September 5, 2024
As mayors of the cities of Dothan and Fairhope as well as serving as president and vice president of the Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM), we, Mark Saliba and Sherry Sullivan, are thrilled to lead a quality-of-life campaign entitled Live Locally Alabama on behalf of local leaders across our state. This initiative was developed to enhance the well-being of our communities by focusing on essential aspects such as public safety, infrastructure improvements, economic investment, education, workforce development, supporting local businesses and the many cultural and recreational activities available in the beautiful state we call sweet home Alabama.
Our state currently has 465 cities and towns ranging from towns of 100 residents to cities topping one hundred thousand. Some cities and towns are older than the state itself while others are in their first decade of incorporation. While the most urban areas have the largest populations, over 42% of Alabamians live in rural communities, according the 2020 U.S. Census. Alabama is also one of the most biodiverse states in the nation, with a landscape that features white sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico to unbeatable views and hiking trails along the Appalachian Mountains. All of this, along with our amazing citizens, equates to making Alabama a great place to live, work, play and raise a family.
As elected officials of two of the fastest growing cities in the state, we understand the importance of investing in our local communities to lay the groundwork for a more prosperous future for Alabama. After all, local government serves as the foundation for Alabama’s economy. Local government is the closest to the people, and we are proud to join local officials across the state to ensure every Alabamian has the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life.
As mayors, we often stand in front of audiences, whether it be at civic club events or city council meetings, and talk about quality-of-life projects we have taking place or that we want to begin. Some examples are recruiting and building new grocery stores, restaurants, boutiques, recreational venues, hospitals, schools, fire stations, road improvement projects, sewer systems and so much more. These kinds of things cost a lot of money for our communities, but we want to be able to provide them to our citizens. However, it is so important that people understand how we generate revenue and how we have to adjust our budgets to do so. Local government is at the forefront of this initiative as we work together to improve infrastructure and focus on intentional growth and development that preserves our beautiful natural resources and promotes a healthier lifestyle.
We want to encourage all Alabamians to get involved with their community and to support Live Locally Alabama. Shop locally at mom-and-pop stores, eat locally at your favorite restaurants, learn locally by taking your kids to a museum nearby, explore locally by trying a new biking trail and play locally at your neighborhood parks. Attend local council meetings, engage in elections, build relationships with policymakers and participate in community initiatives. You can also follow your municipality’s social media pages to stay up-to-date with their latest activities and plans.
This is a community effort and your insight and participation in local government is invaluable as we strive to tailor improvements to best meet the needs of our communities. Together we can continue to make Alabama an incredible state to live in and create a robust future for generations to thrive.
Learn more about Live Locally Alabama at: https://almonline.org/LiveLocallyAlabama.aspx.
The Alabama League of Municipalities is a nonpartisan membership association of over 450 incorporated cities and towns. Since 1935, the League has worked to strengthen municipal government through advocacy, training and the advancement of effective local leadership. As the recognized voice of Alabama’s cities and towns, the League’s member municipalities benefit from a variety of member programs, services and activities that are impossible to accomplish alone. Learn more at almonline.org.