Urban Planner running
for mayor of Fairhope
A 38-year old planning consultant and author, with a Ph.D. in urban planning, is running for mayor of Fairhope.
Chris Warner, a five-year resident of Fairhope, who is married with two children, said he is running because he feels he is the most qualified of the candidates, and because Fairhope, to its detriment, is not following its master plan for growth and development.
“Fairhope’s recent building and growth boom is not in concert with its master plan, nor its distinct, architectural heritage," said Warner. "Moreover, this new growth spurt, when coupled with the impending retirement of the first Baby Boomers in three years, will inevitably bring a new set of service delivery problems that the city must confront and solve."
"I have a plan to handle and solve these growth-related problems before they occur; and before Fairhope loses more of its precious life quality,”
Warner continued.
Warner moved to Fairhope five years ago with his wife, Marla, and his two daughters, Madilyn Amelia, 8 and Emma Claire, 5. His mother lives in Louisiana, his home state, and his father is recently deceased. Marla’s parents, Dr. John and Meme Hilburn, of Mobile, live in Baton Rouge.
In addition to working as a planning consultant, Warner has written nine books, including the popular culture tome on Southeastern Conference Football, “A Tailgater’s Guide to SEC Football, Vol. III” which landed him on the History Channel documentary “Tailgating” with comedian Tom Arnold and actress Jenny McCarthy. His new SEC book is due out in June, 2008.
Warner, whose website is http://www.chris4fairhope.com, ran unsuccessfully for the City Council in Fairhope’s last election cycle, missing a runoff by a few votes.
“This campaign will pick up where that last one (council) left off," said Warner. "I was not defeated four years ago; I simply ran out of time. That will not happen again. Fairhope has a choice for mayor, and I, Chris Warner, represent that choice and real hope for the future.”
Warner added that he is running to serve the people of Fairhope.
Warner cited as a guiding principle the words of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who once said:
“Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free people and who would preserve what is good and fruitful about our national heritage.”
