A look at Birmingham in videos …

Vlogging from Ghost Train Brewing Company in Lakeview. From MeduNerd.

•

UAB-based dance team Birmingham’s Blazin’ Bhangra performs. Members: Mayank Patel, Karan Patel, Clay Freeman, Mohit Limdi and Jacob Rozycki. From Karan Patel.

•

Birmingham police transport the body of Sgt. Wytasha Carter to the coroner’s office. Carter was shot in the line of duty earlier this month outside of 4 Seasons Bar and Grill in Smithfield. From P Johnson.

•

Birmingham comedian Mrs. V (a k a Valencia Johnson) performs in December at New Birth Family Church in Killbough Springs. From Edward Johnson.

•

Atlanta band Momentum performs in December at the Thomas Jefferson Tower downtown. From Teddybear Entertainment and Music Services.

•

How to get to BJCC events downtown while I-20/59 is under construction. From the BJCC.

•

Volunteers tend Shadow Lawn Memorial Gardens, a historically black cemetery in Mason City. From Dee Jackson.

•

TV One’s Roland Martin on the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s rescinding of its award to activist Angela Davis (at 47:00). From Roland S. Martin.

•

Bernard Nomberg of the Nomberg Law Firm talks with Richard A. Rice of the Rice Firm about workers’ compensation. From the Nomberg Law Firm.

•

Promo for Shuttlesworth Law Firm in Green Springs, Homewood. From Shuttlesworth Law Firm LLC.

•

Wake Forest’s Spirit of the Old Gold and Black marching band having fun at December’s Birmingham Bowl. From Anthony Tang.

•

Highlights from the Monster Jam Triple Threat Series earlier this month at Legacy Arena downtown. From Monster Jam.

More highlights, including EarthShaker. From Santa Nuhfo Vanchy.

•

Birmingham singers Big Ro Williams and Mose Stovall perform “Born Alabama” in December at Boutwell Auditorium downtown. From Trellsgirl01.

•

Giving a tour of a UAB dorm room. From Sydney Burrows.

•

Train near downtown. From Birmingham-Rail Productions.

•

Mobile’s WKRG-5 report on Via Airlines new nonstop flights between Birmingham and Mobile. From WKRG.

•

The Grand Atrium at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover. From VerticalMars1.

•

Following the Birmingham chapter of the Nation of Islam. From OTTV25 DA8TV.

•

WIAT-42 report on the death of former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford. From CBS 42.

•

Imogene Powell of Brasfield and Gorrie inducted into the Alabama Construction Hall of Fame. From Alabama AGC.

Duane Watson of WatsonBruhn General Contractors inducted. From Alabama AGC.

Marzette Fisher of ArchitectureWorks inducted. From Alabama AGC.

•

“Elf” or “Home Alone”? From 45 Inc. Birmingham.

And favorite Christmas tradition? From 45 Inc. Birmingham.

•

Elevator at Hampton Inn in Leeds. From TJ Elevator Fan.

•

Montgomery rock band Barrens performs in June at Brennan’s Irish Pub in Five Points South. From Barrens Music.

•

Driver stuck on I-65 downtown films traffic jam (our vertical video of the week). From K Hawk.

•

Ohio mathcore band From a Second Story Window performs in 2003 at Cave 9 on Southside. From Nicks2319.

•

Performing “Your Favorite Rapper.” From ĀJŌ.

•

Da Hood Preacher performs at Kelly Ingram Park downtown (our other vertical video of the week). From Da Hood Preacher a k a Rev. Dr. Jerry Hunter, Jr.

•

Drone footage of Liberty Park. From Bill Watters Photography.

•

The 2015 Magic City Classic at Legion Field. From Alex Hines.

•

Highlights from December’s Digi.City Connects Birmingham roundtable earlier this month at Innovation Depot downtown. From Digi.City.

•

Smiles at Miami Fusion Cafe downtown. From Arielbriana.

•

Kimy Kennedy previews a Mountain Brook estate sale. From Birmingham Estate Sales.

