Personnel Update: David Brewer hired to work for Baldwin County legislative delegation
On Tuesday, the Baldwin County Commission approved an agenda item to hire David Brewer for a part-time position working for the Baldwin County Legislative delegation. Brewer is presently the Deputy Secretary of State & Chief of Staff for Secretary of State John Merrill who is finishing his last days as Secretary of State as he was term-limited from running for a third term. Former State Rep. Wes Allen is the incoming Secretary of State and has already announced his senior staff hires. Clay Helms will serve as Allen’s chief of staff. Brewer will advise the Baldwin County legislative delegation on matters of policy. Brewer is well versed in legislative affairs and Alabama election law from his time at the Secretary of State’s office. He is also well-versed in Baldwin County issues from his time as the Baldwin County Administrator. Brewer is a native of Alaska. He came to the state of Alabama to study at the University of Alabama. He joined Baldwin County in 1996 as an intern. He joined the county full-time in 1997 and became the county administrator in 2010. The commission voted not to renew his contract in 2014. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Confirmed: Ed Packard personnel files show series of disciplinary actions
Ed Packard is currently running to be Alabama’s next Secretary of State and has worked for over 20 years in the SOS office. He is running on his record of voter integrity and security. However, documents uncovered recently show that Packard was demoted by Secretary of State John Merrill in 2017 because of a costly mistake with ballot reprints. Packard cost taxpayers almost $500,000 in 3,000,000 ballot reprints. In a recently released document called “Ed Packard’s Demotion”, the state personnel office upholds his demotion and notes that Packard had four written reprimands in his personnel file. One was for failing to perform his job properly when he failed to prepare the ballots for mailing. Another was for “disrupting the work environment”. Packard also received a reprimand for missing a statuary deadline to certify a local election and for failing to make the “required number of site visits in accordance with a settlement agreement.” Here is the document. We removed the cover pages that were provided. Ed Packard’s Demotion In 2017, Chief of Staff David Brewer recommended Packard be demoted because of his “failure to manage his staff” and for his poor judgment concerning incorrect ballots that were sent for certification and for printing incorrect ballots. One was for “failing to perform his job properly when he did not prepare the ballots for mailing.” The email that was released to the press emphasizes the seriousness of these reprimands but also stated that these are merely the tip of the iceberg. According to the second document, titled “Ed Packard’s Dismissal,” Packard used his announcement of Secretary of State to help cover up credible allegations of sexual harassment that were going to scheduled for the same day. In December 2021, Packard was scheduled for a pre-dismissal hearing for allegations of sharing pornography on a cell phone, along with other allegations. Packard has stated publicly that he resigned from the SOS office on December 28th, 2021 at 5 pm in order to pursue running for Secretary of State. However, he was actually scheduled for a pre-dismissal hearing due to credible allegations of sexual harassment inside the Secretary of State’s office at 1 pm that same day. Secretary of State John Merrill, as well as other staff members, appear to confirm the allegations are real. Ed Packard’s Dismissal The email with these documents were sent to Party Chairman John Wahl. Additionally, the email alluded to the “Montgomery Swamp” and how more people currently in and running for office have secrets that are yet to be exposed.
