Shelby County GOP

In response to the statements by Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) during the battle raging in Congress over the debt ceiling and spending policy, Shelby County Republican Chairman Freddy Ard referred to some of McCain’s comments as “regrettable”.

In remarks released on Thursday, Ard said “while Senator McCain made some legitimate points concerning the critical struggle that is playing out, resorting to name-calling of a critical base of Republican voters is indeed regrettable, inadvisable, and in no way constructive to the political process.”

For Immediate Release
June 5, 2011
Contact: Jeff Vreeland 

For Immediate Release
April 4, 2011
Contact: Jeff Vreeland

ALABASTER, AL – Upon receiving the news of the death of James Chapman, husband of Secretary of State Beth Chapman, Shelby County Republican Party Chairman Freddy Ard offered the following remarks:

“It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of James Chapman. James and Beth have been through such a difficult ordeal these past few weeks, but endured with extraordinary grace and faith. The Chapmans have long been a vital part of the Shelby County community, and that service expanded with election to statewide office. While Beth was very much a public figure, James has enabled his wife with steadfast wisdom, support and encouragement for her pursuits in public service. James role has most definitely been crucial to Beth’s endeavors to bring excellence in public service to our state. This community, and indeed the Republican Party, has surely lost a dear friend, an upright Christian man, as well as an exemplary father and husband. On behalf of the Shelby County Republican Party, I extend heartfelt sympathy and prayers to Beth, as well as to her two sons, Taylor and Thatcher.”

As Chairman of the Republican Party in one of the most Republican counties in the nation, it is common for me to witness local government positively affected by GOP ideals since our party holds every elected office in the county. It is historic, however, to witness the convening of the Alabama legislature holding not just a GOP majority, but a “super-majority” AND hear the State of the State speech by a Republican governor. That is the good news. The bad news is the condition of the economy that began a steep decline in 2008, along with the cumulative effects of a Democratic-controlled legislature for 136 years, and the impact of both on the fiscal health of our state. Governor Bentley was on target with both his speech and the agenda ahead as we “face great challenges”.

Upon hearing the figures released February 24 by the U.S. Census Bureau, and particularly details related to Shelby County, local GOP chairman Freddy Ard is not surprised. Neither is he perplexed by the cause, or at least what he observes as the common denominator, and has connected the dots to include the Republican dominance in the county. Shelby County posted a 36% increase in population over the last decade.

“When assessing the reasons for the extraordinary population growth the past decade, you cannot escape the fact that every elected office in Shelby County is held by Republicans”, Ard stated. The 2010 Census was just the latest in such reports in which an increased population coincided with the continued strength of the Republican Party. “When Republican principles are allowed to flourish in public policy, as we have in Shelby County, the atmosphere created causes people to want to live here and raise their families”, said Ard, who moved to Alabaster in 1979. He has witnessed both the population growth and been a participant in the transformation of the political landscape in Shelby County.

Montgomery – The Executive Committee of the Alabama Republican Party on Saturday elected three from Shelby County to the leadership for the next two years, including the office of Chairman. Bill Armistead, a former state senator from Shelby County, was elected chairman in the first meeting in the four year term of the executive committee. Armistead had served the previous fourteen years as the party’s Vice Chairman, for Districts 3, 7, and 7. He will assume the role held the past four years by Representative Mike Hubbard of Auburn, who is now Speaker of the House in the Republican-majority legislature.

The February 2011 edition of the Shelby Delegate is now online and can be accessed by clicking the link below. The newsletter is best viewed in "full screen" mode.

Congratulations on Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals appointment

Alabaster- The Shelby County Republican Party has expressed its pleasure with the appointment of Shelby County Circuit Judge J. Michael Joiner to fill the vacancy on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. Governor Robert Bentley made the appointment on Monday to fill the vacancy created by the departure by Judge Jim Main to fill a seat left on the Alabama Supreme Court by retiring Justice Champ Lyons. Judge Joiner, in addition to serving on the bench in Shelby County for over 18 years, has been a member of the Shelby County Republican Executive Committee, and served on term as the party’s Secretary.

“I enthusiastically offer my personal congratulations to Judge Joiner,” Freddy Ard, Chairman of the Shelby County GOP remarked. “More significantly, a suitable gesture on the part of the Shelby County Republican Party is most appropriate, so a resolution has been drafted for adoption by our county executive committee” Ard added in his comments on Tuesday. The regular quarterly meeting of the Shelby County Republican Party is tonight in Pelham.

“Governor Bentley made a superb appointment to that court in Judge Joiner, and I am confident that this most recent selection of a Shelby County citizen by the Governor for prominent statewide office will serve there in the same distinguished manner for which he has become so recognized here”, the chairman continued.

During our Winter meeting of the Shelby County GOP Executive Committee next week there will be a discussion and vote on a proposed By-Law Change.

You can view the new proposed By-Law changes at this link.

WASHINGTON, D. C.--- U. S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) will join the residents of Shelby County for a county visit on Wednesday, January 12, 2011, at 10:00 am Central Time. The visit, which is open to the public, will take place at the Helena Community Services Building, located at 110 Sports Complex Drive in Helena, Alabama.

Senator Shelby will address the legislative agenda for the first session of the 112th Congress as well as important issues facing the nation and the state of Alabama. Following his remarks, Senator Shelby will open the floor to questions and comments from those in attendance.

"Over the years, these meetings have provided an excellent opportunity for area residents to listen and voice their opinions on the activities of our government," said Shelby. "This will be a great chance to discuss the important issues facing our state and our nation."

Senator Shelby has held over 1,600 county visits since being elected to serve the state of Alabama. As part of his commitment to Alabamians, Senator Shelby holds a meeting in each county every year.

This meeting is open to the public. Members of the media are encouraged to attend.