Our City, Our Voice

Our Hoover is a group of concerned and engaged residents committed to building the Hoover its people deserve.

We are dedicated to advocating for transparency, accountability, and common-sense policies that propel our city forward. We strive to foster civic engagement, ensure transparent governance, and unite our community to build a brighter, more inclusive future for Hoover. Through active participation and unwavering commitment, we aim to amplify the voices of all residents and create a city that reflects the aspirations and values of its people.

About Ken King

An insightful and proven leader in public affairs, with more than a decade of diverse experience in building, linking and coordinating people, projects and resources to strengthen the Birmingham metro area . An entrepreneur and thought-leader, Ken is passionate about business and public affairs that impact the community. As a result, he is a frequently sought-after source for stakeholder development. Ken most recently served as the Business Partnership Manager for Birmingham Promise, Director of Community Engagement for Birmingham Strong, Community Engagement Manager for the Foodbank of Central Alabama, Director of External Affairs for the City of Birmingham Mayor's Office,  Board Chair and President for Hoover (Ross Bridge Parkway) neighborhood Association Cottages III of Deer Valley and Founding board member of Leadership Hoover.

"We believe that every citizen of Hoover deserves to be informed and have their voice heard. Our City, Our Voice"

What Our Hoover People Say

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Hoover Resident

“Our Hoover is leading the city in a better direction than the path we are on.”

Lisa D.

“If Hoover does not change, I will be moving so my kids can enter a new school system.”

Taylor James

“The City of Hoover has failed on every front in terms of making sure they are acting in the people's interest.”

Our Commitment

Our Commitment

The people of Hoover are calling on their elected leaders to work hand in hand with the community. We need officials who prioritize transparency, responsible financial stewardship, reliable services, and ethical leadership. By working together, we can ensure Hoover remains a place where everyone can thrive.

Demanding Transparency and Accountability in Governance​

The people of Hoover deserve open and honest governance. We call on our elected officials to:

  • Ensure Open Financial Disclosure: Make all city financial activities fully transparent and easily accessible to the public, so that every resident can understand how tax dollars are being allocated and spent.

  • Practice Prudent Financial Management: Manage city funds responsibly, prioritizing projects and initiatives that provide clear, tangible benefits to our community and eliminate wasteful spending.

  • Maintain Transparency in Decision-Making: Ensure that all major financial decisions, development projects, and public initiatives are handled with full transparency to build and maintain trust with Hoover residents.

  • Create a Clear and Trustworthy Budget Process: Develop and implement a budget process that is transparent, easy to understand, and rooted in sound financial planning to avoid overages, mismanagement, or unnecessary debt.

 

Improving Basic Services in Our City

Our community depends on the consistent and efficient delivery of essential services. We urge elected officials to:

  • Guarantee Reliable Public Services: Ensure that essential services such as trash pickup and public safety are provided consistently and efficiently to all residents.
  • Commit to Infrastructure Improvements: Address the city's growing infrastructure needs to support a high quality of life, reduce service disruptions, and sustain Hoover's growth.

Electing Ethical, Forward-Thinking Leadership

The future of Hoover depends on ethical leadership with a clear vision for the future. We ask our elected officials to:

  • Provide Competent, Solution-Oriented Leadership: Focus on delivering practical solutions to Hoover’s most pressing challenges instead of engaging in personal or political infighting.
  • Uphold Ethical Standards: Demonstrate ethical governance by avoiding conflicts of interest and being fully accountable to the public for decisions made on behalf of the city.
  • Develop Forward-Thinking Solutions: Take proactive steps to address the long-term financial stability of Hoover, improve infrastructure, and ensure sustainable growth for our city.

Sign up to learn more and take action!

Join us in demanding clear answers and real accountability from our city leaders. Together, we can ensure that Hoover's finances are managed responsibly and transparently, that our schools receive the funding they need, and that essential services are delivered efficiently. Let’s advocate for community-centered development, ethical leadership, and a safer, more vibrant Hoover.

Your voice matters—stand with us to build a brighter future for all residents.

Our Issues

Our Issues

Over the last three years, the City of Hoover has faced significant challenges and is on the brink of collapse.

