A look back at all things and people and events 2009 …

Video: Mary Buckelew gets probation
instead of jail time: “Justice was served today.”

Nov. 2 | Our Vote 2009 resumed coverage as a special election for mayor of Birmingham was set. As each of the 14 candidates announced, as each forum and town hall emerged, we had the info. And still, the campaign continues …

Nov. 3 | Birmingham looks to Austin for a way to spur badly needed economic development. Can the city and the Birmingham Business Alliance match the Texas metropolis’ success?

Nov. 4 | Do Birmingham’s nonprofit organizations and their volunteers deserve awards? YP Roundtable thinks so, but we call it “selfishly egotistically uncharitable.”

Nov. 6 | A Wade on Birmingham exclusive: How Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival went from being in debt to $20,000 in the black. All it took was budget cuts, fast fund-raising and more ticket sales.

Nov. 6 | ABC’s “Supernanny” visits Hayden to help a family of five with discipline problems. One household down, many many more to go.

Nov. 12 | Speaking of discipline … Former Jefferson County Commission president Mary Buckelew escaped with a slap on the wrist, or 3 years probation and $20,000 fine for lying to a grand jury. She had faced 12 to 18 months in prison.

Nov. 18 | HealthSouth chief executive officer Jay Grinney says the way forward for the city and county is combined government, along with the Birmingham Business Alliance’s economic development plan. He was a keynote speaker at the Birmingham Economic Summit.

Nov. 18 | Birmingham took a big bite out of crime in 2009, with a 12 percent drop in the first three quarters. Despite the effort, the city still placed seventh nationally in city crime rankings.

Nov. 23 | Campaign oddity exhibit A: “Cooper Rap.” Exhibit B: Candidate arrested for disorderly conduct at a bar.

Nov. 24 | A council coup, of sorts. Roderick Royal becomes incoming city council’s new president and interim mayor, ending Carole Smitherman’s short tenure.

Nov. 30 | Two calendars, A Picture of Health and Brave Beauties, raise money for charity. Two weeks later, the cover model for “A Picture of Health” died from ovarian cancer.

See all of our November coverage.

• • •

Haiku flashback

the iron bowl in 17 syllables (Nov. 26)

Tradition, empty
malls, rivalry, crimson white,
orange blue, braggin’ rights.

• • •

365 days of Birmingham’s best and worst: Wade on 2009

A look back at all things and people and events 2009 …

Video: The Birmingham Museum of Art
unveils “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Oct. 1 | The Birmingham Museum of Art showed its new exhibit, “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,” to the media. We gave you a sneak peek. Heads up: The exhibit closes in 10 days …

Oct. 6 | This site turned 4. We remembered. On time.

Oct. 6 | One in seven registered voters showed up for the city runoff election. We almost counted the votes by hand. The new city council and board of education is set, but not without controversy weeks later, with political maneuverings for the presidency of both bodies.

Oct. 9 | This site became a nominee for Birmingham’s Best 2009 in the Local Web Site category. Our plea for no votes is a raging success, as we finish as a runner-up.

Oct. 19 | We begin daily coverage of The Trial of Larry Langford, as Birmingham’s mayor has his day in Tuscaloosa federal court. Wade on Birmingham covers the trial on this site and through a special Twitter account, including live coverage on Day 5.

Oct. 20 | Arrest warrants are issued for two City Stages officials, George McMillan (at left) and Denise Koch, for bad checks. And the band played on.

Oct. 25 | HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy was back in town answering questions about his assets to help repay the $2.87 billion fine for a civil suit. You have to read it to believe it.

Oct. 28 | Birmingham mayor Larry Langford is convicted on 60 counts of bribery, money laundering, fraud and conspiracy. It brings an abrupt end to his 2 years in office, a term marked by hubris, financial woes and hypocrisy. Langford’s conviction turns council president Carole Smitherman into interim mayor, the first woman to hold the office.

