Pell City holds annual law enforcement appreciation luncheon
The City of Pell City recently held its annual law enforcement appreciation luncheon sponsored by Metro Bank owner Annette Cox. The annual event was held at the Pell City municipal complex. Cox expressed her pleasure at being able to host this event to honor the members of law enforcement in the community. The annual event honors law enforcement for making Pell City and St. Clair County a great place to live, work, and raise a family. The luncheon featured steak entrees with a wide selection of cakes for desserts. St. Clair County Commission President Stan Bateman (R) said, “This community is so special. Metro Bank and Ms. Annette Cox steps up and does this every year to show all of our appreciation of what you in law enforcement do for our community. If you drive around the county and see all the commercial development that’s going on, if you will look at the sign in front of the project Metro Bank is the one providing the financing for a lot of it. I want to give Metro Bank a round of applause.” Bateman spent his career law in enforcement, having spent decades as a game enforcement officer for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). Bateman said that the biggest change he has seen since his early days in law enforcement is the adoption of technology. “I didn’t have any of the technology and tools that you have today,” Bateman said. “In my day, I just had to recognize people by the back of their heads.” Members of the Pell City Police Department and St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department were on hand to be honored. Several dignitaries were present including Associate Alabama Supreme Court Justice Sarah Stewart. Stewart, who was being escorted that day on a tour of St. Clair Counties by St. Clair County Presiding Judge Phil Seay, expressed her support for the law enforcement community and all that they do for the people of Alabama. Stewart is a candidate for the Republican nomination for Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Stewart faces two Republican opponents in the March 5 Republican primary: former State Senator Bryan Taylor and Jerry Michael Blevins. The eventual Republican nominee for Chief Justice will face Democratic nominee Montgomery Circuit Judge Greg Griffin in the November 5 general election. State Sen. Lance Bell (R-Pell City), State Representative Randy Wood (R-Anniston), Rep. Craig Lipscomb (R-Gadsden), Rep. Jim Hill (R-Odenville), Probate Judge Andrew Weathington, Commissioner Ricky Parker, Commissioner Bob Mize, Commissioner Tommy Bowers, Sheriff Billy Murray, Circuit Judge Bill Weathington, St. Clair County School Board President Bill Morris, Revenue Commissioner Ken Crowe, Circuit Clerk Kathryn Burke, St. Clair County Republican Party Chairman Deputy Freddy Turrentine, St. Clair County Young Republican Chairman Logan Glass, and former St. Clair County Republican Party Chairman Joey Stevens. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Power will not build controversial Chandler Mountain project
A controversial Alabama Power Company (APC) proposal to build a 15,000-acre pumped storage facility between St. Clair and Etowah Counties has been nixed by the company after landowners, the community, and an increasing number of elected officials came out against the Chandler Mountain Pumped Storage Project. The company said in a statement: “After careful consideration, Alabama Power has decided to withdraw its Notice of Intent to seek a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to operate a Pumped Storage Hydro facility at Chandler Mountain.” The controversial proposal would have involved the construction of five reservoirs on Little Canoe Creek north of Steele. The power company’s plan was to force water from one reservoir to another and back again to the first to start the process over again to produce hydroelectric power. Alabama Power already owns a number of manmade lakes on the Coosa River System, but this one would have had rapidly fluctuating water levels and a return that could have made the system self-perpetuating in periods of low rainfall and slow water flow. The communities along both sides of the Coosa River were staunchly opposed to the plan. The Company had requested a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The first public comment period on this proposal ended just a week ago, and the comments were overwhelmingly negative. Family farms would have been taken for the project, and numerous families would have been forced to relocate forever altering the lives of people in the community. There were also concerns that the project would adversely affect the wildlife in the river system, including reportedly an endangered species of freshwater mussel that lives in Canoe Creek. as well as concern that an initial drawdown of Neely Henry Lake to start the system would adversely affect lake residents. It appeared that Alabama Power Company had hopelessly lost the debate on this project when Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh expressed her public opposition to the project. “Alabama families and Alabama industries and businesses demand innovative solutions to fuel our future,” said PSC President Cavanaugh said on Twitter. “By the time this cost-prohibitive project could come online, our evolving technologies will make it antiquated.” This was followed by PSC Commissioner Chip Beeker’s announcement of his opposition to the project. State Representative Craig Lipscomb, who represents the affected communities, had already vowed to oppose the project. U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville’s staff recently told a group of concerned St. Clair County farmers opposed to the project that they were closely monitoring the project. Beeker and Cavanaugh blamed the Biden Administration’s energy policies which are forcing utilities to close affordable coal and natural gas-burning power plants in favor of less reliable carbon dioxide-free power sources like wind, solar, and in this case – hydroelectric. “First of all, we have now forfeited our sovereignty as a nation,” Cavanaugh told Yellowhammer News. “We’re letting all these European countries dictate our energy policy. They no more care about the environment than they do our high school football scores. Since they can’t beat our economy and our natural resources, they simply want to drag us down to their level.” Critics claimed that the Chandler Mountain Pumped Storage Project if built, would produce less electricity than a medium size coal plant would. Construction on this project would not have begun until 2031 – and that construction could not begin until FERC permitted the project. The regulatory process for such an ambitious project would have taken years – and given the public response, there was little confidence that FERC approval would have been forthcoming. The Alabama Power Company and other electric utilities are in a difficult situation due to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed new rule that the cut carbon emissions by 90% by 2030, while electricity demand sources due to high levels of immigration and the coming transition from internal combustion vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) that have to be charged from the grid in order to function. These new rules will force electric companies to close coal, oil, and natural gas-powered power plants – the plants that produce most of the electricity used by this country. Nuclear power is another option, but nuclear power plants are very expensive to build, and the regulatory process is even more difficult than building a hydroelectric project. “Our guiding purpose is to provide clean, safe, reliable, and affordable power to the 1.5 million people and businesses that depend on us,” APC said. “As we look to the future, we recognize that alternative resources, as well as energy storage options, will be key in meeting the ever-changing needs of our customers.” Alabama Power acknowledged that public opposition played a role in the decision to abandon the project. “Alabama Power will continue to explore all available technologies with due diligence, striving to power a better Alabama in ways that align with the evolving needs and expectations of our customers,” APC said. “We appreciate the feedback received by all parties involved with the exploration of the Chandler Mountain project.” To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Young Republicans gather in Moody
On Saturday, Young Republicans (YRs) from across the state gathered at Moody Park for an afternoon of barbecue, bluegrass music, and camaraderie as the St. Clair County Young Republicans (YRs) held their summer gathering. St. Clair County Young Republicans Chairman Logan Glass presented plaques to Federation of Alabama State Young Republican President Stephanie Petelos and State Representative Craig Lipscomb (R-Gadsden) – who represents parts of St. Clair and Etowah counties. Glass praised Petelos for her example and her leadership and credited her with restoring the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans (GBYRs) to its role as the largest Young Republican group in the state. That club has grown to the point that a new club has branched off from the GBYRs – the Shelby County Young Republicans. Glass thanked Lipscomb for his work in Montgomery on behalf of the county and for his support of the YRs. The St. Clair Young Republicans presented former St. Clair County Republican Party Chairman Circuit Judge Phil Seay with the inaugural Phil Seay Award. Seay is the President of the Alabama Judges Association. Glass thanked Seay for his years of unwavering support for the YRs. Former State Representative Mike Ball and his bluegrass band performed at the event. Ball served twenty years in the Alabama Legislature representing Madison. He is the author of an autobiographical book about his experiences: Picking, Politicking and Pontificating: How an Ex-Cop Legalized Cannabis While Fighting Corruption. Several state appellate court seats are on the ballot in 2024, so several judicial candidates were present at Saturday’s event. Former State Senator Bryan Taylor (R-Prattville) was present. Taylor is running for Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Current Chief Justice Tom Parker is near the age 70s age limit, so he is prevented from running again. Taylor is a practicing attorney who has held many state government positions, including counsel for Governor Kay Ivey. Taylor is a retired Judge Advocate, a former military prosecutor, and an Iraq War veteran. Taylor faces a Republican primary battle with Alabama Supreme Court Justice Sara Stewart. Current Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Chris McCool is running for the position on the Alabama Supreme Court that Stewart is vacating in her run for Chief Justice. McCool is a former district attorney in West Alabama. McCool is also a farmer, a preacher, and a gospel singer. He performed a couple of songs with Ball and his band at Saturday’s event. James Govan is running for the position on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals that Judge McCool is vacating. Govan is a career prosecutor and a U.S. Air Force Reserve officer currently working for the Alabama Attorney General’s office. Rich Anderson is also an Assistant Alabama Attorney General and a prosecutor running for the Alabama Criminal Court of Appeals. Anderson has represented the state of Alabama before the Criminal Court of Appeals, federal district courts, the Alabama Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Emory Cox was the platinum sponsor of Saturday’s event. Cox is U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville’s aide on finance and economics. While Cox’s duties in Washington D.C. prevented him from attending, Cox’s mother, Annette Cox, the owner of St. Clair County-based Metro Bank, was present. Glass thanked the Cox family for their friendship and history of support for the YRs and Emory for his service in Washington. Bamacarry of St. Clair County was an exhibitor and a sponsor of Saturday’s event. Glass also thanked Shaw’s Barbecue for the food as well as all of the many bronze sponsors of the event. Other notables in attendance were State Supreme Court Justice Greg Cook, State Rep. Jim Hill (R-Odenville), State Senator Lance Bell (R-Pell City), Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Bill Cole (R), Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Judge Matt Fridy, St. Clair County District Attorney Lyle Harmon, St. Clair County Commissioner Tommy Bowers, commission candidate James McGowan, former St. Clair County Republican Party Chairman Joey Stephens, St. Clair County School Board Member Bill Morris, and Colbert County Assistant DA Brent Woodall. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Here’s everyone who the BCA has endorsed in the 2018 election cycle
The Business Council of Alabama (BCA), considers itself Alabama’s foremost voice for business. It is a non-partisan, statewide, business association representing the interests and concerns of nearly 1 million working Alabamians. The BCA works with the Alabama Legislature to promote “pro-business” reforms such as: Tax credits for small business Job creation Incentives for economic development Ethics reform Positive changes in our public education system Here are the candidates who the BCA has endorsed, who they believe will bring the best changes and initiatives for Alabama’s businesses: Statewide Races: Governor: Kay Ivey Lieutenant Governor: Twinkle Cavanaugh Attorney General: Steve Marshall Secretary of State: John Merrill State Treasurer: John McMillan Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries: Rick Pate Judicial Races: Chief Justice: Lyn Stuart Associate Justice Place 1: Sarah Stewart and Brad Mendheim Associate Justice Place 2: Tommy Bryan Associate Justice Place 3: Will Sellers Associate Justice Place 4: Jay Mitchell Court Of Civil Appeals Place 1: Christy Edwards Court Of Civil Appeals Place 2: Judge Terri Thomas Court Of Civil Appeals Place 3: Judge Terry Moore Court Of Criminal Appeals Place 1: Richard Minor Court Of Criminal Appeals Place 2: Chris McCool Court Of Criminal Appeals Place 3: Judge Bill Cole State Senate Races Senate District 2: Tom Butler Senate District 3: Arthur Orr Senate District 5: Greg Reed Senate District 7: Mary Scott Hunter Senate District 12: Del Marsh Senate District 13: Randy Price Senate District 14: Cam Ward Senate District 16: Jabo Waggoner Senate District 17: Shay Shelnutt Senate District 18: Rodger Smitherman Senate District 32: Chirs Elliott State House Races House District 3: Humphrey Lee House District 6: Andy Whitt House District 8: Terri Collins House District 9: Scott Stadthagen House District 13: Connie Rowe House District 14: Richard “Bull” Corry House District 27: Wes Kitchens House District 30: Craig Lipscomb House District 36: Randy Wood House District 39: TJ Maloney House District 40: K.L. Brown House District 41: Corley Ellis House District 42: Jimmy Martin House District 43: Arnold Mooney House District 44: Danny Garrett House District 45: Dickie Drake House District 46: David Faulkner House District 47: David Wheeler House District 48: Jim Carns House District 49: April Weaver House District 50: Jim Hill House District 55: Rod Scott House District 73: Matt Fridy House District 87: Jeff Sorrells House District 88: Jeremy Arthur House District 89: Marcus Paramore House District 96: Matt Simpson House District 102: Willie Gray
Craig Lipscomb qualifies as GOP candidate for House District 30
Craig Lipscomb, a Gadsden architect, filed paperwork with the Alabama Republican Party to qualify as a candidate for the Alabama House of Representatives in District 30 on Thursday. That seat is being vacated by Rainbow City-Republican and current State Rep. Mack Butler, who is running for the Alabama State Senate. “I am honored to run for the Republican nomination for House District 30,” Lipscomb said in a news release announcing his candidacy. “This decision is the result of much time and prayer with friends, family and respected members of our community. It was not taken lightly, and I am certain that this is both a wise and appropriate decision for myself and our community.” Lipscomb said he plans to travel throughout the district during his campaign to meet with constituents from Saint Clair and Etowah counties. His campaign will focus on the following issues: FIscal responsibility; Ethics; Economic development; and job growth. During the course of his campaign, Lipscomb also intends to announce his plans to offer affordable trade-specific educational opportunities for children and adults. As well as to release a strategy to comprehensively treat the mentally ill and chemically dependent, decreasing the burden on Alabama’s criminal justice system. Rainbow City-Republican State Senator Phil Williams, Chairman of the Etowah County Republican Party, made note of Lipscomb’s candidacy for the State House of Representatives, saying, “As Etowah County Party Chairman, I am excited to have someone of the caliber of Craig Lipscomb to step up to the plate and offer his service to the community as an elected official. Craig brings a great deal to the table and will definitely show the strength of the Republican ticket in the coming election season.” Craig and his wife, Angela, have two children, Clark and Carleigh. The family attends Harvestfield Church in Rainbow City, where Craig serves as an on-call bass player. Craig has worked in his hometown of Gadsden for over 17 years, and has since opened a successful architecture firm which has received numerous design awards. Lipscomb is the past-President of the Gadsden Symphony Orchestra, serves on the boards of the Gadsden Museum of Art, the Etowah County Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way of Etowah County. He is also a member of the Gadsden Kiwanis Club, Greater Gadsden Homebuilders Association and American Institute of Architects. “Having devoted my life to my family, faith, profession and community service, I feel that it is time to serve my community as their State Representative for District 30,” added Lipscomb. The Republican primary election will take place on June 5, 2018.
