The Alabama Democratic Party’s Presidential Advisory Council announced its appointment recommendations today to be forwarded to President-elect Barack Obama’s administration. The 22 member volunteer council conducted interviews for appointed positions in Alabama this past Friday and Saturday in Montgomery, according to the press release.

Over the past two months the Alabama Presidential Advisory Council has conducted an open process of advertising, accepting resumes, and conducting interviews with each of the timely filed applicants. Through this process more than 45 applicants were screened.

“We received many outstanding applications and any number could have been selected. There were truly a large number of outstanding individuals,” Joe Turnham, Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, said. ”These recommendations to be forwarded to Washington represent a diverse group of Alabamians with outstanding resumes.”

The recommendations are listed here:

United States District Judge – Northern District

1. Judge Lynn Sherrod
2. Gaile Pugh Gratton
3. Aldos “Al” Vance
4. John Henry England, III
5. Tamara Harris Johnson

United States Attorney – Northern District

1. Joyce Vance
2. Carolyn Williams Steverson

A separate panel put together by Rep. Artur Davis also recommended Vance, the chief of the appeals section for that Birmingham office, but gave the nod to Jim Sturdivant, a former assistant U.S. attorney, as that panel’s second choice.

United States Attorney – Middle District

1. Anna Clark Morris
2. James Anderson

Michel Nicrosi, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Mobile, was recommended for the Middle District in Montgomery by the Davis panel, followed by attorney Joseph Van Heest.

United States Attorney – Southern District

1. Barrown D. Langster
2. Vicki M. Davis

The Davis panel recommended Davis, an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District, as its first choice for this post, while former U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Sims was the second choice.

United States Marshal – Northern District

1. John Q. Hamm
2. Wendell W. Major

United States Marshal – Middle District

1. Arthur “Art” D. Baylor
2. Charles A. Aldridge

United States Marshal – Southern District

1. Prince Arnold
2. Paul E. Worthey

USDA – Farm Service Agency – State Executive Director

1. Daniel Robinson

USDA – Rural Development – State Executive Director

1. Vann L. McCloud

Thousands of people are expected to converge at the Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 to collectively witness the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

The theme, “Where History Meets Hope,” honors Birmingham’s Civil Rights past while simultaneously celebrating our country’s acceptance of diversity, according to the press release for the event.

The doors to Boutwell Auditorium, located at 1930 8th Avenue North, will open at 8 a.m. The program featuring music and presentations by performing artists will begin at 8:30 a.m. At the appropriate time, attention will turn to the presidential swearing-in ceremony which will be shown on an large monitor with clear audio. State-of-the-art production equipment has been secured for the public viewing.

The event, sponsored by the City of Birmingham, is FREE and open to the public.

Questions involving Birmingham City Council may be directed to Karin Hopkins at 205.254.2036 or karin.hopkins@birminghamal.gov.

For more information, visit the city’s Web site at:
Birminghamal.gov