Left In Alabama - Shelia Smoot

SDEC Meeting - The Day After

mpmarus — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:20:21 GMT

Those who attended the state party meeting yesterday may have hoped for an efficient election of DNC members and delegates that would allow attendance at the Save Our Schools rally. Alas, those hopes were soon dashed. The minority caucus, led by Dr. Reed, convened in the same room as the main meeting (but behind a curtain so "outsiders" could not see that particular brand of sausage being made). Despite a 9:30 start that should have allowed the SDEC proceedings to begin on time, that meeting ran well past the 11:00 am published start time. That was just the first hint that we were in for a very long day.
When Judge Kennedy was finally allowed to start the meeting, the body appeared to be making up for lost time - we had a 7 item agenda and moved efficiently through the first 4. Then we got to the election of DNC members. We needed 3, and the first 2 were uncontested nominations. The third spot, however, ended up with two nominees. In keeping the the national committee's rules, and the need for verifiable elections, the election for that last seat was conducted by paper ballot. Dr. Reed immediately objected and came down on the floor among the committee, wheeling, dealing, and gathering votes for his nominee. When he was finally asked to return to his seat (not by name, but by a generic request for everyone to clear the aisles - a request that was made twice before he decided it applied to him), he passed close to me on his way to the dais and I clearly heard him say words to the effect that he didn't know why we were doing this because "we got the votes". Respectfully, it's called THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS and everyone having the right to vote whether you like the way they're going to vote or not.

Things went downhill from there, as we proceeded to the election of the balance of Alabama delegation to the presidential convention in Charlotte. Again we used written ballots, this time because, in addition to the reasons above, in most cases we were choosing more than 1 from a field. (How would you vote for a group of choices by standing vote even if you wanted to? I'm genuinely curious) It was a maddeningly slow process. 2:30 came and went, and as a consequence, many SDEC members did not make it to the education rally. We finally adjourned about 4:00, I think.

Those who stayed for the Delegate meeting after were treated to a return performance by a "great Parliamentarian" (in the words of Shelia Smoot). Dr. Reed, as chair of the delegation, stepped down to make a nomination from the floor (leaving Nancy Worley to preside) and, when his slate was not the only one presented, offered a motion substituting his nominations for the competing slate. Here's what the Oxford Guide to the US Government says about a substitute motion:

Such a motion substitutes a different text for part or all of the bill being debated. A majority vote to accept the substitute kills the original version of the bill.

And it worked as described - first the delegation voted to accept the substitute motion (Dr. Reed's slate), and then they voted to take his nominees as the committee members. The fact that the fix was in was revealed by the fact that the motion vote was a "stand and be counted" procedure, while "his slate" was accepted by a voice vote (lots of Ayes, quite a few abstentions - at least no one tried to say it was an election by acclamation).

Yes, the delegate balloting probably could have been handled more effectively but kudos to the ADP staff for taking on the challenge. On the other hand, the big take-away from yesterday's meeting is that the Dr. Reed political machine is still active and still holding up real progress on the SDEC. Before the meeting, someone described past delegate selection meetings as "the Joe Reed show" and despite the best efforts of Judge Kennedy & his staff, yesterday's performance sadly lived up to that description.

(for a much more detailed version of events, please see "A Little News from the SDEC Meeting" from mooncat)

Terri Sewell: "It's an historic election because it's about you, not about me"

mooncat — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:58:06 GMT

Terri Sewell is working hard to make history as the first African-American woman elected to Congress from Alabama, but her constant theme in a packed town hall meeting at Birmingham's West End Library Thursday evening was that this election is about representing the people of Alabama's 7th district above all else.

She stressed the need for job creation and economic development in the district, touted her experience, leadership and good character and pledged to be an honest, effective voice on behalf of the 7th congressional district.

"I just want to say I know who I am and whose I am. And if you send me to Congress, I will take those same values of faith, personal responsibility, hard work to Washington and roll up my sleeves and work on behalf of you each and every day. It's about remembering who elected you. It's about remembering why you're there: to represent the people.
...
If you honor me with your vote, I will serve you with honor. ... You won't be embarrassed by anything I say or do."

Time and again she told the crowd she would always put the interests of the seventh congressional district first and foremost, even ahead of partisan politics or President Obama's priorities should the two ever conflict.

Terri Sewell is progressive on the issues and still putting economic priorities at the top of her list.

"The issues are about creating jobs, better schools, improving our infrastructure, helping our senior citizens, making sure we have Medicaid and Medicare ... that's what it's about. ... We have to make sure healthcare is accessible for everybody."

Sewell, daughter of Selma's first African-American city councilwoman, noted that she had interviewed Shirley Chisolm for her thesis "Black Women in Politics: Our Time has Come" back in the 1980's. She quoted Chisolm on public service:

"Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth."

... and said, "I'm asking you on July 13th to let me make a small deposit toward that rent. You will not, you will not, be sorry."

The first question from the audience was actually a statement about the attack ads being run by Sewell's opponent. A woman stood up and told Sewell that anytime you try to do something good you should expect to be attacked and said "Keep on going on, baby, because we're behind you." Sewell said she believes the negativity is an attempt to distract voters from the issues that ought to be front and center in this election, but declared that she intends to fight back.

"This election is way too important for us to get this choice wrong, so I want you to know that I can't fight for you if I'm not willing to fight for me. The issues are about creating jobs, better schools, improving our infrastructure, helping our senior citizens, making sure we have Medicaid and Medicare ... that's what it's about."

Several members of the audience said they were community activists or organizers. Two women stood up and thanked Sewell for coming to their neighborhoods to do door to door canvassing. I spoke with both women after the meeting; one lives in Fairview and the other lives a few blocks from the West End Library. They both said they called Sewell and asked her to come to their neighborhoods and were very pleased that she came and knocked on doors with them -- I got the impression that few candidates do door-to-door campaigning in these women's neighborhoods. These stories fit with what Sewell has told me before, that knocking on doors and talking directly to voters is what she most enjoys about the campaign.

It's odd that Sewell, who regularly visits community centers, senior centers, apartment complexes and nursing homes to take her message to the people, is being painted as an elitist by her opponents. Some have even alleged that she wears designer shoes. That irony is not lost on Terri Sewell. When I saw her in Huntsville a few weeks ago she literally pulled off her shoe, held it up to me and said, "See? Nine West. These are not designer shoes."

Sure enough, they were Nine West black pumps (photo at right) although the label was so worn I could barely make it out. Those non-designer shoes have carried Terri Sewell and her pro-jobs, pro-economic development, pro-health care, pro-education, pro-choice, pro-fair pay, pro-financial reform, pro-people message a lot of miles in the sixteen and a half months she's been on the campaign trail. Tomorrow those black pumps have a chance to carry Terri Sewell over the single biggest hurdle on the path to becoming Alabama's first elected black Congresswoman -- securing the Democratic nomination in a runoff with Jefferson County Commissioner Shelia Smoot.

Polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm on Tuesday, July 13th.

Joe Openshaw also covered Sewell's Birmingham town hall meeting. Read Terri Sewell: the honest candidate here.

AL-07: Terri Sewell's Ad - "Truth" - Pushes Back on Lies

mooncat — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:07:58 GMT

Terri Sewell's new ad, "Truth":

This ad responds directly to Smoot's "Let them eat steak" radio ad (also debunked here) and I think the two are running on some of the same radio stations. We've noted elsewhere that Shelia Smoot's ads are short on facts and long on negativity -- I've listened to the ones she's sent out on Facebook and they're entirely negative, no mention at all of Smoot's qualifications, plans to create jobs, reduce poverty or improve infrastructure in Alabama's 7th congressional district, just accusations about her opponent. When you have nothing positive to run on, it's all about tearing down the other side.

In contrast, Terri Sewell's media advertising has been all positive to this point and I hear that her positive ads are still running in the district. But positive campaign or no, when you're attacked, you'd better hit back with the truth or people will believe the lies.

This question of attending Republican meetings (as alleged in the Smoot ad) came up at Sewell's town hall meeting in Birmingham Thursday evening, asked by a woman who said she had several questions she got off the internet. Sewell said:

"I am a strong Democrat and I have been all my life. ... I am a Democrat and I am not going to go to Congress and switch parties, and I know who I am and whose I am."

The lady who asked the question thanked Sewell and said she would email that response around. Video of the interchange is below the fold.

Terry Sewell denies ever having attended an Alabama Federation of Republican Women meeting at a town hall in Birmingham on July 8, 2010.

AL-07: What Joe Said

mooncat — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 03:56:40 GMT

Joe Openshaw attended Terri Sewell's town hall meeting Thursday evening in Birmingham. You need to read his post about it, Terri Sewell: the honest candidate.

... just as Terri has been able to communicate with and inspire the people she has met on the campaign, she will be able to do the same with members of congress. I could picture her last night meeting with Nancy Pelosi or Alan Grayson and having productive conversations with them, and actually getting things done for our district and for our country.

If Terri does not win this election consider it stolen.

I obviously left too soon last night, and missed this little treat:

So last night as I was leaving Sewell's town hall meeting in West End, a vehicle with speakers attached to the outside was broadcasting "This is a warning," followed by these lies and others, with a booming, authoritative voice, to people in the community.
If Smoot will lie to get into office, what will she do once she is elected? We don't need an embarrassment in Washington, D.C. We need a person who can relate to the big wigs there, but can also relate to the people, all of the people, in her district.

Joe also says, "But Terri will not lose. She will win on Tuesday." Only if all her supporters go to the polls on Tuesday and take their friends and family with them. She's in the fight of her life and the opponent doesn't fight fair, oh not one bit.

AL-07: Will Sheila Smoot Pull False Ads and Apologize?

mooncat — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:10:17 GMT

Will Shelia Smoot take down her false radio ads now that her claim that Terri Sewell didn't vote in Alabama before 2008 has been shown to be a lie? I doubt it. This is Shelia Smoot's MO: fail to perform due diligence up front and then deny responsibility on the back end. It worked on the JeffCo Commission where Smoot voted for something she didn't understand (or worse) -- the ruinous sewer bond refinancing deals -- then said, "In my opinion, JP Morgan and all the rest of them are at fault. ... They fooled us."

Someone has fooled Smoot again, about Terri Sewell's voting record, and the result is she's airing absolutely false statements.

False Smoot ad: "She didn't even cast one vote in Alabama until 2008"

Second false Smoot ad: "Sewell never even voted in Alabama until 2 years ago. ... She never even bothered to vote and now she wants to represent you in Congress. ... Sewell doesn't even vote, but she attacks Shelia Smoot's record?"

Terri Sewell's mother was the first black woman elected to the Selma City Council. It's totally unbelievable that Terri Sewell never voted in Alabama when her own mother was on the ballot. And in fact, it isn't true. Shela Smoot's crack research staff did the easy thing, asked the Secretary of State for Sewell's voting records at her current address -- and they only got records going back to 2007. That apparently suited their narrative just fine, so they stopped right there and started cutting ads. But they missed 23 years of the story; Terri Sewell registered to vote in Dallas County, Alabama in 1984.

Here's the rest of the story. Alabama changed to a statewide voter database in 2007 so the SoS office doesn't have the older records in Montgomery. Ed Packard, the Secretary of State's Supervisor of Voter Registration issued a written statement on the matter saying that "the current registration record in Jefferson County was the only record that existed when the State of Alabama implemented our new statewide voter registration database system. Therefore, it was the only record imported as counties moved to the new system."

If you want information from before 2007, you have to go to the county registrars. The voter registration card (link above) from Dallas County proves Sewell registered to vote in 1984 when she was a teenager. Per a written statement, Sewell "went on to vote in multiple local, federal, and state races in Alabama's 7th district, often casting absentee ballots while away at college. She spent many long hours campaigning for her mother, who was the first African-American woman elected to the Selma city council, and always made a point to cast a vote in support of her mother."

So, Smoot's ads are simply false. Will she do the honorable thing, take them down and apologize to her opponent?

Don't hold your breath.

AL-07: Can the Truth Wash Away All those Lies?

mooncat — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:31:47 GMT

There's an excellent piece over at DailyKos - The truth about Terri Sewell and the AL-7 race - that everyone should read. BamaDem takes on the Smoot campaign's misinformation, one lie at a time, and applies a dose of the truth. To summarize:

Terri Sewell was somehow involved in the same nationally infamous bond refinancing deal in Jefferson County, Alabama - Verdict: OUTRIGHT LIE
Terri Sewell did not even register to vote for the first time until 2007 - Verdict: FALSE--BAD INFORMATION WITH NO FOLLOW-UP
Terri Sewell skipped out on an ADC event to attend a Republican Women's event (this lie is actually being spread on the air in a Smoot radio ad, paid for by God knows who) - Verdict: FALSE--COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR THE TRUTH
Terri Sewell won't debate Shelia Smoot - Verdict: BLATANT MISREPRESENTATION OF FACTS
Terri Sewell is a Corporate Dem (or a secret Republican) because she's raised a lot of money - Verdict: GROSS TWISTING OF FACTS

Truth and facts can't stand up and speak for themselves. If we stay silent when the facts are distorted and misrepresented, the decievers will always win. The real question now is whether the lies and distortions will be stronger than the truth in Alabama's 7th CD next Tuesday.

AL-07: Terri Sewell Not Involved in JeffCo Sewer Bond Deals

mooncat — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:23:02 GMT

The Jefferson County Sewer Bond fiasco is an issue in the 7th Congressional District race because Commissioner Shelia Smoot voted for several of the overpriced and ill-advised bond deals that landed the county in such dire financial straits. Ironically, some of Commissioner Smoot's supporters are implying that her opponent, Terri Sewell, is somehow to blame for those bond deals.

The accusation has been made at LiA as well as at DailyKos, repeatedly.

yes Sewell was directly involved as bond counsel in some of these Jefferson County deals.

It seemed incredible to me that out of all the women in AL-07, both candidates in the runoff might have been involved in the Jefferson County sewer bond disaster, so this was a point I particularly wanted to clear up in an interview Terri Sewell last week. I'm glad I asked, because Sewell is adamant that she had no involvement in the Jefferson County sewer bond deals.

What I showed Sewell during the interview was a portion of a comment from this blog and also the information at the link cited by the commenter. You can see part of that comment on the video.

"Not only was I not involved in the bond refinancing, the water/sewer bond refinancing, which has led to the $3.9 billion deficit that Jefferson County currently has, I wasn't even in the state of Alabama. I wasn't working at that law firm at the time when these occurred. ... I was not involved in those financings. Am I an attorney that does public financing and bondings, generally? Yes, I am. Was I a participant in the water/sewer crisis of Jefferson County? I was unequivically not a part of that."

Sewell noted that it is a matter of public record that Commissioner Smoot was the third vote (three constitutes a majority) on a number of those deals.

"I find it very interesting that certain people take credit for the good things that happen in Jefferson County but won't take the blame or won't own up to their part and participation in that which did not turn out well.
... I am a resident in Jefferson County and I'm mad that I have to pay three times as much money for my water and sewer and I think that a lot of citizens are. And the only people you can blame for that are the people who are directly responsible for those votes.
... The only Jefferson County bond deal that I was a part of was the Jefferson bond deal that actually built Bessemer Courthouse. ... The only one that's listed for me as an active participant ... was for the Jefferson County bond issue that was issued for the Bessemer Courthouse and the building of the Bessemer Courthouse. Nothing to do with the sewer and the water bond deals. Which were refinancings that cost millions, cost the taxpayers billions of dollars. For what I think was ill-advised swaps and derivatives and refinancing. The fact is my opponent was a part of those votes. I was not."

Toward the end of the interview Sewell said she was peripherally involved in another Jefferson County bond issue -- again, not the sewer and water issue -- related to the one cent sales tax. She said that was one of the first things she worked on after returning to Birmingham and she came on board near the end of that deal.

All bonds are not sewer bonds. Terri Sewell didn't have a role in the Jefferson County financial meltdown -- she didn't work on the bond deals and she didn't have a vote on the County Commission. Shelia Smoot voted for those deals and must bear some responsibility for the financial havoc they have wrought.

It's disappointing to see Smoot's supporters, particularly bloggers who have done good reporting on other issues, stretch the truth to the breaking point in what appears to be a desperate attempt to project Smoot's sewer bond problems onto her opponent -- who was not involved. The truth still matters, and the mirror will be waiting when the runoff is over.

We Don't Need to Send an Empty Seat to Congress (AL-07)

gradyw — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:11:31 GMT

cross posted at Progressive Electorate on Tuesday

For the second time in as many nights, Shelia Smoot sat next to an empty chair in what was intended to be a debate with her opponent. Terri Sewell first skips a debate sponsored by an organization, The Alabama New South Coalition, that endorses her just a week earlier. Tonight she slights her hometown of Selma in a radio debate on Z105.3. All candidates according to the Dallas County Democratic Executive committee, the event sponsor, were given adequate notice.

Sewell has yet to offer an explanation as to why she will not take her case directly to the voters of the district. The voters are not given the opportunity to ask Sewell about her plans for improving the District.

If a candidate for Congress chooses not to provide an open line of communication to the voters now then they can only imagine the type of service they will receive. A job applicant failing to attend an interview usually will not receive the position. Choosing to avoid a debate and taking your case to the voters should be met with resistance at the polls.

