Government

Sherry McClain, 2020 general election

Jefferson County Deputy Treasurer, Bessemer Sherry McClain Democrat Age: age 58 Residence: Brighton Political Experience: Jefferson County deputy treasurer, 2013-present; member, State Democratic Executive Committee, Jefferson County Federation of Democratic Women, Jefferson County Democratic Conference, Alabama New South Coalition and Jefferson County New Citizen’s Coalition. Professional Experience: Jefferson County deputy treasurer, 2013-present; director of community

by Robert Carter

Stephanie Bell, 2020 general election

State Board of Education, District 3 Stephanie Bell Republican Age: 63 Residence: Montgomery Political experience: District 3 Alabama State Board of Education member, 1994-present; ran unsuccessfully for U.S. House of Representatives District 2, 2010. Professional experience: Reporter, Montgomery Advertiser and Alabama Journal, covering governmental affairs; teacher, English as a second language, Taichung YMCA, Taiwan. As

by Robert Carter

Jarralynne Agee, 2020 general election

State Board of Education, District 3 Jarralynne Agee Democrat Age: 51 Residence: Shelby County Political experience: Ran for this District 3 school board position in 2016, losing to incumbent Stephanie Bell. Member, Alabama Democratic Executive Committee and Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee. Professional experience: Provost/vice president, Miles College, 2020-present; executive director/liaison for grants and charitable

by Robert Carter

Laura Casey, 2020 general election

Alabama Public Service Commission President Laura Casey Democrat Age: 48 Residence: Hoover Political experience: Defeated Robert Mardis III in the Democratic primary on March 3. Was Democratic nominee for Alabama State Senate District 15 race in 2018 but withdrew before the general election. Professional experience: Clerk for state Supreme Court of New Jersey, 2001-2002; actuary,

by Robert Carter

Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, 2020 general election

Alabama Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh Republican Age: 54 Residence: Montgomery Political experience: Public Service Commission president, 2010-present, won 2020 Republican primary over Robin Litaker on March 3; candidate for lieutenant governor, 2018 but defeated in primary. Professional experience: Co-owner, Cavanaugh Bradley Animal Hospital, Montgomery; co-owner, Conservative Solutions, Montgomery; deputy chief of staff/senior

by Robert Carter

Jonathan O. Barbee, 2020 general election

Jonathan O. Barbee’s name is on the ballot as a candidate for tax assessor, but he’s no longer seeking the office. Instead, he is running for constable.

by BirminghamWatch

Gaynell Hendricks, 2020 general election

Jefferson County Tax Assessor Gaynell Hendricks Party: Democrat Age: 69 Residence: Downtown Birmingham/Loft District Political experience: Successfully won two 6-year terms as Jefferson County Tax Assessor. First woman and first African American to hold the seat. Professional experience: Entrepreneur; founder and owner of Wee Care Academy Childcare Centers since 1988. Civic experience: Served on numerous

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Jeffco Commission to Dip Into Contingency Fund Rather Than Amending Budget

Rather than adding to the just approved fiscal 2021 budget, Jefferson County Commissioners said Tuesday that money called for from a recent classification survey would come from the county’s contingency fund. Chief Financial Officer Angela Dixon presented a resolution for an increase in funds related to a community development specialist position. The survey called for additional funds totaling $119,280. “We’re in a brand-new budget,” Commissioner Steve Ammons said. “Why would this survey not be done prior to us doing the budget so we don’t have a budget amendment just 45 days into the budget?” Commission President Jimmie Stephens moved to change the funding request, with the money coming from the commission’s contingency fund rather than the balance of the budget. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Birmingham City Council Approves Software for Police Department’s Real-Time Crime Center

Updated — The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to implement new software for the Birmingham Police Department’s real-time crime center, despite public concerns that the agreement could pave the way for facial recognition software to be used by city law enforcement. The resolution will allow the city to lease-purchase rights to Motorola Solutions’ CommandCentral Aware and BriefCam softwares at a total cost of $1,315,659 over a five-year period. Fifteen residents — several of whom had also vocally opposed Mayor Randall Woodfin’s FY 2021 budget — spoke against the proposed agreement at Tuesday’s meeting, expressing concerns that BriefCam’s capability for facial recognition could have a negative impact on residents, particularly Black people, who are misidentified by such software far more often than white people. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Today is the Last Day to Register to Vote

Monday, Oct. 19, is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 general election. You still may register to vote online through the Secretary of State’s Office. Go here to fill out the form online. You also can register at your county’s Board of Registrars and other locations. In Birmingham, you can register at the Board of Registrars Office in the downtown courthouse; the revenue or probate departments in the Bessemer courthouse; and at most libraries. You can find those locations listed on the registration locations link here. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch