5 Things: A Look Back At Tuscaloosa Area Politics In 2020

Tuscaloosa AL

29 December, 2020

4:31 PM

Description

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The past year brought with it unprecedented change to day-to-day life, making even more interesting the storylines in a local political theater that has never been accused of being boring. Here is a look back at some of the political headlines that garnered attention on Patch over the last year. Click here to subscribe to our daily email newsletters and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices for free. You can also support local journalism by donating as little as $5 a month to become a supporting member or by downloading our free Patch mobile app. PANDEMIC POLITICS Politicians at all levels were caught off guard with the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year, forcing many to take drastic actions as leaders looked for guidance amid an unprecedented public health crisis that continues to the present. Area leaders mostly have followed mandates set by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, with the first emergency order being issued by Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox on March 12, cancelling all city events for the remainder of that month. The months that followed would see the city tackle issues relating to small business aid and reopening Tuscaloosa's economy as the pandemic was better understood through the benefit of hindsight. In April, though, the mayor amended the emergency order to then fall in line with directives issued by Ivey. June would then see the Tuscaloosa City Council unanimously vote to adopt an ordinance requiring face coverings to be worn while interacting in public places — an order that still currently stands. As summer turned to fall and students returned in August for in-person instruction at the University of Alabama, Maddox was also prompted to close Tuscaloosa bars for two weeks due to major spikes in new cases identified among UA students to begin the semester. The decision was met with a mix of frustration and support, with the city ultimately providing financial aid money to bars that qualified for assistance. As a winter surge in cases and hospitalizations has many worried about future restrictions, city officials have been quick to say in recent weeks that a further shutdown of businesses is not imminent and there will be no further restrictions unless first requested by DCH Health System. However, the city will end the year with its buildings closed and events limited due to drastic workforce impacts and a continued rise in new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. TUBERVILLE CARRIES TUSCALOOSA In national political news, one of the most unlikely candidates for U.S. Senate — former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville — carried the home county of the University of Alabama and unseated incumbent Sen. Doug Jones, a Democrat. Tuberville has never held political office, but has been closely aligned with the Republican administration of President Donald Trump during his time on the campaign trail. On Election Day, Tuberville garnered 45,774 votes or 59.56% in Tuscaloosa County. Born in Arkansas, Tuberville was a head football coach at the college level from 1995 to 2016, with his most notable stop at Auburn from 1999 until 2008. A political newcomer, Tuberville defeated fellow Republican and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session with 60% of the vote in a runoff in July. He was formally endorsed by the president in March, shortly after the March 3 Republican Primary. COMMISSION AND THE ELECTION The Tuscaloosa County Commission will see no change in leadership going into the new term, as all four commissioners and Probate Judge Rob Robertson secured new terms with little to no competition. District 4 Commissioner Reginald Murray did see a write-in challenger in Daryl McKinstry, who managed to garner 3,619 write-in votes or about 25%. On Election Night, though, the county did run into issues processing what was likely the most unorthodox election in the city's history due to the ongoing pandemic and high voter turnout for the presidential election. Mechanical issues resulted in hundreds of absentee ballots throwing off the final balance for Tuscaloosa County election officials on Election Day, according to Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk Magaria Bobo, who said the issue was pinpointed and resolved two days later. Bobo said in response to the reported missing ballots, which totaled roughly 800 in number, election officials double hand-counted the ballots and balanced the total. Tuscaloosa County Probate Judge and County Commission Chair Rob Robertson discusses ballot issues following the Nov. 3 General Election (Photo by Ryan Phillips, Tuscaloosa Patch) PROJECT UNITY In response to nationwide protests against police violence over the summer, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox introduced the city's approach — dubbed Project Unity — to bridge racial gaps in the community, while promoting a healthy and positive relationship between the Tuscaloosa Police Department and the people it serves. The initiative saw the creation of two committees: the Mayor's Alliance for Opportunity and Advancement, along with the Chief's Commission for Community Policing. For example, one of the talking points for the Mayor's Alliance focuses on transforming the Benjamin Barnes Branch of the YMCA into a "premier athletic center." As for the Chief's Commission, new training technology and a renewed emphasis on community policing are the primary pillars. This included the creation of a new deputy chief position tasked with community policing efforts, in addition to policy changes banning chokeholds and the introduction of a system allowing officers to report misconduct on the part of their supervisors or fellow officers. NEW COUNCIL, MAYOR IN NORTHPORT Northport saw its municipal elections in August, resulting in some council members retaining their seats, while other newcomers assumed office. Mayor Bobby Herndon was sworn in for his third non-consecutive term in November, along with three new council members: District 1's Christy Bobo, District 2's Woodrow Washington, and District 4's Jamie Dykes. Both District 3's John Hinton and District 5's Jeff Hogg would retain their council seats. Hogg, now in his second term, was then unanimously voted in as council president for the new term. Follow Patch here for updates or on Facebook and Twitter.