When I first started writing these blogs, I was immediately introduced to the Birmingham haters.
You know the Birmingham haters. They are the stars of talk radio and the first to comment on al.com. They hope Birmingham’s annihilated by the Bubonic Plague, that Vulcan suffers from herpes, and that the Mayor gets dandruff.
Birmingham haters seem to be euphoric when anyone writes anything negative about our area.
And even though I love Birmingham, I do write some negative stuff every once in a while. I want to make sure everyone clearly understands that our Birmingham region is falling behind because of our segmented/dysfunctional governments.
But watch it, Birmingham haters—I’m usually talking about our entire metro area which includes Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby, and Walker Counties—places where you probably live.
So it’s not just us working folks in Birmingham or Jefferson County who suffer. It’s also you and your neighbors who may be looking to keep or find good jobs to maintain or improve your own standard of living.
Take a look at these alarming metro headlines. (Note that the Birmingham-Hoover metro is the 50th largest in the U.S.)…
The 2011 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index ranked Birmingham 182nd out of the 200 largest U.S. metropolitan areas by how well we are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth.
The Birmingham Business Journal said Metro Birmingham ranks 91st in job growth. (April 10, 2012)
Al.com wrote that Birmingham lost 12 percent of its construction jobs over the 12-month period ending in March, a decline that placed it near the bottom of the nation’s 337 metros. (May 3, 2012)
The Birmingham Business Journal says Birmingham ranks No. 34 among large Southern metros for small business vitality. (April 10, 2012). (I didn’t realize there were 34 large Southern metros.)
Attacking Birmingham is not productive. Like it or not, we are all in this together.
Instead of slamming Birmingham, why don’t we work together to find some solutions.
David Sher’s goal is to create a conversation on how to fix our fragmented and dysfunctional local government.
David Sher is a partner in Buzz12 Content Marketing and co-CEO of AmSher Receivables Management. He’s past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (ONB), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).
David:
I will be there to help you in all ways possible. Just Holler.
Mike Coffey
David, I could not agree with more. I would love to participate in any constructive program that helps the entire metro area.
David – Agree with you wholeheartedly. Negativity begats more negativity. If only more people realized this.
It’s easy to point fingers but no one ever wants to roll up their sleeves and do the dirty work or face the reality
of the situation. I’m receptive to being a part of the change, but…I am not receptive to more of the same
and politicos with their hands out. Look at Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, Montgomery, etc., etc. We ARE being left
behind. Abolish fifedoms and operate as a region…only then will things start to change.
Phyllis McCombs
Phyllis, thanks. I really believe we can make a difference if we can educate our citizens that the root cause of our problems is our segmented/dysfunctional government.
David – It would stand to reason that if we got enough of the proper movers and shakers on board with this mindset, that the wheels of change could achieve more momentum. The challenge will be to educate the uneducated along with convincing all the politicians who hold office in these various “burgs” to give up power and profit opportunities. If we don’t do something soon, we will continue to wither on the vine and every little township will ultimately suffer.
I love this city. We have so much to offer and the possibilities that are brimming just below the surface incites enthusiasm and hope despite the daunting challenge of dismantling a dysfunctional system of leadership (or the lack thereof). Phyllis
Phyllis, you are right on target. Our goal is to begin a conversation to educate on the root cause of our problem–segmented/dysfunctional government.in our region. Please consider joining our e-mail list if you haven’t done so already and encourage others to do so. There’s power in numbers and this will give us the ability to mobilize when we have an opportunity to make a difference. Please stay involved, comment, and spread the word. http://www.comebacktown.com/enewsletter-sign-up/