Lobbying firm pulls contract with city of Pelham

Published 9:43 am Friday, March 26, 2010

The lobbying firm Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has pulled its service contract with the city following a series of disagreements between the Pelham City Council and Mayor Don Murphy.

Murphy confirmed he received a letter from the firm stating it wished to pull its service contract and consideration for future agreements with the city.

Murphy had previously vetoed a resolution that would have extended a contract for $90,000 with the lobbying firm.

That veto came less than 24 hours after the City Council passed the resolution by a vote of 3-2 during its March 15 meeting.

The resolution would have extended the agreement in the amount of $60,000, with the city already having paid the firm $30,000 for lobbying services.

The original contract for $30,000 expired Jan. 31.

The council can still bring the measure up at its next regularly scheduled meeting, which is April 5.

However, Council President Mike Dickens and member Teresa Nichols, both whom voted for the resolution, said they had no current plans to seek out another lobbying firm to work with the city.

“We don’t have any plans currently, but it’s something we’re constantly open to,” Dickens said. “We’re always looking out for the best interest of the citizens.”