Jefferson County Commission to look for other absentee voting space after alleged voter suppression
Bessemer Absentee Voting Clerk Karen Dunn Burks hugged Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens during a meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2022.
Bessemer Absentee Voting Clerk Karen Dunn Burks had a hug for every member of the Jefferson County Commission present after the panel settled on a resolution to a contentious disagreement over where absentee voting will take place in Bessemer.
During its meeting Tuesday at the Bessemer Justice Center, commissioners moved to Thursday’s meeting agenda a plan for absentee voting to continue in the ceremonial courtroom in the basement of the justice center while the offices of the county manager and general services explore the possibility of moving the office to the second floor.
Burks last week accused Jefferson County government of voter suppression because of plans to move her office from the courtroom basement to another office also in the basement. She contended the plan created unfair conditions and accommodations for voters and was inhumane.
“I feel very hopeful. I feel very good,” Burks said after Tuesday’s meeting. “I was very joyous to hear the commissioners all say that they wanted the best for the Bessemer Division and for the voters. Where we currently are, they acknowledged that it was not the best flow turn.
“The decisions that were made here and to have the county manager (Cal Markert) go up and to look at (the second floor), it’s definitely steps toward the right direction,” she continued. “I’m grateful for the fact that I felt that everybody here wanted the best for the citizens. That’s all I wanted. I wanted them to know and look at the room. I think today was the first time they really had a chance to look and to acknowledge there were some things that were not quite right.”
During the discussion, Commissioner Joe Knight acknowledged having gone into the basement room that was to be built out for absentee voting. He cited a hum in the room from heating and cooling units that serve the entire building.
“They’re willing to look at alternatives on the second floor and I’m just so grateful for that,” Burks said. “I’m appreciative of what Commissioner (Lashunda) Scales said and Commissioner (Sheila) Tyson. And also, definitely, what the president (Jimmie Stephens) stated and how he felt. I was appreciative … for his willingness to help.”
The commission president said the location of absentee voting in Bessemer had “too much controversy around for something that should be very simple.”
“I think this commission needs to have our county manager research that second floor courtroom. If it is feasible to be able to utilize that, I think that is the space that everyone has decided upon. In the meantime, we have time to work through that,” he said. “Let’s give the county manager and his staff and general services a chance to see what they can do.”
Stephens, the District 3 commissioner whose area includes the Bessemer Cutoff, had been the target of verbal blasts from Burks. But following the committee meeting, Stephens said those claims were simply rhetoric. He added that he had not been involved in the matter.
“Sometimes you’re given credit for things you have no knowledge of. That was the case on my point,” he said. “I think that now that it is clarified and I think the proper decisions were made, I think that while we build out a place that does not disenfranchise any voters, I think we’re in good shape.
“I’m glad to come to that understanding,” the commission president said. “It’s much better when you talk to people instead of at people. I think that we finally talked to each other today.”
In another matter, Knight said some of the budget items for staff development were “eyebrow-raising.” He acknowledged later that departments had the money for those items in their budgets.
“They were large amounts but I guess it’s getting close to the end of the budget (year),” he said. “If you budgeted and it’s in your budget, I don’t have a problem with it. They talked to me about these large amounts. It’s not a conference. It’s actually a training … an extensive, comprehensive course.
“That’s my job, holding them to the budget.”
Ivey appoints Will Parker to Alabama Supreme Court
Parker fills the court seat vacated by Bill Lewis who was tapped by President Donald Trump for a federal judgeship. The U.S. Senate last month confirmed Lewis as a U.S. district judge.
How Alabama Power kept bills up and opposition out to become one of the most powerful utilities in the country
In one of the poorest states in America, the local utility earns massive profits producing dirty energy with almost no pushback from state regulators.
No more Elmo? APT could cut ties with PBS
The board that oversees Alabama Public Television is considering disaffiliating from PBS, ending a 55-year relationship.
Nonprofit erases millions in medical debt across Gulf South, says it’s ‘Band-Aid’ for real issue
Undue Medical Debt has paid off more than $299 million in medical debts in Alabama. Now, the nonprofit warns that the issue could soon get worse.
Roy Wood Jr. on his father, his son and his new book
Actor, comedian and writer Roy Wood Jr. is out with a new book -- "The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir." He writes about his experience growing up in Birmingham, losing his dad as a teenager and all the lessons he learned from various father figures throughout his career.
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.
