SPANISH FORT — The Eastern Shore Republican Women (ESRW) hosted a municipal candidate forum Tuesday at The Original Oyster House in Spanish Fort.
Tensions flared when mayoral candidates Michael McMillan (incumbent) and Brad Bass addressed rumors that firefighters are sleeping on the floor at Fire Station 4.
"At the end of the day, I want what's best for Spanish Fort," Bass said. "And there's a lot of gaps that need to be answered and need to be looked at right now. We can argue back and forth about who sleeps on the floor, who doesn't sleep on the floor."
"At this point, in that fire station, two people are sleeping either in a recliner or a sleeping bag on the floor," he continued. "So, whether it must be talked about or not, that's what's happening."
McMillan denied having knowledge of firefighters sleeping on the floor.
"As far as firemen sleeping on the floor, that is absolutely not true," McMillan powerfully proclaimed as Bass shook his head "no."
McMillan said the fire station along D'Olive Road is a work in progress, and any situation in Station 4 is temporary.
Bass also accused McMillan's team of pulling his voting record, a claim McMillan denied. Bass said that although the municipal race is non-partisan, he has been a Trump-supporting Republican.
McMillan stated that, as a businessman, he has successfully led the city and hopes to continue doing so.
"We're very fortunate that we've been blessed in Spanish Fort," McMillan said. "We've got a balanced budget. We've had a balanced budget in 13 years. We have a surplus. So, we have a rainy day fund if we need these things that come forward."
Other topics discussed were growth management, infrastructure, transparency, drainage, parks and recreation, education and more.
Council candidates who participated were District 1 candidates Mitch Fisher and Curt Smith (incumbent); District 3 candidates Shane Perry (incumbent) and Drew Ramsey; and District 5 candidates Mary Brabner (incumbent) and Steven LeMoine.
District 2 council member Carl Gustafson, Jr., is unopposed but spoke at the forum about what he wants to see going forward in Spanish Fort.
The municipal election is on August 26.
The entire forum can be watched on Facebook.
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