Recount secures Palmer victory in Jefferson County Circuit Court race

Published: Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 8:10 PM ??? Updated: Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 8:13 PM

A recount in the race for Place 20 on Jefferson County Circuit Court gave Julie Palmer an additional 410 votes and a long-awaited victory in the election that took place on Nov. 2.

The automatic recount was held today because the general election vote total put Palmer, a Republican, and Agnes Chappell, a Democrat, within one-half of 1 percent of each other. The count that the county and state certified after the election had the two candidates 245 votes apart, out of some 205,000 ballots cast.

Today's recount gave Palmer a 655-vote lead. She wound up with 102,985 votes, or 50.16 percent. Chappell ended up with 102,330 votes, or 49.84 percent.

The county canvassing board will meet Wednesday at 10 a.m. to certify the recount, then send the results to the state canvassing board for certification.

"I feel wonderful," said Palmer, who will take office on Jan. 17. "It is going to be a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have lots to be thankful for."

Chappell could not be reached for immediate comment. Previously, she said she would accept the recount results.

Palmer will preside over divorce cases filed countywide when she takes office.

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Families celebrate adoptions of 58 foster children in Jefferson County this year

Published: Saturday, November 20, 2010, 5:40 PM ??? Updated: Saturday, November 20, 2010, 5:42 PM

For LaDarius Raybon, one word sums up his and his twin brothers' adoption this year: "Perfect."
?
? After being in foster care since he was a toddler, LaDarius, 12, was happy that he would no longer have to worry about being taken from his foster parents of 10 years, the Raybons.
?
? LaDarius, KeShun, DeShun and their parents, Tom and Olivia Raybon of Northport, celebrated in Woodlawn today with other new adoptive families.
?
? The Jefferson County Department of Human Resources put together the event to recognize the 58 Jefferson County foster children adopted in 2010 and their families, said Shuereaka Holston of DHR.
?
? Families took part in games, arts and crafts and pony rides, and ate lunch at Birmingham Dream Center.

? Olivia Raybon said even though she has cared for the boys for most of their lives, the adoption in May gave her a newfound bond. "I knew then that they were really mine," she said.

? The Raybons, who have 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, said they are still foster parents and open to caring for at least two more.

? There are about 914 children in foster care in Jefferson County, according to DHR officials. Of that group, 63 children are waiting for adoption.

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New Jefferson County Commission president David Carrington known as consensus builder

Published: Friday, November 12, 2010, 6:30 AM

The newly elected president of the Jefferson County Commission will have to do without something his predecessors had -- responsibility for two of the most sought-after departments in county government.

When David Carrington was elected president by his colleagues this week, he was not handed oversight of the finance department and the general services department, two areas that previous commission presidents have always controlled.

In fact, it was Carrington's idea to construct the new commission so that the president is closer in authority to the other commissioners on the five-member board.

Under the resolution of organization approved by the commission on Wednesday, the president is chairman of only the administrative services committee, while the other four commissioners chair at least two committees each.

"A majority of the power in our new organization structure will not rest in the presidency," said Carrington, a Vestavia Hills Republican. "We have designed a much flatter organizational structure that equitably distributes the workload and responsibilities among all five commissioners."

Those who know Carrington say he is the consummate team builder, a leader whose concern is not credit, but results.

"He was very unselfish in what he did, as far as the duties and responsibilities that the president has," said Commissioner Jimmie Stephens, who has responsibility for the finance department. "It's a much more different and level playing field than it has been in the past."

Carrington's managerial style became apparent long before he won his three-way District 5 primary election in June with 66.4 percent of the vote. He ran unopposed in this month's general election.

Carrington, 62, is president of Racing USA Inc., a NASCAR memorabilia retailer, and a former vice president of merchandising at Parisian, where he was known to write notes to his staff in green ink. "Green represents growth," he said during an interview this week.

Former Parisian CEO Donald Hess said the company recruited Carrington from Houston because of his knowledge of the merchandise-information side of the business.

'Great vision'

"David is very bright -- extremely bright -- and he's got great vision," said Hess, who attended this week's swearing-in ceremony for Jefferson County commissioners. "A lot of people who are bright, their egos get in the way of consensus building.

"David, in addition to being very bright, has a tremendous amount of self-confidence in his willingness to learn and be open to different ideas and different suggestions. He never believed his way was the only way to get something done."

Carrington has been married for almost 40 years and has two children and four grandchildren. His wife, Sonia, is principal of Rocky Ridge Elementary School.

Carrington arrived in Birmingham in 1978 and immediately went to work in his community.

He volunteered in various civic capacities in Vestavia Hills, including as a member of the city's economic development, finance and communications committees and the chamber of commerce. He was also a board member of Vestavia Voters with Vision -- V3 -- a residents' action group that helped install a new city government during the 2000 city elections.

Carrington got a scare in 1999 when doctors told him that he had cancer. He had surgery in May of that year and has fully recovered.

He was president of Leadership Vestavia in 2003-2004 and was elected to the Vestavia Hills City Council in 2004. He became president in 2006.

Mary Lee Rice, current president of the Vestavia Hills City Council, said Carrington came to decisions only after seeking opinions from other members.

"He felt it was important to hear each one of our individual positions, so he could take that into consideration, too, if he was trying to come up with a solution," Rice said. "One on one, you feel a respect from him when he sits and talks to you. He valued your input even if at the beginning you may not have been exactly on the same page."

Vestavia Hills Mayor Alberto "Butch" Zaragoza said he was always impressed by the way Carrington researched issues.

"He asks the questions and challenges you to look at different options that you have and not just be status quo," Zaragoza said. "And when you produce the information that he needed, whether it was pro or con, he was willing to adjust his thinking, just like we adjusted our thinking to some things."

Carrington, a member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills, said he enjoys spending his free time at sporting events, especially those where his grandchildren are playing.

He also has a Tahoe deck boat that he looks forward to when he travels to the lake in Guntersville. The grandchildren have named the boat "Lots of Fun," he said.

When he decided to make his first run for County Commission, Carrington won the Republican primary race to replace Jim Carns, who did not seek a second term on the commission.

Before being seated, Carrington and his colleagues faced criticism for a meeting he organized at the law offices of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, which over the past five years has been paid $5.5 million as an outside legal counsel for the county. In attendance were five commission candidates, including three who still had opponents in the general election.

Carrington said the meeting did not violate the Alabama open meetings law, and the sworn-in commission fully understands the law and will fully abide by it.

The focus now, commissioners say, is on the possible loss of the county's occupational tax, the pursuit of a solution to the $3.2 billion sewer debt crisis, and hiring by April a county manager who can tackle the myriad problems facing the government.

"I truly believe the best way to solve our problems is that all power is equally distributed as much as you can among all five commissioners, and I think we have developed a plan to do that," Carrington said. "You do not build consensus in debate. You build consensus in discussion."

Join the conversation by clicking to comment or e-mail Wright at bwright@bhamnews.com.

Commissioner David Carrington

Date of birth: April 24, 1948; age 62.

Residence: Vestavia Hills.

Born: Houston.

Family: Wife, Sonia; two sons.

Political experience: Elected to the Jefferson County Commission, 2010; Vestavia Hills City Council member, 2004-2010; council president, 2006-2010.

Professional experience: President of Racing USA, independently owned NASCAR memorabilia and collectibles store, 1997-present; president of WDC Systems, 1983-2001; vice president of merchandising at Parisian, 1978-83.

Education: University of Houston, master's degree, 1975; bachelor's degree, 1970.

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Murder defendant James Hutto led from Jefferson County courtroom after expletive-filled rant

Published: Wednesday, November 03, 2010, 9:20 PM ??? Updated: Wednesday, November 03, 2010, 10:19 PM

James Hutto was escorted from a Jefferson County courtroom today amid an expletive-filled rant, before a judge ruled prosecutors could seek an indictment against him in his aunt's beating death.

Hutto, 39, is charged in the Sept. 15 death of the aunt, Virginia Rardon.

Rardon's death came in the middle of what police say was a two-state spree that started with the death of Ethel Winstead Simpson, 81, whose body was found on a Mississippi hog farm.

Hutto was arrested Sept. 17 after Auburn resident Mark Cox, 56, told Lee County sheriff's deputies that Hutto had robbed him, hit him in the head with a rock and stabbed him repeatedly with a pitchfork.

Now held in the Jefferson County Jail, Hutto will be sent to Mississippi to face a capital murder charge in Simpson's death.

