Birmingham Mayor, Councilman Involved in Altercation
UPDATE 12-16-15 6:40 p.m.
A statement from Mayor William Bell:
“We are concerned about the overall good of the city and keeping up the positive momentum that we have seen over the past several years. With that in mind, I have withdrawn my complaint.”
Bell has withdrawn the charges of third degree assault against Councilman Marcus Lundy.
Details are still coming in, but Birmingham Mayor William Bell and City Councilman Marcus Lundy had a physical confrontation in a back room during the council’s meeting this morning. Both men ended up needing medical treatment.
According to a statement from the Mayor’s Office released just before noon, “The Mayor is currently recovering at a local area hospital. A formal police report has been initiated and will be ready for release in the next hour. [UPDATE: The report is posted below.] From there, the magistrate will swear out a warrant for the arrest of Councilor Lundy. When approached by Birmingham Police, Councilor Lundy refused to give a statement.”
A tweet from the City of Birmingham offers details about Bell’s medical treatment.
The Mayor is currently receiving a CT scan and MRI. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers.
— City of Birmingham (@cityofbhamal) December 15, 2015
Birmingham City Council
City Councilman Marcus Lundy’s leg after today’s altercation.
But here’s a subsequent statement from City Council President Johnathan Austin:
“What occurred at City Hall today is a direct reflection of the lack of respect towards the Council and unwillingness to cooperate which has been ongoing for some time now,” Austin said. “We have worked continuously to move this city forward, and it’s a sad day when Council members are attacked while trying to do the job that they were elected to do.
“Councilor Lundy, who will press charges against Mayor Bell, has been transported to a local hospital to be checked for injuries to his thigh and legs. A picture of Councilor Lundy’s injuries can be found by clicking HERE.”
The reasons for the altercation are unclear. In comments to WBHM’s Esther Ciammachilli, Austin said he didn’t know what was behind the scuffle, but mentioned Bell calling Regions Bank, Lundy’s employer, in an attempt to get Lundy fired.
“The fact that he [Bell] is willing to go so low as to call a council member’s job and try to get him fired and threaten to move the city’s money from Regions Bank to another bank if they didn’t get this council member in line is beyond me,” said Austin.
Bell’s office denies the accusation. A Regions spokesman says they are looking into the altercation and had no further comment.
Austin also described tension between the council and the mayor’s chief of operations at a Monday committee meeting that was chaired by Lundy. Austin says the mayor’s office took back a city car from the council that had been on loan, without informing the council.
Bell/Lundy Birmingham Police Report by WBHM News
Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze following 12th loss in his last 15 SEC games
The 56-year-old Freeze failed to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three years on the Plains, scoring 24 or fewer points in 17 of his 22 league games. He also ended up on the wrong end of too many close matchups, including twice this season thanks partly to questionable calls.
In a ‘disheartening’ era, the nation’s former top mining regulator speaks out
Joe Pizarchik, who led the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 2009 to 2017, says Alabama’s move in the wake of a fatal 2024 home explosion increases risks to residents living atop “gassy” coal mines.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
Colorado says relocation of Space Command to Alabama is ‘punishment’ for mail-in voting
The litigation announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asks a federal judge to block the move as unconstitutional.
Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.
