Republicans Have Nothing of Substance to Offer the Poor

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January 23, 2014

Last week, Republicans marked the 50th anniversary of Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty by denouncing it as an abject failure. Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL), performed a mathematical sleight of hand in declaring that “more people are living in poverty than ever before.”
The National Review, the intellectual standard bearer of movement conservatism, published an editorial relying on the same deceptive math. (Yes, more people are living in poverty, but the percentage is lower. The population has grown in the last half-century.) House Speaker John Boehner rushed to agree with those analyses.
But the more interesting assaults came from a handful of young Turks, including Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), who understand that the GOP needs to change its image to reflect more charity and compassion toward the less fortunate. They presented familiar criticisms of government intervention on behalf of the poor while also promising they would introduce better solutions.
If only they were sincere. As the United States — like the rest of the industrialized world — grapples with structural economic changes that are hollowing out the middle class, its leaders desperately need to come up with new ideas to help struggling Americans maintain a decent standard of living. Unfortunately, Republicans have next to nothing to offer.
Take Rubio’s speech. His proposals were warmed-over Republican rhetoric from the last three decades, including the oft-repeated complaint that poor people are impoverished because they refuse to get married. He might as well have been Dan Quayle in 1992, railing against the fictional out-of-wedlock mother Murphy Brown.
“The truth is, the greatest tool to lift children and families from poverty is one that decreases the probability of child poverty by 82 percent. But it isn’t a government spending program. It’s called marriage,” he said.
This argument makes me crazy. I’m a huge fan of the institution because of the many benefits a good marriage bestows: intimacy, companionship, stability. But it does not solve poverty. Suggesting it does is a logical fallacy — confusing cause and correlation.

Differences in Rich and Poor Nations

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Birmingham Times

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January 23, 2014

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Have you ever wondered why some nations are rich and others are impoverished? This dilemma has posed challenges for years, leading to hundreds of studies and scores of books.
Various researchers have approached the problem in different ways. But four major causative factors have emerged over time. They are productivity and technology, institutions, natural resources, and personal freedoms.
Productivity, defined as output per man hour, is a crucial determinant of the wealth of a nation. Higher productivity means more can be produced by a given population.
Technology is the source of productivity. Technological advances make it possible to produce more with less. And societies that quickly adapt new technological breakthroughs tend to be more productive.
Institutions such as governmental systems also help explain the wealth gap. The institution of private property—critical to economic growth and development—protects the rights of property owners. In like manner, political stability is vital.
Government can also play a role by establishing the broad boundaries of competition. It must be willing to take action to prevent market failures such as unfair competitive practices and to provide essential public services.
Government, however, must not become overly involved in the activities of society. An overreaching and bureaucratic government can cause impoverishment among its citizens.
That all nations are not created equal in terms of natural resources explains why some nations are wealthier than others. An abundance of natural resources will not of itself cause a nation to be rich—witness the poor Latin American nations—but it will certainly increase the potential for economic growth. At the same time, a lack of natural resources does not automatically seal the fate of a nation.
In this arena, our nation is blessed. It has two vast coastlines, millions of acres of fertile soil, huge mineral deposits, vast forests, thousands of miles of navigable rivers, and a temperate climate
The final consideration is personal freedom, a vital component of the rich nation-poor nation equation. This refers not only to freedom of enterprise but also encompasses freedom of expression, freedom of the press, religious freedom, and political freedom. Freer nations have, over time, developed into wealthier nations. By promoting the capabilities of individuals, society is the ultimate beneficiary.
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Wayne Curtis, Ph.D., is a former superintendent of Alabama banks and Troy University business school dean. He is retired from the board of directors of First United Security Bank. Email him at wccurtis39@gmail.com.

Unified local agenda sets foundation for progress

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Birmingham Times

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January 23, 2014

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by Senator Rodger Smitherman
The 2014 session of the Alabama Legislature began last week, and for the first time in recent years, there is a unified Birmingham agenda that represents many of the issues that can assist in moving our region forward.
Earlier this month, Birmingham leaders including Mayor William A. Bell Sr., Council President Johnathan Austin, the City Council, School Board, Transit Authority and Water Board came together and presented a Legislative Agenda that addresses education, economic development, utilities, transit and quality of life. As the state Senator representing more than 65 percent of the voters in Birmingham, I can gain strength in Montgomery by the unity among my constituents at home.
I am pleased with the unified agenda for several reasons. First of all, in order for our region to thrive, we must be poised to take advantage of the current trends for economic growth that are impacting our country at this time. This means we should give existing and new businesses the tools they need to enhance the production of goods and services so that they can put more of our Birmingham residents to work. At the same time, we must support changes in the delivery of education that will better equip traditional and none traditional students for competitive employment.
When we have greater success in education and in economic development, we reach the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life in Birmingham and surrounding communities.
Some may wonder why it is so important to build a better Birmingham with more jobs and improved education. Look at the numbers.
About 1.2 million people live in the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Statistical Area that includes more than 440,000 households spread out over six counties. Our region has been dubbed the Silicon Valley of the Southeast by Network World. Another publication, Livability, says that Birmingham is one the top 10 places in the country to retire. There are great things happening here, and we want to see even more.
For too long, Birmingham and central Alabama have been stymied by division among the leaders of government. The mayor and city council have set the foundation by displaying and supporting a united front.
This is the best route to continued success for the total region, and it is a route that can lead to a productive 2014 session of the Alabama Legislature for our region.

Letter to the Editor

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Birmingham Times

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January 23, 2014

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Dear Editor,
As you probably heard, the Foster Farms chicken slaughterhouse in California was recently shut down due to a cockroach infestation. If that’s not enough to put you off chicken, consider this: Chicken flesh is commonly contaminated with salmonella—the same bacteria that cockroaches can carry—as well as listeria, campylobacter, and E. coli.
According to Michael Greger, M.D., the author of Bird Flu: A Virus of Our Own Hatching, chicken “juice” is essentially raw fecal soup. Chicken carcasses are so contaminated that University of Arizona researchers found more fecal bacteria in the kitchen than they found when swabbing a toilet. Greger even thinks it might be “safer” to lick the rim of the toilet seat than the kitchen countertop in a meat-eater’s house, because people don’t prepare chickens in their toilets.
Chicken flesh just isn’t healthy. It contains the same amount of cholesterol as beef and it’s high in sodium, which contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other heart problems. Researchers have also found that people who frequently eat grilled skinless chicken have a 52 percent higher chance of developing bladder cancer than people who don’t.
But don’t despair if you like the taste of chicken – you can get great-tasting faux chicken from Beyond Meat, Gardein, Boca, and other vegan-friendly companies. For more information, see www.PETA.org.
Sincerely,
Heather Moore The PETA Foundation 501 Front St. Norfolk, VA 23510 757-622-7382, ext. 8106

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE

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Birmingham Times

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January 23, 2014

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By Steve Flowers

It looks like our good doctor Gov. Robert Bentley will escape a serious challenge to his reelection bid this year. The GOP primary, which is tantamount to election in a statewide race in the Heart of Dixie, is less than five months away. If Gov. Bentley were going to get a significant opponent they would have surfaced by now. In fact, in order to mount a credible race, an opponent would have to have started at least six months ago and raised over a million dollars. That probably would not have been enough. Bentley’s favorability and reelection polling numbers are out of the roof.

It appeared early on that legislative races and more specifically intraparty GOP battles for those seats would be the marquee matchup. There will be some but less than first expected. In addition, the legislative lines are drawn in a fashion to take advantage of the partisan proclivities in the state. Therefore, the state legislature, both House and Senate, are poised to remain in GOP control, probably by a two to one super majority status.

Indeed, when the dust settles in November, Alabama will still have 31 out of 31 statewide offices held by Republicans along with a two to one super majority legislative grip on state government. Our delegates in Washington will also remain six to one in the House as well as both U.S. Senators. It has gone under the radar screen that Sen. Jeff Sessions is up for election. He will not have to break a sweat to garner another term. It looks like the Heart of Dixie is also the heart and soul of the Republican Party.

When the legislature fell to Republican control in the 2010 elections, it was widely written and said that the legislature was the last bastion of Democratic dominance in the state. To quote Lee Corso, not so fast my friend. There is one last corner of state politics that the GOP hierarchy wants to capture and that is the office of sheriff.

The sheriff’s offices are high on the GOP agenda for 2014. They are targeting 26 counties, 18 of those target counties are strong Republican counties. Most of the key counties they are eyeing are in North Alabama. In 12 of the potential takeover counties, Gov. Bentley received over 60% of the vote in 2010.

The top 10 focus counties that the GOP has on the takeover hit list are Cleburne, Marshall, Limestone, Lamar, Escambia, Marion, Randolph, Walker, Fayette and Clay. Calhoun County was on the GOP primary hit list. However, Calhoun Sheriff Larry Amerson decided it was better to switch parties than fight. Amerson switched to the GOP late last year. He will seek reelection as a Republican.

In 2010 Bentley received over 70% of the vote in Cleburne, Marshall and Fayette. The GOP gubernatorial nominee got over 65% in Limestone, Lamar and Marion. Bentley got over 60% in Clay, Escambia, Randolph, Lauderdale and Walker. Also on the radar screen for GOP sheriff takeover are Jackson, Washington, Monroe and Franklin counties. These sheriff races along with some high profile legislative contests may be the best shows in town this year.

If Robert Bentley remains as governor, as is expected, some might suggest that you may as well move the state capital to Tuscaloosa. The Druid City lays claim to having the governor, as well as our Senior U.S. Senator, Richard Shelby. In addition, they have Congressman Robert Aderholt, who sits on appropriations as their U.S. Representative and State Representative Bill Poole who now chairs the House Education Budget Committee.

Both Shelby and Tuscaloosa counties claim Dr. Bentley as their own. He was born and raised in Columbiana in Shelby County but spent his entire adult life practicing medicine in Tuscaloosa. Therefore, when counting governors and their home counties, where do you place him? If it is Tuscaloosa, then that gives them three governors. If you give him to Shelby, he is their only one.

No county in the state compares to Barbour County. It is the Home of Governors. They can boast of being the home of eight Alabama governors. Their list includes John Gill Shorter, William Jelks, Braxton Bragg Comer, Charles McDowell, Chauncey Sparks, Jere Beasley, Lurleen Wallace and Alabama’s most prolific governor, George Wallace. Ironically, the county is appropriately named for a governor, James Barbour, who was Governor of Virginia.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His column appears weekly in more than 70 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. He may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

The 45th NAACP Image Awards Nominees Announced

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Birmingham Times

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January 23, 2014

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PASADENA, Calif. – The nominees for The 45th NAACP Image Awards were announced during a live press conference at the TV One presentation to the Television Critics Association during its Winter 2014 Press Tour in Pasadena, Calif. David Oyelowo (“Lee Daniels’ ‘The Butler’”), Joe Morton (ABC’s “Scandal”), Keke Palmer (VH1’s “CrazySexyCool”), Bresha Webb (TV One’s “Love That Girl”) and Gina Torres (USA’s “Suits”) announced the categories and nominees with NAACP Image Awards Committee Chairman, Leonard James and President and CEO of TV One, Alfred Liggins.
The NAACP Image Awards celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. Winners will be voted upon by NAACP members and announced when the envelopes are opened on Friday, February 21 during the Awards Ceremony for non-televised categories. The remaining categories will be announced LIVE on stage during the two-hour star-studded TV One telecast on Saturday, February 22 (9 p.m. ET/PT tape-delayed). The telecast will also include a one-hour pre-show airing live from the red carpet (8 p.m. ET/PT tape-delayed).  BET and CBS lead the nominees in the TV categories with 19 and 16 nominations respectively, followed by ABC with 15 nominations and HBO with 13 nominations. In the recording category, RCA leads with 10 nominations, followed by Atlantic Records with eight nominations and Columbia Pictures with seven nominations. In the motion picture category, The Weinstein Company leads with 17 nominations, followed by Fox Searchlight Pictures with seven nominations.
“This has been an incredible year from the artistic community, with phenomenal contributions across the board from the music, television, motion picture, and literature genres that have the power and impact to drive social change,” stated Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP. “The NAACP Image Awards provides an excellent venue to recognize those who make a difference through art and activism, and we are excited to honor and celebrate this caliber of talent.”
“The Image Awards recognize the best that communities of color have to offer and is an exciting addition to our programming line-up – TV One is pleased to showcase all of these achievements on our network,” stated Liggins.
Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. The organization’s half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities and monitor equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.
The 45th NAACP Image Awards are sponsored by: UAW–Chrysler, FedEx, AT&T, Hyundai Motor America, Gilead Sciences, Wells Fargo, Ford Motor Company, Pepsico and Southwest Airlines.

Following is the list of categories and nominees for the 45TH NAACP Image Awards:

TELEVISION
Outstanding Comedy Series
·         “House of Lies” (Showtime)
·         “Modern Family” (ABC)
·         “Real Husbands of Hollywood” (BET)
·         “The Game” (BET)
·         “The Soul Man” (TV Land)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
·         Andre Braugher – “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (FOX)
·         Cedric The Entertainer – “The Soul Man” (TV Land)
·         Don Cheadle – “House of Lies” (Showtime)
·         Dulé Hill – “Psych” (USA Network)
·         Kevin Hart – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” (BET)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
·         Aisha Tyler – “Archer” (FX Networks)
·         Mindy Kaling – “The Mindy Project” (FOX)
·         Niecy Nash – “The Soul Man” (TV Land)
·         Tasha Smith – “Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse” (OWN)
·         Wendy Raquel Robinson – “The Game” (BET)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
·         Boris Kodjoe – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” (BET)
·         Jerry “J B Smoove” Brooks – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” (BET)
·         Morris Chestnut – “Nurse Jackie” (Showtime)
·         Nick Cannon – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” (BET)
·         Tracy Morgan – “30 Rock” (NBC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
·         Anna Deavere Smith – “Nurse Jackie” (Showtime)
·         Brandy Norwood – “The Game” (BET)
·         Nia Long – “House of Lies” (Showtime)
·         Rashida Jones – “Parks and Recreation” (NBC)
·         Sofia Vergara – “Modern Family” (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series
·         “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
·         “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
·         “Scandal” (ABC)
·         “The Good Wife” (CBS)
·         “Treme” (HBO)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
·         James Pickens, Jr. – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
·         LL Cool J – “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS)
·         Michael Ealy – “Almost Human” (FOX)
·         Shemar Moore – “Criminal Minds” (CBS)
·         Wendell Pierce – “Treme” (HBO)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
·         Chandra Wilson – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
·         Kerry Washington – “Scandal” (ABC)
·         Khandi Alexander – “Treme” (HBO)
·         Nicole Beharie – “Sleepy Hollow” (FOX)
·         Regina King – “SouthLAnd” (TNT)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
·         Columbus Short – “Scandal” (ABC)
·         Guillermo Diaz – “Scandal” (ABC)
·         Jeffrey Wright – “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
·         Joe Morton – “Scandal” (ABC)
·         Michael Kenneth Williams – “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
·         Archie Panjabi – “The Good Wife” (CBS)
·         Debbie Allen – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
·         Diahann Carroll – “White Collar” (USA)
·         Taraji P. Henson – “Person of Interest” (CBS)
·         Vanessa L. Williams – “666 Park Avenue” (ABC)

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
·         “Being Mary Jane” (BET)
·         “Betty & Coretta” (Lifetime)
·         “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” (VH1)
·         “Luther” (BBC America)
·         “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight” (HBO)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
·         Chiwetel Ejiofor – “Dancing on the Edge” (Starz)
·         Danny Glover – “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest (HBO)
·         Idris Elba – “Luther” (BBC America)
·         Malik Yoba – “Betty & Coretta” (Lifetime)
·         Omari Hardwick – “Being Mary Jane” (BET)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
·         Angela Bassett – “American Horror Story: Coven” (FX Networks)
·         Angela Bassett – “Betty & Coretta” (Lifetime)
·         Gabourey Sidibe – “American Horror Story: Coven” (FX Networks)
·         Gabrielle Union – “Being Mary Jane” (BET)
·         Keke Palmer – “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” (VH1)

Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
·         Aaron D. Spears – “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
·         Kristoff St. John – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
·         Lawrence Saint Victor – “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
·         Redaric Williams – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
·         Tequan Richmond – “General Hospital” (ABC)

Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
·         Angell Conwell – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
·         Christel Khalil – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
·         Karla Mosley – “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
·         Kristolyn Lloyd – “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
·         Tatyana Ali – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)

Outstanding News/ Information – (Series or Special)
·         “Justice for Trayvon” (BET)
·         “Mandela: Freedom’s Father” (BET)
·         “Oprah: Where Are They Now?” (OWN)
·         “The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” (PBS)
·         “Unsung” (TV One)

Outstanding Talk Series
·         “Oprah’s Lifeclass” (OWN)
·         “Oprah’s Next Chapter” (OWN)
·         “Steve Harvey” (Syndicated)
·         “The Arsenio Hall Show” (Syndicated)
·         “The Queen Latifah Show” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Reality Series
·         “Iyanla: Fix My Life” (OWN)
·         “Shark Tank” (ABC)
·         “Sunday Best” (BET)
·         “The Voice” (NBC)
·         “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” (OWN)

Outstanding Variety Series or Special
·         “12 Years A Slave: A TV One Special with Cathy Hughes” (TV One)
·         “Black Girls Rock!” (BET)
·         “Key & Peele” (Comedy Central)
·         “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth” (HBO)
·         “Oprah’s Master Class” (OWN)

