ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Dave Gray. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
Huntsville is on track to surpass Birmingham as Alabama’s largest city.
This is a blow to our civic pride, but it also reflects far deeper issues in our metro area. Continue reading How Birmingham may have missed out on 103,000 jobs
I don’t know if you noticed—but three Jefferson County cities had a really terrible week.
We in Jefferson County are so intent on staying divided that we’re willing to suffer financial disruption and the unfortunate consequences. Continue reading 3 local cities at risk
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Charlie Waldrep. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
“Metro Government” has become a mantra for some citizens while others are terrified of the thought of giving up their smaller, responsive local governments.
Consequently, “Metro Government” is a concept unlikely to be achieved among Jefferson County’s 35 municipalities. Continue reading Terrified of metro government?–here’s a better idea
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Willie Chriesman. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
Birmingham’s new mayor has some very definite ideas about his priorities upon taking office—dealing with the city’s crime problem, revitalizing the neighborhoods and making sure city government is efficient, effective, transparent, accountable and citizen-friendly.
But what about dealing with the issue of regional cooperation as a priority? Continue reading Birmingham’s new mayor knows what he wants
It’s uncomfortable to talk about race.
It seems that most whites don’t like to discuss race–and neither do some blacks.
However, how can we have an intelligent conversation about Birmingham without race when race is almost always the central issue?
Last week I was wheeling my shopping cart through the produce section of Publix in Vestavia Hills when I was confronted by a casual acquaintance. Continue reading Confronted by a Vestavia man
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Jay Taylor. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
Consolidation.
It’s been long debated here in Birmingham.
Can we merge some of our central Alabama municipalities into one big, super city? And if so, which ones?
Allow me to toss an idea into the ring. Continue reading A simple way to merge Birmingham into one great city
Would the University of Alabama have national championship football teams if 80% of its students were ineligible?
UA would have some good players, but we wouldn’t be winning many football games.
This is the heart of Birmingham’s problem.
Continue reading Mountain Brook and Homewood suck leadership out of Birmingham
ComebackTown is published by David Sher 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.
Birmingham’s experiencing a surge in local pride and national attention because of developments that are breathing new life into our region. We’ve got great communities, world-class medical facilities, enchanting parks, and a nationally recognized food scene.
I keep hoping—“This is Birmingham’s time.”
But then I get a dose of reality. Continue reading I’ve been gobsmacked by this Birmingham statistic
It’s time for folks in the suburbs to show our appreciation for Birmingham.
There’s a tendency to think that our suburbs are independent and could operate fine by themselves. Continue reading Is Birmingham Sugar Daddy for our rich suburbs?
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Norman Jetmundsen. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
Greater Birmingham reminds me of a patient who goes to see his doctor.
He says, “Doc, I have good days and bad days. I look at people around me and they seem to be healthier, have more energy, and be in better shape.”
Continue reading Mountain Brook man: “How we can become unstoppable”