Where is Terri Sewell? Why is she avoiding the voters of the 7th Congressional District? Terri Sewell finds time to attend silly expensive shoe fundraisers , but she cannot find time to talk directly to those that she would serve.

If she only pays attention to her high dollar donors now what can we expect when the least of these need her attention. Terri Sewell left the 7th Congressional District after high school and it seems that she never looked back.

AL-07: The Jefferson County Sewer Mess, and Why It Matters

mooncat — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:55:11 GMT

The short answer to why it matters is this, Shelia Smoot has been on the Jefferson County Commission since 2002, that service is a big part of her resume, she participated in a number of the bond-swap votes that turned out so badly for the county, and her history of decision making is entirely relevant to the choice 7th Congressional District voters will make in two weeks. If you're into polite euphemisms you might say the sewer mess casts and "ethical cloud" over Ms. Smoot's aspirations to higher office. To be more blunt, at least 6 former county commissioners (Chris McNair, Gary White, Mary Buckelew, John Katapodis, Jeff Germany, Larry Langford) have been convicted of wrongdoing associated with the sewer mess and there's no certainty that's the end of it. That's six convictions out of five??? commission slots! Yes, more than the entire commission has been convicted over sewer deals because this thing spans a long damned time.

The debacle raised the specter of bankruptcy and the ensuing investigations eventually landed former county commission president and Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford a 15-year prison sentence. Another 20 defendants were also convicted after extensive federal investigations into corruption issues around the sewer bonds.

You see how just being on the JeffCo commission during this fiasco makes one look a bit like Pigpen, with a big old flaming ethical sewage cloud (H/T KC) tagging along? Let's take a tentative tiptoe through the sordid sewer stories of Jefferson County, Alabama, starting in the mid-1990's. First, a glimpse of the hardship the Jefferson County Commission caused their constituents through their mishandling, poor decisions and good old fashioned graft and corruption, because government has consequences and bad government has terrible consequences.

Between 1992 and 2008, the average residential sewer bill in Jefferson County increased from $9.82 per month to $62.90 -- that's a 640% rate hike! From a May, 2008 article on the JeffCo sewer mess:

As nighttime temperatures plunged in Birmingham, Alabama, last October, Dora Bonner had a choice: either pay the gas bill so she could heat the home she shares with four grandchildren, or send the Birmingham Water Works a $250 check for her water and sewer bill.
Bonner, who is 73 and lives on Social Security, decided to keep the house from freezing.
"I couldn't afford the water, so they shut it off," she says.

Cost increases in the 400% to 600% range put the squeeze on everybody, especially the poor and elderly. And because we're talking sewer bills here, masses of folks shutting off the water/sewer isn't a healthy option for residents or the community -- hepatitis, cholera, typhoid, anyone?

This mess began back in 1993:

Bart Slawson filed a lawsuit (Kipp, et.al. v. Jefferson County) against the county on behalf of residents near the Cahaba River alleging that the county's sewer system was spilling and overflowing during heavy rains, allowing large amounts of untreated wastewater to enter the Cahaba River, a source of drinking water for much of the region (the Cahaba River Society joined the suit after it was filed). The plaintiffs documented over 4,000 specific violations, which prompted a the United States Department of Justice to investigate and follow suit with United States v. Jefferson County, Alabama, Jefferson County Commission, and the State of Alabama.

Actually, there was already a mess in 1993 if JeffCo was dumping raw sewage in the Cahaba River and the upshot of the lawsuits was that JeffCo signed a consent decree and agreed to take corrective measures to comply with the Clean Water Act, including to ...

spend $30 million for the establishment of protective greenways to improve water quality in the Cahaba and Black Warrior River systems and to pay a civil penalty of $750,000. Altogether, the cost of complying with the decree was estimated to be $1.2 billion.

But it's so hard to do just the bare minimum, and there was (inevitable?) mission creep on the corrective measures, including something called the "super sewer" and ... you can see it coming, can't you? ... the pricetag considerably exceeded $1.2 billion. By about $2 billion. That's right, JeffCo took on $3.2 billion of sewer debt -- just for upgrades. Now most of this debt accumulation ocurred before Shelia Smoot came into office, so the mission creep of the sewer project is not what's in her ethical cloud. That's the bond swaps and refinancing deals are.

The JeffCo Commission was in a bind because they were having to raise sewer rates beyond all reason to make payments on this huge sewer debt -- so they started refinancing their fixed rate bonds, in the process making the whole county liable for the debt, not just the sewer and water system. The JeffCo Commission started refinancing, and these were not your standard 30 year fixed rate loans they were signing onto. No, sirree! JeffCo was on the cutting edge of creative financing, with help from JPMorgan and some local operatives. From Bloomberg:

The county paid banks $120 million in fees -- six times the prevailing rate -- for $5.8 billion in interest-rate swaps. That was supposed to protect the county from rising rates for their bonds. Lending rates went the wrong way, putting the county $277 million deeper into debt.

On the road to financial "Armageddon," elected officials maintained that these deals would be Jefferson County's salvation:

[Larry] Langford said in 2005 that the swaps would save $214 million -- an assumption based on the county and its bond insurers maintaining their credit ratings.
“You know, I get the impression that people think a bunch of rubes in Alabama shouldn’t be smart enough to utilize these swaps,” he told Bloomberg News that year.
The county later hired financial adviser James White of Birmingham-based Porter, White & Co., who estimated that the commission’s cost for the swaps, $120.2 million, was as much as $100 million too high, based on prevailing rates.

Well, JeffCo Commissioners apparently weren't smart enough to utilize swaps safely, or perhaps they weren't smart enough to be prudent and just stay away from creative financing entirely.

Those deals cost Jefferson County roughly a quarter of a billion dollars paid to banks and financial institutions which otherwise could have gone to schools, hospitals and other essential county services. Poor decision-making on the part of the Commissioners ... or worse.

