WBRC FOX6 News to Host Birmingham Mayoral Candidates Forum

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - WBRC FOX6 News announced today that it will be hosting a televised mayoral forum between the leading candidates before Birmingham residents head to the polls to choose the next mayor.

The Birmingham Mayoral Candidates Forum will be held on Thursday, August 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The forum will be hosted and moderated by WBRC’s Jonathan Hardison and Sarah Verser.

The purpose of the forum is to provide voters an opportunity to hear candidates discuss the issues of importance to them ahead of the Birmingham mayoral election on August 24, 2021.

“It is vital that our community has the information needed to make an informed decision ahead of the Birmingham mayoral election, said Shannon Isbell, WBRC FOX6 News Director. “We are excited to provide this public service to our viewers and voters on account of our partnership with AARP Alabama.”

AARP Alabama’s State Director, Candi Williams, added, “AARP has more than 60 years of experience in nonpartisan voter engagement. We look forward to sponsoring this discussion of the issues important to Birmingham voters as they prepare to go to the polls.”

Viewers are encouraged to send WBRC questions they would like to be asked of the candidates. Those questions can be emailed to newstip@wbrc.com.

The first hour of the forum will be broadcast live on WBRC FOX6 News and livestreamed on the WBRC News app, WBRC.com, Roku/Amazon Fire/AppleTV, and Facebook. The second hour of the forum will be livestreamed only.

Here are the candidates:

William A. Bell Sr. (Former mayor of Birmingham)
Cerissa A. Brown
Napoleon Gonzalez
Philemon Hill
Lashunda Scales
Darryl T. Williams
Randall Woodfin (Incumbent)
Chris Woods

This is a list of questions for the candidates submitted by WBRC and voters:

What would you like voters to know about you? (Family, career, education, hobbies, etc.)
What do you see as the top issue facing the city? How should it be addressed?
What plan do you have to reduce violence in the city? Specifically, how would you prevent it, rather than react to it?
Do we need more law enforcement officers?
What is your position on the decriminalization of marijuana usage?
Would you create programs to increase access to mental health services? If so, how?
Should memorials to the Confederacy be removed from the city?
How would you describe the current quality of life in Birmingham, and as mayor, what steps would you take to increase the quality of life?
What neighborhood do you live in? Why? Where are your favorite places to spend time in our town?
How do you feel about the transportation options currently available in our city? Do we have enough options? If not, what will you do to increase those?
The roads throughout Birmingham are in poor condition and it costs drivers money in repairs. What is your plan as mayor to continue to address this issue?
Lights not functioning around the metro interstate system has been an issue for years. Do you have a plan for lighting?
How will you address food deserts in the city?
How will you help small business owners?
How do you feel about tax breaks as an incentive to attract businesses to Birmingham?
What plans do you have to improve public education in Birmingham? How would you pay for it?
What plans, if any, do you have to encourage and educate citizens on recycling?
There are areas in the city that are blighted. There are areas around the interstate exits and on-ramps that are littered with trash and light poles are knocked over. What will you do to address these eyesores?
If you are the successful candidate, how would you choose your staff?
What will you do if you lose the race?
Why do you want the job? What makes you the best prepared candidate?