He also has been indicted in Lee County on charges of robbery and attempted murder in the attack on Cox.

Rardon, 68, was found in the bedroom of her east Birmingham home with facial fractures, 18 broken ribs and a broken throat bone, prosecutor Laura Poston said during today's preliminary hearing.

Hutto showed up at his aunt's house on Sept. 14, acting erratically, according to testimony today from John Tanks, a Birmingham police detective.

Lois Rutledge, who lived with Rardon, told Tanks that Hutto asked for a ride to pick up a Mercedes Benz. He said it had been given to him by someone who had declared him the "Chosen One," Tanks testified.

The car belonged to Simpson, police said.

Rardon became nervous about Hutto staying in her house, Rutledge told police. On Sept. 15, Rutledge drove to Walker County to get her son and his fiancee, leaving Rardon home alone with Hutto, Tanks testified.

A woman who had been dating Hutto told police that he came to her house around 9 p.m. that night. His right hand was swollen and he had scratch marks on his arm, she told police.

Rardon's battered body was found early Sept. 16.

Cox told Lee County authorities that he stopped for fuel on Sept. 17. A gas-station employee Cox knew said a man was there saying he wanted to buy land. The man was Hutto, who still was driving the Mercedes, Tanks testified.

Hutto attacked Cox while the Auburn man was showing some land he had for sale, Cox told a Lee County sheriff's investigator. Hutto was arrested soon after, driving the Mercedes.

Hutto told police Cox killed both women, and Hutto killed Cox to avenge the deaths. When told Cox was still alive, Hutto declined to say anything else, Tanks testified.

But the 6-foot-1, 230-pound defendant was very vocal during his brief time in court today.

Secured by the standard handcuffs and leg and waist chains, Hutto managed to flip his middle finger at relatives before sitting next to his lawyer, Glennon Threatt.

District Judge Sheldon Watkins told Hutto to settle down. Hutto began cursing, continuing to do so as a bailiff took him back to jail.

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Jefferson County Commission supports the Alabama Amendment 3 finance roads, transportation projects

Published: Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 7 H 25

The Jefferson County Commission Tuesday voted unanimously to sup-port Amendment 3 which would take as much as 100 million per year for 10 years the Fund trust in Alabama to build roads and other transportation projects throughout the State.

But after the meeting, Commissioner Bobby Hum-phryes said that he meant to vote against the amendment support because he didn't think it was a good idea.

Residents across the State will vote Tuesday on the amend-ment.

The Chairman of Committee Bettye Fine Collins and Sheila Smoot and Jim Carns Commissioners say they have supported amend-ment .the Commissioner George Bowman was not present.

"If you travel the roads in this county and state that you know that the infras-tructure of collapse and must be addressed," said Col-lins. "I hope our people will be support this amendment.?

Smoot, who was discharging for the 2002-2006 County roads Department said it is "ridiculous" no steps to support the amendment.

"We must repair desper-ately," said Smoot. "We need this change, we need this work and we need people to obtain the service.

Wayne Sullivan, Director of roads and transportation for the County, said County that amendment would give unused funds in the county who would not come out of the General Fund $ 2 million.

"There is no other fund-ing that we get to make these projects," says Sullivan."Statewide, this money will be not only replace bridges but build and upgrade roads."

The assets of the Fund total Alabama 2.5 bil-lion $.It collects a large part of the pumping of gas from foreign corporations State paid royalties.

Humphryes, which currently has the responsibility of the Department of roads, said he spent eight years in the Legislative Assembly and was always against taking money from the Trust Fund.

"If we take money from oil and gas money then it reduces interest and it creates problems for the General Fund," said Humphryes.

Humphryes said that it was not paying attention when it adopted the amendment to the Tuesday meeting.

"I was for it before that I was against it, but I never for it," said Humphryes, who developed the resolution at its agenda of the Committee on roads last week. "I think it was a good idea .c ' is something came from the Association of boards of comté.Ils requested County commissions to sup-port which and I was ready to put on the agenda of the day to tell a vote.Je don't like it.?

"I only thought", said Humphryes. "It was an error in my part.Be-ing simply inattentif.Je should have voted against it.?

Serv.Bob Riley and David Bronner, Executive Director of the retirement Systems of Alabama, said last week that they oppose Amendment 3.

