Alabama: federal court hears arguments on Governor's appointment of Jefferson County Commissioner
The Birmingham News reports: Two people might be able to stake a claim to the Jefferson County Commission's District 1 seat after an election scheduled Feb. 5 if a three-judge panel doesn't intervene, attorneys said after a federal court hearing here Tuesday.
But Ken Wallis, Gov. Bob Riley's legal adviser, warned that the District 1 seat might be vacant for several months if the panel does get involved.
The comments came after attorneys gave arguments on whether the judges should void Riley's appointment of George Bowman to the commission. Riley appointed Bowman on Nov. 21 to replace Larry Langford, who left the seat to become mayor of Birmingham. But the Jefferson County Election Commission in October had scheduled a special election to fill the seat.
Fred Plump of Fairfield filed suit saying Riley lacked the authority to appoint Bowman. He's asking the judges for a preliminary injunction that would remove Bowman from office and prohibit Riley from interfering with the Feb. 5 election, in which both men are running. -- Flap over filling Jefferson County Commission seat could result in 2 commissioners or none- al.com