Before taking office, Woodfin organizes Birmingham community via committees

At his most-recent press conference on Monday, Birmingham Mayor-elect Randall Woodfin chose local movers and shakers to head citizen-led committees that address “city services.”

Bold move or pomp and circumstance? Only time will tell.

“… We must demand city services that are needed to improve quality of life for every Birmingham family. It will be non-negotiable, and that is our goal,” Woodfin said.

Woodfin announced the leaders of his transition team last week in a separate press conference. The transition leaders will oversee the committees.

The mayor-elect tapped retired Alabama Power Company executive Bobbie Knight and former Birmingham-Southern College President and retired General Charles Krulak.

Check out my post about the transition team leaders here.

Woodfin assigned campaign manager, Ed Fields, to coordinate the transition committees and manage their day-to-day operations.

The Committees

Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety Committee
Co-chairs: BLOC Global managing partner Herschell Hamilton and Birmingham Police Detective Ralph Patterson

“We cannot be successful in revitalizing our neighborhoods until our parents and grandparents, our children and our grandchildren feel safe on their own porch and their own front yard,” Woodfin said.

 The Transition Wants YOU

Next, committee co-chairs will appoint residents to their committees. Email transition@randallwoodfin.com to get involved. 

The Deets

Social Justice Committee
Co-chairs: physician and educator Dr. Nancy Dunlap and human rights attorney Richard Rice

This committee will focus on: health care, poverty, environmental concerns, human rights issues and homelessness.

Transparency and Efficient Government Committee
Co-chairs: Birmingham-Southern lecturer Daniel Coleman and business-owner Annie Allen

Woodfin said that on the first day he takes office, he will implement something he called, “Operation Restore Trust”.

This includes increasing transparency and accountability throughout City Hall, not just the mayor’s office, he said. It also includes reforming city regulations.

“In addition this committee will be leading the effort to reform our city regulations and processes to make sure people know that Birmingham is open for business,” Woodfin said.

“We want to be a partner to the business community in the city of Birmingham. Not just big business but small business as well, making sure we help them locate, grow and expand in our city.”

What’s Next

Woodfin tasked the committees to present initial reports by mid-December. He expects and an updated report in mid-February. Final reports are due in early March.

In the coming weeks, Woodfin plans to announce more committees. He said those committees will address education, workforce development and training, economic development and entrepreneurship.