Outstanding Children’s Program
·         “2013 HALO Awards” (Nickelodeon/TeenNick)
·         “A.N.T. Farm” (Disney Channel)
·         “Dora the Explorer” (Nickelodeon)
·         “Postcards: Mandela” (The Africa Channel)
·         “Wynton Marsalis: A YoungArts MasterClass” (HBO)

Outstanding Performance in a Youth/ Children’s Program – (Series or Special)
·         China Anne McClain – “A.N.T. Farm” (Disney Channel)
·         Eric I. Keyes, III – “Live Life and Win!” (Syndicated)
·         Fatima Ptacek – “Dora the Explorer” (Nickelodeon)
·         Karan Brar – “Jessie” (Disney Channel)
·         Zendaya – “Shake It Up” (Disney Channel)

RECORDING
Outstanding New Artist
·         Ariana Grande (Republic Records)
·         Candice Glover (19 Recordings/Interscope Records)
·         K. Michelle (Atlantic Records)
·         RaVaughn Brown (Columbia Records)
·         Zendaya (Hollywood Records)

Outstanding Male Artist
·         Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)
·         Charlie Wilson (RCA Records)
·         John Legend (Columbia Records)
·         Justin Timberlake (RCA Records)
·         Robin Thicke (Star Trak/Interscope)

Outstanding Female Artist
·         Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
·         India.Arie (Motown Records)
·         Janelle Monáe (Bad Boy/Atlantic)
·         Ledisi (Verve Records)
·         Mary J Blige (Verve Records/Interscope)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
·         “#Beautiful” – Mariah Carey feat. Miguel (Island Def Jam)
·         “Blurred Lines” – Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell (Star Trak/Interscope)
·         “Fire We Make” – Alicia Keys feat. Maxwell (RCA Records)
·         “Hurt You” – Toni Braxton feat. Babyface (Motown Records)
·         “Suit & Tie” – Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z (RCA Records)

Outstanding Jazz Album
·         “Summer Horns” – Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair, Richard Elliot (Concord Records)
·         “The Beat” – Boney James (Concord Records)
·         “The Messenger” – Kevin Eubanks (Mack Avenue Records)
·         “The Morning After: A Musical Love Journey” – Najee (Shanachie)
·         “The Songs of Stevie Wonder” – SFJAZZ Collective (SFJAZZ Records)

Outstanding Gospel Album – (Traditional or Contemporary)
·         “20 Year Celebration Volume 1 – Best For Last” – Donald Lawrence (Quietwater Entertainment/eOne Music)
·         “Azusa: The Next Generation” – Hezekiah Walker (RCA Inspiration)
·         “Best Days Deluxe Edition” – Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music)
·         “Good God” – Shirley Caesar (eOne Music)
·         “Music From the Motion Picture Black Nativity” – Various (RCA Inspiration)

Outstanding World Music Album
·         “Coming from a Lady” – Lady Ele (13 Black Records)
·         “Live At The Royal Albert Hall” – Emeli Sande (Capitol)
·         “Natalie Cole en Español” – Natalie Cole (Verve Records)
·         “Sing To The Moon” – Laura Mvula (Columbia Records)
·         “The Standards” – Gloria Estefan (Masterworks)

Outstanding Music Video
·         “Cocoa Butter” – India.Arie (Motown Records)
·         “Fire We Make” – Alicia Keys feat. Maxwell (RCA Records)
·         “Made To Love” – John Legend (Columbia Records)
·         “Q.U.E.E.N.” – Janelle Monáe feat. Erykah Badu (Bad Boy/Atlantic)
·         “Treasure” – Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Song
·         “All Of Me” – John Legend (Columbia Records)
·         “Blurred Lines ” – Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell (Star Trak/Interscope)
·         “Fire We Make” – Alicia Keys feat. Maxwell (RCA Records)
·         “Q.U.E.E.N.” – Janelle Monáe feat. Erykah Badu (Bad Boy/Atlantic)
·         “Treasure” – Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Album
·         “20/20 Experience – The Complete Experience” – Justin Timberlake (RCA Records)
·         “Blurred Lines” – Robin Thicke (Star Trak/Interscope)
·         “Love In The Future” – John Legend (Columbia Records)
·         “Love, Charlie” – Charlie Wilson (RCA Records)
·         “The Electric Lady” – Janelle Monáe (Bad Boy/Atlantic)

LITERATURE

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
·         “A Deeper Love Inside: The Porscha Santiaga Story” – Sister Souljah (Atria/Emily Bestler Books)
·         “Anybody’s Daughter” – Pamela Samuels Young (Goldman House Publishing)
·         “Little Green: An Easy Rawlins Mystery” – Walter Mosley (Doubleday)
·         “Never Say Never: A Novel” – Victoria Christopher Murray (Touchstone/Simon & Schuster)
·         “Who Asked You?” – Terry McMillan (Viking)

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction
·         “Bartlett’s Familiar Black Quotations: 5,000 Years of Literature, Lyrics, Poems, Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs from Voices Around the World” – Retha Powers (Little, Brown and Company)
·         “Envisioning Emancipation: Black Americans and the End of Slavery” – Deborah Willis, Barbara Krauthamer (Temple University Press)
·         “High Price: A Neuroscientist’s Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society” – Carl Hart (HarperCollins, Harper)
·         “Letters to an Incarcerated Brother: Encouragement, Hope, and Healing for Inmates and Their Loved Ones” – Hill Harper (Gotham Books)
·         “The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross” – Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Donald Yacovone (SmileyBooks)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
·         “Better Than Good Hair – The Curly Girl Guide to Healthy Gorgeous Natural Hair!” – Nikki Walton with Ernessa T. Carter (Harper Collins- Amistad)
·         “Ghana Must Go” – Taiye Selasi (The Penguin Press)
·         “Nine Years Under” – Sheri Booker (Gotham Books)
·         “On The Come Up” – Hannah Weyer (Nan A. Talese/Doubleday)
·         “The Returned” – Jason Mott (Harlequin MIRA)

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Auto-Biography
·         “Buck: A Memoir” – MK Asante (Spiegel & Grau)
·         “Duke: A Life of Duke Ellington” – Terry Teachout (Gotham Books)
·         “Kansas City Lightning: The Rise and Times of Charlie Parker” – Stanley Crouch (HarperCollins, Harper)
·         “Mom & Me & Mom” – Maya Angelou (Random House)
·         “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks” – Jeanne Theoharis (Beacon Press)

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
·         “Do I Look Like An ATM? A Parent’s Guide to Raising Financially Responsible African American Children” – Sabrina Lamb (Chicago Review Press)
·         “Plan D: How to Lose Weight and Beat Diabetes (Even If You Don’t Have It)” – Sherri Shepherd with Billie Fitzpatrick (HarperCollins, It Books)
·         “Recruiting and Retaining Culturally Different Students in Gifted Education” – Donna Y. Ford, Ph.D. (Prufrock Press Inc.)
·         “The Entrepreneur Mind: 100 Essential Beliefs, Characteristics, and Habits of Elite Entrepreneurs” – Kevin D. Johnson (Johnson Media Inc.)
·         “The Vegucation of Robin: How Real Food Saved My Life” – Robin Quivers (Avery)

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
·         “Chasing Utopia: A Hybrid” – Nikki Giovanni (HarperCollins, William Morrow)
·         “Hum” – Jamaal May (Alice James Books)
·         “The Cineaste: Poems” – A. Van Jordan (W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.)
·         “The Collected Poems of Ai” – Ai (W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.)
·         “Turn Me Loose: The Unghosting of Medgar Evers” – Frank X Walker (University of Georgia Press)

Outstanding Literary Work – Children
·         “I’m A Pretty Little Black Girl!” – Betty K. Bynum (Author), Claire Armstrong-Parod (Illustrator) (Dream Title Publishing)
·         “Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me” – Daniel Beaty (Author), Bryan Collier (Illustrator) (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
·         “Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song” – Andrea Davis Pinkney (Author), Brian Pinkney (Illustrator) (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
·         “Nelson Mandela” – Kadir Nelson (HarperCollins Children’s Books/Katherine Tegen Books)
·         “You Never Heard of Willie Mays?!” – Jonah Winter (Author), Terry Widener (Illustrator) (RH Childrens Books; Schwartz & Wade)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
·         “Courage Has No Color, The True Story of the Triple Nickles: America’s First Black Paratroopers” – Tanya Lee
Stone (Candlewick Press)
·         “God’s Graffiti: Inspiring Stories for Teens” – Romal Tune (Judson Press)
·         “Invasion” – Walter Dean Myers (Scholastic Press/Scholastic)
·         “Raising the Bar” – Gabrielle Douglas (Zondervan)
·         “Serafina’s Promise: A Novel In Verse” – Ann E. Burg (Scholastic Press/Scholastic)

