Author: Virginia Martin
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.
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.”
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.
The Birmingham Zoo wants to build a new cat exhibit. First it must deal with unmarked graves
The zoo has filed for a permit with the Alabama Historical Commission to professionally exhume the graves and reinter them nearby. Read more.
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.
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.
Through Social Clubs and Education, Birmingham Woman Creates Community
Delena Chappel works to extend a sense of community to her students and other Black women. Read more.
Alabama’s Health Care System for Women Ranks Near the Bottom of This New Scorecard
The Commonwealth Fund’s new report includes 12 new measures that evaluate and rank states on reproductive services and women’s health care. Read more.
Mayor-Council Act, Which Tilted Power Toward Mayor, Still Under Fire 7 Years After Adoption
The Birmingham City Council approved Mayor Randall Woodfin’s proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year last week. It was the culmination of the city’s most contentious budgeting process in years. Since Woodfin took office in 2017, almost all of his budgets have passed without any alterations from the council, thanks mostly to state legislation from 2016 that took away their ability to do so.
The Mayor-Council Act is the state law governing the separation of powers between the branches of Birmingham’s municipal government, but some argue that changes to the bill approved the year before Woodfin took office have shifted that balance of power too heavily toward the executive. Read more.
How hard is life after prison? This simulation in Birmingham offers a taste
Across the country, U.S. justice officials are hosting simulated experiences to highlight the barriers many people face after leaving prison. Read more.
