Langford resumes public schedule at B’ham tree lighting

BIRMINGHAM, Ala—Indicted Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford was all smiles as he served as Grand Marshal in the city’s Christmas parade and then flipped the switch to light the Linn Park Christmas tree.

Langford admitted to reporters the way everything happened Monday did catch him off guard.

“I’d by lying if I didn’t say it was a bit overwhelming yesterday, I’ve been through worse.  I’ve turned this over to God a long time ago, I’ve got a city to run and that’s what I’m going to do,” Langford said.

Many people in the crowd Tuesday said they still support Langford and some aren’t happy with the way FBI agents swooped in to arrest the mayor and put him in leg irons as he was brought before a Federal judge.

Two other men accused on the same indictment turned themselves before being arrested.

“I believe he was publicly humiliated and that disappointed me a lot.  I think he should have been able to turn himself in like Blount and LaPierre,“ Toyer said.

Langford chose a good forum to make a public appearance.

Most people we spoke to think the mayor is doing a good job, and repeated a familiar refrain:

“The city will get through it and like you say, he’s innocent until proven guilty, and he’s still my mayor,” Twila Fortune said.

Langford says he’s moving on with the city’s business, and will let his lawyers worry about his defense.

“I really wish I could speak to the charges specifically for you.  The fact of the matter is, I’m not going to try to send out every day “I’m innocent, I’m innocent”.  The fact of the matter is, the people who know me, already know,” Langford told reporters.

Langford said he went to a send-off for Alabama troops heading to Iraq Tuesday. 

He said watching those men and women leave their families to fight for their country put things into perspective for him that his problems really aren’t that big in the grand scheme of things.