Les Smith of Fox 13 has an interesting story up about former State Senator John Ford, who went to prison after being convicted of charges related to Operation Tennessee Waltz. Ford was recently released from prison, and it is not known whether Ford, in the process of having his rights restored, could serve again in the Tennessee General Assembly.
Given the antics of his sister, Ophelia, with her repeated illnesses and actions as the Senator who replaced her brother, I have a question for you: If you COULD have John or Ophelia as your Senator, whom would you choose?
John Ford, for all his faults, was one of the most effective legislators I have ever seen, and if you don't believe me, ask the Mayors, City and County, who depended upon him to lead their legislation in Nashville. Obviously, in the current GOP-dominated legislature, even John Ford would have difficulties, but whom would you choose? I will put up a poll in the sidebar!
Showing posts with label Ophelia Ford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ophelia Ford. Show all posts
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Senator Ford Meet & Greet Breakfast in Millington on October 7
The Committee to Re-Elect
Senator Ophelia Ford
District 29
invites you to a
Meet and Greet Breakfast
Meet and Greet Breakfast
Old Timers Restaurant
7918 C Street
Millington, Tennessee
Thursday, October 7, 2010
8:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.
(Contributions are appreciated but not required to attend.)
Checks should be made payable to:
Committee to Re-Elect Senator Ophelia Ford
P. O. Box 462
Memphis, Tennessee 38101
Headquarters (901) 692-0230
Contributions can also be made on-line @
Note: Contributors should provide occupation/employer, as required by State Law
Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Senator Ophelia Ford, Stanley Sawyer Treasurer
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Great news from Nashville
Tom Humphrey of the KNS reports this in his Legislature News Notes today:
Sen. Ford ReturnsWe are delighted at her recovery and hope that she is, indeed, back to stay.
Tennessee Sen. Ophelia Ford has rejoined her colleagues after being absent because of an illness.The Memphis Democrat stood on the Senate floor Wednesday and thanked lawmakers for their prayers and said her doctors have given her a "100 percent good bill of health."
Ford, who is 59, missed the Legislature's special session on education reform last month due to flulike symptoms that resulted in her being admitted to a Memphis hospital.Family members later said she suffered complications from an unspecified surgical procedure and could miss the entire legislative session.
When asked specifics about her illness Wednesday, Ford only said that she had gone into the hospital for something "very minor," and complications developed. However, she said: "I'm back to stay."
Thursday, January 24, 2008
A tale of two legislators
There are two Democratic legislators from large cities, from well-known families, who have had issues of late, and have dealt with them differently.
First, we have Robert Briley, Democratic representative of the 52nd District (East Nashville), whose grandfather was the first mayor of Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County. Last fall, he was arrested for drunk driving in another county, kicked out the back window of the police cruiser, and at one point begged the police to shoot him.
Since then, he has re-entered rehab, resigned as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and faces primary opposition in August. However, today he went on the floor of the House to issue a formal apology to his colleagues, admitting to them that he is an alcoholic. That takes courage, and he is taking steps to right his life. He may or may not be re-elected, but he is open about his situation.
Next, we have Ophelia Ford, Senator of the 29th District (Northwestern Shelby County) , sister of the first black Congressman from Tennessee and aunt of the second, sister to several other elected officials at the state and local levels. She has had health problems that she has related to anemia, and has shown erratic public behavior.
However, she has NOT been forthcoming about her illness, and why she is still hospitalized in Methodist University Hospital (apparently in stable condition). As I have noted earlier, it is incumbent upon the Senator's physicians or the Senator herself, if she is able, to advise her constituency, as well as her Senate colleagues, of the full status of her condition, and of her long-term prognosis.
While we certainly are hoping and praying for a full recovery, if this illness is going to prevent her from fulfilling her duties for an unlimited period of time, she should inform her constituents of this situation and step aside so that District 29 may receive the representation to which it is entitled. If, however, this is going to be short-term and she will be back soon, we need to know this as well.
Senator Ford, we want you to get well soon, and, if you are able, to return to your Senate seat. However, if this is not going to be possible, you owe it to your constituents and your colleagues to do the right thing.
UPDATE: Senator Kyle has withdrawn his bill regarding the replacement of legislators with severe illness, apparently after being advised that it was unconstitutional.
First, we have Robert Briley, Democratic representative of the 52nd District (East Nashville), whose grandfather was the first mayor of Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County. Last fall, he was arrested for drunk driving in another county, kicked out the back window of the police cruiser, and at one point begged the police to shoot him.
Since then, he has re-entered rehab, resigned as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and faces primary opposition in August. However, today he went on the floor of the House to issue a formal apology to his colleagues, admitting to them that he is an alcoholic. That takes courage, and he is taking steps to right his life. He may or may not be re-elected, but he is open about his situation.
Next, we have Ophelia Ford, Senator of the 29th District (Northwestern Shelby County) , sister of the first black Congressman from Tennessee and aunt of the second, sister to several other elected officials at the state and local levels. She has had health problems that she has related to anemia, and has shown erratic public behavior.
However, she has NOT been forthcoming about her illness, and why she is still hospitalized in Methodist University Hospital (apparently in stable condition). As I have noted earlier, it is incumbent upon the Senator's physicians or the Senator herself, if she is able, to advise her constituency, as well as her Senate colleagues, of the full status of her condition, and of her long-term prognosis.
While we certainly are hoping and praying for a full recovery, if this illness is going to prevent her from fulfilling her duties for an unlimited period of time, she should inform her constituents of this situation and step aside so that District 29 may receive the representation to which it is entitled. If, however, this is going to be short-term and she will be back soon, we need to know this as well.
