Birmingham Council approves Obama party
Published: January 6, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala—A local celebration of Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration could put national attention on Birmingham while also raising questions about the use of public funds after private business refused to pay for the party.
Birmingham City Council members approved spending $48,860 in a contact with McMillan and Associates to plan a free public party at the city’s Boutwell Auditorium, on January 20th.
Council President Carole Smitherman said a local celebration of the Obama inauguration is important because of the town’s civil rights history.
“It is important that Birmingham, the cradle of the Confederacy at one time, that went through the civil rights era, that we are a participant in this,“ Smitherman said.
Efforts to pay for the party with private donations failed after the local chamber of commerce and a business recruiting agency said no members were interested in making donations. That led to strong words from elected leaders who questioned whether city funds should be spent on the free event.
“The private sector should not have even had to have been asked. They should have come forward. They should have done it on their own,“ said Council member Joel Montgomery.
“People have characterized this as some kind of misspending of tax payer dollars. To me that minimizes the significance of this kind of event,“ said Councilor Roderick Royal.
The free event is being planned by the same group that organizes the popular local City Stages music event. It promises some international exposure for the area, according to planner George McMillan, Jr.
“The British Broadcasting Corporation, is going to come to Birmingham to cover this event live. In fact there is a possibility that the people who are in Boutwell will see themselves on national and international television,“ McMillan told the Council.
Besides the exposure of a celebration, Mayor Larry Langford hopes the event sends a message -to the local black community about local crime rates and unity.
“I can’t look at you no more … and say the white folks did it. White folks aren’t killing black folks, black folks are killing black folks,” Langford said. He is African-American.
“If nothing else, his inauguration ought to serve as a reminder to all of us about where this city has been,” he said.
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Reader Reactions
This is serious abuse of taxpayer money for a partisan celebration. Also someone please update Ms. Smitherman on her history. She says Birmingham was once the “cradle of the Confederacy”. Birmingham was founded in 1871. The Confederate States of America were dissolved when the Civil War ended in 1865.
I came home to Birmingham for Christmas, and THANK GOD I no longer live there. I saw more crime in 3 days on the street than I have seen in 8 years here in Florida. My mother updated me on the present issues in the City of Birmingham…WOW ! And now, the Obama Party…During this time of economic problems and BAIL OUTS, the City is going to spend $50k on a party ??
McMillan stated that there’s a good chance that if you attend the party you might get to see yourself on NATIONAL TV ! That got my attention. The good Mayor stated that it will show the Nation about local crime rate…now there a thought, speaking of crime, I thought the Mayor was in JAIL.
Its not about where the City has been, its about the PRESENT CONDITION of this City. STAY HOME AND WATCH THE PARTY IN DC ON THE TV (bigger and better)AND SAVE THE GOOD CITIZENS OF BIRMINGHAM $50K. BY THE WAY Mr. McMillan, if its costing $50k, ITS NOT A FREE EVENT !
Well, I am a Black Person and I dont approve of the Obama Bash that has the apperance of Being a Black People’s celebration of a first Black President. Obama was born in the womb of a white woman and raised by white people. Black folk are falsely and overly celebrating Obama as President. Obama would have made for a Great President even if he was Asian. We should use tax payer monies to pay for tax payer needs. I am more than sure that organizations in Birmingham could use 50k, schools could use 50k. A Party for 50k, I don’t think so. Peace.
The thing is if Mccain had been elected, who carried the state of Alabama, no party would have been given. but since it was a black person the tax payers of Birmingham should now have to cough up 50k to pay for a party…am I the only one who sees a problem with this?
This probably will get national attention.. Laughing at Birminham for spending money they don’t have. This is the problem with our economy, spending money without a plan to pay it back. If you want to help our new President then try being more responsible and stop blowing money on parties. You think private citizens should have paid for this, well then why didn’t the council pay for it with their own personal money.
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