“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly: defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Shelia Smoot  has proven that she will listen to our concerns on public transit, access to equal and affordable health care, job creation throughout the district and senior citizen services .


Public transit - For example, Shelia has been an advocate for light rail development which would enhance public transportation options. 

Health Care - Shelia has always been in favor of providing funding for indigent care in Jefferson County despite continued attempts to cut funding for Cooper Green Hospital .  She also understands that in the in the 7th Congressional District, access to health care in the rural areas needs much improvement.

Job Creation - As a County Commissioner, Shelia worked to attract Wachovia's 400 million dollar data service center to Birmingham. She also was instrumental in the creation of the Titusville Redevelopment Project - the County's first major Brownfield.

Senior Citizen Services - Shelia has been an advocate for more senior housing in parts of her district that have been ignored. She also has been instrumental in a program to distribute vouchers to senior citizens to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from the Alabama Farmers Market.

Internet Access - A recent report from 2007 Census Data showed Alabama 49th in the country, falling only behind Mississippi , in terms of being able to access the internet from home. We are 48 th in having access from some location which includes public libraries, free hot spots and schools. Improved access to high speed internet is a major component of my plans to improve the quality of life in this district. Not being able to access information through the internet is no longer a luxury but a requirement to be competitive in education and the workforce. As our state and this district has lost a number of factory and blue collar jobs just in the past two years we need a level playing field. To be competitive in recruiting any industry to replace these jobs we must be able to improve the access to high speed internet.

Rural areas and low income areas in our district should no longer be at a disadvantage in the information and technology age. When we go to congress, these barriers will be removed. Even if people cannot afford a computer, we must have more places and more opportunities at schools, libraries and community centers where you can utilize high speed internet access . The study, I've referenced also shows that your educational level is proportional to internet access. If you lack a high school education or a college education you more likely lack access to high speed internet access . The people in the 7 th Congressional District are at a unique disadvantage in accessing the internet because of the impoverished conditions and the rural landscape that lacks necessary infrastructure.

If you have other concerns, we know that she will spend the time listening to what affects your life on a daily basis. More importantly she will work to find solutions to your problems.