Hunter Williams: 5 Questions With The New City Council Member

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Birmingham municipal elections in 2017 produced some major changes in the leadership ranks in the Magic City - a new mayor, a new council president, and three new city council members. One of those new city leaders is District 2 City Councilman Hunter Williams. Williams, a small business owner and a deputy sheriff with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, defeated incumbent council member Kim Rafferty by a huge margin, and did so touting change and progress, and presenting himself as a fresh face with fresh ideas.

Here is what Williams told Patch regarding his plans for his district and his city, getting along with the mayor and promoting the Magic City.

What do you see as the most immediate needs for the city?

One of the most immediate needs to be addressed is Birmingham’s infrastructure. Infrastructure needs have been ignored to the point that it is now critical that we do something. Other needs to focus on are education and economic growth opportunities, which will in turn help us solve crime issues within the city.

What are some long-term needs that should be addressed?

Our city needs to look at ways we can cooperate with the other 32 municipalities and the Jefferson County commission on issues of economic development. We are currently not growing enough as a metropolitan area in terms of economic growth. We need to work together so that we can bring new industry into our region verses working against each other to get big box stores in our municipality. In line with economic development, we need to improve our school systems so that we can have an educated workforce. This, in turn, will give new industry a larger pool of potential employees.

What are some of your goals for your own district over the next four years?

I will be working on finding a solution for Banks High School site. The Banks High School site is something that has been talked about for over a decade now but no one has been able to make anything happen. I also will focus on the district’s infrastructure as it, too, is something that has been neglected.

What can the council do to make sure it has a good working relationship with the new mayor?

It is extremely important that we keep an open line of communication with the incoming Mayor. I have repeatedly said that the most important way to be an effective Councilor is to have a good working relationship with the Mayor. Due to the Mayor Council, many projects have to be initiatives of the Mayor’s office. Councilors have very limited control over what he or she can accomplish without the assistance of the Mayor.

If you were trying to convince someone to move to the city of Birmingham, how would you sell them on the city?

Birmingham is a progressive city that is moving forward at a rapid pace. I am starting to see many people that are my generation or younger start to move to the city because it has a very unique, small town feel with many amenities that a larger metropolitan has. The cost of living in Birmingham is obviously more affordable than many other larger metro areas in our region and the quality of life is also superior in many aspects. I would invite anyone to come visit the city and experience the uniqueness that is Birmingham, Alabama.