Birmingham city council and school board races heats up a week before election day

"Birmingham city council and school board races heats up a week before decision day, with voters making harsh opinions and many still undecided."

With less mainstream media coverage of Birmingham local municipal elections, who is left to drive the voters to the polls on election day? Will it be the talk show hosts like Frank Matthews, Shelia Smoot, DJ Woo, Gary Richardson, Ron January, Bob Freidman and etc., or would it be the voters that has concerns with whom is running as a candidate seeking to bring change?

As I have travel throughout Birmingham nine districts over the past few weeks, the voters are talking more so making opinions about the candidates and the change that the Magic City needs. Some is saying that Birmingham has lost it's "MAGIC", has it really? The voters and citizens are crying out about the poor leadership, corruptions charges of the current mayor and the lack of ideas to move Birmingham forward.

Here is a break down of the feed back that I am getting from the voters and constituents throughout the nine districts in Birmingham.

District 1 - In District 1 many of the voters in District 1 is highly upset with the leadership of the incumbent Joel Montgomery, many believe that he is out of touch with the neighborhoods and the entire district except his consignment shop on Center point Parkway. Oh you'll don't let me mention Mrs. LaShunda Scales a returning challenger who was defeated four years ago by the incubment, they hate this woman out there, many believe that she is making false promises and running of photo opts with Magic Johnson. I even heard some say that she just don't connect with the community. Oh, this past couple of days Roderick "Coach" Jackson, oh my - their opinions about this guy if off the chain ---lol. One voter told me that he is running again this year just because of a lawsuit he filed against the school system as a coach, which he thinks that makes him qualified to be elected, this is interested. Now here is a little bit of news, Mrs. Betty Cannon Corna have anyone heard of this woman from out there in nowhere, oh somewhere in District 1? Voters believe she entered the race to split the white votes with Montgomery the incumbent. When I listen to hear speak at forums she sounds great but no real agenda for the District, so that kinda scares me too if she's elected. However I haven't heard much of harsh opinions about Brandon McCray, Chris Cummings.These guys are making some noise touting change. The voters seems to like the fresh new look of a young business owner of Brandon McCray. Chris Cumming is making his second run for this same office.

District 1 School Board race - Keith Rice a candidate for school board asks a question why not now? He contends that the voters should elect him now to the school board. The voters in District one believes that Rice does to much work under the table and not a honest man. Tyrone Beltcher an older candidate says his record speaks for him, and the voters should allow him a chance to serve them. However the voters are saying in district 1 that Mr. Beltcher is to old, they are looking for young energized blood. Look out Keith.

District 2 - Well this race got a little bit interesting between incumbent Carol Duncan and Kim Rafferty. Many of the voters believe that Duncan has turned her back on the district especially out near 280 where none of those children attend school in Birmingham. The voters believes that Kim Rafferty is after Carol because of her firing when she was Carol administrative assistant, what was that all about - I don't know? Voters are also giving good opinions about Pastor Lawerence Conaway. They believe that he would bring christian values to the table and restore a district that is broken. Don't count Rolanda Hollis out she has received the endorsement of Birmingham former mayor Richard Arrington and the NJCCC. Also Al Rutledge and Yawntershia Coleman is making some noise, Rutledge claims its the same ole same ole, and Coleman is trying to push the young voters and saids its time for more small and retail businesses.

District 3 - Howard Bayless is giving Valerie Abbott a run for her money in this race, both candidates has done a great job in raising campaign cash. The difference in this race is that Bayless believes it time for change on the city council, and Abbott believes in the status quo. Don't forget about little Wil Taylor Jones a 21 year old who making some noise, this young man has a great message about crime, public safety and connecting the district. Bayless is expected to do very well in the south side gay community, Abbott is pushing hard to bring out the African American votes in her favor.

District 4- Parker, Agee, Lumpkin and Walker to square off on Tuesday. I personally believe that Parker is a humble servant on the City Council, she's quiet and she never engage in the bickering on that City Council downtown. I admire her for that. However her challengers says she is not doing enough in her first term as councilwoman, that the district needs more work.

