A Web Address Prank Turns Sour in Mobile’s Mayoral Campaign
In March 2005 a web address bearing Ann Bedsole's name redirected to an anonymous political gadfly site, and Bess Rich's cell number appeared in the registration. Both denied any part…
Bess Rich Makes It Official, Filing Papers in a Bid to Lead Mobile
Former Mobile City Councilwoman Bess Rich formally filed for mayor in March 2005, promising sales tax relief, stronger core services and a more transparent City Hall.
Lions Club Prepares to Roast the Outgoing Mayor of Mobile
The Mobile Lions Club scheduled a March 31, 2005 roast of retiring Mayor Mike Dow, with allies and old critics alike lined up to take their turn at the microphone.
Consultants, Strategists and a Defection: Mobile’s Mayoral Campaigns Staff Up
By March 2005, Mobile's mayoral candidates were assembling professional campaign teams, and one veteran local adman crossed the aisle from John Peavy's camp to Ann Bedsole's.
Dow’s Exit Sets Off a Scramble: The 2005 Race for Mayor of Mobile Takes Shape
With Mayor Mike Dow preparing to confirm he would not seek a fifth term, Mobile's 2005 mayoral field began to form around Ann Bedsole, Sam Jones, John Peavy and Bess…
Stan the New Man: A 30-Year FBI Veteran Takes a Seat on the Fairhope City Council
Dan Stankoski spent three decades at the FBI supervising violent crime, domestic terrorism and civil rights cases. Now he's on the Fairhope City Council worrying about the next bottleneck on…
Dow Raises Nothing, Peavy Banks $100,000: Mobile’s Campaign Finance Reports Land
Mayor Mike Dow reported zero contributions for all of 2004 and $18.47 in spending. Councilman John Peavy opened a mayoral account that hit six figures in five days, most of…
Tennis Anyone? Mobile Councilman’s $3,100 in Taxpayer-Funded Lessons Draws Colleagues’ Rebuke
Councilman Thomas Sullivan says he followed every city procedure in spending $3,100 in public money on tennis lessons and tournament travel for supporters' children. Four of his colleagues say it…
Small Talk in Daphne: The Quiet Newcomer Who Toppled a Political Regime
Daphne's new mayor runs a convenience store, quietly bankrolls a Catholic school, kept every city official he inherited and says his only agenda is controlling the growth barreling toward the…
Councilman Predicts No Racial Backlash From Mobile’s 2005 Mayoral Race
With Mayor Mike Dow expected to step aside, Councilman Fred Richardson said Mobile's history suggests voters will accept the outcome of the August mayoral election without racial discord, whoever wins.