William A. Bell

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William A. Bell, Sr. is the former mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, having held that office briefly on an interim basis in 1999. He is better known as a longtime member of the Birmingham City Council and its former president, representing District 5 City Council over more than two decades.

In 1985 during his third term, he was elected by his fellow council members to serve as the first African-American President of the Birmingham City Council. He was again chosen as Birmingham City Council President in 1987 and 1997. In 1999, he served as interim mayor of Birmingham, replacing the retiring Richard Arrington, Jr.. He later ran for the office, where he was defeated by Bernard Kincaid. Bell ran for mayor again in 2007, finishing fourth behind former Jefferson County Commission Chairman Larry Langford, political newcomer Patrick Cooper, and Kincaid.^[1]

As one of the longest serving public officials in the city of Birmingham, Bell was instrumental in implementing the council consent agenda, which allowed the Council to approve with one vote any item that was non-controversial. He also assisted in funding a fitness track around Legion Field as well as a mini park. Bell is also responsible for the first HOPE VI Project in downtown Birmingham that transformed a local inner city housing development into an affordable, mixed housing community.^{[citation needed]}

Bell currently sits on the Transportation and Communication Committee and the Public Safety Committee. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he received his masters degree in psychology and guidance counseling. He also holds a doctorate of jurisprudence from Miles College Law School.

Bell has been married for more than 32 years to Dr. Sharon Carson Bell and has two children, both graduates of Ramsay High School and the University of Alabama.