The voters out there in District 4 has great opinions about Maxine Parker, so I believe she will retain her council seat on the council for another four year term.

District 5- Hendricks, Austin, Davis, Floyd and Williams all says it's time for a change in District 5 and the Birmingham City Council. Let's begin with Hendricks, who is seeking to return to the city council and is touting his experience in his pass tenure on the council. Jonathan Austin says the voters should keep him on the council so he can get more done for district 5. What I can say about this guy is that he is nothing but a yes man and rubber stamp for anything. just pay attention to Austin watch the meetings, and you would see him nodding yes to everything. Brandon Davis a newcomer to politics making his first bid for public office, he is pushing a pro business agenda for district 5 downtown area. Floyd who is a neighborhood president says he will bring change to district 5 and the city council, she just wants the residents of the district 5 to give her a chance. Let's watch out for Mr. Charlie Williams which every neighborhood presidents voted number one to fill the vacant seat left open by William Bell to serve on the County Commission. Williams is believe to be pushed into a run-off with Hendricks. The voters in District 5 in liking Williams getting good opinions also they are betting on Hendricks over Austin a sitting Councilman.

District 5 School Board Race - Emaunel Ford and Dannetta Owens is pushing for 1st place. No run-off will be in this race winner takes all on Tuesday. Ford is upset with the current status at the City School Board of Education and Owens who is 70 years old says that she is doing a great job and she should stay on the job.

District 6 - Tyson is taking on incumbent and Council President Carole Smitherman. Tyson is pushing the issues that Smitherman is out of touch and that District 6 zip code of 35211 is one of the most dangerous in America. Smitherman is touting that she is doing a great job to get the district to were it needs to be. I haven't heard much about the other candidates in the race, however they haven't showed up to any of the forums that I attended at least. The voters are liking the approach of Sheila Tyson, I expect a runoff to be held between Smitherman and Tyson.

District 6 - School Board race Antwon Womack hits the news with reports of falsifying information to make himself look good. Birmingham news broke the story today and Womack held a press conference at City Hall Downtown at noon to say he is not dropping out the race and the allegations should not be talked about anymore. He admits that he did something wrong but he is asking for forgiveness. Womack is facing Gwendolyn Bell, incumbent Willie Maye and Philemon Hill on Tuesday, let's see how far Womack make it.

District 7 - the late councilwoman Miram Weatherspoon past away while in office early this year, leaving a vacant council seat to fill with a table of full of candidates but on two will advance to a run-off and then one will take all. I will not comment on all candidates in this race its so many. Jay Roberson a candidate to replace Weatherspoon is seen as the front runner in this race, but watch out for Mrs. Ernestine Williams also a second time challenger.

District 8 - Incumbent Steven Hoyt a minister, is seeking another term to represent district 8. He is being challenged by two time candidate Gerri Robinson. Hoyt is expected to take this race its only two candidates, so only one will take it all come Tuesday.

District 9 - This is another district that is crowded and hot, so many challengers has qualified to take on the incumbent Roderick Royal. The voters in this district is really dis-satisfied with Royal. William Barnes is making his second run a more progressive run this time around, also Leroy Bandy is making another run. Another candidate running is James Williams who has also received the endorsement of the former mayor Richard Arrington and the NJCCC, will this endorsement really help Williams on Tuesday. Well we shall see, keep your eyes on this race. Because it is surely one that is headed to an runoff.

Keep checking back to the Political Beacon for more information and coverage of the upcoming elections on Tuesday, August 25, 2009. Be sure to get out and vote, also encourage your neighbors, family and friends to cast that most important right of their lives and that's voting. It has been a pleasure to travel around Birmingham and report back to you on the happenings around town.

Email me if you have comments about this article and I will respond as soon as possible.

Brandon McCray the right choice for change in Birmingham first district

Brandon Mikal McCray a young small business owner makes his first bid for public office with an common sense agenda. In his bid for City Council District 1 in Birmingham, AL, Mr. McCray believes that it's time for change, a change that will bring the City of Birmingham back to the fore front.

