Archive for the 'Local Issues' Category

Vomit

Wednesday, June 4th, 2008

Gaynell Hendricks won the Democratic nomination for Jefferson County tax assessor yesterday with 60% of the 14% turnout. Some here will remember that this is the same Gaynell Hendricks who did everything she could to overturn Patricia Todd’s election and get herself crowned the nominee in Alabama House District 54. Quoth Ms. Hendricks:
“This [...]

Fiscally Unfit

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008

This one definitely falls in the “What Were They Thinking?” category. Last night, the Vestavia Hills City Council voted to give away a 13-acre tract of land valued at $2 million for $10. Yep, that’s TEN DOLLARS. The land will be “purchased” by Life Time Fitness, which proposes to build a $25 [...]

Federal Grand Jury Investigating Langford Financial Dealings and JeffCo Bond Mess

Friday, May 16th, 2008

And another shoe drops…
A federal grand jury is investigating Jefferson County bond deals and Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford’s financial dealings.
Steve Sayler, the county’s finance director from 1989 to 2007, and Norm Davis, who was a county financial adviser during Langford’s tenure as commission president, were in the grand jury room at U.S. District Court in [...]

Express Yourself

Thursday, May 8th, 2008

NBC-13 wants to know what we think about an elevated Highway 280. Actually, the poll question is, “Will an elevated highway solve the 280 traffic problem?”
I think a world of no. Thought so before, but rapidly increasing gas prices make the idea of encouraging more development further from the city center even worse. [...]

JeffCo Senators Approve Revised Pay Raise Proposal for Birmingham Mayor

Thursday, May 1st, 2008

Jefferson County senators today approved a proposal that would raise the salary for Birmingham’s mayor $40,000, beginning with the next term of office. The proposed raise now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
A couple of observations — first, $108,000 (the new salary) doesn’t seem excessive to me, given the size of the city [...]

Homewood Mayor McCulley Apologizes for McCain Discount

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Homewood Mayor Barry McCulley apologized yesterday for giving the McCain campaign a huge discount on the rent for a fundraiser last week. He was, however, unrepentant about providing free inmate labor to set up the event.
The campaign was charged $250 to rent two rooms, which have a posted rate of $1,200.
“I did exceed [...]

Take Action!

Friday, April 25th, 2008

Want to let Homewood Mayor Barry McCulley know what you think about his giveaway to the McCain campaign? The folks from Bright Blue Dot have a couple of suggestions:
TODAY, contact the city officials responsible and let them know how you feel:
Mayor Barry R. McCulley
City: 332-6103
Cell: 229-7321
Email: barry.mcculley@homewoodal.org
City Council President, J. “Ginger” Busby
Voice Mail (City) [...]

McCain’s Campaign Gets 80% Discount, Free Inmate Labor for Homewood Fundraiser

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

Homewood Mayor Barry McCulley has stepped in it with this one. He’s supposed to bring requests for discounts to the City Council, but for some reason he decided to rent the McCain people a room at Rosewood Hall for $250, substantially less than the going rate of $1,200 for a weeknight event. He [...]

Sackcloth and Ashes

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

Mayor Larry Langford to the city of Birmingham: I will put on a big publicity stunt event where I talk a bunch of people into wearing burlap bags, and that will solve the city’s crime problem.
I only wish I were kidding.

Transit Meeting Tomorrow

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

If you’re still in sticker shock from your last trip to the gas station, you may be interested in this:
Public Meeting on MAX Transit
Thursday April 24th, 2008 5:30 p.m.
Central Station Main Lobby
For More Information Contact John C. Harris, Chair Transit Advisory Committee Phone: 252-1833 - Email: johnjcharris@netzero.net
Come have an open [...]