2019 State of the Community Address

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin's 2019 State of the Community address was delivered on Monday January 14, 2019, a few weeks after completing his first full year in office. Woodfin addressed the public from Boutwell Auditorium at 6:00 PM.

Woodfin began his address by acknowledging that the city was mourning the deaths of former Mayor Larry Langford and police sergeant Wyt Carter. He expressed that the prevalence of gun violence should be considered a "public health crisis" in the city. He expressed support for the work of Police Chief Patrick Smith, and hinted at a new program to assist persons released from prison as they re-enter society, to reduce recidivism.

In his presentation, Woodfin stated that the city's Neighborhood Revitalization Fund has made possible the demolition of more than 300 unsafe structures and credited the Birmingham Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity for the more than 2,100 new jobs recruited to the city.

Woodfin pledged to provide "strong, dependable and transparent leadership," and to continue holding town hall meetings in every council district. He also promised to focus on eliminating food deserts in the city, and expressed his commitment to public employees by budgeting for wage increases and working to fully fund pensions.

References

• Koplowitz, Howard (January 14, 2019) "Here are 11 takeaways from Birmingham mayor's 'State of the Community' address." The Birmingham News