Larry! Larry! Larry!

Langford leads in mayor poll- al.com

I think it’s safe to say that the Bernard Kincaid Era is going to be over very soon:

Langford was supported by 33 percent of the voters surveyed last week, while political newcomer Patrick Cooper was the choice of 25 percent. Mayor Bernard Kincaid was third at 9 percent, followed by City Council President Carole Smitherman, 6 percent; City Councilwoman Valerie Abbott, 5 percent; and City Councilman William Bell, 4 percent. Other candidates received less than 1 percent, and 18 percent of the voters said they were undecided.

Ouch.

So, unless this poll is way off, and they’re rarely that far off, and if it is we at the UA Communications School are going to have a lot of fun at UAB’s expense, we’re looking at a runoff between Crazy Larry and Patrick Cooper.

61 percent of respondents said that the city was on the wrong track. But the murder rate is going down!

No easy fix? Then forget it.

Crime on candidates’ minds, but there may be no easy fix- al.com

Mayor Bernie tells everyone to take a chill pill:

But Mayor Bernard Kincaid says much of the rhetoric plays to fear rather than facts.

“There’s a perception that crime is running rampant in the city of Birmingham,” he said. “That’s not true.”

Kincaid cites other statistics showing violent crime on the decline. The city has reported 62 homicides in 2007 compared with 81 at this time last year. The city’s ranking for murder rate dropped from No. 2 nationally in 2005 to No. 4 last year, and its overall crime ranking fell from No. 16 to No. 22.

I suppose if you’re the incumbent mayor you have to look on the bright side, but being “only” fourth in murder rate is hardly something to brag about. Forget that, what does Crazy Larry think?

“It’s time to make Birmingham a dangerous place for criminals,” Langford says in one ad.

Well, it’s already pretty dangerous, since a lot of the people who get murdered are criminals, but Larry knows what he’s talking about, since in a previous life he was Black Lightning. (Via Bahlactus.)

But seriously, I like Langford, for all that I mock.

Langford agrees more law enforcement is needed, but has also said that “10 million police won’t stop this problem.”

Instead, he has called for more personal responsibility, saying parents need to return to good parenting. He also says a better education program, including his proposed scholarship plan for students, would help by expanding opportunities.

“It is cheaper to educate a child than to incarcerate them,” he said.

See… that’s right. Of course, you do need more cops, because the current generation of criminals isn’t going to be saved by scholarships. And this is going to cost a whole lot of money.

No, don’t shirk

Bell accused of shirking old debt- al.com

I will admit that I did consider endorsing William Bell, on the grounds that he needs a job and may be homeless.

The coveted Thomason Tracts endorsement

I think I should make an endorsement in the Birmingham Mayoral race. There are a few concerns here:

1. I don’t live in Birmingham, and haven’t lived in the city limits since I was 12.
2. I am only going to endorse whoever promises to be the most entertaining mayor.

Now, I feel very strongly that Willis Hendrix would be the most entertaining mayor, plus I used to know the guy, but he doesn’t stand a chance. Therefore, Thomason Tracts endorses Crazy Larry Langford as Birmingham’s next chief executive. As a bonus, he doesn’t live in Birmingham either!

Troy for Congress?

Daily Dixie: Congressional District 2 – Wide Open?

And you guys up in Washington thought Sessions was bad.

Larry Langford and the conservation of parks

Mayoral candidates talk landmarks- al.com

Larry Langford says that he wants the site of Legion Field to be converted into a public park, a miniature version of Flushing Meadows in New York. Meanwhile, a replacement stadium would be built in Fair Park. Why not keep Legion Field and build a public park in Fair Park, which after all already has “park” in its name?

Satirical candidate (I think that’s what he’s doing) Willis Hendrix wants to give Legion Field to the Boy Scouts and will contribute trees to the effort.

Bob Riley to do Lipscomb city council’s job for it

Riley to appoint mayor after city fails to do so- al.com

One may recall that Gov. Riley’s appointments have not all worked out that well. For example: Troy King. I think Riley should appoint Troy to this position, for which he seems eminently qualified.

They should have a reality show

Time running out to pick new Lipscomb mayor- al.com

Seriously. “Who Wants To Be The Mayor?” It couldn’t do worse than the city council. Said council was supposed to pick the new permanent mayor, but was unable to because in each of the two meetings in September there was no quorum, perhaps because several members were on the lam. If they don’t pick a new mayor today, the choice goes to the governor.

Burr : Hamilton :: Bell : Kincaid?

Bell challenges Kincaid to duel on city issues- al.com

Gosh, I figured that the first mayoral candidate to challenge another to a duel would almost certainly be Larry Langford.

Kind of makes you reevaluate Big Bird

Scientists: Velociraptor had feathers – CNN.com