32 Powerful and Influential Alabamians to know
It’s true, the words “powerful and influential” can be vague and subjective. However, it’s fair to say among the universally accepted definitions within politics and policy is an individual’s ability to create change, start a conversation, influence the public or public officials, move an agenda forward or stop one in its tracks. There’s no doubt that a good number of people are moving Alabama forward in politics and business. Recently, Yellowhammer published its 2021 annual list of who they consider the most influential and powerful. They noted it was a “Peek behind the curtain.” That it always is – a peek into the mind of the editorial team, writers, and friends of the site. With the same people on it year after year, often in the same companies and offices and the standard members of the legislature and statewide offices. Dozens of whom certainly would belong on any list of power or influence: Jo Bonner, Katie Britt, Bob Geddie, Dax Swatek. No one can deny the influence any of them have. Others on the list begged the question “Why?” while others were glaringly missing. This list purposely does not duplicate any name already appearing on that list. Not all influencers within the public arena are lobbyists or lawmakers. Some within the media or in advocacy organizations can shape or change public opinion. In addition, some influencers have the ability to position themselves, loved ones, or friends to the front of the line for coveted appointments or jobs. There’s so much to power and influence; while it may hard to describe, you know when you see it, and you know who lacks it. It could be argued that 1-5 are no brainers and would be list repeats, but heck, I say repeat them until it changes. So with that, let Alabama Today offer 32 additional notable people who were nominated by a ragtag group of incredibly biased judges. Did I mention how incredibly biased we are? This, combined with the YH list, might give one a better view of the movers and shakers with power and influence in the state’s political world. Worth noting, some of them are the bosses, mentors, elders statesman, and wise counsel of many on the YH list, while a couple of others are up and comers. Jimmy “Yellow Fella” Rane, President/CEO at Great Southern Wood Preserving Not only is the Yellow Fella the wealthiest man in Alabama and Board of Trustee at Auburn, but there’s also no doubt he’s used his financial success to the betterment of the state, giving him great power and influence. His contributions are well documented, politically, economically, and through philanthropy. From 2013 to May 2021, his company has given 178 contributions totaling $2,079,316.40. He also has the Jimmy Rane Foundation, which has more than doubled his political donations with $4.7 million in scholarships. His influence is undeniable and unmatched, which is why he is number one on our list. Mark Crosswhite, CEO Alabama Power Crosswhite’s voice carries a lot of weight, so much so that multiple people on the YH list answer to him in one way or another. Which begs the question, how can anyone deny his place on any list of power and influence? He chaired the BCA board during a critical time when the organization’s future was in peril, saving a key organization critical to the state’s business development, growth and success, and ensuring a better economic future for the state. As the organization continues to grow and evolve, there’s no doubt he’s still helping steer the ship. 3. Fess St. John IV, Chancellor of The University of Alabama System Finis “Fess” St. John IV comes from a storied line of Alabama influencers, including his father and grandfather. He’s currently the Chancellor of The University of Alabama (UA) System. Which makes him the chief executive officer of Alabama’s largest employer with multiple school campuses and a massive healthcare system. According to the school’s website, “Total enrollment in the UA System achieved a new record this fall, with more than 70,400 students enrolled at UA, UAB, and UAH. The System’s annual economic impact surpasses $10 billion annually, and upwards of 1.7 million patients are served every year in the System’s hospitals and clinics.” 4. Chris England, House of Representatives, District 70 While many have tried over the last couple of decades, England was able to stop the further deterioration of the Democrat party (with a reputation that was nationally marred by chaos, a lack of structure, oh, and that one toilet story) and begin its rebuilding. One long-time democrat described the infrastructure as stronger now than it has been since the days of Bill Baxley. England is a graduate of Howard University and the University of Alabama School of Law. His father grew up in Circuit Court Judge John H. England Jr., who served as a justice on the Alabama Supreme Court in 1999-2000. To leave him off the Top 5 of any influential list is to deny reality. 5. Stephanie Bryan, Tribal Chair and CEO for the Poarch Creek Indians No one should question the top female on this list. It’s no coincidence that she heads one of the biggest political powerhouses in the state of Alabama. PCI has capitalized on the shift in public attitudes towards a more tolerant attitude towards gaming and lottery to push for changes in the law that would allow their tribe’s operations to grow. This session’s gaming proposal wasn’t successful, but it got further than expected and may come up again in a special session. She is a political player that many say could be the most powerful over the next couple of campaign cycles. 6. Tom Coker, The Southern Group Rare can someone survive with the longevity and respectability of Tom Coker. His strength is the state senate, but he can get things done. His firm’s website names him as President of Tom Coker & Associates since 1982. Tom Coker offers a full range of governmental
