Shelby County GOP

Please read through the May 2013 edition of The Shelby Delegate, the quarterly newsletter of the Shelby County Republican Party! This edition includes proposed changes to our party's bylaws (a MUST-READ!), great updates from our affiliate groups and legislators, as well as a superb article on Common Core by SCGOP Steering Committee Member Melody Warbington. We look forward to continuing to bring you interesting articles and information and thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.

Pursuant to the bylaws of the Shelby County Republican Party, notice is hereby given that the changes to the SCGOP bylaws outlined in the document below will be up for discussion/vote at the next Executive Committee meeting to be held May 14, 2013 at 7pm at the County Services Building in Pelham.

SHELBY COUNTY, ALABAMA – The Alabama Policy Institute and Yellowhammerpolitics.com recently released a study ranking the 50 largest cities in Alabama according to their “business friendliness”, and three Shelby County cities all ranked near the top of the list.

Alabaster was ranked 26^th with a score of 55.98, scoring exceptionally well in “Economic Vitality”. Alabaster has grown over 65% over the past ten years, and boasts a well-educated workforce, explosive job growth, and low tax and utility rates.

Pelham ranked 24^th, with a score of 56.01, and excelled in” Transportation Infrastructure”. Three major roadways converge in Pelham, I-65, Hwy 31, and Hwy 119, and the city also boasts quick access to major rail and waterways. Pelham has a favorable tax climate for business and has recently refocused efforts to recruit new industries to the area to maximize the city’s proximity to transportation infrastructure.

Helena ranked highest among Shelby County cities, receiving a score of 59.79, to garner the 13^th position in Alabama. Ranking 6^th in the state in “Community Allure”, Helena has a young, educated work force, low crime rate and cost of living, great public schools, and has twice been ranked in the “Top 100 Places to Live” by Money Magazine.

“Conservative leadership dedicated to creating a pro-business climate is a key success factor for Shelby County”, said Shelby County GOP Chairman Freddy Ard.  “When I learned that API and Yellowhammer.com were teaming up for this survey, I was confident Shelby County municipalities would be prominently placed among those most business-friendly in the state,” Ard continued.

“This survey again reflects the favorable results of having strong, conservative leaders in elected office, giving attention to an environment that fosters, encourages and, most importantly, ensures that government establishes no undue obstacles, interference, or obstruction to a thriving economy,” said Ard.

Scores were calculated using the following formula:

Economic Vitality (35% of overall score):
• Recent job growth (50% of Economic Vitality category)
• Residential population growth from 2010 to 2011(12.5%)
• Population growth from 2000 to 2010, divided by 10 (12.5%)
• Median per capita income (25%)

Business Tax Burden (30% of overall score):
• Business property taxes (70% of Business Tax Burden category)
• Local sales tax (30%)

Community Allure (20% of overall score):
• Cost of living index (35% of Community Allure category)
• Per capita violent crime rate (35%)
• Percent of adults age 25 or older with at least a high school diploma (15%)
• Average SAT 10 scores for 8th grade math and reading (15%)

Transportation Infrastructure (15% of overall score):
• Distance to primary commercial service airport (25% of Transportation Infrastructure category)
• Distance to commercial rail service (25%)
• Distance to port capable of handling container shipping (25%)
• Distance to Interstate Highway System (25%)

Shelby County is the premier Republican county in Alabama, with all thirty-six county offices with jurisdiction (excluding municipal officials elected non-partisan) held by Republicans. Shelby County is also ranked as the fastest-growing county in Alabama and the fourth most conservative county in America by The Daily Caller.

The Greater Birmingham Area Teenage Republicans (GBTARS) will help build a house for Habitat for Humanity on April 6th from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Participants must be at least 14 years, and all 11 remaining spots for that date have been reserved for the group to participate.

 “I am very excited that the membership of the Greater Birmingham Teen Age Republicans has voted to participate in this project,” said GBTARS President Read Mills of Hoover. “Not only will our participation galvanize the members’ commitment to positively impact the Birmingham area, but this will also serve as the first major volunteer project we have undertaken since the group formed last year,” Mills continued.

