By William C. Singleton III For Over the Mountain cities, 2017 brings with it new faces in government, new construction projects, new dilemmas to solve and new hopes. Three new mayors lead Hoover, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills into the new year. Those mayors, as well as new council members, will get a heavy dose of life in city government as they try to fulfill the needs … [Read more...]
Closing the Trunk: Rosenberger’s to Close After 120 Years
By Lee Davis For 120 years, few family businesses have been more intertwined with the history of the Birmingham community than Rosenberger’s Birmingham Trunk Factory. Founded by J.D. Rosenberger in 1897, the company originally specialized in luggage, leather goods and travel items. Its logo – an elephant placing one foot on top of a trunk – became an iconic symbol. Through … [Read more...]
Getting a Head Start: New Hoover Mayor Brocato Turns His Attention to Schools, Development Plans
By William C. Singleton IIINew Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato had his eye on the top spot in city government even while he served as the city’s operations fire chief and fire marshal.“I always knew I wanted to run for the mayor of Hoover,” he said. “I felt like I was an ambassador for Hoover, but I was in the Fire Department. I love telling people about our city and all the … [Read more...]
Meet Me at The Met: New Sports Complex Retains The Met Name, Adds a Nod to Former Berry Coach
By William C. Singleton IIIThe planned $80 million sports complex has a new name. In fact, it has two.The overall facility will be called the Hoover Metropolitan Complex. The 155,000-square-foot indoor multiple-purpose center will be called The Finley Center, after the late Bob Finley, a Berry High School football coach.The complex will include the indoor center … [Read more...]
Supporters Say Passage of Amendment 14 Essential to Growth
By Lee Davis Everywhere you go, there is a lot of talk about the 2016 election. While the hotly contested presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump may be gathering the lion’s share of attention, there’s a vote much closer to home that could have a direct effect on all Over the Mountain municipalities. A proposed amendment to the Alabama Constitution would … [Read more...]