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Five0 
Alabama Fan
Member since Dec 2009
3289 posts
 Online
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 4:26 pm to CaptainBrannigan)
quote:
Yep. I worked at a gas station in Fairfielf about 2005.
Small world, we have met if you worked nights. Which station.
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Tiger n Miami AU83 
Auburn Fan
Miami
Member since Oct 2007
25183 posts
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 4:35 pm to Five0)
Speaking of Fairfield, I worked at Hanna Steel the summer before starting to school at AU.
That was a fricking man's job in the steel factory during the summertime. Those were some tough bastards that worked there in that plant. Motivated me to bust my arse in school though. Really respected those dudes, but didn't want to go back to it after those 3 months.
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Five0
Alabama Fan
Member since Dec 2009
3289 posts
Online
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My old man worked at U.S. Steel in Fairfield. I started in law enforcement in Fairfield. Baptism by fire baby.
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Tiger n Miami AU83
Auburn Fan
Miami
Member since Oct 2007
25183 posts
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 4:46 pm to Five0)
quote:
law enforcement in Fairfield
quote:
Baptism by fire baby
Yep. 
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CrimsonTideMD
Alabama Fan
Member since Dec 2010
750 posts
Online
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 4:50 pm to Aubie Spr96)
quote:
Unfortunately, the city has been run into the ground since Arrington was mayor and turned down the Atlanta airport.
Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner.
Don't get me wrong, this very frank article is great. But it lacks some historical perspective. Is Larry Langford a crook and a grade-A POS. Absolutely. But he got that way learning from the master himself, Richard Arrington.
And just a little correction IIRC, the airport turned HIM down. Why? because that greedy corrupt bastard was trying to embezzle millions from the deal.
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ForeLSU 
LSU Fan
The Corner of Sanity and Madness
Member since Sep 2003
30358 posts
Online
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 5:26 pm to Alabama Slim)
quote:
who was head of the county commission when the sewer system was planned, and "bid"? what job did he hold after county commisioner? what political party was he affiliated with?
Republicans Gary White and Mary Buckelew, both white, were presidents when much of the planning and financing was taking place.
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RollTide4Ever
Alabama Fan
Nashville
Member since Nov 2006
8120 posts
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 5:30 pm to ForeLSU)
Arrington's ex-wife owns a funeral home business, she service my maternal grandmother's funeral.
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RollTide4Ever
Alabama Fan
Nashville
Member since Nov 2006
8120 posts
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My mom's roommate (early 60s in age) defended Langford the time I visited for X-mas, I almost went HAM on this fool. He thinks Sharpton is respectable. At least he agrees with "The Wire" stance on drugs.
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RollTide4Ever
Alabama Fan
Nashville
Member since Nov 2006
8120 posts
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 5:35 pm to RollTide4Ever)
How much of an issue was the flight, though? B'ham was always a heavily AA city.
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Alahunter
Alabama Fan
Member since Jan 2008
70772 posts
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 6:36 pm to RollTide4Ever)
quote:
How much of an issue was the flight, though? B'ham was always a heavily AA city
Not really. Norwood, off 31st street has some huge, antebellum style homes. Used to be a pretty ritzy part of town. Woodlawn was predominately white, as well as East Lake and Roebuck.
I remember as a kid, going to Irondale and Century Plaza and getting Chick fil a, as they only had businesses in malls at that time and it was predominately white at that time. East Lake had Cinema City 8, JC Penny and Pizitz and was a pretty nice shopping area. You also had restaurants like Catfish Cabin, Steak and Ale and a few others that at the time, were pretty good and helped anchor that area.
It's really amazing how much the Eastern side of town has changed over the years. Hell, we used to cruise Cinema City 8 and it'd take an hour to make a go around the parking lot. A stabbing ended that and everything moved up more into Roebuck, then eventually Center Point. And Center Point used to be predominately white as well.
East Lake was primarily older whites at the time. Once the majority began dying off, the families remaining sold or moved away, changing the demographic. I also remember cruising East Lake Park.
This post was edited on 3/1 at 6:58 pm
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Bayou
LSU Fan
Arizona Desert
Member since Feb 2005
22748 posts
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 6:49 pm to Alahunter)
Birmingham is a mere snapshot of where the rest of us are going unless leaders see and have a real desire to change from the entitlement mentality. America will be brought down from within at some point in time.
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CarrolltonTiger
LSU Fan
New Orleans
Member since Aug 2005
44012 posts
Online
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 7:00 pm to RollTide4Ever)
quote:
How much of an issue was the flight, though?
I think white flight is a result not a cause of the urban dysfunction.
quote:
B'ham was always a heavily AA city.
True they were a substantial minority for a long period, but when they were not voting and had no political power they really didn't influence governance in any meaningful way.
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bamafan1001
Alabama Fan
Member since Jun 2011
623 posts
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How many majority black run governments are peaceful, prosperous places?
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Five0
Alabama Fan
Member since Dec 2009
3289 posts
Online
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 7:20 pm to CarrolltonTiger)
quote:
Catfish Cabin
Oh man those hush puppies by the basket. 
quote:
I think white flight is a result not a cause of the urban dysfunction
Agreed
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RebJas
Alabama Fan
Suburbs of Birmingham
Member since Jan 2011
95 posts
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 7:25 pm to Alahunter)
Wow, you just brought back a lot of memories. I was just a kid, but it really seemed like a great city back then.
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Alahunter
Alabama Fan
Member since Jan 2008
70772 posts
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 7:30 pm to RebJas)
El Gringos was the best too. Used to stand in line an hour to get a table for their Deluxe Burrito Supreme. 
Any of yall remember the Bonanza on Center Point Pkwy? Did you know it was a Funeral Home before they went in? And then after again.
And I really miss the .25C Hamburger stand. We'd stop and get 10 for 2.50 and pig out. And then go to the street races on the Horse Track road, or on Hwy 11 or on 35th steet, or Industrial by Barbers.
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RebJas
Alabama Fan
Suburbs of Birmingham
Member since Jan 2011
95 posts
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 7:34 pm to Alahunter)
I vaguely remember the Bonanza. Definitely remember El Gringos.
I grew up in the Irondale/Eastwood area. I hate to see what parts of it have become.
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Alahunter
Alabama Fan
Member since Jan 2008
70772 posts
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 7:36 pm to RebJas)
I worked at Chuck Hutton Chevrolet not long out of HS doing mechanic work.
Back then, Service Merchandise was still around, and the Bowling Alley was still down in that mall where Walmart is now.
eta- East Lake Auto Sales was where everyone bought the nicest, unnew cars too back then it seemed. South East Lake had a really good baseball team back then too in youth sports.
This post was edited on 3/1 at 7:39 pm
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RollTide4Ever
Alabama Fan
Nashville
Member since Nov 2006
8120 posts
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 7:41 pm to Alahunter)
I don't think bham proper will turn around. The cities that are gentrifying usually tear projects down, bham recently renovated theirs. 
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RebJas
Alabama Fan
Suburbs of Birmingham
Member since Jan 2011
95 posts
| re: The Collapse of Birmingham (Posted on 3/1/13 at 7:44 pm to Alahunter)
You are blowing my mind!! Man, the memories.
If anybody is interested, there is a great website at www.birminghamrewound.com.
Lots of old pictures and stories there.
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