Oct. 29 | We review Chris Thile jamming with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

Oct. 30 | One of Birmingham’s biggest sporting events, the Magic City Classic, saw Alabama A&M defeat Alabama State in the 68th match. More than 55,000 fans attended, and we had the preview.

See all of our October coverage.

• • •

Haiku flashback

birmingham renewed: baby steps (Oct. 30)

Who we are as a
city comes not from who leads
but who does the work.

• • •

365 days of Birmingham’s best and worst: Wade on 2009

Call it old school vs. new school.

William Bell, the Jefferson County Commissioner who ran twice for mayor, and Patrick Cooper, the attorney who ran once, will have 6 weeks to convince Birmingham voters before the Jan. 19 runoff.

In today’s race, unofficial results show Cooper (shown at near left) led handily with 40.1 percent, or 13,992 votes, while Bell (far left) came in second with 25.1 percent, or 8,752 votes.

City council member Carole Smitherman finished third with 18.8 percent, and attorney Emory Anthony came in fourth with 12.4 percent.

The 26 percent turnout today was down from 45 percent in 2007.

Fourteen candidates entered the race, but Ernie Dunn died before Election Day. The special election was held to replace convicted former mayor Larry Langford. Cooper or Bell would serve less than 2 years, until the next election in 2011.

Note: Numbers updated as results come in.

What’s your prediction? Will it be Bell or Cooper come January?

• • •

More Vote 2009 coverage.

Birmingham to choose from 13 candidates Tuesday

For the third time this year, Birmingham voters will visit the polls. Tuesday’s special election focuses on mayor, an office suddenly open after Larry Langford’s federal conviction in October.

We have found that 6 weeks is barely enough time to have an election, much less evaluate more than a dozen candidates.

Even though the winner will hold office for less than 2 years before the next election, much is riding on the outcome.

For starters, the city is in jeopardy. Bernard Kincaid seemed glacial in doing anything to move Birmingham forward. That stasis seems preferable to the rapid plunge into financial chaos and political embarrassment wreaked in just 2 short years by Larry Langford.

His reign of error ended only with the say of 12 jurors. But City Hall is in shambles, as is the public trust.

We’re building a dome, renovating Fair Park Arena and beginning to successfully fight crime. And yet, the budget has been criminally neglected (and perhaps, deliberately fudged). Carole Smitherman spent less than a month as interim mayor before the newly seated council tapped Roderick Royal as council president, thus taking over the interim mayoral duties.

In short, much confusion, little time and wary voters.

‘The candidates have failed
to distinguish themselves.’

The candidates have failed to distinguish themselves. The much heralded Patrick Cooper has raised (and spent) a lot of cash, but by doing so seems to be influenced by out-of-town interests. He missed high-profile forums, which has the odor of the artful dodge. While he made a splash in 2007 by receiving almost 30 percent of the vote, Cooper has done little since then to demonstrate his capacity for leadership.

With Smitherman and William Bell, we have two seasoned politicians who have served as interim mayor, albeit briefly, and lost in a combined five campaigns for the top office. Smitherman, a self-described mother figure, voted with Langford on many budget busters and wants to continue his projects, even as the city goes broke.

Bell, who picked up Langford’s unsolicited endorsement, also seems enmeshed in old school ways, both in campaigning and in office. He needs to continue and finish his work on the Jefferson County Commission: fixing its $3 billion sewer debt calamity.

Steven Hoyt is serving in his second term on council and recently was voted president pro tempore under questionable circumstances (the new acting mayor Royal voted, even though he was not allowed). When given the chance to fix things, he declined. Imagine what he’d do with real power.

Scott Douglas, one of the outsiders, has a good record of service to the city. And while his green platform might work in a more progressive and more solvent city, he seems to have no solution on getting the city’s finances back on track.

Emory Anthony ran twice against longtime mayor Richard Arrington in the early 1990s and lost. The defense attorney wants to bring the city’s finances in order, with transparency and accountability. The question is: Can he back it up?