MOTION PICTURE

Outstanding Motion Picture
·         “12 Years A Slave” (River Road/Plan B/New Regency/Fox Searchlight Pictures)
·         “Fruitvale Station” (The Weinstein Company/Forest Whitaker’s Significant Productions, OG Project)
·         “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” (The Weinstein Company/Distant Horizon, Origin Pictures, Pathé, Videovision Entertainment)
·         “The Best Man Holiday” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
·         Chadwick Boseman – “42” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures)
·         Chiwetel Ejiofor – “12 Years A Slave” (River Road/Plan B/New Regency/Fox Searchlight Pictures)
·         Forest Whitaker – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         Idris Elba – “Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom” (The Weinstein Company/Distant Horizon, Origin Pictures, Pathé, Videovision Entertainment)
·         Michael B. Jordan – “Fruitvale Station” (The Weinstein Company/Forest Whitaker’s Significant Productions, OG Project)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
·         Angela Bassett – “Black Nativity” (Fox Searchlight Pictures/Mavin Pictures/Wonderful Films)
·         Halle Berry – “The Call” (TriStar Pictures)
·         Jennifer Hudson – “Winnie Mandela” (Ma-Afrika Films (PTY) LTD and Equinoxe Films Inc.)
·         Kerry Washington – “Tyler Perry Presents Peeples” (Lionsgate)
·         Nicole Beharie – “42” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
·         Cuba Gooding Jr. – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         David Oyelowo – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         Morris Chestnut – “The Best Man Holiday” (Universal Pictures)
·         Terrence Howard – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         Terrence Howard – “The Best Man Holiday” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
·         Alfre Woodard – “12 Years A Slave” (River Road/Plan B/New Regency/Fox Searchlight Pictures)
·         Lupita Nyong’o – “12 Years A Slave ” (River Road/Plan B/New Regency/Fox Searchlight Pictures)
·         Naomie Harris – “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” (The Weinstein Company/Distant Horizon, Origin Pictures, Pathé, Videovision Entertainment)
·         Octavia Spencer – “Fruitvale Station” (The Weinstein Company/Forest Whitaker’s Significant Productions, OG Project)
·         Oprah Winfrey – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
·         “Blue Caprice” (Sundance Selects)
·         “Dallas Buyers Club” (Focus Features)
·         “Fruitvale Station” (The Weinstein Company/Forest Whitaker’s Significant Productions, OG Project)
·         “The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete” (Codeblack Films/Lionsgate/iDeal Partners/State Street)
·         “The Trials of Muhammad Ali” (Kartemquin Films)

Outstanding International Motion Picture
·         “Call Me Kuchu” (Lindy Hop Pictures LLC)
·         “High Tech, Low Life” (Argot Pictures)
·         “La Playa D.C.” (Burning Blue)
·         “Lion Ark” (ADI Films)
·         “War Witch” (Item 7)

DOCUMENTARY

Outstanding Documentary – (Theatrical)
·         “20 Feet from Stardom” (Tremolo & Gil Friesen Productions)
·         “Call Me Kuchu” (Lindy Hop Pictures LLC)
·         “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners” (Codeblack Films/Lionsgate)
·         “Girl Rising” (The Documentary Group)
·         “The New Black” (Promised Land Film)

Outstanding Documentary – (Television)
·         “Beyoncé: Life Is But a Dream” (HBO)
·         “Dark Girls” (OWN)
·         “Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic ” (Showtime)
·         “Venus Vs.” (ESPN)
·         “Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley” (HBO)

WRITING

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
·         Erica Montolfo-Bura – “The Game” – In Treatment (BET)
·         Karin Gist – “House of Lies” – Sincerity is an Easy Disguise in This Business (Showtime)
·         Mara Brock Akil – “The Game” – The Blueprint I & II (BET)
·         Ralph Farquhar, Chris Spencer – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” – Rock, Paper, Stealers (BET)
·         Vincent Brown – “A.N.T. Farm” – influANTces (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
·         Aaron Rahsaan Thomas – “SouthLAnd” – Babel (TNT)
·         Chitra Elizabeth Sampath, Damian Kindler – “Sleepy Hollow” – Sanctuary (FOX)
·         Janine Sherman Barrois – “Criminal Minds” – Strange Fruit (CBS)
·         Karin Gist – “Revenge” – Mercy (ABC)
·         Sara Hess – “Orange is the New Black” – Blood Donut (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture – (Theatrical or Television)
·         Alfonso Cuarón, Jonás Cuarón – “Gravity” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
·         Brian Helgeland – “42” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures)
·         Danny Strong – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         John Ridley – “12 Years A Slave” (River Road/Plan B/New Regency/Fox Searchlight Pictures)
·         Ryan Coogler – “Fruitvale Station” (The Weinstein Company/Forest Whitaker’s Significant Productions, OG Project)

DIRECTING
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
·         Anton Cropper – “House of Lies” – Sincerity Is an Easy Disguise in This Business (Showtime)
·         Eric Dean Seaton – “Mighty Med” – Saving The People Who Save People (Disney XD)
·         Millicent Shelton – “The Hustle” – Rule 4080 (FUSE)
·         Paris Barclay – “Glee” – Diva (FOX)
·         Stan Lathan – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” – Rock, Paper, Stealers (BET)

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series
·         Carl Franklin – “House of Cards” – Chapter 11 (Netflix)
·         Ernest Dickerson – “Treme” – Dippermouth Blues (HBO)
·         Millicent Shelton – “The Fosters” – Clean (ABC Family)
·         Regina King – “SouthLAnd” – Off Duty (TNT)
·         Rob Hardy – “Criminal Minds” – Carbon Copy (CBS)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture – (Theatrical or Television)
·         Jono Oliver – “Home” (The Home Film Group)
·         Justin Chadwick – “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” (The Weinstein Company/Distant Horizon, Origin Pictures, Pathé, Videovision Entertainment)
·         Lee Daniels – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         Malcolm D. Lee – “The Best Man Holiday” (Universal Pictures)
·         Steve McQueen – “12 Years A Slave” (River Road/Plan B/New Regency/Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Classifieds

By

Birmingham Times

-

January 23, 2014

0

Employment

SummitMedia Birmingham WZZK FM, WENN FM, WBPT FM, WEZZ FM, WBHJ-FM, WBHK-FM, WAGG-AM and WENN-AM are looking for Full Time Sales Professionals. This is a position that involves the sale of advertising on air, on line and on site through sponsorship opportunities offered throughout the year. The candidate will be expected to establish relationships with clients that are strong enough for the client to converse comfortably with the seller and share their most pressing challenges with the sellers so that the seller will be able to bring back a well thought out solution for the client. Other responsibilities include: finding and acquiring new business opportunities, attending networking events and generally presenting a professional and polished image of the company they represent. Candidate will also work closely with internal departments (ie: programming, promotions, business and traffic) to help fulfill the client’s expectation with regard to all areas of their business relationship with the company.

The successful candidate must be flexible, personable and able to orchestrate sales and promotional plans developed for clients successfully. The successful candidate must also be organized, dependable self-motivated and project a professional appearance and friendly demeanor. A valid driver’s license is required, and background check is required.

If interested in applying for this position, please forward a resume to SummitMedia Birmingham Sales Department, 2700 Corporate Drive, Suite 115, Birmingham, Alabama 35242, or forward electronically to David.Walls@summitmediacorp.com.

It is the policy of SummitMedia, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age or sex in all personnel actions including recruitment, evaluation, selection, promotion, compensation, training and termination.

Discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, age or sex is prohibited. If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination, you may notify the Federal Communications Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other appropriate agency.
BT01/23/14

____________________
Wincor Nixdorf, Inc. seeks for Birmingham, Alabama: Software Developer to lead the analysis,
design, delivery, testing and integration of Wincor Nixdorf banking software development projects
for customers. Develop new, complex products and solutions considering innovative technologies.
Mail applications with job code 2620 to Michelle McLaren, 8505 Cross Park Drive, Suite 300,
Austin, TX 78754. No recruiters. EOE
BT01/23/14

___________________________
DRIVERS

Drivers: $ign-on Bonus- Trainees & OTR Drivers!
Paid Orientation. Wiley Sanders Truck Lines, INC.
Recruiting: 855-777-9785
BT01/23/14

____________________
AUTOMOBILE

2007 Saturn Ion
Economical low payments
Use your W-2 and drive today
Call Floyd Morris at
205-587-4313

2009 Nissan Altima
Navigation, sun roof
W-2 gets you riding
Loaded
Call Ivory
205-821-0491

2005 Chevy Aveo
Low payments
Bring your W-2
Drive today
Call Sammy 205-814-8454

2005 Chrysler 300
Hard to find
Call Ivory 205-821-0491

2004 Hyundai Elantra
Automatic Drive today
Last pay stub of the year or
W-2 lets you drive must sell
Call Sammy 205-814-8454
BT01/23/14

____________________
REAL ESTATE

Calling all singles ….

