Village Creek Mission Statement
To improve the Village Creek Environment for its entire length of 44 miles to benefit over 300,000 residence in its Watershed Environment.
Restoration, Education, Advocacy and Economic Development
Restoration, Education, Advocacy and Economic Development
Village Creek Society
Village Creek Human and Environmental Justice Society, Inc. (VCS) started as Coalition #1 in the 1980's followed by Coalition #2 in 1996 headed by Dr. Mable B. Anderson, an area born resident, to address extensive flooding in the minority populated community in the Village Creek Watershed. She was joined in the late 1980's by John C. Meehan, who grew up in the Ensley area. The Army Corps of Engineers many studies did not make attempts to "stop" the flooding nor to "upgrade" the quality of the industrial polluted waters that once, in early Birmingham, severed as its drinking water and then became the water that brought the "magic" and "money economy" to Jefferson County. But justice was overlooked and VCS has worked and is still working to improve the quality of life in the 3 sections of the 44 mile watershed:
Headwater Section: From Roebuck to East Lake
Mid Section: From North Birmingham to Ensley/South Pratt to Mulga
Lower Section: From Bayview to Black Warrior River
Village Creek has given so much to the people of Birmingham and Jefferson County. The families that moved into the Village Creek watershed in the 1920's, to become a part of the City's legacy, are forever a part of this history.
Headwater Section: From Roebuck to East Lake
Mid Section: From North Birmingham to Ensley/South Pratt to Mulga
Lower Section: From Bayview to Black Warrior River
Village Creek has given so much to the people of Birmingham and Jefferson County. The families that moved into the Village Creek watershed in the 1920's, to become a part of the City's legacy, are forever a part of this history.
VCS Executive Board
Dr. Mable B. Anderson - President / Executive Director
Dr.Anderson, who serves and President of VCS, is the founding member of VCS. She was assisted in organizing VCS to consolidate the various organizations working to support Village Creek in 1983. Being a born and returning resident of the Village Creek Watershed, Dr. Anderson has worked untiringly to improve the environment of Village Creek. Dr. Anderson's many past and present titles include: V. President of Ensley Neighborhood, Organizer of the Citizen Coalition of Village Creek, Chairperson of the following: Ensley Moro Park/South Pratt Flood Coalition, Village Creek Flood Plain Relocation Committee and Village Creek EPA.
She holds a Doctor Degree in Developmental Psychology, a Masters Degree in Supervision, B.S. Degree in Sociology, is a Certified Woman Executive and is a Verified Developmental Education Specialist to name a few. She has been the keynote speaker and presented workshops in over half of the United States, Puerto Rico and Australia. Some of her honors include Academic Scholarships for all degrees, membership in four National Honor Societies, NAACP Woman of the Year 1999 and Unsung Heros of 2000.
She holds a Doctor Degree in Developmental Psychology, a Masters Degree in Supervision, B.S. Degree in Sociology, is a Certified Woman Executive and is a Verified Developmental Education Specialist to name a few. She has been the keynote speaker and presented workshops in over half of the United States, Puerto Rico and Australia. Some of her honors include Academic Scholarships for all degrees, membership in four National Honor Societies, NAACP Woman of the Year 1999 and Unsung Heros of 2000.
Richard S. Woodruff P.E., P.E.P.L.S. -
Technical Director and Directory of Finances
Mr. Richard S. Woodruff is the Technical Director of VCS. Mr. Woodruff is a civil engineer and has worked for Alabama Power Company, Bechtel-McComb Aircraft Corporation Southern Company Services, Inc., and currently serves as a Consulting Hydroelectric Engineer at Hendon Engineering Associates. Among the many major projects that Mr. Woodruff has assisted in plans, designs and operations are additions to Martin Dam Hydroelectric Plant, Logan Martin 128NW, Weiss 88MW, Bouldin 225MW, Henry 73MW, Lay 177MW, Smith 158, Holt 40MN, Bankhead 40MW all for Alabama Power and many others. He has served as an expert witness in eight lawsuits relating to water problems.