Brandon McCray has stood out in the last few months and weeks on his agenda for change. He has focused on economic development, community development and bringng basic services and a better quality of life back to the people of district 1.

What I like about Brandon is that he is very down to earth and community minded. He don't leave out the people, he always include the people in all his thoughts and plans. That's why I believe that Brandon McCray would be a great councilman for District 1.

I just can't see any of the others representing the district, without addressing the needs of the people and sharing their concerns. I haven't heard no other candidate in District talk about the needs of the people and the values of District 1 like Brandon McCray. Brandon has really addressed the issues of District 1.

Take a look at your candidates that's running and ask yourself, is this candidate feeling me? Do that candidate sound like me? Have that candidate answered my questions and concerns?

Neither the Incumbent Joel Montgomery, or the challengers such as LaShunda Scales, Roderick Jackson, Chris Cummings, or Betty Cannon Corna has shared their views on the values of District 1. It's not about getting elected to have an title or get to city hall to continue the bickering and poor leadership or create a pathway to higher office, but its about representing the people and doing it well and honestly.

Trust is important and accountability is a must, on Tuesday August 25, 2009, please go out to the polls and vote for new leadership.

Governor Blagojevich ousted from office

The Illinois state senate on today convicted Governor Rod Blagojevich of abuse of power, removing him from office amid charges that he tried to sell the U.S. Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama. Not only did they remove him from office, they also put for a motion and voted to disqualify him from holding politicial office in the future in the State of Illinois.

The entire senate body voted to remove the Governor by a 59-0 vote. Gov. Blagojevich did make his appereance before the senate to make his plea and case that he was innocent. However I find it hard to believe the criminally charged Governor of any words that he is outputing to try and substain his innocent.

Now that the ousted Governor is removed from office, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn will officially become Governor and move the State of Illinois forward.

Our 44th President - President Barack Obama

Barack Obama was sworn in Tuesday as the 44th president and called on the nation to put aside greed, irresponsibility and "our collective failure to make hard choices" and turn back the "raging storms" of war and recession.

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics," Mr. Obama said. "The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit, to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

Mr. Obama stood opposite the Lincoln Memorial where 45 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. called upon the nation to judge people by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. A strong, biting wind had the waving American flag two balconies above the ceremony taut and the crowd shivering.

At exactly noon, by law, Mr. Obama became president, the first African-American to hold the office in history. It wasn't until five minutes later, that the new president placed his hand on the Bible once used by Abraham Lincoln, and using his full name, Barack Hussein Obama, swore to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

Mr. Obama, acknowledged the special significance of the moment for a nation where race has provided a historic and often painful subtext. Mr. Obama, the son of a Kenyan father who once herded goats, has often said that in no other country on earth would his life story be possible. On Tuesday, he linked his father's immigrant story to the legacy of segregation experienced by many of the thousands of African-Americans who came from around the country to witness his inauguration.

"A man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a sacred oath," Mr. Obama said.

"Because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace," he said.

Now that we have a new president, that stands with history. I really believe that "Change Is On The Way".

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Bush 43rd President departs Washington

After heading to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony, the Bushes welcomed Obama and his wife, Michelle, to the White House. The Bushes, the Obamas, Vice President-elect Joe Biden, his wife, Jill, and leaders of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies had coffee in the Blue Room.

From the Capitol, Bush took a helicopter to Andrews Air Force Base, where he made private remarks inside a hangar.

The Bushes then flew to Midland, Texas, on the familiar blue-and-white presidential aircraft, although it will be called Special Air Mission 28000 instead of Air Force One because Bush is no longer president. While the inauguration frenzy continues in Washington, thousands of well-wishers are expected to greet the Bushes at Centennial Plaza in Midland — the same place the president stopped on his way to the nation's capital for his own inauguration in 2001. While Bush was born in New Haven, Conn., he spent his childhood in Midland. He returned there as an adult in the 1970s and met the future first lady.

After the rally, the Bushes are flying to Waco, Texas, on their way to their 1,600-acre ranch in nearby Crawford.

Former President Bush also left a note for our new President Obama in the oval office.