Editorial: West Side Story - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: West Side Story

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  • Editorials

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 

  • Thursday, May 9 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-09 23:20:06 GMT
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
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As a manager of a 55 year old business on Montgomery's west side, it is good to see some focused attention on our area.

The heart of any city is its downtown and Montgomery's well on its way to making it special.

The east end of the city continues to grow tremendously.

But all parts of the city must be special and west end neglect can't continue.

We applaud and support a recently unveiled West Montgomery initiative to revitalize the Fairview Avenue section of this area - the gateway to the city. 

It is what folks see first and it should be a positive sight.

Creating a West Fairview Tax Incremental Finance District will help with reinvestment in the area. 

It's time to grow the city's tax base by jump starting declining neighborhoods and making it attractive for businesses to invest.

Enhancing police presence, improving affordable housing options and living conditions and cleaning up obvious eyesores in the west end are all key to making this initiative work. 

The Governor's Mansion sits in the heart of the West End of the City.

As the symbol of a prosperous Alabama, we need it to be surrounded by prosperity.