2007 Birmingham mayoral election

The 2007 mayoral election for the city of Birmingham is scheduled for October 9, 2007.

Candidates

• Valerie Abbott, City Councilor
• William Bell, Birmingham City Council
• Raymond Brooks, former Birmingham Fire Chief
• Patrick Cooper, attorney
• Buddy Hendrix, attorney
• Bernard Kincaid, incumbent
• Larry Langford, Jefferson County Commission
• Darryl W. Perry, former WJSR-FM station manager
• Carole Smitherman, Birmingham City Council president
• Barry Taylor, Birmingham Sunlights and city utility inspector

Polls

The Birmingham News published the results of a poll of 400 registered voters taken during the week of September 24 by UAB communications professor Larry Powell. Of those polled, 33% planned to vote for Langford and 25% planned to vote for Cooper. Kincaid polled at 9%, Smitherman at 6%, Abbott at 5%, Bell at 4% and the other candidates at less than 1%. 18% of those polled were undecided. The poll's sampling size produced a 4.9% margin of error.

There was a pronounced racial divide among those polled. Langford had the support of 43% of black voters polled, while Cooper had only 18%. Among white voters, 58% supported Cooper and only 8% favored Langford. 80% of blacks polled said they had a positive impression of Langford, while only 49% had a positive impression of Cooper.

Other questions addressed issues important to voters. 48% of respondents identified crime as the single most important issue. 25% singled out education, 9% favored quality of life, 6% growth and development, 4% jobs and the economy, 2% said the image of Birmingham was most important, and 1% identified immigration and taxes as the dominant issue. Upper income voters were more likely than less affluent respondents to identify education as the primary issue.

The Terminal conducted an unscientific poll for visitors to its website during the week of September 24. Of 48 respondents, 31 (65%) reported that they support Cooper in the mayor's race. Bell had 7 votes, Langford 6, and there were 2 each for Perry and Smitherman. Crime and economic development were listed as the two most critical issues for the city.

Campaign forums

Parkway East mayoral forum

The six major candidates, three of whom had not yet formally declared their intentions, attended a mayoral forum on July 26 at Parkway Christian Fellowship sponsored by the Parkway East District Business Association. Each participant was given five minutes to introduce themselves and then responded to questions from a three-member panel. Kincaid touted a "scandal-free" administration that has steadily brought the city forward and the development activities of the Main Street Birmingham program. Smitherman said that the mayor's office needed a fresh, "can do" attitude and more aggressive demolition of blighted properties. Cooper proposed a crime reduction plan modeled on initiatives in New York, Baltimore and Atlanta and hoped to make Birmingham police the highest paid in the region. Abbott promised to hire a city manager to update the operations of City Hall and to lead a "customer service" approach to governance. Bell touted his role in making investments in economic development projects and in school renovation and construction. Langford told the audience of over 100 that current leaders make issues "too complicated" and that anything can be done with courage and vision. He pointed to his support for a 1¢ sales tax increase for schools and proposed that Birmingham fund a regional transit system.

Homelessness forum

The Birmingham Metro Diversity Coalition sponsored a mayoral forum on homelessness August 20 at the Linn-Henley Research Library. Abbott, Bell, Hendrix, Kincaid and Taylor attended. Vickii Howell screened and read questions from the audience. Most of the candidates advocated increasing the supply of affordable housing, with Abbott highlighting the opportunity to rehabilitate houses that would otherwise be condemned and demolished and Bell emphasizing the importance of bringing housing options into communities. Taylor promised to work in partnership with businesses and churches to deal with the problem. Hendrix advocated teaching personal responsibility to youth as an alternative to coddling the lazy. No candidate went on the record as supporting or opposing higher minimum wage laws, but Kincaid made clear that a local measure raising wages would harm the city's efforts at business recruitment. Other questions addressed progress toward implementing "Birminigham's Plan to Prevent and End Chronic Homelessness" which was submitted by the City's Department of Community Development and the Mayor's Commission to Prevent and End Chronic Homelessness on May 4, 2007.

Harrison Park forum

The Alabama New South Coalition sponsored a mayoral forum on September 13 at the Harrison Park Recreation Center in West End. Abbott, Bell, Brooks, Cooper, Hendrix, Smitherman and Taylor participated. The main topics were schools and city spending. Bell emphasized that the state makes the rules for school systems and promised to seek economic development grants to increase revenues. Abbott agreed that the city budgets were too tightly constrained by revenues and said that neighborhoods would have to fight to keep their schools. Cooper identified the Mayor's staff as an area of waste and promised to redirect $3 million per year toward children's programs and policing. Smitherman, likewise, blamed wasteful administrative spending for the school board's budget problems and pointed out the need for redevelopment plans when schools are closed. Hendrix called for volunteers to help keep schools operating.

