Category Archives: Government structure

David Sher posts, Government structure

Unexpected response: Combine Jefferson County with City of Birmingham

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

We were totally surprised to the response to Jeffrey Bayer’s idea to combine Jefferson County with the City of Birmingham.

Jeffrey Bayer, President and CEO of Bayer Properties, suggested in a recent guest blog that…

“We forget about these surrounding pristine municipalities, and focus on an initial step to bring together the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County. They are the two largest governments, have the most in common, could generate the most in operational economic savings, and could probably eliminate the need for occupational taxes due to operational efficiencies–thereby ridding an economic model that impedes the very growth they both covet… Continue reading Unexpected response: Combine Jefferson County with City of Birmingham →

Government structure, Guest blogger

Jeffrey Bayer: An idea that could fix Birmingham

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Jeffrey Bayer, President & CEO of 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.

Haven’t we had enough?

Aren’t we tired of falling behind our peer cities?

Cities such as Charlotte, Nashville, Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Louisville have created their opportunities for growth because they have consolidated municipal services–not just collaborated, but changed their method of governance.

We say it can’t be done here because the cities of Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Hoover and Mountain Brook, Continue reading Jeffrey Bayer: An idea that could fix Birmingham →

Corporate community, David Sher posts, Government structure

Birmingham powerless again

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View of I-20/59 built at ground level
View of I-20/59 built at ground level

Let’s talk about the Alabama Department of Transportation’s controversial plan for expanding and reconfiguring Interstate 20/59 through downtown Birmingham.

My understanding is the plan calls for limited access to our downtown and for the continuation of 20/59 to cut through the heart of our city.

This controversy is a case study on why our metro area is powerless
Continue reading Birmingham powerless again →

Alabama Constitution, David Sher posts, Government structure, Guest blogger

Birmingham screwed up–Will we get a 2nd chance?

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Mark Kelly, Publisher of Weld for Birmingham
Mark Kelly, Publisher of Weld for Birmingham

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.

Poor government structure leaves our Birmingham region with no one in charge and everyone frustrated.  Recently, Mark Kelly, Continue reading Birmingham screwed up–Will we get a 2nd chance? →
David Sher posts, Government structure, Race relations

Did Mt. Brook blow up Birmingham?

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(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? →

Alabama Constitution, Corporate community, David Sher posts, Government structure, Guest blogger

Why Birmingham’s government is so screwed up

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Mark Kelly, Publisher of Weld for 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 →

David Sher posts, Government structure

Let’s flush 5.27 million dollars down the toilet

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I’m sure you saw the headlines…

Birmingham considering $5.27 million in tax breaks to keep Serra Automotive in town

“Tracey Morant-Adams, the city’s economic development director, said the city faces competition from nearby suburbs, including Trussville, necessitating action from Birmingham. The proposed project agreement also notes that competition Continue reading Let’s flush 5.27 million dollars down the toilet →

Alabama Constitution, David Sher posts, Government structure

Article on Birmingham will make you vomit

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I received an e-mail from a good friend, Henry Long, with a link to an article about Birmingham that made me sick to my stomach.

It was an American Thinker piece titled “Civil Rights and the Collapse of Birmingham, Ala.” written by John Bennett.

It made me ill not only because the article was being read all over the world, but the author totally mangled the facts. Continue reading Article on Birmingham will make you vomit →

David Sher posts, Government structure

A proposal for pishier

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Pishier’s image on al.com

I was warned by my friends about the commenters on al.com when I first began publishing ComebackTown.

They suggested I not read the comments and certainly not to take them personally.  I was told, “They are a bunch of crazies who have nothing better to do than spout nonsense to make themselves feel important.” Continue reading A proposal for pishier →