexamined and possibly be brought up to date since the original zoning is 25 years old. I also think that all final zoning decisions should be made by the elected Mayor and City Council, not by an appointed board or committee. The pending amendment to the zoning ordinance will improve the process for approving employment dormitories and multifamily dwellings.
Edward L. Rease - No, I do not feel that the current planning and zoning regulation are in the best interest of the property owner. I would make sure that citizens of Gulf Shores would have a much larger role when it comes to planning and zoning regulations. For instance, the development in the city of Gulf Shores is often piece-meal together. As a result, these piece-meal developments lead to eyesores and to developments that are not in the best interest of the overall community. Unfortunately, Gulf Shores has an enormous amount of vacant lots throughout the city and especially in the beach district due to a major hurricane that devastated Gulf Shores. Ironically, these lots have stayed vacant for many years due to the lack of proper planning and zoning regulations to require that the lots be developed. According to officials, the lots are not developed because the city is unable to make the property develop them.
The vacant lots are not only eyesores, but they create dead zones and they encourage drug dealing and other crimes. Proper planning and zoning would also require height limits to building in certain areas to protect homeowners land value. Who wants their home next to a skyscraper? Proper planning and zoning would set forth standards that would encourage quality development. For instance, I often see new constructed homes built on wood stilts without curtains to beautify the home. Thus, new home construction ends up being a blemish in our communities and thereby decrease the value of property owners.
Besides vacant lots, there are thousands of acres of land within the Gulf Shores’ city limit that is undeveloped. With proper planning and zoning the land could be developed to encourage new business opportunities to provide jobs and other opportunities such as planned communities and retail outlets.
Place 2
Gary Sinak (incumbent) - Yes, I do feel they are in the best interest of our residents. Do we need to make some changes every so often? Yes. A growing city like Gulf Shores, and I will include Orange Beach because we are so close together, and in part way, live as a large community, will always have to reevaluate our planning and zoning. Helping to lead a growing city is a dynamic operation that never stays the same. This is why we have the 2025 Strategic Plan in effect and always have to look into the future to guide the growth we are having toward a quality growth. Changes - There is a lot of undeveloped land in north Gulf Shores that is zoned BG. About 600 acres. We are in the process to require a CUP for multifamily dwellings built so we can control the number of units built. This is just one example.
Nan Hedgspeth - In the recent past the answer is a definite no. When a developer wants to buy and develop a property that requires a subdivision or resubdivision of lots that developers, no matter how well connected, must comply with the governing rules and Subdivision Regulations just like anybody else would. Changes I would make, be sure the city updates its zoning ordinances or land use plan before the residents are in a quandary about their property values. I would recommend making changes on some of our board appointed commissions. Looking after your citizens and doing the right thing is standard business for a city. Foresight and leadership are so necessary when dealing with complex issues such as people’s homes. Having fresh eyes is valuable so one doesn't become desensitized to critical information that impacts citizens negatively.
Michelle Stancil – Yes, the City of Gulf Shores Planning Department has a responsibility to look after the best interest of property/landowners/stakeholders of all zoned property in our 28.17 sq. mi footprint. If there are inconsistencies or deficiencies in our current Zoning Ordinance, then these concerns should be escalated to the Planning Commission for review. If there are customer service/satisfaction issues with city residents, property owners, landowners, developers or construction project managers, etc., we need to establish an escalation process if one does not already exist. For those who are not familiar with the stated purpose of the Zoning Ordinance, here is the summary:
Place 4
Jason Dyken (incumbent) - First, I believe it is important that everyone understand the legal realities of zoning regulations and private property rights. Property owners have vested rights in the property that they own based on the zoning that is in place at the time they purchase the property. These rights have been established by the forefathers of this community and follow the property that exists. The city cannot and has not arbitrarily rezoned any property within its limits. There is a legal process that must be followed, and public input is essential. Sometimes the desire of citizens does not match the legal zoning requirements that exist. We do our very best to try to accommodate competing desires when these situations arise while staying within the legal framework we must work within. The city has maintained this process in all cases and applies the rules consistently to all. Having said that, we are currently reviewing all zoning within the city to ensure it meets the desires of the citizens and exploring legal options to amend any existing zoning that may conflict with the desires of the community. We must continue working to find thoughtful balance between existing property owner rights and the desires of all our citizens.
Angie Swiger - I will start by saying that the people who work in Planning and Zoning (as well as the other departments) are fine people. I have worked with all of them at one time or another, and although we don’t always agree, they’re still good people trying to do an impossible job.
Our small town has grown so much and so fast in the past 10-15 years, the city can barely keep up. Regulations are being created to accommodate the growth instead of the other way around. The planning and zoning regulations are forced to change so frequently that from the time a project starts to the time it is finished, the rules have already changed. New rules are added midstream, they change from property to property, even from owner to owner. From inspection to inspection no one remembers what the original rules were or when they changed, but the property owner is expected to conform to them. There is so much inconsistency that it creates constant friction between the city staff and the property owner; and it costs the property owner months of precious time and money.
We need to allow our new city planner time to plan. We need to think about how we want to grow. We need a clear vision of what we want our city to look like in the years to come. Schools and subdivisions and trauma centers are all part of that vision, but not all of it. What do we want our city to feel like? What will it be like to live here? Not vacation here or visit here but to live here.
The book of Regulations housed in the conference room of the Planning and Building department can barely be lifted off the shelf by one normal sized human being. Surely, not all that code is necessary. Do we really need 15 trees and 42 shrubs on a 50 X 60 lot? Surely, we can remove some of the barriers that challenge our businesses and homeowners. At the very least, it’s time for a review. A simplification of the process. Our citizens are oppressed every day by overreach and over regulation from our government. If it’s not necessary, it needs to go.
In the Gulf Shores’ city limits, we have over 60,000 square feet of empty retail space. That doesn’t even include the empty lots and abandoned buildings that are for sale in prime retail districts. Take a look at our neighboring cities. Foley and Orange Beach are bustling. Retail is flourishing. New restaurants, retail businesses, and services are popping up every day. Those cities are active with things to do and places to go. Gulf Shores has been left behind. Perhaps we have overregulated our business owners to a point that they just give up. I have personally spoken to prominent businesspeople who simply refuse to build here or open a business here. Why? “It’s just too hard.” The city is too hard to work with and the process is broken.
The first thing we need to do is support the businesses we already have. We have businesses who have been here 20, 30, 60 years. Do you know how hard it is to own and operate a successful business for 60 years? Are they recognized? Applauded? Celebrated? Nope. Instead they are dismissed and disregarded.
Our community needs to be an incubator for small business. They should be welcomed with a “How can I help you?” attitude instead of being gut punched time and time again with regulation, inspection, more regulation and reinspection. They should be happy to see their city official on-site, not dreading it.
Our growth needs to be controlled and we need to grow with a purpose. We cannot just let business development happen. Our economic development department needs to take inventory of the thousands of square feet of empty space and actively recruit the right kind of business for our area, business that will benefit our locals, businesses that will stabilize our economy, businesses that have something to offer. This isn’t being done.
Tim Clayborn - No, I do not. Last year the Zoning Regulations changed from the R-1-4 zoning of 11,000 sq. foot lots to permit 52 sq. foot lots. This has been a detriment to the citizens of Gulf Shores. Also, within these smaller lots, there are not standards for green space. The developer can simply state the amount of green space he will provide, and the city approves it. We need to revert to the R-1-4 zoning. It should be mandatory for developers to build neighborhood parks in 25-35% of green space, not to include retention pond, city easements or wetlands.
Place 5
Steve Jones (incumbent) - I believe that most of the current planning and zoning is in the best interest of everybody, but I also believe that we regularly visit existing areas and regulations and try to identify what needs to be addressed. We must not forget that property owners have rights, and their right to develop their properties as the law allows within our guidelines, must be honored. Several areas of allowable high density that are concerning are under scrutiny as we read this. Property owners and developers also understand that too much is not a good thing, and I have seen noticeable voluntary reductions in units per acre by them to lower buildable homes and units to make projects more desirable and valuable. You will notice a visible reduction in the number of high-rise buildings in favor of the lower height, lower density cottage products. Zoning on areas of West Beach remain single family, which prohibits high density and high-rise buildings, and requests to rezone it to allow those things has been rejected more than once. We cannot legally “stop growth” but we have made great strides in reducing what I’m sure many residents don’t like to see and that is glittering high-rise developments that wall our beachfront.
What changes would you make? Changes are being proposed, evaluated, and made regarding uses in zones at this time. The changes I will support are those that still allow property owners to exercise their property rights but do not harm them to point of economic harm. Government is already to invasive in so many areas of our lives, and property rights are sacred as after all, “under all is the land.” We must engage owners of large tracts and seek their cooperation and support of responsible allowances for future land use and development. MUCH consideration must be made for impact to traffic and school populations and effects on law enforcement and fire protection. This has and will receive great scrutiny.