I have the best 2 BR with DEN home in Ensley Highlands for you. Beautiful yard, separate garage, C/A, porch and patio. Call me to take a look see; Cynthia Marzette (205) 910-7149 or Barnes and Associates (205)328-3330

Veterans looking for a home? I will work with you in any area of town to find you the best on the market. Call Cynthia Marzette (205) 910-7149 or ask for me at Barnes and Associates, (205) 328-3330.
BT01/23/14

____________________
OFFICE BUILDING FOR SALE

Ideal for medical office or hospital equipment sales directly across from Baptist Princeton Hospital. Off street parking, private shower, beautiful reception room. & Cynthia Marzette (205) 910-7149 or ask for me at Barnes and Associates, (205) 328-3330.
BT01/23/14

___________________________
APARTMENT FOR RENT

Hueytown. Pay February rent and move in today! Edenberry Apartments. Total electric, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, central a/c. 1 bedroom $495 water furnished. 2 and 3 bedroom starting at $550, tenant pay water on 2 & 3 bedrooms. 425 Oakwood Avenue, Hueytown 35023. Call 205-879-2177 ext. 200 or 213.
BT01/23/14

______________________________________
LEGALS

INVITATION FOR BIDS

The Jefferson County Commission will receive bids for Addition to the Clay Senior Center, JCC Project #CDBG12-03A-M04-CSC at Room 270 of the Jefferson County Courthouse until 9:00 a.m. local time on the 11th day of February, 2014, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Any bid to be delivered by hand or mail prior to the above time or at a different place shall be at the full risk of the bidder. Such bids may be delivered or mailed to the Jefferson County Office of Community and Economic Development, at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Suite A-430, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. If for any reason such bid does not reach Room 270 of the Jefferson County Courthouse prior to the opening, it may be rejected. No bids shall be accepted after the time stated for receipt of bids. This requirement shall not be waived.

All bids must be submitted on bid forms furnished, or copy thereof, and must be in a sealed envelope. The outside of the envelope should contain the following:

(1) “SEALED BID”; (2) “DO NOT OPEN”; (3) PROJECT NAME AND NUMBER;(4) PROJECT OFFICER: “FELICIA SMITH”; (5) CONTRACTOR’S NAME AND ADDRESS
(6) ALABAMA LICENSE NUMBER.

Bids are invited upon the work as follows:

Addition of a 400 square foot activity room, with associated outdoor patio and sidewalk/steps.

Bids must be accompanied by a certified check or bank draft payable to the order of Jefferson County, Alabama negotiable U.S. Government Bonds (at par value) or a satisfactory Bid Bond executed by the bidder and an acceptable surety, in the amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total of the bid amount but not to exceed $10,000.00, for the Addition to the Clay Senior Center, JCC Project #CDBG12-03A-M04-CSC. The bid security is to become the property of the owner in the event that: (1) the bidder fails to meet any of the qualifications required in the bid specifications stated herein; (2) the bidder misrepresents or falsifies any information required to be provided by the owner; (3) for any reason that the bidder fails to qualify, causing his bid to be withdrawn or rejected and such withdrawal or rejection results in delay or substantial additional expense to the owner; (4) the contract and bond are not executed within the time set forth, as liquidated damages for the delay and additional expense of the owner caused thereby.

Bid documents are on file and will be available for examination at the JEFFERSON COUNTY OFFICE OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Suite A-430, Birmingham, Alabama 35203; and at the BIRMINGHAM CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AUTHORITY, 601 37th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35222.

The bid package may be obtained by depositing $ 100.00 with Thompson Architecture, Inc., 2913 Cahaba Road, Birmingham, AL 35223
for each set of documents so obtained. Such deposit will be refunded in full on the first set issued to each general contract bidder submitting a bonafide bid, upon return of documents in good condition within ten days of bid date. Other sets for general contractors, and sets for subcontractors and dealers, may be obtained with the same deposit, which will be refunded as above, less cost of printing, reproduction, handling and distribution of the contract documents.

Bidders are advised that submitted bids bind the bidders to the “Bid Conditions Setting Forth Affirmative Action Requirements for all Non‑Exempt Federal and Federally‑assisted Construction Contracts to be awarded in Jefferson, Shelby and Walker Counties, Alabama, “also known as the Birmingham Hometown Plan.

Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages as set forth in the contract documents must be paid on this project, and that the contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or veteran status.

All bidders be advised that this contract is subject to Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development act of 1968, as amended, (12 USC l701U) which if it is in excess of $100,000, requires that to the “greatest extent feasible”, opportunities for training and employment be given lower income residents of the project area and contracts for work in connection with the project be awarded to business concerns which are: (1) 51 percent or more owned by section 3 residents; or (2) Whose permanent, full-time employees include persons, at least 30 percent of whom are currently section 3 residents, or within three years of the date of first employment with the business concern were section 3 residents; or (3) That provides evidence of commitment to subcontract in excess of 25 percent of the dollar award of all subcontracts to be awarded to business concerns that meet the qualifications set forth in paragraphs (1) or (2) in this definition of “section 3 business concern.”

All bidders must be licensed by the State of Alabama Licensing Board of General Contractors, as required by Chapter 8 of Title 34 of the Code of Alabama 1975 as amended.

The Jefferson County Commission reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding.

This project will be funded in its entirety (100%) with Federal Community Development Block Grant Funds.

No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of Sixty (60) days from the date of the opening of bids to allow the Jefferson County Commission to review the bids and investigate the qualifications of bidders, prior to awarding the contract.
BT01/23/14

____________________________
INVITATION TO BID

The Water Works Board of the City of Birmingham will be accepting bids covering the installation of water mains and appurtenances connected thereto and 115 water services along Georgia Road; Messer Airport Highway; 51st Street, North; 52nd Street, North; 52nd Way, North; 53rd Street, North; 1st Avenue, North; 9th Avenue, North; and 9th Court, North located in the City of Birmingham, Alabama. Plans and specifications may be examined and obtained in the office of the Manager – System Development at 3600 First Avenue, North. Bids must be received for public opening at 10:00 a.m. local time in said office. A Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. local time in the System Development Conference Room located on the Second Floor of the Main Campus Building located at the above-stated address. Bids will not be accepted from Contractors who do not attend the Pre-Bid Conference. Bids must be received for public opening on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. local time in the System Development Conference Room located as stated above.
BT01/23/14

____________________________
The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority will receive sealed bids for:

Park Benches, Trash Receptacles, and Bike Racks #2

This will be for the use of the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority, Birmingham, Alabama.

The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Birmingham, Alabama will receive bids, up to the hour of 9:30 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2014, and will thereafter be publicly opened and read aloud at the BJCC Executive Board Room 4th Floor, North Exhibition Hall in Birmingham, AL. Bids must be submitted on bid forms furnished by the Authority.

A copy of this bid package is available at the above address or on our website: www.bjcc.org (under Jobs & Vendor Opportunities – Open Bids section). There is no charge for downloading bid documents.

Bids may be sent to BJCC Purchasing Department, Attn: Purchasing Coordinator, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N, Birmingham, AL 35203. Any bid not received by 4:00 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2014, must be hand delivered and presented at the bid opening. Sealed bids shall be submitted in duplicate and shall be properly identified. All bids received after 9:30 a.m. on the bid date will be returned unopened.

A Cashier’s Check drawn on an Alabama bank or bid bond, executed by a Surety company duly authorized and qualified to make such bonds in Alabama, payable to the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority in the amount of $500.00 must accompany the bidder’s bid.

Questions should be directed to Jerry Nelms, Facility Engineer, at (205) 458-8409 or email Jerry.Nelms@bjcc.org.

Sharon Proctor Purchasing Coordinator
Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority
BT01/23/14

______________________________________

The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority will receive sealed bids for:

Uptown Light Fixtures

This will be for the use of the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority, Birmingham, Alabama.

The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Birmingham, Alabama will receive bids, up to the hour of 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2014, and will thereafter be publicly opened and read aloud at the BJCC Executive Board Room 4th Floor, North Exhibition Hall in Birmingham, AL. Bids must be submitted on bid forms furnished by the Authority.

A copy of this bid package is available at the above address or on our website: www.bjcc.org (under Jobs & Vendor Opportunities – Open Bids section). There is no charge for downloading bid documents.

Bids may be sent to BJCC Purchasing Department, Attn: Purchasing Coordinator, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N, Birmingham, AL 35203. Any bid not received by 4:00 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2014, must be hand delivered and presented at the bid opening. Sealed bids shall be submitted in duplicate and shall be properly identified. All bids received after 9:00 a.m. on the bid date will be returned unopened.

A Cashier’s Check drawn on an Alabama bank or bid bond, executed by a Surety company duly authorized and qualified to make such bonds in Alabama, payable to the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority in the amount of $1,000 must accompany the bidder’s bids.

Questions should be directed to Jerry Nelms, Facility Engineer, at (205) 458-8409 or email Jerry.Nelms@bjcc.org.

