The newest face among Birmingham City leadership is now its youngest. A majority of City Councilors voted to appoint 29-year-old Johnathan F. Austin to fill the vacant District 5 seat of William Bell.
It was an Obama-like moment when the community organizer and relative political newcomer was chosen from among four other better-known candidates, sworn in and seated within an hour of Tuesday’s vote by Councilors Valerie Abbott, Carol Duncan, Joel Montgomery and President Carole Smitherman. Steven Hoyt and Miriam Witherspoon voted no and Roderick Royal abstained.
Austin’s name came up first and he was chosen by a majority of votes, before the council got to Charlie Williams, Emanuel Ford and Elias Hendricks, who had held the office before William Bell won the seat back in 2005.
Austin’s appointment makes him the youngest person to hold a Council seat. Bell, who is now the Jefferson County Commissioner for District 1, was the youngest City Councilor when he was sworn in at age 30.
Austin, who was a little dazed by the quick appointment, thanked the councilors for their vote of confidence. He pledged to lean on the knowledge of his elder councilors, and work with them to improve the city.
“I love this city – I’m a little bit overwhelmed,” he said as he gathered his thoughts. There is a lot of work to be done over the next nine months, and we all have to work hard. But I will work hard with you.”
Austin will hold the seat until next year’s council elections in October.
Fellow Councilors said their pick signals a new direction for the city that is primed for positive change.
Montgomery said the vote means that the city is ready and willing to embrace its upcoming leaders who bring their fresh ideas to solve city problems. “It’s a mini Obama moment in Birmingham. It’s about change,” said Duncan. “It’s telling our young people to come on in, and serve.”
