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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Bessemer City Council District 7

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    Howard Acoff Jr
    (NON)

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    Silas Baldwin
    (NON)

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    Cleophus King
    (NON)

Biographical Information

How has your training, professional experience, and interests prepared you to serve as a city council member?

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the city and how do you propose to address them? As a city councillor, what would be your priorities in the next year?

What is your opinion of the city's current approach to managing growth and development? In what ways do you think quality of life could be better balanced with economic prosperity?

Do you think the city should adopt stricter regulations before it considers any additional data center proposals? If so, what changes would you suggest? How do you feel about city officials signing non-disclosure agreements?

What specific changes would you support to make city council decisions more transparent and encourage public input?

What’s the most important thing for city residents to know about you?

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Campaign Mailing Address P.O. Box 104
Bessemer, AL 35021
Campaign Phone 334-645-1425
Campaign Website http://www.votesilas.com
Campaign Facebook URL http://facebook.com/sib4bccd7
My training, professional experience, and commitment to service have prepared me to approach city government with both practical leadership and a strong understanding of how public decisions affect everyday people.

My legal education has strengthened my ability to analyze complex issues, interpret policy, ask the right questions, and make informed decisions, while my professional experiences have taught me the importance of collaboration, fiscal responsibility, organization, and measurable results.

Beyond my professional credentials, I have consistently served the community without holding elected office working with residents, supporting students and seniors, participating in neighborhood and environmental cleanups.
As for District 7, the need for more accessible and responsive leadership. We cannot strengthen neighborhoods if residents do not feel safe, heard, and included in the decisions that affect their communities.

My approach would begin with collaboration and accountability. As a council member, I understand that no single person can move a city forward alone. I would work with the mayor, fellow council members, department heads, businesses, community organizations, and most importantly, residents to identify priorities and produce measurable results.
For District 7, I want to see a more balanced approach that encourages responsible economic investment while protecting our neighborhoods, improving infrastructure, addressing blight, strengthening public safety, and creating opportunities that directly benefit residents. New development should contribute to the community through jobs, stronger services, improved property values, and meaningful investment.
My position is centered on balance: protect the city’s ability to compete for responsible economic development while ensuring that residents have a meaningful voice in decisions that may affect them. I would approach every proposal by asking whether it is responsible, sustainable, transparent, and ultimately beneficial to Bessemer especially those residents of District 7 of whom I’ve been elected to serve.

I understand that confidentiality is necessary during economic development negotiations, particularly when proprietary or competitive information is involved. At the same time, transparency is essential to maintaining public trust.

Each proposal should be evaluated on its individual merits.
For District 7, I would support timely public notices, accessible community meetings, clear updates on council decisions, and meaningful opportunities for residents to provide input before major votes.
The most important thing for Bessemer residents to know about me is that I am a servant first. I will be visible, accessible, and accountable, not only during election season, but every day. I am prepared to listen, work with others, and deliver meaningful progress for District 7.
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