Category Archives: politics

Maybe we can agree on how to change this constitution…

Posted on October 16, 2007 | Leave a comment

Tonight’s “forum to evaluate the best methods for reforming an unjust & outdated document” promises to be an exciting event to say the least.

Constitutional Reform: The Next Generation features a keynote address by former Alabama governor Albert Brewer, Jr. and a panel discussion featuring Brewer, Rep. Paul DeMarco, Lynn Douglas – Board President, Alabama ARISE, Gary Palmer – President, Alabama Policy Institute,  and Lenora Pate – Shareholder, Sirote & Permutt & Co-Chair, Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, Inc.

Click on this link to get directions to the event. You may also want to read this email interview with former Governor Brewer conducted by the Over the Mountain Democrats.

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Posted in 35223, Alabama, Birmingham, Events, politics

Constitutional Reform: The Next Generation, Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Posted on October 16, 2007 | Leave a comment

This is from the email reminder for the event being held in the Linn-Henley Lecture Hall at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens:

Lenora Pate is a Democrat who lives in the city of Birmingham; Paul DeMarco is a Republican who lives over the mountain.
Yet they all agree Alabama needs to reform its century old constitution.  Tomorrow they will meet on the best way to do this.  Since they all hope for different outcomes, it should make for a lively discussion.  Some people are angry that Over the Mountain Democrats has chosen to give various Republicans a forum.  According to John Crenshaw, head of OTMDems, “We all need to work together on these issues.  What is the point of continually preaching to the choir?  How interesting would “Harry Potter” be without Lord Voldemort?”
So, get over the mountain and become part of a continuing discussion about the state of the state constitution here in Alabama. Presented by the Over the Mountain Democrats.
Cost: $0
Location:
Linn-Henley Lecture Hall
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
2612 Park Lane Road (directions)

Click here to read more about the event.

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Posted in 35223, Alabama, Birmingham, Events, politics, Timetable

Stantis speaking up?

Posted on October 15, 2007 | 2 comments

The Alabama Moderate pointed out today’s dose of Prickly City earlier today…

Definitely an interesting one, as pointed out by The Moderate himself.

What do you think?

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Posted in Alabama, Birmingham, Media, politics

Two chances to see “It’s A Thick Book” tonight

Posted on October 15, 2007 | Leave a comment

Tonight folks have two opportunities to learn more about “the longest, biggest, heaviest constitution in the world” at screenings of “It’s a Thick Book,” an entertaining and informative documentary on the subject.

The Hoover High School Auditorium will show the documentary at 6:30 p.m. while Mountain Brook High School‘s Fine Arts Center will present it at 7:00 p.m.

Check out this trailer for the film:

[kml_flashembed movie="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-3049020570551690323" width="400" height="326" wmode="transparent" /]

It’s less than hour long and is a good introduction to the issue of reforming the state’s constitution.

If you can’t go, you can always watch the video online by clicking here.

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Posted in 35223, 35244, Alabama, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Movies, politics

Election ’07: Langford extends olive branch to County Commission

Posted on October 11, 2007 | Leave a comment

Larry Langford returned to the County Commission today in triumph with a warm-and-fuzzy moment with fellow commissioners, who celebrated his decisive win in Tuesday’s mayoral election.

As Birmingham’s mayor-elect, Langford immediately extended an olive branch across the table to his colleagues, saying he would need their help to carry out initiatives that will move the city and region forward.

“Everybody knows that as Birmingham goes, so goes the region,” he said “For Birmingham to move forward, I need the help of this commission. I know we have a history of not agreeing on everything in the past, and we don’t have to agree on everything now. But I think there are some things we can agree on and work together.”

Commission President Bettye Fine Collins and the other commissioners reciprocated with a resolution pledging to work cooperatively with Langford. They unanimously passed the resolution during Thursday’s special session.

Continue reading →

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Posted in Alabama, Birmingham, Citywide, Election '07, politics, Regionwide

Election ’07: The other race on Tuesday made history

Posted on October 11, 2007 | Leave a comment

Howard Bayless photoWith all of the attention focused on Tuesday’s mayoral election results, very few people have been talking about the other race that occurred that evening – the one for the vacant city board of education seat in District 3.

When Howard Bayless won the seat on Tuesday evening, defeating Earnest Lumpkin (click here to view the unofficial vote totals), he became the first openly gay male to win an elected office in the state of Alabama. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund currently has this story on the front page of its website. The news is appearing on other sites throughout the country, including this post on PageOneQ.

As Danny said yesterday, this is not your father’s Alabama anymore.

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Posted in Alabama, Birmingham, Citywide, Election '07, politics

Election ’07: Provisional ballots become focus

Posted on October 10, 2007 | 2 comments

We’ve just opened an email that is being forwarded throughout the city of Birmingham this afternoon. It was sent by the Cooper for Mayor campaign:

As widely reported many Birmingham voters were disenfranchised on October 9th as they tried to cast their ballot in the mayoral election.  Right now, only 174 votes separate Patrick from a run-off.

Accordingly, please pass this information along to all Birmingham voters:

– If you requested and submitted a provisional ballot at a polling site YOU MUST GO TO BOARD OF REGISTRARS AT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY COURT HOUSE BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12th at 5PM.  If the voter fails to provide identification to the Board on the Friday following the election, the ballot will NOT be counted.

-If you requested and never received an absentee ballot for the October 9th Mayoral Election, you can still vote if you GO TO THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS AT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY COURT HOUSE BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12th at 5PM.

REMEMBER TO BRING PROPER IDENTIFICATION (drivers license including address and telephone number).

We need every vote!

If you have any questions please contact the Cooper for Mayor Campaign at 488-9641 or the Jefferson County Board of Registrars at 325-5550.  Also, please let us know if you did submit a provisional ballot so we may help protect your vote.

As we said earlier today, it’s about to get interesting.

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Posted in Alabama, Birmingham, Citywide, Election '07, politics