Birmingham City Council Delegation attends Congressional Black Caucus Conference
Members of the Birmingham City Council were in Washington DC last week for the Annual Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference. During this conference, our Councilors had the opportunity to meet with elected officials from all over the country and with Alabama's congressional leadership. The focus of these one-on-one meetings is to hone in on strategies to address issues like public safety, education, economic accessibility and the issues that matter to our residents.
"In recent years, Birmingham has continued to make progress on issues of racial equality and social justice," Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander said. "One of the main priorities we've had lately is creating workforce development and career opportunities for our residents. This is vital in helping to break the cycle of poverty and provide pathways to economic mobility. Time has shown us that dismantling the mechanisms of prejudice and inequality takes a collective effort, and cannot be accomplished overnight. And these meetings with our federal partners are a big part of that strategy."
Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander talks Commitment to Community with UAB
Home to 17 of Birmingham’s 99 neighborhoods, District 7 is located just south of I-20/59 and west of I-65. It is where [Councilor Wardine] Alexander was born and where she lives today.
"A lot of us now live in the homes that we grew up in and is also home to our kids and our grandkids – so my dedication to service has centered around the revitalization of our community,” she said. “We do not just talk about the issues. We work together to find solutions. We have some very dedicated neighborhood leaders. We have people who have lived here for most of their lives. I serve to make sure we continue to improve our quality of life.”
Alexander began her career as a certified medical technologist who specialized in blood banking, and this included a stint as president of the Alabama State Association of Blood Banks.
But with both parents serving in education – her mom was school secretary at Birmingham’s historic Tuggle Elementary which was founded in 1903 – it was inevitable she would move toward education.
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Phase Two of Birmingham's recycling program has now started
Phase two of the city’s recycling cart program officially began on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. The Department of Public Works crews began service of the 4,500 new 64-gallon recycling bins that were delivered to residents across the city. This is part of the city’s initiative to support the reduction of waste sent to landfills, conserve natural resources, and prevent pollution. The carts in this phase were made possible thanks to a grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
The first phase of the city’s recycling initiative kicked off in 2020 with a pilot program. In this current phase, carts were made available citywide and distributed to those who signed up. Those who did not sign up in time to participate will be added to a waiting list for Phase 3, which is scheduled to begin in 2025.
Here are some tips to remember while participating in the new recycling cart program:
All the recipients of the new cart were emailed and notified about the new program, rules of engagement, and its start date. Residents who signed up but did not receive a notification either did not provide an email address during their registration or the one they provided was incorrect. Please reach out to recycle@birminghamal.gov for details.
Recycling pick-up takes place on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. However, if a holiday falls during one of those weeks, the schedule could be adjusted.
Those who typically recycle, but did not receive a new cart, should put their items out as they usually do.
The free carts are only available for Birmingham residents, and only one cart is available per household. Businesses or residents of multi-dwelling units are not eligible to participate.
Calls regarding missed recycling should be reported to 311.
For non-emergency notifications from the city, text BHAMREADY to 888-777.
Email questions to recycle@birminghamal.gov. For more information on what’s allowed for recycling and what is not, visit www.birminghamal.gov/recycle.
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