Birmingham Officials Block Off East Lake Intersections in Hope of Reducing Crime
A pilot Safe Streets Initiative launched Monday in East Lake is blocking off key entry and exit points in an attempt to curb crime. Read more.
Government
Birmingham Council to Reconsider Automated Car Wash Moratorium
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday scheduled a public hearing for July 30 to discuss amending a moratorium passed earlier this year that prohibited automated car wash businesses. Read more.
JeffCo Commissioner Tyson Objects After Two More Republicans Appointed to Board of Equalization
A disgruntled Commissioner Sheila Tyson left the Jefferson County Commission chamber Wednesday, saying, “the fix was in” after her nominee for the Board of Equalization failed to get the support of her fellow commissioners. Read more.
Birmingham Council Waits on Budget Amendments as New Spending Plan Remains in Limbo
The March computer network disruption that interfered with the city of Birmingham’s operations for weeks caused further confusion Tuesday, with the City Council voting to delay approval of several budget amendments. The city will be operating at 2024 levels until the budget is finished. Read more.
Datcher, Woodson Move to Runoff in House District 52 Special Election
Kelvin Datcher, Birmingham’s deputy director of community development, and nonprofit executive Frank Woodson were the top two candidates in Tuesday’s special election for the Democratic nomination to the Alabama House District 52 seat. They will meet in a runoff July 16. Read more.
Read the full Voter Guide, with candidate bios and statements
Birmingham Council Sends Questions About Controversial Night Club’s Business License to Committee Rather Than Revoking It
The fate of a downtown Birmingham nightclub criticized for attracting crime remains unclear after the City Council held a public hearing Tuesday to discuss revoking the company’s business license. Read more.
Vote Tuesday in House District 52 Race
Some Birmingham-area voters will be going to the polls Tuesday to select a Democratic nominee to run for the Alabama House of Representatives District 52 seat, which recently was left vacant after former Rep. John Rogers resigned and pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges. Six Democrats are running for the seat: Dedra Campbell, Kelvin Datcher, Eric Major, LaTanya Millhouse, Eyrika L. Parker and Frank Woodson. If none of the candidates gets more than half of the votes, there will be a runoff between the top two votegetters on July 16. One Republican is running for the seat – Carlos Crum. Since he had no challengers for the Republican nomination, there won’t be a Republican ballot in Tuesday’s election. The general election on Oct. 1 will pit Crum against the Democratic winner. House District 52 covers parts of Birmingham, including the Glen Iris, Powderly, Southwest Birmingham and West End communities; along with sections of Homewood, Mountain Brook, Bessemer and unincorporated Jefferson County. See the map here. You can determine whether you’re in House District 52 by looking up your name on the Secretary of State’s website. BirminghamWatch’s Voter Guide for the race also includescandidate profiles, a compilation of the candidates’ statements on why they should be elected and the issues that are most important to them. Read more.
House District 52 Candidate Statements
BirminghamWatch asked candidates why they thought people should vote for them for the House of Representatives District 52 seat. Dedra Campbell “I am not a politician but a concerned citizen seeking to be the change I want to see. It is more than a political party but the needs of the people. That is something
House District 52 Candidate Bios
Profiles on each of the candidates running for the Democratic nomination to the Alabama House of Representatives District 52 seat. Dedra Campbell Kelvin Datcher Eric Major LaTanya Millhouse Eyrika L. Parker Frank Woodson
Eyrika L. Parker, Alabama House of Representatives, District 52
Eyrika L. Parker Party: Democratic Age: 50 Residence: Birmingham Political experience: Jefferson County treasurer; was disqualified from her race for reelection for not turning in required ethics paperwork on time; ran unsuccessfully for Jefferson County circuit clerk, 2018. Professional experience: Currently treasurer of Jefferson County; has worked in a variety of fields, from law to media. Shortly