Jess Lanier: Difference between revisions
(New page: '''Jess "Big Daddy" Lanier''' (born c. 1909 in Lauderdale County - died June 20, 1978) was a former mayor of Bessemer. Lanier, a former minor league player for the Decatur...) |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
Lanier, a former minor league player for the Decatur Rinky-Dinks, moved to Bessemer in [[1942]] and founded a radio station. He made his first run for mayor in [[1954]], losing to [[Jap Bryant]] by 27 votes. When Bryant died two years later, Lanier won a special election to fill the vacancy. He kept the job through four more terms for a total of 18 years. During that time the city constructed new police and street department buildings as well as three fire stations, a hospital, a municipal golf course and five schools. | Lanier, a former minor league player for the Decatur Rinky-Dinks, moved to Bessemer in [[1942]] and founded a radio station. He made his first run for mayor in [[1954]], losing to [[Jap Bryant]] by 27 votes. When Bryant died two years later, Lanier won a special election to fill the vacancy. He kept the job through four more terms for a total of 18 years. During that time the city constructed new police and street department buildings as well as three fire stations, a hospital, a municipal golf course and five schools. | ||
In [[1962]] Lanier pushed for a bill in the Alabama legislature to divide [[Jefferson County]] in two, with the [[Bessemer Cutoff]] forming a new county. | In [[1962]] Lanier pushed for a bill in the Alabama legislature to divide [[Jefferson County]] in two, with the [[Bessemer Cutoff]] forming a new county. He served as a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of [[1964]] and [[1972]]. | ||
Lanier died in [[1978]] following surgery for a malignant tumor. [[Jess Lanier High School]], [[Jess Lanier Manor]], and the [[Jess Lanier Building]] at [[Bessemer State Technical College]] were all named in his honor. | Lanier died in [[1978]] following surgery for a malignant tumor. [[Jess Lanier High School]], [[Jess Lanier Manor]], and the [[Jess Lanier Building]] at [[Bessemer State Technical College]] were all named in his honor. | ||
Revision as of 12:12, 12 October 2008
Jess "Big Daddy" Lanier (born c. 1909 in Lauderdale County - died June 20, 1978) was a former mayor of Bessemer.
Lanier, a former minor league player for the Decatur Rinky-Dinks, moved to Bessemer in 1942 and founded a radio station. He made his first run for mayor in 1954, losing to Jap Bryant by 27 votes. When Bryant died two years later, Lanier won a special election to fill the vacancy. He kept the job through four more terms for a total of 18 years. During that time the city constructed new police and street department buildings as well as three fire stations, a hospital, a municipal golf course and five schools.
In 1962 Lanier pushed for a bill in the Alabama legislature to divide Jefferson County in two, with the Bessemer Cutoff forming a new county. He served as a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1964 and 1972.
Lanier died in 1978 following surgery for a malignant tumor. Jess Lanier High School, Jess Lanier Manor, and the Jess Lanier Building at Bessemer State Technical College were all named in his honor.
References
- "Bessemer's Jess Lanier High School is named after a former Bessemer mayor; Internet petition circulating requesting new high school retain that name." (October 12, 2008) Birmingham News