Tag Archives: jefferson county

Hoover leadership showing courage and vision

City of Hoover signI’m not sure I appreciated it at the time, but it was a big deal.

The year was 2010 and the event was the opening of Railroad Park.

You would expect William Bell, the mayor of Birmingham, to be one of the speakers, but next to him was Tony Petelos, the then mayor of Hoover. Mayor Petelos spoke enthusiastically about the new park and the future of our Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area. Continue reading Hoover leadership showing courage and vision

Jefferson County mayor does the right thing

Mayor Hoyt Sanders of Pinson
Mayor Hoyt Sanders of Pinson

Today’s guest blogger is  Hoyt Sanders.

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

A number of Jefferson County mayors signed a pact this year to combat “poaching” of businesses between cities and to pursue long-term economic growth for our region. Continue reading Jefferson County mayor does the right thing

Could be the biggest day in modern Birmingham history

Jefferson County population 1970-2017
Jefferson County population 1970-2017

April 3, 2019 could be the biggest day in Birmingham history.

This is not an exaggeration.

Our region has historically been plagued with distrust and dysfunction. Continue reading Could be the biggest day in modern Birmingham history

Pinch me! Is this really Birmingham?

Jefferson County Mayors' Association Meeting, October 17, 2018
Jefferson County Mayors’ Association Meeting, October 17, 2018

What’s going on in America?

Everyone seems to be divided.

Republican/ Democrat

White/Black

Conservative/Liberal

Rich/Poor

No one seems to want to cooperate to achieve common goals. Continue reading Pinch me! Is this really Birmingham?

Nashville’s goof may be Birmingham’s big break

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

David Carrington: ‘My most embarrassing moment’

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’

Tony Petelos: I was at death’s door

Tony Petelos, County Manager of Jefferson County
Tony Petelos, County Manager of Jefferson County

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

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

I’ve lived in and served Jefferson County my entire life.

However, I never would have imagined that living in Birmingham and in Jefferson County would have saved my life.

In May of 2014 I was diagnosed with an aggressive life-threatening bladder cancer. Continue reading Tony Petelos: I was at death’s door