“Our mission is to educate teens about Republican ideas and values through participation in social gatherings, meetings, campaigns and community service,” said GBTARS Education & Promotion Committee Chairperson Luke Boyett, also of Hoover. “This is a great way for us to put our mission in action,” Boyett continued.

Shelby County Republican Party Chairman Freddy Ard said, “Political activity can be a long, arduous process. While we want our younger Republicans involved in the customary political activities, the Habitat for Humanity project offers an opportunity to band together for a common activity and witness some immediate results”. Ard continued, “I commend the GBTAR leadership for initiating this effort, and look forward to seeing their work make a difference in the community.”

One of the three official auxiliaries of the Republican Party, the Teen Age Republicans (TARS) is a national, youth-based organization challenging, training, and assisting teens to become involved in their local, state, and national political processes. The Greater Birmingham chapter of TARS is run by its members, under the advisement of the club sponsor and with the help of parents. Monthly meetings are held at various locations throughout the Birmingham/Shelby County area with speakers and events that appeal to a variety of interests, and address educating area teens about political processes and issues.

If you are interested in becoming involved in the Greater Birmingham Teenage Republicans and would like more information or updates, please email club advisor, Jason DeLuca at GreaterBirminghamTR@gmail.com or visit the GBTARS website at www.greaterbirminghamtr.com.

Article from AL.com

SHELBY COUNTY, ALABAMA – A new chapter of the Shelby County Young Republicans (SCYR) has recently formed. At the first meeting, the following officers were elected:

Andrew Plaster, Chairman
Matt Fridy, Vice Chairman
April DeLuca, Secreatary
Ben Fridy, Trasurer
Jason DeLuca, State Committeeman
Amy Johnson, State Committeewoman

The Young Republicans (YRs) are the oldest political youth organization in the United States. Important to the growth of the Republican Party, the YRs reach out to registered Republicans, 18 to 40 years of age, and provide them with better political knowledge and understanding of the issues of the day. Since its creation, the Young Republican National Federation has established itself as the premier Republican grassroots organization in the nation, providing essential grassroots support for Republican candidates and conservative issues on the local, state and national levels. The Young Republicans provide a unique opportunity for individuals 18-40 to develop their leadership skills, meet key public figures, impact elections and meet like-minded individuals at home and across the nation.

“I am very excited to have a Young Republicans organization for Shelby County, one of the most Republican counties in Alabama,” said SCYR Chairman Plaster. “We are currently looking to build our membership base, and get more young adults involved in Republican issues,” Plaster continued.

Shelby County Republicans interested in joining SCYR are encouraged to contact Andrew Plaster at acplaster@gmail.com or via phone at 205-368-7249for more information.

Shelby County Republican Party Chairman Freddy Ard added, “The new YR chapter in Shelby County is exciting and long overdue, especially considering our county’s impact in advancing the Republican cause in Alabama.  The charter members are already impact players within the county party mainstream, providing an experienced and dynamic core to expand our outreach in this critical demographic."

Shelby County Reporter Article

Click HERE to view the February 2013 issue of The Shelby Delegate online.

Today, the Supreme Court will hear the challenge to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Undeniably, the south has drastically changed from the culture of racial suppression that characterized the area 50 years ago, but two questions remain: Have we changed enough? And if we have, how long will we be treated differently from the rest of the country to make up for it?

Specifically, Shelby County is challenging Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires all or part of 16 states, mostly in the south, to get approval from the Justice Department before changing voting procedures or electoral maps.

"Section five, which is what we are attacking, was never intended by congress to be permanent," said Frank Ellis, a Shelby County lawyer who is at the center of the battle to eliminate Section 5, and force the federal government to treat Alabama and other covered states like the rest of the country.

"They are still using the same criteria to determine whether these 16 states that are covered, they are still using the same test that they used in 1965," Ellis said. "Things have changed in the South," he continued. "This is a dynamic society."

Alabama Solicitor General John Neiman said, "The core thesis of our brief is that in 2013, there shouldn't be covered state in America or uncovered states in America," he said. "There should simply be the United States of America."

Shelby County Republican Chairman Freddy Ard adds, “In just the past ten years, Shelby County has elected minorities in two different county commission district elections, a mayoral race and a school board member in a countywide election”.

”The election results in Shelby County, and the manner in which those elections are conducted, provide overwhelming evidence and resounding proof that our county requires no such selective and punitive oversight in order to provide fair and honest elections, and especially insofar as opportunities for minorities are concerned. As party chairman, I am proud that Shelby County is leading by example in this regard and, furthermore, that the pathway is free of obstructions for minorities to be elected in our county,” Ard continued.

Shelby County is the premier Republican county in Alabama, with all thirty-six county offices with jurisdiction (excluding municipal officials elected non-partisan) held by Republicans. Shelby County is also ranked as the fastest-growing county in Alabama and the fourth most conservative county in America by The Daily Caller.

Senator Richard Shelby intends to vote to confirm Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense, please call his office and let him know that you are opposed to this confirmation. The Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee has also reached out to Senator Shelby to advise against a yes vote during the confirmation hearings. Senator Shelby's office contact information is as follows:

Washington D.C.
304 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
p: (202) 224-5744

Birmingham
1800 5th Avenue North
321 Federal Building
Birmingham, AL 35203
Telephone: (205) 731-1384
Fax: (205) 731-1386

At the Shelby County Republican Party's February meeting, the Executive Committee voted unanimously to pass the following resolution to honor the life and work of former District 5 County Commissioner Joel Bearden.

A RESOLUTION IN MEMORY OF JOEL ELWYN BEARDEN, JR.

WHEREAS, the death of Joel Elwyn Bearden, Jr., Shelby County Commissioner, on November
8, 2012, is a source of deep sorrow to the Shelby County Republican Party; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Bearden was a life-long resident of Shelby County, Alabama, born
and raised on Bearden Farms; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Bearden was graduate of Auburn University class of 1952 ; and

WHEREAS, prior to holding elected office, Commissioner Bearden loved his many years as a
dairy farmer; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Bearden held the distinction of serving as the president of the
Shelby County Farmers Association; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Bearden was an active, supportive, and valued member of the
Shelby County Republican Executive Committee; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Bearden gave generously and devotedly of his time to civic,
professional, and charitable endeavors, and particularly to his church, Riverchase Church of
Christ, where he was a long-time faithful member and elder; and

WHEREAS, Joel Bearden first held elected office as a distinguished member of the Helena City
Council, serving several terms until choosing not to seek re-election in 1988; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Bearden was first elected to the Shelby County Commission during
the election of 1992; and

WHEREAS, days prior to his death, Commissioner Bearden was re-elected for a fifth term to the
District 5 county commission seat and was set to go on serving his beloved Shelby County, as
he did until the end of his life; and

WHEREAS, in holding the office of Shelby County Commissioner – District 5, Commissioner
Bearden served the citizens of Shelby County with distinction and was highly esteemed and
beloved by his peers, other elected officials, and his constituents; and

WHEREAS, left to cherish the memories of Commissioner Bearden are his three daughters,
eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; three sisters, a brother, a number of nieces,
and nephews, and a host of friends; and

WHEREAS, in the death of Commissioner Bearden, the community, his loving family, and many
friends have indeed suffered an inconsolable loss, yet his devotion and commitment in service
to the citizens of the Shelby County area and our state stand as a lasting legacy and tribute to
his memory; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SHELBY COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, That
the Committee hereby honors the life and exemplary public service of County Commissioner
Joel Bearden, expresses its deep sadness at the loss of such a dear friend, and extends its
profound appreciation to his family, to whom a copy of this resolution shall be provided, for his
years of dedicated service to our county and to the Republican Party,

RESOLVED, this, the twelfth day of February, 2013, by a unanimous vote of the Shelby County
Republican Executive Committee.

FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE SHELBY COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,

Freddy Ard
Chairman

Jason DeLuca
Secretary

SHELBY COUNTY, ALABAMA –Shelby County Republican Party (SCGOP) Chairman Freddy Ard released the following statement concerning President Obama’s press conference:

“The list of 23 executive orders that President Obama released yesterday infringe on the very rights assured to Americans by the United States Constitution,” said SCGOP Chairman Ard.

Some examples are as follows:

Executive Order 1 - Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background-check system . This order fails to define "relevant data" and, combined with other executive orders which also contain nebulous references to the collection and dissemination of personal information, paves the way for the President and U.S. Federal Government to continue to gather and share the personal, private information of U.S. citizens without their knowledge or consent.

Executive Order 4 - Direct the Attorney General to review categories of individuals prohibited from having a gun to make sure dangerous people are not slipping through the cracks . The SCGOP joins the Republican National Committee (RNC) in affirming that we acknowledge, support, and defend the law-abiding citizen’s God-given right of self-defense. We call for the protection of such fundamental individual rights recognized in the Supreme Court’s decisions in District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago affirming that right. The intended result of this executive order is that the Attorney General will review and likely broaden the scope of categories of people who are prohibited from owning a gun.

"Who will ensure that 'categories of individuals prohibited from having a gun' and the 'dangerous people' referenced in this executive order are people who are truly dangerous to society, and not merely law-abiding American citizens who disagree with the President and his agenda? This executive order begins a slippery slope that directly conflicts with the rights guaranteed to Americans by our founding documents," commented Chairman Ard.

Executive Order 16 - Clarify that the Affordable Care Act does not prohibit doctors asking their patients about guns in their homes. Simultaneously invading individual privacy while expanding the scope of ObamaCare and unfairly targeting parents, this executive order all but mandates that health care practitioners ask about whether or not you keep guns at home, what kind they are, how they are stored, etc.

A fact sheet released by the White House states, "“Doctors and other health care providers also need to be able to ask about firearms in their patients’ homes and safe storage of those  firearms, especially if their patients show signs of certain mental  illnesses or if they have a young child or mentally ill family member at  home." In contrast, the SCGOP vehemently affirms the rights of law-abiding parents to defend their homes and families against oppressors and, in addition, commends those parents and young adults who, in recent weeks, have been forced to use firearms to defend themselves and their family members within the walls of their own home.

According to Kaiser Health News, the 2010 health care reform bill doesn't prevent doctors from asking about guns, but it does prohibit insurers, employers, and the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services from asking about gun ownership in many instances, and it prohibits HHS from collecting such data. "One wonders how long it will take the federal government to mandate that the HHS begin collecting the data mined from these trusted medical professionals, who were essentially conscripted to do the President's dirty work," commented Ard.

In addition to the 23 executive orders announced yesterday, the  President also kicked off his four-point plan to reduce gun violence,  which includes requiring criminal background checks for all gun sales,  returning to a 10-round limit on ammunition clips, strengthening a ban  on all assault weapons, and banning armor-piercing bullets. The RNC and SCGOP stand together in firm opposition to this plan by condemning federal licensing or registration of law-abiding gun owners, and by opposing legislation that is intended to restrict our Second Amendment  rights by limiting the capacity of clips or magazines.

"The Shelby County Republican Party passionately acknowledges and defends the rights guaranteed under the Second Amendment for law-abiding  citizens to keep and bear arms. The President's plan to reduce gun violence seems to be a knee-jerk reaction to a tragic situation that ultimately will result in the loss of freedom and liberty for American citizens," said Ard.

"The Shelby County Republican Party vigorously supports the idea that the powers of the federal government are derived from the people, and it is only as powerful as the rights we choose to give away," Ard continued.

Shelby County is the premier Republican county in Alabama, with all thirty-six county offices with jurisdiction (excluding municipal officials elected non-partisan) held by Republicans. Shelby County is also ranked as the fastest-growing county in Alabama and the fourth most conservative county in America by The Daily Caller.