Signatures 135 total
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Name: Susan Putnam on Nov 29, 2007Comments: It is a regressive tax and will be worse on those with low incomes. That is 40+% of the city.Flag
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Name: Donna Farmer on Nov 29, 2007Comments: I went to the meeting at Boutwell. I appreciate that we are in a period of moving forward and making positive change. I want to see more change happen in Birmingham. Schools, crime, economic development, etc. are in need of some innovation, but before we spend vast amounts of money, we need accountability for the spending and to give greater consideration to the big plans proposed. Let's look at history. Langford's 1 cent tax increase on the county (rushed through with no public input) hasn't improved county schools (where is that money what has it been spent on so far who is keeping up with the bank on that). Visionland didn't improve the economy in Fairfield or give good jobs to its residents. It had to be sold at a loss. This man has a bad history of making quick decisions without enough thought going into what the money is spent on. I agree that we do not need to spend 100's of thousands of dollars on studies that take years, but we do need more careful consideration and discussion before running headlong with these plans that are as well thought out as a 6th grade science project. I don't think that the voice of the people is being heard. Langford was only there for a couple of minutes speak. He said if businesses don't like Birmingham, he doesn't need them. If anyone doesn't like his plan, they should move away. He didn't stick around to listen to Birmingham's voices. Teachers, police officers, firemen, etc. know a lot more about how to make these systems more effective. They should be asked what they need. We need a full time city auditor to investigate where money goes, make sure that the places it goes isn't simply into dummy companies for graft, and to let the people know that their money is being wisely managed. This helps reduce waste and graft, plus it makes the public more confident about the uses of their tax dollars. Birmingham has money that is going to places that we don't all know about. It is a pool with a leak. Before we fill the pool, let's get someone in there to stop the leaks and keep new ones from popping up. Birmingham can't support a pro sports team (that isn't based on Nascar or pro wrestling). The only game in town is college ball (football and basketball). We have no use for a domed stadium. We do need to spend money on an expanded convention center. It needs to be in downtown Bham - not Bessemer, Ensley, etc. - too far from the airport and the crime (perceived or real, doesn't matter which!) factor will keep them vacant. This is vital to attracting businesses to Bham. An entertainment district Why not build upon the McWayne Center/ Alabama Theater/ loft momentum and lure possible a Regal Theater chain downtown Then help smaller restaurants to open (rather than outside chains). Downtown is growing, but if the development is done as a master plan that utilizes an existing momementum and existing structures then calls on a mix of public and private investment, then this could be done for a fraction of the cost and it could be great revitalization. Just a thought. I have not heard of anything besides the domed stadium project to attract new business. That should be goal number one. Consistent revenue from taxes and more jobs will help with crime in the city. Scholarships are a nice idea, but not enough to keep kids in school. Laptops are useless unless the homes they go to have internet access. Spending money on programs to give the schools back to teachers in the middle and high school levels (promoting them from peace keepers to mentors) would be a good idea. Also, schools need programs to teach kids life skills - what is a mortgage, how to file taxes, how to go on a job interview, how to eveluate credit cards, etc. so they can have better lives. That would cost pretty much zero if mentoring programs from the communities themselves could be started. Solutions to problems start with good minds and plans. Money is not the solution to every problem. What I want from Municipal Santa Clause: Make sure our money is wisely spent Seek multiple sources of revenue (public and private) for municipal projects Spend more time and effort on a long range plan for the city and share the plan and how it came about with the public Get the input of the public and the affected parties (teachers, etc.) in making the plans for themFlag
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Name: David Andrew Dorn on Nov 29, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Nov 29, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Nov 29, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Mary B. Morgan on Nov 29, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Lucretia Page on Nov 29, 2007Comments: We and our city are in a lot of trouble if this gets railroaded in. Our new mayor does not seem to care about all our citizens. We all want change for the good of everyone - this is NOT the way to get there.Flag
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Name: Don Leo on Nov 29, 2007Comments: I think Larry needs to see how much money is being wasted in Birmingham before imposing more tax. Believe me, he can find it! Millions are wasted in Birmingham that are for nothing but stroking egos.Flag
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Name: Darrell O'Quinn on Nov 29, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Nov 29, 2007Comments: 1. Most importantly, a change of this kind in Birmingham's tax structure should take place via plebicite. Langford, et al should air & publish a detailed proposal in full sunshine; after a reasonable period of time, a vote by the people should take place. 2. Even if the people voted in favor of such a tax, sadly, Larry Langford's record on civic fund management/spending is atrocious, possibly even criminal. Why would we want put millions in the hands of such a person or the company he keeps 3. To raise the sales tax AND to double business license fees would be a twofold burden on many small business startups, compromising cash flow at both front & back ends. When 85% of small business fail in the first year (and half of those remaining in the second year), such a double whammy is not just a threat to a startup's survival, it's a slap in the face of business owners, often sole proprietors, who have invested a huge amount of their own personal resources in order to provide a service or product that most often doesn't turn a profit for several years. Finally, I disagree with the entire principle of raising taxes before making a concerted effort to CUT costs and wasteful spending in all areas first. If you're eating out six times a week and can't pay your power bill, maybe you should cut down to once a week before you ask your friends & relatives for a loan. Larry Langford obviously does not understand this basic budgeting principle, and I fear neither do his associates. Otherwise, they woud disassociate themselves with him and his foolery.Flag
