Guest blogger, What's great about Birmingham

How Birmingham cut homelessness by 53%

October 13, 2015 David Sher Leave a comment

Teresa Thorne, Executive Direct or City Action Partnership (CAP) — Teresa Thorne, Executive Director, City Action Partnership (CAP)

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

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

We in Birmingham are doing a lot of things right.

If you don’t believe me, jump in your car and drive all over downtown and midtown.

There’s construction everywhere. In fact it’s difficult to get around because orange plastic barrels are blocking lanes, and fences are blocking sidewalks.

This is exciting—and you can see it with your own eyes.

But there is less of one thing–and I bet you didn’t notice. Continue reading How Birmingham cut homelessness by 53% →

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 →

Guest blogger, What's great about Birmingham

I challenge our children to make Birmingham great

September 22, 2015 David Sher 4 Comments

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

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

Editor’s note: Railroad Park transformed Birmingham. Against great odds and overwhelming skepticism, Giles Perkins and a group of committed community volunteers persevered. I asked Giles to write this piece to give insight to those of you who would like to make a difference.

I think it was in 2002 when I made my first visit to the lot that became Railroad Park.

My sons were younger then–their sister was not born yet–but they came with me and brought their bicycles. There was a burnt out railcar in the corner. In the middle of the lot there was an old trailer with someone living in it. A sign on the door said DON’T KNOCK UNLESS YOU ARE THE POLICE OR I WILL SHOOT.

We packed up the bicycles. On the ground I found a rusted railroad spike. I took that spike and put it on my desk as a reminder of the task I had taken on and the distance we needed to travel to have success. Continue reading I challenge our children to make Birmingham great →

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 →

Guest blogger, UAB, What's great about Birmingham

Birmingham’s astonishing renaissance

September 8, 2015 David Sher 2 Comments

Merrill Stewart, President Stewart Perry Company

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

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

Birmingham is in the middle of a renaissance—and I want the world to know.

It is rewarding to watch the transformation of the city I call home and then share this energy with friends and neighbors who, quite frankly, never saw it coming.

Why I’m proud:

Continue reading Birmingham’s astonishing renaissance →

Guest blogger, What's great about Birmingham

The event that will change Birmingham forever

September 1, 2015 David Sher 3 Comments

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

Today’s guest blogger is Darin W. White, Ph.D . If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

Earlier this year it was announced that Birmingham, AL won the bid to host the 2021 World Games. Winning the bid to host the World Games is a tremendous opportunity for our city in so many different ways.

I told AL.com back in January that “It gives us the opportunity to create a positive and lasting legacy for our great city. It will spark dialogue and cooperation among the dozens of communities that make up Birmingham and allow us to build bridges that cut across racial and socioeconomic lines.” Continue reading The event that will change Birmingham forever →

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 →

Guest blogger

Birmingham renaissance: Not so fast!

August 18, 2015 David Sher 4 Comments

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

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

ComebackTown has been an excellent forum to discuss issues surrounding “regional cooperation.”

I’ve published my joyous thoughts about Birmingham’s successes of recent years and our potential for even more with regional cooperation. The Birmingham naysayers have been awfully quiet during this period. And, I don’t want to stir them up, but… Continue reading Birmingham renaissance: Not so fast! →

Government structure, Guest blogger

Political process in Birmingham actually working

August 11, 2015 David Sher 1 Comment

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

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

I have an ominous suggestion for you: The political process in Birmingham might actually be working.

What if our elected officials are doing exactly what they’re supposed to be doing? What if they are looking out for the people that they represent and passing laws that best embody those interests? Continue reading Political process in Birmingham actually working →

David Sher posts, Government structure, Population, What's great about Birmingham

Atlanta more screwed up than Birmingham

August 4, 2015 David Sher 22 Comments

I have mixed emotions about Atlanta.

There’s no doubt I feel a certain amount of envy —probably because I grew up in the ‘50’s when Birmingham and Atlanta were about the same size. I have fond memories of my dad taking me to Rickwood Field to root for the Birmingham Barons when we played the evil Atlanta Crackers in Southern League baseball. Continue reading Atlanta more screwed up than Birmingham →

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham