September 22nd, 2009 — Loxley
Loxley residents who would like to take the place of Derek Middleton on the Town Council have just a few weeks to get letters of interest to Mayor Billy Middleton or Town Clerk Carol Middleton.
“We will decide (on a replacement for Middleton) at the next council meeting,” said the mayor. “We will then vote on the replacement.”
Derek Middleton’s position became open when he resigned last month. According to a statement that Derek Middleton read to the council when he announced his resignation, his leaving the council was due to “unforeseen circumstances.” Comments made on the council dais at the time Middleton announced his resignation indicated that he had his home “under contract.” He declined to comment further. Middleton held “place 5” on the council.
Loxley to appoint new council member
September 22nd, 2009 — County Government, Elberta
Baldwin County officials bought property for a new park and boat launch on Wolf Creek with public funds for public enjoyment.
Now they want to get the most out of the site without its becoming a public nuisance to nearby residents.
With that in mind, a town hall-style meeting has been scheduled for 7 tonight at the Miflin Community Center, 24163 Miflin Road in Elberta
Input sought on new park construction
September 22nd, 2009 — Schools
Dear Parent:
Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to speak with you directly about the current financial crisis facing the Baldwin County Public Schools. First and foremost, I want to emphasize that despite the economic challenges that confront us, we have not abandoned our pursuit of educational excellence.
With regard to our funding crisis, we have been forced to cut our general fund budget by more than $75 million from FY 2009 to FY 2010. As a result, at least in the short term, it will be impossible for us to continue to provide the level of service that we have offered in the past. Nevertheless, let me assure you that our administrators, teachers and staff will work tirelessly to serve your needs to the utmost of our ability. However, the harsh reality is that on October 1, we will have 203 fewer support employees than we have today and about 175 of our current employees, who have been performing other needed functions, will be moved into the critical positions left vacant.
Click through to continue reading
SUPT. SENDS FINANCIAL CRISIS LETTER TO PARENTS
September 22nd, 2009 — Crime, Foley
A convicted sex offender had to be subdued with a Taser this weekend after the U.S. Marshals Service and the Clarke County Sheriffs Office located him in Foley during a three day compliance check of sex offender registrations.
Lederrick Andwan Chapman, 28, was charged with failing to register as a sex offender and violating his probation.
Unregistered sex offender arrested in Foley
September 22nd, 2009 — Gulf Shores, Orange Beach
Two Baldwin County beach communities have turned down federal awards because they required local governments to put up city money or add costs for new city programs.
City officials in Gulf Shores scuttled plans last month for a new fire station and a community storm shelter despite securing a $2.8 million pledge from the federal government.
And Orange Beach officials decided last week to give the state $750,000 in federal money the city received to buy waterfront property.
The two communities have aggressively pursued the grants in recent years, winning money used to buy sea oats, senior citizen shuttles - even an island.
2 Baldwin County cities turn down federal money
September 22nd, 2009 — Fairhope
When they declined to recommend his 3% employee pay raises (plus 2% merit) to the Council–the Mayor questioned the judgement/qualifications of Financial Advisory Committee members at their last meeting(Sept. 10th): “I don’t see how . . . bunch of mostly retirees . . . sitting around this table . . . not elected . . . living in million dollar homes . . . probably making over $60K a year . . . can decide . . . about people living day to day . . . Council elected to make those . . . hard decisions.” According to Chairman Chuck Zunk, the Mayor’s proposed raises will cost the city an additional $467,000 next year (added on to a projected total payroll of $11,325,000). Zunk: “We … only make recommendations . . the Council decides.”
Fairhope mayor blasts council members
September 22nd, 2009 — Other News
On the same weekend President Barack Obama commented on the military’s request to sent more troops to Afghanistan, a mother received the Purple Heart in honor of her son.
Lance Corporal Bruce Ferrell, 21, was killed in Afghanistan last month by an improvised explosive device, or IED.
“I don’t think they should be over there. That’s just a momma speaking, that doesn’t want her child in harm’s way,” said Pam Ferrell.
Fallen Marine receives Purple Heart
September 18th, 2009 — Schools
After months of spending cuts, shortfalls and layoffs, the Baldwin County Board of Education approved its 2010 fiscal year budget Sept. 10, cutting an additional $1.9 million in the week leading up to the vote in order to meet Alabama’s Sept. 15 deadline
The system’s total budget for 2010 exceeds $267 million, $75 million less than last year’s budget of $342 million. All major categories within the budget took financial hits; instructional services, which makes up 52 percent of the system’s total budget, is $8 million less than in 2009. Instructional support — the next biggest portion of the budget — is almost $5 million less and auxiliary services is $4 million less.
BOE’s 2010 budget thinner than ‘09
September 18th, 2009 — Schools
Representatives of Baldwin County education foundations are concerned that some school board members may be favoring an internal candidate for the soon-to-be vacated superintendent’s job.
They told the Press-Register that they want the board to conduct a public national search that would attract top candidates from all over.
They said they’re worried that the board may instead meet one night and vote on a candidate to replace Faron Hollinger, who is retiring in June
Wide ’super’ search urged for Baldwin schools
Who are the internal candidate that might be interested and/or capable of taking over?
September 18th, 2009 — Bay Minette, County Government
Economic developers could have “an announcement of great importance” Thursday at an annual meeting in Gulf Shores, Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance President Robert Ingram wrote in a newsletter this week. The development could involve a newly certified industrial “megasite” in north Baldwin County, but so far those involved remain tight-lipped.
Ingram said any of three separate projects could be announced Thursday, but would not confirm that any of them are tied to a Bay Minette tract the alliance has acquired rights to purchase.
The alliance signed options Sept. 11 on 3,000 acres on the northeastern edge of the city, Ingram said. One large parcel is owned by an investment group, he said, while another collection of parcels is family-owned
Baldwin megasite attracts interest
September 17th, 2009 — Crime, Elberta
On September 16, 2009 members of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force conducted a consensual search at a residence on Wilson Road in Elberta. The Task Force received information that a possible “Meth Lab” was being utilized at that location.
Two adults were arrested, male Jason James DOB 11-07-73 and a female, Cathleen Moore, DOB 9 -17-71 for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia an additional charge of child endangerment by chemical/ Drug exposure was placed on both subjects.
Meth lab bust
September 17th, 2009 — Fairhope
The City is supporting Mobile in its efforts to gain federal funding for a passenger ferry terminal–to be located near their downtown Civic Center. Potential terminal sites in Baldwin county include Daphne, Fairhope, Pt. Clear (Grand Hotel ) and Gulf Shores. A connection to Pensacola is also anticipated.
Fairhope Supports Mobile Fery Station Bid
September 16th, 2009 — Fairhope
Bradford Barron Maples, 28, was back in jail Tuesday, one month after he allegedly drove drunk in his silver BMW on Baldwin County 1 and struck three bicyclists.
As a condition of his bonded release on that original charge of driving under the influence, Maples was not to “commit any new criminal offense.”
On Saturday night, Fairhope police arrested Maples — a former Marine who served in Iraq in 2004 and 2005 — on a charge of public intoxication after he reportedly argued with another man at My Place Downtown, a Fairhope bar
Driver facing DUI jailed again
September 16th, 2009 — Crime, Foley
Foley police are searching for a woman who ran from a grocery store parking lot after the man she tried to hold up at gunpoint refused to give her money. The incident took place at about 4:30 p.m. today outside the Winn Dixie store on U.S. 98, said Lt. David White, chief Foley investigator.
Woman flees after stickup attempt fails in Foley
September 16th, 2009 — Spanish Fort
An electrical contractor tackled one of two men who caught fire Monday while working on a new Books-A-Million store in Spanish Fort, helping to put out the flames.
Eddie Wrenn said he heard the sound of a fiery explosion Monday and saw the two unidentified workers in flames.
“I started running toward that area and somehow one got it put out, but one was still running and screaming for help. I knew I had to help so I charged and tackled him,” said Wrenn, owner of Gulf States Electrical Contractors, who added, “I didn’t do it for recognition.”
Contractor tackles man on fire at new Books-A-Million site
