Audit: Jefferson County needs to restructure or reorganize
Birmingham News – April 5
… Robert Brooks, professor of financial management at the University of Alabama, said that, “looking back,” the county might have been better off filing bankruptcy in 2008 or 2009. “They would have started out anew, sort of cleaned house, and this thing would be way behind us by now,” Brooks said. “Until you get this thing cleaned up and behind you, it’s very difficult for Birmingham to move on.” Brooks said a bankruptcy would not stigmatize the state of Alabama and hurt businesses. “I’m always amazed at the short memory of institutional money,” Brooks said…
Group asks Bentley to explain Partlow decision
Tuscaloosa News – April 5
The Arc of Alabama has asked Gov. Robert Bentley to attend a meeting today to explain why the planned closing date of the W.D. Partlow Developmental Center in Tuscaloosa is now indefinite…William Stewart, a retired political science professor at the University of Alabama, said the issue tests Bentley’s ability to handle demands of various constituencies. “I think he’s got to avoid giving the impression he’s backing down from the commitment to close Partlow since he said it’s in the best interest of patients,” Stewart said. He said Bentley’s decision to visit Partlow shows he’s “not unsympathetic to the problems of employees.”
Bookmarks: News and notes
Jacksonville (Fla.) Times-Union – April 4
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the University of Alabama School of Law has created the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. Any book-length work that “exemplifies the role of lawyers in society” published in 2010 is eligible. The winner will receive a rare autographed copy of her famous book. Hurry, the deadline is Thursday. See harperleeprize.org for more information.