The Alabama Section of American Society of Civil Engineers presented him with the Distinguished Service Award and he has also received the ASCE Rickey Medal. Through the years some of his affiliations include U.S. Committee on Large Dams, Chairman of ASCE Committee on Hydroelectric Power Project Planning and Design, Director of Alabama Section ASCE, Professional Engineers of Alabama and many others. He has to his credit several publication.
The Alabama Section of American Society of Civil Engineers presented him with the Distinguished Service Award and he has also received the ASCE Rickey Medal. Through the years some of his affiliations include U.S. Committee on Large Dams, Chairman of ASCE Committee on Hydroelectric Power Project Planning and Design, Director of Alabama Section ASCE, Professional Engineers of Alabama and many others. He has to his credit several publication.
John Gordon, P.E. - Vice President
Mr. Gordon has ten years of design experience on projects in Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Georgia. Most of the projects have involved land development, specifically site design, subdivision design, and roadway design. The variety of challenges found in land development has allowed Mr. Gordon to develop a divers range of experience.
At Wiser Company, Mr. Gordon provided design for projects including greenway trails, roadway improvements, parks, and utility relocations. He also developed corridor studies for roadway and trail projects and prepared interchange justification studies for state review.
At Wiser Company, Mr. Gordon provided design for projects including greenway trails, roadway improvements, parks, and utility relocations. He also developed corridor studies for roadway and trail projects and prepared interchange justification studies for state review.
John C. Meehan - Field Director
Mr. Meehan assisted Dr. Mable Anderson in consolidating various organizations to form VCS and currently serves as a Field Director. Mr. Meehan has served as both President and Vice President of the Ensley Neighbor Association. He has been Secretary of Neighborhood Services Inc., Chief Inspector of Ensley Recreation Center Votin, Campaign Manager for Jefferson County Public Service Commission candidate and 2nd Vice President of Ensley Moro Park Flood Coalition. He sponsored the first Community Wide Environmental Justice Conference and is the Founder of First Presidential Western Area Democratic Club.
Mr. Meehan is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church where he serves as the Chair of several committees. He ahs also served with The Office of Black Ministry Board of Directors, Greater Birmingham Ministries and Alabama Arise. He holds awards and honors as Outstanding Young Men of America, Yellow Dog Democrat, Ensley Moro Awards. He attended Ensley High School, Jefferson State Junior College and University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He is employed with Pinkerton and Securities.
Mr. Meehan is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church where he serves as the Chair of several committees. He ahs also served with The Office of Black Ministry Board of Directors, Greater Birmingham Ministries and Alabama Arise. He holds awards and honors as Outstanding Young Men of America, Yellow Dog Democrat, Ensley Moro Awards. He attended Ensley High School, Jefferson State Junior College and University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He is employed with Pinkerton and Securities.
Harry Giddens - Community Director
Mr. Giddens is a retired U.S. Postal worker of 31 years. He served as a Union Representative for 27 years. During that time, he served as Shop Steward for 25 years, President for 8 years and Secretary for 4 years. Mr. Giddens has been active as a community leader and has served as Brownsville Hights Community President for 16 years and 8 years as Airport Hills Community President. He is a member of The Citizens Advisory Board, Safety Committee, Education and Health committee, Regional Planning Commission. He is the recipient of numerous awards for outstanding community service.
He is a graduate of A.H. Parker High School, Booker T. Washington Business College and Lawson State Junior College. He has a 27 year marriage to Sharon Ford Giddens and has 4 daughters and 6 grandchildren.
He is a graduate of A.H. Parker High School, Booker T. Washington Business College and Lawson State Junior College. He has a 27 year marriage to Sharon Ford Giddens and has 4 daughters and 6 grandchildren.
