U.S. Congress, 7th Congressional District Chris Davis Party: Democratic Age: 50 Residence: Smithfield Political experience: Has worked for elected officials and political candidates; member of Congressional Black Caucus Leadership Class, 2007. Professional experience: Field director for Montgomery County, Maryland, County Executive Steve Silverman, 2004; office of Rep. Elijah Cummings, Baltimore, and Capitol Hill staff, 2005-2007;
As a 15-year-old student at Birmingham’s Huffman High School, Chris Davis wanted to be Arsenio Hall. He could envision himself sitting on a couch on television and conversing with various personalities. “I remember … thinking that it would be really great to have a late-night talk show where you could have bands and politicians and business people, whomever you thought was cool, come sit on your couch.” Three and a half decades later, Davis hopes to be someone who would be a guest on a late-night talk show, not to mention Meet the Press. Read more.
U.S. Congress, 7th Congressional District Terri A. Sewell Party: Democratic Age: 59 Residence: Birmingham Political experience: Currently in her seventh term serving as U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 7th District. First elected in November 2010. Professional experience: Law partner, Maynard Cooper & Gale in Birmingham, 2005-2011; Law associate/partner, Davis Polk and Wardwell, New York City & London,
Terri Sewell said she could do better for herself, if doing for herself were her focus. The seven-term incumbent congresswoman says she has a seat at the table because the people back home have entrusted her to fight for them. “That has always been my hallmark,” Sewell said. “You’ll notice I didn’t run for Senate. I didn’t accept any position in the cabinet. My job is to focus in and work hard and uphold the promises that I’ve made to Alabama’s 7th Congressional District.” The congresswoman said her mission is clear; her aim is improving the lot of the people she represents. Read more.
Voters heading to the polls Tuesday will see a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. Amendment 1 would remove a procedural step when considering local legislation. Under a 1984 constitutional amendment, lawmakers are supposed to finalize the budget prior to handling any other bills. This was intended to stop major budget changes from happening at
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday passed a resolution urging Truist Bank to reconsider plans to close its Roebuck branch in March. “A great deal of residents in that area benefit from that branch, rely on that branch and would be negatively impacted if that branch were to close,” said Councilor Clinton Woods, adding that investments are going into the immediate area. Read more.
Jefferson County Commissioners on Thursday approved the sale of the old Salvation Army Building on Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard to the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority. Read more.
Sheriff Mark Pettway made an early appeal to the Jefferson County Commission to consider allotting more money to his department to help keep deputies from leaving for other agencies in the area. Read more.
The Jefferson County Commission is expected to jettison the old Salvation Army Building on Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard, selling it to the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority, during its meeting Thursday. “The county was looking to sell the surplus property,” BJCC Executive Director and CEO Tad Snider said in an interview. “Given its proximity to the BJCC and City Walk, we chose to purchase and will redevelop or repurpose for additional parking.” The sales price is $810,000. Read more.
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday passed a resolution expressing sympathies for six people killed in recent shootings. The victims included a city employee as well as the pregnant cousin of Mayor Randall Woodfin. In his comments to the council Tuesday, the mayor expressed his frustration with the lack of leads in finding suspects in the shootings. “When you have something like this happen in your community, it's important we enact justice as swiftly as possible. But it turns out BPD can’t do it themselves … it takes people with information to come forward,” Woodfin said. Read more.
