Birmingham Board of Education, District 1 The Birmingham Board of Education is a nine-member elected body that works with the superintendent to establish a vision for the school system by adopting goals and policies that address student needs, advance student performance and overall operations of the system. The board also approves operating budgets. District 1
Birmingham City Council District 9 Angene Coleman Residence: Westchester neighborhood. Political experience: First time to seek elected office. Professional experience: Drug-prevention specialist coordinator for 22 years, currently at Alcohol and Abuse Treatment Centers Inc.; previous work with the Birmingham Housing Authority. Civic experience: Smithfield Estates vice president, 2010; volunteer youth advisor with NAACP, current. Education:
Birmingham City Council, District 9 John Hilliard Age: 56 Residence: Smithfield Estates. Political experience: Ran for Alabama Legislature in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010; held the House District 60 seat from 1993-2003. Professional experience: Private business owner, in real estate and bonding. Education: Alabama State University, bachelor’s degree in business administration management; A.H. Parker High School.
Birmingham City Council, District 9 Wendell Major Age: 51 Residence: Dolomite. Political races run: Unsuccessful campaign for Alabama Senate, 2006. Professional experience: Principal, Major Law Group LLC, 2007- present; lieutenant, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, 1989-present; civilian police assistant mentor/adviser supervisor in Kabul, Afghanistan, U.S. State Department, November 2009-November 2010; sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps., 1983-1991. Civic
Aug. 8, 2017 – Jefferson County Commissioners were told at their committee meeting Tuesday that they’ll need to wear their best “Sunday go to meeting” attire Aug. 31 as they pose for a picture commemorating the recent sale of warrants for school systems in the county. “It was a very successful warrant issue,” Commission President Jimmie Stephens said after the meeting. “We actually had orders for $1.7 billion worth of warrants, of which there were only $338 million to sell. It drove the interest rate down, which benefits the citizens of Jefferson County, puts more money in our coffers to be able to utilize for the citizens of Jefferson County.” Stephens said the county continues to advance from its dark days of bankruptcy. “We’re more proactive in what we’re doing,” he said. “We have the resources in place now – whether they be human resources or whether they be capital resources – in order to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Jefferson County.” Read more.
Aug. 8, 2017 — Tuesday’s mostly placid meeting of the Birmingham City Council was marked by questions over funding for community events in District 6. A resolution appropriating $10,000 for the 33rd Annual Titusville Day — a gathering organized by Councilor Sheila Tyson that took place Aug. 5, — appeared on Tuesday’s agenda. Councilor Valerie Abbott expressed concern that money was being spent on the Titusville Day item despite lack of an approved FY 2018 budget. Council President Johnathan Austin responded that the council was spending based on the previous fiscal year’s budget until the new one passed. Council President Pro Tem Steven Hoyt added that approval of expenditures before a budget was passed “just depends on who it is and what it is,” drawing chuckles from the dais. “I got it now,” Abbott laughed. “At least you spoke truth to power, as you’re always saying.” Despite questions about whether the item had been approved by the city’s law department, which it hadn’t, the item passed. Read more.
Birmingham City Council, District 9 Roderick Royal Age: 52 Residence: Westchester neighborhood, Pratt City. Political Experience: Birmingham City Council, 2001-2013; council president, 2009-2013; interim mayor, November 2009-January 2010. Professional experience: Instructor, Miles College, 20 years; outreach counselor with local health clinic; pastor of local congregation; former U.S. Army officer with combat service in the Persian
Birmingham City Council, District 9 David Russell Residence: Smithfield Estates Political experience: Member, Jefferson County and Alabama Democratic Executive Committee; member, Birmingham Water Works committee on rates; volunteer, voter registration drives. Professional experience: Administrative assistant at Alabama State University, 15 years; work in the insurance field. Civic experience: President, Neighborhood Block Watch in Smithfield Estates;
Birmingham City Council, District 9 Reginald Swanson Age: 60 Residence: Pratt City Political experience: First time to seek elected office; appointed to and served as chair of the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority. Professional experience: Dentist in private practice, 1981-present; dentist for Jefferson County jail, 2006-2012; developer, owner and operator, Magnolia Terrace Senior-Handicap Housing, 40 units
Birmingham City Council, District 9 James Williams Jr. Age: 47 Residence: South Pratt City Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for the Birmingham City Council, 2012; public relations volunteer, Birmingham mayoral campaign, 2008. Professional experience: On-air radio personality J. Love, WBHK Today’s Kiss, 2000-present; host, Talkback Live 98.7, 2002-2009; on-air personality J. Love, WTUG, 2001-2002; Homeboy’s Restaurant
