The Birmingham League of Women Voters invited Shelby County Commissioner Ted Crockett and County Manager Alex Dudchock to speak to the group about the county management system put into place in the 1990s.

The League has held the position that Jefferson County should move to adopt this form of governing since 1985.

Ruth Wright, a resident of Jefferson County and long-time member, said bringing in a county executive would be a wise decision. &8220;It is something the league has stood behind for a long time, but it&8217;s been killed,&8221; Wright said. &8220;Now there is an opportunity for it.&8221;

What is it that these women think Shelby County is doing right?

Joyce Lanning, who owns property in Shelby County but lives in Jefferson, said information access is a big factor.

&8220;When I want to go find out about property in Shelby County. I go to their website. I can find anything,&8221; Lanning said. &8220;I am in admiration of how the county commission and manager work together. I think we can learn a lot from the way in which they conduct business.&8221;

Virginia Rudolph, who has lived in Shelby County for 25 years, said there is a difference in leadership between the two counties.

&8220;There are a lot of things that Shelby County has been able to do. They have developed a plan for how the people want the county to look,&8221; Rudolph said. &8220;Now we aren&8217;t going to look exactly like this plan, but it shows we have leadership that is forward thinking.&8221;