I couldn’t believe my eyes. The words jumped off the page.
Why my excitement?
I attended Leadership Birmingham in 1992.
At our final session, the last speaker, a corporate leader, concluded his speech and asked if there were any questions.
I really, really, really like living in Birmingham
ComebackTown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on better government for our region.
Today’s guest blogger is Glenn Kinstler. (We love when young professionals are guest bloggers)
Okay, I have two admissions to make.
They are both pretty obvious.
But before I disclose, I want to put them in context.
My name is Glenn Kinstler. I grew up in Birmingham, attended Altamont School, and received degrees from the University of Alabama and UAB. So I know a thing or two about living in Birmingham and Alabama.
Now, my disclosures… Continue reading I really, really, really like living in Birmingham
Good-bye Birmingham Schools?
You’ve seen the headline, Retaining accreditation will be difficult for Birmingham city” schools.
“Birmingham City Schools will have a hard time remaining accredited if board members don’t…start thinking of the system as a whole, said the president of the accrediting agency that recently announced it was placing the district on probation…
… A review team from AdvancEd who was in Birmingham for several days in May found
…that individual board members were not looking out for the best interests of the system as a whole…
“The ramifications are dire Continue reading Good-bye Birmingham Schools?
Frizzy haired girl: Do I stay in Birmingham?
Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on better government for our region.
Today’s guest blogger is Katie Turpen. (We love when young professionals are guest bloggers)
Growing up within the walls of Vestavia Hills, I was lost in a strange suburbia land. I claimed the city of Birmingham but didn’t see it as my home. I was an awkward teen searching for an identity beyond my mushroom mop and quite frankly, didn’t see a future where I was standing. Continue reading Frizzy haired girl: Do I stay in Birmingham?
Unexpected response: Combine Jefferson County with City of Birmingham
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
Jeffrey Bayer: An idea that could fix Birmingham
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
Birmingham powerless again
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
Birmingham screwed up–Will we get a 2nd chance?
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.
How badly is the Univ. of Ala. hurting Birmingham?
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?
Montgomery girl has love affair
Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on better government for our region.
Today’s guest blogger is Amanda Weil Sokol. (We love when young professionals are guest bloggers)
“Once Dying, Birmingham Suddenly Hot,” was the title of an Associated Press story that appeared recently in the New York Times and other newspapers nationwide. The well-written piece, by longtime AP writer Jay Reeves, highlighted how far Birmingham has come since the turmoil-ridden days of the Civil Rights era.
It is a refreshing read. As someone who loves this “Magic City,” it is exciting Continue reading Montgomery girl has love affair