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Name: Robert N. & Bethel P. Clayton on Nov 29, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Reynolds Shook on Nov 29, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: John A Finley on Nov 29, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Stella Brittain on Nov 29, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: James F Brittain, Jr on Nov 29, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Sherri Lamont on Nov 29, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: LK Howard on Nov 29, 2007Comments: I consider a domed stadium to be totally unnecessary for forward movement of this city.Flag
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Name: Robert E. Taylor on Nov 29, 2007Comments: We need a working infrastructure, not an expensive decoration.Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Nov 29, 2007Comments: Larry is another embarrassing joke for the CIty of Birmingham. I cannot believe this fool represents us. After ten years of living in thes city I am seriously thinking of moving as soon possible. So sad because I love living in Crestwood. It's the best place to raise a family. I am so afraid that this beautiful community is going to turn into another Fairfield or even worse, Ensley! What a shame!Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Nov 29, 2007Comments: Larry is another embarrassing joke for the CIty of Birmingham. I cannot believe this fool represents us. After ten years of living in thes city I am seriously thinking of moving as soon possible. So sad because I love living in Crestwood. It's the best place to raise a family. I am so afraid that this beautiful community is going to turn into another Fairfield or even worse, Ensley! What a shame!Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Jena Standard on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Michael Hardin on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Jeff Prince on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Danielle Greco on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Pamela Loudon on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Ann Lawrence on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Nov 30, 2007Comments: Sales tax is regressive, especially on the poor, who must pay it even on food. And it will drive large sellers out of town, like those who left years ago.Flag
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Name: Rob on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Paul Clarke on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Mary G. Crawford on Nov 30, 2007Comments: I want good things to happen for this city that I love; I simply have reservations about passing sales tax increases and doubling business licenses. A sales tax hurts the poor more than the middle classes. Please study this seriously before simply having a knee jerk non solution to our problems.Flag
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Name: Stephanie Lamphere on Nov 30, 2007Comments: Let's see what can be done within the existing budget with better leadership.Flag
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Name: D.E. Willson on Nov 30, 2007Comments: If Larry Langford says that everyone opposed to him should leave the City of Birmingham for the outlying municipalities, then I do believe I'll take him up on the offer. Hey, Larry -- quit acting like a child and start acting like a politician.Flag
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Name: D.E. Willson on Nov 30, 2007Comments: If Larry Langford says that everyone opposed to him should leave the City of Birmingham for the outlying municipalities, then I do believe I'll take him up on the offer. Hey, Larry -- quit acting like a child and start acting like a politician.Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Sister Jacqueline DeBone on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Susan Crow on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Sandra Melof on Nov 30, 2007Comments: If students have a good foundation in elementary and high school, they will qualify for scholarships that already exist. There is a wealth of scholarship money that is never utilized. I am totally opposed to the one cent sales tax increase also because it hurts the people who can afford it the least. The logic that Mayor Langord uses does not make any sense. He likes to portray himself as an advocate of the poor, but he has already hurt the poorest citizens of Jefferson County with a one cent sales tax increase when he was President of the Jefferson County Commission. I am anxious to see our city improve and move forward too, but I do not think this will accomplish what we need. We have lost so many businesses---how does the "if you don't like what we do, then move " attitude help us Leadership does not mean leading businesses out of the city.Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Leslie Deitch on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Jennifer Ford on Nov 30, 2007Comments: The high city taxes are part of what makes me shop outside of Birmingham as it is. You can believe I will do all my shopping elsewhere if this is passed. You won't get one extra cent out of me!Flag
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Name: Duane Pontius on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Nancy Whitt on Nov 30, 2007Comments: This is a regressive tax that hurts to poor. We need to raise property taxes. Somebody, please get some courage to do the right thing.Flag
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Name: Carolyn Collier on Nov 30, 2007Comments: Raising the tax for a dome we are not sure of is just too evasive. Birmingham is till working on getting more businesses downtown. Doubling business tawes will stop people from comsidering moving or starting their businesses downtown. The unity found in Birmingham will be the diversity of businesses who seek to work downtown. the dome is a nice idea but i have lived through the WFL,the Ice Hockey etc.. get the unity first and the reat will fall naturally. Thank you. Did the tax help FairfeildFlag
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Name: Carolyn Collier on Nov 30, 2007Comments: Raising the tax for a dome we are not sure of is just too evasive. Birmingham is till working on getting more businesses downtown. Doubling business tawes will stop people from comsidering moving or starting their businesses downtown. The unity found in Birmingham will be the diversity of businesses who seek to work downtown. the dome is a nice idea but i have lived through the WFL,the Ice Hockey etc.. get the unity first and the reat will fall naturally. Thank you. Did the tax help FairfeildFlag
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Name: Shirley M. Harding on Nov 30, 2007Comments: I just prefer that he wait a little bit before making these changes!! I would love to see an accountability of the money that has already been collected in the past. I really feel that he is trying to better the City but I do think we need to take it a little slower!!!Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Chris Kennedy on Nov 30, 2007Comments:Flag