Ripp Report

In honor of our heroes.

Tomorrow a very few people in Baldwin County will vote in the primary election. Everyone is encouraged to vote. In the primary all party affiliations can vote. So don’t use the excuse that you are Independent or Democrat. VOTE. Baldwin County has a history of a good ole boy mentality, which is “We were here first, you are not from here and we maintain control”. Corruption in Baldwin County’s Judiciary and 14 municipal governments is so common that the citizenry just shrugs it off. It is costing taxpayers millions of dollars.

Primary Election May 24th

Sit back and enjoy our primary preview of the Republican sample ballot. If you are sick and tired of the status quo....endlessly recycled Democrats in Republican clothing, vote the former Democrat and Don Siegleman appointee, Steve Marshall the heck out of office. No Ripp report this week. The polls open May 24th and we will be campaigning around the State this weekend. One thing's for sure, no one in their right mind would brave the meth-heads that have descended on Gulf Shores this weekend for Hangout Fest. Proof that Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft really doesn't care about his citizenry. Andrew Donald graduated Summa cum laude from BCHS yesterday and is headed to Auburn (with a decent scholarship) to carry on with the family tradition. Congratulations to the great individuals that make up the Baldwin County High School Class of 2022, from a member of the Class of 1992. I would put our Top 10 students each year up against any school's Top 10 in this Country.

A battle in Fairhope: Can Jennifer Fidler present ‘a strong challenge’ to five-term Rep. Joe Faust? Fidler, a former public works director in Fairhope is challenging longtime state lawmaker Joe Faust in a House District that represents one of the fastest-growing areas in Alabama. Growth, land preservation, and environmental concerns are the biggest issues in the district.

Baldwin County Sewer is the only, private, unregulated sewer utility in Alabama. The County commission has refused to tackle the issue of BCSS being unregulated. BCSS uses the county right of ways free and developments on farmland can use BCSS for subdivisions, which expands development sprawl. They have raised rates at will. BCSS has been recently involved in several lawsuits that have involved land and business fraud, among other charges. One of the principals of the BCSS resides in Costa Rica, he is not interested in what is happening in Gulf Shores.

Baldwin County needs more representation on the county commission. People will say “just more talking heads.” The population of the county is topping 250,000 and the county only has 4 commissioners. The Commission should be an odd number so as to never tie or have a possible deadlock in voting on issues. Currently only four commissioners represent the entire county. With only four people voting a chance of a deadlock, split vote, is high. A split vote usually results in each commissioner getting in their trenches and nothing being accomplished.

The most important race in Baldwin County is District two. This commission seat is being sought after by three candidates, Steve Carney, Jonathan Armstrong and Matt McKenzie. VOTERS BETTER BE PAYING ATTENTION: Steve Carney ran for Mayor of Daphne, he lost because he was the Catalyst candidate. You would think Mr. Carney would have learned to be careful who his bed fellows are. Now Mr Carey is running for commission seat and is backed by Catalyst and Tucker Dorsey. Tucker Dorsey is one of the worst county commissioners in Baldwin County history.

Big News

Novelis is Building a New, Low-Carbon, $2.5 Billion Aluminum Plant Recycling & Rolling facility in Bay Minette, Alabama, is the first of its kind and first fully integrated, U.S. mill built in 40 year and they are building it on the Baldwin County Megasite! From the inception of the Alliance by the Chambers of Commerce at the behest of Baldwin County United, this has been a multi-year-village-wide-effort. From Lance LaCour, former BCEDA Director now in Katy TX (the Godfather of the Project) to Mr. Ingram, and all of the people who believed that this project would change our fortunes- much like the location of "Delta Rockets" on Decatur Alabama's Megasite some 15 years ago.

Homeland Security’s Disinformation Governance Board

Mobile Bay Magazine this week profiles the most endangered species in South Alabama. The Biden Administration has created the Department of Homeland Security’s Disinformation Governance Board (as dystopian and vague as possible) to the delight of the Trump crowd. This week, the typically liberal comedian Bill Maher skewered the Government for blowing our hard earned money that was supposed to go for Covid-19 relief. Russian Air Raid Sirens, a Corrections Officer is missing and presumed abducted by the convicted murdered she was transporting in Florence Alabama; an Alabama Public Health Officer was killed this week by a pack of dogs; and Raines goes to a garden party, no joke. We take a trip back to the Keys and Alligator Reef Light House 24.8518° N, 80.6189° W. And finally, The State of Alabama has lost a great public servant and yes they do exist. State Representative Steve McMillan has died. He served Baldwin County in the Legislature since 1980. Godspeed old friend.

This is the case of Murray “Bubba” Lawrence who was convicted of capital murder in Baldwin County Alabama, May 13, 2005. He was arrested and incarcerated for 11 months 10 days, prior to conviction. Early attempts of appeal failed when attorneys dropped the ball. The Prosecutor was District Attorney David Whetstone, since retired. The lead investigator was Lt. Hoss Mack, currently Sheriff of Baldwin County. The Defense Attorney was Willy Huntley, who is still practicing law. The Judge was Robert Wilters, currently the District Attorney of Baldwin County.