I must be nuts.
I’m actually writing an article that might be perceived as negative about the most popular and respected man in Alabama—maybe in Alabama history.
This story broke January 9th; about the same time Nick Saban and the UA football team won the National Championship—but wanting to show sensitivity to Saban worshipers (which include me), I waited until this week to publish. Continue reading Nick Saban proves we in Birmingham are a bunch of suckers
Don’t you love stories with happy endings?
Once upon a time in the sleepy village of Birmingham, Alabama, an evil UAB President Ray Watts (or his Trustee Roundtable) made the decision to terminate UAB football.
The UAB students took up arms, the faculty revolted, and the townspeople arose.
Chicken Little ran through the streets yelling, “The sky is falling—the sky is falling.” Continue reading The fairy tale story of Ray Watts and UAB football
I’ve agonized whether to publish this piece about our region’s propensity for humiliation.
One of my best friends warned me, “Why bring it up?…move on and forget it.”
I think we can be fairly certain, however, we are just around the corner from another embarrassment, and another, and another.
You probably think I’m going to write about fights at City Hall, pricey cell phone bills, or unexpected City Council pay increases, but Birmingham politics is only the tip of the iceberg. Continue reading No need for Birmingham to be a media laughingstock
Sometimes I feel invisible.
No one seems to hear me when I insist that Birmingham is NOT one of the most dangerous cities in America.
We hear that Birmingham has historically been a rough and tumble town. Our media bombards us with one homicide story after another.
Every year respected publications like Forbes include Birmingham in its list of one of the 10 most dangerous cities in America.
Our propensity to crime is just accepted as part of our DNA.
Continue reading Birmingham NOT one of the most dangerous cities in America
I love to write about Mountain Brook.
People are interested in Mountain Brook and I know a lot about the subject matter–since I’ve lived much of my life and raised my children there. (I now live in Vestavia Hills)
When I write about Mountain Brook— I’m mostly talking about the three dozen municipalities that surround Birmingham—so you folks in Mountain Brook—please don’t take this personally.
I was recently talking with a good friend (which I will call ‘Bob’) from Mountain Brook. Continue reading Mountain Brook points fingers at Birmingham
My wife and I and two other couples were going out to eat one evening.
I suggested one of my favorite restaurants–Surin West in 5 Points South.
One of the women said, “I don’t feel safe around some of the people who hang out at 5 Points.” The other woman quickly agreed.
So we chose another restaurant in a different neighborhood. Continue reading 5 Points South landlords are dumb
It never would have crossed my mind.
But when a friend suggested that UAB change its name, my first reaction was ‘what a great idea, why didn’t I think of that?”
I’ve thought about it ever since. The more I think about it the more I like it. Continue reading Is it time for UAB to change its name?
I’ve written repeatedly how Birmingham’s always been dominated by outsiders.
U.S Steel headquartered in Pittsburgh, once Birmingham’s largest employer, controlled our economy.
Montgomery, our state capital, has historically treated Birmingham like a step child.
The UA Board of Trustees in Tuscaloosa calls the shots for our now largest employer UAB.
And through recent acquisitions many of our largest companies and banks are now managed from out of state. Continue reading Even insiders screw Birmingham
I’m uniquely qualified to write about living in Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills.
I grew up and raised my children in Mountain Brook and about ten years ago my wife and I moved to Vestavia.
People in Birmingham– whether they live in Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, or in Trussville–want the same thing—to be around family and to have good jobs.
However, that’s more difficult in metropolitan Birmingham than in many other Southern cities. Continue reading What folks in Mt. Brook and Vestavia are losing
I’m confident this opinion piece will make many of you crazy.
But before you beat me up, please take a moment and read what I have to say. If you still disagree, then feel free to respond.
Our Birmingham City Council increased its pay from $15,000 to $50,000 a year–plus expenses, effective 2017.
The public and media response has been ugly.
I’m not saying $50,000 is the right amount and I’m not comfortable with the way the legislation was passed, but it’s possible a pay increase is the right thing for Birmingham. Continue reading Council pay increase may be good for Birmingham