•

A race at the CrossPlex in Five Points West. From Anthony_ king793.

•

An anti-abortion march earlier this month on Southside. From Frederick Pogorzelski.

•

Hockey: Birmingham Bulls at Knoxville Ice Bears earlier this month, with an overtime finish. From Kyle Knell.

Macon’s WMAZ-13 report on the Bulls at Macon Mayhem earlier this month. From 13WMAZ.

•

Walking through the Birmingham Zoo. From VerticalMars1.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

Birmingham mayor Larry Langford once led a prayer rally to
fight crime, dressed in a sackcloth. The city’s prayers for
strong leadership have apparently gone unanswered.

•

Get the full version of this essay in our free ebook.
Details at the end.

•

Leadership is tough.

A leader can do everything right and still fall off a cliff, taking everyone with him. I’ve dropped off that perch time and again, both as leader and follower.

The absence of strong leadership has left Birmingham listless, mired in potential and indecision. Few are willing to risk their own necks for the good of the city and the region.

Ironically, the influence of strong leadership has also damaged Birmingham. In politics, Larry Langford bullied his way through half-baked ideas and get-rich schemes as president of the Jefferson County Commission and mayor of Fairfield and Birmingham. In business, Richard Scrushy built national powerhouse HealthSouth and then let his greed nearly destroy the company.

Perhaps we shy away from such alpha types because we’ve been burned again and again. Perhaps we feel stuck with the limited choices before us.

The progress Birmingham has made has been in spite of, not because of, its leadership. We’ve made baby steps, but when compared to other Southern cities of similar size, we’re falling behind.

That lack of progress stems, in part, from Birmingham’s conservative nature. Not in the sense of big-blue-dot-in-a-red-state politics, but in the taking-chances-on-even-middle-of-the-road-ideas-is-scary sense. A determined leader would have at least a couple of options, either sell everyone on the idea or barrel through regardless of buy-in.

I’ve done both. I understand that great reward is almost always worth the tiny risk, though the perception may be that the risk is enormous and the reward is negligible. The real equation for me is that the fear of regret is much bigger than the fear of failure.

The leadership vacuum isn’t merely holding Birmingham back, but actively demolishing it from within. One of the city’s crown jewels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is in the middle of a crisis.

President Ray Watts has transformed from harmless nobody into Public Enemy No. 1. The governing bodies for the faculty, the undergrads and the grad students have voted no confidence in him. And yet, he still stands, a tolerable mess, it appears.

We not only tolerate awful leaders, we promote them. The corporate citizenry has made its priorities clear: As long as their egos and their bank accounts are well served, any lackey will do.

What distresses me most in dealing with Birmingham’s leaders is lack of humility, this overwhelming sense of entitlement to power and money. A little chutzpah is necessary in any accomplished person, but too much poisons the spirit.

An antidote does exist. I first heard about servant leadership from meteorologist James Spann during one of his talks. What stuck with me was not only the concept, but also how he embodies it. James will admit his weaknesses and mistakes, and then apologize for them. He’s trying, and he’s willing to fail.

That is impressive. That, sadly, is all too rare.

The best future for Birmingham is strong leadership. We must insist upon it, though our options are few. We must support it and hold it accountable.

And, at times, we must take it upon ourselves. Tough as it may be, we cannot wait forever.

• • •

The full version of this essay and many more are available in the free ebook, “The Future of Birmingham.”

All you need to do is fill out this simple form. We’ll email you a link to download the book. (And, at no extra charge, we’ll add you to the mailing list for the free Y’all Connect newsletter.)

• • •

Read more essays in our special 10th anniversary series, The Future of Birmingham.

Larry Langford will spend the next 15 years in prison.

The former Birmingham mayor was convicted in October on 60 counts of bribery, conspiracy, fraud and money laundering. U.S. District Judge Scott Coogler handed down the sentence this morning in Tuscaloosa. Langford owes $120,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service and $242,000 in forfeiture.

At the sentencing, Langford told Coogler, “I am sorry all of this has occurred.”

He also faces 3 years supervised release after his prison term. Langford had faced up to 30 years possible sentence. He would be eligible for early release after approximately 12 years and 9 months in prison.

Langford is ordered to report for prison on noon April 5. Until then, he will wear an electronic ankle bracelet, report twice a week to a probation officer and must remain within Jefferson County. Langford plans to file an appeal.

Langford, elected in 2007, entered office under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission for his role in providing bond business during his service on the Jefferson County Commission.

Also convicted in the scheme were Langford’s friends Bill Blount and Al LaPierre, who were sentenced to 52 months and 48 months in prison last week.

Carole Smitherman, president of the city council, became interim mayor, until succeeded by new council president Roderick Royal in November. William Bell became mayor in January following a special election and runoff.

Updates to follow.

• • •

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

Illustration by Herman Henderson

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

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

Video: Bill Blount joins Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks
with a guilty plea.

Aug. 1 | We counted down the days to former mayor Larry Langford’s original Aug. 31 trial date with our greatest series ever, Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks. Seriously, look how many criminals we stuffed into one month …

• Mary Kay Beard | James Bevel | Bill Blount | Mary Buckelew | Rube Burrow
• Gregory Clarke | Matthew Cloyd, Russell DeBusk and Benjamin Moseley | Jeff Germany | Dedrick Griham | Richard Hawes
• The HealthSouth 16 | Virginia Hill | Troy Ingram | John Katopodis | Al LaPierre
• Don MacDermott | E.B. McClain | Jeff and Jessica McCord | Chris McNair | Danny Ray Miles
• Jack Montgomery | Samuel Pettagrue | Richard Scrushy | Don Siegelman | Lakendall Sims
• 16th Street Baptist Church bombers | Simon Speights | J.B. Stoner | Marvin Warner | Gary White

Who didn’t make the list? Langford, convicted Oct. 28. And pipe maker McWane Inc., whose latest fine is $4 million.

Aug. 10 | A juicy morsel: Wade on Birmingham had the exclusive scoop on the exclusive screening of the documentary “Food, Inc.” P.S. We love our news tipsters.

Aug. 11 | The dirge continued as we presented the Birmingham Heritage Festival lineup and demise in the same day. P.S. Never piss off Ludacris. Ever.

Aug. 25 | Our Vote 2009 coverage kicked into high gear with our extensive look at the Birmingham city council and board of education races. Later, we had results from all 18 races, nine of which were headed to runoffs.

Aug. 27 | The end of August also means the start of our monthlong coverage of the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, with an in-depth look at the local films plus the opening night documentary, “Best Worst Movie.”

See all of our August coverage.

• • •

Haiku flashback

football season: dear coach (Aug. 31)

Please take us to the
national championship
(or else, you’re fired).

• • •

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

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

Video: Birmingham moves closer
to building a domed stadium.

July 1 | John Katopodis, former politician and founder of a bogus children’s charity, not to mention a pal of former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford, was found guilty of fraud in federal court. He was originally to be sentenced in October, but that was delayed as he testified in Langford’s trial. And the dominoes continued to fall …

July 13 | Dr. Regina Benjamin becomes the nominee for surgeon general. We provide 10 facts about the Mobile native and UAB grad.

July 14 | The long-debated domed stadium received an annual $8 million boost from the city council, despite no approved 2010 city budget or even concrete figures. The $630 million project is scheduled to open in 2014.

July 31 | Area crime continues unabated, as Jefferson County is found dead, lying face down in a broken sewer. At this time, police have hundreds of suspects. The commissioners continue to wrestle with the occupational tax, despite numerous court rulings against it.

See all of our July coverage.

• • •

Haiku flashback

secured blanket (July 14)

Her red cape simply
a blanket wrapped as tightly
as a fond embrace.

• • •

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

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.

