Kimberly Jeanty is running for the Birmingham City Council, District 2. Check out her interview with Bham Now:
ByJHDaniel
Reading time: 4 minutes
Birmingham, your next city council candidate interview is with Kimberly Jeanty. She’s running for District 2.
In case you didn’t know what neighborhoods are in District 2, they are: Huffman, Liberty Highlands, Roebuck Springs-South Roebuck, Roebuck, South East Lake, Brown Springs, Oak Ridge Park, Eastwood, Crestwood South, Crestline, Overton and a part of East Lake. The current city councilor for District 2 is Kim Rafferty.
Want to know more about Jeanty’s campaign? Check out her Facebook page.
If you want to find out which district you live in, and who else has declared their intent to run, please check out this post. It covers all the potential candidates for city council and mayor, as well as information about your district.
The Birmingham municipal elections are scheduled for August 22, and June 23 is the last day that the Jefferson County Election Commission has to officially call the upcoming election. That means that these folks are all potential candidates until the commission declares the official date. After that, each declared candidate will sign an affidavit at the Jefferson County Probate Court and pay their filing fee. And, after that we are off to the races, for real.
My last city council candidate interview featured Rowan Henderson, and you can check it out here. He’s running in District 3.
Each potential candidate was emailed the same questions, and I’m meeting with each of them in person. Now it’s time to find out more about Jeanty:
When did you officially announce your candidacy and where/how did you do it?
My official announcement was on Saturday, March 11 at the Brown Springs Ecoscape. We turned it into a day of service. With the help of Alpha Kappa Delta Gamma Epsilon, a local high school sorority, we collected 25 bags of trash. I really want to take this opportunity to share the importance of civic responsibility with young people.
What is the name of your principle campaign committee?
Friends of Kimberly Jeanty
Why do you want to run for Birmingham City Council?
In the last eight years, I have witnessed many missed opportunities for our district and underserved neighborhoods. We need a strong voice, focused leadership, as well as a fierce advocate. We can no longer stand by as progress washes over our city and stops just outside our gates. I firmly believe I can provide accountable, credible, and transparent leadership.
What is your background, education and experience?
I have a business administration and marketing background, in addition to being a classically trained chef. I worked for the Birmingham City Council District Two office as Neighborhood Liaison from 2011 – 2013. In 2013, former South East Lake Neighborhood Association President H. Mitchell Nash and I lobbied hard for sidewalk repairs along second 2nd Avenue South from Oporto-Madrid Boulevard to 83rd Street South. In addition to my position of Neighborhood Liaison, I have served as South East Lake Neighborhood Association President (2014 – 2016), Roebuck Community President (2014 – 2016), East Lake Merchant Association President (2015), East Lake Arts District Board of Directors (2012 – 2015) and Interim Executive Director/Director of Development for Ruffner Mountain.
How will you foster a healthy, working relationship between the mayor’s office and the Birmingham City Council/city hall?
Respect works for everyone. I can’t think of anyone who responds well to a negative attitude. At the end of the day, we all love this city. During my time at city hall, I had the honor of serving with so many hard working, dedicated individuals who want to see this city be all it can be. I respect their expertise and commitment. Every healthy relationship starts with respect.
How will you accomplish transparency with the residents of Birmingham, if elected?
ACT2017! Being accountable, credible, and transparent is the only way this can and should work. As a councilor, district expenditures will be posted monthly. There are multiple budgets within a council office; spending should be right out in the open, especially big ticket items like consultants and travel, should that be necessary.
What district are you running for and what area does that cover?
I am running for Birmingham City Council District Two: Huffman, Liberty Highlands, Roebuck Springs-South Roebuck, Roebuck, South East Lake, Brown Springs, Oak Ridge Park, Eastwood, Crestwood South, Crestline, Overton and a small area of East Lake.