Sharon Proctor Purchasing Coordinator
Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority
BT01/23/14

____________________________
NOTICE OF COMPLETION

In accordance with Chapter 1 Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is herby given that Bennett Building, Inc., Contractor, has completed the contract for the Modifications to Eden Career Technical Center at 45 County Road 33 Ashville, AL 35983 for St. Clair County Board of Education at 410 Roy Drive Ashville, AL 35953, owners, and have made request for final settlement of said contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project Should immediately notify Lathan Associates Architects, PC located at 1550 Woods of Riverchase Dr #200 Hoover, AL 35244.
Bennett Building, Inc.
120 Shady Acres Road
Alabaster, AL 35007
BT01/23/14

_________________________________
Jefferson County Center for Workforce Development

Request for Proposals (RFP)

Out-of School Youth Program for GED or Occupational Skills Training

DEADLINE February 21, 2014; 4 p.m.

The Jefferson County Center for Workforce Development is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to provide GED or Occupational Skills Training with job placement opportunities to eligible Workforce Investment Act youth participants ages 17-21. The youth training program is scheduled to begin July 1, 2014 and end June 30, 2015.

The RFP information packet will be available January 27, 2014 at the JCWIA office at 3420 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35222 or it may be downloaded from our website at http://jeffconline.jccal.org/comdev/.

Proposals must be returned and logged in by 4 p.m., February 21, 2014. No proposals will be accepted after the time listed above.

A Bidder’s Conference will be held February 10, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Jefferson County Workforce Investment Area Office on the second floor at 3420 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35222.

DOORS WILL BE CLOSED AT 10:00 a.m. AND NO OTHERS WILL BE ADMITTED

For more information, please contact Pamela Mapp at (205 )307-6701
BT01/23/14

_________________________________
ADVERTISEMENT for BIDDER PRE-QUALIFICATION
And NOTICE of INTENT to RECEIVE BIDS
from PREQUALIFIED BIDDERS

Pre-qualification submittals will be received by the Owner’s Representative/Project Manager, Juan DeOnis on behalf of Office of the Associate Vice President, Facilities & Capital Projects, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of Alabama Board of Trustees at UAB Hospital Planning, 2020 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294 until 4:00 PM Central Time February 11, 2014. The original and two (2) duplicates of submittals are required for pre-qualification approval; however, facsimile transmission copies may be transmitted to the Project Manager at (205) 975-7000 to expedite the review process with hard-copies of the submittals to be delivered within 24 hours.

RELOCATION OF THE TAUB GYM AND OUTPATIENT OT GYM
For The
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Project No.: H145002A

A. SCOPE OF WORK:

The scope of work generally includes demolition of an area of approximately 4,400 s.f. of interior partitions; finishes and systems back to the building shell and rebuilding the interior area configured for the new functions. New work includes metal studs and drywall, architectural finishes, plumbing, fire protection, HVAC, and electrical work. Work will be performed within the operating hospital facility using high levels of infection control measures and the contractor should have experience with the implementation and maintenance of infection control measures and interim life safety measures in a hospital environment as well as experience in performing construction in an operating hospital.

B. PRIME CONTRACTOR BIDDER PRE-QUALIFICATIONS:

Prime contractor bidders interested in submitting a proposal must apply for pre-qualification and must be licensed under the Provision of Title 34, Chapter 8, and Code of Alabama, 1975. A copy of current Alabama Contractors license is to be included in pre-qualification submittal.

Only prime contractor bidders who have completed the pre-qualification process and that have been approved will be eligible to submit a bid for the Project. Prospective Bidder’s Pre-qualification Package must be received by the Owner’s Project Manager no later than 4:00 PM Central Time, February 11, 2014 after which no further requests will be considered.

Pre-qualification Requirements Information Package may be obtained from the Architect upon letterhead request.

The pre-qualification procedure is intended to identify responsible and competent prime contractor bidders relative to the requirements of the Project. Each prospective prime contractor bidder will be notified of the results of the pre-qualification, no later than February 17, 2014 by 5:00 PM Central Time.

The Owner reserves the right to waive technical errors in applications, or abandon the pre-qualification process, should the interests of the Owner appear to be promoted thereby.

Progress Design and Construction Documents:
Prior to the pre-qualification deadline, project progress plans and specifications may be examined at the following location:

Architect:
Birchfield Penuel & Associates
2805 Crescent Avenue, Suite 200
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
Mr. Clay Birchfield
205-870-1876
205-870-3058
clayb@bpa.net

C. BIDS BY PRE-QUALIFIED PRIME GENERAL CONTRACTOR BIDDERS

Documents:
After notice to pre-qualified bidders is given, the pre-qualified prime contractor bidders may obtain bid documents from the Architect (see address above) upon deposit of $100.00 per set. The deposit is refundable in full on the first two (2) sets issued to each prime general contractor bidder upon return of documents in reusable condition within ten (10) days after bid opening. Additional sets for pre-qualified prime contractor bidders, subcontractors, vendors, or dealers may be obtained upon payment of the same deposit. The deposit for additional sets shall be refunded less the cost of printing, reproduction, handling and distribution, upon return of the documents in reusable condition within ten (10) days after bid opening.

Bid documents will be available at the following locations after notice to pre-qualified bidders is given. Drawings and specifications may be examined at the Office of the Architect; at the AGC Internet Plan Room, 5000 Grantswood Road, Irondale, AL 35210; at the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority, 601 37th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35222; and at the Reed Construction Data Office, 30 Technology Pkwy, South, Suite 500, Norcross, GA 30092-2912; and electronically through McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge.

Bonds:
A certified check or bid bond payable to the University of Alabama at Birmingham in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000 must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and Statutory Labor and Material Payment Bonds will be required at the signing of the Contract.

Bids:
Bids must be submitted on proposal forms or copies thereof furnished by the Architect. No bid may be withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids for a period of ninety (90) days. The Owner reserves the right to reject bids if such action is determined to be in the best interest of the Owner. The Owner reserves the right to revoke pre-qualification of any bidder in accordance with Section 39-2-12, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended in 1997 (by Act 97-225). The Bid Date is March 11, 2014 at 2:00 PM Central Time at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB Hospital Planning, 2020 University Blvd., Birmingham, Alabama 35294.

Proposals may be hand deliverd or received by mail on the date of the bid
opening at the Office of Juan DeOnis, Director of Program Planning Facilities and Capital Projects, 2020 Building, 2020 8th Avenue south, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, until 12:00 noon. After 12:00 noon of the date of the bid opening, proposals must be hand delivered and presented at the bid opening. Sealed proposals shall be submitted in triplicate and shall be properly identified. All proposals received after 2:00 p.m. on March 11, 2013 will be returned unopened.

Nonresident Prime Contractor Bidders:
Under Section 39-3-5, Code of Alabama, 1975, nonresident prime contractor bidders must accompany any written bid documents with a written opinion of an attorney licensed to practice law in such nonresident prime contractor bidder’s state of domicile as to the preferences, if any or none, granted by the law of the state to its own business entities whose principal place of business are in that state in the letting of any or all public contracts. Resident prime contractors in Alabama, as defined in Section 39-2-12, are granted preference over nonresident prime contractors in awarding of contracts in the same manner and to the same extent as provided by the laws of the state of domicile of the nonresident.

Fire Alarm Work
In accordance with Title 34, Chapter 33A, of the Code of Alabama 1975, bidders for fire alarm work of this project, if any, must include with their bid, evidence of licensure as required by the act, by including with the bid submittal, a valid State Fire Marshal’s permit.

D. PRE-BID CONFERENCE
A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on February 24, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the site of the work. Meet at the main first floor lobby of the Spain Rehabilitation Center. It is mandatory that all pre-qualified prime contractor bidders attend the Pre-Bid Conference.
BT01/23/14

_________________________________
ADVERTISEMENT for BIDDER PRE-QUALIFICATION
And NOTICE of INTENT to RECEIVE BIDS
from PREQUALIFIED BIDDERS

Pre-qualification submittals will be received by Owner’s Representative/Project Manager, Michael Burgess, on behalf of Office of the Associate Vice President, Facilities & Capital Projects, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of Alabama Board of Trustees at UAB Hospital Planning, 2020 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294 until Wednesday, February 05, 2014 at 4:00 PM CST. The original and two (2) duplicates of submittals are required for pre-qualification approval; however, facsimile transmission copies may be transmitted to the Project Manager at (205) 975-7000 to expedite the review process with hard-copies of the submittals to be delivered within 24 hours.

UAB NORTH PAVILION
FOOD COURT RENOVATION
UAB JOB # H135030A

A. SCOPE OF WORK:

The scope of work includes the selective demolition of +/- 4,000 SF of the existing kitchen and dining area on the 2nd floor of the UAB North Pavilion and the construction of various new food service related spaces, including but not limited to food prep and dry storage areas. The project also includes the replacement of various pieces of kitchen equipment. The scope of work includes architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection work.