Senator Ford, we want you to get well soon, and, if you are able, to return to your Senate seat. However, if this is not going to be possible, you owe it to your constituents and your colleagues to do the right thing.
UPDATE: Senator Kyle has withdrawn his bill regarding the replacement of legislators with severe illness, apparently after being advised that it was unconstitutional.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Jim Kyle, you da man!
The Democratic leader of the Senate has come up with a bill that would enable Senator Ophelia Ford to temporarily step aside from her seat due to health reasons, and appoint a temporary successor. It would also enable the Governor and/or the General Assembly to do the same if she refused to do so. Click the link for the CA story and the bill itself.
Look, something has to be done here; as I have noted previously, the citizens of District 29 have no representation, and the Senate, even though tied at 16-16-1, could be run roughshod by the Republicans, and that is NEVER a good thing. If Senator Ford were to give us more information and her doctors could provide a prognosis, this might not be necessary. This simply CANNOT continue as it has, and I fully support Senator Kyle's actions.
This, essentially, is the concept of administrative leave, whereby a person can step aside from their duties until such time as their health improves or their legal situation is resolved. It works in other parts of the country, why not here?
All in all, thumbs up to Senator Kyle for this solution to a sad and potentially tragic situation.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
I really hate having to say this, but....
UPDATE 01/09, thanks again to ACK:
From the office of Jim Kyle:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 9, 2008
ADVISORY: KYLE AVAIL ON DISTRICT 29 BILL NASHVILLE -- At 8:45 a.m. CST on Thursday, January 10, Democratic Leader Senator Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, will hold a media availability in the Legislative Plaza Press Gallery to discuss legislation related to the situation in Senate District 29.
WHO: Senator Jim Kyle
WHAT: Avail on District 29 legislation
WHEN: Thursday, January 10, 8:45 a.m. CST
WHERE: Legislative Plaza Press Gallery
Ruh-roh.
If Senator Ophelia Ford (D-29) is going to be absent from her Senate duties for an extended period of time, as her attorney has advised, then the question must be asked: What is her long-term prognosis?
I'm not the first to ask this question; Senator Jim Kyle (D-28), her party's Leader in the Senate, has apparently asked this as well. From his perspective, he needs to know whether he can count on her vote at any point in the legislative session, which begins tomorrow.
As you know, I supported her in her first election, and through the fol-de-rol of whether it was legal or not. I don't want to throw her out in the snow if there is a reasonable chance that she will return soon. However, her constituency has a right to know if they are going to have representation this spring, or ever. I believe that someone with a knowledge of her condition needs to make a public explanation, so that the citizens of Senate 29 can determine if they need to request that she resign in order to take care of her health and that they can replace her.
This is not meant with any disrespect to Senator Ford or her family or anyone connected to her. Her constituency needs to know what the prognosis is for her recovery, as her physical inability to perform her duties effectively disenfranchises them while session is going on.
Personally, I think I speak for everyone in the Democratic family when I am hoping and praying for a speedy and full recovery for Senator Ford. She has a good heart and the best intentions for District 29.
However, it is becoming apparent that she simply may not have the physical health necessary to perform her duties at the level her constituents require. There is no shame in this whatsoever, and I wish her only the best.
If this in fact is the case, it is incumbent on those around her to make this public, or at least explain the situation and make clear that she can recover, if possible.
I believe this is in the best interest of Senator Ford and her constituents.
Thanks to Kleinheider for the hat tip.
From the office of Jim Kyle:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 9, 2008
ADVISORY: KYLE AVAIL ON DISTRICT 29 BILL NASHVILLE -- At 8:45 a.m. CST on Thursday, January 10, Democratic Leader Senator Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, will hold a media availability in the Legislative Plaza Press Gallery to discuss legislation related to the situation in Senate District 29.
WHO: Senator Jim Kyle
WHAT: Avail on District 29 legislation
WHEN: Thursday, January 10, 8:45 a.m. CST
WHERE: Legislative Plaza Press Gallery
Ruh-roh.
If Senator Ophelia Ford (D-29) is going to be absent from her Senate duties for an extended period of time, as her attorney has advised, then the question must be asked: What is her long-term prognosis?
I'm not the first to ask this question; Senator Jim Kyle (D-28), her party's Leader in the Senate, has apparently asked this as well. From his perspective, he needs to know whether he can count on her vote at any point in the legislative session, which begins tomorrow.
As you know, I supported her in her first election, and through the fol-de-rol of whether it was legal or not. I don't want to throw her out in the snow if there is a reasonable chance that she will return soon. However, her constituency has a right to know if they are going to have representation this spring, or ever. I believe that someone with a knowledge of her condition needs to make a public explanation, so that the citizens of Senate 29 can determine if they need to request that she resign in order to take care of her health and that they can replace her.
This is not meant with any disrespect to Senator Ford or her family or anyone connected to her. Her constituency needs to know what the prognosis is for her recovery, as her physical inability to perform her duties effectively disenfranchises them while session is going on.
Personally, I think I speak for everyone in the Democratic family when I am hoping and praying for a speedy and full recovery for Senator Ford. She has a good heart and the best intentions for District 29.
However, it is becoming apparent that she simply may not have the physical health necessary to perform her duties at the level her constituents require. There is no shame in this whatsoever, and I wish her only the best.
If this in fact is the case, it is incumbent on those around her to make this public, or at least explain the situation and make clear that she can recover, if possible.
I believe this is in the best interest of Senator Ford and her constituents.
Thanks to Kleinheider for the hat tip.
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