In another case Tues-day, the Committee voted that would have allowed to eliminate a ceiling of $50,000 to mental issues for employees and more than likely increased. caused premiums health insurance coverage to deny a federal mandate,

"The current plan won't change," says Demetrius Taylor, Director of the Department of human resources permanent coun-t. "The plan will remain the same as it it has been for 16 years and is the same as those presented at open registration.?

Collins, Carns Hum-phryes voted for the resolu-tion arose under the new company at the beginning of the réunion.Smoot, who said the commission has not received enough automati-ques on this subject, had not voted.

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Joe Knight, Roy Wood Jr., shaking hands, hunting votes for Jefferson County Commission District 4

Published: Wednesday, October 27 2010 7 H.

Jefferson County Commission District 4 maybe mostly Republican but say that Joe Knight, the GOP candidate has a Democratic opponent in the general election Tuesday.

"I'm working as I am behind every day," Knight said. "This is how I am." This is how I did it the primary level. I worked as I was in last place. This is what I'm doing now.I have been on this campaign to the routes.Je go to meetings of the Chambre.Je I am going to city councils.?

Knight and Democrat Roy Wood Jr. are voting to represent district 4, which covers Trussville, ceramics, Pinson, Palmerdale, Trafford, Warrior, Morris, Kimberly and Gardendale pieces Point Centre newsletter and a fraction of Birmingham.

Knight, which transforms the 56 today is a former Certified nurse anaesthetists, who served as vice President of Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee.

DEMOCRAT

Roy Wood Jr.

Date of birth, age:

Born on June 14, 1949.61.

Residence:

Lives in Roe-buck Springs; born at Chi-cago.

Political experience:

Run for the public service.

Professional experience:

Journalist; marketing manager and pub-lic relations.

Education:

Southern Illinois University, massive communica-tions.

Campaign:

www.voteroywood.com.

REPUBLICAN

Joe Knight

Date of birth, age:

October 27, 1954;age 56

Residence:

Lives in Truss-ville.né à Miami.

Policy ex-perience:

Ran unsuccessfully for circuit judge in 2000 and State Senate in 1998.

Professional experience:

Other counsel.certified nurse anesthetist.

Education:

Faculty of law in Birmingham, diploma in law, 1990;University of Alabama at Birmingham, Bachelor s degree de-gree, 1980;Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College degree to associ-ate, 1975.

Campaign:

www.votejoeknight.com.

Wood, journalist and former marketing and public relations manager, said he worked as hard.

"I'm knock on doors, shaking hands and talking to people, allowing them to meet me, see me talking about me," said wood. "I am discovering their préoccupations.Une times that we are talking face to face a number of them are located in spite of the label party that we do not only differ in terms of what we are looking for.

"I'm a Democrat, but I'm conservative in some mesure.Je believe in trying to help people help themselves as well as what we as a government agency to assist people in the County," said wood. ""I am listening their".

Knight, Trussville, private practice lawyer said he heard who want a representative willing to work with other members of the Board of Directors to advance County residents.

"My message is that we're going to try to work together and get this County ditch," says Knight. "We are going to move forward and have no quarrels intestines.Droit now we do are not moving forward .Rien seems to have gotten done during a certain temps.Nous must take care of our problems, one by one and start working on their.?

The major problem facing the incoming commission has a solution to the crisis debt 3.2 billion sewer.

"" People want to say ' why do you go on and bankruptcy ", but see that throw the bankruptcy system does not mean that you do not have to pay money," says Knight. "Still needed work plan refund YH ' I always said, try so that it works outside the faillite.Faillite will not any où.Il is still there, it is still an option but it is on the edge of the table.?

Wood, stated that sewer Department is in the hands of a receiver, and "there is not much that I think that the commission may otherwise be feedback and I hope have the ear of the receiver to help understand the impact of what will happen the county if it raises sewer rates", said wood.

"We already pay higher in the pays.Je détesterais see these rates continue to climb because that will impact all development economic here in the County", he said. "Also, if it continues to mount, unfortunately, I see an exodus of people from Jefferson County.?

Wood said believes that the County must prepare for the possible loss of tax professionnelle.Une State law allows residents to repeal tax working a vote of 2012.

