The objective of ComebackTown is to create a conversation on a “better Birmingham.” We focus on what’s great about our region, but it’s important to identify our shortcomings.
Many are quick to blame our politicians or corporate leadership, but the root cause of our frailties is poor government structure.
I graduated from U of A, love Bama football, and wish I could be paid a dollar every time I yell, “Roll Tide!”
Many of my friends are just like me; except the ones that do that “War Eagle” thing. Living in Birmingham is all about the Tide and the Tigers.
I believe it’s written in our State Constitution Continue reading How badly is the Univ. of Ala. hurting Birmingham?
The latest FBI crime statistics will be posted everywhere soon.
Each year, the FBI releases its crime statistics and Birmingham’s portrayed as one of the most dangerous cities in America.
The City of Birmingham, one of 37 municipalities in Jefferson County, is measured against cities Continue reading Damn it! Birmingham’s not that dangerous
Sunday, June 9th, I was watching TV when suddenly my cell phone lit up with e-mails from people everywhere.
They couldn’t wait to tell me about the positive story about Birmingham in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press, Yahoo News, etc. Pretty darn exciting when media everywhere are screaming, “(Birmingham) has a new vibe that’s generating buzz.”
Every major newspaper in the U.S.must have posted the AP piece, “Once dying Birmingham is suddenly hot.”
I certainly loved the article, but was somewhat stunned Continue reading Langford and Bell may have saved Birmingham
(Editors note: This article is not about Mt. Brook–it’s much broader than that. It’s also not about the City of Birmingham–it’s about our metro. Today we examine the topic no one wants to discuss.)
A young, well-respected business man approached me after a civic club meeting. He wanted to talk about our region’s lack of progress.
Soon the conversation turned to our 37 municipalities in Jefferson County.
He said he understood how competing cities hurt our region, but as a Mt. Brook resident he was not about ready to sacrifice his children’s education for better government. Continue reading Did Mt. Brook blow up Birmingham?
It’s easy to predict the future of Birmingham.
Birmingham’s usually the last to do just about everything. So if you want to see what’s about to happen, all you have to do is look elsewhere.
When I was Chairman of Operation New Birmingham (ONB) in 1995, CBS42 was desperately trying to build viewership for their newscast. They were practicing “guerilla journalism” to try to shock and surprise people to build audience.
One day at a public ONB function, a news reporter from TV42 unexpectedly thrust a microphone in my face and asked, Continue reading Thousands will move to downtown Birmingham
Birmingham makes the top of many city lists—some of which make us cringe. However, most are not significant—and the methodology’s questionable.
But on lists that really matter, Birmingham often excels.
In fact, I could have titled this piece, “Atlanta is jealous of Birmingham” or “Chicago is jealous of Birmingham.”
Cities all over the U.S. want to be like us.
If you don’t believe me, Continue reading New York is jealous of Birmingham
The primary objective of ComebackTown is to create a conversation on a “better Birmingham.”
We often talk about what’s great about our metro, but we also want to identify our shortcomings so we can begin to propose solutions.
Many are quick to blame our politicians or corporate leadership, but the root cause of our frailties is poor government structure. Continue reading Why Birmingham’s government is so screwed up
A friend recently sent me a link to an incredibly positive article about Birmingham published in the Los Angeles Times. A few minutes later I received another—then another. The e-mails kept coming.
People were obviously excited and wanted to share our good news.
At first I was surprised, but then realized this was just the continuation of an amazing few weeks. Continue reading Birmingham: Will the good news never end?
I can’t help myself.
When I see pictures of victims, particularly children, who were killed or maimed in the Boston Marathon bombing or the Newtown massacre, my eyes well up and I grieve. I know I’m not alone, but knowing these horrendous events sadden others doesn’t make me feel better.
Our President said. “Anytime bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terror.” Continue reading Why do we allow terrorists to define Birmingham?