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? →

David Sher posts, What's great about Birmingham

Thousands will move to downtown Birmingham

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It’s easy to predict the future of Birmingham.

Birmingham’s usually the last to do just about everything.  So if you want to see what’s about to happen, all you have to do is look elsewhere.

When I was Chairman of Operation New Birmingham (ONB) in 1995, CBS42 was desperately trying to build viewership for their newscast.  They were practicing “guerilla journalism” to try to shock and surprise people to build audience.

One day at a public ONB function, a news reporter from TV42 unexpectedly thrust a microphone in my face and asked, Continue reading Thousands will move to downtown Birmingham →

Guest blogger, Race relations

Warning: Blacks—be careful when moving to Birmingham

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Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on better government for our region.

Today’s guest blogger is Donna Francavilla.

What will it take for Birmingham to remove the tarnish of a half-century ago?

Whenever images of Birmingham’s tumultuous past are flashed before viewers, the black and white footage and photographs of attacking police dogs, of fire hoses blasting teenage demonstrators, and peaceful protesters being hauled off to jail are shown.  You’ve seen those indelible images repeatedly.  They continue to stigmatize our community in the eyes of the nation and the world. Continue reading Warning: Blacks—be careful when moving to Birmingham →

Corporate community, David Sher posts, What's great about Birmingham

New York is jealous of Birmingham

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Birmingham makes the top of many city lists—some of which make us cringe.  However, most are not significant—and the methodology’s questionable.

But on lists that really matter, Birmingham often excels.

In fact, I could have titled this piece, “Atlanta is jealous of Birmingham” or “Chicago is jealous of Birmingham.”

Cities all over the U.S. want to be like us.

If you don’t believe me, Continue reading New York is jealous of 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 →

Alabama Constitution, Guest blogger

How 155 white guys are ruining Alabama

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John Northrop

Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on better government for our region.

Today’s guest blogger is John Northrop.

If Birmingham is a “comeback town,” what do we want to come back to? Surely not the days and ways of Bull Conner. Nor of chain gang labor in coal mines. Nor as a mere colony in a 19th-century steel empire.

Birmingham’s “good old days” were better for some than others. The same can be said of Alabama as a whole. Continue reading How 155 white guys are ruining Alabama →

David Sher posts, What's great about Birmingham

Birmingham: Will the good news never end?

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A friend recently sent me a link to an incredibly positive article about Birmingham published in the Los Angeles Times. A few minutes later I received another—then another.  The e-mails kept coming.

People were obviously excited and wanted to share our good news.

At first I was surprised, but then realized this was just the continuation of an amazing few weeks. Continue reading Birmingham: Will the good news never end? →

David Sher posts, Race relations

Why do we allow terrorists to define Birmingham?

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Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church bombing

I can’t help myself.

When I see pictures of victims, particularly children, who were killed or maimed in the Boston Marathon bombing or the Newtown massacre, my eyes well up and I grieve.  I know I’m not alone, but knowing these horrendous events sadden others doesn’t make me feel better.

Our President said. “Anytime bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terror.” Continue reading Why do we allow terrorists to define Birmingham? →

David Sher posts, What's great about Birmingham

Birmingham’s back–tell the world

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Regions Field first night fireworks

We need your help.

We’d like you to take action.

Do you know what’s really wrong with Birmingham?

We concentrate on our shortcomings and don’t celebrate our victories.

A funny thing happened while we were wallowing in self-pity. Continue reading Birmingham’s back–tell the world →

Guest blogger

Metro Birmingham mimics Three Stooges

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Maury Shevin

Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on better government for our region.

Today’s guest blogger is Maury Shevin, a Birmingham native.

Remember, “One for all!  All for one!! Every man for himself!!!”  I do and if you are of a certain age, then you do too.  It is a line made famous by the infamous Three Stooges.  And, boy, doesn’t it now relate to our community? Continue reading Metro Birmingham mimics Three Stooges →

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham