From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM – After holding two separate votes in an effort to break the stalemate, the Birmingham City Council’s effort to appoint a replacement for the vacant District 7 seat ended in a 4 to 4 tie.
After hearing from District 7 residents, all of whom voiced support for Lonnie Malone, Councilors John Hilliard, Lashunda Scales, Sheila Tyson and Steven Hoyt voted for Malone. Councilors Valerie Abbott, William Parker, Hunter Williams and Darrell O’Quinn voted for Wardine Alexander.
Before the vote, five people who completed the interview process were nominated: Charles Crockrum, Raymond Brooks, Walter Wilson, Wardine Alexander and Lonnie Malone. A total of 11 applicants participated in the Council interviews that were held last week.
Following the second vote that ended in a tie, the Council voted to delay the item until next week.
The next item on Tuesday’s agenda was an appointment of a Council President Pro Tem. Councilor Hoyt nominated William Parker after the clerk read the item for consideration. However Scales, insisted that the vote would be improper without someone in place to represent the District 7 residents.
“If we do not have a person appointed to District 7, I think that it would be unfair of us to appoint someone right now. They will have to work with the Pro Tem. I think this item is improperly before us,” Scales said. The item was also delayed one week.
This press release was written by Cody Owens, Public Information Officer in the Birmingham City Council Office of Public Information. For media inquiries, contact Chiara Perry, Interim Director of Public Information 205.383.8432