From the Birmingham Wiki:

During the period from 2003 to 2006 the County initiated five separate bond offerings and interest rate swap agreements totaling more than $5.7 billion, all of which involved the participation of Bill Blount and his firm, Blount Parrish, Inc. as underwriter and agent, for which the firm was paid several million dollars in fees. Blount had previously assisted Langford in financing for the VisionLand theme park.
The aim of those deals was to reduce the cost of debt service on the county's outstanding principal of over $4.6 billion ($3.3 billion of which went to the construction of new sewers mandated by violation of the Federal Clean Water Act). ... Another effect of the swaps was to expose the sewer debt, which had been secured to sewer system revenues, to a broader liability for the county.

As a reminder, Shelia Smoot was on the JeffCo Commission for the entire 2003 to 2006 period when those swap agreements (also for some in late 2002) which were privately negotiated, not publicly bid, were approved. She was a key vote for the swap deals. These activities attracted the attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) who investigated the JeffCo sewer bond swaps and filed suit against two JPMorgan bankers (LeCroy & MacFaddan) for allegedly directing secret payments to two small Alabama firms with close ties to JeffCo Commissioners. The purpose of the secret payments? To make sure JPMorgan got Jefferson County's business on the bond deals -- they turn a profit on those deals, after all.

Three Commissioners -- Larry Langford, Jeff Germany (both now convicted) and Shelia Smoot -- are named in this SEC complaint. The story is simple. The bankers were making deals with county commissioners to insure some of the cost of these swaps would be funnelled to entities with ties to the commissioners. Ties such as friendships, campaign contributions or even loan repayment. Sending business to these friendly firms assured the votes would be there to select the JPMorgan deal. Of course, it also increased the cost to the taxpayers since the fees and contracts to commissioners' friends got rolled into what Jefferson County paid.

There is a great deal in the complaint about how the arrangement worked -- the JPMorgan folks had a lot of discussion on what to call those local contracts, seeking an acceptable euphemism for "graft," and eventually settled on ""Directed Fee Payment Pursuant to Instructions ..." The specific Shelia Smoot references are these paragraphs, way down in the document:

71. Ultimately, as discussed in more detail below, LeCroy and MacFaddin arranged for JPMorgan to pay Blount Parrish $2.6 million - more than any other participant in the transaction made except JPMorgan itself - for ensuring JPMorgan was selected as underwriter and swap provider. But Langford was not the only County commissioner whose support LeCroy and MacFaddin sought. They also arranged for JPMorgan to pay $250,000 each to Gardnyr Michael and ABI Capital to influence the vote of Commissioner Sheila Smoot. Both firms had hired as a "consultant" a long-time friend of Smoot.

82. One week later, on July 21, 2003, LeCroy again called the Associate, this time to tell her that Smoot had demanded that Gardnyr Michael and ABI Capital get more money. Although LeCroy said he attempted to dissuade Smoot because it was very difficult to change the amounts "after the fact," he agreed to increase JPMorgan's payments to the two firms to $250,000 each.
83. In the course of the conversation, LeCroy told the Associate he knew Smoot did not know about the $2.6 million payment to Blount Parrish, and said he had to agree to her request "because you know we're going to need her vote, and we've got to keep her happy. She's one of the three majority commissioners." He complained, however, that he would rather contribute to a commissioner's favorite charity than just "handing money to a vote."
84. Clearly troubled, the Associate replied, "But to just randomly payoff people that have nothing to do with the deal just doesn't sit well." responded, "That's the deal- that's the price of doing business."

And unfortunately, this great plan to relieve pressure on sewer rates by refinancing did not have the desired effect. Sewer rates kept going up. In 2003 the increase was 10% (Commissioners rejoiced that it was only 10%) and it was even higher in 2004. Commission President Larry Langford proposed using the savings from refinancing to help senior citizens and disabled residents pay their sewer bills. Commissioner Smoot supported that idea, saying, "Senior citizens can't get that second or third job. ... People who are able-bodied and can get a second or third job, I don't feel sorry for them." (Birmingham News, March 1, 2004, archive.) Don't you love the way the deals were framed as a way to help the poor and disabled, but the able bodied were just expected to shoulder their share of this sewer debt burden -- which their elected officials had signed on to -- without complaint?

According to a lawsuit filed by a JeffCo resident:

"Through a long series of ill-conceived financial transactions, the sewer ratepayers of Jefferson County have been saddled with a debt of roughly $11,491 per residential sewer customer, which is the highest in the nation."

Jefferson County's budget was well and truly busted as their shiny new adjustable rate bonds adjusted their rates waaay upwards and the derivatives that were supposed to offset costs did just the opposite. JeffCo bonds were reduced to junk status in 2008 when the county announced it might not be able to pay up. In 2009 a court struck down JeffCo's occupational tax and, deprived of that revenue, they furloughed about a thousand employees. Commissioner Smoot was in Nashville at a convention. The cuts resulted in long lines for public services, cuts to hospitals and law enforcement, and threatened to impact public safety. Even after the occupational tax was partially reinstated by the Legislature, hourly employees were still working only 32 hours per week to cut costs. Shelia Smoot did not meet with angry and frustrated county employees to talk about the reduced work week, although other Commissioners showed up to hear their concerns -- so much for caring about workers.

They closed satellite courthouses, they closed libraries, they cut worker paychecks to the bone. Decisions made by the Jefferson County Commission have put residents and employees through hell. It's governmental malpractice. Some of them even called it Armageddon and that isn't much exaggeration.

The bottom line in all this is that Jefferson County residents were harmed, financially and culturally harmed in a big way, because their elected Commissioners either didn't understand what they were committing the county to and didn't perform due diligence to gain that understanding, or were outright looking after some interest other than their constituents when they approved these bond swaps. Stupidity, gullibility, lack of ethics or simple greed -- any one of the three should be an absolute disqualifier to higher office. With a record like that, no one who sat on the Jefferson County Commission during the sewer bond years should ever aspire to any other elected office, let alone a higher one.