Monica Austin-Hatcher - Foundation Director
Mrs. Hatcher is in private law practice in Birmingham, she has worked as a Resident Selection Specialist for The Housing Authority, Birmingham District. She has also been a Re-certification Specialist and Clerk with The Housing Authority. During her employment she has achieved maximum growth in the issuing of housing vouchers for all Section Eight programs. She has also maintained accountablility of available funding for the Section Eight Program of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District. She has accelerated the leasing process by implementing strategies and motivational processes for the Resident Selection Staff. Mrs. Hatcher identified and revised serious flaws in the initial housing process. She worked as a liaison to officials and has successfully worked with property owners to identify problems with leasing agreements and restructed contracts for maximum lease up.
She has a J.D. Degree from Birmingham School of Law and a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College.
She has a J.D. Degree from Birmingham School of Law and a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College.
Phillis A. Dickinson- Secretary / Membership Director
Phillis Dickinson is a native of Birmingham. She is a product of the Birmingham City Schools. She graduated from Woodlawn Magnet High School. Ms. Dickinson received a Technical Diploma from Herzing Business College. Additionally, she received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. from Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama.
She is currently employed with the Alabama Power Company where she has exceeded expectations in various positions since 1998. She serves as the Projects Chairperson for the Alabama Power Service Organization. This organization has 820 Members and 2,300 Volunteered May 12, 2010.
She is currently employed with the Alabama Power Company where she has exceeded expectations in various positions since 1998. She serves as the Projects Chairperson for the Alabama Power Service Organization. This organization has 820 Members and 2,300 Volunteered May 12, 2010.
Attorney Patricia Stephens - Vice President of Finances
Attorney Patricia Stephens attended Auburn University were she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in English. She proceeded to attend Miles Law School as a Juris Doctor. Her professional affiliations includes the Alabama State Bar Association, Birmingham Bar Association, and the Magic City Bar Association.
Attorney Stephens currently works as an Associate Attorney with McMath Law Firm, PC. In the past she has had the opportunity to work with then Jefferson County District Attorney's Office, a Solo Practitioner, and the Alabama Power company just to name a few.
Natasha S. Diming - Financial Manager
Assistant Branch Manager at Regions Bank
Supervises all branch operations in the absense of the branch manager. Assist with weekly sales and service huddles to porivde; direction, communicating branches best practice and celebrate staff success. Ensure compliance, audit, and security procedures are adhered to at branch location. Tracking and reporting weekly sales outcomes of all products, services, and referral categories (review progress with Branch Manager).
Supervises all branch operations in the absense of the branch manager. Assist with weekly sales and service huddles to porivde; direction, communicating branches best practice and celebrate staff success. Ensure compliance, audit, and security procedures are adhered to at branch location. Tracking and reporting weekly sales outcomes of all products, services, and referral categories (review progress with Branch Manager).
Yolanda B. Caver - Senior Grants Management Coordinator, Jefferson County
VCS Advisory Board
- Dr. Mable B. Anderson - VCS President
- Mr. Leroy Bandy - President Central Pratt
- Mr. Andre' Bittas - Director Planning, Engineering, & Permits
- Battalion Chief William T. Brown - Birmingham Fire & Rescue Services
- Mrs. Autherine Bruister - District Supervisor
- Mrs. Angene Coleman - Olivia's House
- Mr. Richard Harris - South Pratt Neighborhood
- Mr. Philip Hayden -
- Mrs. Rita Johnson - Public Works Department
- Mr. Jerry Jones - Malcolm Pirnie
- Mr. George A. McCall - Ensley Neighborhood
- Mr. John C. Meehan - Field Director
- Mr. Melvin Miller - Director, Birmingham Park & Recreation, City
- Deputy Kaye Oden - Horticulture Deputy Director
- Ms. Denise Pruitt - Project Planner for Flood Plain Management Program
- Mr. Malik Rashid - Department of Public Works
- Mr. Edwin Revell - Flood Plain Administrator, City
- Mr. Jonathan Shorts - Senior Administrative Analyst Environmental Services Department Jefferson County Commission
- Mr. Mack J. Smith - Public Works Department
- Battalion Chief Christopher J. Thomas - Birmingham Fire & Rescue Services
- Mrs. Helen Toney - Community / School Coordinator
- Mrs. Felicia Watkins - Community Liasion, Birmingham Police Department
- Mr. James Watts - Diocese of Birmingham
- Mrs. Valerie Wilson - Freshwater Land Trust & VCS Watershed Coordinator
- Mr. Richard S. Woodruff - Technical Director
- Mr. Brian Ruggs - Malcolm Pirnie
- Jejal R. Bathi - Malcolm Pirnie
- Cheif William Fields - Birmingham Fire & Rescue Services
- Chief A.C. Roper - City Police Chief
- Chief Ivor J. Brooks - Fire Chief, Birmingham Fire & Rescue
- Mr. Victor Blackledge - Deputy Director Planning & Design
- Captain Jerry Wiley - West Precinct Ensley, Birmingham Police Department
VCS Facts
- Obtaining funds to complete Village Creek Flood Control Projects
- Removing the Creek Banks from the Village Creek Waters.
- Stabilizing the Creek Banks with Gabion Walls.
- The Construction of the Creek Bank Walking and Jogging Trail.
- Annual Fall Clean Up with Renew Our Rivers.
- Annual Spring Clean Up with High School Leadership.
- The construction of the Learning Recreation Park.
- Engineering plans for Tour Sites for the Roebuck Springs and the Endangered Darter Fish at the Headwater Section of Village Creek in Roebuck.
- Plans for a Canoe Education site in the Village Creek Watershed at the Lower Section of Village Creek.
- City/County Marker and National Historical Registry for the First Baptist Church of Ensley.
Village Creek Water Shed
Village Creek has a wonderful story to tell.... it was, and still is, the only notable stream in the Jefferson County area. Village Creek was the first source of drinking water for the residents in the City of Birmingham. Alabama's first coal operations are recorded to have happened along the banks of Village Creek in the 1820's
From atop Red Mountain, James T. Miner, a rail road engineer, had a vision for the lovely valley as he sat on his horse. He purchased seven thousand acres along the Village Creek Watershed and this vision became the City of Birmingham, January 26, 1871.
The rich deposits of coal, iron ore and other raw materials that make steel were all discovered within a thirty-mile radius of Birmingham. The one key element for his process was water. Village Creek would then go from a drinking water source to a key element of steel production, propelling Birmingham into the international steel industry. In fact, the first steel production actually took place in the Thomas Community, along the banks of Village Creek.
Families moved into the Village Creek Watershed in the 1920's. Social stratification determined locations where different racial groups could buy property and build their homes to raise their families; thus, people of color bought in the Moro Park Ensley and South Pratt areas at or near the Village Creek banks. They were unaware that flooding occurred and would invade their homes as much as four to eight feet. Since relocation was not a choice at this period in history, families had their homes raised as much as they could and they worked with each other to clean the water ways and have the Creek blasted. The major social life was family fun, church and schools. Education was the major focus by the families, neighbors, and school. It was like a family village within a village. Manners were required. Sex typing and sex role identification were modeled. There were distinct roles, dress and activities for boys and distinct ones for girls.
The church was the hub for family activities. Yearly revivals were attended by all family members and prater with conversion were family and church teaching. Sunday school, summer Bible School, choir rehearsal and training, church plays, fish fries were the sources of enculturation. All families had beautiful gardens, fruit trees, grape arbors. Chicken were raised to broiler size and placed in the freezer. No one ever went hunger and children become family teams with these chores and household chores. Every child had a responsibility at home and received positive family and neighborhood reinforcement.
Racial groups attended separate schools but teachers focused on the academics for the child as an individual learner and used discipline with parent reinforcement. Children valued school. Many left the area for higher learning in states that accepted different racial groups. Some returned home well educated as teachers, nurses, a few doctors and lawyers as young adults but most went to positions in other states.
