FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS CALLED A PROBLEM
At the last council meeting, Councilmen Ford and Kingrea challenged frequent city-government critic Paul Ripp's claim that the infamous Dyas Triangle lawsuit could be settled for only $500,000.
Ripp argued earlier the city would be better off just to settle lawsuits -- rather than spending millions to defend them: "Figure I heard . . . a year ago . . . $500K . . . (Dyas) suit could be resolved."
 |
| Ripp |
Kingrea agreed saying there have been settlement discussions (himself, Mixon involved) but "$500,000 isn't even a start . . . never was . . . they were talking $18 million . . . "
(Publisher's Note: Most of the Dyas lawsuit was dismissed last year by a Federal Judge (Steele), who called it without merit. Ripp himself has a lawsuit against the city pending over the Fly Creek PUD (aka Publix) project -- and says its going into mediation soon. He has not revealed how much he is asking for damages to settle. Ripp won a 2007 lawsuit against the city, concerning a family subdivision matter.)
HARASSMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR ALLEDGED
Shortly after Ripp had again criticized the job performance of city Administrator Greg Mims -- Ford pointed out Mims had applied for work with other cities -- and would probably have already been gone if his efforts to leave hadn't been sabotaged by "some people mad at the . . . city . . . and Administrator."
Ford: "He would have been gone. . . if people hadnt written those cities . . . said he's no good."
Ripp replied he was one of those (2) people; but claimed Walton County Florida management called him to ask about Mims qualifications.
Ripp: "I was one of those people . .. someone called me from there . . . asked my opinion (about Mims)."
However, according to a Fairhope Courier report by Mike Odom from last April, Ripp was telling a different tale then:
"Ripp confirmed Tuesday he had called and told that Florida county's personnel director not to hire Mims, giving a number of reasons. Ripp said he was motivated to make the call by his interest in governmental accountability."
ADMINISTRATOR RESPONDS
When shown the video below (he was not present at the time) Administrator Mims replied:
"My family and I have endured three years of slander, lies, etc. I am employee of the city and desire better. I will continue to work hard and do the right thing no matter whose toes I step on."
Mims added "the truth (about the slander) will come out during the legal process."
Mims currently lives in a nearby town with his wife and 2 daughters.
Comments