Alexander appointed to fill Birmingham’s District 7 seat. Parker named pro-tem. Council seeking 2 additional applicants.

Earlier this week, former Birmingham Board of Education President Wardine Alexander was appointed to fill the District 7 Birmingham City Council seat vacated by Jay Roberson in September. After Alexander’s approval, Birmingham City Councilor William Parker was voted in to take the reins as President Pro Tempore on the city council.

The Alexander vote was deadlocked at 4 to 4 at the previous week’s meeting. The tie was broken Tuesday when Councilman Steven Hoyt voted to support Alexander.

The breakdown for the 5-3 vote: Councilors Darrell O’Quinn, William Parker, Hunter Williams, Valerie Abbott and Steven Hoyt voted for Alexander. Councilors Lashunda Scales, Sheila Tyson and John Hilliard voted for Lonnie Malone.

There was a discussion following Alexander being sworn in revolving around the process that had just played out, including councilors expressing their support of holding a special election to fill the three unexpired Council seats (Districts 1 and 6 will be vacated following Tyson and Scales being sworn in to the Jefferson County Commission on November 13).

Parker was nominated by Councilor Steven Hoyt and, following two councilors declining their nominations, he was confirmed without opposition.

Parker has served on the City Council since December 2013 and chairs the Parks and Recreation Committee.

“It’s an honor to be elected to the seat of Council Pro Tem,” Councilor Parker said. “I’m looking forward to working with all of my colleagues to ensure we address the needs of our constituents collectively.”

Council President Valerie Abbott announced that her office will now be accepting resumes and applications for both District 1 and District 6 positions.

No date for a special election has been set.

For those interested in being considered for the District 1 and District 6 seats, each applicant should be a qualified elector of the City of Birmingham, at least 21 years of age, and shall not hold any other public office except that of notary public or member of the National Guard, naval or military reserve. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 16th at 5:00pm.