Population shrinks in W. Alabama
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 26
…The losses are part of the larger trend in Alabama of shrinking populations in rural areas and growth in urban areas, said Annette Watters, demographer for the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research. No county in the state’s Black Belt, an economically depressed region that includes some West Alabama counties, gained people. “The last decade has been unkind to rural counties, and it was a hard decade economically,” she said. “When people can’t find work, they move.”…
Don’t expect Wisconsin-like union battles in Alabama
Anniston Star – Feb. 26
… William Stewart, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Alabama, agreed with Cryer, saying teacher benefits in Alabama were not subject to bargaining. “Healthcare benefits are not something that is subject to contractual obligations,” Stewart said. “Wisconsin (state) employees have rights ones in Alabama don’t have. It’s an important right to have as an employee.”…
Which lawmakers are poised to lead?
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 26
… “One of the main things I will be looking for when the 2011 regular session begins is to see if the change in party control after 136 years really makes all that much difference as far as legislative productivity is concerned,” retired University of Alabama political science professor William Stewart said recently… Stewart said many formerly powerful legislators such as Sen. Lowell Barron, a Democrat from Fyffe, were replaced by new Republicans who won’t have the clout unless parliamentary and other personal skills enable them to rise to positions of influence. Besides controlling the House and Senate, a Republican, Kay Ivey, is the new lieutenant governor, the first Republican lieutenant governor with a party majority. “Since Republicans have such a heavy majority, she probably won’t need to resort to some of the tactics her predecessor at times used to ensure that the will of the Democratic majority carried the day,” Stewart said.
Bentley concerned over state’s finances
Gadsden Times – Feb. 26
… “Our new governor comes to his office with a background of two terms of mostly unpublicized service in the House of Representatives,” said retired University of Alabama political science professor William Stewart. “Those of us who spend a lot of time observing goings-on in Montgomery will be looking to see what influence he is able to exercise over the legislative process,” Stewart said. Bentley said he’ll try to protect school funding that will keep teachers in classrooms. “I’m not sure (of the cuts) on the General Fund side and don’t know how agencies will respond when we cut them as much as we have to cut,” he said…
Birmingham ball park could take root near civic center
Birmingham News – Feb. 26
… Arthur Allaway, a University of Alabama professor of marketing whose specialties include new product development, regional growth and consumer choice, said both sites are suitable for the stadium. “In terms of access, it shouldn’t be much different,” he said. “You’re still off an interstate highway and you’re still accessible from most parts of Birmingham. If you’re there at the BJCC, then you could do some cross-promotions. It’s not a bad location.” But when it comes to land negotiations, Allaway said governments walk a line of needing to promote projects while retaining some confidentiality to preserve fair land values. When it comes to property near Railroad Park, Allaway said the city should be prepared to pay more than the listed value of the land but a fair price reflective of the area’s growing popularity…
History professor recognized for Civil War book
Crimson White – Feb. 28
University of Alabama History Professor Howard Jones received an honorable mention for the 2011 Lincoln Prize for his book, “Blue and Gray Diplomacy: A History of Union and Confederate Foreign Relations.” The Lincoln Prize, which is sponsored by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and Gettysburg College, will be awarded in a May 11 ceremony at the Union League Club in New York City…Kari Frederickson, chairwoman of the history department, said she was extremely proud of Jones’ being rewarded the Lincoln Prize Honorable Mention. “To receive Honorable Mention for the Lincoln Prize is a tremendous accomplishment,” Frederickson said. “The Lincoln Prize is one of the most prestigious awards given for works in American history. This award further confirms that Dr. Jones is among the top scholars in his field.”…
Moundville offers summer internships for students
Crimson White – Feb. 28
There are seven sites that compose The University of Alabama Museums. Some of them are on campus, such as the Gorgas House and the Alabama Museum of Natural History in Smith Hall. Others, such as the newly renovated Jones Museum at Moundville Archaeological Park, can be visited off campus…Bill Bomar, director of Moundville Park, teaches a museum studies course through New College and the Department of American Studies. “Several of my students have completed internships [at Moundville] or have volunteered to help with exhibit maintenance or public programming,” Bomar said. “We have a number of UA students who volunteer each year at the Moundville Native American Festival. This is a huge annual event, held the first week of October, usually attended by about 12,000 people over four days…Robert Clouse, director of the Office of Archaeological Research, said students have contributed to the advancement of Moundville and there has also been an increase in student involvement at the park. “As part of the overall renovation we had to archaeological research,” Clouse said, “A number of archaeology students—students from the anthropology department—were hired to do archaeological research. Since then there have been students who have been serving as docents or volunteers in the museum. We oftentimes hire students [in the Office of Archaeological Research] to be involved in archaeological research. “There’s considerable potential for [involvement for] people that have an interest in museum studies or maybe even in marketing,” he said. “We had essentially no student involvement [prior to the renovation].”…
Poetry slam comes to the Bama Theatre
Crimson White – Feb. 28
The Bama Theatre is opening its doors to all local poets Tuesday night for its first ever poetry slam. The event starts at 7:30 p.m., but anyone interested in signing up to participate is encouraged to get there early because there will be only 12 available slots due to time constraints…The host for the poetry slam will be Abraham Smith, a poet and professor at the University. He is well known in Tuscaloosa for his part in bringing Poetry Out Loud, a national high school poetry competition, to schools in Tuscaloosa…