"We are going to have some difficult financial decisions, and these decisions unfortunately will involve a large number of people, their lives, their incomes, because obviously with continuing tax it will have to be some reductions as regards the budget" wood says. ""And how we can do that with minimal impact on County services, which will be a difficult problem to traiter.?a go wrong, and is the best thing I can say to people,"Yes it's going badly, but I hope that I can reduce the pain"."

Knight said that County is preparing the potential loss of tax work "someday."

"When you walk in the door, he said:"we must consider every department, every budget....".

Wood said that a priority for the commission would maintain and assist small businesses.

To join the conversation by clicking comment or by email at Wright to the bwright@bhamnews.com.

CASH IN DAY OF THE ELECTION

As Alabama closes the polling day, follow the news on al.com campaigns, online home of The Birmingham News: www.al.com/election

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Jefferson 2010 campaign County Sheriff: Hale, Hill opposite mindset

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Published: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 6:30 AM

?The race for Jefferson County sheriff comes down to one thing: Sheriff Mike Hale's record.

? Hale is running on it.

? Challenger Willie Hill is running against it.

? Hill, a 35-year veteran of the sheriff's office who retired at the rank of captain, has said repeatedly he is running for sheriff for one reason: to put protecting the public ahead of the greed and politics that he said has plagued the sheriff's office during Hale's tenure.

? The administration, he said, has wasted taxpayer money and used deputies as pawns in political turf battles with other elected officials.

? "I have commanded just about every division of the sheriff's office," said Hill, who at age 60 is seeking his first political office. "I know where the money is spent and where it should be spent. I know where the money is being wasted."

? Hale, 58, couldn't disagree more.

? "The thing that may define me is that with a $17 million budget reduction over two years, I've been able to keep 100 percent strong the law enforcement arm of the sheriff's office," Hale said. "I have never exceeded my budget. When someone accuses me of mismanagement, it's just not true."

? For the most part, the race between the two veteran lawmen has been low-key.

? "It's really kind of good that way because it's just business as usual around the sheriff's office," said Hale, sheriff since 2002. "The deputies have a clear vision to continue the crime fighting."

? Financially, Hale has dominated: In September, he had more than $210,000 left in his campaign account, compared with just $178.51 for Hill.

? "I know he's got more money than I've got," Hill said, "but I've got a lot more issues."

? Hill served as commander of the patrol and jail divisions during his time on the force. While he loved the law enforcement aspect of the job, he said, "you've got to have proper administration for the law enforcement end of it to be effective. To me, we're not effective right now."

? Hill's criticisms of the current administration include the previous outsourcing of inmate health care, a lack of deputy training, what he says are excessive fees paid out to attorneys for the sheriff's office and the closing of the county jail in Bessemer amid the county's financial woes.
?
? "The truth is he moved 200 inmates to Birmingham and instantly caused an overcrowding condition," Hill said. "He could alleviate that right now."

? Hill said the sheriff's office needs to do a better job of training deputies. The number of weeks deputies spend under training officers on the streets has been decreased, he said. Emphasis on deputies getting either two-year or four-year degrees has also declined.

? "You got better-trained deputies, you got less lawsuits, less injuries and the public feels more secure," he said.

? If elected, Hill said he would pare down the number of sheriff's captains from 11 to six. "It's a waste of manpower," Hill said.

? During the final stretch of the campaign, Hill has stepped up attacks on Hale. In September, Hill claimed Hale offered him a lucrative job to not run against him. He said the sheriff in January asked him to become director of the Sheriff's Training Academy at a salary of $90,000 a year. He said he came forward to "show the taxpayers how (Hale) is willing to waste their money."

? Hale said he offered Hill the job because he thought he was qualified to head up the training academy, not because he didn't want him to run for sheriff. The sheriff called Hill's charges "lowdown politics."

? Hill said he is the best man for the sheriff's job because he is fair, honest and respected by the deputies.

? "Fair treatment, that's all they really want," Hill said. "I'm saying morale is in the toilet."

? Hale said he has never seen morale higher.

? "They have done extraordinary work under difficult circumstances, and I could not be prouder of them," Hale said. "They take great pride in what they do, they want to be the best and the proof is in the product they put out, the service they deliver."

? Assaults in 2010 have dropped to 1,152 compared with 3,608 in 2009. There have been eight homicides this year, compared with 10 last year. The number of slayings has dropped steadily since 2005.