What Supporters Are Saying About Shelia Smoot (AL-07)

gradyw — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:07:16 GMT

As I've disclaimed previously, I'm helping my friend Shelia Smoot in her July 13 runoff election for the AL-07 Congressional seat. I've said a lot about Shelia and why I think she is the best person to represent the constituents of this district.

However, I want to try something different and offer you some quotes and testimony that come from others about Shelia. Here I start with an endorsement from a supporter in Eutaw, Alabama that was submitted to the campaign

From Debbie in Eutaw, AL - I believe that Shelia's vision alone, on upgrading technology in the rural area, will bring the black belt into the information age and make this generation competitive.

Below the fold you will find more endorsements and testimony about Shelia
From Casual Wednesday , who does the Congress Matters series at Daily Kos and recently met Shelia at a Washington D.C. meet and greet

. . . I want to talk about the genuine person I met first thing this morning. Commissioner Smoot was in Washington DC to do some much needed fundraising for her runoff and the general election. She held a meet and greet with a few people in the morning and alpolitics helped me to get an invite.
I recognized Shelia from her picture when I saw her in the lobby of an office building. Unlike some other politicians I have met from both sides of the aisle, Shelia did not look at me funny with that unmistakable "who the hell are you" look. She shook my hand, smiled and said, "Hi, I'm Shelia."
I immediately got the sense that her campaign slogan -- "On Your Side" -- is not just a generic branding strategy recycled by some Washington campaigning outfit. When Shelia says she is on your side, she means it.

From Birmingham attorney and friend Barry Walker

Shelia is a person who dares to reach her hands into the darkness to pull others into the light. She is the right choice for the 7th Congressional District and this is the right time!

Commissioner Robert Steele from Cook County, who knows Shelia from her work as Past President of the National Association of Black County Officials

I am pleased to announce my public support for Commissioner Shelia Smoot
for Congress. Shelia has been a tireless worker for many years. Shelia is committed
to service and enjoys the acomplishment of being able to deliver on her work. Shelia
also has a great track record of delivering on her word, she does not speak false
truths for popularity.
I wish Commissioner Smoot the very best and we here in Chicago with Alabama roots
are reaching out to our close family and associates to support her election.

From Mandi Joseph - Shelia's former Chief of Staff

Shelia has a natural passion to fight for underserved communities and
individuals. She sees no issue as insurmountable. The 7th Congressional district of
Alabama can rest assured that sending Shelia to Washington will guarantee that their
voices and concerns will be heard, loud & clear! It is without a doubt that Shelia
will also make sure that necessary and long overdue resources are secured to move
the district forward!

From Shelly Sparks, a high school classmate

I have known Shelia all of my life and if anyone can do it she can. She
has always worked for the people. In high school she was always advocating for
student rights. She has been and will continue to be one of the greatest people
advocate of all time. We in Beecher love and support Shelia Smoot for Congress.

From Veterinarian Lavelle Galloway, a campaign volunteer and supporter

I support Shelia because she always puts the people first.

From Shewana McGee of Birmingham

I endorse Shelia Smoot for Congress because of her
outstanding service to the community in which she lives and works.

From Liza Howard of York, Alabama - where Shelia's family is from and the heart of the 7th Congressional District

She represents the concerns of the people. She is a spokesperson for those
who cannot speak for themselves.

From Vi Parramore , president of American Federation of Teachers local #2143, which endorsed Smoot

"Commissioner Shelia Smoot worked hard to help build a number of new schools (Bessemer City High pictured below) in Jefferson County resulting in a better environment for our teachers to teach and our students to learn," "It shows her great leadership and love of education, her concern for children's futures," added Parramore. "We look forward to working with her as our 7th Congressional Congresswoman."

From Tommie Hudson of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen

"Commissioner Smoot has always impressed our group with her dedication to working on light rail and her commitment to the safety of hard working members of the Brotherhood."

People that hide behind their computer screens can say what they want about Shelia Smoot and her time on the Jefferson County Commission. But we have provided words from a number of people that have known Shelia Smoot for years and those who have given testimony to what she has done and what she will do. Shelia talking about what she's done and people recognize that. She's also got a vision for improving the quality of life for the people in this district. I leave you with one more line from Casual Wednesday's diary

In a serious contrast, Shelia has fought to keep a Jefferson County hospital open so that it can continue to provide indigent care. What really caught my attention though, was when Shelia said offhand that she does not see any difference between indigent care and any other health care. Every American deserves access to health care. Arthur Davis didn't get that and he lost his race for governor this year.
Shelia Smoot does get it.

Visit her website: Shelia Smoot for Congress

Follow her on Twitter: @smoot2010

And most importantly, kick in a few bucks if you can: Act Blue

It's Official! Union Bugs Are Endangered Species

mooncat — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:16:57 GMT

One of the very first things I learned when I began helping out at Democratic Headquarters was that everything we distributed needed to have a union "bug" on it to assure labor unions we appreciated them and weren't taking for granted their support, volunteers, money and, eventually, the votes of their members ... all of which they would certainly withhold if the bug wasn't on literature, shirts and so forth. Exceptions could be made for small quantities, but the words "Produced in house, labor donated" needed to be on even those items. This was all new to me (as I was new to politics) but the way people told it, the sky would fall if you left off the union bug.

For the unfamiliar, union bugs are the little union emblems on printed items, as shown to the right. They testify that the product was printed in a union shop. Because they're usually so small as to be virtually unreadable they look a bit buglike, hence the name. Those bugs in the illustration are all from shirts in our household and, believe it or not, that selection is just from shirts recently laundered and stacked on the washer waiting to be put away. No shortage of union bugs here!

