Patricia Bell, no relation to William Bell, has run for mayor several times. But she isn’t discouraged. She’s one of 12 candidates vying for the office in Tuesday’s election. The community activist and marketer says the city still needs good leadership.
Birmingham’s need for new leadership
Patricia Bell says she wants to be mayor to provide a stronger city for future generations.
“We have another generation that we have to be concerned about. “..That generation must not inherit what we have right now to offer them and that is a city that’s filled with crime and 30 percent poverty.”
Why run for mayor again?
Patricia Bell says she’s taking the same approach to campaigning this year in hopes of getting a different result than in her previous four attempts to win the mayor’s seat. She’s says there a benefit to running, even if she doesn’t win.
“Even when I’m losing the office, sometimes we are helping to get the issues out in front of the people forcing those who may sometimes win undeservingly to do what we put them in office to do.”
Addressing the concerns of citizens
Patricia Bell has never been elected to public office, but she says she is prepared to serve because she has what her ancestors had – respect and decency.
“They had a love that went beyond themselves. They were unselfish. That’s what I have, she says. “I can go to City Hall and not just look out for me – one, two, three, four and leave the rest of the people behind.”
Revitalizing communities
The next wave of development must start in communities, Bell says. “We need some business incubators similar to the innovation center downtown. We need innovators in Gate City, Loveman’s Village, Ensley, and in communities throughout the city,” she says.