WorkPlay forum

The League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham joined with Catalyst for Birmingham, Rotoract Club of Birmingham, the Birmingham Association of Black Journalists, 16th Street Baptist Church, WorkPlay and WIAT to host a candidates forum at WorkPlay on September 18. All 10 candidates participated. Major topics included schools, crime, and economic development. On Schools, Bell said the mayor should have more control over the system. Langford advocated corporal punishment and parental discipline. Kincaid said the mayor's role is to support the elected school board while Smitherman said the whole system needs to be restructured. Cooper and Smitherman joined Bell in advocating specific, low-tolerance approaches to crime reduction. Kincaid promised to expand the Birmingham Weed & Seed Task Force citywide. Langford pinned hopes for crime reduction on education and opportunities for young people. Regarding development, Kincaid hoped voters would allow him to continue working to spread development from downtown to all neighborhoods. Langford said that a "crazy man" was needed to create [positive] change. Meanwhile, Bell called the pair "Tweedledee and Tweedledum" for presiding over the loss of Red Diamond and Tom Williams Automotive to the suburbs.

One Birmingham forum (I)

One Birmingham and WBRC sponsored an "E-Town Hall Meeting" at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute on September 19. Nine candidates participated, with Langford the lone holdout. In addition to topics previously debated, the candidates were asked about their support for a new stadium in Birmingham. All expressed some form of support for the proposal, with Cooper noting that it was "not at the top of [his] list" and Hendrix saying that the private sector should fund it. While numerous candidates spoke of jump-starting stagnant growth, Kincaid defended his record on economic expansion. Debate on topics not directly under the city's control (such as the Birmingham City Schools) divided opinions, with Kincaid and Abbott saying the city should support the Board while Cooper, Smitherman and Bell promised to engage school programs more directly, lobbying the state legislature if necessary. The debate also provided the most vocal sparring to date between Kincaid and Bell. Bell criticized Kincaid for his financial dealings with Alamerica Bank and its founder Donald Watkins. Kincaid responded by attacking Bell's relationship with a major contractor to the Birmingham Water Works.

Eastern area forum

The North East Lake, South East Lake, Roebuck Springs-South Roebuck and Roebuck neighborhoods jointly sponsored a mayoral forum on September 24. Abbott, Bell, Cooper and Smitherman participated. Addressing primarily the issue of crime, Smitherman promised to give young people more educational activities and to remove handguns and drug houses. Bell promised to increase the number of police on the street and to avoid micro-managing the chief. Abbott pledged to create zero-tolerance enforcement zones in high-crime areas to permanently remove criminals. Cooper pledged to implement the 1998 Birmingham crime reduction plan which was based on successful practices from other cities. Other topics included education and economic development, especially for the Eastern area.

Smithfield forum

The Smithfield community and First Congregational Christian Church sponsored a forum on September 25. Abbott, In addition to previously-covered topics, the future of two area landmarks, Legion Field and the A. H. Parker residence were discussed. Abbott, Perry and Taylor supported keeping and renovating the existing stadium. Bell supported replacing it with a larger domed stadium. Langford proposed turning it into a public park like New York's Flushing Meadows and building a new facility at Fair Park. Hendrix proposed re-foresting the park for use by Boy Scout troops. All the candidates, even those unfamiliar with the Parker residence, supported its preservation as a historic site. Bell spoke specifically about turning it over to the Parker United Alumni while Hendrix suggested using it for graduate-level classrooms. After Bell left the remaining participants all voiced support for letting residents choose by referendum whether to initiate a lottery or legalize other gambling activities.

Miles College forum

Miles College hosted a candidate's forum on September 26 which was attended by Abbott, Bell, Brooks, Hendrix, Kincaid, Langford, Perry and Taylor. Responding to a question about revenues, Langford said that "if you want service, you've got to pay for it." Kincaid explained that many city revenues also come from permits and fees. Taylor and Abott, responding to a question about removing blight, both promised to strengthen environmental regulations to clean up the city. Bell and Perry were asked about attracting businesses. Bell promised to be a more aggressive recruiter and supporter of local entrepreneurs. Perry advocated more private investment in education and lowering taxes to attract developers. Hendrix and Brooks were asked about improving economic opportunities for the poor. Hendrix pledged more vocational programs in schools while Brooks said he would partner with businesses for employment programs.

Glen Iris forum

Abbott, Bell, Langford and Taylor participated in a forum for 3rd-5th graders and their parents at Glen Iris Elementary School. Students, who have been keeping up with the mayor's race for class assignments, asked the candidates questions. Bell impressed 10-year-old A. J. Purifie with his response about repairing city streets. Abbott encouraged the kids to get involved with their community.

Five Points West forum

Abbott, Bell, Brooks, Kincaid, Hendrix, Perry and Taylor took part in a candidates' forum at Fair Park Arena sponsored by the Five Points West community. In addition to questions about crime, education and transit, the audience was interested in hearing about economic development plans for the western area. Perry advocated reducing sales tax and focusing on crime reduction to open the way for development. Kincaid pointed to work he has done to relocate an auto dealership to the area and to re-develop the Tuxedo Court housing project and build a Birmingham Police Department West Precinct headquarters. Abbott suggested having the Regional Planning Commission and UAB perform a market study which could be distributed to developers. Brooks concurred. Hendrix discussed letting small businesses rent space in public buildings. Taylor suggested a full-scale redevelopment of the Five Points West Shopping Center. Bell discussed recent revitalization efforts, including the new Five Points West Library, Winn-Dixie and Applebee's.