The work will be performed within an operating kitchen environment and care will be taken to limit disruptions to the operations. Work will be performed under strict infection control guidelines to ensure the safety of patients, the public, and staff. The contractor will be responsible for and should be experienced in implementation of the infection control requirements, interim life safety measures, constructing and maintaining required barriers, coordinating shutdowns with the Project Manager, and maintaining a clean and organized job site.

B. PRIME CONTRACTOR BIDDER PRE-QUALIFICATIONS:

Prime contractor bidders interested in submitting a proposal must apply for pre-qualification and must be licensed under the Provision of Title 34, Chapter 8, and Code of Alabama, 1975. A copy of current Alabama Contractors license is to be included in pre-qualification submittal.

Only prime contractor bidders who have completed the pre-qualification process and have been approved will be eligible to submit a bid for the Project. Prospective Bidder’s Pre-qualification Package must be received by the Owner’s Project Manager no later than 4:00 PM CST on February 05, 2014 after which no further requests will be considered.

Pre-qualification Requirements Information Package may be obtained from the Architect upon letterhead request.

The pre-qualification procedure is intended to identify responsible and competent prime contractor bidders relative to the requirements of the Project. Each prospective prime contractor bidder will be notified of the results of the pre-qualification, no later than 5:00 PM CST on February 13, 2014.

The Owner reserves the right to waive technical errors in applications, or abandon the pre-qualification process, should the interests of the Owner appear to be promoted thereby.

Progress Design and Construction Documents:
Prior to the pre-qualification deadline, project progress plans and specifications may be examined at the following location:

Architect:
Kahn South, Inc.
2821 Second Ave S. Suite G
Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: 205-328-2827
Fax: 313-202-7153
scott.heywood@akahn.com

C. BIDS BY PRE-QUALIFIED PRIME GENERAL CONTRACTOR BIDDERS

Documents:
After notice to pre-qualified bidders is given, the pre-qualified prime contractor bidders may obtain bid documents from the Architect (see address above) upon deposit of $200.00 per set. The deposit is refundable in full on the first two (2) sets issued to each prime general contractor bidder upon return of documents in reusable condition within ten (10) days after bid opening. Additional sets for pre-qualified prime contractor bidders, subcontractors, vendors, or dealers may be obtained upon payment of the same deposit. The deposit for additional sets shall be refunded less the cost of printing, reproduction, handling and distribution, upon return of the documents in reusable condition within ten (10) days after bid opening.

Bid documents will be available at the following locations after notice to pre-qualified bidders is given. Drawings and specifications may be examined at the Office of the Architect; McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, 3000 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233; at the AGC Internet Plan Room, 5000 Grantswood Road, Irondale, AL 35210; at the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority, 3600 Fourth Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35222; and at the Reed Construction Data Office, 30 Technology Pkwy, South, Suite 500, Norcross, GA 30092-2912.

Bonds:
A certified check or bid bond payable to the University of Alabama at Birmingham in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000 must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and Statutory Labor and Material Payment Bonds will be required at the signing of the Contract.

Bids:
Bids must be submitted on proposal forms or copies thereof furnished by the Architect. No bid may be withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids for a period of ninety (90) days. The Owner reserves the right to reject bids if such action is determined to be in the best interest of the Owner. The Owner reserves the right to revoke pre-qualification of any bidder in accordance with Section 39-2-12, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended in 1997 (by Act 97-225). The Bid Date is March 11, 2014 at 2:00 PM CST at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB Hospital Planning, 2020 University Blvd., Birmingham, Alabama 35294, in the Large Conference Room.

Proposals may be hand delivered or received by mail on the date of the bid opening at the Office of Mike Burgess, Project Manager – Facilities and Capital Projects, 2020 Building, 2020 8th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, until 12:00 noon. After 12:00 noon of the date of the bid opening, proposals must be hand delivered and presented at the bid opening. Sealed proposals shall be submitted in triplicate and shall be properly identified. All proposals received after 2:00 p.m. on March 11, 2014 will be returned unopened.

Nonresident Prime Contractor Bidders:
Under Section 39-3-5, Code of Alabama, 1975, nonresident prime contractor bidders must accompany any written bid documents with a written opinion of an attorney licensed to practice law in such nonresident prime contractor bidder’s state of domicile as to the preferences, if any or none, granted by the law of the state to its own business entities whose principal place of business are in that state in the letting of any or all public contracts. Resident prime contractors in Alabama, as defined in Section 39-2-12, are granted preference over nonresident prime contractors in awarding of contracts in the same manner and to the same extent as provided by the laws of the state of domicile of the nonresident.

D. PRE-BID CONFERENCE
A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on February 17, 2014 at 10:00 AM CST at the UAB 2020 Building Large Conference Room. It is mandatory that all pre-qualified prime contractor bidders attend the Pre-Bid Conference.
BT01/23/14

___________________________
ADVERTISEMENT for BIDDER PRE-QUALIFICATION
And NOTICE of INTENT to RECEIVE BIDS
from PREQUALIFIED BIDDERS

Pre-qualification submittals will be received by the Owner’s Representative/Project Manager, Stan Cordrey on behalf of Office of the Associate Vice President, Facilities & Capital Projects, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of Alabama Board of Trustees at UAB Hospital Planning, 2020 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294 until 4:00 PM Central Time, January 28, 2014. The original and two (2) duplicates of submittals are required for pre-qualification approval; however, facsimile transmission copies may be transmitted to the Project Manager at (205) 975-7000 to expedite the review process with hard-copies of the submittals to be delivered within 24 hours.

UAB HIGHLANDS HOSPITAL RENOVATION
FOR INPATIENT PHYSICAL THERAPY
For The
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Project No.: H135039A

A. SCOPE OF WORK:

Work consists of the renovation of two existing patient rooms into an inpatient Physical Therapy area and an adjacent area into equipment storage at UAB Highlands including demolition, metal studs and drywall, hardware, architectural finishes, fire protection, plumbing, and electrical work. Work will be performed within the operating hospital facility using high levels of infection control measures and the contractor should have experience with the implementation and maintenance of infection control measures and interim life safety measures in a hospital environment as well as experience in performing construction in an operating hospital.

B. PRIME CONTRACTOR BIDDER PRE-QUALIFICATIONS:

Prime contractor bidders interested in submitting a proposal must apply for pre-qualification and must be licensed under the Provision of Title 34, Chapter 8, and Code of Alabama, 1975. A copy of current Alabama Contractors license is to be included in pre-qualification submittal.

Only prime contractor bidders who have completed the pre-qualification process and that have been approved will be eligible to submit a bid for the Project. Prospective Bidder’s Pre-qualification Package must be received by the Owner’s Project Manager no later than 4:00 PM Central Time, January 28, 2014 after which no further requests will be considered.

Pre-qualification Requirements Information Package may be obtained from the Architect upon letterhead request.

The pre-qualification procedure is intended to identify responsible and competent prime contractor bidders relative to the requirements of the Project. Each prospective prime contractor bidder will be notified of the results of the pre-qualification, no later than January 31, 2014 by 5:00 PM Central Time.

The Owner reserves the right to waive technical errors in applications, or abandon the pre-qualification process, should the interests of the Owner appear to be promoted thereby.

Progress Design and Construction Documents:
Prior to the pre-qualification deadline, project progress plans and specifications may be examined at the following location:

Architect:
Birchfield Penuel & Associates
2805 Crescent Avenue, Suite 200
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
Mrs. Alicia Pughsley
205-870-1876
205-870-3058
aliciap@bpa.net

C. BIDS BY PRE-QUALIFIED PRIME GENERAL CONTRACTOR BIDDERS

Documents:
After notice to pre-qualified bidders is given, the pre-qualified prime contractor bidders may obtain bid documents from the Architect (see address above) upon deposit of $100.00 per set. The deposit is refundable in full on the first two (2) sets issued to each prime general contractor bidder upon return of documents in reusable condition within ten (10) days after bid opening. Additional sets for pre-qualified prime contractor bidders, subcontractors, vendors, or dealers may be obtained upon payment of the same deposit. The deposit for additional sets shall be refunded less the cost of printing, reproduction, handling and distribution, upon return of the documents in reusable condition within ten (10) days after bid opening.

Bid documents will be available at the following locations after notice to pre-qualified bidders is given. Drawings and specifications may be examined at the Office of the Architect; at the AGC Internet Plan Room, 5000 Grantswood Road, Irondale, AL 35210; at the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority, 601 37th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35222; and at the Reed Construction Data Office, 30 Technology Pkwy, South, Suite 500, Norcross, GA 30092-2912; and electronically through McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge.

Bonds:
A certified check or bid bond payable to the University of Alabama at Birmingham in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000 must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and Statutory Labor and Material Payment Bonds will be required at the signing of the Contract.

