Tag Archives: Birmingham

Government structure, Guest blogger, Population

The rocket fuel that could launch Birmingham!

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Jim, Dixon, President of Arlington Properties
Jim Dixon, President of Arlington Properties

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

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

What makes a city great?

My team should know—we evaluate cities every day.

Our work as real estate developers requires us to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of cities and towns before we ever search for and underwrite development or investment opportunities. Continue reading The rocket fuel that could launch Birmingham! →

David Sher posts, Government structure

Confusion in Mtn. Brook, Vestavia, Homewood, & Birmingham

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Traffic accidentI recently published a piece titled “Mountain Brook stealing from Vestavia Hills.”

It tells about my clever Mountain Brook friend who smuggles his garbage into the trashcans of a nearby Vestavia Hills’ neighbor because Vestavia picks up garbage more often than Mountain Brook. Continue reading Confusion in Mtn. Brook, Vestavia, Homewood, & Birmingham →

Guest blogger, UAB, What's great about Birmingham

What I did at UAB will surprise you

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Avei Logoleo
Avei Logoleo

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

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

I was not a cheerleader.

No, I was not a soccer player.

I wasn’t on the Blazer dance team.

And I didn’t play the tuba in the UAB marching band.

But most of you would be surprised to learn about my unique UAB experience. Continue reading What I did at UAB will surprise you →

David Sher posts, Government structure, Population

There’s the guy who wants to get rid of Mountain Brook

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Shades Creek along Jemison Trail in Mountain Brook
Shades Creek along Jemison Trail in Mountain Brook

“There’s the guy who wants to get rid of Mountain Brook.”

It’s a bit unsettling, but that’s what a prominent Mountain Brook man says to me every time he sees me.

If you follow his logic, then you would assume I also would be the guy who would like to get rid of Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Trussville, and every other Jefferson County municipality. Continue reading There’s the guy who wants to get rid of Mountain Brook →

David Sher posts, Government structure, Population

Nashville’s goof may be Birmingham’s big break

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Jefferson County Mayors Kenneth Gulley, Bessemer; Stan Hogeland, Gardendale; Randall Woodfin, Birmingham; Stuart Welch, Mtn. Brook; Ashley Curry, Vestavia Hills; Frank Brocato, Hoover (photo courtesy BBJ)
Jefferson County Mayors Kenneth Gulley, Bessemer; Stan Hogeland, Gardendale; Randall Woodfin, Birmingham; Stuart Welch, Mtn. Brook; Ashley Curry, Vestavia Hills; Frank Brocato, Hoover at BBJ Mayors’ Roundtable (photo courtesy BBJ)

There’s an old joke about the highly addicted smoker who complains, “I’ve read  so much about the dangers of smoking that I’ve decided to quit reading.

That is how I feel about Nashville.

I read story after story about Nashville’s continued economic successes—recruiting companies—large and small to their city. Continue reading Nashville’s goof may be Birmingham’s big break →

Birmingham School System, Corporate community, Guest blogger

A shocking statistic–and what we’re doing about it

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Charlotte Conaway
Charlotte Conaway

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

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

82% of Birmingham City School children cannot read at grade level. I know this is shocking, but we have found a way to help.

I have mixed emotions about publicizing our efforts.

I’m afraid it might appear I’m writing this article to feel important or to promote my company. Or that I am ‘putting down’ Birmingham City Schools. Continue reading A shocking statistic–and what we’re doing about it →

David Sher posts, Government structure, Population

Why we should worry about what’s happening to Hoover

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Galleria in HooverYou’ve probably had the misfortune of noticing a few ants crawling around in your kitchen cabinet.

This is almost always a tell-tale sign that there are a lot more ants nearby.

That’s what we’re beginning to see with Hoover.
Continue reading Why we should worry about what’s happening to Hoover →

Guest blogger, Race relations

David Carrington: ‘My most embarrassing moment’

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Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington
Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington

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

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

(Comments of Commissioner David Carrington at the unveiling of the new mural at Jefferson County Courthouse April 24th)…

Today is my 70th birthday – and I’m closer to my journey’s end – than I am to its beginning.

I’ve seen so many new things in my lifetime – from air conditioning – to indoor plumbing at my grandparent’s house – to color television sets – to images of a man walking on the moon – to microwave ovens – to a personal computer that conveniently fits in my shirt pocket – and is insultingly called a phone. Continue reading David Carrington: ‘My most embarrassing moment’ →

Birmingham School System, David Sher posts, Government structure, Population

Is Birmingham mayor crazy?

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Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin jumps from airplane

I’m impressed with Birmingham’s new Mayor–Randall Woodfin.

His first few months in office have been a whirlwind of positive energy.

He’s surrounded himself with good people, sought feedback from anyone who will talk to him, and slowly and methodically identified and prioritized Birmingham’s problems and opportunities. Continue reading Is Birmingham mayor crazy? →