We aren’t certain. We’re picking a mayor at gunpoint Tuesday, and chances are, we’ll still end up taking a bullet or two.

• • •

Voting takes place from 7 a.m. till 7 p.m. A runoff, if needed, will take place Jan. 19.

Q: Where do I vote?

A: The answer is a call away. Jefferson County: 325-5550.

Or try AlabamaVotes.gov and click on “Search for My Polling Place.”

Join us Tuesday for election results
on Wade on Birmingham.

Remember, if you have problems at your polling place:

• Notify a poll worker immediately.
• Obtain a complaint/evaluation form (or download jpgs of pages 1 and 2). Print it, fill it out, copy and mail it.
• Call the state attorney general at 1-800-831-8814 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Wednesday or fill out this online form.
• Call the secretary of state at 1-800-274-VOTE (8683) or visit her site, StopVoterFraudNow.com.
• And tell the probate court for Jefferson County (325-5203).
• Leave a comment below.

Q. Who’s running for mayor?

A. The 13 candidates …

Emory Anthony	William Bell	T.C. Cannon	Patrick Cooper
Scott Douglas	Steven Hoyt	Stephannie Huey	Edith Mayomi
Carole Smitherman	Jimmy Snow	Jason Sumners	Jody Trautwein
Harry “Traveling Shoes” Turner

Note: Ernie Dunn died on Thursday.

Also:

• Birmingham News editorial board endorsement: “(Emory) Anthony brings a regional approach to governing that has been in far too short supply.”
• Kyle Whitmire of the Birmingham Weekly on the financial crisis: “Few candidates in the special-called mayoral election have demonstrated an understanding of what faces the city.”
• One blogger’s take? None of the above.
• Patrick Cooper leads fund-raising, but also campaign debt.
• Pavo Magazine podcast discusses the candidates.
  [audio:http://www.pavomag.com/sites/default/files/audio/Mayoral%20Race%2012_2_09%20Edit%201.mp3]

Are you voting? Who has your vote? Vote in the poll above, and leave a comment below.

• • •

More Vote 2009 coverage.

Among Birmingham’s mayoral candidates is Carole Smitherman, attorney and member of the city council.

Video: CBS 42 interview

More video interviews with all the candidates will be added daily. Election Day is Tuesday.

• • •

More Vote 2009 coverage.

Birmingham mayoral town hall: from left,
Emory Anthony, William Bell and Scott Douglas.

Five candidates for mayor of Birmingham came to Tuesday’s town hall. The event, sponsored by progressive young professional group Catalyst, took place at WorkPlay before hundreds of attendees.

Topics ranged from the budget to the arts to local food, with questions from audience members and the moderator.

The participants:

• Emory Anthony;
• William Bell;
• Scott Douglas;
• Steven Hoyt;
• Carole Smitherman.

(Organizers invited Patrick Cooper, who did not attend citing previous commitments. At the beginning of the event, T.C. Cannon asked to participate but was denied.)

From left, Steven Hoyt, Carole Smitherman
and moderator Natalie Davis.

Included below are audio clips of the candidates’ responses.

1. Candidate introductions
Order: Anthony, Bell, Douglas, Hoyt, Smitherman.
[15 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-1.mp3]

Moderator questions

2. Fixing the city’s financial mess
Order: Bell, Douglas, Hoyt, Smitherman, Anthony.
[9 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-2.mp3]

3. Where to cut city budget
Order: Douglas, Hoyt, Smitherman, Anthony, Bell.
[4 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-3.mp3]

4. What do you want to be your biggest accomplishment in 2 years as mayor?
Order: Hoyt, Smitherman, Anthony, Bell, Douglas.
[5 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-4.mp3]

Audience questions

5. How can the mayor facilitate partnerships among families, schools and communities?
Order: Smitherman, Hoyt, Douglas, Bell, Anthony.
[7 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-5.mp3]

6. Air pollution
Order: Hoyt, Douglas, Bell, Anthony, Smitherman.
[7 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-6.mp3]

