Debate Between Mayor Tony Kennon and Councilor Jeff Boyd

In a debate held by 1819 News, incumbent Mayor Tony Kennon faced off against Councilor Jeff Boyd on Tuesday evening.

Boyd criticized Kennon, portraying him as a domineering figure whose actions have led to legal troubles for the city and hindered possible partnerships. Kennon responded by asserting that, while he can be assertive when necessary, he also plays the roles of a politician and diplomat. He argued that his approach has its own repercussions.

Initially hesitant to run for mayor, Boyd reconsidered after a call from police chief Steve Brown regarding his retirement. “When the chief told me he was retiring tomorrow, it was a turning point for me,” Boyd recounted, adding that discussions about the police department were ongoing. “I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that followed.”

Kennon took the opportunity to remind Boyd of Brown’s retirement, asserting that city policy dictated a non-disclosure on HR matters. He emphasized that being a good person doesn’t automatically translate to being a good employee. “You seem to frame this as a good versus bad issue with the police chief. Each department has standards that must be upheld,” Kennon remarked. “Sometimes, that means being perceived as the bad guy.”

This led to a discussion about a recent incident involving a report from Pleasure Island Tikibur, where an employee claimed to have seen a naked man, thought to be Kennon. Boyd expressed skepticism about maintaining high standards while being involved in such controversies, saying, “It’s amusing that you demand excellence from the police while ignoring issues like this.”

Despite the tension, the debate maintained an engaging atmosphere. When Boyd criticized Kennon’s leadership, Kennon countered by highlighting instances where Boyd supported his policies.

Boyd mentioned a pivotal 2022 decision to allocate $35.5 million towards establishing a city school system, marking a fork in the road from Kennon’s approach. “We managed to get out of debt over the past decade, and it was a collective effort,” he stated, noting the importance of collaboration among department heads. “When we embarked on this journey, our budget was around $33 million, and we had to make strategic decisions to fund the schools.”

While Boyd supports educational initiatives, he argued that their visions for achieving these goals differed. Yet Kennon pointed out that Boyd had voted in favor of those initiatives. “Your actions don’t align with your words,” Kennon remarked without malice. “You had many reservations, yet when it mattered, you chose to support it.”

Kennon recounted efforts he began back in 2008 to eliminate the city’s debt by 2018, highlighting the advantageous financing they acquired. “We secured $125 million at 3%. That’s effectively free money for us,” he explained, noting the city’s favorable debt-to-revenue ratio.

Boyd expressed disappointment about not being more involved in key decisions, admitting regret over his vote for the school system, but asserted that opposing it wouldn’t have altered the outcome. “I’ve faced some intense arguments regarding Plan B, especially during work sessions,” Boyd illustrated, referencing a heated exchange with Kennon on the planning process.

The debate also touched on Boyd’s concerns about a meeting held by Alabama law enforcement secretary Hal Taylor on local traffic issues, which he felt Kennon mishandled.

In response, Kennon pointed to his success in navigating the city through challenging situations like the BP oil spill.

Voters will cast their ballots on Tuesday, August 26th, to determine the outcome of this mayoral race.