Email Insights: NRA-ILA alert to Jefferson County
The Jefferson County Election Commission met last month and approved the special election date to fill the Jefferson County Commissioner District 5 vacancy. In May, Steve Ammons left the commission to become the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) CEO. Tuesday, July 18, is Special Election Day in Jefferson County for County Commission District 5. The NRA is endorsing conservative candidate Mike Bolin. He is a lifetime resident of Jefferson County and was an attorney in Birmingham from 1973 through 1988 when he was elected as Probate Judge of Jefferson County. He was re-elected to that position in 1994 and 2000. He was elected to the Alabama Supreme Court in January 2005. NRA encourages all members in District 5 to head to the polls on July 18. If a runoff election is necessary, it will be on August 8, 2023.
Steve Flowers: Political potpourri
Even though it is not an election year, the Alabama political pot is heating up and beginning to boil as we celebrate the 4th of July, and the summer heat settles into the Heart of Dixie. The 2024 candidates for some open state judicial posts have been stirring around all year, and also candidates for next year’s local elections are gearing up all over the state. There has also arisen a surprise election in Alabama’s largest county. Imperial Jefferson County has a Special Election for a very important and pivotal county commission seat. Republican Steve Ammons vacated this seat to take the post as CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance. In every other county in the state, a vacant county commission seat is filled by appointment by the governor. However, Jefferson County has an unusual local amendment that calls for a Special Election. This local act does not only call for a normal special election but renders a weird, wild west open no primary Special Election. It calls for a very quick, nonpartisan election similar to Louisiana. There are no party primaries and no party labels. Everybody and their brother can run, and the Jefferson County electorate has no way of knowing who they are, what they stand for, or their positions on anything. All you have to do is get 100 signatures, and you are on the ballot. I am surprised that there are not 100 people running. This race also has only a short window. People could start getting their 100 signatures around June 1 and get this; the election is on July 18. You are looking at an election in less than two weeks in the middle of the summer that only affects 20% of the population of Jefferson County. Folks, this one could very well break records for low voter turnout. However, it is a very important and pivotal election for a seat that will determine the partisan makeup of the state’s largest county. The current makeup is two Republicans and two Democratic commissioners. Republicans had a 3-2 advantage with Ammons on the Commission. You would assume that the vacant Ammons’ seat would be filled by another Republican because it is made up of the most affluent enclaves in the state, which include Mountain Brook, Vestavia, Homewood, and silk stocking Hoover districts along the 280 corridor. However, as stated, there are no party labels by any candidate, no forums, and no time to campaign – only a list of names. The assumption is a Republican will win. However, the Homewood, Mountain Brook areas are one of the few enclaves of upscale, liberal do-gooder, white Democrats in the state. It is imperative that the Republican Party in Jefferson County identify who their preferred Republican candidate is in this race and get out their vote. It appears that they may have done just that and have chosen Judge Mike Bolin. The election is just around the corner on July 18. Justice Mike Bolin is like manna from Heaven for the Jefferson County Republicans. As the old saying goes, “he was at the right place at the right time.” Judge Bolin recently retired from the Alabama Supreme Court and has time on his hands, and this seat comes open. Mike Bolin is one of the most respected and popular public servants in our state. He is also one of the most accomplished Jefferson County political figures of this era. He is Jefferson County through and through. He was born and raised in Homewood, went to college at Samford University and law school at Cumberland School of Law on Lakeshore Parkway in Homewood. He and his wife, who is also from Jefferson County, currently live in Vestavia. Mike practiced law in Jefferson County for almost two decades, then was elected Probate Judge of Jefferson County, where he served for 16 years. While serving as Probate Judge of Jefferson County, he was elected to the Alabama Supreme Court, where he served for 18 years. He is a man of utmost integrity. Jefferson County is fortunate to have him take on this task. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Jefferson County special election just two weeks away
