Birmingham Mayor, Council To Start Terms On Different Dates

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2017/10/DSC_0356.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:480;s:6:"height";i:318;s:4:"file";s:20:"2017/10/DSC_0356.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:6:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"DSC_0356-336x223.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:223;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"DSC_0356-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"DSC_0356-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"DSC_0356-469x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:469;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"DSC_0356-400x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:400;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"DSC_0356-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:6:"Picasa";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Sherrel Wheeler Stewart
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1664455376 
1507618587

Birmingham’s mayor and council were elected at the same time, but they will take office three weeks apart.

Mayor William Bell’s term expires on the second Tuesday in November, and the new mayor, Randall Woodfin, will be sworn in on or before the fourth Tuesday in November. Those dates are set by state law, according to the Alabama Secretary of State.

The Alabama Legislature in 2010 changed the law to synchronize elections for the Birmingham mayor and council beginning in 2013.  That law set the fourth Tuesday in October as the date for the council to assume office. It did not, however, change the beginning and end of the mayor’s term.

This means Birmingham’s council will serve with an outgoing mayor for three weeks.

William Bell, the outgoing mayor, won re-election in 2013, so there was no transition because he continued in office.

Woodfin, who is wrapping up his first term on the Birmingham School Board, defeated Bell in a runoff on Oct. 3. The incoming mayor is set to announce his transition team today.

Mayor William Bell greets Councilwoman Lashunda Scales of District 1. The two have had differences in recent years, and Scales backed Mayor-elect Randall Woodfin in the recent election.

Sherrel Wheeler Stewart
Mayor William Bell lost his re-election bid to Randall Woodfin in a runoff this month. Councilwoman Lashunda Scales won another term, which will begin weeks before Woodfin takes office.

 

Overseas Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law denied entry to Singapore

The activist wanted by the Hong Kong government said he was denied entry to Singapore over the weekend for what he presumes were political reasons.

Moldova’s pro-EU party wins clear parliamentary majority, defeating pro-Russian groups

Moldova's pro-Western governing party won a clear parliamentary majority, defeating pro-Russian groups in an election that was widely viewed as a stark choice between East and West.

Scared of spiders? Some former arachnophobes now are keeping jumping spiders as pets

 The jumping spider pet market is booming, particularly with women. And for many, the journey to spider enthusiast began as an arachnophobe.

She felt abandoned — until a teacher’s hug reminded her she wasn’t alone

When she was in the sixth grade, Tanya Eby's world was unraveling. One day, overcome with grief, she cried in class — and her teacher, Mrs. Welch, wrapped Eby in a hug.

Neglected form of diabetes with unusual symptoms finally gets its own name

An unusual type of diabetes linked to malnutrition now has a name. Scientists are calling for wider recognition of the newly classified Type 5 diabetes to spur better treatments.

Prone to winter depression? Starting light therapy now can help

As daylight diminishes people can feel their mood dimming. In fact millions of U.S. adults experience seasonal affective disorder. Light therapy can help fend off winter depression, starting in the fall.

More 2017 Birmingham City Elections Coverage