Montgomery, Birmingham ranked among America’s most affordable big cities
Alabama boasts two of the most affordable big cities America according to a new study by financial technology company SmartAsset. Their latest study ranks more than 150 of America’s biggest cities to find the most affordable. Montgomery comes in at the number six spot, meanwhile Birmingham ranks as the 15th most affordable. These cities are measured on factors including property taxes, homeowners’ insurance and mortgage payments relative to median income. Specifically, SmartAsset found the total cost over five years of these four expenses—closing costs, taxes, insurance and mortgage payments—for the average home in every city in the U.S. with a population greater than 200,000. Then they took that five-year cost as a proportion of median household income in each city to determine affordability.
Anonymous Alabama man donates $6,000 in change to Summer Fund & Food Drive
Summer Fund and Food Drive to benefit the Montgomery Area Food Bank received a surprising $6,000 donation from an anonymous Alabama man on Friday. According to WSFA 12 News the man drove up during the Friday event and “dropped off four boxes and two buckets, got back into his truck and drove away.” When event officials began sorting the boxes they realized they were not filled with food, but rather coins including gold dollars, totaling a whopping $6,022.15. While the event’s sponsors are unsure of who the man was, they told WFSA 12 they would love to thank him for his generosity. The annual event is a partnership between WSFA 12 News and the Montgomery Area Food Bank benefitting the food bank, which according to its website is a ” non-profit, doing everything possible to combat hunger and food insecurity in 35 of Alabama’s 67 counties through a framework of philanthropic, logistic and educational programs.”
New report ranks Montgomery #1 in Alabama for new jobs
2016 was strong year statewide for economic development, with 400 projects across diverse industries resulting in 14,707 new jobs and $4.2B in capital investment gained for the Yellowhammer State. According to the 2016 New & Expanding Industry Report, released by Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Commerce Department, Montgomery county tops the list for creating jobs. With 1,704 jobs announced by new and expanding companies last calendar year, Montgomery led every other county in the state. “Local communities depend on the Alabama Department of Commerce and the Governor to be our lead partners in economic development for the vital role they play in recruiting and retaining industries. These results show that the partnership is working,” said Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange. Montgomery County Commission Chairman Elton Dean added, “We depend on the Chamber to be the economic development arm of the County and the City. When we speak here, we speak with one voice. And these announced new and expanding companies see the tremendous value in that.” Also highlighted in the report, Montgomery ranked second in terms of the number of economic development projects announced last year with a total of 42, and fourth in terms of the new capital investment those announcements generated, at $371 million. David Reed, Montgomery Chamber Chairman added the Chamber’s economic development strategy to diversify the regional economy and recruit and retain talent plays a major role in the rankings released on Wednesday. “You are seeing the results of a great public-private team, that is committed to creating jobs and opportunities for Montgomery and the River Region,” said Reed. “Integral to that effort is our invaluable partnership with the Alabama Department of Commerce and we look forward to continued success with the support of Governor Ivey, a long-time champion for jobs in Alabama.”
Alabama’s ‘Big 5’ mayors lay out agenda for state lawmakers
When the mayors from Alabama’s five largest cities formed an alliance in 2014, they knew there was power in numbers when it came to creating a strategy for developing a better relationship with legislators and improving their cities. After all, when you combine Montgomery, Mobile, Birmingham, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa, you’ve accounted for nearly one third of Alabama’s population. Now, nearly four years later, the “Big 5” mayors still get together four times a year to strategize on how to best improve their cities. Last week’s “Big 5” meeting was no different, when Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Birmingham Mayor William Bell, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson and Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange met with Governor Kay Ivey, along with key cabinet members and state legislative leadership, to discuss several priorities with lawmakers this legislative session. “We recognize the impact policies crafted at the state level have on our cities and communities, and as leaders of local governments, we remain close to the people and know what policies will work and which ones will not,” said Battle. “We’re here to ensure our voices are heard. We look forward to working with the Governor’s office and State Legislature to craft policies that benefit our communities, promote economic development and provide a higher quality of life for citizens.” Meeting in Montgomery on Thursday, the group said maintaining and improving Alabama’s infrastructure tops their list of collective concerns since it is essential to economic development. While cities allocate larger portions of their budgets to local infrastructure, state and federally controlled highways, byways and interchanges must keep up with the demands of commerce — and that falls on the state Legislature. In keeping with the jobs and economic development theme, the mayors urged legislators to pass a bill renewing the historic tax credit, a proven component to cities’ growth and development. They also encouraged increasing the cap available for economic development in the Alabama Jobs Act. Watch a press conference from the “Big 5” meeting below:
Email insights: Martha Roby’s recap from the road
Monday night, Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby emailed constituents a newsletter with updates of what she was up to during this last week’s District work period. From visiting Tallassee High School’s new CTE facility to hanging out with the Girl Scouts to meeting with Dr. Carl Stockton, the new Chancellor of Auburn University at Montgomery — it’s safe to say, Roby was very busy while away from Washington, D.C. Read Roby’s full newsletter below: Friends, You might have seen on Facebook that I was busy traveling the district last week. It was an eventful, productive week, and I’m so glad I was able to visit with so many of my constituents. February is Career Technical Education Celebration Month in Alabama, so I used my time in the district last week to stop by a couple of high school CTE facilities and learn more about the work they’re doing. My first stop of the week was at Tallassee High School’s new CTE facility. I was so impressed! The school is really accomplishing big things for CTE in the area, and I’m proud of their new developments. While I was there, I spoke to a group of seniors about the importance of setting and reaching goals. Later in the week I visited Geneva High School’s CTE facility and enjoyed a delicious breakfast prepared by some of the students. I really appreciated this invitation and the students’ hard work. LUNCH WITH THE LIONS CLUB While in Tallassee, I had lunch with the Tallassee Lions Club. We covered a lot of topics, including my exciting new committee assignments and the opportunities I’ll have moving forward. I appreciate being invited to their meeting, and I hope to visit them again soon. MEETINGS IN MONTGOMERY Last week I also spent a lot of time meeting with constituents in my Montgomery office. It was especially great to meet with Girl Scout Troop 9141 – those young girls asked some really thought-provoking questions. I know they’ll grow up to be outstanding leaders in our communities. Dr. Carl Stockton, the new Chancellor of Auburn University at Montgomery, also came by my office last week. I was very impressed with what he had to say, and I really enjoyed our visit! I’m confident that he will serve AUM admirably in this role. AN AFTERNOON IN ANDALUSIA I spent part of an afternoon in Covington County where I spoke to the Andalusia Civitan Club at their weekly meeting. It was great to see some smiling, familiar faces! THE WEEK AHEAD As you may know, President Trump will address a Joint Sessions of Congress for the first time tomorrow night at 8:00 Central Time. I’m looking forward to hearing the President’s address, and I think it comes at a good time because the nation needs to see the Commander-in-Chief address Congress and understand that their government is working. I’m looking forward to hearing the President talk about defeating the global terrorist threat, securing our borders, and improving the economy. This is an exciting occasion. For six years we have sat and listened to lofty lectures from President Obama, and I have a feeling tomorrow night will be much different. I encourage everyone to watch. Keep up with all the action on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! It’s an honor to serve you in Congress. Please let me know if I can ever be of assistance to you. Sincerely, Martha Roby
State taking control of Montgomery schools
The state is taking control of the troubled public school system in Alabama’s capital. The state school board voted unanimously Thursday to clear the way for a state takeover of Montgomery’s public school system. The move means the Alabama Department of Education will intervene is as many as roughly two dozen failing schools. Local officials will continue overseeing schools that are doing better. The Montgomery Advertiser reports that State Superintendent Michael Sentance addressed the gap in financial terms. He says top schools often spend about $20,000 more annually on teachers than failing schools. He says beginning teachers often are hired at poorly performing schools. The state takeover is expected to last three to five years. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Ronda Walker: Happy Birthday Montgomery County
U.S. Army officer Lemuel P. Montgomery founded Montgomery County, Alabama in 1816 in what was then the Mississippi Territory. Montgomery County is older than the state of Alabama and has seen many changes over the past 200 years. The Montgomery County Commission spent all of 2016 celebrating the county’s bicentennial. The Commission has recognized the individuals that served and sacrificed to explore, develop and grow our county over the past two centuries. Among the activities done to honor the county this year: our school children made giant birthday cards and presented them to the Commission, local students designed and built a lovely metal statue, there was a celebration at our local fair, and county employees walked two hundred miles during the spring, and ESPN invited the Commissioners onto the field for recognition during the Camellia Bowl. As current residents of this beautiful land, it is our privilege and responsibility to build on what we have been given and to lay the foundation for the growth that will occur over the next 200 years. I was raised in Montgomery in the 1970s and 1980s and spent my youth playing softball, going on church trips, cheerleading for my public school, and participating in YMCA programs like Youth Legislature. My middle class family was loving and supportive and I was blessed with a simple but idyllic childhood. Since then I’ve lived in several U.S. states and in the metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C. and Honolulu, Hawaii and enjoyed my time in each place. But I’m glad I’ve come full circle and am raising my children in Montgomery. I desire for them to have all of the things I did… and much more. Montgomery has a small town feel with some wonderful big city amenities. If my husband and I want to dine at a nice restaurant we have multiple options. We can enjoy live theater at the nationally acclaimed Alabama Shakespeare Festival. The symphony and ballet offer spectacular entertainment. Or we can enjoy local theater at the Cloverdale Playhouse. Experiencing a night with the Montgomery Biscuits – our Double A baseball team – is a favorite pastime of thousands locally. The Shoppes at Eastchase offer anything your retail heart desires. For my children there is little league, the zoo, movie theaters, and museums. Our economic engines like Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Coca-Cola United, and the many farms that dot the rural landscape blend nicely with our perennial powerhouses like Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, state government agencies, and the many colleges and universities in our area. But I believe Montgomery’s best resource is her people. Smart, genuine, hard-working individuals who have a deep faith and desire to serve. When your family welcomes a new baby, or you have an unexpected surgery, or when you experience a personal loss you can know someone will be on your front porch with a casserole within the day. Going out of town? Just ask a neighbor to check your mail and keep an eye on your home. Neighborhood associations throughout the county are strong and create small communities that watch out for each other. Walk downtown and you’ll get plenty of “hey y’alls” and doors held open. It’s a friendly, easy place to live. But it would be disingenuous of me not to mention that the people of Montgomery have unique challenges, many related to our past. When we insisted on separating black people and white people in public spaces and we justified denying an entire race of citizens their rights, we set the stage for future divisiveness and strife. When white Montgomerians nailed signs onto the walls of shops indicating what your skin color had to be to drink from a certain water fountain we set ourselves up for brokenness. Although my hands never held a hammer or drove a nail, my white-skinned family pays the price for the sins of our forefathers. Older black residents remember well the days of hatred, lost opportunity, and at times despicable brutality. For some, that brokenness manifests itself now in anger and distrust. However, many blacks of the 1960s generation see a new hope and vision for Montgomery. Although borne of a divide, we are a new Montgomery, a stronger Montgomery. Montgomery County is now majority black and our leadership has transitioned from predominantly white male to a strong blend of black, white, male, female, young and old. While some see the shifting demographics as a negative most, like myself, see it as a tremendous opportunity. As a new generation of Montgomery comes of age and rises to new leadership roles, we have an opportunity to show the nation how we can live together and succeed together as brothers and sisters so that we do not perish as fools. We will build the strongest community not just in the South, but the entire nation and we will do it as a blended microcosm of all that is great in our country, not as a segregated enclave reflecting an aged and unnecessary monolith. We will show our neighbors how people from different backgrounds, different generations, different races, genders, and social circles can come together and infuse our community with the best that every individual has to offer. Education, economic growth and crime are the issues of greatest concern for individuals across our nation and Montgomery is no different. Montgomerians will not bow to the negative rhetoric and disdain from those who prefer to sit comfortably shouting about problems rather than digging deep for solutions. We will focus on individuals and building relationships and from those relationships we will problem solve together. We will rise above our past and create a future many cannot imagine. Yes we have our mountains to climb, but if we will lay aside our individual agendas and consider the needs of future generations we will succeed. We cannot get stuck dwelling on our problems, rather we must work on solutions to critical issues such as expanding broadband access in the county and marketing our new Montgomery
Montgomery makes the short list for F-35s stealth fighter jets