? "How in the world could they do that with low morale?" Hale said. "The answer is they couldn't, and shame on my opponent for speaking of them in that manner. I'll guarantee you this: When they hear he has said that, they won't forget it and they will be as offended by it as I am."

? Under his tenure, Hale has created a number of crime-fighting units that he said have made a huge impact on crime rates.

? In addition to a Street Crimes Unit that hits crime hot spots, Hale created the Highway Safety Unit that has intercepted $40 million worth of drugs since 2005. Despite budget woes, he said he has been able to keep strong the Convicted Sex Offender Unit. "We are so glad we did, because of the 620 sex offenders in Jefferson County, 600 have been charged with felonies this year, so I know that is a threat we have beat back."

? Hale defends his decision to pay $4 million to a Mississippi company to provide medical care at the jail. "I know it seems like a lot, but as it now goes out to bid, I know the bids are going to come in higher," he said. "We had to dismiss the county hospital because of eight deaths and eight lawsuits. This group came in and we've had one death and no lawsuits. It was a good strategic move that protected county taxpayer dollars."

? Hale said the consolidation of the two jails was a tough decision but one made to save more than $5 million in a budget year to allow the sheriff's office room to continue crime-fighting efforts. The jail was never closed, but the functions redefined to include inmate intake and a holding place for inmates going to court in Bessemer.

? "It's not the best situation," he said, "but it was the best situation in the face of a $17 million budget cut."

? "We've had a vision for the future, dealt with tough economic times and reduced our dependence on overtime," Hale said. "I have a heart for all people, but if people are going to suffer, my choice is for them (inmates) to sleep together in a cell rather than taking back one crime-fighting initiative. I'm not going to do it."

? Hale said the biggest challenge in the coming years will be the further reduction of revenue with the possible loss of the county's occupational tax.

? "The vision for the future is to be able to deliver a safe Jefferson County with dwindling budget funds," he said, "and I have a record for doing just that."

Join the conversation by clicking to comment or e-mail Robinson at crobinson@bhamnews.com

ABOUT THE OFFICE

The duties: The sheriff is Jefferson County's chief law enforcement officer. He directs the sheriff's department's Birmingham and Bessemer divisions.
The pay: $115,000.

DEMOCRAT
Willie Hill
Date of birth, age: March 1950; 60?
Residence: Morris
Political experience: First bid for political office
Professional experience: Retired as captain from Jefferson County sheriff's office after 35 years; U.S. Marine, 1969-72?
Education: Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, Columbia Southern University
Campaign: www.williehill2010.com/

REPUBLICAN
Mike Hale
Date of birth, age: June 1951; 59?
Residence: Clay-Trussville
Political experience: Jefferson County sheriff, 2002-present, 1998-99?
Professional experience: Pell City police chief, 2000-02; Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, 1976-98, during which he commanded every division in the department; Homewood Police Department, 1973-76?
Education: Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, University of Alabama at Birmingham; attended Jacksonville State University; FBI National Academy
Campaign: sheriffmikehale2010.com

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Weather service issues with thunderstorms, warning until 8: 45 tonight is Jefferson Co.

Published: Sunday, October 24, 2010, 8 H 16 update: Sunday 24 October 2010, 8: 23

National weather service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for East of Jefferson County, will remain in effect until 8: 45 am

At 8: 05 a.m., a severe thunderstorm was reported near Fairfield, producing the quarter size hail and damaging winds over 60 mi h.La storm went East at 40 miles per hour .Homewood, Birmingham, Irondale Fultondale Gardendale, Trussville, Pinson, ceramic, Chalkville and minors are all in the path of the storm.

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Jefferson County pays 20 million dollars in legal fees since 2007

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Published: Sunday, October 24, 2010, 7:30 AM

Jefferson County has paid more than three times as much in outside legal fees in the past four fiscal years as it did in the previous 10 years, according to county records and attorneys.

Since Oct. 1, 2006, the county has paid nearly $20 million in fees to law firms and individuals for a range of legal work. More than two-thirds of the money has gone to five firms.

"In the past we didn't have to hire many outside lawyers for anything except as bond counsel," said Charlie Wagner, assistant county attorney since 1980. "Of course, the big case now is the sewer debt crisis. .¤.¤. This has generated the need for outside counsel which is unprecedented."