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey called a special election for County Commission (District 5) on July 18th due to the resignation of Commissioner Steve Ammons. Because Jefferson County does things differently from almost every other county in the state, this special election primary is non-partisan. The District 5 commission candidates are former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Mike Bolin, developer David Silverstein, and Jeff Wise. Mike Bolin was elected to the Alabama Supreme Court in 2004. Bolin practiced as an attorney for 15 years before being elected Probate Judge of Jefferson County, where he served from 1988 to 2004. Justice Bolin received the National “Angels of Adoption” award in 2000 for his service to adoptive families. Justice Bolin has stayed active within the Alabama Probate Judges Association, his community, and his church. He is married to his wife, Rosemary. They have one daughter. Bolin has the support of the Jefferson County Republican Party. David Silverstein is the founder of The FiveStone Group, a commercial real estate firm based in Birmingham specializing in the development of mixed-use projects. Previously he was an operating principal at Bayer Properties, LLC, where he directed development efforts and managed Bayer’s relationship with governmental entities nationwide. Before joining Bayer in 1994, he was a Partner in the law firm of Berkowitz, Lefkovits, Isom, and Kushner. David is married to the former Susan Tilson, and they have five children and thirteen grandchildren. He attended Birmingham University School (B.U.S. now Altamont, 1974), Vanderbilt University (1978), and Cumberland School of Law (1981). He is a native of Mountain Brook. Republicans have called out Silverstein for his considerable donations to Democrats, but it is unknown if there is an endorsement by the Jefferson County Democratic Party. Silverstein said that he is nonpartisan. Jeff Wise is also a developer who lives in Mountain Brook. He has developed stores for CVS, Winn Dixie, Walgreens, and Rite Aid, as well as Letson Farms in McCalla. He worked for a petroleum company and Rust International and also owned a petroleum company. He is a graduate of Auburn University. He attended Jefferson State Community College and graduated from Tarrant High School. Wise has been married for 40 years to Joan Cagle Wise, they have four daughters and seven grandchildren. He is a Republican. Currently, the Jefferson County Commission is divided between two Republicans and two Democrats. The first vote that will be cast by the new Commissioner will be for which Party controls the County Commission. The North Jefferson County Democrats posted on Facebook: “Hey, Dems. We have a chance to turn The Jefferson County Commission blue with this special election! Most of NJD members live in District 4, but if you know anyone who lives in District 5, please share this post.” If no candidate can get 50% plus one, the two highest vote-getters will advance to a runoff on August 8. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Jefferson County Commission special election weighs heavy on the minds of county commissioners
On Saturday, Jefferson County Commissioners Jimmy Stephens and Joe Knight, both Republicans, spoke to the Mid-Alabama Republican Club (MARC) about the pending change in leadership for the county commission. Currently, the five-member Jefferson County Commission is composed of three Republicans and two Democrats. That could soon change, as the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) has selected County Commissioner Steve Ammons, the third Republican on the Commission, as its new CEO. “Steve is going to be the CEO of the BBA,” Commissioner Knight said. “We wish him well. He is looking forward to it.: A special election will be held this summer to fill the vacancy. Jefferson County Republican Party Chairman Chris Brown said, “There is an opening on the Jefferson Co Commission because he is leaving at the end of the month, and we are committed to winning this election. Doug Jones (a Democrat) did beat Roy Moore (the Republican nominee for Senate in 2017). We are taking nothing for granted.” Urologist Dr. Brian Christine announced that he is seeking to be the next commissioner. “It is critical that we keep Republican leadership on the Jefferson County Commission,” Christine said. “The district includes part of Homewood, Leeds, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Irondale, and part of Hoover.” Com. Stephens said, “I want to thank our entire Jefferson County Legislative Delegation. It’s a team that I am so proud of, that we are so proud of.” Stephens said that the commissioners talk with legislative delegation members weekly while the legislature is in session. “We have a team member who has decided to leave, so you must choose someone from District 5 that will seamlessly continue to do the job, that understands that relationship with your legislators, and has a trust in your existing country commission. We don’t need someone who is going to come in there and go off on a tangent. We need someone who will come in and be part of the team.” Commissioner Knight explained that Ammons’ last day on the job is May 31. “The people in charge of the election are the election commission,” Knight said. “In the event of a vacancy on the Jefferson County Commission, the elections commission will meet, and they will set the date for the special election.” “The special election is tentatively set as July 18,” Knight said. “There are no Republican or Democratic affiliations