7. Supporting local food initiatives / community gardens
Order: Douglas, Bell, Anthony, Smitherman, Hoyt.
[6 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-7.mp3]

8. Arts funding
Order: Bell, Anthony, Smitherman, Hoyt, Douglas.
[5 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-8.mp3]

9. Making it a “Magic City” / attracting young people
Order: Anthony, Bell, Douglas, Hoyt, Smitherman.
[6 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-9.mp3]

10. If you don’t win, how will you make Birmingham better during the next 2 years?
Order: Bell, Douglas, Hoyt, Smitherman, Anthony.
[6 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-10.mp3]

11. Closing statements
Order: Douglas, Hoyt, Smitherman, Anthony, Bell.
[9 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-11.mp3]

Also: a town hall report from the Birmingham News.

The election takes place Dec. 8.

• • •

More Vote 2009 coverage.

The Birmingham Business Alliance put on a mayoral forum Monday at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Nine candidates answered questions submitted ahead of time and from the moderators on economic development.

About 150 people attended the nighttime event at the Alabama School of Fine Arts.

The participants:

• William Bell;
• T.C. Cannon;
• Steven Hoyt;
• Stephannie Sigler Huey;
• Edith Mayomi;
• Carole Smitherman;
• Jason Sumners;
• Jody Trautwein;
• Harry “Traveling Shoes” Turner.

Included below are audio clips of the candidates’ responses.

1. Candidate introductions (up to 60 seconds each)
Order: Cannon, Bell, Hoyt, Huey, Mayomi, Smitherman, Sumners, Trautwein, Turner.
[10 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/MayoralForum11-30-09Part1/MayoralForum11-30-09Part1.mp3]

2. How to encourage entrepreneurship and small business development (up to 90 seconds each)
Order: Bell, Hoyt, Huey, Mayomi, Smitherman, Sumners, Trautwein, Turner, Cannon.
[12 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/MayoralForum11-30-09Part2/MayoralForum11-30-09Part2.mp3]

3. How to attract and retain young professionals
Order: Hoyt, Huey, Mayomi, Smitherman, Sumners, Trautwein, Turner, Cannon, Bell.
[13 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralForum11-30-09Part3-9/MayoralForum11-30-09Part3.mp3]

4. Candidates’ financial experience
Order: Huey, Mayomi, Smitherman, Sumners, Trautwein, Turner, Cannon, Bell, Hoyt.
[12 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralForum11-30-09Part3-9/MayoralForum11-30-09Part4.mp3]

5. Move forward with domed stadium?
Order: Mayomi, Smitherman, Sumners, Trautwein, Turner, Cannon, Bell, Hoyt, Huey.
[13 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralForum11-30-09Part3-9/MayoralForum11-30-09Part5.mp3]

6. Airport expansion
Order: Smitherman, Sumners, Trautwein, Turner, Cannon, Bell, Hoyt, Huey, Mayomi.
[12 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralForum11-30-09Part3-9/MayoralForum11-30-09Part6.mp3]

7. Legion Field (up to 30 seconds each)
Order: Sumners, Trautwein, Turner, Cannon, Bell, Hoyt, Huey, Mayomi, Smitherman.
[3 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralForum11-30-09Part3-9/MayoralForum11-30-09Part7.mp3]

8. City takeover of Birmingham school system?
Order: Trautwein, Turner, Cannon, Bell, Hoyt, Huey, Mayomi, Smitherman, Sumners.
[5 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralForum11-30-09Part3-9/MayoralForum11-30-09Part8.mp3]

9. Support Gov. Riley’s plan for turning U.S. 280 into toll road?
Order: Turner, Cannon, Bell, Hoyt, Huey.
(Due to technical error, audio ends without 30-second responses made by Mayomi, Smitherman, Sumners and Trautwein.)
[2 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralForum11-30-09Part3-9/MayoralForum11-30-09Part9.mp3]

Also: Birmingham News summary of the forum.

Video: NBC 13 report on the forum

The election takes place Dec. 8.

• • •

More Vote 2009 coverage.

The timeline of mayors …

• Oct. 28, 2009: After less than 2 years in office, Birmingham mayor Larry Langford loses office upon conviction in federal court. City council president Carole Smitherman automatically becomes interim mayor until …
• Today: The new council is sworn in. First task: Pick a council president. The council chooses Roderick Royal over Smitherman, which now makes him interim mayor for the next 2 weeks until …
• Dec. 8: Special election day to pick a new mayor. Since Royal isn’t running, the voters will choose the fourth mayor in 6 weeks.

Whew.

Also, Steven Hoyt was selected council president pro tempore over Johnathan Austin. Hoyt and Smitherman are both running for mayor.

• • •

More Vote 2009 coverage.

A group calling itself the Birmingham Roundtable has scheduled a debate for Dec. 3, but has invited only five of the 14 candidates for mayor.

How did the Roundtable form?

A few weeks ago, a lively debate about the future of Birmingham politics broke out at downtown’s Surin West. The result? A group of young, working Alabamians decided to make their voices heard and organize a debate of the five leading candidates.

This informal group, led by Tracie A. Todd, included young African-American lawyers, grassroots organizers, bankers, teachers, politicians and business professionals. The group has coined itself the Birmingham Roundtable … dedicated to engaging young adults in the political and civic communities.

Birmingham Roundtable mayoral candidate debate

• When: 6 p.m. Dec. 3
• Where: Vulcan Conference Room, Highland Conference Center, 2012 Magnolia Ave. [map]
• Format: debate. Organizers invited Emory Anthony, William Bell, Patrick Cooper, Stephen Hoyt and Carole Smitherman; so far Anthony, Bell and Hoyt have accepted.
• For more information: See the Urbanham.com story or e-mail organizer Tracie A. Todd at tracietodd9@hotmail.com.

Other upcoming forums:

• Nov. 30: Birmingham Business Alliance candidate forum
• Dec. 1: Catalyst 2009 mayoral town hall

The election takes place Dec. 8.

• • •

More Vote 2009 coverage.

Two more candidates are in the race for mayor of Birmingham bringing the total to 14.

• T.C. Cannon — retired bar owner and former president of the Southside neighborhood association. He placed eighth in the 2003 mayoral election.
• William Jason Sumners — no information available.

Also, Natalie Davis, political science professor at Birmingham-Southern College, and André Natta, publisher of the Terminal, discuss the candidates and themes so far in this election.

Here’s the final list of candidates:

• Emory Anthony
• William Bell
• T.C. Cannon (see above)
• Patrick Cooper
• Scott Douglas
• Ernie Dunn
• Steven Hoyt
• Stephannie Sigler Huey
• Edith Mayomi
• Carole Smitherman
• Jimmy Snow
• William Jason Sumners (see above)
• Jody Trautwein
• Harry “Traveling Shoes” Turner

The election takes place Dec. 8.

• • •

More Vote 2009 coverage.

Carole Smitherman, who has been serving as interim mayor for the past 2 weeks, wants a shot at the real thing.

Smitherman announced today her intent to enter the race, after having run unsuccessfully in 2003 and 2007. She said her official announcement is coming, but only after she takes care of more city business.

And she has been busy. As city council president, she automatically became mayor with former mayor Larry Langford’s conviction in October. She fired chief of staff Deborah Vance-Bowie and accepted the resignation of finance director Steve Sayler, all related to the city budget which may be missing $20 million.

Vance-Bowie countered Smitherman’s claim that Vance-Bowie was partially responsible for the city’s budget problems, sharing a series of e-mails between her and Sayler to illustrate Sayler’s lack of cooperation.

Smitherman, an attorney, has served on the council since 2001. Before that, she served as a circuit court judge, municipal court judge and prosecutor for the City of Irondale.

Her candidacy makes for a field of six, including Emory Anthony, Patrick Cooper, Stephannie Huey, Edith Mayomi and Jimmy Snow.