Our city has accumulated hundreds of millions in debt, basic services like trash pickup are failing, city finances are shrouded in audits and secrecy, and crime is encroaching into our neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, city leadership seems more focused on funneling millions of dollars to their supporters to secure re-election rather than addressing these critical issues.

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City Finances in Peril

Hoover's financial health is in serious jeopardy. The mismanagement and lack of transparency from our city leaders have led us to a critical point where decisive action is necessary.

$93 Million in New Bond Debt
In an alarming move, Hoover has taken on an additional $93 million in bond debt. This massive financial burden will take generations to repay, placing an undue strain on future residents and limiting our city's ability to invest in essential services and development projects.

Three CFOs in Three Years
The turnover rate for our city's Chief Financial Officers is a clear indicator of instability and mismanagement. Having three CFOs in just three years points to deeper issues within the city's financial administration and governance. This lack of continuity undermines effective financial planning and accountability.

Hidden Ongoing Forensic Audit
In response to growing concerns, an ongoing forensic audit is being conducted to uncover the extent of financial mismanagement. This detailed investigation aims to provide a clear picture of where our money is going and to identify any misuse of funds. It is a crucial step towards holding our leaders accountable and restoring financial integrity.

Basic City Services Failing

The foundation of any thriving community is its ability to provide reliable and effective basic services to its residents. Unfortunately, Hoover's leadership has fallen short in this crucial area. Here's a closer look at the key issues affecting our city's basic services:

Trash Pick Up
In recent years, the once-reliable trash pickup service in Hoover has deteriorated significantly. Missed collections and delays have become the norm, creating unsightly and unsanitary conditions in our neighborhoods. This failure disrupts daily life and reflects broader issues within city management.

Lack of Transparency
Transparency is vital for building trust between the city and its residents. Unfortunately, Hoover's leadership has been marked by secrecy and a lack of clear communication. Decisions are often made behind closed doors, leaving residents in the dark about critical issues that affect their daily lives.

Public trash cans that are overflowing with garbage
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Political Turmoil and Infighting

Hoover's political landscape is in disarray, marked by constant turmoil and infighting that hinder effective governance. This instability is not just a distraction; it directly impacts the city's ability to address critical issues and provide essential services.

Council Fights
Frequent and highly publicized disputes among city council members have created a toxic political environment. These fights distract from important policy discussions and erode public trust in our local government. Instead of working collaboratively to solve Hoover's problems, our elected officials are often embroiled in petty conflicts.

Replacement of City Attorney
The abrupt replacement of the city attorney has raised serious concerns about the stability and integrity of our city's legal framework. Such significant personnel changes disrupt the continuity of legal oversight and create uncertainty about the direction and priorities of Hoover's leadership. The City Attorney makes absorbent fees from the City of Hoover.

Our News

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Ken King: Alabama and its cities – a matter of priorities

Ken King - 1819 News - Oct 17, 2024

Recently, Hoover chose not to reduce its grocery tax from 3.5% to 3%, citing "complex state statutes" as the reason. This excuse came from the city’s CFO, who earns over $250,000 annually. Yet cities with much smaller budgets, like Clay, Ala., have successfully implemented grocery tax reductions. Even the state of Alabama reduced its grocery tax from 4% to 3% in 2023, proving that cutting the tax is not impossible.

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Hoover residents seeking additional answers about the city’s forensic audit report

Aajene Robinson - WBRC - Oct 7, 2024

A group of Hoover residents plan to address the city council Monday with their concerns regarding the city’s recent forensic audit. The residents claim their questions surrounding the audit aren’t being answered and they say they want an opportunity to be heard. Hoover resident Ken King is part of this group called Our Hoover.

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Group of Hoover residents call for investigation after results of forensic audit released

James Giles - WBRC - Sep 17, 2024

Tensions ran high at the Hoover City Council meeting during the public comment portion Monday night. While the mayor insists findings of a recent forensic audit shows no wrongdoing, some residents remain unconvinced. “I’ll keep asking the same straightforward questions: Where are the emails, Mr. Mayor? Where is the $30 million that was overstated in the general fund? That’s all. Thank you,” said Ken King during the meeting. King questioned the results of a forensic audit conducted by an external agency, which examined the city’s financial records beyond the scope of the annual audit.