Category Archives: Government structure

David Sher posts, Government structure, Population

An idea that would transform Birmingham

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Sam Addy
Sam Addy, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama

How about an idea most people think would transform Birmingham–but they will not consider because they think it would be impossible to implement?

You may say we don’t need to do anything different because we’re making progress.  We are making progress, but let‘s look at how metro Birmingham compares to our regional rivals in several key areas. (Birmingham Business Journal January 10, 2014).

Comparison of eight peer cities:  Birmingham, Austin, Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City: Continue reading An idea that would transform Birmingham →

Alabama Constitution, David Sher posts, Government structure, UAB, What's great about Birmingham

Can Birmingham get over its low self-esteem?

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David Sher

One hundred years from now, when historians write the history of Birmingham, 2013 will be the year they say changed everything.

Birmingham’s been called the “City of Perpetual Promise.”  We’ve been described as the “Magic City” at our zenith and as the “Most segregated city in America” at our low point.

We’ve always been a great place to live, but not a great city.  2013 will be the year Birmingham begins its long-hard journey to become that great city. Continue reading Can Birmingham get over its low self-esteem? →

David Sher posts, Government structure

What do people outside of Alabama think of Birmingham?

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A young business man sitting next to me on my flight from Atlanta to Philadelphia asked where I lived.  I told him I was from Birmingham and he said he was from Philadelphia.

Then I asked…

“What comes to mind when you think of Birmingham?

“He said, “You have dirt roads, don’t you?” Continue reading What do people outside of Alabama think of Birmingham? →

Alabama Constitution, David Sher posts, Government structure

Why Birmingham can never have a Mandela

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We in Birmingham join in mourning of the passing of the legendary South African leader, Nelson Mandela, who died last week at the age of 95.

It’s ironic that we are currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of our Civil Rights struggle the same year as Nelson Mandela’s death.

Many renowned speakers came to Birmingham this year and emphasized that Mandela was inspired by the Civil Rights struggle here in Birmingham.  It’s clear that Birmingham played a key role in changing the world. Continue reading Why Birmingham can never have a Mandela →

David Sher posts, Government structure

Why should I have to move back into Birmingham?

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I hear these comments regularly…

“Good column, David, but I’m perplexed why you choose to live outside Birmingham.”

“If you love Birmingham so much, why don’t you move there?”  

“Sher, you don’t live in Birmingham.  Why should anyone pay attention to you?”

I grew up in Birmingham, but I’ve never kept it a secret Continue reading Why should I have to move back into Birmingham? →

Government structure, Guest blogger, Race relations

Birmingham and the Detached Millennials

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Steve Boswell
Steve Boswell

ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.

Today’s guest blogger is Steve Boswell.  We love to hear from young professionals.   If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

“Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of men willing to be co-workers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement’s commencement in Birmingham. A movement whose impact would serve to pave the path of minority progress far beyond the streets of downtown Birmingham. When I reflect on what happened fifty years ago in Birmingham, there are four people who immediately come to mind. Four people, separated in pairs, and pitted against one another as implacable foes. On the one side were Continue reading Birmingham and the Detached Millennials →

David Sher posts, Government structure

The one big thing Birmingham could learn from Nashville

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David SherHow’s it possible for similar Southern cities three hours apart to have totally different outcomes?

Amazingly the fortunes for both Birmingham and Nashville changed drastically in one pivotal year.

The year was 1963—exactly 50 years ago.

1963 was the year the city of Nashville consolidated with Davidson County.   In April, Nashville celebrated 50 years of unified government.

1963 was also the year that Birmingham became infamous Continue reading The one big thing Birmingham could learn from Nashville →

Government structure, Guest blogger

Jeffrey Bayer sticks his neck out

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Jeffrey Bayer, Bayer Properties
Jeffrey Bayer, President & CEO of Bayer Properties

ComebackTown is published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.

Today’s guest blogger is Jeffrey Bayer.  If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please  click here.

On July 30, 2013, I posted a blog proposing we bring the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County together in some configuration to create a better model for governance for our metro area.

Never could I have been prepared for the OVERWHELMING positive response.  I literally can’t leave my house Continue reading Jeffrey Bayer sticks his neck out →

David Sher posts, Government structure, Race relations

Birmingham: No one wants to talk about race

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David SherRecently, I authored an artcle titled, “Surely this article will get me sued.”

It was about the daughter of a friend of mine who while studying abroad was asked by a fellow student why Birmingham had a separate bar association for African-Americans.  (Her friend had discovered on the Internet)

I wrote specifically that I was not knowledgeable about our bar associations and I wasn’t being judgmental, but I was concerned with the perception of Birmingham since historically we have had a poor reputation for race relations.

I was immediately accused by commenters of “race baiting”… Continue reading Birmingham: No one wants to talk about race →

Corporate community, David Sher posts, Government structure

Why should one Birmingham CEO have to chair four major non-profits?

1 Comment
Fred McCallum
Fred McCallum, President AT&T Alabama

If you were to ask my five year old Birmingham grandson what he wants to be when he grows up, he’ll tell you he wants to be a super hero.

It’s such an innocent response and kind of sad that one day he’ll find out there are no super heroes—well maybe there’s one Continue reading Why should one Birmingham CEO have to chair four major non-profits? →