The Ripp Report is expanding it’s reach on social media and email connections in preparations for the 2020 General Elections. Our coverage area will be concentrating on Baldwin County and it’s 14 municipalities. BUT: This week I am exploring my old stomping grounds of Belize, The out islands and Guatemala. I will be back next week, maybe. In the mean time you may wish to read a past post that is going to affect everyone who drives through the Parker Road/Highway 98 intersection.

First let me apologize for not getting out the Wonderful Wednesday and for the delay of Freaky Friday this week. The Ripp Report has been following many different issues throughout the County and this last week was especially busy. In Fairhope the City Council believes that the citizens elected them to make all the decisions for the community. It only takes three votes of the council for a decision to be made. The Fairhope Council does not understand that they are suppose to LISTEN to their constituents. All their constituents.

Baldwin County’s legal system relies to much on shutting people up. Criminal acts, political misconduct, court proceedings and civil litigation are “sealed” or CONFIDENTIALITY agreements are required to settle issues. Often this allows the guilty party to go on their merry way, until the next incident. Of course money is also an ingredient to grease the wheel while keeping everything out of the eye of the public domain. How can you have any accountability or transparency if all the bad deeds are sealed? What incentive is their to do the right thing if you know you can always buy your way out and shut your accuser up.

Fairhope citizens need to watch the first 30 minutes of the Fairhope Work Session, March 27: The first 15 minutes involves the K-1 Center, the next 15 minutes is discussing a Conservation Easement on the Triangle property 109 acres. Hats off to Councilman Conyers for speaking up for the citizens and encouraging Community Engagement aka Public participation. Mr Conyers is also the Councilman who has encourage the Council, unsuccessfully, to establish a pay grade for the position of Mayor, which has been in limbo since the election of Mayor Wilson. Mayor Wilson refused the duel salaries of Mayor and Utility Director, a position, and salary, the former Mayor enjoyed for over 10 years.

Baldwin County is full of laughs lately. Politics can cause mental damage and in Baldwin County we need an insane asylum for a few of them. First we have the “TAX MAN” Chris Elliott, he prefers the title State Senator, saying he has solved the School separation lawsuit between Gulf Shores and Baldwin County Superintendent Eddie Tyler. The reason there is a lawsuit is that Mr Tyler went back on his published promise to abide by the decision of the State Board of Education. Elliott is also talking down development in public while his record supports all the development his CATALYST friends can get their hands on. Elliott was covering for Tyler, his partner on the penny tax, that no one got to vote on.

The Fairhope Airport Authority, under control of Fairhope Council President Jack Burrell, continues to raise eyebrows,”What the hell is really going on at the Airport.” Millions of development dollars from federal agencies have expanded the airport with additional runways. Hangers are being offered on long term leases and no specific long range plan has been presented to the public. You just may look up one day and see Southwest flying in, think about it!

Baldwin County is the piggy-Bank for Goat Hill supported by the same elected officials, we elected, to represent us. The Tax Man Chris Elliott, as a county commissioner, taxed the citizens of Baldwin County without any vote of his constituents. Mr Elliott then raided the 1% school tax to the tune of 200,000 dollars a year, for the county. He is living up to his reputation as the Tax Man by supporting the gas tax, again without any vote by the public. Over 80% of the voters opposed the gas tax. Did our elected officials listen? Hell NO. This is the political plan, tax them right after being elected, because the voters will forget in 4 years.

Fairhope’s City Council agenda, March 8th, was loaded with resolutions that should catch the eye of the voters and raise many questions about the City Council, NOT informing the public about the facts surrounding each resolution. 10. Resolution – That Mayor Karin Wilson or Council President Jack Burrell, on behalf of the City of Fairhope, is hereby authorized to purchase the properties owned by the Baldwin County Board of Education: known as the K-1 Center, Fairhopers Community Park, and the James P. Nix Center); and to execute and negotiate all documents necessary to complete the closing and to acquire title on behalf on the City pursuant to the executed Land Purchase Contract.

Governor Kay Ivey is a puppet on a string. In a recent article she announces a special session for a gas tax. In one paragraph she talks about money for infrastructure two paragraphs later we find out the State Docks are going to get between 400,000 and 600,000 for dredging the ship channel. “And I want to be crystal clear – this money will be scrutinized and watched over – every single penny,” the governor said. “There will be strong accountability measures to make certain these monies are spent solely on transportation infrastructure. Period.”

Sorry for the delay of Freaky Friday - technical difficulties. Could not load preview for: Fairhope just got a gold star and it deserves it. This article and the movie being shot, The Friend, at the same time, will produce a tremendous amount of National exposure for Fairhope. The cat is out of the bag, expect more tourists and newcomers to Baldwin County. It is to late to bitch about the growth and traffic and schools. It is time to act.