Friday, October 23, 2015

Dan Springer for District 5

Well, as I am fond of saying, he might not have been my first choice, but he is far from the worst choice for District 5.

I supported John Marek for this seat, and was disappointed that he didn't make the runoff, I think he would have, and will be when he chooses to run for another office, an outstanding public servant.

This leaves us with 28-year-old Worth Morgan, and 32-year-old Dan Springer.  After meeting with Dan this past week, I have decided to support him in the runoff for City Council.  Yes, he has more GOP ties than I am normally comfortable with, but I figure Mayor Luttrell and DAG Amy Weirich can't get EVERYTHING wrong!

Dan has governmental experience, having worked for Senator Bob Corker and Shelby County Government.  Unlike many of his GOP brethren, Dan believes in making government WORK and FUNCTION, and he understands that poverty is one of the city's biggest issues.  He understands that we have to make sure that our police and firefighters receive what they need to keep our neighborhoods safe.  Frankly, he didn't sound like the crazies you see on Fox News, and that's why I am supporting him for District 5.  I am sure Morgan is a nice young man, but he needs to go out and get more experience.

Springer, however, is not too old for the job either, as it will take a lot of energy working on the issues that this city and region face.  As you have noticed if you have read this blog this year, Jon and I have supported younger people for these offices, and we need fresh eyes and new energy.

For me, of the two remaining candidates, Dan Springer is the person who is most likely to represent this district as it needs to be represented.  Mary Wilder has also asked that you consider Dan, and I hope that you will as well.


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

From Commissioner Norma Lester, your EV Sites for runoffs in Districts 2,3,4,5 and 7

ELECTION UPDATE
10-19-15
Shelby County Election Commission
( Family, Friends & Constituents)

cid:image006.jpg@01D100B0.E23EB6E0
Election Commissioner Norma Lester



Early Voting for November 19th Run Off will be as follows:

Downtown Office October 30th thru November 14 from 10-4PM 

Satellite Offices from November 6th thru November 14 10-7PM weekdays and 10-4 PMSaturday.  Offices will be closed November 11th in Observance of Veteran's Day

Location of Satellite Offices:

Abundant Grace..........1574 Shelby Dr

Agri-Center.........7777 Walnut Grove

Anointed Temple of Praise....3939 Riverdale Rd

Berclair Curch of Christ...4536 Summer Ave

Dave Wells Community Ctr....915 Chelsea

Glenview Community Center....1141 S. Barksdale

Greater Middle Baptist Church...4982 Knight Arnold

White Station Church of Christ...1106 Colonial

In order to comply with time frame for Ballot Approval, Certification of October 8th election was rescheduled from Oct 26 to this Friday Oct 23 @ noonPlease note changes for anyone planning to attend. As always I welcome and encourage attendance!

Your Election Commissioner
Norma Lester

Monday, October 12, 2015

I got yer Debate Watch Parties RIGHT HERE

Welcome all of you coming over from FIRST WORD.  Many thanks to Kyle Veazey for the link love!


First, for all you BERNIE SANDERS supporters (YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), we have this missive from Laura Coleman Noeth:
Hey folks, be sure to join us Tuesday at 6:30 Democratic debate-watching party. It will be upstairs at Local in Overton Square. There will be fun things happening during the commercials and stimulating conversation and information throughout. Oh yea, it's sponsored by your local Bernie Sanders supporters. $5 admission goes toward local campaign expenses.
For those of you supporting what's-her-name that used to be a Senator, (just kidding! nudge-nudge-wink-wink), the Rincon Strategy Firm in Overton Square COOPER YOUNG is the place for you:

Debate Watch Party
RSF Office
902 S. Cooper (Lounge)
Oct 13th
Starts at 6:30 – Debate at 8:00

Join us for Bar B Q and Beverages
Hillary for America - Official Event
                         Call 901-830-3283 for info

Undecided AND a Millennial?  Then London Lamar has just the place for you, which also serves to raise support for the runoff campaign of our favorite District 2 candidate, Rachel Knox:

October 13 7-9 pm 



Bluefin Restaurant
135 S Main St, Memphis, Tennessee 38103

Join Millennials from across Memphis who are gathering to watch the first Democratic Presidential Debate by CNN in support of Rachel Knox. Rachel is a millennial who made it to the Memphis Municipal Run-off Election 2015; still giving us an opportunity to elect a millennial to Memphis City Council. 

I encourage everyone to come by to watch the debate and meet Rachel. 

There is no cost to attend but we are asking for donation to Rachel's Campaign. 

Hope to see you all there!


OK Then, pick one.  Or sit home and watch it.  Or watch the Cubs finish off the Cardinals in the NLDS!  BWAHAHAHAHA!

Thursday, October 08, 2015

Mayor Elect Jim Strickland

Wow

Wow

Just WOW!!!

Several months ago, I said it was time for a change and I was correct.

He and his campaign staff ran a tremendous campaign,

I disagree with him on his crime policy to a large extent.

However, I supported him for two main reasons.

He is not afraid to enact change on the status quo AND he is willing to change.

We have been under the decaying ruins of the Herenton regime for the last 16 years.  If Herenton had left in 1999 or even in 2003, there would have been opportunities to keep the cronyism down.

Too often in the last 12 years, especially in the last 6, Mayor Wharton had opportunities to set a different path as County and then City Mayor and he did not.  This is what helped bring him down.  When people that used to be your base vote for someone else (Harold Collins and Mike WIlliams and, yes, Strickland) because they have lost faith in your ability to help them, then it is over for you.

Jim has a lot of work to do.  He has priorities beyond crime and blight.

First, we need a better education policy.  Prepare our students to get better paying jobs and be qualified for good, high paying jobs, not the $9 or $10 jobs.  Outsourcing to private education and charters is not working.  The i-Zone isn't great, but it is better.  Local control of local schools.  Finally, have your crime policy towards youth offenders make it easy for expungement and options other than fines and fees.  Many of the people caught up in this cannot pay this and this will continue the cycle of poverty.

Second, you must reform the Memphis Animal Shelter.  Appoint a new director of the shelter and a new director above them.  Get someone new and young who will think outside of the box on ways to change it.  Stay away from the cronyism that has run rampant there.

Third, enact CLERB and ensure that it is strong.  We want all of our public servants to be held accountable.

Fourth, engage your opponents.  Remember, you have a mandate, but it is fragile one.

All said, CONGRATS!!!!!!  Enjoy tonight, for tomorrow you begin the transition.