Mayoral candidate would cut salary by 20%

Bessemer mayoral candidate Donald Ballard said today if elected he will cut his salary by 20 percent and ask employees to trim their salaries.

Ballard says the city's future is at stake and the time has come for employees to consider being part of the solution and not the problem.

The mayor's job pays $75,000 a year, split evenly between the city and Bessemer Utilities.

—Tribune staff report

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Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and the city will get it hands on electronic bingo money despite the best efforts of the mayor ... Bubba hands out his famous stocking stuffers and a lot more ...

Special council meeting to collect bingo money

Bessemer City Council President Earl Cochran said today he will call a special meeting early next week to approve an amendment to an electronic bingo ordinance that will circumvent Mayor Ed May.

The amendment will allow the council to set up a method of licensing the bingo halls and collecting the money.

—Tribune staff report

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