By Associated Press
Birmingham, AL – Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford spent his first full day in office Wednesday trying to fend off a challenger's court claim that the election should be thrown out because Langford still lives in a neighboring city where he used to be mayor.
Testifying the day after his inauguration, Langford conceded he still owns a furnished home in Fairfield where he has lived for about 25 years. Langford said he spends ''three or four'' nights a week in the house. But Langford said he spends the same amount of time at a downtown loft apartment he rented in June to establish residency in Birmingham for the election.
Circuit Judge Allwin Horn is hearing a lawsuit by Patrick Cooper, an attorney who finished a distant second to Langford in last month's election but filed suit contending Langford really lives in Fairfield and shouldn't be allowed to serve as mayor of Birmingham.
Highlighting the difference between with sides, Cooper's attorney addressed Langford as ''Mr. Langford'' while Langford's lawyer addressed him as ''Mayor Langford.''
Horn did not say when he would issue a ruling.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)