The five Birmingham-based firms that collected the bulk of the outside legal fees since October 2006, according to records, are:

*Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, $5,569,102.

*Balch & Bingham, $3,160,531.

*Waldrep Stewart & Kendrick, $1,963,996.

*Maynard Cooper & Gale, $1,685,105.

*Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker, $1,353,198.

Since the start of fiscal 2007, the county has paid a total of $19,916,257 to 44 law firms and individuals for work. That's in contrast to nearly $6 million spent in the 10 years from fiscal 1997 through fiscal 2006.

At least $8.8 million has been spent in an attempt to find a solution to the county's sewer debt crisis and other sewer department-related legal work. Another $8.5 million went to law firms representing the Jefferson County Personnel Board and the sheriff's office, which are funded by the county but hire their own outside lawyers.

Wagner said taxpayers have seen a benefit from the outside law firms. As a result of work by Bradley Arant and Balch & Bingham, he said, the county obtained a $50 million penalty payment in 2009 from JPMorgan Chase & Co. under a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission settlement; an additional $25 million placed in a fund for residents, and a $647 million forfeiture in swap termination fees by JPMorgan.

The outside legal fees for the County Commission began to skyrocket, county officials say, when the nationwide credit crisis hit in early 2008, sending the county's borrowing costs soaring and triggering a blizzard of lawsuits from Birmingham to New York after the county disputed accelerated payments on the sewer debt.

"When you're sued and you're in that arena in New York and Washington and Alabama, you have to have representation," Wagner said. "When you go into the market like that, you have to pay the rates that these outside firms charge."

The firms' hourly rates range from $225 to $450, but most firms give the county a government discount of 5 percent to 20 percent off those regular rates, Wagner said. Even with that, "it's still very expensive to hire outside lawyers," he said.

The outside legal fees have attracted the attention of candidates running for the Jefferson County Commission in the Nov. 2 general election, who say the cash-strapped county should reduce legal costs.

'Staggering'

Commissioner George Bowman, who has a Republican opponent in his District 1 race, said the legal fees are "a staggering amount. I would be the first to say we need to address this and try and get it into some kind of order so that we don't continue to pay these kinds of numbers."

Bowman said the commission should consider expanding the number of in-house attorneys to reduce the outside work. The county has five attorneys on staff.

Joe Knight, a Republican seeking the District 4 seat, said the county may need to cap outside legal fees.

"I think the outside attorneys' fees speak for themselves," said Knight, a lawyer. "They can get costly unless we say, 'We pay $175 an hour for outside attorneys. Whoever wants it (can apply).'"

Current commissioners, who saw the legal expenses soar on their watch, had mixed opinions on the payments.

Commission President Bettye Fine Collins and Commissioner Jim Carns said the county has no choice but to defend itself. In the past few years, that defense has included a series of unsuccessful appeals of a lawsuit challenging the county's occupational tax.

Commissioner Shelia Smoot said more smaller firms and minorities needed to be included. Commissioner Bobby Humphryes said the county attorney's office should be expanded to bring more of the work in house. Collins, Carns, Smoot and Humphryes will leave the commission after the November election.

William Stewart, retired political science professor at the University of Alabama, said taxpayers expect results when law firms get millions of dollars in legal fees.

"When you hire expensive law firms where the attorneys charge hundreds of dollars per hour for their work and the people get no benefit from it that they see, in terms of tangible benefits, I think it creates a real problem," Stewart said. "I hate to see money needlessly going to the law firm when it can go to the people in need for public services."

No say

Some of the legal payments are out of the commission's hands.

The Jefferson County Personnel Board and the sheriff's office are funded by the commission but hire their own lawyers. The county has no say in how those agencies spend their money. Those agencies must spend within their budges.

For example, the sheriff's office spent $1.9 million with Waldrep Stewart & Kendrick between fiscal 2007 and 2009, and $1.3 million with the Riley & Jackson law firm in fiscal 2009 and 2010, according to records.

Some of those fees went to pay for lawsuits against the County Commission. In other words, the commission paid the sheriff's legal bills to sue the commission.

Jefferson County Chief Deputy Randy Christian said the sheriff's office has to have its own representation separate from the county attorney "because we are a state office and only funded by the County Commission, which produces a conflict. That aside, the volume of work generated would overwhelm the county attorney resources and they would simply contract out the litigation to other firms."

The sheriff's office handles between 25 and 50 active cases at a time, he said.

"Attorneys are much like an insurance policy," Christian said. "We all hate to pay the premiums but realize it is necessary."

The Personnel Board has hired Balch & Bingham for most of its work, and the firm has handled a number of "complicated issues" since fiscal 2007, said Lorren Oliver, the board's director.

This includes investigation, administrative hearings and appeals relating to a cheating scandal on a fire promotional test; preparation, briefing and argument of the board's successful motion for termination of its federal court consent decree; and responding to multiple court challenges relating to legislation, Oliver said.

Michael Floyd, Samford University law professor, said the County Commission, Personnel Board, sheriff's office and all governmental agencies are wise to get the best legal advice they can afford.

"It is expensive to get good legal advice," he said, "but it is even more expensive to get bad legal advice."

News staff writer Jeff Hansen contributed to this report.

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Jefferson County grand jury to hear the case against Gabe Watson honeymoon Australia drowning

Published: Friday, October 22, 2010, 5: 30 P.m.

Also contribute: Carol Robinson - the Birmingham News

Provide prosecutors with the Office of the Attorney General in Alabama present proof of a grand jury of Jefferson County today the death of a woman who drowned while Helena on his honeymoon in 2003 in Queensland, Australia.

Don Valeska, head of division of the violent crimes prosecutor, said Thursday that his Office is in the Palace of Jefferson County justice in Birmingham, at 8 p.m. today, where witnesses are scheduled to appear before the grand jury.

The session just seven years on the day of the death of Christina "Tina" Thomas Watson and a few weeks before her husband-then, Gabe Watson Hoover, is scheduled to be released from an Australian prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the case in June 2009.

Gabe and Tina Watson had been married for 11 days, when it drowning during a 22 October 2003 expedition dive off the coast of Queensland.

Watson, due to be released in mid-November, was charged with murder of his wife in June 2008, after a lengthy Australian investigation of the coroner.Il was sentenced to a? years and his prison time has been reduced to 12 months, when he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, saying that he did not fulfil its obligation as a friend of his wife diving.

After objections from the family of Tina Watson and Alabama Attorney General Troy King that the sentence was too lenient, Australian Attorney General Cameron Dick increased time of six months.

In June 2009, King announced that his Office would present a grand jury in the case if evidence Watson predicted the death of his wife in Alabama and carried out by Australia.

David Patton, a Professor of law at the University of Alabama who teaches criminal law, said although Watson has been found guilty of manslaughter and served prison time in Australia, Alabama, public servants have the right to request charges here.

"" The Supreme Court ruled that double hazard does not apply in the sovereign States, in this case the Australia and Alabama,"said Patton."For example, a person may be considered for the same behavior in our federal courts and State.?

However, Patton said Alabama officials could face other barriers of competence. "But that would depend on what they charge and what conduct they allege he engaged in Alabama," said Patton.

King asked for the case of documents and evidence, including tanks and dive computers, September Australian 2009.Autorités responded by sending documents publicly available session of the conviction of its Office of the King was already, said representatives of Alabama.

In January, King reminders sent to its counterpart in the Queensland police service, their promise to provide physical evidence gathered in the course of the investigation which is noie.Un months later, Dick, said the Queensland Parliament that he wanted to understand that Alabama would not seek the death penalty for Watson.

King has complied in a letter sent on 25 June, suitable that he would seek no more severe than life sentence without parole if the case went to trial.

Submitted evidence

Valeska confirmed that Australia authorities said the media in this country that they had recently provided additional evidence from the FBI to Alabama and waited for more advice from officials of Alabama on any other evidence that might be required.

Tommy Thomas, father of Tina Watson said he is pleased that a grand jury will hear evidence in the case.

"It is our hope that grand jury will come to the same conclusion, as they did in Australia due to the investigation of coroner and review of the Crown, which has resulted in indictments for murder".

Gabe Watson, father Dave Watson, issued a statement Thursday, saying that King had promised to indict son murder, before even that he saw evidence. ""I think that he made in exchange for the Thomas family support his re-election campaign," said Dave Watson. "He has now made good on that Tina promesse.Mort seven years ago was a terrible accident and nothing more.?

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