Meet your candidates: District 9 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 9 area includes ACIPCO Finley, Central, North and South Pratt, Hooper City, Ensley (also part of District 8), Oak Ridge, North Birmingham (also part of District 4), Sandusky, Smithfiled Estates, Sherman Heights, Tuxedo, Wylam, Dolomite, Evergreen (also part of District 5), East Thomas and Enon Ridge. To learn which district you are voting for, find your district here.
ANGENE COLEMAN
► Neighborhood: A Birmingham native, Coleman lives in Westchester.
► Education: Miles College (B.A. in social work)
► Profession: Drug prevention specialist, concentrating on youth.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “I will display integrity, caring, dedication and honesty in all my interactions [and] listen openly to the concerns of all our community members. I have a long-established track record for community involvement from the heart. Most of my career has been focused on working in our middle and high schools and with senior citizens — almost 40 years of working with people of all ages.” She said she founded the annual Pratt City Red Ribbon Day and has worked with Birmingham NAACP and other groups.
► Issues or concerns for district or city: Crime prevention, job training and programs for young people and seniors.
► WEB: voteforcoleman.com
ERIC HALL
► Neighborhood: A native of Flint, Michigan, Hall lives in Central Pratt.
► Education: Miles College (senior majoring in political science and government)
► Profession: U.S. Army veteran; associate minister, Peace Missionary Baptist Church; president, Central Pratt Neighborhood Association; co-founder, Birmingham chapter of Black Lives Matter.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “I believe in putting people first, and my community work resembles my beliefs.” Hall cites such examples as his efforts in tornado relief in 2011, his work with Camp Noah and his receipt of an A.G. Gaston Community Service Award. He said he’ll make sure Birmingham has a government that’s “effective, equitable and efficient.”
► Issues or concerns for district or city: “Past officials have ignored the people. They've failed to invest in communities and make community a part of the decision-making process.” He also cites issues such as poverty, education, police reform, corrupt politicians, troubled schools and a lack of jobs.
► WEB: Facebook.com/ElectEricHallD9
JOHN HILLIARD
► Neighborhood: A lifelong Pratt City resident.
► Education: Alabama State University (degree in business administration)
► Profession: Served in Alabama Legislature for 10 years; has also worked in real estate development and bonding.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “Holding an elected position is really about public service and hard work. I’m not running because I need something to do, I’m running because I really see a need in the community. The people of District 9 know me, and I know them, and we need that level of trust and communication to come back to City Hall.”
► Issues or concerns for district or city: “I think our city is at a crossroads in terms of … public safety, education and economic development in our neighborhoods.” He cites the need for community policing and more money for schools. He also wants to see more residents assume ownership of vacant homes and lots.
► WEB: Facebook.com/Hilliard4CityCouncilDist9
WENDELL MAJOR
► Neighborhood: A Birmingham native, Major lives in Dolomite.
► Education: UAB (B.S., criminal justice); Birmingham School of Law (J.D.)
► Profession: U.S. Marine Corps veteran; worked in law enforcement for 28 years, including Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “I’m genuinely passionate about servicing my community and its interest. I’m committed and well-prepared to deal with issues presently facing our community. I can help restore community trust in our public office, having served as a public employee with an impeccable record.” Major said that he has studied how Alabama government works. “I have years of work experience in local government, with extensive work in political advocacy seeking to elect and effect public policy from grassroots organizations.”
► Issues or concerns for district or city: Crime, infrastructure, citizen access to public information and accountability. He advocates the use of new technologies, including predictive policing, “to economically address crime, its causes and its consequences.”
► WEB: Facebook: Wendell Major for District 9
RODERICK ROYAL
► Neighborhood: A Birmingham native, Royal lives in Pratt City.
► Education: Tuskegee University (degree in political science), Webster University (master's degree in public administration), graduate of University of Alabama Police Academy.
► Profession: An outreach employee and instructor at Miles College
► QUALIFICATIONS: “I believe that my extensive training in government and previous service in Birmingham city government uniquely qualifies me for future service.”
► Issues or concerns for district or city: Like many cities, Birmingham faces such problems as crime, housing, employment and under-performing schools, according to Royal. His recommendations include a change in policing strategies, better funding for education, support for employers needing skills currently available in the city's workforce and new job training to meet market demand.
► WEB: Instagram @roderick.royal and Twitter @roderick_royal
DAVID RUSSELL
► Neighborhood: An Alabama native, Russell lives in Pratt City.
► Education: Alabama State University (degree in business administration and economics)
► Profession: Retired; spent 15 years working in administration at Alabama State University. He has also volunteered, done community work and been a lobbyist.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “I have a history of being a leader and possessing leadership skills in several areas.” Russell said he’s been involved in local, state and national politics since 1976.
► Issues or concerns for district or city: “I would work to help reduce the high water and sewer bills.” He also wants to reduce crime, reopen Cooper Green Hospital, reopen Council Elementary School and set up a facility for seniors and veterans. “My platform is simply, ‘What would Jesus do?’”
► WEB: 382-5346
REGINALD SWANSON
► Neighborhood: A Birmingham native, Swansom lives in Central Pratt.
► Education: UAB (undergraduate degree and doctorate in dental medicine)
► Profession: Dentist for 36 years.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “I offer myself for service, I show my experience, commitment, initiatives and results in family care, civic and business areas.” Swanson also cites his “completion of small and large projects that demonstrate economic impact and community development.” He said he will be a “mature and knowledgeable councilman” whom the people can trust.
► Issues or concerns for district or city: Swanson said his priorities include business growth and diversification and community development. “We must grow and enhance the economic strength of the whole city to expect any part to be sufficiently cared for.” He adds that the Birmingham city government needs “less contentious behavior and much more diplomacy and respect.”
► WEB: facebook.com/reginald.swansondmd
JAMES WILLIAMS JR.
► Neighborhood: A Birmingham native, Williams lives in Pratt City.
► Education: Attended Birmingham City Schools, served in U.S. Marine Corps.
► Profession: Broadcaster, currently with radio station WBHK 98.7.
► QUALIFICATIONS: “I’m a man of the people. I know that I will finally put the city’s best asset first, and that's the people of the city. I have worked behind the scenes on numerous campaigns and community programs, so I feel I have the people's best interest at heart.”
► Issues or concerns for district or city: Williams said he would focus on public safety, neighborhood infrastructure, youth and seniors. He also wants to get better lighting in neighborhoods and remove more abandoned houses. He wants the city as a whole to “get its magic back.” With events like the World Games on the way, Williams said he wishes to “showcase all of Birmingham,” not just downtown.