Her campaign site, SmithermanforBirmingham.com, from her 2009 council bid is still online.

The election takes place Dec. 8.

• • •

More Vote 2009 coverage.

With the conviction of Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, a vacancy has emerged at City Hall. (Well, two, but we’ll get to that.)

The city’s election commission has set a special mayoral election for Dec. 8, just 36 days away. Candidates must file by Nov. 18 to qualify.

Who’s on the possible short list? Patrick Cooper, Emory Anthony, Carole Smitherman, Stephen Hoyt, even Richard Arrington. The Birmingham News and Birmingham-Southern political science professor Natalie Davis weigh in.

Meanwhile, several other post-Langford headlines caught our eye today …

• Langford appointee Steve Sayler resigned today. He was the city’s finance director, and was Jefferson County’s finance director under Langford. Acting Mayor Smitherman, who said Sayler didn’t keep the council or the mayor’s office fully informed on city finances during his tenure, has ordered a comprehensive review of the books.
• Langford testified after his election as mayor in 2007 that he’d move to Birmingham. He lied, as unsealed court documents show he maintained two residences, but lived at his Fairfield address. See his full financial disclosure statement.
• A “Free Larry” campaign? Yes, as brought to you by Langford appointee/God’s Gangster Frank Matthews.

More Vote 2009 coverage.

Another Alabamian, Regina Benjamin, wins Senate confirmation as surgeon general

Video: Interim mayor Carole Smitherman promises transparency

With Larry Langford’s automatic removal from office for his federal conviction, Birmingham city council president Carole Smitherman became the interim mayor, making her the first woman to hold the city’s highest office in its 138-year history.

Smitherman, an attorney, ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2003 and 2007. She was the first black woman in Alabama to serve as circuit court judge.

Her term as mayor may be short lived. The newly elected council takes charge Nov. 24, at which point it can select her or someone else as council president/interim mayor. Smitherman has not announced whether she’ll run in the special election for mayor, which will be held within the next 90 days or so.

She released this statement Wednesday, shortly after Langford’s conviction:

It is with a heavy heart that I assume the duties of acting mayor. This is a sad day for my friend, Larry Langford, his family, our city and the state.

Birmingham is a great city known for her ability to use her resources and her people to rise above adversity. Birmingham will prevail. In this time of tribulation, it is imperative that the leadership of this City stands united and ready to deal with our challenges. We must serve the people who elected us and depend upon us.

Tomorrow morning, I will begin meeting with the executive staff of the Mayor’s Office. At 10:00 a.m., we will hold a press conference in Council Chambers at City Hall. I am asking that all my fellow city councilors join me. Tomorrow afternoon, I will meet with other city employees as we plan a seamless transition.

Tonight, I will attend church with my family and visit with my friend, Larry Langford. Tomorrow we will begin the process of moving the city forward.

Thursday, she promised to investigate city finances but also to continue Langford’s projects. She told the media:

“I am deeply aware that you have not elected me as mayor by your ballots, but I fervently hope that you will elect me with your prayers. I did not seek this responsibility, but I will not be intimidated by it.”

Also, this week saw another Alabamian on the rise.

Mobile’s Regina Benjamin was confirmed Thursday by the Senate as the next surgeon general. Sen. Jeff Sessions said in a statement, “The American people will undoubtedly benefit from her knowledge and unwavering dedication to improving the public’s health and wellness.” [See “10 things you didn’t know about surgeon general nominee Dr. Regina Benjamin.”]

What happens to Jefferson County and Birmingham after a leader is convicted of bribery?

The boarded-up windows,
The hustlers and thieves,
While my brother’s down on his knees.

My city of ruins.
My city of ruins.

Come on, rise up!
Come on, rise up!

— “My City of Ruins,” Bruce Springsteen

Like most Southern places, Birmingham has seen its fair share of colorful officials. And former mayor Larry Langford never failed to make waves with his unapologetic brand of leadership during his 32 years as a politician.

