Category Archives: Government structure

Alabama Constitution, David Sher posts, Government structure

Why is Mountain Brook so polarizing?

February 29, 2016 David Sher 9 Comments

Mercutio Southall Jr., being escorted out of Donald Trump rally in Birmingham — Mercutio Southall Jr. being escorted out of Donald Trump rally in Birmingham

Last week Blake Scott Ball, a doctoral student in history at UA, wrote a scathing piece attacking Mountain Brook for al.com titled A brief history of Mountain Brook picking on Birmingham.

He talked about Mountain Brook’s history of ‘establishing segregation laws‘ and ‘moving children out of Birmingham school systems.’

Then there was the national news story in November when Mercutio Southall Jr. was attacked at the Donald Trump rally at the BJCC and complained,“Birmingham is 75 percent black, so why did he (Trump) choose to come here? He could have gone to Mountain Brook…”

Why is Mountain Brook such a lightning rod?
Continue reading Why is Mountain Brook so polarizing? →

Government structure, Guest blogger

Birmingham: Can we all get along?

February 22, 2016 David Sher 1 Comment

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.

“Can We All Get Along?”

It was a desperate cry from the late Rodney King who spoke those words in the wake of the Los Angeles riots of 1992.

But too often when that question is asked of local government leaders around here, the answer seems usually to be “no.” Continue reading Birmingham: Can we all get along? →

David Sher posts, Government structure, Population

Did Birmingham blow its one big chance?

February 15, 2016 David Sher 6 Comments

Alabama's four largest cities — Alabama’s four largest cities–Birmingham’s population has been in free fall

I got into a heated conversation with a good friend.

She told me she read that Huntsville may soon pass Birmingham as the largest city in Alabama–and was sure Birmingham would soon be relegated to second place.

This made no sense to me.

Who really cares if the City of Huntsville is bigger than the City of Birmingham because Metropolitan Birmingham is nearly three times as large as Metropolitan Huntsville.

Huntsville’s not even in the same league as Birmingham. Continue reading Did Birmingham blow its one big chance? →

David Sher posts, Government structure

Nick Saban proves we in Birmingham are a bunch of suckers

February 1, 2016 David Sher 3 Comments

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 9^th; 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 →

Government structure, Guest blogger

Let’s step out of our ‘Little Kingdom’ and unite for a better Birmingham

January 25, 2016 David Sher 10 Comments

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

Today’s guest blogger was written by a commenter who calls him/herself ‘bhamthoughts’.

(ComebackTown generally does not publish anonymous blogs–but it’s difficult to find people willing to include their name when the content may be perceived as negative.)

If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

I am not from here.

I wasn’t born or raised here, I didn’t go to a school that starts with an “A,” and you wouldn’t know my parents if they were standing right in front of you.

I am one of those rare people who have moved TO this city from somewhere else. Now that I have been here a while, it’s no wonder our city isn’t growing and competing with the Nashvilles and Charlottes of the world.

Everything I mention below comes from a good place, these are just the realities of our community that we need to overcome if we ever want to grow like the rest of the country. Continue reading Let’s step out of our ‘Little Kingdom’ and unite for a better Birmingham →

David Sher posts, Government structure

No need for Birmingham to be a media laughingstock

January 4, 2016 David Sher 4 Comments

Even Vulcan is embarrassed--drawing by Adam Stermer — Even Vulcan is embarrassed–drawing by Adam Stermer

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 →

David Sher posts, Government structure

Mountain Brook points fingers at Birmingham

November 30, 2015 David Sher 9 Comments

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 →

David Sher posts, Government structure

What folks in Mt. Brook and Vestavia are losing

October 6, 2015 David Sher 8 Comments

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 →

Government structure, Guest blogger

Why Nashville is whipping Birmingham’s butt

September 15, 2015 David Sher Leave a comment

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

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

Please excuse the above title, but I’m writing in response to your article, Nashville whipping Birmingham’s butt.

I’ve lived in Nashville since 1978, but I grew up in Birmingham and still consider Birmingham my home.

I only want the best for my hometown and thought I could add some insight since I’ve lived in both cities.

I’m aware of Birmingham’s recent renaissance, but Nashville has a huge advantage over Birmingham. Continue reading Why Nashville is whipping Birmingham’s butt →

David Sher posts, Government structure

Council pay increase may be good for Birmingham

August 25, 2015 David Sher 22 Comments

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 →

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham