Meet your candidates: District 8 city council election
To check on your voter registration information or to confirm your polling place, visit alabamavotes.gov. If you are not registered to vote, you have until Aug. 8 to do so.
The District 8 area includes Belview Heights, Bush Hills, Central Park, Ensley (also part of District 9), Ensley Highlands, Fairview, Rising West Princeton, Thomas and Tuxedo. To learn which district you are voting for, find your district here.
STEVEN HOYT (I)
► Neighborhood: Hoyt, who is council president pro tem, is a Gadsden native and lives in Belview Heights.
► Education: Miles College (B.A., social science), post-graduate work in urban and regional planning at Alabama A&M.
► Profession: Spent 24 years as a development administrator with the Housing Authority Birmingham District. Serves as pastor of Mount Carmel C.M.E. Church.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “When I look at leadership, I look at what people can accomplish on the City Council.” Hoyt cited projects he has helped bring to fruition, including Birmingham CrossPlex.
► Accomplishments in current term: Among others, airport modernization, new housing, park upgrades and Regions Field.
► Issues or concerns for district or city: “We need an aggressive housing initiative” with a balance of market-based and affordable properties, Hoyt said. The city also needs further development. Opportunities include UAB, medical, high tech, automotive suppliers and the new Port Authority.
► WEB: Facebook: Councilor Steven W. Hoyt
LYNETTE PETERS
► Neighborhood: A New Orleans native, Peters has been an Ensley Highlands resident for 23 years.
► Education: High school graduate, USA Training Academy (secretarial degree)
► Profession: Community advocate; various neighborhood offices in Ensley Highlands and Five Points West; PTA president; Girl Scout leader.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “I’m a civil servant, not a politician. I’ll be committed to my district by listening to the citizens, comprehending what I’ve heard and resolving the issues in a timely manner.”
► How do you distinguish yourself from the incumbent? “Being a mother of five daughters and dealing with seven different personalities, I can be very effective in changes that will be seen and felt in District 8.”
► Issues or concerns for district or city: “Working with the mayor and other council members to give Birmingham a thriving workforce, address safety issues, develop more programs for youths and ... let citizens know their voice will be heard and actions taken.”
► WEB: Facebook: Lynette Peters for District 8 Birmingham City Council
GERRI ROBINSON
► Neighborhood: Robinson grew up in Docena and lives in Fairview, where she serves as the neighborhood association president.
► Education: Birmingham-Southern College (B.S. in management), degree from Birmingham School of Law
► Profession: Owns her own law firm.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “My combination of community and professional experience would allow me to be a better, more productive representative.” She cites her experience as a neighborhood officer. She also worked for the city in various jobs for 25 years beginning in 1976.
► How do you distinguish yourself from the incumbent? “I feel our present representative is out of touch with what's good for the whole.”
► Issues or concerns for district or city: “Millions of dollars have been spent on economic development. We must have transparency in a way to make the people understand good government.” She also cited issues such as education, a poor literacy rate, high poverty and poor job growth.
► CONTACT: 542-5837
ADLAI TRONE
► Neighborhood: A Birmingham native, Trone lives in Fairview.
► Education: Auburn University (B.A. finance, MBA), University of Alabama (master’s degree in human environmental science financial planning)
► Profession: Has worked as financial planner, math teacher and residential real estate inspector/commercial appraiser trainee.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “Growing-up in Fairview/Bush Hills not only strengthens my sense of service for District 8, but also gives me firsthand knowledge of what stimulates growth and what hinders growth for the community.”
► How do you distinguish yourself from the incumbent? “I’m a native of District 8 with a passion and new energy to address issues from a constituent perspective.” He said the incumbent has not “addressed neglected commercial and residential properties.”
► Issues or concerns for district or city: “I intend to address these issues with the implementation of youth engagement and by promoting workforce development.” He also issues such as economic opportunity, crime and neighborhood neglect.
► WEB: Facebook: Vote Adlai M.Trone for Birmingham City Council District 8