City Council reacts to indictment

Legally, Langford will continue to hold the mayor’s title.

Birmingham City Council members say he has their moral support as well.

City Councilors Carole Smitherman and Valerie Abbott tell NBC 13 they’re really not surprised by the charges.

They’ve been expecting the indictment for awhile. They weren’t sure exactly when it was coming. 
Now, the Birmingham City Council says the goal is to continue on with business as usual.

City councilors say with all the issues Birmingham is facing - they don’t have time to get distracted.

Valerie Abbott acknowledges Langford’s indictment is another black eye for the Magic City:

“Well certainly it’s a sad day for the city of Birmingham. I mean within a few days time - we’re the top ten in murders and now are mayor is indicted. Although he is innocent until proven guilty, it still casts a pall over the city,“ she says.

But for now, councilors say they are going to continue with their usual routines. 
“We continue to do what we’ve been doing everyday of the week and everyday that we’ve been here. That’s continue to provide quality service, continue with the projects we have on the books, continue to dialogue with the mayor in his position as mayor, keep looking at his agenda,“ says Carole Smitherman.