But Wednesday, his career ended not with a triumphant exit from office but the bang of a judge’s gavel. Langford was convicted in federal court in Tuscaloosa for bribery, money laundering, fraud and conspiracy, facing up to 805 years in prison for his crimes.

His dwindling base of supporters no doubt found the decision questionable. His vocal opposition cheered at the demise of the reign and the man.

But what is there to cheer?

• Langford’s misdeeds as Jefferson County Commission president all but destroyed what little trust residents had in that body of governance to spend judiciously and to fix the ailing sewer system. The county is billions of dollars in debt in a virtual bankruptcy, and no one has stepped forward with a clear solution on how to stop the bleeding, start the repayments.

• Birmingham must elect a new mayor in just 45 days. Given that voter turnout has dropped to 20 percent or less, given that candidates qualify with very few requirements, it’s easy to see how another problematic pol could end up at the reins.

• The city budget is a mess, requiring acting mayor Carole Smitherman to audit the books thoroughly. Langford did indeed meet his promise to push through ideas to better Birmingham, ideas both simple (paving streets, cleaning up neighborhoods) and outrageous (recruiting the 2020 Olympics, hiring a 13-year-old contractor for $10,000). (Full list of Langford’s initiatives from Bhamwiki.) But he showed little regard for answering questions on proper budget management even in a struggling economy.

Hubris propelled Langford far in his career, and hubris ultimately brought him down. He acted as if other opinions, especially contradictory ones, had zero merit. He bullied when he could have collaborated. He preached humility before God, then proceeded to use his office (then and now) as though anointed with divine power.

Langford alone wasn’t responsible for these tragic results. Who else can we blame?

• Voters, sadly, got the government they deserved. In 2007, Langford’s woes — legal and financial — were publicized during the mayoral election, yet he still won on the first ballot beating nine opponents, including the incumbent.

• His elected colleagues. The Birmingham city council rarely challenged the soundness of his math or his ideas during the last 2 years. His fellow county commissioners ended up entangling themselves in similar criminal activities only to find themselves convicted as well.

• The media. Did the Birmingham News fail in its mission to hold City Hall accountable? Were its editors scared that Langford would play the race card? How did a Pulitzer Prize-winning paper flinch before the mayor had even been sworn in?

Oddly enough, Langford railed against the media after the verdict. Yet when his lawyers asked for a change of venue to get away from Birmingham and possible media contamination of the jury, Langford got his wish. The jury selected was mostly unaware of Langford’s arrest and media attention. Judge Scott Coogler reminded jurors to stay away from newspapers, TV reports and even blogs and tweets regarding the case.

In short, Langford got the trial he wanted, just not the verdict.

He’ll be in jail by early 2010. But the rest of us will remain in a prison of Langford’s misguided design.

Jefferson County, free of Langford’s grip for 2 years, will spend the next 10 years trying to undo the whole sordid mess. The bankruptcy will be the largest in U.S. history, and each one of us will pay dearly for his crimes. Fundamentally, the commission itself remains an odd body, one without a county manager or incentive to fix itself. It just sits there, waiting for a solution to fall from the sky. No such solution is coming, though.

And the City of Birmingham started anew today, with Smitherman meeting with employees and charting a course for her short tenure as mayor. But who will come forward to run this time? The names include Smitherman, runner-up from 2007 attorney Patrick Cooper, previous mayor Bernard Kincaid, county commissioner (and previous mayoral candidate) William Bell and even former four-term mayor Richard Arrington.

The city desperately needs a rare combination of sober stewardship and passionate drive at the helm. We need someone who works with the council, who plays nice with other elected officials, who works on behalf of merchants and residents. That next mayor must make extremely difficult decisions about how to keep crime on the decline, economic development on the rise and the quality of life as an imperative — all with a soon-to-be-revealed accurate budget.

Birmingham has seen its share of dark days, and make no mistake, Wednesday was among its darkest. The fall of a leader reflects not only on him but the good people who put him there and the city he helped divide.

