Virginia Martin, Author at BirminghamWatch - Page 103 of 480
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Virginia Martin

Proposed Alabama Congressional Map Would Only Have 1 Majority-Black District

A Republican-dominated reapportionment committee Monday approved a new state congressional map that creates a majority-Black congressional district and one that is 42% Black. The party-line vote, coming on the first day of a special session for redistricting, came after Democrats said they were being ignored in the process and after two hours of discussion that often felt like the start of legal arguments for a federal court hearing scheduled next month. Read more.

by Jemma Stephenson, Alabama Reflector

Presenting the Don’t Fall For Social Media Challenges Challenge

Here’s a rare Arenblog cooking tip: Don’t marinate your next chicken dinner in NyQuil. It’s terrible. OK, I didn’t really do that. But you’d think from a wave of news media reports last year that a lot of people did. The “sleepy chicken challenge” is just one example from a long list of supposedly widespread social media “challenges” that the news media have dutifully reported on and warned against in recent years. Letting the public know that reckless social media posts are inviting people (especially young people) to try bizarre, alarming and even dangerous stunts is a worthy public service. The problem is, evidence indicates that in most cases the challenges were not widespread on social media and people really weren’t doing them in any significant numbers. Read more.

by Tom Arenberg

Bolin Points to Judicial Experience in Race for JeffCo Commission

Mike Bolin could only play so many rounds of golf. The former Alabama Supreme Court justice says he was miserable after retiring Jan. 15 of this year. He found that he’s more like his Fairfield steelworker father than he realized. “He used to work every day,” said Bolin, who’s running for the unexpired District 5 seat on the Jefferson County Commission. “Back in those days, you didn't get paid if you didn't work." Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Voters to Decide Next JeffCo Commissioner for District 5 in Tuesday Election

The Jefferson County Commission District 5 seat is up for grabs in a special election Tuesday. The vote will decide whether former judge Mike Bolin or developer David Silverstein will fill the term of former Commissioner Steve Ammons, who resigned recently to become CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance. The winner will serve in the seat until the 2026 election. The district includes parts of Hoover, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Birmingham and Leeds. You can determine whether you’re in the district, find your polling place and check whether you’re registered to vote here. Read profiles on the candidates:

Bolin Points to Judicial Experience in Race for JeffCo Commission

Mike Bolin could only play so many rounds of golf. The former Alabama Supreme Court justice says he was miserable after retiring Jan. 15 of this year. He found that he’s more like his Fairfield steelworker father than he realized. “He used to work every day,” said Bolin, who’s running for the unexpired District 5 seat on the Jefferson County Commission. “Back in those days, you didn't get paid if you didn't work.”

Silverstein Touts His Business Experience in Race for JeffCo Commission

Don’t call David Silverstein a politician. Yes, the former lawyer and career developer is running for the unexpired Jefferson County Commission District 5 seat of Steve Ammons in Tuesday’s special election. But don’t call him a politician. “I don't consider myself a politician,” the Mountain Brook resident said. “I consider myself a businessman that's had his success, been part of this community since my birth, that wants to serve. I don't see myself as a politician.”

by BirminghamWatch

Silverstein Touts His Business Experience in Race for JeffCo Commission

Don’t call David Silverstein a politician. Yes, the former lawyer and career developer is running for the unexpired Jefferson County Commission District 5 seat of Steve Ammons in Tuesday’s special election. But don’t call him a politician. “I don't consider myself a politician,” the Mountain Brook resident said. “I consider myself a businessman that's had his success, been part of this community since my birth, that wants to serve. I don't see myself as a politician.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Wise Drops Out of Commission Race, Leaves 2 Men in Tuesday’s Balloting

Jeff O. Wise said he was underfunded and understaffed in his bid for the District 5 seat on the Jefferson County Commission. “I’ve always been the underdog,” he said Sunday. Thursday, the underdog bowed out. Wise dropped out of the race to fill the unexpired term of Steve Ammons, who stepped down recently to take the job of CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance. Wise’s decision to drop out leaves only Alabama Supreme Court Justice Mike Bolin and developer David Silverstein in Tuesday’s election. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Birmingham Council Approves $5 Million to Build Birmingham Amphitheater, Discusses 20-Year Contract With Live Nation to Manage It

Birmingham taxpayers will provide $5 million toward the construction of a proposed 9,000-seat open-air amphitheater on 25th Street North, adjacent to the site of the former Carraway Hospital. In its meeting Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council voted 7-1 to approve the amphitheater funding. Councilor Valerie Abbott voted against the measure, and Councilor Carol Clarke abstained. Tuesday’s discussion also revealed new details about the management of the planned venue, including an overview of a planned 20-year Live Nation contract to promote and operate the amphitheater. Read more.

by Lee Hedgepeth
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