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 former mayor, a convicted felon. A roundup of the post-Langford eulogies and rants …

Joey Kennedy, Birmingham News:

What is there, exactly, to laugh about here? Whatever one thinks of Larry Langford, he’s a human being with feelings, family, dreams. He feels pain. He certainly is convicted of committing horrible crimes, but it’s not like he chopped up kids and buried them under his Fairfield house.

Kyle Whitmire, Birmingham Weekly:

After the verdict, Birmingham News columnist John Archibald opined about (NBC 13 reporter Jon) Paepcke’s Olympics question: “What is this, ‘The Daily Show’? It was vile, pointless and inappropriate.”

It wasn’t “The Daily Show,” but maybe it should have been. A little more incredulity the last few years would have revealed the Langford administration for what it was: vile, pointless and inappropriate.

Still, after the conviction, the Langford apologies did not stop. In fact, they increased. Commentators took pains to complement Langford’s good qualities, while glossing over the bad. Birmingham, it seems, is the new Stockholm.

Boyce Watkins, BV Black Spin:

If a politician is being a little selfish on the side, I don’t usually care as long as he is doing his job effectively. Call me cynical, but I don’t trust politicians as far as I can throw them, and I believe that for every convicted politician, there are 10 others who did the same thing unscathed.

Reuters:

[This is probably our favorite unintended blooper line.] Whoever wins [the mayor’s race] next month would appear to have their work cut out in trying to persuade local voters that corruption is endemic and deep-rooted here.

David Pelfrey, Black and White:

Let’s stop fooling around. Any rational, honest observer of Langford’s political trajectory understands that he was intellectually unexceptional, self-absorbed, devoid of sincerity, and wholly without remorse for any deed committed or word spoken.

Whether at a City Hall meeting or while engaged in one of his many publicity stunts, or when he was viciously haranguing some poor soul who voiced an opposing view, or if the mayor was dreaming out loud about some needless, expensive project, Larry Langford can be described as simple-minded and unlikable.

In no category does he qualify for respect, but in a town where the political brain trust is regularly engaged in self-delusion, Langford receives some measure of admiration.

Our assessment:

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.

• • •

Also:

• Complete coverage: The trial of Larry Langford
• Vote 2009 coverage

Former Jefferson County Commission president Mary Buckelew was sentenced to 3 years probation this afternoon in a federal courtroom in Birmingham. She had faced 12 to 18 months in prison for lying to a grand jury about receiving gifts from Bill Blount to influence her votes on bond swaps for the sewer system.

She must also pay a $20,000 fine and perform 200 hours of community service in the Jefferson County school district.

Buckelew told Judge Inge Johnson: “I made a mistake that I do not condone for myself. I can never restore that I so foolishly gave away.”

Buckelew pleaded guilty in 2008 to one count of obstruction of justice. Prosecutors recommended a lesser sentence for her cooperation with investigators.

She was expected to testify in Blount’s trial until he pleaded guilty. Buckelew was also expected to testify in the federal trial of former mayor Larry Langford but never took the stand.

Also:

• Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks: Mary Buckelew
• Sentencing today and in the next few months for other high-profile Alabama pols.

On Monday, we mentioned that radio host and Larry Langford appointee Frank Matthews had called for a “Free Larry” campaign, in response to the former mayor’s federal bribery conviction on Wednesday.

But before then on Facebook, at least three groups and one fan page sprang into action with the same mission: Free Larry Langford.

[Group 1 | group 2 | group 3 | fan page]

One group already has 3,600 members and counting. Based on the dialogue within the group, it’s clear not all who join support the cause outright. Another group started back in the spring with a different agenda, Fire Larry Langford.

Langford has said he plans to appeal the conviction, which could send him to prison for up to 805 years. Sentencing will take place in early 2010.

Video: More on the online campaigns to support Langford

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.

Meet more of Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks.

Your thoughts on who should lead Birmingham and what happens next are welcome below.

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.)

• • •

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

• • •

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

Follow @LLtrial on Twitter for continuous media updates.

Subscribe to the RSS feed for daily coverage of Larry Langford’s trial from Wade on Birmingham.

Illustration by Herman Henderson