TINDLE WOULD PURSUE TOUGH WAR AGAINST DRUG 'BIG-WIGS'

John Tindle said if he is elected district attorney in the Bessemer Cutoff,
there would be a renewed effort in fighting drugs.

It is not enough to prosecute the street-level dealers, Tindle said. He
wants to go after the "big-wigs." Tindle faces appointed incumbent Arthur
Green in the June 4 primary.

Tindle recently spoke with The Birmingham News about his wanting to be
district attorney.

Q: Why should voters cast their ballot for you?

A: I'm serious about the war on drugs. We need to go after the big-time
dope dealers, the big traffickers and not just the itty-bitty guys standing
on the street corner selling dime bags. Also under me, the district
attorney's office will work more closely with police to get their two cents
before settling a case. It's not fair to the investigating officer to
settle a case without consulting him.

Q: You have been a criminal defense lawyer for 12 years. Why cross over? A:
We have the best system in the world. It is a privilege to defend the
Constitution. Fighting for justice is also a privilege. I cannot think of a
better way to give back to a community than making the streets safer. I'm
happy to put my experience to work.

Q: The assistants in the district attorney's office serve at the pleasure
of the DA. Do you plan on making any personnel changes if you are elected?

A: I do not plan any mass firings, but I will work to get a bill through
the Legislature creating another chief assistant's position. That will go
to a minority. That has never been done before. As positions become
available, more minorities will be hired. My office will be more reflective
of the community it serves.

Q: Because you have made an issue of hiring minorities, it is fair to ask
how many you have hired in your law firm?

A: I only have one employee. I don't have a big law firm. I had the same
secretary for nine years. When she left, I ran a classified ad for three
weeks, but no minorities applied. I have had minorities work for me on a
temporary basis.

Q: What is your stand on the adult arcades?

A: I plan to enforce the law. The attorney general, who is the chief law
enforcement official in the state, says they are illegal. It would be
improper for a district attorney to say otherwise. If there are arrests
made on these machines, I will prosecute. If the Supreme Court says they
are legal, I won't prosecute.

Q: Have you represented an arcade owner?

A: I defended one of the little people. His machines were condemned. My
opponent gives preferential treatment to the out-of-state gamblers that set
up shop here. He gave them their 56 machines back (taken from Jackpot Bingo
in Brighton in 1999; the machines were then shipped out of state) and let
them keep more than half of the $22,000 that was confiscated. There is
something fishy going on. Does he really think they are illegal? It looks
like he is talking out of the both sides of his mouth.

Q: If you are elected DA, will you allow the arcades to re-open while the
courts settle the issue?

A: The attorney general has said they are illegal. I plan to enforce that.