The good ole boy network in Baldwin County is connected by LLC’s. One LLC may cover another LLC that covers another LLC, making it almost impossible to determine who owns what. Elected officials, such as city council members and county commissioners hide their business and personal connections to these LLC’S. By doing this, they are able to vote and promote their own interests without being discovered. Or so they thought.
Well if you read the wonderful Wednesday this week, BIT DOGS BARK FIRST - Ripp Report Well folks if you were watching football this last Monday night and have no idea what is going on with the Fairhope City Council, that same night, let …
Well folks if you were watching football this last Monday night and have no idea what is going on with the Fairhope City Council, that same night, let me fill you in because a couple of councilmen were hoping you were distracted. I must preface this commentary by first repeating something that inspired The Ripp Report many years ago. The realization that Baldwin County was extremely corrupt and that of the 14 municipalities of Baldwin County, Fairhope was the center of the corruption and majority of corrupt “connected,” players. The players sometimes appear to be pillars of society: politicians, wealthy, churchgoers— and are always considered a "good person”. Our former Mayor insulated these connected players and “good people” who over many years infected our judiciary and municipal governments, at our expense.
FAIRHOPE “CITIZENS CITIZENS CITIZENS” WAKE UP! Mayor Wilson told Jack Burrell, Council President, Airport Authority Board member and liaison to the city, and who also sits on the committee to select bids for the Authority: "I can promise you people ... are concerned." Wilson's said that the Airport Authority's debt represents 21 percent of Fairhope's overall borrowing. In an effort to pay it down, as well as come up with a plan to market 258 acres that the Airport Authority purchased in 2007 for $8.85 million, the mayor urged the council to take ownership of the property.
The Ripp Report closes out 2016 with congratulations to John Sharp Al.com. Sparks fly in Fairhope: New mayor, council president dispute airport finances, personnel changes Mayor Karin Wilson and Council President Jack Burrell dispute the future of the city's airport and hiring decisions.
Fairhope City Council President, Fairhope Authority board member and Fairhope Authority Board Member who is on two man committee to review bids at the airport, Jack Burrell is double down. He insists that everything at the airport is perfectly legal and every one is as happy as larks. The Ripp Report doubles down and calls. The scope of our ability to investigate the matter is now hindered by our lack of authority. We now call on the proper authorities to fully investigate the matter.
In Baldwin County, the incentive to run for office and become a public servant is that there is no accountability and “conflict of interest” is just a pesky term. Many of our elected officials are in office for personal gain and use their positions to support like minded politicians. The last time Baldwin County saw a conviction was Mayor Steve Russo in 2006. Former Orange Beach Mayor Convicted www.wsfa.com A federal court jury in Mobile has convicted former Orange Beach Mayor Steve Russo and two others. The jury reached a verdict Friday afternoon. It found Russo, City Attorney Larry Sutley and developer
These are two articles that were covered by The Fairhope Times one year ago. These were not written by the Ripp Report. They are important because they show, prior to today’s airport controversy, there was every indication that something stunk at the airport. Airport Authority Holds Illegal Meeting? thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com Community news and events for Fairhope and Baldwin County, Alabama.
Facebook is sending users a personalized “2016 Year in Review” on their news feeds. It has certainly been a year worth reflecting on. Much has happened in American politics this year. However, like former U.S. Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill said, “All politics are local.” In Baldwin County, nothing could be further from the truth. And that is always our focus here at BCLE/The Ripp Report. Understand that we are as determined as ever moving into the new year, and that 2017 holds many surprises for you, our reading, voting citizens. Hang on folks. The Good Ole Boys—or “Goobers” like so many in town now call them—are going to be fully exposed. It is truly a new day.
