Northern Hills Homeowner's Association

Does this sound familiar?

Feb 26, 2001

I would like to pose a question.

I have been an aviation/community activist for the past three years here in Birmingham, Alabama. For many of the people, acquisition is their demand. The community at large has been irreversibly destroyed and many of the residents now live in fear, isolation and desolation.

We have been moving, though slowly, toward retaining legal council to possibly file a discrimination lawsuit against both our airport and the city.

Four months ago, the mayor agreed to appoint a task force to study the situation, which has been been ongoing for the last 30+ years. He appointed 5 neighborhood presidents (some of who the residents objected to), 4 outspoken residents, 5 real estate agents and one representative from the county health department. I, myself was appointed to this task force as an outspoken resident.

At first I was excited to be getting some sort of response to our three years of vocal and written please. However, it is becoming apparent that this task force was founded on the first rule of politics - ''if they complain, establish a task force and appoint them to it to control their voices''. In fact, two nights ago, the mayor gave me an ultimatium that if our organization made any legal move against the Airport, he would remove all those from the task force that were a part of it.

I am at an impass. I can vaguely understand his position, however, I disagree with the nature of his request. In the beginning, he was appalled being mayor only for the last year and not being aware of the past indescretions) and vowed to do all he could. Now he is all political positioning and double talk. Not to mention he is praising himself for his efforts on our behalf (no evidence is apparent).

I am not a politician and don't know which way to go on this issue.

Should I put my faith in what the mayor is saying and back down or what? I am desperate for some advice?

Sincerely,

Kimberly S Rafferty
Airport Neighbors United Coalition
Birmingham, Alabama