But recent events indicate the union bug is destined to follow the boll weevil into oblivion. Things look grim for the little rascal, at least in Alabama's 7th Congressional District where Shelia Smoot's campaign continues to distribute union-bug free literature, just as they did before the June 1 primary. The images below are of items being passed out by the Smoot campaign at a Jefferson County Young Democrats event this past Monday evening.

This piece (also shown front and back) does not bear a union bug, although it clearly says "Paid for by Smoot for Congress, P.O. Box ..."

The Smoot campaign was also passing out this piece (also shown front and back) of literature at the same event and it has a union bug right under her elbow, so someone on the campaign knows about bugs:

The real irony here is that Shelia Smoot herself was not at the event where these particular cards were passed out. She had gone to Mobile, to talk to labor leaders about an endorsement. And in fact, the very next day she was able to announce that the Southwest Alabama Labor Council had endorsed her for the runoff in the 7th CD. She had already been endorsed by AEA and the Montgomery and Tuscaloosa Area Labor Councils.

Yes, Shelia Smoot is definitely breaking new ground here, making it clear that Alabama labor organizations are broad-minded and big-hearted enough to no longer give a damn about whether campaigns use union shops for production of campaign materials or not.

Good bye little union bug, we'll miss you, but I reckon Alabama candidates -- even Democrats -- just don't need you any more.

Jefferson County - About that Transparency ...

mooncat — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:55:00 GMT

Late last week I found myself at the Jefferson County website looking for budget reports, records of expenditures or anything else that would indicate how money is being spent by the Commissioners. All I could turn up was the minutes to the most recent meeting of the Jefferson County Commission. It's a hard to navigate website so I figured the information was there, just hard to locate and resolved to come back and try again when I had more time.

Well, it turns out I was wrong. JeffCo Commission information isn't being posted as it should be and I'm not the only one who noticed.

The Jefferson County Commission has not posted vendor contracts, meeting minutes, updated financial documents and other information on its website as required by a state law passed last year.
... information required by law and not posted as of Friday afternoon included agendas and minutes from County Commission and committee meetings, a quarterly listing of all active contracts, quarterly budget reports and the county's three most recent annual financial audits.
Commissioner Shelia Smoot, who has responsibility for the information technology department that oversees the website, said she has had problems getting documents for the website.

I can perhaps believe that Commissioner Smoot finds some of the other commissioners uncooperative, but it seems to me she could certainly post the information that is available to all the commissioners, like minutes, agendas and audit reports, and set a positive example for others by posting all the information on her own District Two expenditures, budgets and so forth.

A government entity that refuses to make its records public, in violation of a law requiring transparency, can't expect much in the way of public trust.

Smoot Gains Endorsement of Congressmen Clyburn and Thompson (AL-07)

gradyw — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 01:43:53 GMT

My role is now disclosed in my signature - Sorry for not doing that sooner. I have not had time to post as much as I like lately. I was not trying to be deceitful, I just assume that everyone knew since I had disclosed in previous diaries that I was volunteering and supporting Shelia.

Today Shelia announced that House Whip James Clyburn and Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson have gotten behind her bid to win the AL-07 runoff.

U.S. Reps. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., and Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., had both contributed to the campaign of state Rep. Earl Hilliard Jr., but he finished third.
Smoot, a Jefferson County Commissioner who was campaigning in Washington D.C. recently, said both congressmen have agreed to support her in the runoff against Birmingham lawyer Terri Sewell.

This comes on the heels of Sewell's internal poll announcement. Smoot has also picked up the endorsements of the American Federation of Teachers Local #2143 and the Alabama Education Association. So while Sewell claims to have an advantage over Hilliard voters now, Smoot is lining up previous Hilliard supporters and endorsements publicly. It's always a good thing in my book when potential future colleagues endorse you.

AL-07 Runoff - Terri Sewell Opens 20 Point Lead, at 53%

mooncat — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:55:37 GMT

Terri Sewell's positive campaign is paying off in Alabama's 7th Congressional District. An Anzalone-Liszt survey conducted June 13-16 shows Sewell leads Shelia Smoot 53% to 33% two weeks after the two women finished 37% to 29%, respectively, in the June 1 primary. That's a 16 point movement toward Sewell with very little corresponding pick-up for Smoot. Even though third place finisher Earl Hilliard, Jr. has not endorsed either woman, it appears his supporters, and Martha Bozeman's, are breaking toward Sewell. From the memo:

Terri Sewell’s 63% favorable rating is 9 points higher than Shelia Smoot’s (54%), while Smoot’s 25% unfavorable rating is 16 points higher than Sewell’s (9%). Terri Sewell continues to have better expansion potential than Smoot.

Sewell leads 48% to 38% among voters who supported 3rd-place candidate Earl Hilliard in the primary. She leads by 25 points among Artur Davis voters, and by 20 points with Sparks voters. Sewell leads by 14 points among African-American voters and by 36 points among whites.

Terri Sewell supports progressive issues and she isn't hampered by the kind of negative (Jefferson County Commission) baggage Shelia Smoot carries. The memo also noted, "If Terri Sewell can put together the resources to continue her advantage in paid communications, she will be in an excellent position to win." Time is short and resources are key. If you like the style and substance of Terri Sewell's campaign, help her keep it going with a contribution.

AL-07: Shelia Smoot's Union Problem

mooncat — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:05:52 GMT

Shelia Smoot's relationship with unions was mentioned a couple of days ago in the comments of this thread. The Selma Times-Journal also notes that Smoot needs labor on board to squeeze past Terri Sewell in a runoff.

Smoot has an arduous task getting labor to back her. She’s made a couple of fatal mistakes.
Before the primary election Smoot criticized the way the unions decided to interview candidates, something the devout aren’t about to overlook.
But the greatest sin of this self-proclaimed pro-union candidate rests in her campaign literature.
Recently, some pieces of campaign literature appeared in the district without the union bug appearing anywhere on it.

