I think most people will agree that UAB and UAH are not fairly represented on the University of Alabama Board of Trustees.
Twelve of 15 trustees graduated from the University of Alabama, two graduated from UAB and none from UAH–one is a graduate of both UA and UAB, where he attended medical school.
Can we implement an equitable solution? Maybe not–there’s a potential roadblock.
The objective of ComebackTown is to begin a conversation on a better Birmingham with an emphasis on fixing our government structure.
I spend a lot of time talking about Birmingham and Jefferson County, but equally important is our imbecilic State Constitution.
Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills) has introduced legislation to expand the UA Board to add four new members — two each for UAB and UAH. His proposal seems reasonable and fair.
But, according to Elizabeth BeShears of Yellowhammer News, if Waggoner’s bill passes the Legislature and is signed by the Governor, a constitutional amendment will then have to be approved by the voters of Alabama.
That means that the good citizens in cities like Forkland in Greene County or Fruithurst in Cleburne County, who may be Alabama or even Auburn fans, will decide the future of Birmingham and UAB.
Whether its Boll weevil taxes on cotton growers (Amendment #449) or the disposal of dead farm animals in Limestone County (Amendment #482), our Alabama Constitution requires a state wide vote.
Our State Constitution is 40 times longer than the U.S. Constitution and is the longest still-operative constitution anywhere in the world.
As my good friend, Michael Calvert, once told me, our constitution is the only constitution in the world that includes the words “pickup truck.”
We in Birmingham don’t control our own destiny. Others always seem to have power over us.
Maybe it’s possible the Free UAB legislation will pass the state legislature and be signed by the governor, but can it pass a statewide vote?
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David Sher is the publisher of ComebackTown, a co-founder of Buzz12, a division of Intermark Group, and co-CEO of AmSher Compassionate Collections. He’s past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).
David Sher, please answer the following:
Why don’t you live in the city of Birmingham?
Why are your companies not renting/owning space and offering employment in downtown Birmingham?
Why don’t you use your ties to the corrupt BBA, legislators, et al, to try to foster change?
Why don’t you ask Brian Hilson why he recruits businesses to Huntsville when he is supposed to lead a Birmingham economic group?
To learn more about why UAB will never be free to compete with Alabama in sports or anything else – and the amazing web of behind-the-scene politics that have existed since UAB’s foundation – read New Lights in the Valley by Professor Tennant S. McWilliams. Note: I am in no way associated with McWilliams and have no financial interest in the sale of the book.