Only together can push Birmingham from the city of perpetual promise to one of real hope and accomplishment and unity.

• • •

Also:

• Birmingham News’ John Archibald: “It is only sadness I feel, now. It is the sadness of corruption.”
• Birmingham News editorial: “His actions represent a tremendous betrayal.”
• Birmingham Blues: “Langford could have taken a deal, and it’s testimony to his near-delusional arrogance that he didn’t.”
• Progressive Electorate: “A man who had so much promise and had so much vision succumbed to power and a unique shopping addiction.”
• Left in Alabama: “Langford was a leader of much promise and great ideas, but he let his own ego and greed get the best of him thus the verdict.”
• Doc’s Political Parlor: “The conviction also leaves what was left of Birmingham’s economic reputation with another black eye.”
• Lee Daily Blog: “Some are saying that Langford’s conviction was a sad day in Birmingham. It was sad only in the sense that it reminded us again of the corruption and dishonesty that has become so common in our city, county state and federal government.”
• Leeds Herald Daily News editorial: “Prosecutor George Martin gave a warning to all elected officials in Jefferson County, that if they are corrupt or considering acts of corruption they should know they will be prosecuted and convicted.”
• Legal Schnauzer: “The most intriguing question that rises in the wake of the Langford prosecution: Where was Mary Buckelew?”
• Roundup of stories from Spitball Army and the Terminal

Complete coverage: The trial of Larry Langford from Wade on Birmingham.

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Jury deliberated less than 2 hours; mayor loses office by conviction

In the Tuscaloosa federal courthouse, Birmingham mayor Larry Langford was found guilty on all 60 counts of of bribery, money laundering, fraud and conspiracy. The jury deliberated less than 2 hours this afternoon before returning a verdict.

The conviction automatically removes Langford from office. Council president Carole Smitherman becomes acting mayor until a special election is held. Valerie Abbott becomes acting council president.

Judge Scott Coogler set Langford’s forfeiture at $241,843; sentencing will take place in early 2010, in 90 to 120 days. Langford, who remains free until then, faces up to 805 years in prison.

Following the trial, Langford said he plans to appeal, adding “We all have our trials, this too will pass.”

Video: Langford chastises Birmingham media after the verdict (3 min.)

While Langford served on the Jefferson County Commission, Montgomery investment banker Bill Blount paid Langford with about $236,000 in cash, jewelry and clothes, sometimes using lobbyist Al LaPierre as a middleman. Blount and LaPierre, who were indicted with Langford, pleaded guilty earlier this year.

Langford, in turn, steered millions of dollars worth of county bond business to Blount’s firm, Blount Parrish. The three passed off the transactions as loans, creating false promissory notes to cover their tracks.

The trial was originally slated for Aug. 31, until Langford’s attorneys successfully petitioned for a change of venue from Birmingham. The next available date in Tuscaloosa was Oct. 19, and the trial has lasted 8 days. Langford was arrested in December 2008.

Langford becomes the fourth county commissioner convicted of sewer-related finances. The others were Mary Buckelew, Chris McNair and Gary White. (A fifth commissioner, Jeff Germany, was convicted of misapplying funds and conspiracy.)

He began as a reporter for WBRC-TV 6, but turned to politics after his election to the Birmingham city council in 1977. He went on to become mayor of Fairfield in 1988, where he pushed for regional cooperation to open the Visionland amusement park (now Alabama Adventure).

Langford started his service on the Jefferson County commission in 2002, and soon became commission president. He entered office with the county already $1 billion in debt in sewer-related bills.

In 2007, he became mayor of Birmingham. He also worked as public relations director for Birmingham Budweiser. (Full bio at BhamWiki.)

His conviction ends his 32-year political career.

Video: Langford’s media conference after the verdict (20 min.)

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What do you think of the verdict? Birmingham’s future? Share your thoughts in the comments, please.

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Illustration by Herman Henderson