Many of the Birmingham leaders today grew up in the Village Creek Watershed environment. It is to this history that we owe the responsibility to do our part and become stewards of this great watershed.
From atop Red Mountain, James T. Miner, a rail road engineer, had a vision for the lovely valley as he sat on his horse. He purchased seven thousand acres along the Village Creek Watershed and this vision became the City of Birmingham, January 26, 1871.
The rich deposits of coal, iron ore and other raw materials that make steel were all discovered within a thirty-mile radius of Birmingham. The one key element for his process was water. Village Creek would then go from a drinking water source to a key element of steel production, propelling Birmingham into the international steel industry. In fact, the first steel production actually took place in the Thomas Community, along the banks of Village Creek.
Families moved into the Village Creek Watershed in the 1920's. Social stratification determined locations where different racial groups could buy property and build their homes to raise their families; thus, people of color bought in the Moro Park Ensley and South Pratt areas at or near the Village Creek banks. They were unaware that flooding occurred and would invade their homes as much as four to eight feet. Since relocation was not a choice at this period in history, families had their homes raised as much as they could and they worked with each other to clean the water ways and have the Creek blasted. The major social life was family fun, church and schools. Education was the major focus by the families, neighbors, and school. It was like a family village within a village. Manners were required. Sex typing and sex role identification were modeled. There were distinct roles, dress and activities for boys and distinct ones for girls.
The church was the hub for family activities. Yearly revivals were attended by all family members and prater with conversion were family and church teaching. Sunday school, summer Bible School, choir rehearsal and training, church plays, fish fries were the sources of enculturation. All families had beautiful gardens, fruit trees, grape arbors. Chicken were raised to broiler size and placed in the freezer. No one ever went hunger and children become family teams with these chores and household chores. Every child had a responsibility at home and received positive family and neighborhood reinforcement.
Racial groups attended separate schools but teachers focused on the academics for the child as an individual learner and used discipline with parent reinforcement. Children valued school. Many left the area for higher learning in states that accepted different racial groups. Some returned home well educated as teachers, nurses, a few doctors and lawyers as young adults but most went to positions in other states.
Many of the Birmingham leaders today grew up in the Village Creek Watershed environment. It is to this history that we owe the responsibility to do our part and become stewards of this great watershed.
Beyond Vision into Action
The current VCS Advisory Board was changed to consist of stakeholders who are teaming to restore the 1997-2000 property buy-out area in the Ensley Moro Park and South Pratt area with a focus on community education, community economic development and community advocacy. This partnership began in the late 2003 with Mr. William (Bill) Gilchrist, an architect and the City's Director of Planning, Engineering and Permits assuming team Leadership of the VCS current Advisory Board. Current Board Members include: 4 City Deputies; 3 neighborhood Presidents in the buy-out larger area; Birmingham Police Chief and Fire Chief or their proxy; essential administrators in the Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits; Park and Recreation. Other stakeholders will be added as the projects proceeds.
On September 09, 2005 the Board was engaged in an all day Strategic Planning Workshop at the Botanical Gardens. Mr. James Oakley was the Facilitator. The Concerns were:
Village Creek Society is continuing to provide education for teachers, students and parents in the watershed through the leadership of VCS Community Coordinator. Village Creek remains a possible laboratory for Science and Social Action.
On September 09, 2005 the Board was engaged in an all day Strategic Planning Workshop at the Botanical Gardens. Mr. James Oakley was the Facilitator. The Concerns were:
- Where are we now?
- Where we want to be by the end of 2005? Process to get there?
- Where do we want to be one year from now? Process to get there?
- Where do we want to be three years from now? Process to get there?
- How and with whom?
- Funding
- Planning and Design
- Community Involvement
- Public Relations
Village Creek Society is continuing to provide education for teachers, students and parents in the watershed through the leadership of VCS Community Coordinator. Village Creek remains a possible laboratory for Science and Social Action.