Local Blogger Settles Lawsuit Against Fairhope Council
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HEALTH: Paint the town pink, PAGE 23 World War I and II exhibit PAGE 5 High School football The Courier PAGE 14 INSIDE OCTOBER 24, 2018 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ Candidate Meet and Greet Thursday Local blogger settles lawsuit Fairhope in Daphne city The Eastern Shore Cham- against Fairhope council ber of Commerce will host its Candidate Meet and treasurer Greet on Thursday, Oct. 25 By CLIFF MCCOLLUM speak during the public com- for many reasons,” Ripp from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. [email protected] ments portion of the Aug. 28, wrote. “One being, I knew the fired at Bayside Academy’s Pilot 2017, city council meeting - a Council and Burrell would Center Theatre at 303 Dryer Local blogger Paul Ripp’s move which Ripp claimed vio- never apologize and that going By CLIFF MCCOLLUM Avenue in Daphne. Meet the lawsuit against Fairhope lated his constitutional rights. to court was going to be very City Council President Jack Ripp filed suit against Burrell expensive for the city.” [email protected] local candidates who will Burrell and the rest of the city and the city in Dec. 2017. Ripp went on to say he be on the general election council has been settled, ac- In a Friday, Oct. 19 post on heard Burrell had been “brag- Fairhope City Trea- ballot on Nov. 6 and learn cording to a recent blog post his blog entitled “Loser,” Ripp ging” about the outcome of surer Mike Hinson was more about their campaign by Ripp and documents filed said he settled the suit with the case. fired from his position priorities. with the federal court system the city’s insurance company, “I have now settled the with the city Oct. 16 by obtained by The Courier. writing: lawsuit and deposited the Fairhope Mayor Karin The lawsuit stemmed from “I decided to settle the case Wilson. Burrell’s denial of letting Ripp with the Insurance Company SEE LAWSUIT, PAGE 2 Hinson had served as city treasurer since Sept. 2017, when he replaced former City Treasurer Deborah County recognizes Dysautonomia Awarness month Smith following her res- ignation. Hinson had previ- ously served as finance director starting in 2013 Written Word discussion for the City of Daphne this Sunday in Fairhope but left that position The Written Word book in 2014 following a discussion group, spon- settlement in which he alleged wrongful termi- sored by the Friends of the nation by the city. Fairhope Public Library, The city treasurer will meet at 3 p.m. on Oct. position is one of the 28 at the Fairhope Library. Fairhope positions that Rosalie Stromme has pre- is appointed by the pared a presentation on an city council, so council important topic: War of the members will have Whales by Joshua Horwitz. to make the decision A reception with refresh- whether to uphold or ments will follow. The PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDY ROBERTSON overturn the firing. public is welcome. Last week, the Baldwin County Commission took time to recognize October as Dysautonomia Awareness “We have to vote to ei- Month. Daphne resident Hannah Whitson, who has dysautonomia, spoke before the commission to share ther uphold or overturn her story and help spread awareness about the disorder. Dysautonomia is a disorder of the central nervous that decision,” Fairhope system that involves the failure of various parts of that system. Pictured with Whitson, center, are family members and other community members who have or have loved ones who have the disorder. SEE TREASURER, PAGE 18 DEATHS PAGE 21 Daphne council upholds mayoral veto of potential downtown rezoning request Jimmie Dee Curry By CLIFF MCCOLLUM other residents from through- Oct. 1 meeting, with a major- to build six units on the prop- Francis Donald Keegan [email protected] out the city who question how ity of those in attendance erty on the west side.” Emily Jane Libby the potential development against the proposed zoning Days said the company had Amanda Ellis Vinson There was thunderous ap- could add additional traffic to changes for the development. made concessions to try to plause and cheering last week Daphne’s Main Street area. “We need to require devel- assuage neighbors’ concerns, in the Daphne City Council The developer had looked opers to do exactly what is including forgoing vehicular chambers when residents for a rezoning and PUD ap- required under our current access to the nearby neighbor- INDEX realized the Daphne City proval that would have al- rules,” one resident said. “We hood, but residents said they Council would not take action lowed the construction of need development that fits still wanted the council to BALDWIN LIVING, 5 to overturn Mayor Dane Hay- six new townhomes near into the context of what is al- deny the rezoning. CLASSIFIED, 26 wood’s veto of a controversial Olde Towne Daphne and U.S. ready there.” Councilman Ron Scott mo- HEALTH, 23 rezoning request in Olde 98, though nearby residents Daniel Dyas, who repre- tioned for the vote that would Towne Daphne. feared the development would sented developer Dyas LLC, approve the rezoning, but LEGALS, 28 The development in ques- also link up with a connector advised against the council added in some restrictions OPINION, 3 tion, a collection of town- road between this proposed following what he called “mob that were asked for by nearby houses called Jacob’s Well, development and a nearby es- rule.” residents, including the denial OUT & ABOUT, 8 has been met with heavy criti- tablished neighborhood. “It’s important that every- of vehicular access and a 104- PUZZLES, 4 cism for months from neigh- Council chambers were one’s rights be respected,” boring property members and standing room only for the Dyas said. “And we’re entitled SEE DAPHNE, PAGE 18 SPORTS, 14 TV LISTINGS, 10 Gulf WHAT Coast YOU IN Media STORE VOLUME 125 • ISSUE 13 IS NOW 1 SECTION • 36 PAGES ONLINE! • Freshest Quality All Departments • Hand Selected by Our Personal Shoppers • Delivery or FREE Same Day Curbside Pickup • Beer & Wine NOW Online! Order & Pay In Store! GREERS.COM/SHOP 2 • The Courier • October 24, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media Oct. 24 Town Hall meeting to provide information on Change-of-Government Referendum ahead of vote FAIRHOPE — The zens with facts ahead ernment. ner of Fairhope Avenue experience about the Ligon. City of Fairhope an- of the November 6 vote The forum will be & School Street) and Council-Manager form Questions for the nounced today that on a referendum to de- held at Coastal Com- will feature a panel of government. panel should be emailed there will be a Town cide whether to change munity College’s of Alabama Mayors The panel will be by Monday, Octo- Hall Meeting on today Fairhope to a Council- Centennial Hall, 450 and City Managers moderated by WALA ber 22nd to: VOTE@ at 6 p.m. to provide citi- Manager form of gov- Fairhope Avenue (cor- with knowledge and Fox10 Anchor Lenise FAIRHOPEAL.GOV. LAWSUIT the promotion of issues tion, along with Ripp’s him he would not be al- word. You’re going to go torney Gregory Morris, on his blog. nasty confrontation lowed to speak. to jail. however, Ripp originally CONTINUED FROM 1 “Today The Ripp Re- with Council President The following audio Ripp: I will. only sued Burrell, both port is going to pay all of Burrell — who denied comes directly from Burrell: Good. as an individual and as settlement check in the their attorney fees, the Ripp his right to speak The Courier’s record- When asked for a a city official for his ac- bank,” Ripp wrote. “On company American Ex- in a public forum ing checked against comment shortly after tions. the same day someone press Card, the accoun- sanctioned by City of footage from the City that Aug. 2017 meeting, The lawsuit alleges called me and said Mr. tant, advertising bills, Fairhope ordinance of Fairhope’s video ar- Burrell said he never Burrell violated the City Burrell was bragging the computer services — and threatened his chives. threatened to remove Council’s rules of pro- that I should have never and bank charges,” Ripp removal and arrest for Burrell: No, sir. Mr. Ripp from the meeting. cedure in not allowing settled for so little, that wrote. “This is the first trying to address the Ripp, I’m not going to “I didn’t kick him out, Ripp to speak during the I should have held out time The Ripp Report council — was captured allow you to speak. and I didn’t violate his meeting. for more money. Burrell has been in the black on the official video of Ripp: Really? free speech,” Burrell “The City Council said that the city had in years. The balance the council meeting,” Burrell: No, sir, I’m said. “There was never President embarrassed won because I settled for of money will be used Ripp wrote. not. You’ve relinquished an instruction for him and humiliated the so little.” to further the efforts of Ripp wrote this was your rights. It’s a privi- to be removed. That Plaintiff, causing the In an interview on The Ripp Report, thanks the first time he had filed lege, and I’ve had more was not my instruction Plaintiff to suffer grave Oct. 22 on WABF Radio, to Council President suit against the City of complaints about you to Chief Petties at all. I emotional stress,” the Burrell denied that Burrell.” Fairhope regarding the getting up here and think he chose to walk lawsuit alleges. “Clearly, claim. According the the joint issue of allowing him to spreading innuendo, out so he could say he the City Council Presi- “I have no idea where stipulation of dismissal speak.