Bids:
Bids must be submitted on proposal forms or copies thereof furnished by the Architect. No bid may be withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids for a period of ninety (90) days. The Owner reserves the right to reject bids if such action is determined to be in the best interest of the Owner. The Owner reserves the right to revoke pre-qualification of any bidder ]n accordance with Section 39-2-12, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended in 1997 (by Act 97-225). The Bid Date is February 18, 2014 at 2:00 PM Central Time at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB Hospital Planning, 2020 University Blvd., Birmingham, Alabama 35294.

Proposals may be hand delivered or received by mail on the date of the bid opening at the Office of Stan Cordrey, Project Manager – Facilities and Capital Projects, 2020 Building, 2020 8th Avenue south, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, until 12:00 noon. After 12:00 noon of the date of the bid opening, proposals must be hand delivered and presented at the bid opening. Sealed proposals shall be submitted in triplicate and shall be properly identified. All proposals received after 2:00 p.m. on February 18, 2014 will be returned unopened.

Nonresident Prime Contractor Bidders:
Under Section 39-3-5, Code of Alabama, 1975, nonresident prime contractor bidders must accompany any written bid documents with a written opinion of an attorney licensed to practice law in such nonresident prime contractor bidder’s state of domicile as to the preferences, if any or none, granted by the law of the state to its own business entities whose principal place of business are in that state in the letting of any or all public contracts. Resident prime contractors in Alabama, as defined in Section 39-2-12, are granted preference over nonresident prime contractors in awarding of contracts in the same manner and to the same extent as provided by the laws of the state of domicile of the nonresident.

Fire Alarm Work
In accordance with Title 34, Chapter 33A, of the Code of Alabama 1975, bidders for fire alarm work of this project, if any, must include with their bid, evidence of licensure as required by the act, by including with the bid submittal, a valid State Fire Marshal’s permit.

D. PRE-BID CONFERENCE
A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on February 3, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the site of the work. Meet at the UAB Highlands Hospital first floor main lobby. It is mandatory that all pre-qualified prime contractor bidders attend the Pre-Bid Conference.
BT01/23/14

_________________________________

Vote for Arthur Shores Lee

By

Birmingham Times

-

January 23, 2014

0

Dear Citizens:
My name is Arthur Shores Lee and I am running for Alabama House of Representatives, District 53 in the upcoming January 28, 2014, runoff election. Candidates Frank Topping and Demetrius Newton, Jr., who were in the December 3, 2013, special election have thrown their support behind me.
I kindly ask for your support on January 28, 2014.
–– Arthur D. Shores Lee
VOTE ARTHUR D. SHORES LEE – DISTRICT 53 DEMOCRATIC PARTY
ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Maine Governor’s Welfare Investigation Turns Up Next to Nothing

By

Birmingham Times

-

January 23, 2014

0

Maine governor Paul LePage (R) finally has a smoking gun in his effort to restrict welfare programs — at least according to him. According to a much-hyped study conducted by the state department of Health and Human Services, recipients of social programs like SNAP and TANF used money from these programs at places like bars, smoke shops, and strip clubs.
But according to the Bangor Daily News, during the period the study was conducted, these questionable transactions accounted for just two-tenths of 1 percent of the total money spent from these programs. The small amount of misuse holds steady with the national trend. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, families and single parents who receive public benefits have much smaller budgets on average and spend a larger portion of their budgets on basic necessities.
LePage, however, sees any abuse of the welfare system in Maine as evidence of the need for reform. “Any amount of abuse in the system that takes away from the truly needy needs to be dealt with,” LePage’s spokeswoman told the Bangor Daily News. “We’re not uncovering anything new. There are always going to be bad actors out there. We’re simply saying, ‘We’ve got an eye on you.’”
In fact, what came to light after the study signals a larger problem with the system than LePage expected.“This information is eye-opening and indicates a larger problem than initially thought,” LePage said in a press release. “These benefits are supposed to help families, children and our most vulnerable Mainers. Instead, we have discovered welfare benefits are paying for alcohol, cigarettes and other things that hardworking taxpayers should not be footing the bill for.”
However, it’s important to note that, according to the Daily News story, “those transactions include purchases at the checkout counter and withdrawals from on-premises ATMs. The state does not track what is purchased in EBT transactions.” So it’s highly likely that a substantial number of the hinted-at “immoral” purchases were not even made.
Similar efforts to expose fraud in social programs were attempted in Florida and Utah. Both states began drug-testing their welfare recipients to weed out drug users. There were similar results: Utah, for example, spent $25,000 to drug-test 4,730 recipients, only 12 tested positive for drugs.
Despite all the evidence to the contrary, LePage is convinced there is a problem with welfare fraud in his state. The answer to this problem? Limits and restrictions to social programs like TANF and SNAP.
First, LePage would back legislation that reforms the lack of paper trail on where welfare money is spent. It’s a measure that Maine Democrats would also support, according to the Democratic House Speaker. “No one wants to see funds meant for struggling families abused,” House Speaker Mark Eves said Tuesday. “State law already forbids EBT cards from being used at liquor stores. If this list is verified, it’s time to take action. The question for the governor is, will he prosecute or politicize it? Democrats will continue to support good-faith efforts at cracking down on fraud and abuse.”
The question of whether this is a good-faith effort to stop fraud, or a political tactic to further a conservative cause, is an important one. LePage’s record on welfare reform doesn’t suggest that his intentions are sincere. In fact, LePage has been encouraging cuts to government aid throughout his term as governor. In 2012, for example, LePage said at a Republican convention: “Maine’s welfare program is cannibalizing the rest of state government. To all you able-bodied people out there: Get off the couch and get yourself a job.”
Previously, LePage instituted a five-year cap on TANF benefits, a move Democrats argue ended benefits for thousands of poor Maine residents. Just last week, Governor LePage also introduced a bill that would increase Maine’s work requirements for welfare recipients, another reform Democrats opposed.
Thus, it’s not hard to conclude that this push to investigate welfare recipients is another partisan move by a notoriously vindictive governor.

New trial sought for SC boy, 14, executed in 1944

By

Birmingham Times

-

January 23, 2014

0

By Jeffrey Collins

SUMTER, S.C. (AP) — A 14-year-old Black boy executed nearly 70 years ago is finally getting another day in court, and his lawyers plan to argue Tuesday for a new trial, saying his conviction was tainted by the segregationist-era justice system and scant evidence.
George Stinney was found guilty in 1944 of killing two white girls, ages 7 and 11. The trial lasted less than a day in the tiny Southern mill town of Alcolu, separated, as most were in those days, by race.
Nearly all the evidence, including a confession that was central to the case against Stinney, has disappeared, along with the transcript of the trial. Lawyers working on behalf of Stinney’s family have gathered new evidence, including sworn statements from his relatives accounting for his whereabouts the day the girls were killed and from a pathologist disputing the autopsy findings.
The novel decision of whether to give someone executed a new trial will be in the hands of Circuit Judge Carmen Mullen. Experts say it is a longshot. South Carolina law has a high bar to grant new trials. Also, the legal system in the state before segregation often found defendants guilty with evidence that would be considered scant today. If Mullen finds in favor of Stinney, it could open the door for hundreds of other appeals.
But the Stinney case is unique. At 14, he’s the youngest person executed in the United States in the past 100 years. Even in 1944, there was an outcry over putting someone so young in the electric chair. Newspaper accounts said the straps in the chair didn’t fit around his 95-pound body and an electrode was too big for his leg.
Stinney’s supporters said racism, common in the Jim Crow era South, meant deputies in Clarendon County did little investigation after they decided Stinney was the prime suspect. They said he was pulled from his parents and interrogated without a lawyer.
School board member George Frierson heard stories about Stinney growing up in the same mill town he did, and he has spent a decade fighting to get him exonerated. He swallowed hard as he said he hardly slept Monday night.
“Somebody that didn’t kill someone is finally getting his day in court,” Frierson said.
In 1944, Stinney was likely the only Black in the courtroom. On Tuesday, the prosecutor arguing against him will be Ernest “Chip” Finney III, the son of South Carolina’s first Black chief justice. Finney argued Tuesday there shouldn’t be a new trial because the evidence was lost with the passage of time, not destroyed.
“Back in 1944, we should have known better, but we didn’t,” Finney said.
Finney has said he will conduct an investigation if a new trial is granted, but what that might find is not known. South Carolina did not have a statewide law enforcement unit to help smaller jurisdictions until 1947. Newspaper stories about Stinney’s trial offer little clue whether any evidence was introduced beyond the teen’s confession and an autopsy report. Some people around Alcolu said bloody clothes were taken from Stinney’s home, but never introduced at trial because of his confession. No record of those clothes exists.
Relatives of one of the girls killed, 11-year-old Betty Binnicker, have recently spoke out as well, saying Stinney was known around town as a bully who threatened to fight or kill people who came too close to the grass where he grazed the family cow.
It isn’t known if the judge will rule Tuesday, or take time to come to her decision. Stinney’s supporters said if the motion for a new trial fails, they will ask the state to pardon him.