Tag Archives: Alabama

Regional cooperation for fuel savings

Birmingham’s current effort to go green, which currently includes initiatives like Mayor Langford’s 4-day work week and scrap metal recycling program, could be expanded soon to include a plan to implement a regional plan to use E85 fuel made from wood waste in the city’s 130 current fleet of flex fuel vehicles and other vehicles in the area’s three largest cities.

The mayor’s office let us know that he recently met with Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos and Mayor Ed May of Bessemer to discuss the possibility of developing just such a regional plan. According to the press release, Birmingham alone generates an estimated 16,000 tons of wood waste per year.

“One ton of wood waste generates an estimated 215 gallons of E85 fuel. Just based on that, this City could generate three times our annual fuel consumption,” said Mayor Langford.

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A look back: July 15

1961:

A paved quarter-mile track opened at the Birmingham International Raceway.

1997:

Compass Bank acquired Central Texas Bancorp of Waco, Texas.

Courtesy: Bhamwiki.com logo

Thanks for looking out, but…

I think we’d all say that we’re appreciate Staples wanting to look out for those in California not aware of the state’s new law that prohibits the use of cell phones while driving unless you’re using a hands free device.

What they probably don’t want to do though is scare a bunch of folks that aren’t being affected by it, especially those of us here in Alabama and the other 45 states where there is no such law (yet), as pointed out in this piece on The Consumerist.

Thanks for the tip, David.

Speaking of taxes…

Folks here in Birmingham don’t necessarily have to feel alone anymore when it comes to sales taxes. Earlier this month the City of Chicago raised the sales tax to 10.25%, making it the highest sales tax in the United States. That hasn’t been the only thing that’s gone up for Windy City inhabitants as pointed out in this report published in The University of Illinois at Chicago’s paper, The Chicago Flame.

Not sure what would happen if I had to pay an extra 13.25% on top of the price of a Grapico

There may be a city budget tomorrow (maybe)

It’s somewhat fitting that on Bastille Day, it looks like we’re about to see some fireworks coming from City Hall here in Birmingham, AL. That’s because late last night the Birmingham City Council announced that they would meet with representatives from Mayor Langford’s office to go over their latest budget proposal later today.

They also announced that they would be removing most of the mayor’s initiatives from the draft budget and  unanimously not accepting $1 million per councilor in discretionary funding promised to them by Langford during last year’s mayoral campaign. These moves could be because of reports that the tax increases enacted early during Langford’s term have not collected as much as first hoped.

A look back: July 14

1868:

Alabama was officially re-admitted into the United States of America. Robert M. Patton ceeded Governorship to William H. Smith.

2006:

Former Bishop of Alabama George M. Murray died.

Courtesy: Bhamwiki.com logo

It was a good idea

I’m heading to my Friday morning meeting with Whitney and I noticed an interesting site:

Workers removing signs announcing the pending arrival of New Vulcan Ale House. acnatta/Flickr

acnatta/Flickr.

After checking with the crew, they confirmed my worst fears. It seems that the New Vulcan Ale House won’t be opening after all. No official word on what actually happened though we’re sure that folks around town will be quite upset by this development. You may want to check out their MySpace profile for more information.