In January the Birmingham mayor’s office enacted a new policy that cuts out neighborhood input before making zoning changes. However, many neighborhood association officers did not learn that the policy was already in place until a public hearing Thursday afternoon.
Popularity: 67% [?]
This morning John Archibald wrote one of those columns that makes me sick — sick that I didn’t write it first. He dug through Mayor Larry Langford’s year-end campaign finance reports and teased out the money trail behind Langford’s media strategy. In short, Langford had talk show host Frank Matthews, political hit man Washington Booker and Birmingham Times publisher Jesse Lewis all on the payroll.
Popularity: 29% [?]
Three years ago, the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce made its annual “Big Trip” to Nashville, taking business, community and political leaders on a tour through Music City USA. Everyone knew it was Music City USA because “Music City USA” was on virtually everything — lampposts, signage, cocktail napkins. Even the dessert plates were garnished with tiny chocolate guitars. Nashville had established its brand.
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford was on that trip, and the idea of branding a city triggered those squally machinations in his mind. As usual, he believed his first idea was the best and damned if anyone would convince him otherwise.
Popularity: 26% [?]
