May 1, 2001

Finance Director defection heats up Water Works imbroglio

City Finance Director Mac Underwood’s recent jump to the Water Works adds intrigue to the ongoing drama between the city and the Water Works Board for control of the water system assets. Underwood recently gave notice that he would relinquish his position as head of the city’s Department of Finance on May 31. But Mayor Kincaid decided to replace Underwood April 30 due to possible conflicts of interest surrounding the continuing assets battle. Mayor Kincaid names Michael Johnson as acting Finance Director. Underwood’s new title will be assistant general finance director for the Birmingham Water Works, reportedly earning approximately $22,000 more than the $103,000 a year he made at the city’s Finance Department.

Councilor Bill Johnson says it seems inappropriate that Underwood could go work at the Water Works since he “was intimately involved in finance issues on our side of the lawsuit [litigation by the city against the Water Works, seeking control of Water Works assets].” Kincaid notes that the failure of Underwood to call the Water Works Board prior to the asset transfer was part of the reason the city did not receive a $20 million payment previously due. Kincaid points out that the job Underwood took has been vacant since December 1999, prompting concern about how long Underwood has had association with the Water Works Board. Also of concern to the Mayor is Council President William Bell’s trip to New York yesterday to visit rating agencies with “the Water Works people,” according to Kincaid. The Mayor notes that he has the power under the Mayor-Council Act to launch an investigation, which Councilor Johnson encourages. Johnson notes that Underwood has “a lot of very valuable knowledge about the city’s side of the situation [asset controversy] that will now be transferred over to the Water Works situation.” In a press conference following the Council meeting, Kincaid says he’ll proceed with caution for fear that an investigation into Underwood’s job swap might appear to be “sour grapes.”

Kincaid names coordinator of

Environmental Court

Mayor Kincaid announces the appointment of Ronald Jackson as neighborhood deputies coordinator to institute the long-awaited environmental court and neighborhood deputies program. Councilor Aldrich Gunn thanks the Mayor for acting on behalf of the environmental court as he urges the destruction of unsightly, hazardous rental houses of ill repute that cause city officials to “get the lockjaw,” according to Gunn. The councilor says that the dilapidated houses are nothing more than fronts for illegal activity. Another safety issue on Gunn’s front burner is children playing basketball in the streets. Gunn urges Birmingham police to inform children “that the street is not a playground,” warning that it’s only a matter of time before someone is hit by a car.

Preachers threaten Arrington

Boulevard businesses

A delegation of Birmingham ministers are present this morning to protest the recent lawsuit filed by some businesses along Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard seeking to change the street (which technically doesn’t qualify as a boulevard) back to its original name of 21st Street. A Reverend Hagler expresses curiosity about the timing of the lawsuit in light of the recent Thomas Blanton trial and the visit of Tiger Woods. “It appears that racism is involved,” notes Hagler. “We regret having to deal with racism in the 21st Century!” He points out that no other lawsuits or complaints have been filed regarding other thoroughfare name changes, which he says were handled in the same manner as the Arrington Boulevard change. “We’re not going to sit back and let anyone erase the great accomplishments of our leader, Dr. Richard Arrington Jr.,” notes Hagler, calling Arrington “our Daniel, our prince, a modern statesman.”

Reverend T.L. Lewis echoes Hagler’s sentiments, promising that continuation of the lawsuit will result in protests in front of the businesses involved. Lewis says all one has to do is look at the contrasts in Birmingham before and after Arrington was mayor. “Start at City Hall, from the basement to the top floor, and you’ll find the spirit of Richard Arrington Jr.” He requests and receives a chorus of “Amen” from the dozen or so preachers on hand. Lewis says that there is “better than $10 million of our money down in these folks’ banks [in downtown Birmingham],” suggesting that “it might be time for a withdrawal!” Counting himself among the enlightened few, Lewis says, “We know what the real deal is with that. There are some of us who understand about this issue of the Water Board.” Regarding recent declarations of budget deficits, Lewis surmises, “Birmingham ain’t broke.” Pointing out the city’s high credit rating, Lewis says the city has more money than it ever has. “Let’s put the money on the table, get the ticks out of the policies, and let’s do business,” urges Reverend Lewis. He warns those picketing in front of City Hall for a sweeping change in the October Council elections that they will be tossed out if they try to picket at the pastors’ respective churches. Councilor Little proclaims the ministerial aggregate as “great men of God who have taken a stand for what’s right.” Little notes that she has one other issue she wants the ministers to investigate. “The airway is causing a lot of divisions in this city, giving out false information,” she says of local radio talk shows. Little encourages a boycott on doing business with those radio stations responsible for what she terms “miseducating of our people.” Councilor Alexander agrees with Little, urging the ministers to listen to area talk shows because the pastors are being called “pimps.”

No voting machines if referendum debt not paid

The Council again refuses to approve expenditures for the February 2001 referendum vote on the fate of the Water Works assets. Councilor Don MacDermott leaves the room before the vote. Mayor Kincaid reveals that a county commissioner told him over the weekend that unless the bills were paid, the voting machines would not be available to the city for the October 2001 Council elections. Noting the awkwardness in urging poll workers to file claims against the city to get their money, the Mayor says that it’s one way to get the referendum debt paid. Councilor Blake notes that he believes that Kincaid has the authority to pay the bill rather than going through the expense of litigation. Blake thinks the Mayor would probably win any challenge filed by a councilor over the payment. [After the meeting, Kincaid says any violation of the Mayor-Council Act on his part in paying the debt would be a misdemeanor, resulting in possible removal from office.] He urges Kincaid to put the vote on the agenda each week. “I noticed today that Mr. MacDermott left the room when the vote came up. Maybe next week two people will leave the room, and we might get this thing turned around,” says Blake. “I don’t blame them for leaving the room, because I’d be damn ashamed to not be willing to pay for a legally required referendum.” &