This is what Smoot said about union endorsements at the Downtown Democrats' meeting last March:

"I'm for labor, but you know it would be nice if the female candidates in this race, got an opportunity to be interviewed by ALFA. We did not. It would be very intriguing if the women in this race would be allowed to be interviewed by all the unions. We were not given that opportunity. So no, some of us don't have those endorsements. But you are talking to Shelia Smoot, UAW proud and UAW strong."
"I don't need an endorsement for a union; I am union."

Now she needs union endorsements. And apparently her campaign distributed a lot of literature lacking a union bug in the final weeks of the campaign. Images below the fold. These pieces came from Jefferson County, but the same literature was reported in other counties in the 7th CD as well.

Pushcard, both sides are like this:

"Ballot," sides one and two:

No union bug, anywhere.

What's Happening in the 7th Congressional District Runoff?

mooncat — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:37:48 GMT

Earl Hilliard, Jr. intends to make an endorsement. Hilliard didn't do as well as I expected him to in the primary, but with 27% of the votes, you have to think his endorsement would be helpful.

In an email to supporters, second place finisher Shelia Smoot noted that she won four counties last week and believes she has the most grassroots support and loyal voters.

Terri Sewell, who received 37% of the vote in the primary, is planning a series of town hall meetings in the district, with the first in Dallas County. "I'm looking forward to this opportunity to speak directly to voters all across the district about the issues that are important to the region," Sewell said. "These town hall meetings will provide me with an opportunity to hear directly from the people of the 7th Congressional District about their concerns so I can better serve this district in Congress."

Hilliard had virtually all the union endorsements sewed up for the primary, but I wonder if labor will get involved in the Smoot/Sewell runoff. Shelia Smoot was particularly critical of the initial union vetting process which apparently didn't give all the candidates an opportunity to appear, but I notice her latest campaign release is touting her union history.

AL-07: New Radio Ad from Shelia Smoot

mooncat — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:45:32 GMT

After the news that AL-07 candidates are essentially all tied up, Shelia Smoot hits all her positives in this ad -- and takes advantage of her great on-air voice.

Interesting Roundup of AL-07 in Today's B'ham News: What you Might Not Know Might Surprise You

gradyw — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:10:59 GMT

The Birmingham News had an interesting write up this morning of how the AL-07 primary is shaping up with a month until election day. Of course I'm a Smoot supporter and I indicated that when Shelia entered the race last year.

However, I was a little surprised by a couple of the tidbits that Terri Sewell provided in her general information section.

Date of birth: Says she's in her 40s
Residence: Lives in Birmingham, born in Huntsville

Can you trust someone who can't give their exact date of birth like the other candidates?

Born in Huntsville - I thought I had heard her mention that she was born and raised in Selma. Much of her campaign has been about being from Selma and her being the only candidate that understands the black belt. I might have just wrongfully assumed she was born in Selma since I had not heard any differently.

Since she graduated high school from there then I have no problem with her claiming it as her hometown. But she is not the only candidate with Black Belt roots. Shelia Smoot has aunts, uncles and cousins from Sumter County and she spent the summers there as well.

Two other interesting facts about the other candidates

1. Earl Hilliard Jr had a bit part in the movie "The Truman Show" - good movie

2. Martha Bozeman - managed both Bernard Kincaid and Artur Davis's campaigns.

Maybe now this Congressional Seat will get some of the attention that it deserves. All of the candidates are doing a good job talking about the issues that matter.

Live Blog with Shelia Smoot (AL-07) at Daily Kos tonight at 8:00 Central

gradyw — Wed, 05 May 2010 23:17:41 GMT

Tonight join us over at Daily Kos at 8:00 central where you can join Shelia Smoot in a live blog discussion about the AL-07 race.

Please post questions that you have in the thread

Here are a few that we've already prepared

1. How does your experience separate you from the other candidates in the race?
2. Economic development and jobs are a priority for this very impoverished district. How do you plan to encourage growth that will create jobs?
3. How can the quality of life in AL-07 be improved with your representation?

This race has received little national attention. Come discuss the issues. Primaries do matter.

Shelia Smoot Holds Lead in AL07

gradyw — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:27:54 GMT

Polling confirms that Shelia Smoot has a lead in this race. Here is the release from the Smoot Campaign

Birmingham, AL -) A poll conducted last week by Collingwood Research confirmed early polls that Jefferson County Commissioner Shelia Smoot continues to the lead the Race for Alabama Congressional District 7. The numbers are strikingly similar to results released last October by the Feldman group and commissioned by the Hilliard campaign.
The survey of 604 likely voters was conducted March 30th -April 1st. The results showed:
Shelia Smoot 33%
Earl Hilliard Jr. 28%
Terri Sewell 12%
Martha Bozeman 6%
Undecided or Other 20%
Alabama Congressional District 7 is an open seat being vacated by Artur Davis who is running for Governor. The District is heavily democratic, African-American, and overwhelmingly supported President Barack Obama with over 70% in 2008.
Commissioner Smoot said "I am pleased that the hard work my campaign has put in over the past year is continuing to hold our lead. This race isn't about money. It is about issues and record and on both accounts the voters agree with me and my campaign not "Washington insiders" and their checkbooks. My record of service is unmatched in this race and everywhere we go we listen to the people and their concerns. We will continue to work hard to get our message out and show the people of CD 7 that Smoot is on your side."
The poll also showed that in Jefferson County, the largest county and 48% of the total voters in CD7, that Smoot was particularly strong.
Shelia Smoot 39%
Earl Hilliard Jr . 29%
Martha Bozeman 7%
Terri Sewell 6%

More analysis below the thread
Despite a huge advantage in terms of raising money, Sewell has not registered with the voters in Jefferson County. She's in 4th place in the most populous part of the district. History shows that you cannot win AL-07 without a strong Jefferson County base.

It looks to clearly be a two way race with Sewell and Bozeman fighting for 3rd position at the moment.