Business View Magazine | December 2020

303 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 ALABAMA LEAGUE OF MUNI C I PAL I T I ES narrative is what we view as the most important mission we have here at the League. We do that through our advocacy, communication, education, and legal guidance. It is all focused intentionally with that mission in mind.” The League has well-established roots and has grown and evolved over many decades. In 1926, the Alabama Association of Mayors and City Commissioners was formed when close to 100 elected officials attended a meeting in Fairfield and elected Anniston’s Mayor Sidney J. Reaves as its first president. They charged members $5 and met annually at a hotel to talk about mutual challenges. That led the municipalities to want more. In 1935, with the help and advice of Governor Bibb Graves, who sympathized with the municipalities and their shared issues, an organization was formed that eventually became the modern-day Alabama League of Municipalities. The League has been active with its national counterpart, the National League of Cities, since ALM was founded. Graves gave the fledgling organization office space on Goat Hill in the capital until they could afford to lease something else. He also helped the municipalities gain recognition in Alabama’s politics and recommended Ed E. Reid as Executive Director, a leader whose contributions defined the group for many decades. Reid had a background in journalism and government and was known for his charisma and seemingly unending energy. He even helped secure funding to pay his own salary. In 1937, Reid published a magazine that named the League’s current officers and explained “pressure groups” and their impact on legislative processes. It also explored the hidden costs of legislative proposals, and educated readers about fire insurance for municipal properties. His goal was to give members informed opinions, accurate information, and useful advice for governing towns and cities. Today, ALM continues to use its quarterly magazine, The Alabama Municipal Journal , to disseminate the same type of relevant, accurate information to its members. Greg Cochran, ALM Executive Director, delivers remarks during the 2020 CMO Graduation Ceremony.