Retired Educators' Association forum

In a forum before the Birmingham Retired Educators' Association on September 28, Langford suggested that corporal punishment in classrooms would improve both education and crime. Smitherman criticized the school board for using too many of its resources to pay administrators. Abbott said more should be done to aid teachers instead of to build new buildings. Kincaid reminded the audience that the board was not governed by the mayor's office. Bell promised to lobby the legislature to let the mayor appoint the superintendent.

6th Avenue Baptist forum

6th Avenue Baptist Church hosted a mayoral forum sponsored by the Birmingham Area Interfaith Sponsoring Committee on September 28. Abbott, Bell, Hendrix, Langford, Smitherman and Taylor were present primarily to hear from residents about their concerns. Topics ranged from crime to education to community development. In concluding remarks, Langford urged people to police their own houses and return God to their lives. Abbott advocated job training to reduce poverty.

Guiding Light Church forum

A forum at Guiding Light Church is set for September 30.

Delta Sigma Theta forum

Delta Sigma Theta hosted a forum on October 1 at Huffman High School. Abbott, Bell, Kincaid, Langford and Taylor participated, fielding questions about crime, education, neighborhood revitalization and intergovernmental cooperation. On education, Langford and Bell both advocated having the mayor appoint the superintendent of schools, with Langford proposing to abolish the school board. All agreed that the system could do a better job of using the resources available to it. Regarding crime reduction, Abbott and Kincaid called for stricter enforcement and Bell called for hiring more police. Langford advocated giving scholarships for public school students as a means of reducing crime. Regarding revitalization, Abbott and Langford called for demolishing dilapidated housing and funding new construction. Kincaid pointed to the Comprehensive Plan in development and Bell promised to give more power to the city's environmental police.

Southside CME Church forum

The Southside CME Church is hosting a forum on October 2.

One Birmingham forum (II)

One Birmingham is holding the second part of its "E-Town Hall Meeting" on October 4 at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Contributions

The Birmingham News reported on the candidates' reported campaign accounts as of August 24:

• Abbott raised $1,250 and spent none during the reporting period for a balance of $8,917.
• Bell raised $7,475 and spent $6,313 for a balance of $1,162.
• Brooks raised $300 and lent his campaign $5,000. He spent $1,025 for a balance of $4,275
• Cooper raised $380,629 and spent $326,668 and reported a balance of $111,511, including $37,900 in in-kind contributions.
• Hendrix reported no contributions.
• Kincaid raised $99,325 and spent $$66,969, ending the period with $57,966.
• Langford raised $122,555 and loaned his campaign $70,000 from a previous campaign fund. He spent $70,087, ending the period with a balance of $122,468.
• Smitherman raised $214,700 and spent $93,012 for a balance of $121,688.
• Taylor reported no contributions.

Other races

• The Birmingham Board of Education, District 3 seat was left open by the resignation of Mike Higginbotham. Candidates for the seat include Howard Bayless and Earnest Lumpkin.

References

• Bryant, Joseph D. (January 29, 2007) "At least five expected to vie for office." Birmingham News.
• Singleton, William C. III (July 27, 2007) "Mayoral candidates offer visions." Birmingham News.
• Bryant, Joseph D. (August 9, 2007) "City inspector running for mayor." Birmingham News.
• Bryant, Joseph D. (August 21, 2007) "West End's Hendrix running for mayor." Birmingham News.
• "Candidates for Birmingham mayor report campaign contributions." (August 26, 2007) Birmingham News.
• Bryant, Joseph D. (September 2, 2007) "Hopefuls have just weeks to win votes." Birmingham News.
• Ruisi, Anne (September 14, 2007) "Schools, spending concern 7 hopefuls at forum." Birmingham News.
• Bryant, Joseph D. (September 19, 2007) "School system woes set tone for debate." Birmingham News.
• Bryant, Joseph D. (September 20, 2007) "Kincaid, Bell joust, charge hypocrisy, lack of character." Birmingham News.
• Singleton, William C. III (September 25, 2007) "Crime is top issue at eastern-area mayoral forum." Birmingham News.
• Ruisi, Anne (September 26, 2007) "Mayoral candidates talk landmarks." Birmingham News.
• Ruisi, Anne (September 27, 2007) "Mayoral candidates discuss education, economy, crime." Birmingham News
• Coman, Victoria L. (September 28, 2007) "Students fire off questions to candidates for mayor." Birmingham News.
• Coman, Victoria L. (September 28, 2007) "Mayoral candidates eye city development." Birmingham News.
• Wolfson, Hannah and Joseph D. Bryant (September 28, 2007) "Crime on candidates' minds, but there may be no easy fix." Birmingham News.
• Bryant, Joseph D. (September 29, 2007) "Candidates for mayor get an earful from residents." Birmingham News.
• Spencer, Thomas (September 30, 2007) "Langford leads in mayor poll." Birmingham News.
• Norris, Toraine (October 2, 2007) "Mayoral forum focuses on crime, education." Birmingham News.

External links

• Election coverage at The Terminal
• Election coverage from the Birmingham News
• Election coverage at Birmingham View
• League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham website