STAPLETON, Ala. — Residents of rural south Alabama are campaigning for a local amendment to gain landmark district status.
Local amendments one, two and three in Baldwin County will define landmarks across Stapleton, Bon Secour and Whitehouse Fork — preserving residents’ rights to decide whether their land is incorporated into the surrounding city limits.
WEAR News visited multiple farms in Stapleton where property owners are working hard to encourage Baldwin County residents to vote yes on these amendments. Residents say they’ve fought for more than two years to add the amendment to their ballot.
A proposed constitutional amendment will prohibit the annexation of any property without property owners’ approval.
Michele White lives on several acres in Stapleton. She and others living nearby have worked for several years to prevent annexation, telling WEAR News she and her neighbors don’t want to be forced into a different lifestyle.
“It really became a mission because all of us who live in Stapleton moved out there on purpose,” said White. “We didn’t get thrown out to the country. We moved out there to lead a rural life in Baldwin County, and the area to do that is getting smaller and smaller and we want to preserve that in Stapleton.”
Along with Stapleton, Bon Secour and Whitehouse Fork are also being voted on. White says voting no on the amendment would be a disservice to property owners.
“Those are three small rural communities,” said White. “Granting landmark district status to us gives us identity to the map, but also protects us from neighboring annexing from nearby cities.”
“This landmark district status doesn’t change zoning, doesn’t change land use, taxation,” she said. “[It] doesn’t affect anything that hurts anyone else — yet gives the property owners the ability to choose whether they want to stay in the county, if a nearby city wanted to annex their property.”
Despite many landowners in the area against annexation, White says voting yes on the amendment doesn’t mean your property can’t be annexed. The amendment just secures your right to have the final say.
“It still preserves the right for those landowners from accepting an invitation to be annexed,” White said. “It prevents them from being forced into annexation.”
“We’re watching the cities get closer and closer on all sides,” she said. “I live in Stapleton and our area is bordered by Loxley, Spanish Fort and Bay Minette. And the growth is wonderful. We appreciate the municipalities and everything they do, but we’d like to see preservation of rural areas in Baldwin County.”
Stapleton residents are holding a town hall on Thursday to discuss the specifics of the amendments. It’ll be on Baldwin County residents’ ballots a week from Tuesday.
Matthew Baldwin is a seasoned golfer who’s conquered adversity. With a storied career spanning multiple continents and Tours, he embodies the spirit of resilience and determination. This seasoned English golfer has battled through trials and tribulations, honing his craft on the DP World Tour and Challenge Tour. Baldwin’s journey is a testament to his unwavering passion for golf. So, let’s delve into the DP World Tour stalwart’s story, who’s inspiring fans with his passion.
Matthew Baldwin’s early tee shots and a lifetime passion
Baldwin’s love affair with golf began in his hometown of Southport, England. Born on February 27, 1986, his golfing journey started at just three years old. And it was his grandfather, Ronald Ryderman, who introduced him to the game in a humble field. This chance encounter sparked an unrelenting passion that gave him the drive to pursue his goals. A sports enthusiast himself, his grandfather had played rugby league for England and Great Britain, instilling him with a winning mentality.
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As Baldwin grew, so did his talent. His impressive junior career was marked by two notable victories in 2004: the European Boys’ Team Championship, where he represented England at Finland’s Kymen Golf Ry, and the Jacques Léglise Trophy, representing Great Britain & Ireland at Scotland’s Nairn Golf Club. As captain of the England Boys’ team, Baldwin’s amateur career was ablaze with promise. Turning professional in 2008, he embarked on a journey that would test his resolve, resilience, and dedication.
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But little did he know, his professional career would be shaped by his ability to overcome adversity and injuries.
Baldwin weathers the storm through injury, illness, trials, and success
The 38-year-old’s DP World Tour journey began at the 2010 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, although he missed the cut. After graduating from the Challenge Tour in 2011 and highlighting his potential with a T5 finish at the Scottish Open, he earned a Tour card for the 2012 season. And in 2012, he also featured in the two coveted majors. However, his professional journey was soon beset by challenges that would have broken a lesser golfer.
After graduating from the Challenge Tour in 2011, he faced a debilitating illness and two potentially career-ending surgeries, threatening to derail his dreams. The struggle to provide for his family weighed heavily on his shoulders. “I started temporarily in 2008, played a little bit on the Alps tour, the Challenge tour, ” he recalled.
“And then 2012 was a great year for me, rookie year, and played two majors. From there it was consistent through to the end of 2014, and then, starting the year in 2015, a steady start. And then went off the year with injury, and then coming back from that period, it’s been really tough for me.” Despite the setbacks, Baldwin’s determination never wavered.
Years of hard work and persistence, including six grueling trips through qualifying school, couldn’t dampen his spirit. This gave way to his dream come true moment.
Matthew Baldwin strikes his maiden DP World Tour victory
Years of unwavering dedication finally paid off for Matthew Baldwin. After 200 starts, countless setbacks, and unrelenting perseverance, he achieved the unthinkable. It was in August 2023, that he secured his maiden DP World Tour victory. It was the SDC Championship in South Africa, where he carded an impressive 18 under-par performance.
In that moment, Baldwin revealed a pivotal shift in his mindset. “I stopped worrying about the outcome and the result, and played some of my best golf,” he reflected. The 37-year-old noted that it wasn’t until the final two shots that he allowed himself to truly savor the moment.
“I never really settled until I hit the last two shots,” Baldwin recalled. It was then that his caddie offered sage advice, stopping him in his tracks. “He stopped me after the second shot and said, ‘Enjoy this moment, because it might never happen again.’” Initially taken aback, his expression changed to one of understanding. “Oh, excuse me,” he chuckled, “but then I realized what he meant – most of the time when you win a tournament, you can’t enjoy it. So I really kind of took a step back and enjoyed it.” With this, he reached a career-high 180th spot in the OWGR.
As Baldwin’s professional journey reached new heights, his personal life also flourished.
His personal triumphs beyond the fairways
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Outside the spotlight, Matthew Baldwin cherishes moments with his loved ones. On January 15, 2023, he proposed to his wife, Claire Boaler, in a romantic getaway to Palm Dubai, as captured on his Instagram. A year later and just four days into 2024, the couple tied the knot. When not on Tour, he seeks solitude on thrilling adventures – from safaris to skydiving.
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At home, he is joined by Barney, his adorable Goldendoodle, who often steals the show on his social media. Apart from golf, he is a die-hard Liverpool FC fan. He seizes every opportunity to cheer on his team at Anfield Stadium. His passion for the beautiful game extends beyond his golfing achievements.
From humble beginnings to a DP World Tour victory, Matthew Baldwin’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity and achieve triumph.