The U.S. Air Force announced Wednesday Montgomery-based 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field Air Guard Station could be the future home to roughly 18 F-35s. The airfield is one of five installations still under consideration. Before the Air Force makes its final decision there will be an Environmental Impact Study along with a public comment period. The entire decision process could take up to two years. If selected, the F-35s might not arrive at Dannelly Field until 2021 or 2022. Alabama 7th District. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell has been among those in Alabama advocating the 187th and Dannelly Field for the F-35 assignment. “I am excited that the 187th Fighter Wing, located at Dannelly Field, has made it through the first round of cuts by the Air Force to receive the coveted new Joint Strike Fighters,” said Sewell. “The 187th Fighter Wing has an unparalleled legacy of excellence worthy of praise and our continued investment.” Sewell continued, “I continue to be a strong advocate for the 187th National Guard unit in my district. As a Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I have a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities that confront our nation. As such, I understand the importance of the 187th being awarded these new fighter jets to our mission of maintaining air-superiority and providing effective air-cover for our men and women deployed in combat zones.” Sewell’s not the only Alabama politician fighting for the the F-35s. 2nd District. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby is also dedicated to bringing the jet fighters to the Yellowhammer State. “Alabama’s 187th Fighter Wing is an excellent candidate for the F-35 program, which is evident by its placement on this short list,” Roby opined. “The F-35’s next-generation capabilities will give American aviators unquestioned air superiority in combat situations around the globe, and I have no doubt the men and women of the 187th will excel in their mission if selected for this program. The 187th Fighter Wing has long been a point of pride for our state, from its impressive combat track record in recent conflicts to its proud history as the legacy unit of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen.” According to Sewell, beyond being a point of pride for the state, the selection of the Dannelly Field would make a positive economic impact on River Region’s economy. “It is also imperative that the 187th remains a viable installation as an economic driver for the River Region,” Sewell explained. “State estimates show that the military footprint in Alabama provides 177,000 direct and indirect jobs and an economic impact totaling $17 billion, 12% of the State’s GDP. Consequently, changes to the force or structure of the military in Alabama are felt across the State, and particularly in areas where installations are located, such as Montgomery, Alabama.” The F-35 is the military’s most cutting-edge war machine that will eventually replace many Cold War-era fighters like the F-16 currently flown by the 187th. The other bases being considered are Jacksonville Air Guard Station in Florida, Gowen Field in Idaho, Truax Field Air Guard Station in Wisconsin and Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan.
Terri Sewell: A defining legacy of excellence worth protecting — the 187th Air National Guard Fighter Wing
Alabama is a state rich with tradition and legacies of excellence. Yet, one that stands out is the legacy of military excellence exhibited by the 187th Air National Guard Fighter Wing, located at Dannelly Field in Montgomery, Alabama. The 187th Air National Guard Fighter Wing has an unparalleled legacy of excellence worthy of praise and worth protecting for the future. Currently, the guard unit is a prime candidate to fly the new F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, known as the Joint Strike Fighter. The 187th currently flies the oldest F-16s in the U.S. Air Force’s inventory; however, it is among eighteen Air National Guard units competing for the coveted new aircraft. The Alabama delegation in Congress is unanimous and steadfast in our support of the 187th Air National Guard Fighter Wing winning this new assignment. Nothing helps us make the case more than the long history of outstanding military service that has been the proud legacy of the 187th The 187th Fighter Wing has a proven combat track record and an unparalleled military heritage. It is home to the 100th Fighter Squadron – the famed “Red Tails.” This squadron’s linage traces back to World War II and the renowned Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first black military pilots and support personnel. The 187th benefits from being a key strategic resource – only five miles from Maxwell Air Force Base, and twenty-five minutes flying time from Eglin, Tyndall, Hurlburt, and Moody Air Force Bases. This presents numerous opportunities for joint air-to-air and air-to-ground training. F-35 pilots of the 187th may also utilize the electronic ranges on Eglin AFB. This is all contingent, however, on the unit being outfitted with the new fighter jets. During my tenure in office, I have been and will continue to be a stalwart advocate for this vital national resource located in my district. As a Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I have a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities that confront our nation. I am also keenly aware that the world we live in is filled with potential threats that are constantly developing and changing. We have to remain ever vigilant and be prepared to not only confront ongoing threats but those emerging as well. A major key to our success requires that we maintain air-superiority and provide effective air- cover for our men and women deployed in combat zones. This is the defining legacy of the 187th from World War II to today. Given its rich history and superior service to this nation, the 187th Air National Guard Fighter Wing stands poised and well-equipped to bring the next generation of air power to the Alabama Air National Guard. ••• Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is beginning her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She is a member of the exclusive House Committee on Financial Services and the distinguished House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence where she serves as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on the Department of Defense Intelligence and Overhead Architecture. Rep. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and sits on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She serves as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and is Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.
RNC commemorates Rosa Parks and the Montgomery, Ala. bus boycott
Dec. 5 marks the 61st anniversary of the Montgomery, Ala. bus boycott, which began in the days following Rosa Parks‘ arrest after she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man, as was the custom for the time period in 1955. The boycott lasted 381 and garnering national attention and ultimately leading to the landmark 1956 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that outlawed segregation on public transportation. On Monday, the Republican National Committee (RNC) Co-Chair Sharon Day released a statement commemorating the anniversary of 1955-1956 boycott. “Rosa Parks’ courage on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in December 1955 helped fuel one of the great demonstrations for freedom and equality in our nation’s history,” Day wrote. “Her stand for human dignity and equality lit the spark of conscience in citizens across Montgomery, leading to a bus boycott which dealt a blow to injustice and drew national attention to the burgeoning civil rights movement. By refusing to take the bus, freedom-minded people across that city made a 381-day declaration that liberty was of infinitely greater importance than any convenience in getting where they had to go. Today we commemorate the Montgomery bus boycott, a bold act of conviction which helped put segregation to death and moved America one step closer to completely honoring the Declaration of Independence’s truism that “all men are created equal.”
Don’t ignore Jeff Sessions’ good work for black communities, Salon article warns
Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions may have taken some questionable stances on race in the past, but boiling down his career to those instances is selling him short according to an article published in Salon. Back in 2001, Sessions helped an impoverished, predominantly black Lowndes County, Alabama, by directing Environmental Protection Agency funds to the area to install new septic tanks. The area was home to 37 families facing arrest or eviction due to health regulation violations, and the $12,000 cost of installing a new septic system was well beyond the reach of the residents, whose average income is around $20,000 a year. Lowndes County holds 43 miles of the 54-mile 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, and despite dozens of black leaders marching through the area annually, the area had to turn to Sessions for help. Sessions also moved to bring jobs to the area by approving $4 million in grants for secondary auto suppliers to set up shop after Hyundai Corp. opened a $1 billion manufacturing plant just 6 miles from the Lowndes County border. The longtime Senator also hosted a Capitol Hill meeting with corporate and policy representatives that resulted in Microsoft donating more than $65,000 worth of software to install on PCs in computer centers built for the county’s low-income residents.
Rosa Parks wouldn’t give up her seat on the bus, 61 years ago today
61 years ago today, on Dec. 1, 1955, while riding home from her job as a department-store seamstress Rosa Parks became a part of American history when she refused to give up her seat for a white man on a public bus in Montgomery, Ala. “Upon arrival the bus driver said he had a colored female sitting in the white section of the bus, and would not move back,” the responding police officers said in their report. The 42-year-old Parks was taken to the Montgomery jail where she was charged with violating the city’s segregation law. Her act of civil disobedience prompted a 381-day boycott of the Montgomery bus system organized by Martin Luther King Jr. that garnered national attention and ultimately led to the landmark 1956 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that outlawed segregation on public transportation. Affectionately deemed “the mother of the civil rights movement” Parks was often quoted as saying she refused to give up her seat that day because she was “tired.” Undeniably she was tired, though she later explained it was not physical fatigue alone, but also weariness of spirit that led her to stand her ground that fateful December Thursday. “People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true,” Parks said in her 1992 book, Rosa Parks: My Story. “I was not tired physically, or no more tired than I usually was at the end of a working day. I was not old, although some people have an image of me as being old then. I was 42. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” Parks remained in Montgomery until 1957, when she and her husband moved out of the state following unbearable harassment and death threats. She died in 2005 at the age of 92 and went on to become the 30th person Congress honored by having her coffin sit in the Capitol Rotunda in recognition of her contribution to advancing civil and human rights. She was the first woman accorded the privilege. “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear,” said Parks in the 2000 book Quiet Strength: the Faith, the Hope, and the Heart of a Woman Who Changed a Nation.
