Kenneth Sutton is running hard in District 1 for Birmingham City Council. He promises to bring economic development to the city of Birmingham, and cure the ills of poverty in the municipality. However, with the city’s economy in decline, will he be able to stay true to fulfilling his promises?
Sutton has been able to capture the perfect string of endorsements, including: Governor Kay Ivey, Former Birmingham Mayor William Bell, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, House Representative Terri Sewell, Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales, Jefferson County Commissioner Shelia Tyson, Jefferson County Commissioner Jim Stephens, Former Council President Roderick Royal, Alabama State Legislator Rolanda Hollis, Alabama State Legislator John Rogers, Alabama State Legislator Chris England, and Alabama State Legislator Linda Coleman.
Dispute these heavy hitters endorsing Kenneth Sutton, there is still speculation on whether he can fulfill his campaign promise to alleviate poverty in Birmingham. According to World Population Review, Birmingham’s poverty rate stands at 25.2%, which is higher than the state’s average, and with child poverty at an all time high. The World Population Review also reported that Birmingham’s economic mobility is the lowest in the state, with few children able to improve their economic status as adults.
The city is now entrapped in a struggle with the federal government over the city’s budget, with city leaders claiming that they continue to be short-changed by the federal government, as they seek to develop the city and bring economic prosperity to the city.
According to Sutton, “I care about the city, and I care about the people in it. If the Federal Government thinks that we will not get our full share, they will find out that the people, and it’s leaders are raising more hell than they can handle.”
Representative John Rogers stated, “I don’t care about the Federal Government, if they can feed the people of this state. How the hell are they going to have trillions of dollars in their bank accounts, and tell of that we can’t have a dime?”
Representative Linda Coleman stated, “I care about the Federal Government, but they should care about us. If we can afford to give them our money in taxes, why can’t they afford to do our people right?” Councilor Steven Hoyt stated, “I know they are crooked. The Federal Government has always been crooked. And, if they think they are going to indite us, we will indite them.”.
This dispute between the State of Alabama and the Federal Government is reaching a high point, with Former Mayor William Bell stating, “I don’t give a damn about this Federal Government, because they don’t give a damn about us. If they want to hold us back, and hold us down, they will see that we are raising hell all the time, because we don’t need them, they need us.
Alabama State Legislator Chris England, stated, “I don’t give a damn about the Federal Government, because I know they are the devil.”