Cheryl Connell - I feel the developers are favored at the expense of the locals who live here. I would investigate the current zoning and see where the requirements could be tightened up. I would look long and hard at variances. I believe they are granted far too often at the local’s expense. We need to tighten these rules up and stick to it.
Do you feel residents and their quality of life are prioritized over tourists? If no, what would you do to put residents first?
Place 1
Joe Garris (incumbent) - I do feel the residents and their quality of life are prioritized over tourists. A few examples. A resident only beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day. We will have a freestanding emergency facility in Gulf Shores, so residents are a few minutes away from getting help in an emergency. Air and Ground Ambulance Emergency Transport service for residents with insurance benefit limits will now be covered with no additional out of pocket expenses. The city has an annual contract with this service to help our citizens that live in Gulf Shores. The Bodenhamer Center and Cultural Center are being improved with some new equipment. We also have music in the park, and it is free. Ride around and look at our parks were your children play sports. They are first class. These are a few examples what city has provided for the Residents of Gulf Shores.
Bill Coyne – No, residents sometimes must take second or even third place to developers and those favored few. I do not think there should be levels of approval for anyone. Everyone, developers and citizens, should be on a level playing field. Visitors should come here to enjoy our beautiful corner of the world and accept us the way we are.
Edward L. Rease - No, I do not believe that residents and their quality of life are prioritized over tourists and as a result it has created frustration for the residents of Gulf Shores.
I would put residents first by providing affordable housing; working with other communities to provide public transportation; increase public safety; expand our police and fire departments; providing early education for our children; and, increase employment and income stability. Fixing our infrastructure is essential. Better economic development and land use is needed. I would help create policies that ensure environmental protection and improved communities. I would also work with others to establish programs and policies that expand resiliency, encourage regeneration and maximize mobility.
However, putting residents first would require me to work with residents and elected officials to think outside-of-the-box to balance the needs of locals and tourists.
Place 2
Gary Sinak (incumbent) - I do feel we, as a council, have prioritized the quality of life of our residents over that of the tourist. Ever since I moved here in 1980 there were “old timers” then as some people now say that we need to “shut down the bridge.” Too many people. Well if that were done then in 1980s, none of us that have moved here since then would be here. We live in a beautiful and popular place. People want to come to paradise to live, work and visit. Mainly to vacation. To provide services to everyone (residents and guest) requires financial resources. Our city makes most of its money from the tourist. We could not provide the services we provide if we did not have the money to do it with. The majority of people that live here make their living here because of the tourist that visit here. Let me give you an example. When I first hired on Gulf Shores Fire Rescue, we had one station next to city hall. Now we have four manned stations that provide Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical paramedic service to all the residents and guest. We recently added the fourth manned station in North Gulf Shores for the residents that live in that area of our city. We could have not offered this valuable service without the financial gains from the tourist industry. We started our own city school system for the better education of our children that live here. Drive by and see the remodeled campuses. They are beautiful. This takes financial resources. As I stated earlier our city is growing and we must guide the growth to be a quality growth and make the most of the financial resources we receive from the tourist industry.
Nan Hedgspeth - If no, what would you do to put residents first? My campaign slogan is Locals First! We have a great community of talented citizens that can survive anything. These are the people that should be leading us. I believe in the residents and their ideas. One easy thing we could do to put locals first is have the locals beach open year-round rather than close after Labor Day. The City could purchase beach property to use for locals only. It is very hard to enjoy the beach now while competing with our guests. Just some small ideas to generate thought.
Michelle Stancil - Yes, but perception is fact and we need to do better. I have lived in Gulf Shores for over 17 years and have always felt that our city has serviced the residents as a top priority. Quality schools, parks, youth sports, improved walking paths, medical initiatives, and being fiscally responsible so that we have some of the lowest residential property taxes in the United States. The fact is that we are a tourism centric city/region. That was set in motion back in the ’70s and it is the primary industry in our city limits. If we apply the butterfly effect that would mean that our residents are also involved in and/or rely on tourism or real estate sales. The City of Gulf Shores has a resident base of roughly 12,000 people and 5,800 single-family homes. On any given weekend, our city could have a population of 100,000 and the city has a requirement to provide safety and public services to this population as well. Everyone I know at the City works very, very hard and I am disappointed to see some grassroots groups who are so angry and unhappy about living in Gulf Shores. I want to use the Town Hall forum to work through the issues that are dissatisfying. I don’t think the