in this. All it takes is 100 signatures to get on the ballot.” In the other 66 counties, the governor would appoint someone to fill the vacancy, and in the event of a special election, the governor would call the elections and set primaries. Jefferson County is different. State Representative Jim Carns (R-Vestavia Hills) explained, “That was done in 2009. I was not in the legislature then I was on the Commission. They were trying to protect the governor (then Bob Riley) and who he had appointed – George Bowman. It is a terrible deal.” “Talking to some of our legislators, we might need to change that,” Knight said. “We could not do what we do without your legislative support,” Stephens said. “You. raise the money for Jefferson County to attempt to spend wisely,” Stephens said, addressing the audience. “Jefferson County is not an economic engine. It creates an environment for you to be successful. It has to make your life better and give you a reason to work and raise your family in Jefferson County.” Knight said that the July primary is going to pose some logistical problems. “Some of the polls may have to be moved because they are having their vacation Bible school,” Knight said. Stephens said that he and Knight have spoken with Dr. Christine and like him, but they are not telling anyone who to vote for. Stephens expressed concern that the City of Birmingham and Mayor Randall Woodfin may be recruiting a candidate for the position. The Mid-Alabama Republican Party meets on the second Saturday of each month at the Vestavia Hills Public Library at 9:00 a.m. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Personnel Update: Steve Ammons to become CEO of BBA
The Birmingham Business Alliance on Friday named Jefferson County Commissioner Steve Ammons as its new CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA). Ammons will lead the Birmingham-Hoover metro area’s primary economic development agency. The goal of the BBA is to lead collaboratively between BBA and its community partners across dozens of cities and towns in the seven-county region. Greg Curran is the current chairman of the Board at the BBA. He is also the chairman of the Firm at Maynard Nexsen. “When we began the process of identifying a new CEO, the goal was to identify a successful candidate who understands the unique fabric of Birmingham community and who would also bring immediate credibility and confidence to the role, ” said Chairman Curran. “Steve Ammons has shown great leadership to the BBA over the years, and we are all energized by his thoughtful vision for the organization’s future.” Ammons currently serves as the Jefferson County Commissioner for District 5. He also serves as the chairman of the County’s Economic Development Committee and on the Information Technology Committee. “I am excited to expand my service to the seven-county Greater Birmingham Region with the BBA,” said Ammons. “Birmingham has more opportunities in front of us than ever before. I look forward to working closely with the team, our investors, and our partners in the community to advance economic growth and regional cooperation together.” Joe Hampton is the incoming 2024 BBA Board Chairman. He is also the President of Spire Alabama. “Steve Ammons has demonstrated experience in understanding what it takes to support businesses of all sizes,” said incoming Chairman Hampton. “He is a proven relationship-builder whose commitment to collaboration will set the organization up for long-term success.” The search process was led by Greg Curran and included Joe Hampton and other key members of BBA’s Board of Directors and advisors. Alesia Jones, formerly the Chief HR Officer for the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was the HR Consultant that facilitated the search process. “The board expresses deep gratitude to BBA’s current executive leadership team for their hard work and dedication over the past year,” said Curran. “This amazing team will work directly with the CEO as he defines the next chapter for the BBA.” Ammon is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Before becoming a county commissioner, he served two terms on the Vestavia Hills City Council. Ammons has owned and operated a Birmingham-based employment background screening services company for many years. While on the County Commission, he was the primary liaison to the BBA, the Alabama Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, the Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority, and other economic development partners in Jefferson County and beyond. Most notably, he managed the recruitment of The J.M. Smucker Company. Smucker’s $1.2 billion capital investment, the largest in Jefferson County history. He will begin his new role on May 30. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey will call a special election to fill the vacancy on the county commission. There presently is a 3 Republican – 2 Democrat split on the Jefferson County Commission, with Ammons being the third Republican. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Protected or Prisoners Part 7: 3 steps to exploitation
The 7th of our series examining the process used to gain control of elders and their estates and the ways in which they’re exploited afterwards.
