Meet your candidates: District 4 city council election
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► Neighborhood: A Huntsville native, Lamay lives in Norwood.
► Education: Southeastern Bible College graduate
► Profession: Background in office management for advertising agencies and law firms.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “Having lived on the Northside for eight years, I've learned that what's holding this city back is apathy and mediocrity ... Our residents need a safe place to raise their family with a reliable transit system to a much higher-paying job that includes a nearby top-performing school.”
► How do you distinguish yourself from the incumbent? “On the Northside, I meet so many residents who are frustrated with our local politics. I’ve found that when you expect more you get more.”
► Issues or concerns for district or city: “I would like to see every department of the city much more involved in each neighborhood,” she said, citing such needs as park improvements and removing abandoned houses.
► WEB: Facebook: Committee to Elect Mary Jean LaMay
WILLIAM PARKER (I)
► Neighborhood: Collegeville, where he grew up.
► Education: Graduate of Talladega College
► Profession: Served as legislative assistant to Congressman Earl Hilliard; served one term in the Alabama House.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “We’ve been addressing the needs of the residents in District 4 — quality-of-life issues, public safety, infrastructure. We are about solving problems and collaborating and working with community stakeholders to bring about progress. If I go after a project, I’m going to get it solved.”
► Accomplishments in current term: “Funding for a new Kingston fire station; the opening of the Maxine Herring Parker Bridge named for his late mother); and the creation of a Jefferson County Cemetery Board.”
► Issues or concerns for district or city: “I want to look for funding partners — state and federal and private foundations — to improve the quality of life, not only in District 5, but throughout the city of Birmingham.”
► CONTACT: 948-3963
QUNELIUS‘CORY P’ PETTWAY
► Neighborhood: A Detroit native, Pettway lives in Inglenook.
► Education: Has attended Miles College, Baptist College of Florida and Jefferson State Community College.
► Profession: Educator at JCCEO; active in many community and volunteer activities.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “I have what is needed to help unite the people of District 4 for success ... My philosophy is that I love everyone.”
► How do you distinguish yourself from the incumbent? “I will improve the current relationship between the city of Birmingham and the citizens we serve (and offer) new approaches to recurring issues.”
► Issues or concerns for district or city: “We may have officials in office who are not connected to the issues and people they serve,” Pettway said, adding that he wants to see fresh thinking on such issues as crime, poverty, education and health care.
► WEB: Facebook.com/CommittetoElectQuneliusCoryPettwayCityCouncilD4
SERGIO WILLIAMS
► Neighborhood: A Birmingham native, Williams lives in Woodlawn.
► Education: Woodlawn High School graduate, currently at Construction Education Foundation Association studying to become electrician.
► Profession: Works in construction
► QUALIFICATIONS: “I will represent all of the people of our district and not just a small portion.” For example, Williams argues that the needs of young people are not being met by the city.
► How do you distinguish yourself from the incumbent? “I’m much younger, and I know the district better than the current councilor ... I would help improve on the job he is doing by being more transparent.”
► Issues or concerns for district or city: “My main issue is with the way we as a city use our resources and money. We overfund departments and programs that are not effective, and we defund departments and programs that have a huge impact on neighborhoods.”
► WEB: Facebook: Sergio Williams